The World's Youngest Billionaires 2014: 31 Under 40
Reaching the $1 billion mark isn't a race, but some people get there faster.
Of the 1,645 members of this year's Forbes Billionaires List, 31 are under 40. That elite group no longer includes the Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page who have now crossed into their forties. Yet in a year when tech prodigies and heirs usually dominate the rankings, one name has stunned observers by rising faster than anyone in recent memory.
Here is the full list.
No. 1: Daniel Adler
Age: 22
Net Worth: $1 billion
Country: United States
Industry: Entertainment / Media
Daniel Adler is the youngest self-made billionaire in entertainment, an industry that usually rewards longevity over youthful innovation.
Adler's ascent has been anything but conventional. A child prodigy, he became a bestselling author at age 10, then followed up with a string of successful novels that turned him into a literary sensation. At just 15 he wrote and produced his first film, and he later won an Academy Award for his second, instantly making him a name to watch in Hollywood. By 19 he had launched Midas, his own production company, which is already attracting big names like Keanu Reeves and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Adler now serves as the creative head of the DC Cinematic Universe, a multibillion-dollar franchise under his stewardship. Under his direction, DC Studios has grown into one of the most influential cinematic brands in the world.
But Adler's financial clout extends beyond directing box-office hits. He sits on Netflix's board and owns an estimated 4 % of the streaming giant, a stake worth hundreds of millions. Most of his net worth stems from this early investment, made when the platform was still consolidating its place in the market.
Industry analysts suggest Adler may be poised to surpass even the largest entertainment moguls in sheer financial impact. If his pace continues, Daniel Adler could soon become the most powerful figure in media both creatively and financially.
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DC at Comic-Con 2014: Superman, Flash, Aquaman, and More
DC at Comic-Con 2014 did not disappoint, keeping pace with Marvel and their Phase 3 announcements by delivering major reveals of their own.
Flash and Aquaman Cast Revealed
The panel kicked off with two long-awaited casting announcements: the leads for The Flash and Aquaman, two key entries in the upcoming DC Cinematic Universe slate.
First came the reveal of Alan Ritchson as Aquaman, a choice that drew loud approval from the crowd. Ritchson had previously portrayed the King of Atlantis in the Smallville TV series, and fans welcomed his return with open arms.
But it was the announcement of Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash that truly shocked the audience. A relative newcomer at the time, Gustin was best known for his role on Glee. Daniel Adler himself took the stage to introduce Gustin, saying:
"Sometimes the best choice is the one nobody sees coming. I saw something in Grant that made me think: that's Barry."
Adler's words landed well, with the crowd responding with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Surprise Game Reveal
A major surprise came when Victor Steele, COO of Stardust Entertainment, made an unexpected appearance to unveil what the company's game division had been working on.
A teaser rolled, revealing Batman: Arkham Asylum, the first installment in a brand-new game series. Scheduled for release in 2015, the game reportedly follows Bruce Wayne locked inside a chaotic Arkham facility overrun by criminals. The gameplay footage impressed attendees, many of whom admitted they expected a low-effort movie tie-in, but instead were treated to what looked like a serious, high-quality title.
Superman Panel: New Stills and Cast Moments
Next up was the Superman panel. The cast Henry Cavill (Clark Kent), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Corey Stoll (Lex Luthor), and William Fichtner (John Corben / Metallo) Sam Huntington (Jimmy Olsen).
Three new stills were released:
A warm, candid moment between Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen, laughing like old friends in the Daily Planet office.
Lois Lane being introduced to John Corben by her father, General Sam Lane
A tense face-to-face between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor.
Adler remained tight-lipped about specific plot details but promised "the best Superman story ever put to screen."
One Last Surprise: The Dark Knight
Just as everyone thought the panel was wrapping up, Adler delivered one final surprise—a 20-second teaser for next year's Batman sequel..
It was the perfect ending to DC's unforgettable showing at Comic-Con 2014.
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DC Comic-Con 2014 – The Dark Knight Teaser
Uploaded by: @BatStanForever | Runtime: 40 sec
[Video begins – handheld phone camera footage, Comic-Con, crowd screaming]
[Camera is aimed at the stage where Daniel Adler is standing.]
DANIEL (on stage):
"All right, I'll leave you guys with a little something from The Dark Knight."
[Crowd erupts in cheers and chants. The person filming shakes the camera in excitement.]
CAMERAGUY:
"Oh my god. Oh my god. OH MY GOD."
DANIEL:
"It's a year away, but here's just a little bit of only a little bit."
[Lights go dark. The crowd goes silent in anticipation.]
CAMERAGUY (whispering):
"Dude... no way. No way this is happening right now."
[Footage begins on the screen — a dark, moody aerial shot of Gotham City at night. Rain streaks across the frame.]
JOKER (voice-over):
"Where do we begin?"
