EXEC FACES AX
Canned to set example, claims studio insider
HOTSHOT HOLLYWOOD executive Amy Pascal is likely to lose her job over the leaked emails that exposed a nasty side to her reign at Sony Entertainment, a source told the Daily News.
“Amy will be getting fired to set an example,” the source indicated Saturday as Pascal’s future hung in the balance. “Everyone is really upset because Amy is beloved and a good person.”
The 56-year-old Sony co-chair was actually hurt by her generally positive public image when the hacked emails were leaked — reportedly in retaliation for the upcoming film “The Interview.”
“Since it’s a surprise for Amy’s image, it had a larger impact and they are deciding if keeping her will make things worse for the company’s image,” the source said.
“The Interview,” greenlighted by Pascal, features James Franco and Seth Rogen as bumbling journalists dispatched to assassinate Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
A series of emails between Pascal and producer Scott Rudin forced both to apologize — particularly for those missives that referred to President Obama as a likely fan of movies about slavery.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spoke to Pascal after her emails were made public, was among those questioning her future. “She kept saying over and over again that’s not who she is,” Sharpton said. “She apologized over and over. But I told her that when I listen to the words, if they were said by somebody of another race about somebody of another race, they would not be tolerated.”
Meanwhile, insulted Oscar winner Angelina Jolie — described by Rudin as “a minimally talented spoiled brat” in one email — announced she was suffering from chicken pox and would not be available to promote her latest film. The director of “Unbroken,” the dramatic story of former Olympian Louis Zamperini, will miss Monday’s L.A. premiere. She released a photo of her spots while Sony execs told The News the chicken pox story was just a cover for Jolie’s rage.
Branding expert Dorie Clark said Pascal could survive the viral scandal if she has the support of other Sony executives — and if the bottom line means anything.
Sony’s revenues were up 13% this past fiscal year. Under Pascal, Sony Pictures has seen 95 movies reach No. 1 domestically since 2000. “What’s going to decide her future now is how close she is with her boss and what kind of relationship she has with the board,” Clark said. “It depends on how many people there are in Hollywood who want to put a knife in her back.”
The emails also revealed problems with the latest installment of one of the movie business’ most reliable characters — British spy James Bond. The $300 million-plus “Spectre” was plagued by problems in its climatic third act, according to emails obtained by Gawker. “There needs to be some kind of a TWIST rather than a series of watery chases with guns,” read one snippy script note written in August.
Leaks on the Sam Mendes-directed movie included the entire script, an assortment of emails and various notes about reworking the project before its 2015 release. Shooting began last week on the troubled project, which again stars Daniel Craig as Bond and adds Italian beauty Monica Bellucci as the newest Bond girl.
Other no-longer secret emails reveal Pascal and producer Mark Gordon trashed Leonardo DiCaprio after the actor opted not to star in their Steve Jobs bopic. Gordon said Leo exhibited “Horrible behavior” by backing out of the film, to which Pascal replied, “Actually despicable.”