Hollywood
Saban acquires North American distribution rights to the Nicolas Cage starrer ‘The Trust’
NEW DELHI: The crime thriller starring Nicolas Cage, The Trust, is to be distributed in North America by Saban Capital Group, as per a deal finalised at the American Film Market.
SCG chairman and CEO Haim Saban said the film is co-written by Ben Brewer and Adam Hirsch and will be directed by Ben and Alex Brewer. The Trust is currently in pre-production with lensing in Las Vegas, NV.
The Trust centers on two crooked cops who discover a hidden safe, the contents of which will lead them down a deadly road of corruption. With each shocking twist, and every deadly turn, the pair are left to fight for their lives, with no one left to trust.
“The script for The Trust was incredibly captivating and tells such a riveting story,” said Saban president Bill Bromiley. “Audiences everywhere will love Nicolas Cage in this role and it’s a great addition to the Saban Films portfolio.”
Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated on behalf of Saban Films and Highland Film Group (HFG) on behalf of the producers. Molly Hassell and Braxton Pope are producing. The Trust is a Hassell Free Production in association with Electric Shadow Fund who is providing finance. Mike Nilon will be the executive producer along with HFG’s Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier. Highland Film Group is handling the worldwide sales for the film.
Saban Films’ first acquisition, The Homesman, starring Academy Award winners Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank was screened at the upcoming Festival which is part of AFM. The film will be released stateside with Roadside Attractions on 14 November.
Saban Films recently acquired the US rights to John Travolta’s The Forger, the action thriller Tracers starring Taylor Lautner and Marie Avgeropoulos from Temple Hill Entertainment and American Heist starring Hayden Christensen, Academy Award Winner Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, Tory Kittles and Aliaune “AKON” Thiam.
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG chairman and chief executive officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, chief financial officer and Ness Saban, director of business development.
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.
