Made in Hollywood

"I'm sure Transformers will sell like The Dark Knight."

Warner Bros. CEO Doug Walter came over and raised a toast to Duke. "Cheers, Duke."

Duke picked up the champagne and took a sip. "I think so too."

The two laughed at the same time.

In the spacious and luxurious banquet hall, there were hundreds of guests, not only the members of the "Dark Knight" cast and representatives of Warner Bros. executives and media, but also many people entered the banquet hall through relationships.

Like this kind of celebratory party, it either evolves into a rave party or a social party.

Duke's current status and status determined that the party could not develop in the former direction. Not long after the beginning, trading and entertainment became the theme of the party.

"Hi, Duke."

Eno Martin, with a shrewd face, came over and said, "I haven't congratulated you yet. Another film has surpassed one billion dollars at the box office."

"Thank you." Duke said politely.

The other party is now in control of CAA, but since Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob left CAA, the relationship between Duke and CAA has gradually eased. Although they will not accept any brokerage company's packaging policy, but Occasionally, actors or other personnel under the CAA umbrella are used.

Eno Martin had a drink with Duke and asked, "Have you seen Leo lately?"

He was talking about Leonardo DiCaprio. Duke knew this. "We had dinner together two months ago. Don't worry, I will definitely vote for Leo."

Perhaps it was the change he brought. Martin Scorsese did not complete "The Departed" until this year, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who gradually turned into an award-winning madman, once again aimed for the best actor. .

"I say thank you for Leo." Ino? Martin said politely.

Duke shook his head slightly, "I don't need to talk about this with him."

If you want to talk about having friends in the actor circle. Leonardo is one of the few, and as a member of the Academy, Duke has always liked to vote with his feet. If he has acquaintances, he will definitely be the first choice.

Although people kept coming to say hello to Duke, Eno Martin had no intention of leaving. And Scarlett, who was holding Duke, saw a familiar figure and said, "Sophia is here, I'll go over and say hello to her."

After Duke nodded, Scarlett had just left when Eno Martin said, "Are you really not interested in Oscar anymore?"

Many media are hyping whether "The Dark Knight" will be nominated for best picture and best director. But industry insiders are well aware that this is simply not possible.

"Let it be," Duke said calmly.

"If you're interested in Oscar again, don't forget Leo."

In this respect, Eno Martin is a very qualified agent, but an actor like Leonardo DiCaprio. Even as strong as CAA can only be held in the palm of your hand.

It would be really naive to say that CAA just used Leonardo as a puppet.

Just as Eno Martin's voice fell, another person came over. He seemed to have heard the previous words. Raising his hand to say hello to Duke and Eno Martin, he also talked about similar things.

This is Martin Miller from William Morris. He also has heavyweight actor clients, "Duke, Nate has always wanted to work with you. Do you have a suitable role for her in your plans?"

"If Miss Portman doesn't mind being cast as a vase in a commercial film". Duke shrugged slightly, "I'm also willing to work with her."

Martin Miller smiled, but said nothing.

"Hi,"

The voice of greeting sounded, and Nancy Josephson came over, "I didn't expect you to be here."

Although there is a competitive relationship with Eno Martin's CAA and Martin Miller's William Morris, Nancy will not put the competition on the bright side on this occasion.

Duke looked at these three people, three important people from the four major Hollywood economic companies stood in front of him.

The companies behind the three of them account for nearly 85% of Hollywood's market share. Even in the era when media groups control Hollywood, their weight is something that no one can ignore.

However, seeing them, Duke had an idea. He and the forces represented by Michael Ovitz have been fighting in Hollywood for many years. Now that he is strong enough, and the other party is getting old, maybe he should end this fight and put the The main energy is shifted to those really powerful enemies.

Duke flicked the wine glass in his hand, and the crisp sound attracted the attention of the other three.

"Martin, Eno..." Duke looked at the two people and didn't go around in circles, because there was no need at all, "You are looking for me to cooperate, nothing more than to gain more interests and market share for yourself and the company behind it. "

This is North America, and there is no need to cover up the interests when talking about it. Duke added, "Actually, I think starting from other aspects may be more effective."

"Duke, let's get straight to the point." Eno Martin said.

