"Ronald, your producing and directing abilities are a legend in Hollywood, and Nick is delighted to be able to work with you again."
Nicolas Cage's agent, the Italian-born Ed Limato, is still so maverick, not engaging in packaging tactics, and thinking about the long-term interests of his clients. He relied on this reputation to sign Michelle
·Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson and other big stars established themselves in Hollywood.
Nicolas Cage was the Italian client he signed. Cage wanted to be a Hollywood actor based on his acting skills, but it has been difficult to attract the attention of important awards and critics in independent films.
After previously starring in "Firebird" produced by Ronald, he has become a substitute for big stars in some small and medium-cost commercial movies. If Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson cannot be found,
Then looking for Nicolas Cage is also a safe choice.
However, Ed Limato is also a good at getting treatment for his clients. The role of an agent in Hollywood is to isolate producers, directors and actors, so that there is a good buffer in the relationship between them, and they will not be forced to bargain for film remuneration.
And turned his back.
Ed Limato offered a pretty good price for Nicolas Cage, two million U.S. dollars. This price is lower than the five million paid by the first-line stars, and is only equivalent to the most popular action movie actors.
A fraction of the salary of more than 10 million yuan.
This is almost the price of a second-tier actor. If the producer wants Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, or Schwarzenegger, then he has to prepare tens of millions. If he wants an ordinary first-tier star, then
You have to prepare 5 million. If these two types of stars are not available, then the next best thing is to reduce the budget and prepare 100 to 3 million to find a replacement.
"Do you know what is the secret that I can basically guarantee that every movie I personally produce does not lose money?" Ronald couldn't even think of two million. "Mortal Kombat" has many characters. If
If there is a star worth two million, then we need to find a large number of stars of this price to perform the role.
Including the money set aside for special effects, the total production cost is at least 35 million.
Therefore, if the production cost of this movie is to be controlled below 20 million, all the actors must be newcomers or no longer popular stars who ask for very low prices.
"Everyone in Hollywood wants to know this secret. Do you want to tell me?" Ed Limato looked very interested and leaned forward, as if he was really waiting for Ronald to say a secret worth hundreds of millions.
Dollar answer.
"Actually, it's very simple. Movies in this era can either find big stars, big productions, and make movies that teenagers and even children like to watch. Or they can find cheap production teams and make movies with strong artistic quality or special audiences."
"So Nick needs to lower his salary? I guess it needs to be lower?" Ed Limato looked like he was about to make a call.
"What projects does he have now? If there is a suitable one, I don't mind if he chooses other projects. This role has a lot of roles, and he won't be suitable if the asking price is low..." Ronald waved his hand to stop it. Cage finally climbed up to this point.
If you want to reduce the salary for this movie, it will be troublesome to ask for the price of the next project.
"A romantic drama with Bridget Fonda..."
"Okay, this is a very good choice. Get on the phone and let me congratulate him."
Ed Limato watched Ronald chatting with Nicolas Cage on his phone about his choice to take on a romantic comedy, and he admired Ronald's generosity in his heart. He did not forcefully ask for the favor to be withdrawn.
Cage will play.
Neither party mentioned the matter of "Mortal Kombat", so as to keep the relationship between friends from deteriorating.
"Are there any good clients you can recommend to me?" Ronald put down the phone and asked Limato again.
"There are some cheap actors among my colleagues."
"I want to be handsome and have some foundation in dance or countless sports. It's okay to have a foundation in sports."
Anyway, Ronald doesn't have the habit of packing up or having any special opinions. It would be great if good people recommend him. As long as everyone's salary is low enough, there will be no financial risk.
Most Hollywood disasters happen like this. A very powerful director has a grand idea after his last movie became a hit. He keeps increasing the budget and replacing more expensive stars.
In the end, a lot of money was spent to produce a good movie with a narrow audience. It won praise from some critics and audiences, but failed miserably in the mass market.
