Hollywood Hunter

Beverly Hills.

In a restaurant near Fox Studios, Simon is having lunch with Fox Pictures President Joe Rose.

The time is Friday, August 11.

Daenerys Entertainment formally signed a settlement agreement with WGA yesterday, and Simon invited Joe Rose today to discuss the first of the 10 foreign cooperation film plans.

Simon has seen more than one project. The reason why he started with Fox is because of Murdoch. These days, Rupert Murdoch personally called Simon on more than one occasion. Naturally, he was talking about these 10 movies. Even when talking to Janet, the woman mentioned that Murdoch told her old man about thing.

Fox Pictures collaborated with Simon in the first two years in the three films "Butterfly Effect", "Reaper Is Coming" and "Instinct", all of which were very successful.

In addition, "Butterfly Effect" and "Reaper Is Coming" also developed sequels last year, but because of the success of the first part, there were external factors that caused the public's curiosity towards Simon. , The box office is far worse than the first one.

"Butterfly Effect 2" only recovered more than 56 million U.S. dollars in box office, and "Reaper 2" only had a box office of over 38 million. Such results are actually very profitable, but because the decline is too deep relative to the first part, Fox has also become cautious in developing the third part.

No sequels of these two ace horror films were released this year, and Fox Pictures' performance was immediately sluggish.

This summer, Fox's July "Boss Going on Vacation" was released so far at the box office of only 22 million yuan, and there has been no splash at all. James Cameron’s new work "The Abyss", released last Friday, is a big pit. After Cameron’s repeated overruns, the budget eventually reached a staggering $69.5 million.

Hollywood movies usually take an integer budget, such as 10 million to 20 million. The actual situation is of course not so coincidental. Most of them are just an overall estimate.

Fox did not round up to 70 million US dollars in accordance with the usual practice on "The Abyss", indeed because the studio executives did not dare to do so again.

After all, although Hollywood movies with a budget of US$50 or 60 million in recent years are not a few, the only one whose production cost has reached US$70 million is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Even for this movie, Disney often concealedly lied to the outside that the budget was not that high, but it was actually $45 million.

If burning money can be exchanged for a blockbuster like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", the result is not bad. However, compared to the high production cost, "The Abyss" is really a box office dud.

According to statistics released this morning, the box office for the first week of the opening week of "Abyss" was only 17.53 million US dollars. In comparison, the sixth week of the release of "Sixth Sense of Supernatural", the weekly box office is still as high as 20.37 million US dollars, firmly in the weekly box office list champion.

Based on media evaluation and audience feedback, Fox’s North American box office estimate for "Abyss" is only $50 million, and this project is almost doomed to lose money. However, this is the best box office result among the seven films that Fox has released so far this year. For other movies, the highest grossing box office is last month’s "Boss Going on Vacation" so far at $22 million. None of the other six films has broken the 20 million box office threshold.

Murdoch has never been very keen on the film business, he prefers newspapers and television. However, since I bought Fox Pictures, I can't be so tepid, so I eagerly hope to get a share of Daenerys Entertainment's 10 foreign cooperation film plans.

Now that he has decided to operate Australian capital as his backing, Simon naturally has no reason to reject Murdoch's request. Moreover, News Corp's huge global media network is of great benefit to Simon's personal business expansion worldwide.

There is only good and no harm in forming a good Murdoch family.

""Sleep with the enemy"? Hmm... I remembered that it was the story of the wife who couldn't stand her husband's abuse and fleeing to death." In the restaurant, Joe Rose opened the script folder selected by Simon and looked at it. I couldn't help but said: "Simon, this story seems to have no selling point. It can only be made into a low-cost thriller. I think that "Mark of Death" seems better. Have you seen it?"

"Sleep with the Enemy" is actually a movie starring Julia Roberts in the original time and space. It tells the story of a wife who was trapped by a mentally disordered husband and fled the family after pretending to be drowned because of torture.

This story seems to have little highlights on the whole, but it is a work in Simon's memory with a box office of over 100 million in North America.

Simon happened to have seen this movie.

