Leaving aside the previous period, caa has only bundled and sold more than 150 movies in just over four years since 1985, and it has occupied more than one-third of the market share of TV dramas one. Therefore, the turmoil during this period was entirely caused by the squeezed competitors and the producers who had their profit margins compressed. They knew that they could not have too much impact on the unlisted CAA, but they still couldn't help it. The former spit in disgust.
In Eric's view, CAA's magic weapon for success is its unique business model, so even if Michael Ovitz left CAA later, it can continue to develop without any hesitation. Although many people in the media tried to uncover the reasons for the development and growth of CAA, they were all specious analyses, and most of them failed to get to the point.
So Eric moved this idea, such a good opportunity, how could he not take the opportunity to step on it? If it weren't for caa, the original "Feng Yue" could have been produced by the original crew, although Eric Ke is full of confidence in Al Pacino's acting skills, but he is also worried from time to time, fearing that replacing the original Richard Gere will affect the movie's box office, but fortunately: the result is not bad. And then, when Cruise and Hanks were invited, caa came up with a series of moths, so that now that the supporting roles of "Dark War" have all been confirmed and the preparations are almost completed, the two main male protagonists It's not quite done yet.
"Since you have no objection, then I asked Allen to contact the newspaper for publication?"
"Well," Kapoor nodded, but suddenly said: "Don't worry, give me a copy first, I plan to study it carefully, and maybe I can optimize the working mode of uta based on this."
"It's up to you," Eric nodded, got up and turned on the copier in the office, and said while copying: "Actually, Kapoor, at least in the past few years, I don't plan to expand the scale of uta too much, because my strength is still there. Not enough. You don’t know, when I was scouting for "Dark War" a few days ago, I realized how weak my foundation is. I took a fancy to the National Bank Building and wanted to shoot a few scenes on the rooftop. After the contact, the management department of the building directly rejected me, saying that it was afraid of affecting the normal order of the enterprises in the building, and did not even give me a chance to lobby. After the producer sent by Columbia came over, he just called A few phone calls, and then a meeting with their supervisor, it was settled. I was still complacent about my achievements in the previous few films, but now the more I think about it, the more ridiculous I am, I’m just a little loach.”
Kapoor persuaded: "Eric, you don't have to do this, you have done a good job now. Think about your age, you are not nineteen years old, right, how many people can be at your age, relying on themselves With just one hand, he has acquired billions of dollars."
"Oh, this set of rhetoric is the same as what Jeffrey persuaded me," Eric smiled, and handed the copied manuscript to Kapoor: "Take it, by the way, it will be Oscar in a few days, you Help me get ready, I'm really too busy. I have to attend a rehearsal in the next two days, so I shouldn't have agreed to be an award presenter."
"I really don't know how to say hello, those starlets do all sorts of nasty things in order to show their faces at the Oscars, but you think the award presenters are troublesome." Kapoor said with a smile: "Your girlfriend are you sure?"
"I wanted to bring Jian Niliang to the show. Xiao丨 was supposed to return to Los Angeles at the end of the month, but she called last night and said that she might not be able to come back. She would have to wait until early April. Anyway, the time is not sure. Let her go. If it doesn't work, I will Just like last time at the Golden Globes, take Drew."
Kapoor responded and expressed his understanding: "By the way, I have received another film that I want to invite Drew to participate in. I think the book is good, should I continue to push it?"
"Push it, I don't plan to let Drew take any movies in the past two years."
Kapoor nodded, pondered for a moment, and said again: "If this is the case, then I suggest that Oscar not take Drew. This is a good publicity opportunity. You can take Miss Madsen, or you can choose Drew last week. The British mixed-race little beauty, she has passed the approval of Al and Martin, oh, and Brooke Shields, for the sake of publicity for your investment in the movie, I suggest you bring one of them."
"So… "
Eric lowered his head and thought for a while. The one who needs this opportunity the most should be Virginia. She needs to support the movie "Small Island Cry" alone, and showing her face on the Oscar red carpet will be of great benefit to her. "Scent of a Woman" has Al Pacino as the lead, and "Dark War" has Cruise and Hanks plus himself, it doesn't matter whether Brooke Shields goes or not.
"Then Vicki, you tell her to prepare."
Kapoor raised his eyebrows, and then said solemnly: "No problem, I will assist her in the preparation. However, Eric, in front of outsiders, it is best not to use such an intimate name for Miss Madsen."
"Um..." Noticing that Kapoor had a business-like tone, but there was obvious banter in his eyes, Eric coughed awkwardly and said, "Okay, I will pay attention."
After Kapoor left, Eric handed over the manuscript of "caa Apocalypse" to Allen to contact the newspaper office, and continued to work until he got off work before driving to Hanks' appointment.
In a high-end restaurant in Beverly Hills, after meeting Hanks, Eric was not in a hurry to mention poaching, but chatted about "Dark War". Although Hanks had a premonition that Eric was looking for him purpose, but he didn't think it was such a good idea to change jobs. I am also happy to talk to Eric about this topic that he is more interested in.
