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Hollywood Breakdown

Following 'Ben-Hur' disaster, the pressure's on at Paramount

The very expensive remake of Ben-Hur grossed just $11.2 million its debut weekend. That puts Paramount CEO Brad Grey in a tough spot. He needs to turn the studio around following a string of flops.

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By Kim Masters • Aug 25, 2016 • 3m Listen

Now that the battle for Viacom is over; Sumner Redstone and his daughter, Shari, retain control and Philippe Dauman is almost out, attention is turning to Viacom properties, including the troubled Paramount Pictures and the studio's CEO Brad Grey. Ben-Hur is the most recent of their box office bombs -- earlier flops this year include Zoolander 2 and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Star Trek Beyond is their only movie this year to make more than $100 million, but even that's not great because it's been the least successful film in the franchise. People on the lot at Paramount claim all the corporate struggles have been a distraction, and now they can return to focusing on filmmaking. They do own several powerful franchises, including Transformers and Mission Impossible. They need upcoming films to land in a big way.

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    Kim Masters

    partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

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    Matthew Belloni

    founding partner of Puck News

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    Kaitlin Parker

    Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

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