Hollywood Hunter

Although far on the east coast, the "New York Times" not only surpasses the "Los Angeles Times" in the American press, but also has a very significant influence internationally. Any piece of news in such a newspaper may trigger a very wide range of news. Social response.

There is a three-hour time difference between the east and west coasts of North America.

As a result, the sky in Los Angeles has just lighted up, and the article in the "New York Times" that strongly questioned Simon and "Lola Run" has quickly spread throughout Hollywood.

Along with this article, the North American box office data for the past weekend was also published.

From March 6th to March 8th, although two new films, "Deadly Weapon" starring Mel Gibson under Warner Bros. and "Angel Heart" starring Robert De Niro under MGM, were released this week, but The box office momentum of "Lola Run" has not been affected at all.

Due to the large-scale release of "Lola Run" theaters on the east and west coasts, a total of 1,176 screens in three days brought the film 18.51 million US dollars in box office revenue, and once again easily won the North American box office rankings this weekend.

At the same time, entering the fourth week of its release, the total box office of "Lola Run" also broke the $50 million mark, reaching $50.6 million.

In comparison, the original script sold at a price of 250,000 US dollars also caused a lot of heated discussion of "Deadly Weapon". Although it has a good reputation after its release, it only has 6.12 million US dollars at the box office for three days in the first weekend. Ranked second on the list, but this number is less than one-third of the number one in "Run Laura".

As for the other new film "Angel Heart", the box office for the first three days in the first weekend was only 3.28 million U.S. dollars, and even ranked fifth after "Most Ghost Street 3" and "Field Battle".

Perhaps because of the fierce competition, North American media reporters have a keen sense of smell.

Obviously from the "New York Times" article, he felt that a major event was about to happen. Simon planned to rush to the Orion Pictures headquarters in the morning to discuss coping strategies with Mike Medova and others, but found that the crowds of reporters had already moved his mansion. The mountain road that is not wide outside is crowded.

Considering that going out today will definitely be chased more frantically than before, Simon simply called Mike Meadow and others to come to Palisades.

Around half past nine.

Since he also lives in Palisades, Simon now has a close interest relationship with Fox Pictures, and Fox Pictures Vice President Amy Pascal rushed over as a senior representative of Fox Pictures.

After struggling through the crowded journalists, Amy Pascal drove into the mansion where Simon lived, with several cars parked in the courtyard.

Janet greeted Amy as soon as she got out of the car.

With a brief greeting, Janet took Amy to the backyard. Amy followed Janet, but couldn't help but look around.

An imperial acre is equivalent to about 4,000 square meters. The mansion in front of you is more like a small manor, surrounded by a cliff alone, surrounded by greenery in the field of view, Mediterranean-style villas, swimming pools, and gardens. There is also a private tennis court in the front yard.

Amy Pascal is not too clear about the value of this mansion, but he remembers that Spielberg bought a 13-acre piece of land in Palisades a few years ago, and then invested 400 in the construction of the house. More than ten thousand dollars.

In recent years, the housing prices in Los Angeles have gone crazy.

Although he has become the vice president of Fox Pictures before the age of 30, especially as a woman, this is very rare in Hollywood. However, Amy Pascal found with a little frustration that such a mansion was still too far away from him.

Thinking about this, Amy Pascal couldn't help but think of Simon Westero's solicitation at the Saturday party.

In a small moment, even suddenly felt.

perhaps.

Can you really take a risk?

Soon I came to the backyard and looked around. Four people were sitting on a set of sofas on the edge of the lawn, which should be used for sunbathing. Simon was among them. Not far away, under the eaves of the villa, there are two or three younger men and women who are busy making calls. They should be the assistants of the secretaries on the sofa.

Seeing Amy's arrival, everyone stood up and said hello.

Of the four people, Amy knew three of them. In addition to Simon himself, Orion Pictures president Mike Meadow and Simon's agent Jonathan Friedman. The last middle-aged woman who seemed to be about forty or fifty years old, after introduction, Amy knew that she was Pat Kingsley, the PR manager Simon had just hired.

Realizing that she was the last one to arrive, Amy apologized a little embarrassedly. Janet personally helped Amy pour a cup of coffee, handed her a folder, and turned to the side under the eaves of the gallery. .