"Artists Management!" Duke said, turning his eyes to Martin Miller, "Although Martin Scorsese jumped from Michael Ovitz to William Morris, Artists Management has many more Excellent customer..."

Martin? Miller and Eno? Martin understood what Duke meant, and couldn't help showing a thoughtful look.

"Michael Ovitz can't be ignored by anyone, and he's played an important role in the artist management company's ability to sustain it to this day," Duke said, spreading his hands, "but the lion will grow old one day, and he's... obsolete. ."

Nancy Josephson and Duke cooperated tacitly and said in a timely manner, "If only one company stood up to grab the client and market of the artist management company, Michael Ovitz must have the ability to resist, but what about the three of us acting together? "

The competition among agencies is as fierce as Hollywood, and the market is so big that it would be absolutely good for them to kick a company out of the game.

Michael Ovitz is William Morris' old enemy. After Eno Martin came to power, he also vigorously removed Ovitz's mark at CAA...

Besides, even if they have a good relationship with Ovitz, they are not necessarily not involved in it, just as the Big Six in Hollywood did with Spielberg's investment in DreamWorks.

Martin Miller and Eno Martin both laughed, and although they didn't say anything, anyone could guess what he and the company behind them might do.

If Michael Ovitz in the CAA period was an insurmountable mountain in Hollywood, standing high on the top layer of the circle, he could be called the emperor of the entertainment brokerage world, but when he chose to join Disney, his lack of ability was exposed. On the other hand, it also made the whole Hollywood see that Michael Ovitz was actually like that...

At that time, Disney did have a fierce personnel struggle, but which company in the business circle would have a simple personnel struggle?

Michael? Ovitz also fell from the top of the mountain, even without Duke's existence, he was also gradually sinking.

This is an era that is changing with each passing day. Even if Michael Ovitz is not reconciled, the possibility of self-protection is infinitely low in the face of the full encirclement and suppression of the younger generation.

After Martin Miller and Eno Martin left, Duke told Nancy, "Retirement is the best option for Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob."

"What if they don't want to?" Nancy asked.

Duke shrugged, "I'm sure you have a way."

To a certain extent, if they don't want to retire, the future will only be more miserable.

After so many years of fighting in Hollywood, Duke has never been the type to be soft-hearted and overflowing with compassion.

"What did you talk about?"

Scarlett Johansson walked back with Sofia Coppola in her arms. Seeing the tacit expressions on Duke and Nancy Josephson's faces, she couldn't help asking strangely, "Who are you scheming?"

"We're going to sell you to Africa, Scarlett." Nancy made a deliberate joke.

"I'm going to Africa next month." Scarlett Johansson immediately stared at Nancy, "You'll go with me, right?"

Just last month, Scarlett became a charity ambassador for the United Nations. Hollywood stars basically use this method to elevate their style, but when they become such ambassadors, they also need to attend some routine activities.

Nancy responded, "As long as there is no urgent matter, I will accompany you to Africa."

A Duke charitable foundation is also engaged in activities to help hungry children in Africa. It is not only celebrities who use charity to style, but also extremely popular among the world's super-rich.

However, if Duke wants to shoot "Transformers", he will not go there in person, and it is enough to be represented by Scarlett.

"I'm going on vacation next month." Sofia Coppola also jokingly said, "Just in time, let's go to the African grassland together."

Sophia turned to him again and said, "Nikola asked me to say sorry to you, he really appreciates your help, and I'm sorry to not be able to come back to the party."

"It's okay." Duke didn't really care.

He helped Nicolas Cage only because Sofia Coppola took the initiative to ask for each other.

The former king of bad movies, after starring in "The Dark Knight", has indeed had a turning point in his career. Now he has received a new A-level production with an investment of over 100 million yuan, and is going on location in Eastern Europe.

But Duke can't be sure if "The Dark Knight" can get Nicholas Cage out of trouble. He doesn't know how bad Nicholas Cage's financial situation is.

Because he has to continue working tomorrow, Duke didn't stay at the party for too long. When he left, he was inevitably stopped by reporters gathered at the entrance of the hotel and asked a few questions. He also revealed some "Transformers" situation. .

From the second day onwards, the crew opened the filming again in two studios, Warner Studios and Hughes Hangar. (To be continued ~^~)

PS:   Ask for monthly and recommended tickets!