at dusk.
Outside a mansion halfway up the mountain in Palisade, the narrow mountain road was almost impassable due to the crowds of media reporters, and dense flash lights were on frequently without interruption.
Before the party, many media offered sky-high prices in the hope of entering the venue to shoot, but they were all rejected. However, Simon's refusal attracted more reporters to join in the fun, and some TV stations even drove live broadcast trucks over.
Compared with the thank you party at the end of June last year, the scale of this birthday party has also been greatly expanded.
Many projects initiated by Daenerys Pictures are in the early preparation stage. Out of obvious intentions, Simon's agent Jonathan Friedman just took away 100 invitations. According to the Counting two guests per invitation, the number of guests from WMA alone reached the size of the last party.
Due to the change in identity, Simon's social circle has expanded rapidly in the past half a year. Many guests from New York and San Francisco came specially to attend the party. Simon was not stingy and rented two airplanes. Business jets are responsible for pick-up and drop-off.
Coupled with many Hollywood natives, the total number of guests at this party exceeded 700, and the number of security, waiters, bands and other service personnel at the party also reached 100. As a result, the spacious manor that originally covered an acre immediately seemed crowded.
When Sandra Bullock arrived, the party had not officially started yet, and the manor was already crowded with people. After searching in the crowd for a while, she found Simon. He was talking to Terry Semel, CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures, and the atmosphere seemed not to be harmonious.
"Terry, I didn't mean to catch Warners off guard. I want to do Batman, and I also love Superman. It's that simple."
"When you were negotiating "Batman" with us, you must have started to contact Salkind. Simon, Warner only learned the news at the last minute."
"You should understand why I do this, Terry. Whatever I am interested in now, its value will suddenly rise a lot. I don't like to always be treated as a fat sheep, so I can only deal with this matter in a low-key manner, and , although I have obtained the copyright to "Superman", the terms of the contract will not change, and Warner still enjoys the rights that you should have."
"Simon, I know you want to buy DC, and I'm sure you have other ideas now. But no matter what, I hope that both of us can maintain communication very openly, so that we can win-win," Terry Semel looked at After Simon said these words, he slowed down his tone, stretched out his hand to him, and said, "Also, happy birthday."
Simon shook hands with Semel and said, "Thank you, Terry. Have a good time tonight."
Sandra Bullock waited patiently for Terry Semel to leave before walking forward. Simon had already turned around, hugged her and said, "Sandy, you are so beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," Sandra separated from Simon, took a small step back and looked at him, and said, "Happy birthday."
Simon said: "So, where is the gift?"
Sandra took out a box from her handbag and handed it over: "Here."
Simon took the mini box, which was exquisitely packaged but less than two centimeters square. He held it in his hand and looked at it for a few times. He pretended to be dissatisfied and said, "Is it so small?"
Sandra said: "If you like it big, I'll prepare it for you next time."
Simon looked at Sandra and nodded solemnly: "The bigger, the better."
Sandra was a little embarrassed when Simon looked at her: "Can you stop staring at me when you talk like this."
Simon smiled and said: "I didn't mean anything else."
Sandra rolled her eyes at Simon and said, "How dare you have other intentions, you coward."
"Isn't that too provocative?"
Sandra repeated without hesitation: "Coward."
Simon was immediately defeated: "Okay, I'm a coward."
Sandra made a really spineless expression of contempt, glanced at the crowd around her casually, then continued to stand next to Simon, and asked: "Your company has established so many projects, this time there should be something suitable for me." Right? I still have half a year before "Back to the Future" starts filming."
Simon said: "Are you going to act in 'Scream'?"
Sandra immediately shook her head and refused with a smile: "No, it's such a stupid script."
Simon asked again: "Where's Catherine's "The Blue Angel"?"
Sandra thought of the ambiguous relationship between Simon and Catherine and felt strange. She shook her head again: "I, I still don't think it's appropriate."
"Both of these are movies in which the female protagonist plays the leading role. If you don't want to act, there won't be any suitable ones for the time being." Simon shrugged and said, "You should have seen the other projects as well. These are all commercial films, no. Maybe I’ll let you play a supporting role.”
Sandra retraced her thoughts carefully, then glared at Simon: "It's all your fault, I can't even find a suitable role now. Paramount had already agreed to Tom Cruise's "Cocktail" last time I was cast as the heroine, but then I changed my mind inexplicably. According to the news that Jonathan found out, Cruise thought I was too famous."
"Cruise is like this, what does it have to do with me." Simon said with an innocent expression: "Also, the movie "A Fish Named Wanda" I recommended to you is also very good. If it weren't for last year, I would have Without enough funds, the script will definitely be snatched away.”
After the box office success of "Run Lola Run", although she signed two "Back to the Future" series, the film will not start shooting until the second half of this year. Naturally, Sandra cannot be idle and start looking for other projects.
There was no suitable role for her in "Pulp Fiction", so after a lot of picking and choosing, finally on Simon's recommendation, Sandra took on a very interesting black comedy, "A Fish Named Wanda".
In Simon's memory, "A Fish Named Wanda" tells the story of four stupid thieves who steal a diamond worth millions of dollars through expressions full of absurdity and coincidence, as well as a cold sense of humor that conflicts with British and American cultures. The film was not only a huge success at the box office, but also won many awards including an Oscar.
When Sandra heard Simon mention this movie, she complained half-truthfully: "Also, for a low-cost movie, it costs 1 million US dollars plus 10% of the net profit share. I don't know if I can get the share." , I took it after listening to your suggestion. If I mess up, you have to compensate me."
After Sandra was confirmed to participate, the production cost of "A Fish Named Wanda" was ultimately only $8 million. Because of the success of "Run Lola Run", Sandra's package price for taking on two "Back to the Future" series is US$5 million. To participate in a commercial film alone, the salary will definitely be higher. The crew of "Wanda" obviously cannot afford it. Started.
Jonathan was initially reluctant to let Sandra take on the film. He would have preferred the girl to star in Cruise's new film "Cocktail." After "Cocktail" failed, and with Sandra's insistence, Jonathan negotiated a share contract with producer MGM Pictures that would reduce the film's remuneration.
In Simon's memory, the North American box office of "A Fish Named Wanda" exceeded 60 million US dollars. Just the net profit share in this area can exceed Sandra's worth, not to mention that she signed an omni-channel contract. Profit sharing contract.
Although it will take several years to get back all kinds of income from box office, video tapes and TV broadcasts, cumulatively, the total income may even exceed 10 million US dollars.
In the 1980s, the number of actresses whose salary could reach tens of millions of dollars could be counted on one hand.
When Sandra signed the film contract, "Run Lola Run" had exceeded US$200 million, and it was almost certain to win the year. She was equivalent to single-handedly supporting the annual box office champion in North America. Therefore, MGM is now attaching great importance to this film that Sandra will participate in after "Run Lola Run", and has also set the schedule in the next popular summer season. It will be absolutely easy to achieve success again.
Naturally, Simon couldn't say this to Sandra now. Listening to the girl's complaints, he just smiled and said: "Well, it really failed. I will make it up to you."
Sandra looked at Simon's somewhat unpredictable smile and couldn't help but said: "Then, make it up to me with yourself."
Simon's expression immediately became heavy: "Do you want it cooked? Jenny will definitely cook me."
Sandra burst out laughing and noticed that many people around her were looking over. She quickly calmed down her expression, nodded her head 'viciously' and said, "Yes."