Hollywood
‘The Help’ director Tate Taylor to helm DreamWorks’ ‘Girl on the Train’
MUMBAI: Tate Taylor, who directed DreamWorks Studios’ Oscar-winning film, The Help, returns to direct its adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Girl on the Train.
DreamWorks acquired the rights to Paula Hawkins’ debut thriller in 2014, prior to the novel’s publication, and set Erin Cressida Wilson to adapt for the screen. Marc Platt will produce the film, while Jared LeBoff of Marc Platt Productions will serve as executive producer.
In The Girl on the Train, Rachel, who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds.
“With The Help, Tate deftly adapted a beloved novel into a compelling film that stayed true to its origin while pleasing fans and moviegoers alike. We are excited to have Tate back at DreamWorks and thrilled that he’s joining us on this journey as we bring another bestseller to theaters,” said DreamWorks Studios president of production Holly Bario.
“Bringing rich material to the screen in the filmmaker friendly environment DreamWorks provides is a director’s dream. I’m honored to be a part of this,” added Taylor.
The Girl on the Train, is the fastest selling adult novel in history with over two million copies sold in the United States alone since it was published in January by Riverhead Books. It landed in the top spot on the New York Times bestsellers list its first week and has remained on there for the past 17 weeks straight.
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.
