In the sunken square in the middle of the new CAA building, Gene Hackman parked his car with a squeak.
Gene Hackman drives Toyota's Celica GT4 165 civilian racing car. Like Paul Newman, he is also a semi-professional racing enthusiast. He once drove this car and participated in the Dynaton endurance race.
Group competition.
The GT4's headlights turned half a circle and retracted into the hood of the car. Hackman looked unhappy. His "Mississippi Burning" missed out on Best Director and Best Actor, and the box office did not go as expected.
There is a second resurgence. The lack of awards has also led to weak sales in overseas markets and the video tape market.
This made the actor, who gave up most of his salary due to the low budget and instead received a share of the movie, a huge financial failure. With his ability, he could have earned slightly less than the 4 million earned by Hollywood's top positive leading actors.
The film's salary was US$ 500,000, but now it only received an advance payment of US$ 500,000.
His Hawaiian-Japanese girlfriend, Arakawa, is a woman who spends money like water. Piano, parties, high-end clothes and all kinds of enjoyment are indispensable. Gene Hackman already owed her something, and the two were three years apart.
Deciding not to have children at the age of ten allowed Arakawa to spend Hackman's money without any guilt, and he did not dare to say anything.
The tight financial situation forced Gene Hackman to take on many movies. He also sold the house he designed and renovated. Because of his reputation as an actor and a villain in Superman movies, architect magazines also praised him
, and put several of his architectural works into the magazine’s introduction.
So for the time being, the price of selling the house is enough for him and his girlfriend to live a luxurious life, but obviously there will be problems when the inventory is sold out.
"Gene..." Ovitz stood in the office to greet this very dissatisfied client.
"Michael... let's keep the story short. Is there anything else you want to say about my termination of the contract with you?"
After Hackman lost his best actor title to his younger brother, Dustin Hoffman, he had already contacted William Morris, planning to buy out his contract and switch to an agency that could provide him with award-winning PR.
"Are you really not willing to continue to cooperate with me? Gene? We have always been very considerate to you..."
"You bastard", Gene Hackman stood up and was about to hit him. No matter how considerate he was, stabbing Oscar in the back would mean nothing.
"Okay, let's not talk about that... I hope we are not in a client-broker relationship and can also become friends... Let's talk about something else today."
Ovitz was unmoved. He was Steve Siegel's Aikido apprentice and a black belt! In a real fight, the old man Hackman would definitely not be his opponent.
"I can't think of anything else to talk about. Ask your secretary to prepare the documents as soon as possible."
"I think we still have it. Why don't we talk about the filming rights of 'Silence of the Lambs' in your hands..." Ovitz raised his hand and asked his secretary to prepare the termination documents, while telling Gene Hackman what he wanted.
things to talk about.
"Don't even think about it. It was a director's work that I gave to myself. I will star in it myself. You have to know that Hollywood is still a place where works speak for themselves..."
"Hey..." Ovitz laughed out loud. Works, works are of no use. What competes in this industry is business acumen.
"Gene, except for this Oscar, we have nothing unpleasant. The award voting is not something I can influence. I did favor Dustin, but it was just my personal vote for him...
This deal is actually good for you. We all know that making a movie, directing a movie, and starring in a movie are not the same thing. Being a producer means that you are responsible for the profit and loss of the movie. Why?
What if you want to be more than just a leading actor? Don't participate in the production, don't participate in dividends, and only get a fixed salary. This is my last advice to you."
This paragraph just speaks to Gene Hackman's thoughts. If he insists on only receiving a fixed salary, he will not be reduced to selling a house. This XXX Ovitz must have known his predicament.
I am fully involved in "Silence of the Lambs". My company wants to invest, and I will share the filming and publicity costs with the agreed distributor Orion. I also have to be the director. If it fails, it means that I will not get the full salary and dividends.
It’s a problem, and it’s possible that I’ll lose all the money I’ve invested over the years. The few investors I’ve found recently are unwilling to invest in this movie.
"Who do you want to sell to? Who do you want to direct? Gene Hackman only has one idea, and he can't give it to Ovitz and Dustin Hoffman. Barry Levinson and everyone else can discuss it."
I want to meet with the buyer..."
"Of course, no problem. He's the one you just met at the Oscar party..." Ovitz said Ronald's name slowly. This director, who also didn't win an Oscar, was much calmer.
.It is still easy for young people to be satisfied...
…
At the same time, Ronald went to the home of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore to discuss starring in "Look Who's Talking".
