"Miss Weisz, I watched "The Mummy" over the weekend. You were so stunning in the film. Can you sign your autograph for me?"
"Oh, no problem."
"And mine, Miss Weisz."
"certainly."
"Do you mind if we take a picture together?"
"In this case, let's all join together."
Boston.
On the set of "Good Will Hunting" in Cambridge, Rachel Weisz, who came to visit the cast, was recognized as soon as she showed up. She was surrounded by a group of temporarily idle staff who signed autographs and took photos, and finally came to a place with her assistant. Sit down in the seating area next to the trailer.
After unscrewing the lid and taking a sip of the mineral water provided by the staff, Rachel looked at the filming taking place not far away, her heart still pounding a little.
This is what it feels like to be famous.
Today is already Tuesday, May 21st.
"The Mummy" was released last Friday and grossed US$41.46 million at the box office in its first three days, more than doubling the number two in the same period as "Romeo and Juliet," making it the biggest hit of the summer so far.
With her stunning appearance in this movie, the fledgling Rachel Weisz became famous in one fell swoop. Even though various film producers have found out that she has confirmed to participate in James Cameron's "Titanic", she has still received an invitation in recent days. She piled up new scripts, and the other party said they could accommodate her schedule.
Coupled with the sudden increase in praise and compliments around her, even though she felt that her mind was mature enough, Rachel still inevitably felt a little arrogant.
After waiting for four or five minutes, the shooting in the outdoor cafe area not far away finally ended. Kate Beckinsale waved to her and walked over, and Rachel also stood up with a smile.
The two hugged each other affectionately, and after Kate let go, she asked, "Rachel, didn't you say we would have dinner together tonight?"
"The recording of the program here has been completed, and the schedule has been temporarily changed. I will fly to Vancouver in the afternoon."
Kate and Rachel sat down again and said with a smile: "I understand, you are a big star now."
With that said, two capable girls in white shirts and black trousers appeared. One handed Kate a folder and the other a cup with an unknown green drink.
Kate took a few sips from the cup, put the folder on her knees and opened it. She noticed Rachel looking curiously at the two women around her, waved to them, waited for the other party to walk away, and then said, "Are you envious?"
Rachel immediately denied it: "What's there to envy?"
"I advised you to come together at the beginning. Since he slept with us, why didn't he get the treatment of those vases? I took the initiative to ask for them, and sure enough they were given to me. You don't know, they may have done it, and they were very powerful. Anyway, I Life is very comfortable now.”
Rachel struck: "Then, you are tantamount to publicly admitting that you are Westeros's lover."
"It's an honor to be the lover of Simon Westeros now. I don't know how many little Bitches envy me," Kate said, gesturing not far away: "There is one over there, these She has been stuck on the set all day long, hmm, the movie has started shooting, does she think she can still get a role from me?"
Rachel followed Kate's gaze and happened to see a tall girl standing next to the actor Matt Damon also glanced in this direction. When their eyes met, they both ran away.
Actually know each other.
Matt Damon's current girlfriend is named Minnie Driver. Damon originally hoped to win the role of the heroine of "Good Will Hunting" for his girlfriend, but unfortunately, she was easily accepted by Kate Beckinsale who accidentally saw the script. Cut off the beard. Minnie Driver is also considered a second-generation Hollywood star. Her stepmother is the famous Barbra Streisand.
If it were another actress, the male lead and screenwriter would strongly recommend her, plus her family background, she would definitely not be able to win her over.
It’s a pity that I met Kate.
This is a project of Daenerys Entertainment. Kate's appearance and acting skills are just as good as the other's. Plus, the most important thing is that she is the boss of her family and her lover. Tsk, is it even better
Thinking of this, Rachel suddenly felt a little inexplicable, but asked: "Kate, have you considered it in the future?"
"Of course," Kate said, "I am 23 years old now. In two years, at the age of 25, I will also have a firm foothold in Hollywood. Then I will get rid of those maids and escorts, and I will be free. Hey, some media now I always say that Simon is like Howard Hughes back in the day. I think he is much more generous than Hughes. This is the best template for a lover."
"Why do I feel that you are taking advantage of him?"
"How could it be? I spent the best years of my youth, and he just gave me some conveniences in my career, and I suffered a loss."
“…”
"Okay, Rachel, I have one shot left in the morning, just wait for another 15 minutes. Since you are leaving in the afternoon, I asked Morgan and the others to book a table. There is a great French restaurant nearby and we can have lunch together later. "
"No need to bother, there should be a working meal here."
