Ace Hollywood

It has been a week since the audition, and there is still no confirmed news from the "Gladiator" crew. Kusa called to find out, but the other party was also vague. In the end, perhaps because of Ridley's tendency, he hinted to Kusa about Universal's attitude.

Kusa hung up the phone calmly.

"Someone from Universal has expressed their opinion, and Walter prefers Jacques."

Kusa explained to Daniel the hint on the other end of the phone with a serious expression, which was really bad news for them.

If there was a little bit of hugging before, the reverie that Ridley would treat Daniel differently and finally support him in the role is completely gone now.

"Universal's attitude is predictable," Daniel said, sitting with a pen in his hand, and a blank piece of paper in front of him. He wrote the word "Universal" on the white paper, "They will take a fancy to Jie The publicity bonus brought by Kun's identity, but we should try to make them less decisive. I mean, they can lean towards Joaquin, but don't put 100% pressure on Ridley, they need to have strength to contain them , let Universal have some scruples, or at least balance Philip's operations."

Daniel and Kusa glanced at each other.

"CAA!"

"Is there any way for CAA to come forward and balance Philip's influence on Universal for us?"

Daniel writes "CAA" on the paper, listed to the left of Universal.

"WME and CAA have always been ruthless in competing for roles. I can work hard. Maybe the CAA executives have the will. After all, you are not an unknown person now." Kusa hesitated, not fully sure, Daniel and him After all, the weight is still too light, and it is difficult to ensure that CAA's influential high-level executives can come forward for them.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"I'll check the situation first," Kusa shook his head, "If necessary, you can come forward."

Daniel didn't say that again, but wrote "Ridley" next to Universal.

This talent is the most central role.

But he seems to be observing, observing who can bring more benefits to the movie.

"We still have to start from him. The information we have learned in the past few days has already explained the problem. Universal must be dissatisfied with Ridley, but it is impossible to leave Ridley behind in this movie, that is to say Even if there is dissatisfaction, it will ultimately be Ridley's opinion. As for the nastyness that arises, if the movie is a big success, for the sake of the dollar, they don't want to remember the unpleasantness."

But that's the problem.

How to impress Ridley!

The biggest bargaining chip he can give is Daniel's performance, which can make the movie even better, and obviously it can also impress Ridley.

But for now, it seems that is not enough.

"Kusa, in this way, let's divide the work and cooperate. You can find out if Ridley has any hobbies, or people you have made friends with. I'll sort out his past works and see if I can find something."

"Okay!" Kusa stood up, "I'll communicate with the higher-ups first, and then I'll do it right away."

...

Daniel has collected all of Ridley's works over the past few decades. "The Duelist" has made him famous. Later, Ridley directed the space horror film "Alien\

,"This completely established his director status, and this movie has become a classic.

After the success of "Alien", Ridley was very cautious about his own work. It was not until three years later that he received a total of 100,000 yuan from the Asian film giant and a Chinese rich man whom Daniel was very familiar with - Run Run Shaw's film company and Warner Corporation. With an investment of 28 million, the filming of "Blade Runner" was started, starring Harrison Ford. Daniel paused for a second on Harrison's name. Although he and the action superstar hadn't met each other yet, they had two ties, one with Tracy Jacobs, and Harrison is now Tracy's client , Another time it was Melissa, whose father, Derac Lane, had a good relationship with Harrison Ford, which is one of the reasons why Melissa was treated differently by Tracy.

"Harrison Ford." Daniel quickly flipped through the material of "Blade Runner". breaking news. The film was a poor box office hit and received rave reviews, including the Roger Ebert-Heather duo. "Blade Runner" can be called Ridley's Waterloo, but it was dramatic. In the early 1990s, the film was re-released by Warner. This time it got the evaluation it deserved, and Roger even changed his praise rarely. , the movie is considered by scientists to be the best science fiction movie.

Daniel flipped through some messy news before seeing the main creative information of the movie.

The director is Ridley Scott, starring Hardison Ford, and the film editor is impressively Drac Lane.

Thank God, he and Melissa are still in touch, and he vaguely remembers Melissa mentioning a movie where his father and Hardison met almost twenty years ago.

Obviously, Blade Runner!

Daniel quickly found the catalog of Draco Lane's works, and compared them with Ridley's works. Sure enough, in addition to "Blade Runner", they also collaborated on a work that is very important to both Drake and Ridley, "Thelma Flowers, a film that earned Ridley seven Oscar nominations, including Best Director, and eventually won two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

Immediately he wrote "Draco Lane" under "Ridley."

