Rejecting the decision of the Producers Guild, Brad Grey, Chairman of Paramount Pictures (VIA-B), was refused concerning the grab at being included in the Oscar credits for the film "The Departed" as a producer, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It isn't known if it was him, or someone acting for him, that initiated the action.
It caused somewhat of a stir and some animosity as a number of people in the Hollywood community viewed this as "unseemly and egotistical," noting that Grey's studio was already up for an award with its nominee for best picture, "Babel." "The Departed" is rival studio's Warner Bros. (TWX) production. The Los Angeles Times reported that Graham King and Martin Scorsese supported Grey's appeal.
As far as the on-screen credits go, the movie had three other people listed as producers besides King, including Brad Pitt, Grey and director Martin Scorsese.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences committee decision makes Graham King the only producer that will be awarded if "The Departed" is chosen as the best picture of the year.
This does seem somewhat of an overextension by Grey or those working on his behalf. I don't see how this does anything for him or the industry. It makes it look cheap and excessive.
With that in mind, Grey did have an early pre-shooting involvement in the production process. He acquired the rights to remake the movie from the original The Departed" on which it was based. He also had a key role in the contract negotiations with some of the cast members like Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg. He also hired director Scorsese.
Grey was the only one of the on-screen listed producers to challenge not being included in the Oscar award credits.
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