Ronald made it very clear that mainstream commercial films made for teenagers might as well spend more money. Action movies adapted from games like Mortal Kombat have a narrow audience, and the director has not proven himself in Hollywood, so the budget can be kept as low as possible.
…
"Tom is not interested? Okay, I understand. It's okay, I think he also needs to adjust the proportion of the types of films he takes. Such movies are really not suitable for him."
In another "Speed", Ronald was urged by 20th Century Fox to ask about Tom Cruise at the beginning.
Although no one has much expectations for this, there is no problem if you ask Paula Wagner. Cruise's current film-making pace is basically a commercial big-time production and an artistic film that has the potential to compete for awards.
His current preference is a movie about vampires adapted from dark gothic novelist Anne Rice's best-selling novel. David Geffen paid a large sum of money, with a total investment of 70 million U.S. dollars, which cost nearly half of the actor's budget.
Most of the time, he was chosen to be the lead actor. This would cause scheduling problems.
In addition, the last two films directed by Ronald were both in the balance between business and art, leaning towards business. Cruise is inclined to tilt the balance towards artistry this time. In other words, he has
I want to be nominated for an Oscar.
Similarly, because Ronald found Cruise's partner and de facto manager Wagner, the two did not directly discuss the "Speed" matter, so the two parties were able to maintain a good friendship.
"Ronald, I actually advised him to choose your movie. But there are two problems here that I can't solve. The first is that this movie really interests Tom. He has wanted to play a vampire for a long time. And there are
River Phoenix, and two of his friends, Cher, performed together.
Secondly, you know, your movie is called Die Hard on the Bus, Tom..."
"Don't say more, I understand. So River Phoenix has also booked an important role?"
"I'm afraid so..."
"Understood. Thank you, Paula."
Ronald understood what she didn't say. In a Die Hard-type movie, it would be difficult to make a movie with Bruce Willis. Tom Cruise will definitely have to take a salary cut if he stars in the next film Fast and Furious. If he is better than Bruce Willis,
But Bruce Willis is unacceptable in Hollywood, a society that values ranking.
In order to find Cruise to star, David Geffen offered an irresistible salary of 10 million US dollars, plus a box office share contract. This made Tom Cruise jump into the superstar club and be able to star on his own
Negotiated sharing method, and a salary of more than 10 million - the salary line for superstars set by Jack Nicholson in Hollywood a few years ago.
However, Ronald was still a little dissatisfied with this choice. What Tom Cruise needed was not artistic recognition or a gothic vampire movie. His handsome face was the same as Nicolas Cage and Tom Hanks.
Same thing, wouldn't it be nice to film some romantic dramas?
As long as female viewers see him falling in love with a beautiful woman on the screen, who will not be crazy? Still, the lack of Oscar nomination has hurt him. This time, "The Firm" hopes to help him realize this wish.
, from now on, we will focus on weaving dreams for female audiences around the world.
After shaking his head, Ronald called Jan de Bont and asked him to come over.
"Cruise's agent has officially refused to star in a gothic vampire movie. In addition, River Phoenix also wants to star in that movie. Your dream is shattered..."
"Oh, Shxt, what kind of bullshit vampire gothic style, who directed it?" The top two leading actors in Jan de Bont's heart ignored him, which made him very hurt.
"It's Neil Jordan, the director of The Crying Game. They gained confidence from Francis Coppola's 400 Years of Mystery and felt that this type of movie would be the next direction... Besides, there's also David G.
Fen spends a lot of money. This is the fourth original record company owner to enter Hollywood. They don't know anything, they just have money."
"What? Can he direct this kind of subject matter? Just because Director Coppola can film it, doesn't mean he can film it..."
Unexpectedly, Jan de Bont is also a fan of Coppola. In his opinion, Coppola has a special magic power and can produce special effects in such stylized movies. Others do not have this ability, so
I thought that shooting like this would be nondescript.
