Hollywood
Weinstein Company acquires ‘The Eichmann Show’
MUMBAI: The Eichmann Show starring Martin Freeman (Hobbit, Sherlock) has been acquired by the Weinstein Company for the US.
Co-produced by India’s Sheetal Talwar (Vistaar Film Fund) with BBC and Laurence Bowen and Ken Marshall of Feelgood Fiction from the UK, the film directed by Paul Andrew Williams recounts the global transmission of the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the major organisers of the Holocaust, which was broadcast to over 37 countries.
Bowen felt that the extraordinary story of how the Eichmann trial came to be televised and shown around the world has never been told. “By allowing Holocaust survivors to share their stories with a huge viewing audience, it unblocked whole strata of shame and denial. It literally changed history. We believe the BBC, Vistaar and Goldfinch helped us put together a project we are all extremely proud of.”
The deal of the Weinsteins boarding the film was announced at the start of the 65th Berlin Film Festival’s market (EFM), and was struck by Content Media, the sales agency representing the film.
Vistaar Film Fund managing director Talwar said, “We are extremely thrilled to have someone like the Weinstein’s who understand quality cinema on board. It only bolsters our faith that good cinema will always find good partners.”
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.
