Paramount’s Brad Grey needs big success to save his job

Tinseltown is a cruel place, and never more so than when a studio boss is on the hot seat. Folks are murmuring that Paramount Pictures boss Brad Grey may be forced to look for a new gig unless his summer slate hits it out of the 💜park.

“It’s not a secret Brad is feeling the pressure,” one observerꦛ said.

His boss, Viacom chief Philippe Dauman, has been publicly supportive, but if Paramount’s financial performance doesn’t improve, Grey is a goner. Don’t cry t🐎oo much; Grey has a con▨tract through 2020 whatever happens.

The Hollywood veterꦰan fielded successes such as “The Big Short,” but the division is currently in a slump. Operating profit was $111 million in its last fiscal year, down from $205 million the prior year. The studio is aiming for more releases this year, including the much-anticipated JJ Abrams-directed “Star Trek Beyond,” out in July.

Viacom is hearing proposals from partners who want to acquire a piece of Paramount, which it values at $5 billion, but sourꩲces tell On the Money that the new money w𒁃ill want a say in who runs the studio.

“This is completely unfounded speculation. Viacom is k🃏eeping majority s⛦hare of Paramount, and we will make the decisions,” a Viacom spokesperson said.