After sitting down, just opening the file in hand, Amy Pascal heard Pat Kingsley next to him say: "Simon, and everyone, it is basically certain now that this is an obvious premeditated The public opinion attack is just the beginning, a test. If we cannot respond immediately, the next situation will be even more unfavorable for us."

Amy Pascal had read that article more than once before coming. Although she was not a naive person, listening to Pat Kingsley’s sure tone, she still asked with some doubts: "Pat, there is evidence. Yet?"

Pat Kingsley and Amy were not familiar with each other. Hearing this question suddenly, he just shook his head subconsciously.

Simon saw Amy looking at him again and said, "Amy, if you want to prove that "Lola Run" was not filmed by me personally, who should you investigate?"

Amy Pascal thought about it for a moment, and then became clear, and said, "The crew."

"Yes, the crew."

Simon nodded and gestured to Pat Kingsley.

Pat Kinsley then added: "Ms. Pascal, you should have read that article. Mark Horrington simply started from Simon’s growth experience, based on the usual cognition of most ordinary people. It was concluded that "Lola Run" could not have been completed by Simon himself, which seemed very rash and absurd. If he really cares about the truth of this movie, he should contact the staff who participated in the production of "Lola Run"."

Amy nodded seriously and said, "Pat, just call me Amy. So, what should we do next? I have already called Mr. Goldberg before, and Fox will try to cooperate here."

Although the contract for "Reaper Is Coming" has not been officially signed, it will even be delayed because of this incident. However, the "Butterfly Effect" will be released on April 10, only one month away from now. As a close stakeholder, Fox does not want the "New York Times" article to cause too much disturbance.

The box office situation of "Lola Run" is going well, but suddenly it comes to such a trick. Among the five people present, Mike Medova is obviously the most anxious one, otherwise he wouldn't call Simon before dawn. At this moment he couldn't help saying: "Simon, the negatives of "Lola Run" must still be there. I think you should cut a short shot as soon as possible. This is obviously the best way to clarify.

Simon shook his head and said, "Mike, there is no tidbit that you want. In order to save the budget, I even hoped that every shot can be taken. It is impossible to waste film to shoot trivial things."

"Then let the crew members come forward to endorse," Mike Medova said after thinking about it and then said: "Orion can pay a sum of money for this, even if it is included in the publicity fee."

Listening to Mike Meadowa’s eager tone, Simon’s agent Jonathan Friedman couldn’t help but said, “Mike, I think it’s not a good thing that we are too eager to clarify.”

Mike Meadowwa was suddenly puzzled, but Simon nodded slightly.

Pat Kingsley also said in agreement: "This is indeed the case. We immediately jumped out to clarify. Only more questions will be ushered in, because the people who manipulated this matter did not want to see the truth at all. They only Want to damage the public image of Simon and "Lola Run", so that fans continue to question."

Mike Meadow only cared for a while, but he was confused. He spent many years in Hollywood. Pat Kingsley only explained a little bit. He also woke up immediately, and knew that Pat Kingsley hadn't finished speaking.

Some people do this, the ultimate goal is to curb the box office of "Lola Run".

After all, the box office data of "Lola Run" just past this weekend has surpassed most of the most popular movies.

The annual number of movie viewers in North America is basically fixed, and has been around 1 billion in recent years.

"Run Lola" is expected to be between 150 million and 200 million U.S. dollars at the box office. According to the current average ticket price of about 4 U.S. dollars, this is equivalent to 37-50 million moviegoers, which is in the 1 billion total moviegoers. It is already a very conspicuous or dazzling ratio.

The box office of "Lola Run" is too high, then it is destined to trade off and affect the box office of some other films.

Even, according to the strong box office curve of "Lola Run", not to mention the recent releases of "Deadly Weapon" and "Angel Heart", even the Easter schedule a month later, or even the early summer films in May. The box office has shrunk due to the influence of "Lola Run".

Thinking of this, Mike Medova rubbed his temples involuntarily.

He even had a foreboding that for this reason, even if there was no one behind the scenes of the New York Times article, there would definitely be a bunch of people rushing to throw a few barrels of gasoline on it if such a spark was splashed.