"Why don't you do it if it can make your life better?" Kate said in a very lively manner, prompting two people not far away to give some instructions, and then pushed the cup of green drink that Rachel had been eyeing towards her. In hand: "Try it, kiwi juice."
Rachel took it and took a bite.
It was indeed much better than the bottle of mineral water just now, so I took a few more sips.
All right.
Kate lowered her head and browsed through the footage she was waiting to shoot, and said, "Hey, when will the filming of "Titanic" start?"
"If nothing else happens, next month."
"Last year, the project was set up almost simultaneously with the "Mummy" movies, and now "The Mummy" has been released. Rachel, according to the laws of Hollywood, the longer a project is delayed, the more likely it is to fail. Moreover, you must have asked about James Came. Long’s projects are all very frustrating, so if I were you, I’d reject this movie and pick something else.”
The fluttering feeling that Rachel had when she first arrived became weaker and weaker for some reason, and her tone was a little resentful: "I'm not you. You can choose anything else you want. If you reject this project, you may not have a job." ”
"What a delicious tone. With the popularity of "The Mummy" now, how could you not find other roles?"
Rachel felt Kate's teasing and felt a little confused on her face: "I mean, this is Simon's decision. If I push it, he might be angry."
"Won't."
"Um?"
"Simon will definitely find another woman: Hey girl, do you want to be famous? Come to bed with me."
“…”
Kate glanced at her: "You don't want to complain, do you? I said bad things about him behind his back?"
"I'm not that bored."
"I do want you to complain."
Rachel looked suspicious.
After all, there was still some slight disappointment in Kate's expression: "In this way, he can notice you and probably think of me. The last time I saw him was at a party at the end of last year. Even this Character, I know it was him who said hello, but there was no communication. And, can you imagine, until now, I have only slept with him once."
Rachel opened her eyes slightly.
Because of their previous experiences, the two were considered friends, but they didn't meet much because they were busy with their respective jobs. Seeing that she was accompanied by Wei's maid Wei, he thought she and he met often.
"You mean, that time we were there?"
"yes."
Rachel looked weird and asked in a mysterious way: "You want to sleep with him?"
Kate rolled her eyes at her, paused, and then said, "Actually, I also feel a little guilty."
Rachel stared at her friend next to her for a while, understood, and suddenly opened her mouth. If it weren't for the embarrassing Kate poking her ribs, she would have almost laughed.
…
Also living in New York on the East Coast, Jet Lee, who had just finished recording "The Late Show with David Letterman," also felt guilty.
Of course the nature is completely different.
Jet Lee is worried about the box office of "Dark Man" in North America.
If it were Asia, he wouldn't have such concerns, but this is the United States. Moreover, New World Pictures actually invested US$3 million in the promotion and distribution of "Dark Man" and prepared 1,276 screens for the opening of the movie. It is still a summer release. These seem to make other Hong Kong films unattainable, but in fact they mean that once he messes up, he will basically not be able to get other opportunities in Hollywood in the future.
Regardless of Jack Cheng's current success, he has been trying in Hollywood since the 1970s. The success of "Rush Hour" was obviously accidental.
After the recording of the program was completed, a group of men and women with oriental faces left the ABC headquarters in the Upper West Side together. Jack Cheng, who also participated in the filming of the talk show, excused himself first and left on the pretext that he had other things to do. Jet Lee and others enthusiastically saw each other off to the car. , In fact, I also understand that Jack Cheng is quite loyal to be able to do this. After all, although Chinese people need to help each other outside, there are really not many who can do it.
It's good if we don't dig holes in each other.
After seeing Jack Cheng off, the others got into two business cars. When the cars started to drive, a middle-aged man with a Chinese face sitting next to Jet Lee said in jerky Cantonese: "About "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" Regarding the matter, Mr. Friedman personally contacted Mr. Westeros. Unfortunately, Jet, this project has already decided on other leading actors. You may also know him. His surname is Zhou. He is very famous in Asia and has participated in Wu Mr.’s film A Better Tomorrow.”
The middle-aged man who spoke was an agent under WMA, named Jeremy Zhao. He was originally from Guangdong, but he was already a second-generation immigrant.
Because of its close relationship with Daenerys Entertainment and aware of Simon's emphasis on "Dark Man", WMA decisively signed Jet Lee's agency rights in Hollywood and specially matched him with a Chinese agent.
"Thank you for your help in asking, Zhao."
Jet Lee said, his expression still quite regretful.
If you can win the role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in advance, it will be one more opportunity. Of course he knew who the agent was talking about. Since it was Simon Westeros who decided it personally, it would be futile for him to fight for it unless the other party gave up on his own initiative.
