The $111 billion deal for Paramount Skydance to buy Warner Bros. Discovery is grabbing attention—not just for the price, but for the huge payout for WBD’s CEO, David Zaslav.

If the deal goes through, he could get $550 million, including $34 million in cash, $517 million in company stock, and about $44,000 for health benefits, according to WBD’s SEC filing.

It’s a massive payday that shows just how big executive payouts can be in Hollywood.

David Zaslav could get extra money from his Warner Bros. Discovery deal through tax reimbursements.

WBD originally estimated $335.4 million, assuming the deal closed in March 2026. But under current IRS rules, that amount could drop, and if the deal finishes in 2027, he might get nothing.

Last month, Zaslav sold $114 million in WBD stock, right after Paramount won the bidding war for the company.

Top Warner Bros. Discovery executives are in line for huge payouts from the merger.

J.B. Perrette, CEO of global streaming and games, could get $142 million, mostly in company shares. Bruce Campbell, chief revenue officer, could receive $121.5 million.

CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels is set for $120 million, and Gerhard Zeiler, president of international, could get $82.6 million.

These numbers are estimates and could change, but one thing is clear: the executives are looking at a very big payday.

While executives celebrate big paychecks, not everyone is cheering the merger and two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda made her opposition clear at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party,strutting the red carpet with a “Block the Merger” pin.

Fonda has been outspoken against Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Bros., warning that such deals could cost jobs, hike prices for fans, and even give too much political influence over media.

Jane Fonda didn’t hold back when addressing comments made by Pete Hegseth on March 13, who said, “the sooner David Ellison takes over [CNN], the better.”

Fonda, once married to CNN founder Ted Turner, said she has a personal stake in the network and worries it could stray from its mission of fair, objective reporting.

She added, “This isn’t just any merger, but the Paramount merger is especially troubling. They even had to bend to Trump to get approval. But we’re going to fight it and win.”

Fonda’s protest grabbed headlines at a time when Warner Bros. was celebrating big at the Academy Awards, tying the record for the most wins by a studio in a single night.