Brad Grey has emerged as the leading candidate to become Sherry Lansing's successor at Hollywood's Paramount Pictures.

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Daily Variety reported Monday that an announcement on Grey's appointment is expected in the next several days.

Grey built Brillstein-Grey into a powerful talent management firm, with such clients as Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler and Lorne Michaels.

He was also a TV producer with shows including: "The Sopranos,""Just Shoot Me,""Politically Incorrect" and "The Larry Sanders Show."

Viacom and Paramount had no official comment Sunday on a report in the Los Angeles Times that Grey had become the leading candidate to lead Paramount.

Lansing, who's been at the helm of Paramount since 1993, said she planned to retire by the end of 2005.