Hollywood
Steven Spielberg opts out of directing ‘American Sniper’
MUMBAI: After having declared that he would be directing the movie about celebrated Navy Seal Chris Kyle, the Jurassic Park director has decided to not be a part of the project. DreamWorks, that joined Warner Bros in a co-production after Spielberg announced his association, has also decided to pull out of the film.
The movie scripted by Jason Hall, has Bradley Cooper in the lead role. Cooper is also producing along with Andrew Lazar and Peter Morgan.
This is the second time the acclaimed director has changed his priorities. He had previously pushed the filming of Robocalypse to a further date as he says he wants to redevelop it. The sudden change in plans is pointed to his keenness to follow up on Lincoln.
Warner Bros will now have to look for another filmmaker to keep the movie on board. Spielberg is known to have his projects perfected to the T before he commits to them.
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.
