Showbiz Sandbox 557: Talent Agents Strike A Deal… for Themselves
October 5, 2021
In yet another sign that the entertainment industry is consolidating, Creative Artists Agency, one of Hollywood’s most powerful talent agencies, announced it would acquire ICM Partners, the fourth largest player in the space. Is the move meant to help CAA gain leverage when negotiating with streaming giants like Netflix, or is it all about ensuring success on Wall Street for its biggest investor? And what will this mean for smaller agencies which may actually stand to benefit from the deal?
Meanwhile, this year’s Tony Awards honoring Broadway’s brightest were finally held with a live audience. However, some productions in both New York and London are stumbling as they turn on their marquees for the first time since the COVID pandemic began.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how James Bond and Venom are competing for box office glory, Scarlett Johansson settles her “Black Widow” lawsuit with Disney and the labor strike that could shut down Hollywood. Podcast: Play in new window | Download
‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Courses Through Russia With Top Opening Day Of Pandemic, Best-Ever For Sony
https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-russia-opening-weekend-international-box-office-1234848246/
‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Devours ‘Black Widow’s Pandemic Opening Record With $90.1M Debut
https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-opening-weekend-box-office-1234847950/
China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Claims Global Box Office Crown With $203 Million Weekend
https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/china-battle-at-lake-changjin-weekend-global-box-office-1235080062/
‘Law & Order’ Revived By NBC For Season 21 From Dick Wolf & Rick Eid
https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/
‘Moulin Rouge!’ and ‘The Inheritance’ Take Top Honors at Tony Awards
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/theater/broadway-tony-awards.html
TV Ratings: CBS’ ‘Broadway’s Back’ Tony Awards Special Struggles
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-26-2021-1235021293/
‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Russell T. Davies to Return for Next Season
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/
Disney and Scarlett Johansson Settle Suit Over ‘Black Widow’ Contract
https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-scarlett-johansson-work-out-agreement-over-black-widow-contract-11633050183
Disney & Scarlett Johansson Resolve Bitter ‘Black Widow’ Profits Lawsuit; Big $$$ Win For Oscar Nominee
https://deadline.com/2021/09/disney-black-widow-lawsuit-scarlett-johansson-rsettlement-1234847437/
Times Are Changing: COVID-19 and Library Late Fees
https://bookriot.com/covid-19-and-library-late-fees/
Warner Music Group Is Now Generating Over $270M From TikTok, Peloton, Facebook and Other ‘Alternative’ Platforms Annually
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/welcome-to-the-new-record-business-warner-music-group-is-now-generating-over-270m-from-tiktok-peloton-facebook-and-other-alternative-platforms-annually2/
Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Performers Revealed: Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg
https://variety.com/2021/music/news/super-bowl-2022-halftime-dr-dre-kendrick-lamar-eminem-mary-j-blige-snoop-1235078168/
CAA Acquiring ICM Partners; Will Be Biggest Agency Link-Up Since WMA-Endeavor
https://deadline.com/2021/09/caa-acquiring-icm-partners-1234844517/
What Hollywood Insiders Are Saying About the CAA Deal
https://puck.news/caa-icm-hollywood-talent-agency-merger/
‘Bridgerton’ Makeup Designer and Emmy Winner Marc Pilcher Dies at 53 of COVID
https://variety.com/2021/artisans/news/marc-pilcher-dead-dies-bridgerton-hair-makeup-1235080234/
Roger Michell, Acclaimed Film and Stage Director, Dies Aged 65
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/23/roger-michell-acclaimed-film-and-stage-director-dies-aged-65
Jon Gregory, British Film Editor on ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral,’ ‘Secrets & Lies’ and ‘Three Billboards,’ Dies at 77
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jon-gregory-dead-four-weddings-three-billboards-1235021221/
Jay Sandrich, Prolific Director on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘The Cosby Show,’ Dies at 89
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jay-sandrich-dead-director-mary-tyler-moore-cosby-show-1235019385/
Tommy Kirk, Young Disney Actor in ‘Old Yeller’ and ‘The Shaggy Dog,’ Dies at 79
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tommy-kirk-dead-old-yeller-shaggy-dog-1235022775/
Takao Saito, 84, Dies; Created a Japanese Comic Book Superstar
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/business/media/takao-saito-dead.html
Labelle’s Sarah Dash Dies at 76
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9633057/sarah-dash-dead-labelle-singer/
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