Hollywood
Kurt Russell eyes part in Fast 7′
With martial arts superstar Tony Jaa and a brand-new villain joining the new film (as well as Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles), the Fast and Furious franchise is developing into an ensemble cast of action icons in the same vein as the Expendables series. The addition of Russell makes sense then, as his filmography is rife with the same kind of testosterone-driven thrill rides. Ironically, Russell reportedly turned down a role in the original Expendables film.
Regardless, this is certainly a major win for the long-running Fast and Furious series and supports the style new director James Wan (Insidious, The Conjuring) will bring to the films. The filmmaker is taking over for Justin Lin – who directed the last four Fast and Furious adventures – and previously announced that he views the film as a “gritty 70s revenge thriller.” Fast Five previously reinvigorated the franchise by dropping the focus on street racing and including globe-trotting and heist elements. Therefore, Wan’s decision to bring in new blood while tweaking the tone a bit could go a long way to keeping the series fresh.
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.