As a photography director, he is very familiar with lens scheduling, color styles, and so on, and knows that "Four Hundred Years of Love" is not a style that ordinary people can control.
"By the way, what do you think of the actor in 400 Years of Horror?"
"Gary Oldman? He's a bit old, isn't he?" Ronald remembered the one who played the vampire Count Dracula.
"Ah? What, I'm talking about the young Keanu Rivers..."
"Oh..." Ronald remembered this young actor, but he had no impression of him in his mind. It could be seen that there was nothing special about his acting skills that he, as a director, would remember.
"Why choose him?"
"Don't you think he looks a bit like River Phoenix?"
"How does it look like?" Ronald felt that River Phoenix's acting skills were much better than his.
"None of them look like Americans, here, here..." Jan de Bont pointed to his chin, "They all have a European chin..."
"You mean, they don't look like Stallone and Schwarzenegger?" Ronald thought thoughtfully.
"That's what I want to say, Ronald, you really have a talent for turning inspiration into visual language. Stallone, Schwarzenegger...men will feel threatened when they see them, and women will feel strong when they see them.
It’s too much, and I’m a little scared. This is no longer the Cold War period in the 1980s.”
Ronald's feeling is similar to that of Jan de Bont. The success of Tom Cruise has proved that the current female audience prefers this kind of "action star" with a pointed chin. They like to be softer,
A somewhat fragile male.
Their muscles are also very good, you can see the abdominal muscles, but they are not the muscles of Stallone that can make people feel like they are cyborgs. In short, they must feel good to the touch.
Able to protect oneself, but not so strong that it scares oneself. Very secure, but a little fragile and needs comfort from oneself. Today's American women, the best couples in their eyes, have actually changed to a different type. They can
Like King Kong, it is no longer that important to beat other male creatures away. Who else can bully women now?
"It's very good. Ask his agent. Just ask him. It's not too expensive. Also, does he agree to cut his hair short?" Luo suddenly noticed that Keanu Reeves is always shown with long hair in the movies.
To show others.
"What about the female stars? Can I get Winona Ryder?" Jan de Bont is thinking about the heroine of 400 Years Old again. He and Keanu Reeves seem to have some chemistry.
.
"Don't think about it. You might have had a chance two years ago."
Ronald smiled and waved.
Winola Ryder is now quite motivated to become one of the top three female stars in Hollywood. She is currently filming "The Age of Innocence" with Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis, and there is also a movie "Every Head in America".
"Little Women", which every female star would have to film again and again, is waiting for her. Not to mention the schedule, the salary has exceeded the scope of this "Life and Death". The total budget of 30 million cannot hire such a woman.
Stars come to star.
"What should we do?"
"First decide on the male lead. If Keanu Reeves can do it, then find hundreds of actresses to match him..."
…
"Holy Shxt!"
When Keanu Reeves came back from Britain and auditioned for the leading role in "Speed", he shocked everyone including director Jan de Bont. He also scared his agent half to death.
.
Because of his role as a police detective and because of the script, Keanu Reeves went to great lengths and cut off his hair without getting any guarantees for the role, creating a rounded head that was only one millimeter long.
This kind of hairstyle is usually only done by the cool guys in the Marine Corps. The Navy usually cuts off more of the temples to match the sailor hat. This kind of roundness is very important for the actor's appearance, and only those really handsome guys can do it.
With this kind of hairstyle, it shows a kind of innocent handsomeness.
"Oh, this is really good..."
Seeing the audition photo of Keanu Reeves with round hair and a white round-neck T-shirt, Ronald also felt that it fit the script of the movie.
However, he had just returned from filming Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" in Britain, and his whole person did not have the compactness of a handsome American boy.
"We also need to strengthen muscle training and find him a fitness trainer. He should train like an American policeman, not a British sissy." Jan de Bont himself is a European, but for the protagonist image needed for the film
Very confident.
"Okay, very good. You go find Richard and start auditioning for the heroine. This Anne must be a good match for Reeves at first glance..."