Simon heard Michael Ovitz's conditions and replied: "Michael, Bob is indeed worth $1 million. However, "Pulp Fiction" is only a medium-cost production, so I can only offer a salary of $500,000. Plus a 5% share of the North American box office net profit. As for the sharing model, I guess I don’t need to explain it anymore.”
Everyone in Hollywood knows that Michael Ovitz is a master of details, a very scary kind. Since he is well aware of the CAA clients that Daenerys Pictures has contacted during this period, it is natural that he cannot be unclear about the net profit sharing rules of "Pulp Fiction".
As expected, Michael Ovitz did not pursue the question, but just said: "Simon, before today, Orion might have stuck the production budget of "Pulp Fiction" at US$8 million. But now, they shouldn't mind adding more, right? ?”
Michael Ovitz apparently hasn't found out about Simon's contract with Orion.
Simon's $500,000 base salary still came from the original $8 million budget, leaving him with only $1.5 million left to select other actors.
As for the additional 5% of the North American box office net profit share, it was Simon who temporarily obtained it from Orion in the morning.
Traditional Hollywood filmmakers generally have a very strong admiration for superstars. Robert Redford's participation in "Pulp Fiction" is definitely what Orion wants. The second weekend box office performance of "The Butterfly Effect" also gave Orion executives full confidence in Simon again.
Therefore, Simon did not waste much time on this matter, and Mike Medowa nodded in agreement.
Faced with Ovitz's doubts, Simon did not mince words, shook his head and said: "Michael, this involves contract issues."
Although the terms of the sharing between Simon and Orion are kept secret, the contract for "The Return of the Dead" is well known, and Fox deliberately announced the original sharing terms as a gimmick.
When Michael Ovitz heard Simon's answer, he showed a clear expression on his face, but then said: "Simon, you want Bob to participate in the film, but you are unwilling to pay enough for the film. This will definitely not work."
From being the nominal executive producer of "Run Lola Run" to later attending the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford has been of great help to Simon.
Simon listened to Michael Ovitz's words implying a run, but was not embarrassed and said: "At US$500,000, plus 5% of the profit share, the value of this contract has a high probability of exceeding US$1 million. I have already given the price The highest price I can offer is enough to prove my sincerity. If Bob cannot be satisfied, then I can only say sorry. However, movies are movies, Michael, this is the riskiest business in the world, and we cannot be willful. But for."
Michael Ovitz listened to Simon's words and looked deeply at the young man in front of him. His expression seemed a little hesitant, but he still said: "Simon, I will convey your conditions to Bob. In addition, Let's talk about "When Harry Met Sally". Nora Ephron is also a client of CAA, but it's a pity that the script was bought by you first. In this way, how about CAA's full agency for this project? You offer We are responsible for contacting the studio according to our own conditions.”
Simon shook his head and said: "Unfortunately, Michael, I have received several calls today about "When Harry Met Sally", so Daenerys Pictures does not need CAA's help now."
"This is indeed very regrettable," Michael Ovitz also shook his head slightly, then stood up and said, "In this case, Simon, maybe I should leave."
Simon stood up and took the initiative to reach out to Michael Ovitz and said: "Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Michael, you are a legend in Hollywood."
Michael Ovitz shook hands with Simon readily, but did not turn around immediately. He stood still and said: "Simon, to be honest, in order to let you join CAA, I did a very detailed investigation before coming, and even prepared There’s enough to talk about for an entire afternoon.”
Simon just smiled and said, "Then why do you have to leave so soon?"
Michael Ovitz did not hide anything and said: "Simon, before I came here, I had discovered that we were probably the same type of people, but this did not make me flinch. However, just now, I suddenly realized that we are destined to They will only become rivals.”
The smile on Simon's face did not diminish at all, and he said: "To be honest, Michael, I have the same feeling, and it is very strong."
Michael Ovitz also laughed and asked with interest: "When?"
"You just said: We will always try our best to meet all the requirements of our customers," Simon replied, and asked: "What about you?"
"A movie is a movie, we can't be willful," Michael Ovitz also repeated what Simon just said, but immediately said: "However, Simon, your expectations may be difficult to achieve, filmmakers are very willful. "
Simon retorts: "Not in the big studio era."
