Hollywood
First trailer of Bradley Cooper starring ‘American Sniper’ Released
MUMBAI: Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, the first trailer for the war drama American Sniper was released on 3 October.
The actor stars as real-life Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in American Sniper, who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and was heavily decorated for his service, has taken credit for 160 confirmed kills. The drama is based on the 2013 memoir of Chris Kyle, who was regarded as ‘the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.’
Kyle, whose book was a best-seller, was shot and killed at a Texas gun range in February 2013. He was 38 years old.
The official synopsis of the movie says, “From director Clint Eastwood comes “American Sniper,” starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter. U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname ‘Legend’. However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to ‘leave no man behind’. But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.”
Co-starring Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahan and Keir O’Donnell, American Sniper opens in limited release on Christmas Day and goes wide on 16 January 2015. The movie has been produced by Cooper.
The trailer highlights the precarious balance Kyle faces as he balances his military duties with his home life.
Click here to watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRbAXWfthtA
The movie is slated to release on Christmas this year.
Cooper, who voiced Rocket Racoon in the summer blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, has received past Academy Award nominations for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.
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.
