Hollywood
Biblical Epic Noah by Darren Aronofsky set to release in India
MUMBAI: Director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) was fascinated by the compelling story about Noah since a very young age, and is all set to present his take on the larger-than-life story of courage, sacrifice and hope, titled Noah based on the popular biblical stories. Paramount Pictures recently released the first pulse-racing trailer of the film, which has attracted amazing response from the audience across the globe.
The film boasts of a stellar cast, comprising of Academy Award winners Russell Crowe (Gladiator) and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) as Noah and his wife, Naameh, respectively. It also features Oscar Award winner Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) and the ‘Harry Potter’ actress, Emma Watson. The director, Darren Aronofsky, who has given the world remarkable award winning films like Pi, Black Swan and The Wrestler, had been working on the screenplay of the epic since 2004.
The adventure packed film has spectacular VFX with mass scale production. The film features Noah having visions of an apocalyptic deluge, taking measures to protect his family and saving the innocent animals from the coming flood. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save God’s creation from the devastating flood. Noah and his family build a massive ark, large enough to give shelter to two of every type of animal, who, when the time is right, appear at the foot of the great ship to board. What follows is a battle for Noah’s Ark, so that the storm can be survived.
With the film due for a worldwide release next month, filmmaker Aronofsky has certainly left the audience looking forward to the grand cinematic experience. Presented by Paramount Pictures, the film is slated for release on 28 March by Viacom18 Motion Pictures in India.
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.
