Hollywood
Cast of new Fantastic Four film reboot announced
MUMBAI: According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), 20th Century Fox is close to signing off deals with four actors’ viz., Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell for its new film based on Marvel’s Fantastic Four (FF) comics created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.
Playing the roles will be Kate Mara (House of Cards) as Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, Jamie Bell (The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn) will take on the role of Ben Grimm, also known The Thing; while Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now) will be Reid Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic and finally rounding out the fourth member is Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) as Johnny Storm, also known as The Human Torch making him the first African-American to take on that role.
The contemporary update is based on the comic book “The Ultimate Fantastic Four,” and will completely focus on the characters as young men and women. Josh Trank (Chronicle) will helm the pic with Simon Kinberg (Sherlock Holmes), Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) and Gregory Goodman (X-Men: First Class) serving as producers.
Now that the Fantastic Four have been shortlisted, you can expect to hear more about who they will be battling against over the next few months. More information on the film will be released as the project moves further along into production. The film is scheduled to premiere in US theatres on 19 June, 2015.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