"Bruce, the salary you are asking for is too high. Columbia doesn't have much production budget right now, and my company doesn't have much cash. Can you use another payment method?"
Amy Heckerling followed Ronald's request and contacted Bruce Willis, who became famous for "Die Hard", but the other party's agent quoted a sky-high price of eight million. It was higher than what he had in "Die Hard"
The salary in "Die Hard" was even higher by two million.
"Look Who's Talking" is a low-budget comedy, with a production budget of no more than 10 million, and no more than 5 million spent on the film's salary. The two parties couldn't come to an agreement, so things took a turn and started again.
Back to Ronald.
Ronald had to do it himself. He brought a lot of baby supplies and a jade Buddha bought in Chinatown, which he gave to Demi and his wife.
"I'm sorry, my agent is taking care of my affairs now, and I don't interfere much now..." Although Bruce Willis is grateful to Ronald, business is business, favors are favors, and film remuneration is
Things have finally gone up, and if they go down again, future movies will be priced accordingly.
"Bruce, look, your daughter is smiling and saying hello to Ronald..." Seeing that her husband was speaking directly, Demi Moore interrupted with her daughter in her arms.
"Cute child," Ronald looked at their daughter. She had the typical big eyes of a white child and fair skin, but her chin was a little too square. Fortunately, the warm jade Buddha was worn around her neck to soften it.
Removed some hard lines on the face.
After this interruption, the three of them all had fun around the little girl for a while. Everyone's attitude softened.
"Ronald, what do you mean by other payment methods? I heard that you are very good at making money..." Bruce Willis's TV series Blue Moonlight Detective Agency has decided to end, and more of his energy will be transferred to movies
Come up.
"What do you think I rely on to make money?" Ronald saw Bruce Willis asking this, and his heart moved.
Bruce Willis's salary on the TV station was not high, and he only accumulated fans and fans. What really made him big money was when Goldberg, the president of 20th Century Fox, decided to give his first-line male stars a salary of 6 million.
Now that he has received many invitations to "Die Hard"-style movies, he is hesitating whether to continue on the road of being an ordinary action star. If he does not establish himself as an action actor and continues to pursue comedies and dramas, he will not
I might get the salary figure for an action movie, so I'm in a dilemma.
He is in the stage of just becoming a rich man and is on the threshold of being extremely rich, so he is very interested in making money.
"Um, I guess it's not the director's salary..." Bruce Willis scratched his bald head.
"It relies on the dividends from blockbuster movies, Bruce. I'm not saying that this movie is guaranteed to be a hit and make you a lot of money, but it is indeed an opportunity..." Ronald talked about some basic concepts of profit sharing.
Bruce Willis half understood what he was saying, but Demi Moore's eyes sparkled next to her.
"Listen, Ronald, I love doing light comedies like this, but I also have to be responsible for my family. The filming of the main character took too long, and I have to have more time to prepare for the next movie... So...
…”
Bruce Willis doesn't want to think too much. What's more on his mind is how to take advantage of the current favorable situation and take on more short-term projects as guest stars to earn milk powder money. As for the protagonist, that needs to be carefully considered. So he still declined politely.
.
"What if I change a role for you?" Ronald thought quickly and asked Willis himself. The main reason was to bring his fame to Amy Heckerling in publicity. In fact, it may not be limited to the protagonist.
, enter the taxi driver.
Moreover, for this kind of romantic comedy about single mothers, a handsome guy like John Travolta is much more effective than Willis in attracting female audiences into the theater.
"Are there any male characters in this script?" Bruce Willis was confused, and he opened the script again.
"You don't have to appear on camera, you just need to dub. I will ask them to pay you according to the same sharing conditions, and you will receive the fixed salary as a guest appearance. During filming, you only need to dub for less than a week, and it will not affect you.
level of remuneration."
The more Ronald said, the more he said. If the movie is a hit, then Bruce Willis can get an income commensurate with his status. If the movie is not a hit, then a guest appearance and a smaller fee will not affect his role in mainstream movies.
The level of remuneration in the market.
Moreover, Daydream can still print his name in the most conspicuous position on the poster, attracting male viewers to see it.
"Is there such a good thing?" Bruce Willis thought about it and realized that he had no losses after all, so he immediately agreed and only waited for the agents and lawyers of both parties to complete the details of the contract.
Bruce Willis went to call his agent. Demi took the opportunity to approach Ronald and asked, "Ronald, when can you give me a chance?"
"Ah? I thought you and Bruce lived happily..." Ronald was a little confused.
"You..." Demi smiled like a former lover, and hit Ronald on the arm lightly, "I mean, is there any chance for me to be the heroine? I don't want to
Just be a housewife..."
