Made in Hollywood

In the recent gossip media, there have been quite a few scandals about Duke and Catherine Zeta Jones, but both of them tacitly abide by the general plan formulated by Panney Kelly, and appear in public from time to time without any Overly intimate behavior, when asked by reporters at some events, he was always left and right, neither admitting nor denying it.

Of course, the focus of the crew's early publicity has always been that this is Duke and Tom Cruise's first cooperation, and the effect is comparable to the attention caused by the promotion of his cooperation with Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan", like Like Spielberg and Harrison Ford's cooperation, the cooperation of top directors and top stars can easily attract a lot of attention.

During the period, Duke also went to Lucasfilm once, and there were a few special effects in "Chicago", which were handed over to Industrial Light and Magic, who has been working with him. When chatting with George Lucas, he also heard him mention new stars. war plan.

"Star Wars" is about to be re-released again, and the film will soon enter mainstream theaters in Europe and the United States again. This may be the film with the most large-scale release in film history.

"Since 1994, I have been writing new stories about the Skywalker family."

The person talking is George Lucas, opposite him, Duke is reading the script of the first two Star Wars prequels, "George, so the protagonists of the film are Padmé Amidala and Anakin ? Skywalker?"

Lucas nodded lightly and added, "And Obi-Wan."

He saw that Duke had been reading the script carefully, and after thinking about it, he said, "I am good at building the world background, but the details of the story are weak. Duke, give me some advice."

If replaced by someone else. Duke absolutely kept his mouth shut. George Lucas was an exception. After all, the relationship between the two families was different.

After reading it for nearly an hour, Duke closed the script and smiled at Lucas, "Did I say it straight?"

"Just say it directly." Lucas asked the assistant to change two cups of coffee.

Grab your coffee. Duke took a sip, and then said, "Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker were a sibling love, but in the second script, this love came too suddenly, too much People are not prepared, I think in the first part. There should be more communication between the two, showing their emotional conflict, especially Padmé.”

"And the death of Anakin's mother, if I'm not mistaken, it was setting the stage for his transformation into Darth Vader?"

Seeing Lucas nod. Duke thought for a while before saying, "There are too few scenes in the script that express Anakin's psychology, I'm worried..."

He hesitated. Duke didn't say any more, but Lucas spoke up. "Worried about a change for change's sake?"

Gently tapping the armrest of the sofa, Lucas laughed, "Do you know why the third script has not been completed yet? I have been thinking about Anakin's process of turning to the dark side. Duke, you gave me no Less tips."

"Just some very personal opinions." Duke said modestly.

George? Lucas suddenly turned his head. Looking at him seriously, "Duke, do you really stop thinking about the director of Star Wars?"

"I'm sorry, George." Duke shook his head slowly but firmly. "My work plan is already scheduled for 2003, and I really don't have time."

"What a pity! I think you have surpassed me in the purely commercial field." George Lucas is obviously not joking, "There is no one in Hollywood, including me, who is more suitable for the new director of the Star Wars series than you. !"

He added, "Whether we admit it or not, Steven and I are behind the times. Duke, you're going to be the most successful director in Hollywood!"

The most successful director?

When he left Lucasfilm, Duke couldn't help thinking of this sentence. If there is one person who can crush Hollywood and the world's film industry with only the box office, it must be James Cameron.

The shooting of "Chicago" continued to have some problems, and the speed was always lower than expected. Fortunately, there were inspiring news from other aspects, especially about the film split, which always gave people a boost.

Duke can also go to Twentieth Century Fox for debt collection.

"Saving Private Ryan" grossed $325.79 million at the North American box office and $649.27 million worldwide, automatically triggering the 20% sharing clause in the tiered sharing agreement, because the film's award-winning film had an extremely long showing in North America At the end of June, when the contract deadline, Fox was ready to pay Duke, and there were still many difficulties. After continuous urging by Duke's accountants, Townsend Rothman specially invited Duke to Fox's in Century City. in headquarters.

"Townsend, our collaboration has been a pleasure."

Sitting in the CEO's reception room, Duke's face was full of dissatisfaction, "There are still three days, and June will end, and the North American share of "Saving Private Ryan", the first month of North America's VCD, videotape and TV rights share is not at all. Received!"

