hunt hollywood

The success of "Run Lola Run" has too many accidental factors after all. Therefore, the box office performance of "Butterfly Effect" is also very important for Simon's subsequent development in Hollywood.

Even, it was only Saturday, facing the one-sided negative reviews of "The Butterfly Effect", Ronald Goldberg couldn't wait to call, hoping to organize a production meeting for "Death Comes", he wanted Participate in person.

This is obviously a violation of the original agreement signed by the two parties.

Obvious.

If "Butterfly Effect" fails at the box office in the end, the three projects that Simon is advancing will be seriously affected.

Chapter 091 Simon's Shortcomings

Los Angeles.

It's a Saturday night in the Bel Air neighborhood of Beverly Hills.

Yesterday, after officially signing the overseas distribution contract of "Run Lola Run" with Warner, Simon received an invitation from Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Terry Semel to attend a party hosted by him tonight.

"This is a very smart romantic comedy called "When Harry Met Sally". It tells the emotional journey of the hero and heroine Harry and Sally in the 12 years from acquaintance, hate, getting along, knowing each other to finally falling in love. It's somewhat similar to Woody Allen's "Annie Hall", but it's not as neurotic as Woody Allen, and it's more warm and interesting."

At the party scene in the courtyard of the mansion on the mountainside, Terry Semel held a glass of cocktail, smiled and listened to Simon finish, but shook his head and said: "Simon, for "Annie Hall", what the audience likes happens to be Woody Allen's little intellectual neuroticism. According to your description, "When Harry Met Sally" is another love story that relies on dialogue and emotional changes to promote the plot. This type of movie, there is no Woody With the support of Allen's skills, or the lack of big-name actors participating in the performance, it is difficult for the audience to generate much interest."

Simon was also holding a glass of cocktail, standing opposite Terry Semel, still smiling when he heard the words, and said neither humble nor overbearing: "Terry, maybe you should read the script first, if Warner is interested in this movie, I may even You can shoot a sample first, this is definitely a movie worth investing in."

"Simon, if you pay attention a little bit, you will find that Hollywood hasn't had a hit romance movie in ten years, let alone a love sketch with a mediocre plot." Terry Semel still shook his head, turned But he said: "Simon, you are a very talented screenwriter. So, why don't you try to write some police action movie scripts like "Beverly Detective" and "Lethal Weapon", this is Hollywood The fashion trend in recent years, if you have ideas in this regard, you can contact me at any time."

"Beverly Cop" was the North American box office champion produced by Paramount Pictures in 1984.

"Lethal Weapon" belongs to Warner, and the film was released a month ago.

The script of the film, which Warner bought for $25, caused a little sensation in Hollywood.Although it has been firmly suppressed by "Run Lola Run" since it was released, "Lethal Weapon" has already won nearly 4000 million US dollars in the North American box office, and the total North American box office is expected to exceed 6000 million US dollars.

Compared with the production cost of 1500 million US dollars, Warner can be regarded as a big profit.

Now that he has reached a cooperation with Warner, Simon also took advantage of the opportunity to learn about this one of the seven film companies.

The result is that Warner Bros., which should be very powerful in the impression, has even suffered worse than Fox in recent years.For example, last year, Warner Bros.'s highest-grossing movie of the year, "Blood in the Devil" starring Sylvester Stallone, had a total North American box office of just over 4900 million US dollars.

Knowing this, Simon no longer wonders why Warner won the overseas distribution rights of "Run Lola Run" at a relatively high price.

In this era, the overseas release of movies is usually delayed by three months to more than half a year.

There is no doubt that Warner has a very complete global film distribution network, but right now, the film company itself has no films worthy of global distribution.It is obviously a great waste of resources to support so many overseas branches but have no films to distribute.

Therefore, "Run Lola Run" became a very good choice.

The North American box office of "Run Lola Run" is expected to exceed 2 million US dollars, and there is no risk of loss in overseas distribution.As long as it works properly, the film can earn at least $1 million at the overseas box office.Although the operating cycle of videotape and TV broadcasting is slightly longer, it will definitely bring very rich profits.

Thinking of this in his heart, Simon could only nod to Terry Semel and said, "If there is a similar idea, I will definitely."

"So, that's it for the time being," Terry Semel said, looking at Janet beside Simon again, and said, "Miss Johnston, you are really impressive in the negotiations these days, and you are interested in coming to Warner Working?"

Janet shook her head with a smile, and said, "Terry, are you going to give me your place?"

"Oh, it's not up to me to decide," Terry Semel smiled, raised his glass to the two of them lightly, and said again: "Play, have fun."

After Terry Semel finished speaking, he turned and walked away.

