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Like a Civil War battlefield littered with corpses and moaning, limb-severed casualties, the smoke is still clearing from the events of Black Wednesday, a Paramount lot massacre that culminated in General Brad Grey rearing his steed onto its hind legs, triumphantly holding his sword aloft, and swearing the 'Mount shall rise again. Today, the NY Times interviews Grey, confronting the neophyte studio boss about his various war crimes (ex: firing 33-year distribution vet Wayne Lewellen a few days before Christmas), and industry rumors that Grey-appointment Gail Berman isn't working out:

Mr. Grey said Ms. Berman had his support so far. "She's working hard and it's early," he said. In fact, he says he finds the Hollywood speculation about Paramount's future somewhat amusing.


When told about the most recent rumor about him taking a corporate job at Viacom, Paramount's parent, he laughed. "What does that mean?" he said. "Am I being named emperor?"

Grey paused, then rolled the words around in his mouth. "Emperor...Kind of hits all the right spots, does it not? Emperrrorrrrr Grrreyyy..." After a brief intercom communique to his assistant to change all his business cards, personal stationery and parking lot assignment signage to "Brad Grey: Emperor, Paramount Pictures," the studio chief returned to the task at hand: reviewing a Berman-authored memo entitled "How My Production Slate Consisting of Oliver Stone's 9-11 Movie and the Sequel to Jackass Are Going To Turn This Ship Around, Boss!"