Hollywood
George Lucas is Hollywood’s richest movie mogul
MUMBAI: In the run up to the Academy Awards on 22 February, Wealth-X has released a list of the top 10 richest individuals in the American film industry. George Lucas tops the list with $5.4 billion as the wealthiest Hollywood tycoon.
Lucas is the director and producer of the Star Wars blockbuster films. His fortune of $5.4 billion is mostly derived from revenue from the Star Wars franchise and the sale of LucasFilm to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.
Unlike other directors and producers, Lucas, 70, banked on one film idea, directing only six feature films over the course of his career – four of which were Star Wars movies.
In contrast, Steven Spielberg – who ranks third on the Wealth-X list with an estimated fortune of $3.3 billion–has directed more than 30 feature films, including classics such as ET, Jaws and Jurassic Park.
All 10 individuals on the Wealth-X Hollywood Rich List are male film producers and directors. Collectively, they control more than $20 billion of personal wealth.
The complete list of the richest movie moguls in Hollywood is as follows:
1) George Lucas – $5.4 billion (Star Wars films)
2) Arnon Milchan – $5.2 billion (Pretty Woman, 12 Years A Slave)
3) Steven Spielberg – $3.3 billion (ET, Jaws)
4) Austin Hearst – $1.9 billion (The Vow)
5) Ryan Kavanaugh – $1 billion (The Social Network, Little Fockers)
6) Jeffrey Katzenberg – $910 million (The Lion King, Shrek)
7) Thomas Tull – $870 million (The Hangover, 300)
8) Jerry Bruckheimer – $850 million (Top Gun, Pirates of The Caribbean)
9) Steve Tisch – $720 million (Forrest Gump)
10) James Cameron – $670 million (Avatar, Titanic)
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.
