Showbiz Sandbox 557: Talent Agents Strike A Deal… for Themselves




Showbiz Sandbox show

Summary: 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?<br> 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.<br> 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.<br> <br> <br> ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Courses Through Russia With Top Opening Day Of Pandemic, Best-Ever For Sony<br> <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-russia-opening-weekend-international-box-office-1234848246/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-russia-opening-weekend-international-box-office-1234848246/</a><br> ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Devours ‘Black Widow’s Pandemic Opening Record With $90.1M Debut<br> <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-opening-weekend-box-office-1234847950/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-opening-weekend-box-office-1234847950/</a><br> China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Claims Global Box Office Crown With $203 Million Weekend<br> <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/china-battle-at-lake-changjin-weekend-global-box-office-1235080062/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/china-battle-at-lake-changjin-weekend-global-box-office-1235080062/</a><br> ‘Law &amp; Order’ Revived By NBC For Season 21 From Dick Wolf &amp; Rick Eid<br> <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/</a><br> ‘Moulin Rouge!’ and ‘The Inheritance’ Take Top Honors at Tony Awards<br> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/theater/broadway-tony-awards.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/theater/broadway-tony-awards.html</a><br> TV Ratings: CBS’ ‘Broadway’s Back’ Tony Awards Special Struggles<br> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-26-2021-1235021293/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-26-2021-1235021293/</a><br> ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Russell T. Davies to Return for Next Season<br> <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/</a><br> Disney and Scarlett Johansson Settle Suit Over ‘Black Widow’ Contract<br> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-scarlett-johansson-work-out-agreement-over-black-widow-contract-11633050183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-scarlett-johansson-work-out-agreement-over-black-widow-contract-11633050183</a><br> Disney &amp; Scarlett Johansson Resolve Bitter ‘Black Widow’ Profits Lawsuit; Big $$$ Win For Oscar Nominee<br> <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/09/disney-black-widow-lawsuit-scarlett-johansson-rsettlement-1234847437/" target="_blank" rel="noopener no..."></a>