Because of CAA's offer without profit sharing, the contract between Hanks and Firefly can be signed in a few days, so Hanks' participation in the performance is already a certainty.
"Actually, I originally planned to set Sean as a policeman who had to quit the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (swat) due to injury and turned into a civilian but was unwilling to be lonely. But I think that if this setting If it is pointed out in the movie, the audience will definitely find it difficult to accept it, so we decided to completely blur this setting to give the audience some room for imagination."
Hanks put down the tableware, wiped the corners of his mouth, and asked curiously: "Didn't we discuss this issue in the last discussion, and we also made a new setting for Sean's background. By the way, last time you It seems that you haven't mentioned this detail?"
"Because this setting is a bit...evil. Haven't you read the script? The reason why Sean doesn't pick up girls, go to nightclubs, or start a family is because of his injuries. He doesn't want to delay other women."
Hanks froze for a moment, then quickly understood, and grinned: "This setting is indeed... somewhat unacceptable. If it were me, I would rather blur Sean's background."
While the two were chatting, it took more than half an hour to finish dinner. Eric called the waiter to take away the tableware and put on coffee before saying, "Tom, actually, the reason I invited you to dinner tonight is because..."
A lukewarm Hanks took the initiative to interrupt Eric this time: "Eric, I think I have developed well in CAA, so I have no plans to change the brokerage company for the time being."
"Don't you want to hear my conditions first?" Eric was not angry, and continued with a smile.
"It's nothing more than lowering the commission. CAA's commission for me is not very high, Eric. If I suddenly change a brokerage company, I don't know how long it will take me to adapt to the new environment. And, to be honest, Although I know that Kapoor Sheed is a very capable agent, but the scale of UTA is too small, and Al Pacino and Julia Roberts have already occupied most of the resources. I don't think uta can spare enough energy for me."
Eric was surprised by Hanks's clear analysis, but after thinking about it, he realized that although Hanks looked silly, how could the actor who made great achievements in Hollywood in his memory not be a Smart people do.
"Listen to my conditions first, it's not about lowering the commission, it's the lowest trick." Eric smiled and stretched out his five fingers of his right hand, and waved: "As long as you quit uta, in the next ten years , I can arrange for you at least five films with a box office of over 100 million."
Hanks finally widened his eyes in surprise. Within ten years, five movies with a box office of over 100 million, what is that concept? In the nearly ten years since Tom Cruise made his debut in 1981, there has only been one "Top Gun" with a box office of over 100 million. It appears that the box office is still less than 80 million. Whether it can break through 100 million depends on how much box office it can bring to the movie after watching the Oscars.
"Is it the local box office?" Hanks subconsciously asked.
Eric smiled and said, "Of course, within ten years, there will be at least five movies with a box office of over 100 million in North America." After thinking about it, he added: "And all of them are leading actors."
"But..." Hanks was not overwhelmed by Eric's promise: "How can I believe that what you said is true? Although, your previous films have sold over 100 million at the box office, but that doesn't mean You will still be like this in the future.”
"We can sign a secret contract. If within ten years, I can't arrange at least five movies with a box office of over 100 million for you, then I can compensate you a lot of money," Eric said without hesitation: "Of course , you also have to appear in a certain number of movies, if you just sit back and wait to collect money after signing the contract, then I will definitely not pay compensation."
Hanks was amused by Eric's last sentence: "Of course I won't do this. I like acting in movies. If I can't continue to be an actor, I really don't know how to live. You have to understand, what a person is used to, If you stop suddenly, it will probably be boring to the point of wanting to die."
"So, do you agree?"
Hanks still shook his head: "Eric, although your words moved me very much, I still won't agree so easily. If I change jobs and you can't fulfill your promise, then I can get it ten years later." How much is the compensation? Ten million, or twenty million, this is insignificant for the loss of my career, well, if there is nothing else, I will leave first, this dinner is very pleasant, Ai Rui Ke, if you are free, I will invite you."
"100 million dollars!" Eric sat on his seat without moving, staring at Hanks and said loudly: "100 million dollars, Tom, if I can't fulfill my promise, then I will compensate you 100 million dollars, We can sign the contract and find an intermediary notary agency to notarize. I can even set up a fund and put 100 million US dollars in it in advance. Even if your salary will increase to 10 million US dollars in the future, you still need to shoot at least one movie a year. Movies can only earn 100 million yuan, so this is enough to show my sincerity, right?"
Hanks was finally a little moved, and the movement of putting on his coat became a little slow: "Eric, are you serious?"
"Of course, and, you know, I can certainly afford the money now."
"Then, I need to think about it." Hanks still didn't nod.
"Okay, I'll wait for your good news." Although Eric was a little disappointed, he still made a please tidy up with a smile on his face.
Hanks put on his coat and gave Eric a strange look before walking out of the restaurant.
Eric sat on the seat blankly without moving, took a sip of coffee in disappointment, and was about to pay the bill, when Hanks' figure suddenly appeared in front of him again.
"Eric, since you can bet 100 million, I don't understand why I still hesitate." Hanks sat down opposite Eric, waved his hand, with a bit of pride: "This bet , I followed!"