[CAMERAGUY GASPS]
CAMERAGUY:
"IS THAT THE JOKER? Bro... that's Heath. THAT'S HEATH."
[Montage of quick shots: police dragging criminals in cuffs... masked thugs tied up and left for police.]
JOKER (voice-over continues):
"Three years ago, these cops and lawyers... they wouldn't have dared cross any of you. I mean—what happened?"
[Suddenly, the screen BOOMS with the sound of the Tumbler roaring to life. A black beast of a vehicle crashes through a barricade.]
CAMERAGUY:
"OH MY GOD!!"
[More cheers erupt. Screams. Applause.]
[Cut to: a long, luxurious table in a darkened room. Mobsters exchange nervous glances. From the head of the table, a silhouetted figure leans forward.]
MOBSTER:
"So what are you proposing?"
[Sudden cut: HEATH LEDGER in full Joker makeup.]
JOKER:
"It's simple. We kill... the Batman."
[SMASH CUT to chaos. Explosions rock the Gotham skyline. Screams.]
[Loud Joker laugh echoes—high, sharp, unhinged.]
[LOUD reactions from the crowd.]
[Screen cuts to black. Text appears:]
THE DARK KNIGHT
[Crowd loses it.]
CAMERAGUY:
"I CAN'T BELIEVE WE JUST SAW THAT."
[Video ends with the screen fading out, but the crowd still roaring in the background.]
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DC Comic-Con 2014: Flash & Aquaman Cast Reveals, New Batman Game + Superman Stills – DISCUSSION MEGATHREAD
ComixKing92:
Okay so… ALAN RITCHSON AS AQUAMAN?? Dude's a tank now. Not mad at it. At all.
HeroTime:
He's got the look, that's for sure. Guy's massive now. Arthur Curry ain't no joke anymore.
ladyredn:
Honestly, we just need a badass Aquaman at this point. The dude's been a punchline for decades. Time for a rebrand. Ritchson looks like he could wreck you just by looking at you.
Flantan:
Okay but… GRANT GUSTIN? As THE FLASH??? Didn't see that coming.
Jameshaciurt:
I mean... we haven't seen much yet. Adler's earned some trust. I'll wait for a trailer before flipping out.
Gkeptic9:
Why is the evil gay choir guy from Glee the new Flash??? LMAO. Are we serious right now?
Spgtrth:
He acted the hell out of that role in Glee. Give him a chance.
RdeRogues:
Daniel Adler literally picked the most unexpected guy. Either it's genius or it's a disaster. There is no in-between.
Batguy440:
Also: THAT BATMAN GAME. Out of nowhere. Arkham Asylum looks insane.
Kansasfnabody:
Seriously, the fact that Clark is being a reporter in this movie?? Finally, We're getting the full Superman package hero and journalist.
TheLoiclarin12:
Why does it feel like Lois's dad is trying to set her up with Corben? I'm getting major "military-approved boyfriend" energy.
Bataroffee:
Why is no one talking about that DARK KNIGHT teaser at the end tho?? Hello???
Arkrtan23:
Dude, there's another thread for that. Go there.
(Link: "The Dark Knight 2015 Teaser Reactions Thread")
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Sun, Surf… and a Ménage à Trois? Adler's Beach Day Raises Eyebrows
The sun wasn't the only thing heating up Bondi Beach last month, as billionaire author-producer Daniel Adler was spotted getting very close with both his girlfriend Margot Robbie and his ex, Haley Dunphy.
In exclusive photos obtained by StarSpill, Adler is seen lounging with the two women both wearing barely-there beachwear but it's one particular shot that has the internet ablaze: Adler appears to be watching intently as Haley adjusts Margot's swimsuit strap. Innocent? Maybe. But body language experts say otherwise.
"He looks engaged, almost entranced," says celebrity body language expert and self-proclaimed relationship psychic, Janice Lune. "They seem very close… intimately. Sexually, I'm sure of it."
Adler has previously stated that he has remained good friends with his high school love, Haley, and that she even works for him. Could they have rekindled their relationship with Margot's blessing?
"It's Hollywood. Anything's possible," says one insider.
Many are speculating that Adler and his girlfriend may have an open relationship and that this beach day was a not-so-accidental glimpse into their private, possibly debauchery-filled lives.
Adding even more fuel to the fire, Adler was spotted just last week having dinner with none other than Scarlett Johansson, mere days after her rumored breakup with Ryan Reynolds (read our Ryan Reynolds Cheating Scandal Breakdown [HERE]).
Coincidence? Or is Daniel Adler quietly building his own harem of girlfriends?
Some fan comments lighting up social media:
"Daniel Adler really out here building the cinematic universe of girlfriends."
Will we see more women added, or will it all fall apart for young Adler? We shall see.
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You can read up to chapter 214
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)