Vol 2 Chapter 278: You will always be my god

On November 20, 1997, the weekend before Thanksgiving, the attention of Hollywood and even the entire American entertainment industry turned to the Hollywood Chinese Theater. There were curiosity, expectation, waiting, and blessings, but more of it was mockery. Two years ago, "Future Water World" created a film investment record of close to 200 million US dollars. Now "Titanic" officially set the investment record to 200 million US dollars. They are all waiting for this giant system to be like that ship from Portsmouth's ship to New York sank forever.
However, no matter how those who envy and hate curse in their hearts, it cannot change the fact that this ship is attracting attention. Hundreds of media and more than 500 reporters gathered in front of the Chinese Grand Theater. Fox TV and Columbia TV are facing each other. The live broadcast of the red carpet of the film, a large number of first- and second-tier stars have stepped onto the red carpet.
Although a successful premiere does not necessarily mean that the film is inevitable, a gathering of stars can attract the attention of more audiences. The three major investors of the film-Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Duke Studios, are all Aroused all the power.
The Tom Hanks and his wife just walked by, Naomi Watts walked on the red carpet alone again, and then Tom Cruise and his wife appeared in front of the camera again, icm's two ace actresses Julia Roberts and Jennifer ?Annis↑, Dayton also comes one after another...
The camera shutter in the reporter's hand has never stopped, and the audience's shouts have never been interrupted. An unprecedented giant production has brought an unprecedented premiere.
Of course, how many of them came to see the jokes of the three major investors and James Cameron, then only God knows.
"I have only one opinion."
In the VIP lounge, Duke said to Tom Hanks and his wife, "People who have laughed at this film will soon find out how big a mistake they made."
Tom Hanks said with a smile, "You seem to have more confidence than James Cameron."
"Because of my $50 million investment." Duke shrugged. "How do those film critics laugh at me? Hollywood's biggest idiot! I don't know how they feel when the film is released from the world?"
The quality of the film is not worse than before, and the announcement is even better. Duke believes that the film must be like Star Wars, crushing all the dignity of film critics.
And this film is not just a big box office win. It also opened the era of true globalization for Hollywood and opened many doors closed to Hollywood movies.
Film history can really be divided into "Titanic" before and "Titanic" after. Before, European films and Hong Kong films were still struggling, trying to get rid of the declining situation; after that, European films and Hong Kong films were completely in decline, and they could only survive in the face of the giants of the computer age, and even the latter would soon exist in name only.
"Hi, Duke."
"Hi, Tom. Hi. Nicole."
Saying hello to another Tom, Duke remembered an investment project that he hadn't paid too much attention to recently, "Missing Impossible is complete?"
"It's done!" Tom Cruise was confident.
"Is the release date set?" This is Duke's concern.
"Next year's summer vacation, the specific time is not fixed." Tom Cruise frowned, "I heard that your new film is released in May?"
"So Tom, my suggestion."
As the cooperation deepened, Duke also felt Tom Cruise's weird temper. There is a common interest between the two parties, and of course it is not the time to have conflicts. "There were quite a lot of films squeezed in in May and it was already crowded. It is recommended that they be released in June."
"I mean the same."
Although sometimes arrogant and arrogant, Tom Cruise is not stupid, "I'm still choosing a suitable weekend in June, and I will notify you as soon as I confirm it."
"Then I will wait for your good news."
For "Mission Impossible." In addition to investment, Duke did not interfere too much. He also had only the financial supervisor and the producer on his behalf in the crew, and according to his instructions, as long as his interests were not touched. These two people will fully support Tom Cruise.
Cruise invested 40 million US dollars in the project, he wants the film to be successful more than anyone else.
"A big man is here."
Suddenly, Tom Cruise patted his arm, "It seems to be here to find you. I don't want to deal with him. I'm in the theater."
After speaking, Cruise didn't hesitate, and took Nicole Kidman directly and walked away.
Duke turned his head and saw who the person was. He was indeed a big man, the former emperor of Caa, the outgoing Walt Disney CEO, and Michael Ovitz, the owner of the artist management agency.
"It's been a long time, Duke."
"Yeah, Michael, it's been a long time since I saw you."
