Made in Hollywood

Inviting yourself to take over as director of Titanic?

After hearing this, Duke was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Townsend Rothman, the Fox CEO had a serious face, obviously not joking, and no one would joke about this kind of thing, and the other party's words Meaning, this matter is not a sudden decision made by the forehead, but the result of the negotiation between the investor Fox and Paramount.

To be a catcher yourself?

It is true that anyone can turn without Hollywood, but the big ship has been running for almost two years under the control of James Cameron. How difficult is it for others to take over rashly?

Not to mention anything else, just say that after changing the director, how long will it take to straighten out the complicated personnel relationship conflicts that the crew will inevitably have? James Cameron will smoothly hand over to him? The main departments on the set are all his team members. Should these people be replaced? If you change it, how long will it take for the newcomer to get started? If not, oh...then Rosario is amazing...

It is not surprising to change the director when the crew just started preparations, but after such a long period of preparation, the risk of changing the director is too great, and the new director is simply not prepared enough. In Duke’s view, taking over such a project is more important than opening a project of the same scale. projects are even more difficult.

Going to be a pick-up man is not as simple as taking over the project, you can continue to prepare, and then start shooting smoothly!

"Townsend, I have a few questions." Duke didn't directly refuse, "James Cameron's request for additional investment will make Fox embarrassed. It must not be a small number?"

Townsend Rothman nodded solemnly, Duke continued, "Hollywood knows Cameron's style, he likes big scenes, and I like big scenes. Although I don't know the specifics of the project, but you guys Have you ever thought about it. Even if I were to be the director, I might need to invest a lot of money?"

"But your past few films," Townsend Rothman apparently had a different opinion, "always used the most efficient use of funds to produce enough great scenes, and all of them were successful!"

"You overlooked one thing." Duke pointed to his forehead. "The projects in the past came out after thinking here for a long time, but faced with a completely unfamiliar project, how much money do you think I can save?"

He shook his head. "So, Townsend, I don't think I'm fit to take over."

See Duke's resolute face. Tang Se Rothman understood that this matter was extremely difficult, and after thinking about it, he said, "What about another proposal? Fox delayed paying your share?"

Duke didn't say anything, just looked like he was thinking. It seems very difficult.

"Can you tell how big the project funding gap is?" Duke asked.

This project, which even banks refused to lend, has forced Fox into a situation where there is no way out. Although they are also putting pressure on James Cameron, even if they forced the tyrant on the set to commit suicide. Huge investment must also find a way to recover.

After hesitating for a while, Tang Se Rothman said. "Cameron asked for an additional $30 million investment! You should know his style, this number will definitely increase, without $50 million, Titanic will never be completed!"

"How much is the total investment?" Duke asked again.

"Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount have invested a combined $150 million!"

Hear the numbers from Townsend Rothman. Duke gradually made a decision in his heart, "Townsend, the share of "Saving Private Ryan" can be handed over to Fox for the time being."

The expression on Townsend Rothman's face relaxed a little, and then he asked, "Tell me, Duke, what are the conditions."

"Didn't you guys want to put that money into Titanic?"

Seeing Townsend Rothman nod, Duke slowly tapped on the armrest of the sofa, and said with a chuckle, "This is Duke Studio's investment in Titanic, what do you think?"

He wants to invest in "Titanic"? Townsend Rothman frowned. It's one thing for Fox to lack funding, it's quite another to let outside money get involved in their projects with Paramount.

This will involve all kinds of questions, Duke knows very well, and does not expect Townsend Rothman to give an immediate answer, and in the absence of Paramount Pictures, he, the CEO of Fox, does not have such great power. .

"Townsend, this is just a suggestion."

Duke still has a little memory of what kind of difficulties "Titanic" encountered in terms of funding. Combined with what Townsend Rothman said, that scene is undoubtedly going on, "How big is James Cameron's appetite?" , I believe you know better than me, and I think replacing him is the worst choice, if the Duke studio can join it, I can make up for your funding gap."

"I can't give you an answer." Townsend Rothman thought for a while, then said, "This needs to be resolved through negotiation between Fox and Paramount Pictures."

Duke just left a possibility for himself to intervene in this project, and the investment is definitely not as simple as talking about it. Who knows what changes will be made to Rosario's studio? He always had to confirm something before he could really talk to Fox and Paramount.

