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WME and CAA have really gone to the mattresses. In the latest moves, WME signed actor Bill Nighy from CAA, and CAA signed WME-repped Barry Manilow. Nighy has headlined the Underworld films, played the squid-faced Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, and turned in a memorable performance in Love Actually. But if you haven’t seen his portrayal of the newspaper editor in the incredible British miniseries State of Play, you haven’t seen Nighy’s best. 
On the other side of the ledger, CAA signed Barry Manilow, the singer/songwriter and Las Vegas fixture who recently moved from the Hilton to Paris Las Vegas. This follows weeks of back forth with much larger clients moving from one agency to the other. The incessant pillaging between the powerhouse agencies has every agent in both shops on high alert. The good thing is, they are all working harder to make sure clients don’t feel neglected.
WME also signed screenwriter Jonah Nolan, who hatched the Memento story that launched the incredible career of director brother Chris, with whom he often collaborates. Nolan, who also has Interstellar with Steven Spielberg, was repped at UTA.
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Jonathan Nolan?? Geez. That HAD to hurt. Nice work WME.
CAA definitely loses this round. Barry Manilow? Ouch…
I think the other way around. Them there Vegas shows make millions per week. Plus Manilow has a huge library exploit. Nolan and Nighy are nice ‘gets’, but only pieces of a puzzle.
Agreed, Manilow brings a flow of high figures year around. The guy is a legend and a guarantee success when the other two, they can fluctuate based on the projects.
Hate to say it but that’s a good point. I don’t have any real knowledge of the music side of our business. Curious how things will shake out $-wise as I’m sure there’s already contracts in place re: his library and future Vegas endeavors (no pun intended).
Love Nighy…he was amazing in State of Play (BBC)
All due respect, when the average, non-industry individual thinks of the “Pirates” movies, they think of Depp, of Bloom, of Knightlý…maybe even of Bruckheimer. But they don’t know the name “Bill Nighy.”
Everyone knows Barry Manilow and the $ he will bring into WME will crush any of Nighy’s earnings. By a lot.
barry left because of the fact that that department can’t get any of his musicals produced, and george lane will get it done
NOLAN?? Damn. WME wins big this round.
Not that Nolan, you idiot.
And by the way, his first name is Jonathan, not Jonah.
He goes by Jonah kid…
Literally never heard of Nighy.
If this is a sign that WME’s music division is starting to crumble, then watch out… We havn’t seen nothing for fallout with this horrible merger.
This reminds me of some shit Ari would do on Entourage, gotta love the entertainment industry.
“The incessant pillaging between the powerhouse agencies has every agent in both shops on high alert. The good thing is, they are all working harder to make sure clients don’t feel neglected.”
Make that “…to make sure their highest profile clients don’t feel neglected.” If you’re not at the top of those long-ass client lists they all carry around on buckslips, you’re not going to get much love for a while.
What’s that saying: “When there’s blood in the streets, buy land?” Perhaps the other agencies should be reminding the CWAMAE clients that they are now fodder for a blender, as opposed to clients who are cared about.
Barry Manilow is literally one of the biggest earners in their PA department… He may be old, but he pulls in close to eight figures a year, so this is a major major blow.
Interesting to see that garry kief has finally gotten fed up with WME (after flirting with CAA years ago)
Nighy will be back in the Summer, when he calls over to WME and finds that most of the motion picture department is in Thailand with Tom Strickler.
is there screenwriters not to sign with WME?
I’d like to see you diagram that sentence.
yours is comment funny that!
Nighy is a hugely underrated actor and talent. He must wear disguises in order to avoid huge crowds and the paparrazzi when he is in Europe. This move will do wonders for his career. I look for him to garner an Oscar or two down the road in part due to this shrewd career move.