Hollywood
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes advance bookings open from 15 November
Mumbai: Get ready to enter the arena ‘in advance’ – that’s right, Lionsgate and PVR Pictures have opened advance bookings for The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes for fans across the country who wish to watch the film ahead of the official release. Fans can book their tickets from 15 November – we say, don’t miss the first day, first show on 17 November. It’s time to unleash your inner victor and step into the arena.. may the odds be ever in your favour.
This fifth film is a prequel to the rest of the films and marks the longest film in The Hunger Games franchise. It follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), the last hope for the once-proud Snow family, whose failing lineage has spelled a fall from grace in a postwar Capitol. Reluctantly accepting the assignment to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) for the 10th Annual Hunger Games, he finds the odds stacked against him. An opportunity to turn the tides with Lucy’s captivating charm forces him to battle his instincts for both good and evil. As Snow sets out on a race against time to survive, find out whether he will ultimately become a songbird…or a snake.
Recent social media reactions to the film have earned impressive reactions worldwide, predicting the film to have a grand opening weekend.
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.