VCDs and videotapes will create sales peaks in the first month of the release of the film, and even reach more than one-third of the total annual revenue. According to the contract, Fox Pictures, the North American copyright owner, The share that belongs to Duke must be paid before the end of the first half, which is also a lot of money.

With eleven Oscar nominations and nine awards, including best picture, the film became a big winner in the video and television broadcast markets.

In the whole month of April, the sales of "Saving Private Ryan" video tapes reached as high as 23.5 million US dollars, and the rental income of video tapes was 15.25 million US dollars. The North American TV first-run rights also sold for $4.5 million.

In just one month, "Saving Private Ryan"'s North American peripherals brought in a total of $43.82 million in revenue, of which six percent belonged to Duke, or $2.62 million, plus the North American box office share of 6515 Ten thousand dollars, 20th Century Fox is about to owe him a huge amount.

If it were three years ago, 20th Century Fox could have procrastinated, but now it has to consider the consequences.

After working together for several years, they could see Duke's mind clearly, that he would soon return to the mainstream commercial film ranks. What film company would not want to continue working with such a commercially successful director?

But that's a lot of money, and Fox is having a hard time.

"Duke, we will definitely pay your share."

Since sitting down, Townsend Rothman's brows have been frowning, "We are old friends, we both believe in each other's credibility, and Fox has always supported you."

"Yes, I appreciate your support." Duke was not exactly polite.

In the Mel Gibson incident, Fox's media always stood firm on his side, even if it was a politically correct performance, but they did make an effort.

"But you should know, Townsend." Duke's words came back again. "Our cooperation has always been friendship for friendship, and business for business."

"I'm not hiding either, Duke."

As for what he said next, as long as someone who is interested in doing some research will be able to get relevant information, Townsend Rothman simply said it directly, "Fox's liquidity is very tight, and after the North American box office share of "Saving Private Ryan" is received , the part that belongs to Fox has been invested in the sequel and other projects of "Speed ​​of Life" and other projects, we have not moved your share, but..."

He sighed, "Besides you, there is another person chasing after Fox for money."

Hearing this, Duke gradually remembered something, but his face remained unmoved. He is now fully qualified to bargain with Twentieth Century Fox.

"Fox would like to defer payment of your share." Townsend Rothman said slowly, "The board of directors has agreed to pay interest at the bank rate."

"Why don't you ask the group company for help?" Duke asked tentatively.

Tom Rothman shook his head, "Duke, this is a completely layman's question. The financial affairs between Fox and News Corporation are all independently accounted for. Although the two sides have affiliation, there is very little direct financial exchange."

Picking up the coffee cup and drinking half a cup slowly, Duke asked, "Is there something wrong with the project you cooperated with Paramount?"

"You should have heard, it's not a secret." Townsend Rothman remained calm, but his eyes were filled with anger, "Fox has invested $100 million back and forth! James Cameron is still chasing after us and demanding To increase investment, we even threw in some of the liquidity to maintain Fox's day-to-day operations, but he replied that the film will not be released this year!"

In the past two years, Fox has invested in more than one project. The 100 million US dollars invested by the big ship does not seem to be much, but it has used a considerable part of the working capital. In the remaining memory of Duke's mind, some senior management of Fox once said, If Cameron's project fails, Fox is likely to go bankrupt.

Duke gradually had a plan in his heart, "So Fox wants to temporarily withhold my share and continue to invest in James Cameron?"

"We will invest some more funds to revitalize the project."

Now that the matter has come, there is nothing to say, not to mention that 20th Century Fox has other plans, "James Cameron has delayed for too long, and both Fox and Paramount intend to replace him as a director!"

Duke is not at all surprised by Townsend Rothman's words. Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures did plan to replace James Cameron in the middle.

But what Townsend Rothman said next made him stunned.

"Yes, we're going to replace James Cameron. He's dragging on a project for too long. We're going to replace a director who can produce fast enough and can maintain quality and quantity!"

Having said so much today, Townsend Rothman is actually laying the groundwork for the last sentence, "Duke, we want you to succeed James Cameron as the director of "Titanic"!" continue~^~)