Michael Ovitz said: "The era of big studios is history."
"History is always reincarnating. That's why people like to use the 'wheel of history' to describe the flow of time."
"It's a very interesting point of view," Michael Ovitz nodded with a smile and said, "Maybe we can become friends in private."
"Of course, there will also be opponents at the same time."
"You have to understand, Simon, you are still very weak in front of CAA."
"If lions want to change history, they must find a bigger target. They can't use ants as their opponents."
"Speaking of changing history, Ron and I thought the same way back then. Then, CAA had just been established, and just the name of our small company led to a lawsuit. It was a profound lesson."
"Isn't this a threat?"
"Of course not. From a standpoint, we are actually salespersons and you are consumers. It is definitely a very stupid thing for a salesperson to threaten consumers."
Simon and Ovitz were chatting like this, and they felt a bit speculative without realizing it.
However, both of them were actually very busy, so the two did not sit down again, and Michael Ovitz quickly left. After sending Michael Ovitz out of the company headquarters, Simon returned to his office, and Susan told Simon that Amy Pascal was already online.
Simon originally wanted Amy to handle the meeting, so that even if the negotiation failed, both parties would not be too embarrassed through the agent. However, Michael Ovitz wanted to talk to Simon in person, so he and Amy temporarily changed their schedules.
Last Saturday, a secret drug test was conducted to confirm that Meg Ryan was not touching anything too hopeless, and Simon signed a film contract with Meg Ryan. The salary of 300,000 US dollars also comes with an option contract. After "When Harry Met Sally", Meg Ryan must star in another Daenerys Films movie.
Billy Crystal was a client of Jonathan's and the contract had been finalized earlier. As a well-known TV actor in the United States, Billy Crystal's first big-screen movie "Double Stars" last year was very good at the box office, so the salary was determined to be US$3 million.
Next is the director.
Rob Reiner.
This is the director of "When Harry Met Sally". Every detail of the original film was perfect, and Simon has no intention of replacing him. The script has already been handed over to the other party, and after several contacts, Rob Reiner is also interested in directing. Today, Amy went to discuss the contract with the other party's agent.
Simon got on the phone with Amy and chatted for more than ten minutes. After closing the call, he leaned on the leather chair behind his desk.
Rob Reiner is also a contract client of CAA, and the director's salary offered did not surprise Simon.
$5 million.
In addition, the other party also asked to serve as a producer and insisted on certain final editing rights.
After some negotiations, the remuneration remained unchanged. Amy successfully vetoed the other party's request for final editing rights, but Simon still needed to make his own decision on whether to agree to the other party's role as producer.
Rob Reiner's films in recent years have been very successful. Last year's "Stand By Me" also grossed over US$50 million at the North American box office. Simon had no objections to the remuneration. After a discussion with Amy, he agreed to her request to be a producer.
Now, Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal's salary is already US$8 million. Although Meg Ryan is paid the newcomer's price, if she wants to invite the original "Princess Leia" Kelly Fisher served as the female supporting role, and it would definitely not be possible without one or two million.
Only the online expenses of the main creator have reached tens of millions. Under this kind of celebrity status, the offline expenses must also be guaranteed to be around 5 million US dollars.
As a result, the budget for "When Harry Met Sally" directly reached $15 million.
In my memory, the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" exceeded US$90 million. Compared with the production cost, this is definitely a project that can bring huge profits to the film company.
Before today, Simon had been hesitant about whether to invest in "When Harry Met Sally" himself.
The money in Simon's hands cannot be used until November.
In November, it’s already winter in New York.
In the original film, the series of autumn scenery with yellow leaves and colorful leaves when Harry and Sally are together is simply mesmerizing and is definitely a highlight of the film.
But if you wait until November, the first snow in New York may have already fallen, and it will no longer be possible to restore those stunning shots. Without those scenes, "When Harry Met Sally" would definitely lose too much color.
Simon can't wait until next year.
Not to mention the contract with Nora Ephron, there is definitely something to do next year.
Now.
With the release of the box office data for the second weekend of "The Butterfly Effect", the originally stalemate situation was instantly revitalized.
Simon also has very specific plans for "When Harry Met Sally."