Hollywood is buzzing about who could next be running Paramount Pictures amid all the changes at its parent company, Viacom — but the company insists it has full confidence in current chairman Brad Grey.
Multiple sources tell Page Six the gossip is that Paramount Pictures boss Grey could be vulnerable, following the ousting of Philippe Dauman as Viacom CEO. Names being whispered around town as future contenders for the role include former 20th Century Fox boss Jim Gianopulos, producers Brian Grazer and John Goldwyn, former Lionsgate co-chair Rob Friedman and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Plus, there have been several others actively jockeying for the job.
The move comes after box-office flops including “Ben-Hur,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” and “Zoolander 2.” Paramount is also reportedly preparing for a loss ahead of the release of “Monster Trucks” in January. Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore was pushed out last week.
A Hollywood insider told us, “Many people are reaching out to Shari Redstone and the board for the job. But Grey will stay on in the role. It is believed that without Philippe there, he will get a chance to use his creative juices and turn things around. Viacom first has to deal with the bigger picture, including who will take the top job and replace Tom Dooley [who last week announced he will be stepping down as interim CEO in November].” Insiders say Robert Bakish, head of Viacom’s international business, is the current front-runner.
Another Viacom insider added, “Everybody is looking to Brad to make Paramount the studio it can be. Every studio has its rough patches, and you just have to have confidence. We feel good about the films being released and a return to profitability.” These movies include “Arrival,” Brad Pitt’s “Allied” and Denzel Washington’s “Fences.”
Dooley told us on Tuesday, “There have been zero meetings [about the job], and we have confidence in Brad Grey running Paramount.”
Redstone and Grey were seen dining together at Hollywood hot spot the Tower Bar on Monday.