Simon looked at Terry Semel's leaving figure, noticed that Janet's eyes were flickering beside him, and said with a smile: "In contact with the studio these days, you should know Frank Price, the president of Universal Pictures, right?" ?”

Janet didn't know why, so she nodded.

Simon said: "When Spielberg wanted to shoot "ET", Frank Price was very pessimistic about this project. He thought Spielberg wanted to shoot children's films. CEO Sid Schinberg made the decision and the project went through."

Janet curled her lips: "And then?"

"Everyone knows what happened later. The production cost of "ET" was only 1050 million, but the global box office exceeded 7 million US dollars."

During this period of time, Janet has also learned more about many things in Hollywood, and she couldn't help but said at this time: "1050 million US dollars, it's really interesting."

For the projects of major Hollywood film companies, the production budget is usually a relatively loose integer, 1050 million US dollars, with some odds and rounds, which is enough to show how harsh Universal was on the "ET" project at the time.

"It is true, so after the success of "ET", Spielberg publicly issued a notice to the whole of Hollywood that he would never have any cooperation with Frank Price again. Then he served as executive producer of "Back to the Future" "Several projects, Spielberg even specifically wrote this item into the contract."

Janet smiled and took Simon's arm, saying: "In the future, we will also write those who rejected you into the contract."

"I won't do such boring things." Simon shook his head and said, "Speaking of this, I just want to tell you that in Hollywood, anyone will be rejected, and everyone must get used to being rejected."

Terry Semel invited Simon tonight just to get on with a promising young Hollywood filmmaker.But when the outside world is still bombarded with one-sided negative reviews on "Butterfly Effect", Terry Semel will not rush to reach any cooperation with Simon at all.What's more, the script of "When Harry Met Sally" was not written by Simon.

The two stayed at Terry Semel's party until around 09:30, before leaving.

Back at the Palisades mansion, the message indicator light on the telephone in the living room of the villa was still blinking.Janet ran upstairs to change clothes, and Simon simply called again after listening to the phone message from Amy Pascal.

Janet didn't know when she went downstairs again. Wearing a loose white sweater and jeans, she ran to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. When she came back, she lay on the sofa like a kitten and watched Simon on the phone.

Simon and Amy talked on the phone for half an hour before putting down the phone.

Came over to pick up the coffee that Janet had poured, and leaned back on the sofa in a relaxed manner.

Janet had already listened to the general idea just now, and now she leaned over and said, "New World Pictures also refused?"

Simon nodded.

New World Pictures is the film company that acquired Marvel Entertainment last year. It was originally founded by Roger Corman, the king of Hollywood B-movies. In recent years, it has also been in a state of rapid expansion. This company is inherited from Roger Corman's prudent business philosophy, and New World Pictures' operating conditions are much stronger than those of Orion and Canon, which are similar second-tier film companies.

These days, Simon and Amy are separately looking for investors for "When Harry Met Sally", and New World Pictures is also one of the potential collaborators.

Now, apparently failed again.

Upon hearing Simon's confirmation, Janet frowned slightly again, and said, "Then what should we do next?"

"Now is not a good time to find a partner for "When Harry Met Sally". I have asked Amy to stop temporarily," Simon said without the trouble in Janet's tone, "Next week, see The box office of "Butterfly Effect" fell in the first week and the second week. If the situation improves, Amy and I will contact those independent film investment funds. As long as we get investment, it will be easy to find a distributor. Finally, If it really doesn’t work, we will invest ourselves, but if this is the case, the filming will definitely have to be delayed until the end of the year, and the follow-up release will not be easy.”

Janet twisted the fabric on the shoulder of Simon's shirt, and after hearing him speak so clearly, she said in a soft tone: "Goldberg seems to be cooked these two days, and David and Brian, They are also very anxious. Simon, do you really not care about the bad reviews? I can't even read it, it's too much."

Feeling the same tone from Janet, Simon took a small hand of the woman and shook it, and said, "Do you want to see me pretend to be worried?"

Janet's eyes flickered, she shook her head and said, "I don't want to."

Simon put the coffee cup back on the coffee table in front of him, exerted a little force on his hand, and Janet lay down on the man's lap with her head on the man's lap.

Looking at the woman with bright eyes in her arms, Simon helped her brush the blond hair covering her neck, looked down at the woman and said seriously: "Including those doubts a while ago, and the current bad reviews from the media, to be honest, I I don't feel much in my heart at all. Because I know exactly what kind of person I am, what kind of abilities I have, and what I can do in the future. The small actions of those people may delay my steps or make me feel a little troubled , but no matter what, they couldn’t stop me from going on. To use a slightly arrogant metaphor, how could a lion care about the bite of an ant.”

