Hollywood
Francis Lawrence talks casting Rachel Zegler for ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ lead
Mumbai: Can you hear that? It’s the sound of snow, falling. Lionsgate is all set to release the highly anticipated fifth installment of the cult-favorite The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on 17 November 2023. With an ensemble cast including Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Tom Blythe and Rachel Zegler, the billion-dollar franchise has fans all over the world brimming with excitement since its inception. Following the journey of a young Coriolanus Snow, (previously essayed by Donald Sutherland) The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to its predecessors. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the mastermind returns to weave his magic on the big screen for the fourth time in a row.
Having already set the standard extremely high with an incredulous starcast in the past Hunger Games, the makers had to ensure that every actor was a perfect fit for their role. So, when time came to choose the first tribute, the makers left no stones unturned.
Talking about casting Rachel Zegler as Lucy and the four-hour meeting between the two, director Francis Lawrence said, “I mean, you know, the thing is, she’s one of the most talented young actresses out there right now. But, you know, the character of Lucy Gray is a really tricky one, right? Because she’s a mercurial character. So she’s emotional, but she’s also damaged, and she’s lived quite a lot more honestly than the character of Snow has. But she also has to be a fantastic singer. And you know, Rachel’s a phenomenal singer. And so, yeah, we sat down and talked about the character and talked about the books and just had a fantastic meeting.”
Lionsgate and PVRINOX Pictures will release The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in theaters in India on 17 November 2023
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.
