Eric was chatting with Charlize, and Kate and Penelope, who noticed the situation here, also came over by coincidence.
Penelope was still able to greet Eric as usual, but Kate looked at Charlize with obvious suspicion and unkindness.
There was no flaw in Charlize's expression, she nodded towards the two women with a smile, and continued to chat with Eric about the topic just now.
Eric actually understands the different attitudes of the three girls on the remuneration of this sequel.
In the "Girls in the Thunderbolt" series, both Kate and Penelope are very popular, but due to the technical role of the talented girl Jill Monroe, Charlize doesn't have much room to play, and she often even plays a role as a backup The image exists, so the popularity is far inferior to the other two women.
At this time, Charlize readily agreed to the remuneration conditions given by Eric, and implicitly hinted to Eric that the dissatisfaction and changes of the other two women were actually the reason.
After silently listening to Eric and Charlize chatting a few words, Kate couldn't help but said, "Eric, don't you think the salary contract for us is too stingy?"
Eric admired Kate's exquisite face, and said with a good temper: "As long as "Charlie's Angels 4" and "Bond 20" perform normally, the three of you can get about 100 million US dollars in salary, isn't it enough? ?"
Kate immediately retorted: "However, on a single basis, each of us participated in two movies with a box office that may be a billion dollars, and the salary we received was only 30 million US dollars. This is too unreasonable." Mel Gibson in " "Lethal Weapon 4" took $30 million in salary, and this movie is now less than $300 million at the global box office."
"Kate, you made a mistake," Eric shook his head, and said, "As you said, "Lethal Weapon 4" has a global box office of less than 300 million US dollars, so the 30 million that Mel Gibson got The US dollar remuneration is unreasonable. Also, there are three of you, so you can't be counted individually."
"However, the salary you gave is too low. I know that film companies often use financial means to blackmail the box office that actors deserve. So, Eric, you have to at least increase our basic salary. "
"The situation you mentioned does happen often, but as long as a comprehensive contract is established in advance, these can be avoided. At least, ICM will not sign you such a salary contract that may be exploited."
"Who can guarantee it? I think ICM has not fulfilled its responsibility as a brokerage company this time. They are sacrificing the interests of the three of us to please you," Kate curled her lips in dissatisfaction, and looked at Ai Rui with confidence Ke, said: "Anyway, if you don't increase the salary, I won't sign with MGM easily."
Eric listened to Kate's words, some thoughts flashed in his mind, and he asked calmly, "Then how much do you want?"
Kate suddenly hesitated. She was still very aware of the rules in the circle. It was not suitable for actors to directly negotiate salary with the film company, because if there was an impasse, the two parties might lose room for negotiation.
However, after hesitating for a moment, Kate still said: "The basic salary of "Charlie's Angels 4" is 20 million U.S. dollars, and the basic salary of "Bond 20" is 5 million U.S. dollars. remuneration."
After Kate finished speaking, Eric glanced at Penelope who was also looking at him with concern, and shook his head lightly: "No, you are not worth so much. Kate, you have to understand that your role is given to you by me." , in my opinion, you are now completely threatening me with what I gave you."
A woman's mind is always delicate, and Kate clearly felt Eric's emotional changes, but she still said immediately: "Eric, I didn't threaten you, I, um, I, Petunia and Charlie, already Making enough money for MGM, we just want to get paid our fair share."
Eric's tone was still flat, and he said slowly: "It is the "Charlie's Angels" series that brings profits to MGM, and it is the three of them, Selena Gartler, Jill Monroe, and Lucyne Baker. character, you are just lucky to be the carrier of these three characters. If I had chosen other girls, this series would still have been successful, but you would not have the glory and status you have now."
The calmer Eric's tone was, the more clearly Kate could feel some kind of indescribable sense of oppression from the man in front of her. She couldn't bear Eric's breath at this time, so she sat up a little , but in the blink of an eye, he felt resentful for his guilty conscience, so he couldn't help raising his voice, and said sternly: "Well, that's good, Eric, you can go and let other girls play this role now, it's a big deal I'm not acting anymore."
