Hollywood New Century

Americans like to party, and Los Angeles, the entertainment capital, is even more of a party representative. It's no wonder that Hollywood stars take a long time off every year.

Of course, Simon Pike has also participated in some party activities such as cocktail parties, but with the success of Xinghai Films, he has received more and more invitations.

Well, for this kind of party, it doesn't matter whether you know the host or not. After all, this kind of invitation can also be bought. Many little stars want to increase their circle or look for opportunities. Is there a more suitable place than a party?

"Which one is it?" Simon asked Laura Collins, after all, it's not all invitations to go.

"Paramount!" Laura Collins responded quickly.

Simon nodded, he still wants to go, maybe he will encounter some good projects from producers.

Moreover, Viacom Group has completed the spin-off, and its CBS wireless broadcast and television network, Viacom Outdoor Advertising, UPN Television Network, Viacom Television Company, Showtime Pay TV, etc., form the CBS Group;

In addition, Paramount Pictures, MTV Music Cable Network, etc. are called the new Viacom Group;

Divided into independent listed companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Behind-the-scenes boss Summer Redstone remains chairman of the boards of both groups, controlled through his family's National Entertainment Corporation.

At the Hilton Beverly Hills, Simon brought Blake Lively in full costume to the reception venue hosted by Paramount.

The excited Blake Lively held Simon Parker's arm tightly, and his excitement was beyond words.

"Don't be nervous, just treat it like an ordinary drinking party," Simon whispered as he walked and patted Blake Lively on the arm.

"Well, I see!" Blake nodded obediently.

The banquet hall on the third floor of the Hilton Hotel is already very lively. At a glance, there are indeed many Hollywood male and female stars talking and smiling.

Steve Spielberg, Nicolas Cage, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise is also here.

Blake Lively looked at these figures in the observation hall, film company executives, Hollywood directors, big stars, and of course representatives of independent film production companies, as well as some beautiful women in the fashion and modeling world.

Simon looked at it casually, there were too few people he knew well, and it was estimated that they could not be found for a while.

Take Blake Lively to the foot of the hall and bring two glasses of wine from the waiter's tray.

"Viacom Group announced the spin-off at the beginning of the year, and now it is completely completed. It seems that they have split off the CBS Group. The next stage should focus on Paramount Entertainment-based content production. After all, last year They took DreamWorks down too," says Summer Redstone's strategy of content being king.

The new Viacom Group owns the most important Paramount Entertainment and the highest rated cable network MTV!

"Simon, look, Tom Cruise is over there, looking very serious!" Blake Lively is 19 years old and still at the age of chasing stars.

"Really, why didn't he bring his girlfriend, Katie Holmes, since they met last year, they have to show off their love at any time," Simon said with some doubts. After all, he jumped on the sofa last year. , when promoting "War of the Worlds", and when promoting "Mission Impossible 3" this year, they all clasped their fingers together and kissed in public under the spotlight.

"Hey, Simon, don't you follow Hollywood star news? Tom Cruise gave birth to a daughter in April, and the press said they might get married this year!" explained Blake Lively.

"Ah, I think about it, it seems that he and his daughter are also on the cover of "Vanity Fair", and he is wearing a jacket with a picture of a baby showing his head!" Simon remembered, the news is still quite big, but Simon is concerned about News of some film groups or the film itself has never been interested in star life.

"Mission Impossible 3 has been released for more than a month. Now the North American box office is only 120 million US dollars. It is estimated that it will be more than 130 million when it is drawn. The overseas box office has 220 million US dollars, and the global box office is only 350 million US dollars. , this word of mouth is difficult to break through the $400 million mark, and Paramount is very dissatisfied with this achievement, after all, the production cost is $150 million, plus Tom Cruise’s high share,” Simon explained with a smile. Now, with DVDs and other peripherals added to the back of the movie, Tom Cruise took his share, how much does Paramount have left?

"Recently, there have been a lot of rumors that Paramount's dissatisfaction with Tom Cruise's behavior in the past two years has led to a downturn in the box office of "Mission Impossible 3"," Blake Lively also saw from the news. .

