Facing an expert like Cao Kun, Lawrence spoke frankly: "We were prepared to announce $90 million, but in reality it was $60 million."
"But if Mr. Cao authorizes us to use the script you just revised and to play the male lead, we can increase the actual budget to $100 million."
Cao Kun: "If I play the male lead, how much are you prepared to pay me?"
Lawrence: "Originally, this was supposed to be a long negotiation process with the agent, but since Mr. Cao asked about it personally, we won't play those games."
The salary we originally prepared for you was $2 million.
But now that the script has been revised and the male lead's storyline has been expanded, I've decided to increase the budget to $5 million, the same as Angelina Jolie's.
Cao Kun: "Aren't you going to ask me to be your security consultant?"
Lawrence was taken aback: "You mean, like the previous 'The Mummy'?"
Cao Kun: "That's right."
Lawrence: "Tomb Raider is not a horror movie, it doesn't have any horror elements. It's more of an adventure action movie with some science fiction elements. It shouldn't attract any supernatural beings."
This left Cao Kun speechless.
Cao Kun also wanted to say, "Yes, if a science fiction adventure film doesn't have horror elements, then why doesn't it have games?"
He wasn't sure if this movie would become a reality.
However, giving up like this is definitely not an option.
Whether or not it will become a reality, it's always good to go and see for yourself.
Anyway, it's just a waste of time.
He could also land a role and invest in a profitable movie.
Cao Kun shifted his focus away from security consultants and instead asked, "How large is your investment gap?"
Lawrence laughed and said, "We manage 20% of the projects, and the more of the rest, the better."
Lawrence meant that it would be best to have 100% external financing.
In this way, even if Cao Kun invests 100 million, it's no problem, but he can only own 80% of the project.
Paramount earned the remaining 20% through hard work.
This is also standard practice in Hollywood.
Of course, this doesn't include issuance costs.
Paramount will definitely charge the maximum fee of 30% for its own projects and self-publishing.
Cao Kun calculated the amount of money he currently had.
He currently has over $200 million in his hands.
They also need to save it for filming "The Bourne Identity" and "Batman".
While The Batman movie wasn't made that quickly, it still needed funding in its early stages.
He needs money for his own cultivation, so directly taking away 100 million is definitely not an option.
However, Hunter Lee also has 200 million.
If I get the money from Hunter Lee, there won't be any problem.
Cao Kun: "Okay, I'll invest all 100 million, but I'll only give you 90 million."
My salary was $5 million, the screenwriter's fee was $1 million, and the producer's fee was $4 million.
In addition, as the producer, lead actor, and screenwriter, I request 10% of the box office revenue.
Lawrence fell silent immediately.
Cao Kun's asking price is really outrageous.
Not only did he take away 10 million in salary, but he also wanted 10% of the profits.
It's still about box office revenue sharing, not profit sharing.
They only accounted for 30% of the box office revenue, Cao Kun took 10% in his three roles, and of the remaining 60%, Cao Kun took 80%, while Paramount only took 20%.
In this way, this project is equivalent to Paramount working for Cao Kun.
Cao Kun is the real boss.
Then some people asked, "Cao Kun has already revealed the plot."
Paramount can just modify it according to the plot.
On the one hand, it is obvious that the conversations between the two parties were recorded beforehand.
Paramount didn't know whether Cao Kun had other relevant evidence beforehand that enabled him to make such a mature suggestion.
If Paramount really does that, and Cao Kun sues them, they'll face compensation and fines, and they won't make any money; they'll lose even more.
Secondly, Cao Kun is a well-known and powerful exorcist in the industry.
Unless Lawrence has shit for brains, he wouldn't dare to cheat Cao Kun.
Lawrence: "Mr. Cao, we need to go through this process and get a decision from above."
Cao Kun: "Okay."
The two stopped talking about the matter and started discussing other interesting stories from within the industry.
The next morning around 11 a.m., Lawrence called Cao Kun and said that Paramount had approved Cao Kun's proposal.
Although this project was essentially working for Cao Kun, the copyright ultimately remained with Paramount.
In the second part, they can operate it entirely on their own.
If Cao Kun can make the first part a hit, it will become a new IP.
Then there will be a continuous stream of money.
The reason Cao Kun agreed to invest in this film, besides making money and continuing to gain recognition, was naturally for the time-traveling artifact that could potentially become a reality.
The most important issue, the distribution of benefits, has been settled. Next, it's about the treatment Cao Kun, as an actor, should receive.
In this respect, he enjoys a triple status, so he is naturally treated at the highest level.
For example, an executive suite in a five-star hotel is considered the best hotel in the area if there are no other five-star hotels there.
They must be picked up and dropped off in a luxury chauffeur-driven car when going out, and must fly in first class.
Not to mention the food, film crews in the US use buffets, and higher-ranking actors and staff eat together.
Extras and minor roles will be separated.
The food depends on the production team's conscience; some are set meals, while others are a scaled-down buffet.
Besides food, accommodation, and transportation, there are also detailed rules regarding posters, subtitles, and promotions.
These things are commonly known as "fighting for a share".
Cao Kun didn't care, but Paramount had already made a note for him without him having to say anything.
After all, he's the biggest investor; who would bother competing with him?
In just one day, Cao Kun signed a contract with Paramount.
This was the most efficient time.
Upon receiving the news, Angelina excitedly called: "You're going to star in a movie with me? You'll be the male lead, haha, that's great! That bitch Vinona has finally lost to me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Viona's voice came: "You wish! I'll visit the set often."
The Tomb Raider project still needs script revisions, a suitable director, and auditions for other supporting roles, so progress isn't very fast.
It may be several months before filming officially begins.
Cao Kun then inquired with Doug Liman.
With his detailed explanation, the script was basically finished, and only final polishing was needed.
As a result, Cao Kun's name reappeared in the screenwriter credits for "The Bourne Identity".
After all, he had dictated almost the entire plot, and Doug Liman and Gilroy themselves felt embarrassed to leave out his name.
While the script underwent final polishing, Doug Liman also began assembling his team.
Assistant director, photography team, costume and props, sound recording, script supervisor, casting director, etc.
During the process, Cao Kun delegated all authority, and he only made the final decision.
Three days later, the script for the first Bourne film was officially finalized.
The rest of the filming will be done entirely according to this script.
The production cost of the first film was a solid $60 million, though it was publicly stated to be $80 million.
The filming locations for this movie spanned several countries, requiring the crew to travel extensively.
Knowing that Cao Kun was leaving, Angelina and the other women have been receiving a constant stream of phone calls these past few days.
Because filming takes several months at a time, they can't get a hot meal when he's gone.
They all urged him to go, hoping to relieve his immediate crisis.
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