Eric put down the tableware, took out a napkin and wiped his hands, stared at Kate who was like a kitten with its tail up, and said coldly: "Why don't you say it, at worst, you won't be an actor anymore?"
Hearing these obviously warning words, Charlize and Penelope sitting next to each other tensed up, and they realized that Eric was really angry.
Kate found that her fingertips were slightly numb, which was a reaction that would only occur when she was extremely nervous. However, she still managed to show a disdainful expression, and said with a sneer: "Eric, you are so arrogant, you can only control half of Hollywood at most, even if you can't cooperate with Firefly, MGM, Fox, But there are still many film companies in Hollywood, why do you think you can make me unable to be an actor?"
"Hey, Kate, do you think you can afford half of Hollywood?"
Eric suddenly smiled, leaned forward slightly, and said, "I'm here to tell you what will happen to you if you offend half of Hollywood. First of all, ICM will terminate the contract with you immediately. Maybe you will think, then There are CAA and WMA. That’s right, but neither CAA nor WMA are as stupid as you, and they won’t offend half of Hollywood just for you, because if they do this, the artists in their hands will be so Many opportunities have been lost, and you alone cannot make up for this loss. As for those second- and third-tier agencies, they dare not offend half of Hollywood. As for the other half of Hollywood, Kate, movies are a business after all. Moreover, it is a very expensive big business involving tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Every step of the film's failure may cause some people who were originally in charge of Hollywood to lose all their power and influence in an instant. Then, how can you Why do you think that they dare to risk tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars in business and their own careers because of you, who have offended half of Hollywood's vase?"
Eric said these words word by word. Seeing that Kate didn't dare to look at him again, he turned his head with evasive eyes and stretched out his hand, ignoring the expressions of extreme surprise on the faces of all the guests around the dining table. Holding Kate's delicate chin, she turned her head and said coldly, "Come on, Kate, tell me, why do you think you dare to offend half of Hollywood?"
Kate suddenly felt a strong sense of grievance when she was brutally turned away by the man on the opposite side and looked at the hateful face in front of her.
I just want to ask for more pay, even if you don't agree, can't you talk well, why do you bully yourself like this. At this moment, she really wanted to grab something and throw it on the man across the way, and even rushed over to bite him hard, but she found that she couldn't even resist under the power of this man .
Gritting her teeth, she persisted and refused to give in. Even though the man across from her withdrew her hand, she still raised her face stubbornly, revealing her fair neck.
After a moment of stalemate, seeing that Kate's little temper was almost worn out, Eric leaned back in his chair in a relaxed manner, raised his head and ordered to the opposite side: "Go and bring me a glass of champagne."
Kate subconsciously wanted to turn her head away, but thought that Eric might forcefully turn her face around again, so she stopped the thought, her face was frozen and motionless, and she made up her mind that she would never serve this guy any champagne .
thirsty you!
Penelope didn't expect Eric to be so scary when he was angry. From the moment Eric got angry, she tried to pretend to be a quail, for fear that Eric would take his anger on herself. She herself had the same idea as Kate, and both of them even discussed changing a brokerage company in private.
However, Penelope has completely given up all thoughts at this time, and has no intention of haggling with MGM at all. She was much more mature than Kate in dealing with people. From the very beginning, she had no intention of fighting against Eric. Now, thinking about what Eric said just now, a layer of cold sweat broke out on her body.
Hearing Eric's order and seeing Kate stubbornly motionless, Penelope got up and said in a flattering tone, "Eric, let me do it."
Having said that, before Eric could respond, Penelope had already walked to the buffet table not far away, carefully came over with a glass of champagne, and graciously brought it to Eric.
Seeing that the atmosphere here seemed to ease up, the guests around the table who had been paying attention to the movement here breathed a sigh of relief, and returned to the appearance of chatting and laughing not long ago.
Although it is not clear what happened, everyone knows that Kate Beckinsale must have been taught by Eric Williams. Moreover, seeing that Kate was obviously about to cry just now, it was obvious that she had been taught a lesson. Some MGM executives even realized that the "Charlie's Angels" series is likely to successfully cross the threshold of the trilogy curse.