"Hey..." Ronald really didn't expect Demi to have such ambitions. Many female celebrities will take a break from acting for a while after becoming mothers, such as the former Deborah Winger.
"Don't worry, my body has recovered very well, and I feel I'm still in better shape than before..." Demi tied up her top. Her waist was slightly thicker than before, but her bust was also one size larger.
"It doesn't matter if it's an action movie... Is there a female version of John McClane? I can play it too..." Demi Moore thought Ronald thought her abilities had declined after childbirth, so she rolled her eyes at him, and then
Did a front cartwheel on the floor."
"Oh My God, be careful..." Ronald was startled and quickly reached out to support Demi, "I will keep it in mind."
There are not many actresses in Hollywood who work hard like this.
Three days later, the crew of "Look Who's Talking" has signed a contract with Bruce Willis, and Amy Heckerling has also convinced John Travolta to play the leading role of Taxi Driver.
CAA also wanted to make this project a packaged project, and Ronald agreed to this condition in order to unite more people into his camp. Anyway, Amy Heckerling directed a romantic comedy for the first time, so more
Being experienced is not a bad thing.
Of course, CAA cannot take all the benefits. Ronald also invited some other people who have collaborated with him many times to participate, such as his old partner Olympia Dukakis, who played the role of the child's grandmother.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! And the biggest star of this movie, Bruce Willis, voices Mickey, the child in the heroine Molly's belly. The most peculiar thing about this movie is that
He has the perspective of an unborn fetus and serves as a lot of narration work. Willis only received an advance payment of a mere 500,000, and the rest was converted into a share of the film's profits. The production budget of the entire film was less than
to eight million.
…
"Mr. Hackman..." Finally, Ronald had time to meet Gene Hackman, who wanted to sell the production rights to the movie "The Silence of the Lambs."
"Ronald, I remember the last time you came to Santa Fe, you were very interested in the movie at that time..." Hackman still has the airs of an older generation star.
"Yes, that was your old friend, Robert Duvall..." Ronald had a general impression of this guy. His acting skills were superb, but his understanding of the production industry was very superficial.
"How should I put it, I want to sell the production rights of this movie. I have done a lot of deep thinking recently. I should not be stereotyped in this type of psychopathic bad guy. I need to make some breakthroughs..."
"Haha..." Ronald knew clearly in his heart that this old guy was shrinking from the battle and said that he didn't want to be stereotyped. You have already been stereotyped. He didn't even see Luthor, the psychologically twisted comic book villain of Superman.
They all approached you immediately to act.
"I have many choices, but I just want to sell it to you. I don't want to sell it to a Jew, or a puppet controlled by Ovitz to take over the movie. After all, the quality of the novel itself is very high, and I don't want to sell it to you."
A huge amount of money was invested in adapting the script..."
"Careful...", Ronald heard that the other party meant to recover all the investment. Of course, this was not a problem. In order to get this movie that appeared in his dream, Ronald did not care about the small money.
"Who was the screenwriter who changed the script?" Ronald asked.
"Ted Tully, I hired him at the end of fucking '87, Orion and myself, to split the pre-production effort, and that's when he started working..."
Ronald smiled and patiently listened to the other party's nagging. Finally, he agreed to pay all Hackman's initial investment, as well as half of the copyright fee, plus a top-up fee, and received it from Gene Hackman.
Got half of the production rights and investment share.
The production rights of this film have a long history. Originally, the production rights of the novel "Silence of the Lambs" were in the hands of the Neapolitan Dino De Laurentiis. He was the one who used Hannibal as the protagonist in the early stage.
Producer of another movie "Red Dragon".
"Red Dragon" failed at the box office, and he was severely damaged in the stock market crash. The company was facing bankruptcy, so it exchanged the distribution rights of their previous films in Italy with Orion Pictures, and exchanged the production rights of the sequel to Orion for free.
.
But Orion itself was also suffering from financial difficulties. They did not have enough investment. It happened that Hackman liked the script and wanted to direct and star in it, so he sold half of the power and investment amount to Hackman.
Both parties need to find external investors to fill the investment quota for this movie...the total amount is expected to be US$1,600 to US$18 million - the medium-sized production that Orion is best at.
After learning about this transfer, one of the founders of Orion, Mike Medavoy, also made an appointment with Ronald. It is great news that such a successful director of commercial films has bought the copyright. It seems that Ronald
Nader's desire for an Oscar has not diminished, and he wants to be nominated for Best Director for the third time...