"Simon..." Janet raised her hand, touched the man's face carefully, and said softly, "You will truly conquer the world."

"Yeah," Simon tilted his head and kissed the woman's palm, and said with a smile, "So, when the time comes, show mercy and don't destroy my world, okay?"

"Ah."

Janet nodded seriously, still looking up at the man above her, with a sudden reluctance in her eyes, she asked in a low voice, "Simon, what about us, what about our future?"

"We," Simon said softly, brushing Janet's delicate face with his fingertips, "it's still early. In a few years, we'll get married. Then, have a few children. You'll be a good policeman, and I'll do it." Be bad cops, let's bring them up together."

There was longing in Janet's eyes. After hearing Simon's words, she shook her head in a blink of an eye, grabbed Simon with one hand in her arms, and said, "It's not like this, it shouldn't be like this. Simon, you are a lion, grassland The king of the world is destined to conquer the world, how can he be held back by a kitten and become a mediocre man guarding his own little home. It shouldn't be like this."

Simon felt that Janet's mood was getting more and more wrong. He picked up the woman and put it on his lap. Looking at the woman's unconsciously dim eyes, pity suddenly appeared in his heart, and he said seriously: "Jenny, did I just Which words misunderstood you? If so, I apologize."

"No," Janet shook her head, leaned over and kissed Simon on the lips, leaned over to the man's chest, hugged him tightly, and murmured, "Simon, last time you had your birthday, I said , I will not be your bondage."

Simon also hugged the woman in his arms tightly, and said firmly: "No, of course not, you are a kitten, how could you be able to tie down a lion."

"But the truth is like this," Janet said dreamily: "Do you know, Simon, I love you very much, this is definitely not the kind of love at first sight, because from a very young age, I knew that in my life, Either I will always be free and alone, or I will only love someone forever. I have always felt that the probability of the first choice is higher. But when I was 27 years old, I suddenly fell in love with a man who Smart, powerful, lonely, mysterious, crazy, strong-willed, but at the same time he accommodates me when I'm messing around, pampers me when I'm headstrong, protects me when I'm drunk, and trusts me when I'm working Although I know it's because the lion doesn't care about the kitten's mischief, I still love it. I'm not as timid as Kate, so since I love it, I must hurry up and hold this man tightly. "

Simon pinched Janet's crystal earlobe, and said softly, "It's not good to talk about Catherine behind her back."

Janet's earlobes are very sensitive, and when Simon pinched her, her face immediately turned rosy, but she didn't break free, still sticking to the man's chest, and continued: "Then, Simon, after we really got along, I soon discovered your shortcomings. .”

"This," Simon said with a worried look on his face, "Just keep it in your heart, don't talk about it everywhere."

Janet smiled lightly, and directly revealed the answer, saying: "Simon, I found that you are a guy who likes to pamper the people around you, especially for those who love you, it is always difficult for you to refuse them, I always treat them twice as well, and I even always feel that what I have done is not good enough."

Simon retorted weakly: "This shouldn't be considered a shortcoming, right?"

"Of course it's a shortcoming." Janet rubbed her face against Simon's chest, and said, "Just like me, I've always known that you're not ready for a relationship at all, but after Christmas Eve last year , you still recognize my identity," said Janet, suddenly raised her eyes to Simon, and said, "Did you sleep with Kate last time in Arizona, Simon?"

Simon shook his head: "No."

"Look, that's it," Janet pressed her face back again: "You obviously like Kate more, and Kate actually has a crush on you. I think you don't even need to say any sweet words, and you directly called Kate in Arizona. Carrying it in her room and pressing it on the bed, she wouldn't even resist. But you didn't do that. This is the bondage, the bondage I have with you. "

"This is what I should do," Simon patted Janet on the back, and said, "If another man dares to carry you into the house, I will definitely kill him."

"You don't have this kind of opportunity. I can kill people too," Janet said, patted on Simon, and said, "Don't interrupt."

"Ok."

Janet continued: "There is still this period of time. Your adjustment to the income of "Run Lola Run" is the supplementary contract. Simon, I can feel your guilt. You want to accumulate more capital quickly. But you feel that this is unfair to me, you feel that you have not given me enough, and you feel that it is selfish to do so. But, how is it possible, Simon, I only paid $40, but now, I You can get back 6700 million US dollars. 168 times the return, how greedy people will feel that this is not enough? So, Simon, this is your shortcoming, a fatal shortcoming. I can feel your love for this world With estrangement and indifference, it is difficult for you to take the initiative to love someone, but you are too soft-hearted and too conniving towards the person who loves you."

Simon forced a smile and said, "Jenny, you won't be disappointed with me now, will you?"

