When Michael Jordan saw Simon and asked about his trip to Japan, because Michael Ovitz, Jerry Bruckheimer and other people were standing next to him, it was impossible to talk too deeply, so he could only say in a regretfully vague tone: "Still there. talk."
In fact, Simon already knew the result, and he came here specifically for this matter tonight.
According to the layout in the setting, Simon did not want the head of Westinghouse to give up easily, saying: "Then be patient, Mike, wait a few more months, the economic crisis in Asia continues to ferment, and Sony may beg you in turn. "
"Oh, Simon, my team also gave the same suggestion," Michael Jordan said with a smile, glanced at the people around him, and then said: "That's it, since Columbia Pictures is temporarily unavailable, I am currently planning Let’s invest in a few movies in Hollywood first. If you have any good projects, you can contact me recently. And, Simon, I’m even more looking forward to working with Daenerys.”
It's no secret that Westinghouse's film and television production department affiliated with CBS has been recruiting people during this period. This is also the reason why many people are here tonight.
The fat sheep enter the game, first come first served.
Simon heard Michael Jordan's last words and said directly: "No problem, Mike. Speaking of which, we have already cooperated on several occasions, and it was very pleasant, wasn't it?"
"Oh, that's really, really nice."
When Michael Jordan saw Simon's answer so straightforward, he was a little surprised and happy, and even extremely happy and sad. He felt a little unexplained and wary. However, when he heard the second half of Simon's sentence, he felt relieved.
Although it is not directly with Daenerys, speaking of it, Westinghouse and the Westeros system have indeed intersected several times.
Initially in Ukraine, Unit 4 of the Rovne Nuclear Power Plant has now been put into operation, which is a very pleasant win-win situation.
Furthermore, at the beginning of this year, Westinghouse cooperated with the Westeros System to attack Mellon Bank.
Michael Jordan was actually reluctant about this matter, and finally cooperated under someone's coercion and inducement. However, Westinghouse was quickly rewarded.
During the negotiation with Siemens for the sale of its conventional power unit, Simon used his contacts in China to help Westinghouse build connections. As a result, he won several large power orders in the past six months. Due to the substantial expansion of the Chinese market, Siemens also allowed Siemens to invest the initial US$1.5 billion. The quotation was raised to the US$1.725 billion finally agreed upon by both parties.
Michael Jordan is certainly not stupid for being able to sit in the position of chairman of Westinghouse, but he is just a newcomer to Hollywood after all. Thinking about it this way, he feels that it is not surprising that Simon agreed to his cooperation invitation so simply.
On the contrary, both Michael Ovitz and Jerry Bruckheimer were quite surprised.
After all, being in the middle of the game, they can easily feel that even though there are still many external cooperation projects, Daenerys Entertainment's attitude towards cooperation with other peers is generally tightening. Therefore, I never expected that Westinghouse Electric, which suddenly broke into Hollywood, would get Simon Westeros's promise so easily.
Everyone even has some self-doubts. Have they been too conservative in the past and not been more proactive in seeking cooperation with Daenerys Entertainment
Simon ignored everyone's whirling thoughts and turned to Jerry Bruckheimer after speaking: "Speaking of which, Jerry, I remember that your studio is currently planning a movie called "Public Enemy"?"
Jerry Bruckheimer subconsciously took a step forward, then quickly calmed down his expression and said as calmly as possible: "Yeah, Simon, I didn't expect you noticed it too?"
In fact, the word 'recently' in Simon's words is not accurate at all.
Since parting ways with Disney, controlled by France's Vivendi, the year before last, Jerry Bruckheimer has been running his own film studio alone, mainly because he has been unable to find a suitable owner until now. Without a stable financial backer, the Hollywood landscape is changing rapidly. Jerry Bruckheimer, who is slightly behind the times, has only produced a few small and medium-low-cost films in the past two years.
As for "Public Enemy", this is a story about an ordinary person who accidentally fell into a conspiracy and struggled to survive and fight back under the ubiquitous eavesdropping network in the United States.
Jerry Bruckheimer got the script last year. As a result, major Hollywood studios turned around, including Daenerys Entertainment, but nothing came of it.