Eric drank a few sips of champagne, moistened his throat, looked at the three girls around him while holding the cup, his tone softened, and said: "In recent years, the economic situation in Hollywood has been very affluent. Germans, Japanese, Canadians There are also all kinds of international capital that spare no effort to invest in Hollywood. Many film companies spend money without restraint, anyway, it is not their own money. But the Firefly system is different. Most of our film production funds come from We are also responsible for the company's own capital chain, profit and loss, and it is impossible to offer you any sky-high remuneration. So, don't bargain with me anymore, and don't say things like it's a big deal to stop acting. You three, all Not even twenty-five years old, most of the girls in Hollywood and your age are still struggling to find even a small role, so don't fail to appreciate what you have now. I can give you this Everything, I can also take these back. Now, go and play now, don't need to accompany me anymore."
Kate thought that ghosts want to accompany you here, but she only glanced at the other two women, and when Charlize and Penelope got up, she dared to stand up, avoiding Eric's gaze, and walked towards the other two women in the banquet hall together. place to go.
As soon as Kate and the others left, Michelle Simmons, the manager of the three women, came over and asked worriedly, "Eric, just now?"
"It's okay." Eric shook his head, motioned for Michelle Simmons to sit down, and said, "You can just take them to MGM to sign contracts these days."
Michelle Simmons breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the news. She has successively bought 6% of ICM's stock over the past few years and is now one of ICM's partners. Therefore, between the remuneration commission of the three women and the interests of the entire ICM, she is more inclined to the latter. Maintaining a good relationship with the Firefly system will naturally bring more opportunities and benefits to ICM.
"That's good. I talked to them in the afternoon, but the result was not very good, and I was worried that something might happen."
Eric asked again: "Do Kate and the others want to leave?"
Michelle Simmons nodded and said: "CAA and WMA do have similar actions. They are getting higher and higher now, and it is impossible for me to take care of the careers of the three of them all the time. Kapoor and I We are already discussing equipping them with separate management teams, and try to keep them in ICM."
Eric smiled and took the initiative to confess: "Then your next job may be difficult. I just reprimanded Kate."
Michelle Simmons was very free and easy, and said with a smile: "If you really can't keep it, there is nothing you can do about it. However, if the agent movie universe continues by then, we may not be able to help you. .”
"For them, there are four main episodes and two crossover episodes, and there are a total of six major movies. This is unprecedented in Hollywood. Of course, the spy movie universe will continue, but it will not always stay on these three big movies. Eric said, and said again: "By the way, have you noticed the stepping stone egg in "Charlie's Angels 3"?"
"The "Bourne Shadow" series?"
Eric nodded, and said: "Amy has already been in contact with an actor I originally valued, and there is probably no hope. The candidate for the leading actor is left to you to find. He is about 30 years old and looks more ordinary. The acting skills are enough. As for the celebrity, I have no requirements. Of course, this time it must be a one-time trilogy contract. As long as the box office of the film is good enough, I will not be stingy with the actors' remuneration, but I don't want to be so passive every time."
Michelle Simmons nodded with a smile. She understood that Eric was reciprocating. ICM offered to help MGM in the "Charlie's Angels" series, and Eric gave ICM another chance to play the leading role in the trilogy. .
There is no requirement for a coffee position, so ICM is very likely to use this to cultivate another first-line Hollywood actor. This potential benefit is definitely much greater than the direct pay cut.
After chatting for a few words, Michelle Simmons saw Drew leading a middle-aged man over and knew that there was something to talk about, so she took the initiative to leave.
"Eric, this is Frank Gusta," Yatou and Michelle Simmons nodded and greeted, then took Eric's arm who stood up, and introduced with a smile.
Eric looked at the short middle-aged man with gray hair and deep eye sockets in front of him. He smiled and stretched out his hand to him: "Hello, Mr. Gusta."
"Hello, Mr. Williams," Frank Gusta shook hands with Eric, and quickly took out a business card and handed it over, saying, "Mr. Williams, this is my business card."
Eric took the business card, glanced at it, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.
He saw several very familiar words on this business card: Chairman of Lions Gate Films.