Showbiz Sandbox

Showbiz Sandbox


Showbiz Sandbox 508: The New Mutants – Agents Become Managers

September 01, 2020

At a time when streaming giants have eroded box office participation and rich TV syndication deals, a significant number of high level talent agents have begun leaving their prestigious positions to become managers. They hope to help top celebrities build companies around themselves in the same way Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon have become business moguls.
Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” finally opened in theaters, at least in some international territories. Despite limited capacity screenings the blockbuster managed to live up to the hype earning $53 million at the box office. Even so, two hit films from China made even more money over the past week.
Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including a big syndication deal for “Young Sheldon,” the New York Times stops printing its TV listings and the Korean boy band BTS blows up a few records with its new single.

China’s ‘The Eight Hundred’ Has Bigger Weekend Box Office Than ‘Tenet’
https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/chinas-eight-hundred-bigger-box-office-than-tenet-1234754273/
China Box Office: ‘Love You Forever’ Enjoys $38 Million Opening Day
https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/love-you-forever-record-china-box-office-opening-1234748968/
With ‘Tenet’ at $53 Million, Believe the Hype: Initial International Box Office Is Strong
https://www.indiewire.com/2020/08/tenet-53-million-international-grosses-strong-1234583438/
Academy Museum Creative Director Peter Castro Under Investigation for Sexual Assault
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/academy-museum-peter-castro-sexual-assault-investigation-1234749946/
‘Young Sheldon’ Sets Rich Syndication Deal With ViacomCBS
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/young-sheldon-sets-rich-syndication-deal-with-viacomcbs
A Final Episode for the TV Listings
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/insider/TV-listings-ending.html
BTS’s Dynamite Topped 12.6M Streams on Spotify on Day One… Sort Of
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/btss-dynamite-topped-12-6m-streams-on-spotify-on-day-one-but-4-9m-of-them-were-erased-from-its-chart/
Djokovic and Other Top Men Are Creating a Players’ Association
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/sports/tennis/tennis-union-men-djokovic.html
After Agency Exodus, New Firm Pitches Investors On Star-Driven Production “Cash Cow”
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/after-agency-exodus-new-firm-pitches-investors-on-star-driven-production-cash-cow