This is a way. If there is no accident, Drake and Ridley obviously have a very close relationship. This kind of 20-year-old friendship is by no means comparable to a tendency of Universal, unless they really make a firm request.

Putting down Drake's name for the time being, Daniel began to look for other breakthrough points, but obviously his qualifications in Hollywood were still too shallow, and there was nothing that seemed feasible.

Taking a deep breath, Daniel looked at the window, it was almost completely dark, and Kusa hadn't come back yet.

Daniel decided to call Melissa first.

Melissa is now working as an assistant broker in Fox's old profession, because she has not worked much since she joined the company not long ago. This can be seen from the frequency with which she has harassed Daniel recently.

Daniel and Melissa teased a few words, and then expressed their meaning.

This was actually very abrupt. Drake was a well-known Hollywood star, and he was a fledgling new actor. With a little friendship with Melissa, he made such a request at the door. It is not enough to describe it as abrupt.

Melissa was as helpful as ever.

She actually has a special feeling for Daniel. Of course, that is not love between a man and a woman, but Daniel is almost getting more and more attention under her gaze, and now he is even fighting for a main supporting role in a major A-level production.

"With your father's permission, I hope to come and visit."

Melissa asked him to come directly to the door, but Daniel of course refused. It was a presumptuous request, and if he was an uninvited guest, it would be his own death. In the end, he still asked Melissa to talk to Drake first to see if there was room for manipulation.

After he finished his business, he was dragged by Melissa to gossip for half an hour.

It wasn't until Kusa pushed the door open that he proudly hung up the phone.

Kusa's expression wasn't particularly gloomy, but it wasn't sunny either.

"The company agrees to make some efforts for you, but the intensity may not be so ideal." Kusa first dropped the bad news, "I found Kevin, the company's vice president, and he just agreed to call Universal. A phone call, but no firm promise."

Daniel nodded, "Understandable. But it seems that there is worse news?"

"Yeah, going the private route of Ridley may not be very practical anymore, because Ridley really hates bringing his personal life into the work."

Daniel himself didn't expect Kusa to find out anything. If it was that easy, Philip could only move faster than him.

"Kusa, come and see," Daniel tapped the name on the white paper with the tip of his pen, "Draco Ryan may have a deep friendship with Ridley, they collaborated on "Blade Runner" and "Thelma \u0026 Louise" "."

"uh-huh?"

"I know Mr. Lane's daughter, her name is Melissa. Aren't you wondering why I know Johnny rejects me? That's right, Melissa told me that she turned out to be Tracy's assistant agent. Lacey overheard Johnny talking to her."

Kusa was very surprised, "Could it be that she has taken a fancy to you?"

Daniel smashed a discarded ball of paper on Cusa's big nose, "When she knew me, I was still Billy Bob. Although I am also very good inside, Melissa may not have this vision. In fact , the producer of "School Blues" Michael Tollin also has some friendship with Draco. He found Melissa and hoped to recommend me to Tracy Jacobs. Strictly speaking, I am Melissa The first actor to be discovered."

"Okay, first time complex."

"I have already contacted Melissa. She will help me find the way at Drake's place first. If Drake is willing, I will pay a visit and try to persuade him to help me."

Kusa frowned, "Daniel, with all due respect, why do you think that Drake will help you, just because of your friendship with Melissa?"

"Yes, I also know that the hope is a bit slim. So this cannot be regarded as a main means, but only as an auxiliary." Daniel said helplessly.

The two helplessly continued to rack their brains to find countermeasures.

...

The negotiations between Kevin and Universal quickly reached Philip's ears through some channels.

The participation of CAA is not too surprising to him. In any case, if a brokerage company cannot stand up for its clients, it is not far from disintegration.

In fact, the purpose of testing the water through the world has been achieved.

Ridley's tendency was beyond his expectation, and Ridley barely responded to Universal's attitude.

This one is trickier.

"Now we have to play all the cards," Philip and Jacques analyzed the current situation, and Ridley's attitude became the key. If there is no way to persuade Ridley, I am afraid that this time he will really lose the role.

Philip spent an afternoon on the phone in the office.

Jacques watched him negotiate with various figures.

Famous actors, producers, directors, they all have intersections with Ridley, and they have a common identity: a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Philip understood Ridley's ambition, and he was looking forward to an Oscar, very much. "Gladiator" is his Oscar-winning masterpiece. This movie is full of pleasing to the academy, heroism, epic, the protagonist's yearning for the family, and even Marcus's choice of a country that is very different from history. This is all about exploring the academy. sensitive point.

In fact, according to Philip's experience, this film is indeed very likely to win Oscar's favor.

