Hollywood
Javier Bardem may play the villains role in Warner Bros Peter Pan
MUMBAI: Javier Bardem, the baddie from Skyfall and No Country For Old Men may soon be playing another negative character. Reports suggest that the actor has been approached by Warner Bros. for the role of the lead villain, Blackbeard for its untitled Peter Pan project.
The actor was recently seen in Ridley Scott’s The Counselor along with his real-life wife Penelope Cruz and among others like Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt. He will next be seen in The Gunman with Sean Penn and Idris Elba.
Warner Bros. is also in talks with Joe Wright to direct the film from the Jason Fuchs script. While till now the plot details are being kept under wraps, the announcement has garnered a lot of attention. The film is certain to bring back the characters created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie about a boy who can fly and never ages.
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.
