Hollywood Director 1992

In its fifth week of release, "Paranormal Activity" grossed $30.28 million in 2,102 theaters, bringing its North American box office total to $145 million.

Compared to the third and fourth weeks, this week's box office data showed a significant decline.

This was due, on the one hand, to the impact of negative publicity and, on the other hand, to the film's release entering its later stages, with the initial buzz fading. Those who liked this type of movie had already seen it, and those who didn't wouldn't come to see it, so a decline was inevitable.

According to "Variety," the film's North American box office is projected to be around $180 million, making it unlikely to break $200 million.

If it were to break $200 million, the film would very likely rank among the top three, or even first, in the 1992 annual box office charts.

If "Paranormal Activity" were to become the annual box office champion, suppressing all commercial blockbusters and classic art films, the big directors and stars in Hollywood would probably be depressed to the point of vomiting blood.

"Hahaha, Kiefer, Jimmy, take a look, take a look at the box office data for 'Paranormal Activity' this week!"

In the office, Robert Downey Jr. waved the newspaper in his hand excitedly, "According to a 'Variety' survey and analysis, the box office drop for 'Paranormal Activity' this week is far greater than the normal value.

According to the normal downward trend, the box office performance of 'Paranormal Activity' this week should have been between 36 million and 42 million. Because of our suppression, this movie earned more than 10 million less, haha, Jimmy, you said it was meaningless to do this kind of thing, do you still think so now?"

"No, you are right, it is meaningful to do so."

Jimmy Rich gave a strained smile.

To suppress "Paranormal Activity," Robert Downey Jr. spent more than a million dollars to create a large amount of negative news related to Link through the media.

Robert Downey Jr. succeeded. The negative news caused the box office of "Paranormal Activity" to plummet, but this approach also cost him a lot of money, time, and energy.

Using this method to vent his anger was detrimental to himself and others.

Jimmy Rich didn't think it was a victory.

"Robert, yesterday at the promotional event for 'A Few Good Men,' Tom Cruise said you did a good job and invited you to the celebration party for 'A Few Good Men' breaking $100 million at the box office," Kiefer Sutherland said with a smile.

"Haha, Jimmy, listen to that. Now even Tom Cruise is actively inviting me to the party. Do you still think this kind of thing is meaningless?"

Robert Downey Jr. laughed triumphantly.

"Yes, it's meaningful."

Jimmy Rich nodded.

Although Robert Downey Jr. is a first-line star in Hollywood, compared to top stars like Tom Cruise, his status and salary are far behind.

Gaining the friendship of Tom Cruise by attacking Link can also be considered a significant gain.

Ding-ling-ling!

The phone on the desk rang. Jamie Rich walked over to answer it, his eyebrows twitched, and his expression gradually became very interesting.

"Jimmy, what's wrong?"

Kiefer Sutherland asked.

"There's big news."

Jimmy Rich quickly found a copy of the "Los Angeles Times." The headline on the front page was "'Paranormal Activity' Suspected of Infringement," with the sub-headline "Ms. Tina Wasterton, Suspect in Murrieta Husband-Killing Case, Accuses 'Paranormal Activity' Director Link of Stealing Her Story."

"Is this true?"

Robert Downey Jr. exclaimed in surprise.

Continuing to read, the news mainly covered two cases.

The first case was a homicide that occurred in Murrieta, Southern California, more than two months ago.

Tina Wasterton was subjected to domestic violence by her husband and, that night, shot and killed her sleeping husband with seven shots.

Afterward, Tina Wasterton was arrested by the police and then prosecuted by the court on suspicion of intentional homicide.

In the first court hearing, Tina Wasterton claimed that she did not intentionally kill her husband, but took out a gun in her sleep and unconsciously shot and killed him.

Tina Wasterton's defense attorney argued that the client killed her husband unconsciously, which fell into the category of manslaughter rather than intentional homicide.

The defense attorney presented the client's medical records and a list of medications she was taking.

The client, Tina Wasterton, was unable to conceive normally due to physical reasons. She underwent two consecutive artificial insemination procedures last year, both of which failed.

As a result, Tina Wasterton suffered from psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety, requiring her to take a large number of medications to alleviate her condition.

During the treatment process, the client had shown signs of mental confusion and sleepwalking.

The defense attorney claimed that after being subjected to domestic violence by her husband, the client's mental state deteriorated, and the previously unalleviated illness became more severe. Under these circumstances, it was possible and very reasonable for her to sleepwalk at night and shoot her husband.

Because this case involved relatively popular and bizarre terms such as 'marital relationship,' 'domestic violence,' 'depression,' 'midnight shooting,' 'wife killing husband,' and 'sleepwalking murder,'

the case was exposed by the media during the preliminary hearing and became a widely followed social news story on the West Coast of the United States.

Many media outlets had also publicly discussed this case.

Should we believe Tina Wasterton?

Did Tina Wasterton intentionally kill her husband or was it unconscious?

Is sleepwalking murder valid?

What crime should Tina Wasterton be convicted of?

Female readers believed Tina Wasterton and supported acquittal.

Male readers believed that the judicial authorities should strictly review Tina Wasterton's mental and psychological state.

If she really suffers from a serious mental illness, the sentence can be reduced at the discretion of the court, and she can be arranged to receive treatment.

If she is faking illness to escape punishment, she must be dealt with seriously.

Because this kind of case cannot be allowed to set a precedent.

Once Tina Wasterton is acquitted, many women will learn from this method to evade criminal law in the future.

At that time, the male group will be in danger, and even sleeping will require wearing bulletproof vests.

This kind of thing must not happen.

Because there was a lot of discussion, everyone was also more concerned about this case.

By the time of the second trial, many media outlets ran to the scene to interview.

But at the second trial, the defendant's defense attorney submitted new evidence, which was a videotape.

Claiming that Tina Wasterton, a few weeks before the incident, accepted the advice of a psychologist and installed a camera in her bedroom to film her daily life, using this method to find the cause of her illness.

At the same time, the defense attorney also represented the client in accusing Guess See Pictures and director Link, claiming that he stole Tina Wasterton's private videotape and, after editing, turned it into the documentary-style film "Paranormal Activity."

After the film was released, Tina Wasterton contacted Guess See Pictures, demanding that the production company pay royalties, but was refused.

The defense attorney immediately demanded that Guess See Pictures compensate the client $100 million.

While the defense attorney was speaking, the media in the audience almost jumped up with excitement.

It should be known that "Paranormal Activity" is currently the most popular movie in North America. Every piece of news about "Paranormal Activity" has a chance to make headlines and receive national attention.

Now this best-selling movie is linked to a homicide and an infringement case, turning it into a very complex case within a case.

The value of this news is very high.