"Of course not." Janet shook her head immediately, looked up, and still said seriously: "I love you, Simon. I like your strength, your mystery, and your indifference. But if you really love the world Anyone is ruthless, I may love you, but I will never want to be with you. Your shortcomings make me love you more. But at the same time, your shortcomings make me your Trapped."

Simon couldn't help but interrupted: "Jenny, that's not the case."

Janet raised her hand and pressed Simon's lips, and continued: "Last month, in the villa in Malibu, I asked you if you want to marry me quickly, so that you can own half of my property, I can feel You were flustered at the time, but you still joked with me as if nothing had happened. Just now, you have been able to tell me calmly that in a few years, you will marry me, have a few children, and I will be a good policeman. You being a bad cop. Obviously, you must have thought about it more than once during this time. You know I'm looking forward to this kind of thing because I'm 27, a 27-year-old woman, and definitely looking forward to marriage. Since Love, I do look forward to this. Also, I have no doubts that you will keep your promises, because you will. But this makes me realize that until now, you are only 19 years old. 19 years old My boy should be flying freely. And my king, the lion king on my prairie, needs to conquer the world without any worries, rather than rushing to have children and return because of the bondage of a kitten. family."

When Janet said this, before Simon spoke again, she reached out and hugged her boyfriend tightly, and said quickly: "So, Simon, let's start again. From the state of our first acquaintance that evening in Burbank Start. That day, standing on the side of the road, you said, you are from Watsonville mental hospital. It's cool."

Simon felt the slight trembling of the woman in his arms after saying these words, reached out and patted her waist lightly, and said, "Jenny, I think we should go take a bath together now, and then have a good sleep."

Janet didn't let go, and whispered: "Simon, I don't want to break up with you. I only love one person in my life, so how can I break up. It's just that I don't want to be your bondage. So, we are like Harry and Like Sally, start as a friend. I will not disturb your life, I will not interfere with your work, if you need, I can also help you take care of the company. But, we are not lovers for the time being, okay?"

Simon shook his head and said, "Not good."

Janet didn't seem to hear Simon's answer, and said to herself: "I'm moving back to Malibu tomorrow. Before I met you, I actually wanted to open a gallery, but I'm too lazy, a small studio It’s still a mess. Now, oh, I’m motivated. People have been contacting me because of the painting in the movie since "Run Lola Run" was released."

Simon didn't know what to say for a moment, but was silent.

After Janet finished speaking on her own, she was also silent for a while before saying again: "Simon, I'm a little scared."

"Ok?"

"The lion will conquer the entire grassland in the future and become the real king. Will he still care about that kitten?"

"Of course," Simon said firmly, "that's a very selfish lion, and what belongs to him will always be his."

"Then why don't you keep your kitten now?"

"is that useful?"

"No."

"Then I won't keep it," Simon patted the woman, and said, "However, you still live here, and I will move out."

"why?"

"Those paparazzi will probably go crazy when they hear this kind of news. I don't want them to disturb you. This place is more private than Malibu."

The corners of Janet's lips curled up, her eyes sparkled, and she said, "Then you can live in Malibu, and I'll lend it to you as a friend."

"Don't go."

"You can pay the rent."

"Actually, I prefer villas with a more modern style."

Janet thought of her European-style villa in Malibu and the Mediterranean-style mansion in front of her, and tightened her arms around Simon's waist: "You have been accommodating me."

"Yes, there is no need to accommodate now."

"Well," Janet seemed a little dissatisfied, she stretched out her hand to pinch it, but said softly, "You, live in Malibu, they don't know us, we are temporarily separated."

Simon thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Okay."

Janet paused, feeling some wavering in herself, and quickly shook her head again, saying: "It's better, don't, you can live wherever you like, even if you run to share the apartment with Kate right away, I don't care. We , we..." Janet muttered a few words, then suddenly broke away from Simon's embrace, stood up and took two steps back, and said firmly, "Simon Westeros, I officially inform you that we have broken up."

Chapter 092

Monday, October 4.

Under the close attention of countless people, the three-day box office data of the past weekend was officially released.

"Butterfly Effect" faced overwhelmingly negative media reviews, and still managed to earn a box office of 1431 million US dollars in the first three days of the weekend.

With the popularity of "Run Lola Run", many people already expected that the box office of "Butterfly Effect" would not be too bad in the first weekend. Eye-catching.

After a little comparison, it is not difficult to find how amazing this box office figure is.

In the same period, Michael Fox's new work "The Road to Prosperity" was significantly ahead of "The Butterfly Effect" in terms of marketing offensive and film schedule. Although the media evaluation was not high, it was far better than "The Butterfly Effect".

However, the three-day box office of "Prosperous Road" in the first weekend was only 776 million US dollars, which is only half of that of "Butterfly Effect".