Because everyone generally believes that this project is inferior to the fast-declining old-school muscle man action movies in Hollywood, the closest negotiation was with John Wu, the Asian director who became famous with Daenerys Entertainment, but the price offered was too high , and also demanded too much control, which Bruckheimer simply couldn't accept.
Unexpectedly, things suddenly took a turn for the worse at tonight's cocktail party.
Perhaps Jerry Bruckheimer suddenly felt that Simon Westeros might have been paying attention to this project for a long time, and he just said it today.
But, so what
Jerry Bruckheimer has no intention of selling out for this reason. In recent years, due to Daenerys Entertainment, Hollywood has entered a state of rapid replacement of old ones with new ones, and many established filmmakers have declined as a result. . Therefore, for Bruckheimer, being able to ride on the big ship of Daenerys Entertainment and revitalize his career is far more important than the gain or loss of a movie.
Simon was not in a hurry to say more, but looked at Michael Jordan again: "Mike, why don't we change places to chat, and everyone, I'm sorry to leave for a moment."
People around were curious and could only express that it didn't matter.
The three of them left the hall and went to the reception room next door. After sitting down, Simon said to Bruckheimer: "Jerry, please introduce the general situation of the project to Mike first."
Jerry Bruckheimer briefly outlined the story of "Public Enemies" and then said: "As for the director, I recently talked to Lang and he was very interested," adding that Michael Jordan might not be familiar with Hollywood. : "It's Ron Howard, he's here tonight."
Michael Jordan nodded and smiled: "I know, Long is still very good."
Jerry Bruckheimer continued: "In addition, as the male protagonist, I hope Harrison Ford plays the role. His movie "The Fugitive" is very impressive and is very suitable for similar roles."
This time Michael Jordan had a slight objection: "Jerry, has Harrison been at a low point in recent years?"
Jerry Bruckheimer did not deny it, saying: "It is indeed true. However, Mike, relying on the popularity brought by the two major series of "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" at that time, Harrison is equivalent to a symbol in Hollywood. The kind that never fades. His low point in recent years happened to allow us to get a good salary offer."
Michael Jordan hasn't experienced too many daily tricks in Hollywood, but he has doubts in his heart. He happens to have the most famous 'consultant' in Hollywood beside him, so he decisively looks at Simon next to him.
This is certainly not someone Bruckheimer can easily fool.
Speaking of which, Harrison Ford has indeed not had an impressive hit film in recent years since he was forwarded to 1991's "The Fugitive" by Simon. However, investors such as "Walking with the Devil" at the beginning of the year have attracted investors. There were a lot of box office duds that caused nosebleeds. Moreover, "Air Force One", which was supposed to be in the top ten of this year's list, was cut off by Simon. It would be an understatement to say that it is a bit outdated.
However, Bruckheimer is actually right.
Because of the influence of "Star Wars" as a cultural phenomenon, coupled with the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" series in the 1980s, Harrison Ford is indeed almost a symbol, and he is one of the few people who can be seen in Hollywood, which has a sound film system. The kind that lasts a lifetime.
Moreover, it has been six years since the last film "The Fugitive". According to Hollywood's business rules, it is also an appropriate time interval to produce a film with a similar theme without being criticized by the audience for repeating itself.
Just like in history, after "Sleepless in Seattle" in 1993, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan collaborated on "Love Letter" in 1998, or after "Pretty Woman" in 1990, Julia Roberts collaborated with Richard Gere in "Runaway Bride" in 1999.
Therefore, if Harrison Ford 'repeat' himself after all these years, not only will he not arouse the audience's disgust, but he will hopefully gain emotional points.
Feelings are a big killer.
What's more, Simon doesn't plan to use the original Will Smith this time.
Will Smith already owns the role of 'Cyborg' in the DC movie universe, and his performance in "Days of Our Lives", which just passed the summer blockbuster, was also well recognized. If he is allowed to support another blockbuster independently, then what will happen next? The following "Men in Black" series is a bit troublesome.