On the weekend, Duke made an appointment with Leonardo DiCaprio, and flew to Rosario, Baja California, under the pretext of accompanying him, the leading actor, on a crew inspection, to witness this crazy crew and The one-to-one scale model ship of the Titanic stands in the huge artificial lake, and from Leonardo's mouth, the heroine is an actress from the United Kingdom. The last Oscar won the best supporting actress for "Sense and Sensibility" Nominated Kate Winslet.

Duke has a vague impression of the main cast and crew in the crew, not to mention James Cameron, who almost forced Fox to sell his ass and was forced to commit suicide by Fox.

This information is enough for him to make some judgments. Although the future is unpredictable, any investment has risks, and there is no 100% profitable investment. After returning to Los Angeles from Baja California, Duke has made a decision.

Nancy Josephson was pushed to the front line of the negotiation again by him, and frequently contacted Fox and Paramount. Unlike Fox's hesitation, Paramount Pictures was very happy to say that it would support Duke's participation in the investment. In fact, This project, which has been going on for nearly two years, and it is still unknown when it will start shooting, has long become a black hole in the eyes of Paramount. They are eager to have a pick-up man to change the current situation.

Duke has also done enough investigation and understanding. The situation is similar to the rumors he saw in his last life. The project has been approved for nearly two years. From the media to the Hollywood industry to the film company, no one is optimistic about James Cameron's project. , Cynical voices continue to appear, and even some media reporters and film critics have opened up a special section in their weekly columns, just to ridicule James Cameron and his "Titanic".

At the same time, Duke also learned about the huge difficulties faced by Fox, because the project's expected profitability and credibility index continued to decline, and Fox's contacts with banks and film funds all ended in failure. After all, "Titanic" has been destroyed nearly 150 million US dollars, the result is not to mention the post-production, it is not even sure when the shooting will start, and no one knows when it will be completed, or even whether it will be completed.

Not to mention other things, even the third-party American insurance company AIA, which acts as the film's completion guarantee, is roaming Wall Street, trying to sell the completion guarantee agreement or find a pick-up man who shares the risk with them.

In other words, Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron are both at their inflection points.

This is a very suitable entry point, and after this very difficult stage, 20th Century Fox will bite its teeth and persevere to the end.

Because Paramount Pictures wanted to get rid of this black hole of funds, Nancy quickly reached an agreement with them. In the following half month, he started a long negotiation with 20th Century Fox, and even James Card, who was in short supply of funds Mellon both rushed back to Los Angeles from Baja California for three-way talks.

Fox's internal voices are not unified. People headed by Townsend Rothman believe that Duke's Duke Studio should not be allowed to participate in "Titanic" casually, and a group of people headed by the financial director who is facing huge financial pressure, It is actively looking for foreign funds to prevent Fox from collapsing due to a broken capital chain.

As for James Cameron, as long as he has the money to complete this epic at sea, he doesn't care where the money comes from.

Negotiations continued until mid-July, and 20th Century Fox finally decided to accept the funds from Duke Studios due to successive setbacks in other sources of financing—in fact, the split was always on Fox’s account—while, at the same time, in Cameron, Pyla After the joint negotiation meeting between Mon, Fox and Duke Studios ended, and the parties signed a formal agreement, Duke Studios officially injected 50 million US dollars into "Titanic", thereby raising the production cost of this project to an unprecedented 200 million US dollars!

According to the agreement, Duke Studio occupies a quarter of the investment, and naturally enjoys the film including the North American box office, overseas box office and an equal proportion of the revenue share of all peripherals, but does not own any copyright of the film.

Compared with the investment two years ago, the pledge period of funds is shorter now, and it is relatively more cost-effective. The most important thing is that Duke is not as short of money as it was two years ago.

Although investment means risk, and like other small companies, it is impossible to obtain film rights from giants, but Duke is still quite satisfied with this agreement. If the film really goes on the same track, a quarter of them What is the profit? It's not just the box office!

At the same time, Duke also agreed that Fox would postpone the payment of the remaining share to ease their financial pressure and make Fox owe him a favor.

After getting the investment for "Titanic", Duke's energy was all turned back to the shooting of "Chicago". The film started in early April and has lasted for more than three months now, which is also Duke's longest shooting time since filming. , The film that encountered the most difficulties, after the entire crew suffered for more than 100 days, the filming finally came to an end. (To be continued ~^~)