Chapter 474 There are many beauties here, take care of yourself
"Link, how's the script?"
Ovitz asked.
“Not bad, has some potential.”
Link said objectively. Although the love triangle plot is cliché, this script also has many advantages, such as outstanding selling points, handsome men and beautiful women, friendship and love, a large number of explosions and air battles, and justice defeating evil.
The script also contains relatively positive content about countries such as China, France, Britain, and Japan, which can please foreign audiences.
etc.
The selling points are clearly set, which is first-class in commercial films.
"Link, how about letting you direct this movie? You've directed Saving Private Ryan and The English Patient, so you're very familiar with this type of movie. If you continue to direct this type of movie, the box office performance will definitely be very good."
Ovitz laughed.
“When do you plan to start filming?”
“If you don’t have time this year, shoot next year.”
"I have three movies to shoot next year, so I don't have the extra time to take on a big project like this."
"Don't worry, we can wait, even another year or two."
Ovitz had heard about Warner Bros. Pictures' box office failure with Batman & Robin.
It is said that Warner Bros. Pictures originally wanted to ask Link to continue directing the series, but they went too late and Link had too many work schedules to direct this film.
Warner Bros. Pictures wanted to take advantage of the popularity of "Batman Forever" and make a quick buck with the sequel, so they found director Joel Schumacher to direct it. However, Schumacher's version of Batman was of relatively poor quality, and the audience did not buy into it, which also caused this popular IP to become an unfinished project.
Ovitz didn't want to repeat the same mistake.
Link thought for a moment and shook his head. "This script is good in terms of structure, but I don't like the story, and I'm not good at filming this kind of love triangle movie. I suggest you find a director who is suitable for this kind of movie to direct it."
"Link, please think about it again. As long as you are willing to direct, the entire project will be handed over to you. Even if you want to modify the script, that's fine. We just want you to cooperate with us."
Ovitz was very sincere. While he was speaking, he stared at Link's expression, trying to see Link's true attitude. Did he really dislike the script, or did he see that there were problems with the script but didn't say it out loud, hoping to cheat Disney in this way?
"It would be very troublesome to modify the script. Besides, my work schedule for the next two years is full and I don't have time to take on the role of Pearl Harbor."
"Link, you decide the shooting time. The remuneration is 20% of the North American box office share and 15% of the overseas box office share. This is our sincerity."
Ovitz stated the highest price directly. Originally, this price was to be offered after several rounds of negotiations in order to impress Link, but Link did not play by the rules. After reading the script, he said he did not want to direct.
He could only give the details in advance, hoping that the price could impress Link.
Link touched his chin. In the past, the seven major film studios paid him 15% of the global box office share, and if he was sincere, he would get a basic salary of 10 million.
Now Ovitz has raised the price to 20% of the North American box office share. If the North American box office of "Pearl Harbor" exceeds $200 million, he can earn tens of millions more.
For him, as long as it is a blockbuster, the director's experience and physical fitness bonus are between 15%-20%, so no matter what problems there are in the plot of "Pearl Harbor", it will not affect his ability to make money and get rewards.
"Okay, then I'll squeeze in some time and make this movie."
"Uh good!"
Ovitz was stunned for a moment, then nodded, but in his heart he was cursing Link as a bastard. He had seen Link's firm attitude when he refused, as if he really didn't want to act, but after he quoted the salary, Link immediately changed his mind.
This made him suspect that Link was using this method to control him in order to get higher pay.
And he fell into Link's trap without any preparation.
Damn it!
Link is a guy with a net worth of tens of billions, but he resorts to tricks for just a few million or tens of millions.
This guy is really obsessed with money.
Ovitz cursed Link in his heart.
"Mike, I'm going to rest first. Have fun tonight. There are many beauties here, but please take care of yourself."
Link smiled softly and left the café with the script and a few girlfriends.
Michael Ovitz waved and smiled goodbye to Link.
When Link's back disappeared behind the revolving door, his face quickly darkened and he slammed his fist heavily on the armrest of the sofa.
Link is such a despicable bastard. Every time I gamble or discuss business with him, he always takes advantage of me and makes me lose everything. It feels so bad and makes me look so stupid.
"Forget it. Don't be angry. Wait until Harvey and Epstein destroy Link's company. Then I'll find a way to retaliate."
Ovitz snorted coldly, stood up and left.
Seeing a large group of Latino women soliciting customers on the street, he wanted to call a few back to enjoy himself, but when he thought of Link's proposal, he was worried that this was a conspiracy. In the end, he had to suppress his desire and returned to the hotel with resentment and anger, and couldn't sleep.
After separating from Ovitz, Link took his girlfriends back to the hotel to sleep, bathing in the hazy starlight from the glass dome on the top floor of the Caribbean Coast Hotel, and doing some of the things they loved.
Link spent a wonderful night here with his girlfriends including Jennifer Lopez and Cate Blanchett.
In early July, after filming the scenes in the Caribbean Sea was completed, the crew came to Baja California, Mexico, to shoot the naval battle scenes in a giant tank set.
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By July, six heavyweight commercial films were released in the North American film market.
Including "Lethal Weapon 4" released by Warner Bros. Pictures, the animated film "Mulan" co-produced by Disney and Guess What Films, the comedy film "Doctor Dolittle" produced by Fox Film, and the animated film "The Sniper" produced by DreamWorks.
And guess what - two low-budget films produced by MGM Studios, "There's Something About Mary" and "Just Go".
After several weeks of box office competition, the movies released in July were decided. The low-cost comedy film "There's Something About Mary" produced by Guess What Pictures unexpectedly became the highest-grossing movie in July and a box office dark horse.
