Hollywood
Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan to Host Academy’s Sci-Tech Awards
MUMBAI: Actors Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday, February 15, at The Beverly Hills Hotel. They will present 19 awards to 52 individual recipients during the evening.
“We are thrilled to have Kristen and Michael join us as hosts for this year’s Sci-Tech Awards,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “They are bright, young talents in the film community and will be a great addition to a night that honors the industry’s technical achievements.”
Bell recently lent her voice to the Oscar-nominated Disney animated feature Frozen. She also will be seen in the title role of the upcoming feature Veronica Mars, in theaters this March. Bell’s other film credits include The Lifeguard, Hit & Run, When in Rome and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
In 2013, Jordan appeared in his first major leading role in the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station. He also will be seen in That Awkward Moment, with Zac Efron and Miles Teller, due out this Friday. His other credits include Chronicle and Red Tails.
Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast.
Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, 2 March, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
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.
