Top CAA Agent Named Head of MGM Pictures

A top agent with Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency was named president of MGM Pictures Inc. on Wednesday as part of a continuing effort to overhaul Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Michael E. Marcus, 48, a CAA new-technology guru and senior motion picture agent whose clients include actors Tom Cruise and Robin Williams and director Sydney Pollack, was tapped as president of the studio by MGM Chairman Frank G. Mancuso.

Mancuso, who formerly headed Paramount Pictures, is working to revive the ailing studio so that its owner, the French bank Credit Lyonnais, can attract a buyer. CAA Chairman Michael S. Ovitz is serving as the bank’s adviser and was behind Mancuso’s hiring.

For that reason, the appointment of Marcus angered some Hollywood executives, who see the agency’s ties to the studio as a conflict of interest.

But the announcement drew only a mild response from Jeff Berg, chairman of CAA’s archrival, International Creative Management, who publicly challenged the MGM-CAA relationship earlier this year.

“We’ve said all there is to say on this issue,” Berg said in a statement. “Our position remains unchanged. We wish Mike the best of luck, look forward to working with him and will do everything we can to help him succeed.”

Asked about the conflict issue, Mancuso said: “He was picked totally on his merit. He’s not the only agent I spoke to or considered along the way.”

CAA would not comment, but sources close to the agency note that one of the first projects Mancuso has been working on is “Higgins & Beech,” an ICM package scheduled to star Michelle Pfeiffer and Richard Gere.

The naming of Marcus comes two days after Mancuso chose former Warner Bros. executive John Calley, 62, to jump-start the dormant United Artists Pictures, MGM’s other studio.

Marcus is a respected agent who, although well-known in Hollywood, strives to maintain a low public profile.

“He’s not a spotlight sucker,” said one acquaintance.

Marcus started in the entertainment business at Creative Management Agency, later becoming partners with Michael Levy in other agencies. He joined CAA in 1981.

Marcus was unavailable for comment. In a statement, he said that “the magical name of MGM is a tremendous opportunity that I simply could not pass up.”

Mancuso cited Marcus’ extensive relationship with industry talent as well as his ability to get projects moving as two reasons why he was picked for the job.

Hollywood executives say MGM, which has had little in the way of box office success the last two years, needs to generate hits quickly if it hopes to re-establish its credibility.