The success of "Sleep with the Enemy" is not just because of Julia Roberts's participation. The tense plot that hangs the heart of the audience from the beginning to the end is the key to its success.

Therefore, compared with the script that does not see too many highlights, the details of the film’s rhythm control, suspense setting, atmosphere creation and even the theme soundtrack during the production process are all very important.

There was not much free time at noon. Simon did not have the thought of arguing with Joe Rose. He put down the tableware and looked up: "Joe, I am not interested in Mark of Death. If you are optimistic, you can focus on this project yourself. Let’s talk about Sleep with the enemy"."

Joe Rose smiled awkwardly, stopped talking nonsense, and said, "So, Simon, what should I do next?"

Simon simply said: "I have asked someone to evaluate according to my assumptions. The budget for this project is about 15 million U.S. dollars. The preparations are started now, and if everything goes well, it will start in October and will be released in the summer next year. You can start to find the right one this afternoon. Directors and producers, I will also let people contact the actors."

Joe Rose thought for a while and said, "This is a movie supported by a heroine, Simon, who do you plan to make the heroine?"

"I saw a trial film review on The Hollywood Reporter. You are going to release a new film in October called "Baker Brothers"?"

Joe Rose knew all about Fox’s films and blurted out: "Michelle Pfeiffer?"

"The Baker Brothers" is a musical song and dance film starring the two Bridges brothers and Michelle Pfeiffer. It has also been translated as "A Lovesickness Is Unexpected". It is a very literary and artistic film by the name. The movie, the story is indeed very literary and ambiguous and very memorable, and there is even a feeling of old Hong Kong movies like "In the Mood for Love".

Simon nodded and said, "Michelle has become more and more proficient in acting in recent years, and he will definitely be able to support this movie. In addition, if possible, someone can send me a copy. I want to see it in advance. Her performance in this film. The film critics said that Michelle’s performance this time was enough to get an Oscar nomination. If this is the case, it will be more helpful to our film."

"Beautiful Lady in Wind and Moon" is in the process of filming. Although it can be finished before October, Simon has no plans to let Julia continue to star in "Sleep with the Enemy". The Cinderella in the romantic movie jumps directly to the one who was circled by her husband. Poor wife, the image contrast is a bit big, Simon is not sure whether the audience can accept it.

Michelle Pfeiffer has just turned 30 this year, and her acting skills have begun to peak. If she can get an Oscar nomination with "Baker Brothers" next year, her fame will be even higher, starring in "Sleep with the Enemy" "Just right.

If someone else asks for a copy, Joe Rose, even if he won't refuse, will at least hold it. However, he readily agreed at this time: "I will have someone send the copy to Daenerys Entertainment headquarters in the afternoon."

Simon nodded with satisfaction, and said: "One more thing about James Cameron. I heard that he has finished the script of "Terminator 2". Fox can buy the copyright of "Terminator" and shoot this. A movie, this can be the second project between Daenerys Entertainment and Fox."

When Joe Rose heard this, his face suddenly became bitter, and said: "Simon, because of the "Abyss" matter, even if I am willing to continue working with James, the company's board of directors will not approve it."

"I just said, this can be regarded as the second project between Daenerys Entertainment and Fox," Simon said, adding: "In addition, you only need to take the copyright of "Terminator" and Cameron's hands. We don’t have to let him be the director."

Joe Rose knew immediately, but was a little confused.

If Simon is optimistic about this project, why doesn't Daenerys Entertainment take it personally.

Simon saw Joe Rose’s doubts and explained with a smile: "I had contacted the copyright owner of "Terminator" before, but I didn’t succeed. Now I’m going to the door, I’m sure I’ll be knocked hard."

"Terminator 2" was the annual box office champion in North America in 1991 by Yuan Shikong. The global box office exceeded 500 million U.S. dollars. Naturally, Simon thought of monopolizing this project.

However, since the plan for 10 movies is proposed, if there are no big hits from the beginning to the end, other Hollywood studios will certainly not be so enthusiastic in the future.