There’s Something About Mary is a romantic comedy.
It tells the story of Ted who, when he was a child, met the beautiful blonde Mary at a party and was struck by her love. However, due to his timidity, he did not have the courage to confess his feelings.
Thirteen years later, Ted became successful and thought of Mary. He hired private detective Hurley to help find Mary's whereabouts and see what she was doing.
After finding Mary, Hurley was attracted by her charming appearance and began to pursue her madly.
When they are about to succeed, Ted personally finds Mary and confesses his love to her. Mary is moved. Hurley tries to sabotage their relationship. After some struggle, Mary chooses Ted, and the lovers finally get married.
The film is directed by brothers Peter and Bobby Farrelly, the directors of "Dumb and Dumber", and stars Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon and others.
The production cost was $23 million.
After four weeks of release, it earned $107 million in North America, becoming the third film from Guess What Films to gross over $100 million in North America this year.
Based on the film's box office growth and current reputation, the media predicts that the film's North American box office will be around 180 million US dollars, with a box office revenue ratio of 9 times, making it the biggest dark horse movie of the year.
Ranked second is the comedy film "Doctor Dolittle", which has grossed $87.47 million in North America after four weeks of release. The film cost $65 million to produce. Judging from the current data, it is a box office hit.
Ranked third is "Keep Moving Forward".
The movie tells an inspirational story about a water delivery man on a college football team. He is laughed at and ridiculed by everyone because of his dull personality, but he never resists. Later, with the help of the coach of the rival team, he plays to his strengths and specialties and becomes a football star.
Similar to the football scene in Forrest Gump.
The movie stars Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Angelina Jolie and others.
The film cost $25 million to produce and after two weeks of release, it grossed $75.35 million in North America.
The North American box office is expected to exceed 100 million next week.
It is expected to become the fourth MGM movie this year to gross over 100 million yuan at the North American box office.
Fourth place is the animated film "Mulan", jointly produced by Disney and Guess What Pictures, which is adapted from the Chinese folk Yuefu poem "The Ballad of Mulan" and tells the story of Mulan joining the army in place of her father to resist the invasion of the Huns.
The film cost $75 million to produce and earned $85.03 million in North America after three weeks of release.
The results are pretty good.
The above four movies performed relatively well at the box office, while the other movies performed averagely.
And guess what - the four films released by MGM Studios during the summer season have been huge hits, with total box office revenue ranking first in the industry.
Colleagues at the film company once again sighed helplessly.
"Alas, this movie lost money again."
Bob Weinstein lost his hair folder and sighed.
This year, Miramax Films borrowed money to shoot six films, including "Come Back," "Sliding Doors," and "Club 54." It also bought the distribution rights for eight films in the international market, including "Fireworks," "Ghost," and "The Governess."
Most of these films are literary and artistic, and they consider themselves to be of good quality. However, after their release, due to fierce competition in the film market, only "Come and Die Hard", "Dangerous Liaisons" and "The Governess" released by Miramax Films made profits, while all other films lost money.
The loss amounted to $60 million.
This has also led to Miramax Films becoming more indebted, and they are currently running at a loss. If Disney Studios does not fund them, they will have no funds to make movies starting next year.
"What's the point of you sighing at me? I'm not the president of the company now."
Harvey was smoking a cigar, his face gloomy.
Last year, due to a scandal, he was removed from his position as president of Miramax by Disney and now only serves as the general producer, responsible for the operation of film projects, but in fact he is still the decision maker of Miramax Films.
Bob took a look and said, "The company's debt has reached 300 million, and the interest is 4 to 5 million dollars a year. If we continue to borrow money to make movies, and the movies continue to lose money, Miramax will go bankrupt before next year. By then, we will all be laid off, and there will be no need to talk about who will be the president."
The muscles at the corners of Harvey's eyes twitched and he coughed a few times. "Then what can you do? I'll listen to you this time."
Bob sighed, "We are not professional filmmakers, and we don't have any lofty ideals for movies. The main reason we are in this industry is to make money, oh, and to pick up girls. When our company is no longer profitable and we can't pick up high-quality beauties, there is no point in us continuing to do this.
So my suggestion is to file for bankruptcy and use the remaining funds and connections to engage in other industries. I believe that with our abilities, we can make money in other industries and pick up more beauties. What do you think? "
"I don't agree!"
Harvey Weinstein said angrily, "Movies are our career and our means of making a living. We have been in this industry for more than 20 years and have invested everything in movies. Now you want to change careers. Is it that easy? If you quit at this time, all your previous efforts will be in vain. Are you willing to accept this?"
"But we can't make money here anymore, that's a fact. If we quit now, we have a chance to protect our capital and continue to live a wealthy life. If we don't quit, we will lose more, or even lose everything. Is this what you want to see?"
Bob asked back.
Harvey's face turned even worse. "No matter what you say, I will not quit, not even if I die. I tell you, this matter is not over yet. We still have a chance. Link, that bastard, will never continue to be so arrogant."
"Give up, Harvey. Link is a billionaire. We can't beat him. If we continue to fight, we will be the only ones who get hurt. If you really care about the company, you should apologize to Link, admit your previous offense against him, and deepen your cooperation with Guess What? Pictures. Maybe with our relationship with Link, we will have a chance to get back on the Hollywood table."
"Shut up! You want to be Link's little brother, but I don't want that. My goal is to be the king of Hollywood, and no one can stop me."
Harvey kicked over a chair in anger and limped out of the office.
(End of this chapter)
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