Simon didn't speak, but looked at Brad Pitt. The newly appointed Paramount CEO Brad Gray will soon terminate the partnership with Tom Cruise's film production company.

Brad Pitt's Plan B Films is the replacement. After all, Brad Pitt and him are good friends. They are the direct descendants of the new officer Brad Gray!

After looking back, Simon Pike was about to find a place to sit when Cate Blanchett came over not far away.

"Hi, Simon, good evening!" Cate Blanchett and Simon hugged and asked the girl next to them with a smile.

"Blake Lively, also an actor!" Simon introduced.

"Hello, Cate Blanchett, I like you very much!" Blake Lively greeted sweetly.

"Really, Blake, you're so pretty tonight," Cate Blanchett said, looking at Simon.

"By the way, Kate, "Tower of Babel" received a good review in Cannes, congratulations!" Simon must boast, even though he had never seen the movie himself.

"Well, it won't hit theaters in the U.S. until 11.10," laughs Cate Blanchett.

Cate Blanchett's acting skills are good, but they are all literary films, which are good in the eyes of some filmmakers, but have no achievements in the commercial field.

At the same time, it has not won any substantial awards. Nominations have been made. The biggest award is estimated to be the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2005.

Last year's participation in "The Aviator", in cooperation with Leonardo DiCaprio, made a large investment in the film, but it was not commercially successful.

Now Cate Blanchett is in a very awkward position, and her influence is limited to some independent literary films. The most influential role is Kyle Terryland, the elf queen in the "Lord of the Rings" series. Much worse than Nicole Kidman, and not as famous as Naomi Watts now.

Simon also admires Cate Blanchett, who has given birth to two sons and is still in such good shape.

"By the way, Kate, do you have any movie plans next?" Simon asked. After all, Cate Blanchett and this "Babel" will have three movies released this year.

"Three independent film contracts, and two are currently being filmed," Cate Blanchett said, looking at Simon again, and then continued: "One is a music biography invested and distributed by Weinstein Pictures. Movie!"

"Oh, well, are you worried that the affair between me and Harvey Weinstein will affect our friendship?" Simon smiled, Weinstein Pictures has nothing to fear in recent years.

Cate Blanchett smiled, not because even Nicole Kidman has begun to alienate Harvey Weinstein, they have worked together quite a lot before.

The rise of Simon Pike has made Nicole Kidman famous, and Ellen Page, who was held up by a "Juno", is also famous before 20 years old.

Cate Blanchett certainly doesn't want to be misunderstood with up-and-coming producer Simon Pike.

"In Babel, you worked with Brad Pitt," Simon's mind suddenly thought of another film they had collaborated on, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," or "Benjamin Button," which is A classic good movie.

"Yeah, what's the matter, Simon?" Cate Blanchett wondered.

"Oh, it's nothing, I just thought of some things, maybe we will have the opportunity to cooperate in the future," Simon smiled, but in his heart he thought he had to go back and check "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" The script adaptation of the source.

"Of course it's fine, I'll wait!" Cate Blanchett laughed.

After Cate Blanchett left, Simon chatted with a few producers or directors he had met.

"Simon, do you have something on your mind? After chatting with Cate Blanchett, you were a little distracted. Just chatting with Wendy Fineman was a little careless," Blake reminded Simon in a low voice, Wendy Fineman is also one of the filmmakers of The Devil Wears Prada.

"Really? I was just thinking about the live-action Transformers movie between DreamWorks and Paramount, and I saw Steve Spielberg as filmmaker and Michael Bay as director in Chat, it seems that the movie has been closed and is in post-production, after all, their schedule is next summer!" Simon had an idea for this big IP in 2004, but he can only watch it and not eat it, even now he can't eat it. Can't compete with Spielberg's DreamWorks.

What's more, in May last year, Hasbro and DreamWorks jointly announced the preparations for the live-action version of "Transformers", and the director also announced that it was Michael Bay at that time.

It is estimated that in 2004, they began to contact this popular Autobot toy adaptation into a live-action movie plan!

"Transformers seems to be really popular, there are many fans of that toy all over the world!" Blake Lively also echoed.