Perhaps it was a habit developed after entering the 1990s. Even if his status in Hollywood is not as good as before, Michael Ovitz’s smile can still make people feel his shrewdness, the most famous brokerage giant in Hollywood history. Even in times of despair, no one should be underestimated.
"I heard that you are very optimistic about this movie?" he asked.
Duke smiled and gave the usual standard answer, "I have $50 million in investment in it. There is no reason not to be optimistic about it."
Michael Ovitz nodded, stopped walking in circles, and directly stated his purpose, "Are you interested in working with me?"
"Movie?" Duke asked tentatively.
"Movies are only one aspect." Michael Ovitz looked at him directly, "I will represent your business in full, are you interested?"
It turned out to be here to dig a corner. Duke instantly understood what he meant, and then shook his head, "Michael, you must know why I rejected caa in the first place."
"Without a packaged service, you will always be my God." Michael Ovitz didn't feel that there was anything wrong with saying these words. "I'm just one of your service staff. You can do whatever you want within the scope of the law. The company will not interfere at all."
Duke frowned and considered, "I feel that what you said is no different from what I am now."
Just like Spielberg is to the current caa, Duke's importance to icm can be imagined. Directors at their level will not be restricted by the agency.
"Michael..."
Hearing this sound, Duke laughed, Nancy Josephson walked over from his side quickly, and said to Michael Ovitz unceremoniously, "Do you think ICM will be stupid enough to restrain Duke? Huh? ...I met Martin some time ago, and I think I should ask him again for breakfast."
Duke knew that Martin in Nancy's mouth was Martin Scorsese.
"This is just normal business."
If you want to be an agent, being cheeky is the most basic condition. Michael Ovitz’s face has not changed in any way. In his calm words, there is a touch of provocation, "I heard that your contract with Duke is still a hundred. Seven out of four? I just think this is unfair."
Of course Nancy could hear the meaning of his words and smiled and said, "We just prepared a new contract for Duke, and the rake will be reduced to 5%."
"Congratulations, Duke." Michael Ovitz turned his head and looked here, "After waiting for so many years, I finally waited for a brokerage contract that matches your status."
"You're welcome." Duke replied lightly.
Michael Ovitz didn't mean to leave, instead he mentioned the movie, "I heard that your new film is scheduled for next May? A week earlier than the project I am acting for, "Godzilla"?"
"It should be so." Duke still had that expression.
"It looks like we are going to have an indirect collision." Michael Ovitz is full of confidence, "I hope your new film is good enough to withstand the impact of a monster."
"Do you need to worry about Duke's science fiction films, Michael?" Nancy Josephson took the initiative, "Monster movies? I would love to see how this monster died next summer."
Ovitz, who promoted this project one-handedly, is confident, "Nancy, I think you have overlooked the fact that two consecutive "Jurassic Park" have been successful. North America has already formed a monster movie craze. It is shifted because of personal will, and a monster more terrifying than dinosaurs will push this kind of heat to a peak!"
Nancy Josephson was stunned. Even she had to admit that what Michael Ovitz said was the truth. After the prosperous "Jurassic Park", there has indeed been a monster boom in North America, and with With the release of this year's sequel, this craze has not been reduced, but has been pushed up.
Michael Ovitz nodded to Duke, said nothing, and turned away.
"Duke..." Nancy Josephson looked at him, seemingly worried, "I think what he said makes sense."
"Very reasonable." Duke nodded. He knew how powerful the dinosaur movie was. "But Michael Ovitz ignored the important point."
"The important point?"
Swinging his head to Nancy, Duke also walked towards the cinema, and said to the agent who followed, "The exclusivity of the North American film market! The monster boom does exist, but the monsters are native to North America. Play to the best."
He turned his head and smiled at Nancy, "Don't forget, my dear, Godzilla is not a North American product."
After being prompted by Duke, Nancy Josephson gradually understood, "Japanese-style culture does have a market in North America, but it has never been mainstream."
Throwing away the few worries, Nancy turned the topic to Duke's brokerage contract, "Let your lawyer negotiate with ICM as soon as possible."
She knew Duke's temper. As long as she did well enough, his employer would not change the brokerage company and broker.
The two walked into the theater of the Chinese Grand Theater. They did not go to the front row, which was where the crew was. Instead, they sat in the seats of the guests in the back rows, and a big ship slowly buffered to the world! (To be continued...)