This is why he has the heart to win.

After receiving a few calls, Ridley realized that Philip was a little anxious for his delay in making a statement. Although he could not be influenced by others, the significance of these calls was not something he could ignore at will.

Almost unanimously, these calls were for Joaquin Phoenix.

The powerful connections of both parties in Hollywood are clearly visible.

Even though Universal's attitude has eased, these calls made Joaquin's victory almost a matter of course.

Although he answered a lot of calls during this period, Ridley was quite surprised when Derac Ryan's phone rang.

"Draco, I really can't think of it, even you were moved by Philip, what benefits did he give you?" Ridley's tone was relaxed, showing that his relationship with Drake was indeed extraordinary.

Draco on the other end of the phone smiled and denied the position of speaking for Jacques.

"You said you made the call for Daniel?"

Now, Ridley was really surprised. Daniel was actually able to invite Drake. Personally, Drake might be able to stand up to Philip's group.

Drake just said that Daniel has some friendship with Melissa, and he also thinks that the young man is very good and suitable for this role.

Ridley didn't hide anything from Drake, he told the whole situation, "To be honest, I really regret it now. If Daniel was directly confirmed to play the role, it might not be the current scene. Philip's energy is not small. Said It moved a lot of people. And Universal has always been more satisfied with Jacques. If I insist on going my own way, there may be some bad effects. You know, after "Blade Runner", I have tried to avoid causing conflicts. "

Draco was silent for a while, comforted his old friend, and didn't insist anymore.

Philip's nirvana really hit Ridley. Although the reason he told Drake was true, the identity of those people's Oscar judges is the most important. Ridley doesn't want his way to the Olympics Out of season.

But it also made him resent Philip a lot.

No one wants to be forced to act, especially a director with a distinctive personality like Ridley.

Daniel was by his side when Drake called Ridley, and it took almost no effort in fact for Drake to agree to the call.

It can only be said that Draco's love for Melissa is beyond Daniel's imagination.

"You may lose this role," the first sentence of Draco's words after hanging up the phone made Daniel and Cusa's mood sink to the bottom.

"As you said, Ridley himself is interested in you. He even regrets that he didn't confirm you at the beginning, but now he is also a little bit hard to get rid of. Jacques' agent has a lot of contacts, and he has hired many influential people. People interceded for Jacques, and Ridley mentioned a few names, and they all have one thing in common, they are all Oscar judges."

Daniel closed his eyes. They didn't expect it, and even if they thought about it, they couldn't do it. For Ridley, there is nothing more attractive than Oscar.

The votes of these people may not really be one with Jacques, but if Ridley rudely rejects them, I am afraid that he will really lose these votes.

Compared with the nearly 6,000 Oscar judges, of course Philip moved only a very small part, but who dares to say that the final victory or defeat will not be based on these few tickets?

Ridley wouldn't be willing to take the risk.

At this moment, Daniel and Kusa almost decided to admit defeat directly.

Even Ryan's Alaska could feel the depressed atmosphere, and he whimpered a few times.

"Why, are you planning to give up?"

Daniel's smile was extremely bitter, "We really have nothing to do."

The gray-haired Draco smiled, and looked at Daniel with wise eyes, "Sometimes it seems that there is no way out, but it doesn't mean there is really no way out. Joaquin's advantage was originally in Universal, that is, his brother's publicity value, now With the addition of Oscar, as long as you make a fuss about these two points, it is not hopeless. Daniel, sometimes you have to dare to attack and dare to borrow the situation."

On the way back, Daniel and Cusa were still a little confused. Drake's words gave him some vague thoughts, but they were not particularly clear.

"Kusa, what do you think Drake is referring to? Dare to attack?"

Kusa was also thinking solemnly.

He went deeper than Daniel thought.

River Phoenix and Oscar, these are the two advantages of Jacques, which are the targets they want to destroy.

But now, for Ridley, if he wants to choose Daniel, the first point is not to let those Oscar judges have opinions on the movie and himself. The second point is to give Universal Pictures a justifiable reason.

If these two concerns can be cleared away for Ridley, then Daniel's victory will be taken for granted.

Dare to attack, dare to take advantage of the situation!

The words that Draco meant made them feel that some ideas were about to burst out of their shells.

Daniel sat in the co-pilot and looked out the window. Los Angeles in midsummer is very lively, but it is also easy to breed irritable emotions.

Two young black men on the side of the road got into a quarrel for some unknown reason, and one of them suddenly moved his fist, knocking the other to the ground with a punch, and then walked away.

"Kusa, I think I know what to do."