After all, the reason why Hollywood will boil over these 10 projects this time is mainly looking forward to surprises like "The Sixth Sense of Supernatural". Otherwise, including 10% of the distribution commissions of various channels, the interest of other studios in these projects is probably only 60%.

Calculated in this way, a film with a North American box office of $100 million is actually only equivalent to $60 million.

Of course, the North American box office of 60 million US dollars is definitely not low in this era.

Excluding the box office explosion last year, in the next two years, the North American box office of $60 million is enough to squeeze into the top ten of the annual list. Even in the next few years, Hollywood’s annual domestic box office will exceed 60 million US dollars. There will be only about 20 movies. Even if they all fall into the seven major studios, each of them will average less than 3.

What's more, Simon did not plan to choose all projects with a level of 100 million yuan this time. This requires a few big hit movies to support the performance of this plan.

"Terminator 2" was released mainly because of the relatively low cost performance of this project.

The original "Terminator 2" was the first Hollywood movie to cost more than $100 million to produce. Now, even if Cameron is kicked out of Simon’s plan and replaced by another director, the producer is no longer known for splurge Carlock Pictures, the budget of the film is definitely not much lower, and it is just right.

After talking about things, the lunch ended soon.

As soon as Simon and Joe Rose walked out of the restaurant, some reporters who heard the news surrounded them.

"Mr. Westeros, are you discussing film collaboration plans with Joe Rose?"

"Joe, can you tell me what the subject matter is?"

"Simon, are you really psychic?"

"..."

"..."

The North American box office of "Sixth Sense of Supernatural" is about to break through the 200 million U.S. dollar mark.

Because of the general concern from all walks of life, Daenerys Entertainment's 10 foreign cooperation film plans have become the focus of recent media pursuit. Daenerys Entertainment has not taken any real action for two weeks after the plan was made public, which aroused strong curiosity in the media and the public.

Talking about it, Simon's bodyguard quickly walked over to block the reporter and protected him into the car on the side of the road.

Although Joe Rose enjoyed the feeling of being chased by reporters, he didn't rush to reveal anything. He just let the reporters around him pay attention to Fox's specific announcement, and then hurried back to Fox Studios in the car.

Santa Monica.

Simon had just returned to the office of Daenerys Entertainment headquarters, and Jennifer followed.

"Forbes magazine will release the new annual Forbes 400 richest American list next month. They contacted here in the morning to see if we could proactively provide some materials. If possible, they also hope you can accept an interview."

Simon shook his head without hesitation, and said, "We don't cooperate or block this matter. Let them do the work."

Jennifer gave a hum, opened the folder in her hand, took out a check and handed it over, saying, "This, it's not good to just put it on the bedside table in the bedroom."

Simon took a look. It turned out to be the check he signed to Linda Carter on Monday.

I think it was discovered by Jennifer when she was doing routine cleaning of the villa this morning.

Simon hadn't been to Palisades since last Sunday, thinking that the woman would take the check, but he didn't expect the other party to stay.

Pretend to unintentionally put it aside.

"Uncle Buck" was released today. John Hughes came to Los Angeles from Chicago in recent days to cooperate with the film promotion. Simon had an appointment at one o’clock in the afternoon to discuss the second film in the contract. Of course, Simon’s real purpose was to confirm "Home Alone" thing.

Time will come soon.

Look across.

The female assistant was still standing on the spot, her head lowered, and she seemed to be reading the documents in her hands seriously, without any intention of leaving.

After a little confrontation, Simon had to take the initiative to explain: "Well, I am a very suspicious boss. Of course, I have to test that the cleaning unions will not steal things. Now, the result is not bad."

Jennifer glanced over slightly, with a slightly smile on the corner of her mouth, like a curious baby who wanted to continue'listening to the story'.

Simon was helpless, so he straightened his face and said to the boss: "John is coming over soon. Let's make a pot of coffee and stand stupidly waiting for me to deduct your salary!"

Jennifer glared at Simon innocently. When she turned around, she did not forget to repeat a small habitual threat: "I will tell Jenny."