After sorting out his thoughts for a while, Simon said under the same expectant gazes of Michael Jordan and Jerry Bruckheimer: "Harrison is good, but the director needs to be changed. Lang's film style is too flat. "Public Enemy" needs It gives people a gripping sense of urgency, which is not easy for Lang to achieve."
Jerry Bruckheimer thought for a moment and said, "In that case, Simon, the director of "Taken" in the first half of the year, Doug Liman, should be good?"
Actually, after being rejected by Simon, Jerry Bruckheimer's first thought was his old friend Tony Scott, the younger brother of Ridley Scott. The collaboration began on "Top Gun", when Bruckheimer was the producer and Scott was the director. Together, the two created a box office miracle.
It also made Tom Cruise famous.
Now, Tom Cruise has completely declined because of the "Rain Man" incident.
Tony Scott, like Jerry Bruckheimer, has been a bit tepid in recent years. For the project "Public Enemies", Bruckheimer's initial choice was Scott, just because the project never came to fruition. , Scott turned to work on other films, and Bruckheimer began to contact Ron Howard and others.
Because of Simon's attention, if he brings his old friend in, he will be extremely happy and can be regarded as a support. The schedule is not a problem. After all, the filming will not start immediately. Scott can finish his work before joining this project.
Now, Jerry Bruckheimer does not mention Tony Scott, but instead suggests the new director Doug Liman, who was promoted by Daenerys. On the one hand, it is to echo Simon's possible thoughts, and on the other hand, he is slightly worried. The young tycoon will be reminded of "Top Gun" and even Tom Cruise.
Thinking of this, Bruckheimer is still a little sad. After "Top Gun" back then, he was once in the spotlight, and he was chased and fawned over by the entire Hollywood.
It’s only been 10 years and everything has changed.
Nothing is permanent.
In any case, although he did not expect to encounter this opportunity in advance, once the opportunity came to his door, Jerry Bruckheimer made up his mind to seize it firmly. For this reason, he no longer considered fighting for any right to speak, and planned to do it honestly. Daenerys kind of back-office producer for once.
Simon is also considering director candidates. Of course, he will not take his anger out on Tony Scott because of "Top Gun." However, because of the style, even the original director of "Public Enemy" is the same as Will Smith. , Tony Scott was not Simon's first choice either.
When Bruckheimer mentioned Doug Mann, who had just collaborated with Jett Lee in the new version of "Taken" in the first half of the year, Simon immediately shook his head: "Doug is not as good, and he is more suitable for action movies."
Having said that, because Bruckheimer mentioned Doug Liman, Simon had an idea and thought of another director, who took over the two sequels of "The Bourne Supremacy" from Doug Liman. Paul Greengrass, who elevated the series to a higher level based on the first classic.
When it comes to gripping movies, Part 2 and 3 of "The Bourne Supremacy" are the ultimate.
After a little recall, Paul Greengrass is much older than Doug Liman, who was in his early thirties. He is currently over forty. He has been involved in the television industry and occasionally filming movies for many years.
Such a person must have enough experience. What he lacks is an opportunity like "The Bourne Supremacy".
Jerry Bruckheimer noticed Simon's surprised look and asked, "Simon, have you thought of a suitable candidate?"
"We'll talk about this later, I still need to think about it," Simon put away his thoughts, glanced at Michael Jordan, and said to Bruckheimer: "Daenerys' project for next year is already full, and there is no small film yet. problem, but there is no room for a blockbuster, so I hope that the film will be under the name of MGM and cooperate with Mike, with both parties accounting for 50% of the investment. By the way, in terms of budget, Jerry, I hope you can do it for $70 million, any questions?"
The original version of "Public Enemy" burned through 90 million US dollars, and the box office and follow-up channels only roughly recovered the money. It can only be said that it is not a failure, but not a success.
This time, even if Harrison Ford is higher than Will Smith during this period, Simon does not intend to give so much.
Today's Hollywood is far from the state where hot money was surging in the late 1990s. In addition, the project encountered repeated rejections and was almost completely aborted. The reasonable budget that Jerry Bruckheimer expected was originally US$70 million, even if Simon lowered it a little. , 60 million, he will also try to get it.