However, Hong Kong films as a whole are now collapsing, and filmmakers on the other side of the ocean are looking for other ways out. As long as Fa Ge doesn't go crazy, it's impossible to refuse the olive branch offered by Simon Westeros himself.
Jeremy Zhao didn't say much, and instead said: "Actually, there is good news. There is a party in the circle in Greenwich tonight. Daenerys Entertainment has arranged for you to attend, and they will record a few videos to help you. The video recommending this movie is on the YouTube website. Ang Lee will also attend, and Quentin. You may not have seen his "Bloody Romeo", but he is a fan of Chinese kung fu movies. If you have seen it, of many movies.”
Jet Lee nodded and said, "I will try my best to cooperate."
…
A total of US$5 million was invested to launch a Hong Kong film, which is still a popular summer film. It is definitely a big adventure in Hollywood. If it weren't for the many internal test screenings of "Dark Man", the specially selected Western audiences gave very positive responses. Based on the feedback and the information in his memory, Simon himself would not agree with this plan.
However, even so, US$2 million to purchase the copyright and US$3 million for publicity are still very inconspicuous projects in Hollywood.
Therefore, mainstream publicity methods such as newspaper and television advertisements are basically not used.
Still have to take the wrong approach.
Pulling Jack Cheng over to support Jet Lee is a small deviation.
In addition to his appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" that night, the next day, the YouTube website also highlighted the recommendation videos of Jet Lee's "Dark Man" and "The Dark Knight" by Ang Lee, Quentin and other directors. "Dark Man" trailer. In addition, with permission from the copyright owner, Daenerys Entertainment also edited some clips from Jet Lee's previous films and put them on the YouTube website.
As the publicity continues to spread, even though the New World Pictures team is still unsure about the market performance of "Dark Man", the film's exposure rate has at least reached a level sufficient to support 1,276 screens. See if the audience buys it.
With more and more people paying attention to "Dark Man", the second week of the 1996 summer season also came to an end.
May 17th to May 23rd.
In seven days, the box office of "The Mummy" in its first week reached US$63.54 million, easily taking the top spot on the single-week box office list. After an excellent first week, the two producers of Daenerys and Fox immediately announced that a sequel was on the agenda.
Subsequently, "Romeo and Juliet" in its second week of release achieved a counterattack on Arnold Schwarzenegger's super blockbuster movie "The Vapor", taking in US$25.45 million at the box office the next week.
In its first two weeks, the cumulative box office of "Romeo and Juliet" reached US$56.91 million.
New World Pictures has recovered all US$30 million in production and promotion costs in two weeks and has begun to make a profit. Moreover, because the box office decline in the next week was only 19%, the film's subsequent box office potential is very good.
In sharp contrast to "Romeo and Juliet" is undoubtedly "The Evaporation Order".
In the same second week of release, "The Secret", which had an unsatisfactory start, was hit by the same blockbuster "The Mummy", and the box office dropped sharply by 51% the next week, collecting only US$17.79 million. The cumulative box office in two weeks is 54.21 million U.S. dollars, which seems like a lot, but based on the box office trend of "The Evaporation Code" at this time, the final local box office will only be around 80 million U.S. dollars.
Warner Bros. has invested a total of US$130 million in this project, including 80 million locally, and cannot even recoup half of the US$100 million production cost. Because the overseas bill sharing ratio is very low, even if the overseas box office doubles compared to the domestic box office, Warner will still be unable to escape losses during the theatrical distribution stage.
The final "Austin Powers" finally had a box office of $15.94 million in its first week.
Not a complete failure.
However, with a production cost of 40 million U.S. dollars and a first-week opening of only more than 15 million U.S. dollars, it is equivalent to directly withdrawing from the summer competition.
May 24th.
The third week of the summer season begins.
Because the schedule is sandwiched between "The Mummy" and "Mission: Impossible 2", the two major new films this week are not large in scale.
One is Leslie Nielsen's comedy "The Greatest Detective", produced by Sony, with a production cost of US$18 million and a screen count of 22.86 million. It still follows the formula of "The Great Detective".
Another film is "Black Man" that has appeared in many people's eyes unknowingly during this period.
This Hong Kong film from across the ocean has 1,276 opening screens, which may not seem like a lot, but it is indeed the result of Daenerys Entertainment using its own influence. Otherwise, the major theater chains in North America would not be willing to give a Hong Kong film to the popular summer season. After all, after so many years, there is only one Jack Cheng in the North American market who is still recognized by the audience.
Jack Cheng's "Rush Hour" is still a standard Hollywood routine.
As for "Dark Man", rashly releasing such a movie where the main actors don't even have Western faces, if you don't pay attention, it may be a very dismal failure.