From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

It was clearly a test, yet delivered with a self-deprecating tone. Edgar's brilliance was evident, once again impressing Steven.

Why hadn't William Morris ever mentioned this agent before?

Tom, however, disliked this kind of exchange, filled with calculation and hypocrisy.

Of course, Tom knew this was part of the industry, and even he couldn't avoid it entirely; but he still tried to be as straightforward and sincere as possible.

For example, Tom was now undoubtedly a member of the twenty-million-dollar club. At least for the moment, none of his works truly demanded a twenty-million-dollar salary, but his reputation and status were undeniable.

The present situation was a prime example.

Clearly, both parties had reached a consensus, yet they were still here, pulling and restraining each other.

Tom felt a mischievous impulse. "Your sources are correct. It's a done deal. Anson will play Little Frank Abagnale, the male lead. Of course, provided you guys reach an agreement on the salary issue. Next, you can sit down with him and discuss the fee."

Steven looked helpless. Although he didn't like this kind of game either, this open disclosure made things instantly less interesting. However, he wasn't angry. He glanced at Tom speechlessly, then looked at Edgar.

"Yes, that's correct."

Seriously, Steven no longer concealed anything, laying out the whole story and formally extending an invitation to collaborate.

"I'm preparing to shoot a project tentatively titled 'Catch Me If You Can,' based on Little Frank Abagnale's autobiography. I came to Paris with two tasks, one of which was to see Anson."

"I think Anson is perfect for this role. I hope to collaborate with him and look forward to seeing him display the magic of an actor on set, just like the fashion show today, bringing us surprises."

"Of course, provided you don't ask for a twenty-million-dollar salary, because the cast's salaries have already been largely taken up by this gentleman beside me. Now the budget is limited, and we don't want the project to fall into financial difficulties."

A teasing remark, and Tom was hit.

Tom: "Hey! Don't you know that actors' salaries are industry secrets?"

Edgar was happy, very, very happy. This was undoubtedly a significant turning point, but he controlled himself. Although he now longed to clench his fist and cheer, reason reined him in and calmed him down.

Joy was only temporary.

Immediately, Edgar keenly noticed the tacit cooperation between the two big shots in front of him—

This subsequent teasing and joking was clearly meant to prevent Edgar from asking for an exorbitant salary.

Was this… suppressing Anson's salary?

Perhaps some would think, how could it be possible!

"Catch Me If You Can" was a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, two industry giants. How could they lack investment capital? How could they still need to suppress a newcomer's salary?

Absurd, ridiculous, incomprehensible.

Since its establishment in 1994, DreamWorks had grown rapidly in just seven years and had now forcefully entered the ranks of Hollywood's seven major film companies. In recent years, one box office success after another had even made Paramount and Universal Pictures appear unusually embarrassed.

However, behind the glamorous facade lay a severe operational test.

There were two main reasons.

First, DreamWorks did not have its own distribution channels. They had not signed agreements with theaters, and all distribution had to be done in cooperation with other companies, which also meant that their profits had to be shared with the distribution companies.

Second, cost control. Because DreamWorks was founded with idealism from the beginning, they hoped that directors could freely develop their works according to their own ideas. Therefore, DreamWorks dared to break frameworks and routines.

In this context, DreamWorks gave birth to classic works such as "Shrek," "Gladiator," and "American Beauty"; but it also wasted costs recklessly, and had to face losses from works such as "The Prince of Egypt," "Amistad," and "Deep Impact" that did not meet expectations.

Unlike the Hollywood Big Six film companies, DreamWorks had no backing, and its funding chain was unstable. A loss that was a drop in the bucket for others would cause them severe blood loss.

Now, they were facing a severe funding chain problem.

Naturally, Steven had to control costs.

So, how should Edgar respond?

Admittedly, this collaboration opportunity was rare, and even if he lowered his salary, he should seize the opportunity. After all, these were Steven and Tom. Looking at the long term, there was no need to dwell on immediate interests; but one thing was one thing, and what should be fought for must still be fought for, at least he needed to make a gesture.

Even if he voluntarily lowered his salary to perform in the end, he had to make Steven and Tom aware of this; he couldn't join the crew silently—

Charity is charity, favors are favors, but you can't not leave your name.

Now, Steven and Tom were joking, and Edgar also made a joke, "Haha, I can be sure that we haven't reached Leonardo's level yet."

One sentence was enough.

Steven and Tom exchanged a glance, and both smiled brightly.

The conversation could stop when it reached the point, and the subsequent salary meeting would naturally be arranged separately, and then they would see each other's sincerity and psychological position.

With a turn, the view suddenly opened up, and Edgar led the two into the backstage.

The crowd was surging.

Even without getting close, Steven could see Anson's location at a glance.

His slender height was no longer an advantage among a group of models, but among a group of handsome faces, Anson could still be found easily.

Because Anson was now the center—

The stars were surrounding the moon.

The big shots in the fashion field were all gathered around Anson, and the people surging towards the backstage were all there for Anson.

Without exception, including Karl Lagerfeld.

A head of smooth white hair casually tied into a ponytail, even indoors he wore a pair of sunglasses, a signature Chanel black suit jacket, naturally exuding a powerful aura, and a small space was spontaneously cleared around him.

Others couldn't see the line of sight behind the sunglasses, but they could judge from the angle of his head and the direction of his conversation that Karl was having a cordial exchange with Anson.

So much so that Anna, Eddie, and others had to stand slightly to the side and listen quietly, surprisingly revealing a bit of ease, which was also surprising.

Edgar was preparing to bring Steven and Tom forward, but was stopped by Steven, "No, forget it, let's not go forward and disrupt the formation. Another day, let's meet another day, this is not our home field after all."