Stan Winston said: "Since you have this idea in your mind, I think you are at least 90% sure that Roland and I will not play this 10% winning bet with you. "
Eric was about to continue with a few words of "teaching and persuasion", when a voice sounded beside the three of them: "What bet, did I miss some wonderful topic?"
Turning his head to look, James Cameron with messy hair came towards them.
The three got up to greet Cameron, sat down again, and talked about the bet just now. Cameron also laughed and reacted the same as Stan Winston: "No bet, who doesn't know that you and Columbia What’s more, “Star Wars” more than ten years ago could earn more than 700 million U.S. dollars in the global box office. After more than ten years, it is inevitable that there will be a movie with a global box office of one billion U.S. dollars. Let’s say one billion, in the future two billion or three billion won’t be a problem.”
Several people laughed again.
Seeing that the three of them didn't jump into the pit, Eric didn't mention what happened just now, and pointed to Cameron, who looked like a savage who just got out of the deep mountains and old forests: "Hey, Jim, you won't be robbed right?"
"Of course not, I've been floating on the boat for two months before I look like this," Cameron stroked his disheveled hair.
Roland Emmerich was not familiar with Cameron, so he was a little dazed when he heard this sentence, but Eric and Stan Winston both knew Cameron's diving preferences.
Stan Winston asked, "Jim, where did you go diving this time?"
Cameron said: "In the North Atlantic, we went to see a large ship that sank to the bottom of the sea 80 years ago."
"Titanic?" Eric blurted out subconsciously.
Cameron was a little surprised: "Eric. How did you know?"
Eric realizes his mistake. He quickly found a reason: "You just said it yourself. In the North Atlantic, the big ship that sank 80 years ago, all I can think of is the Titanic that sank on its first voyage in 1912."
Cameron didn't question Eric's words, and started talking excitedly: "It's the Titanic. We rented a submarine and went down to watch that big ship in person. Even after eighty years, it still looks like a ship. Big guy, but it was broken in two. We were going to go into the cabin to have a look. Unfortunately, the submarine is too big to go in. I plan to find someone to make a robot that can automatically take underwater photography in the future. Once you pass by again, you can use the robot to enter the cabin to find out."
"In this case, I guess your credit card has been maxed out again?" Stan Winston asked jokingly. Renting a submarine is not something that ordinary people can afford. Although Cameron's director's salary has reached At the top level, it is a pity that the number of films since his debut is not too many. On average, he only directs one film in two or three years, and the money he earns is difficult to support such an expensive hobby of Cameron.
"So I can only come back from the Atlantic Ocean." Cameron laughed and did not shy away from this matter. Turning to look at Eric, he said, "Eric, isn't "True Lies" included in this year's production project? Why haven't you discussed the contract with Arnold? If you don't plan to let Arnold do it For the male lead, I think it's better to choose another actor earlier."
"The starring role must be Arnold's, but there is no rush about the contract. Anyway, "True Lies" will not start until the second half of the year. It is not too late to discuss the contract with him in June."
All three of Cameron showed puzzled expressions.
"Why did you do this?" Roland Emmerich asked.
Eric shook his head with a smile on the corner of his mouth, pretending to be mysterious: "You will know when the time comes."
Stan Winston thought of something, and tentatively asked: "Is it related to Arnold's next movie? I remember that he participated in an action movie called "Phantom Heroes" by Carlock Films. The director is " John McTiernan, the director of the first film in the Die Hard series, happened to be in charge of the special effects of this film, um... Neil's team should be in charge, but there are not many special effects shots, and it was done at the end of last year. It's done, and the release time should be in June."
Cameron was obviously impatient, and asked, "Eric, don't you like that movie?"
Now that it was pointed out by Stan Winston, Eric did not hide it, nodded and said: "I have someone collect some information about this "Phantom Hero". As you all know, most of Arnold's fans are through Jim's " "Terminator" series, but this "Phantom Hero" is an action movie that focuses on the children's market. Few fans of the "Terminator" series are children... "
Having said that, Eric made a shrugging expression.
The other three people also understood that Arnold Schwarzenegger's salary is 15 million US dollars, and now he is negotiating with the other party about the "True Lies" film contract, then the price will definitely not go down, but if "Phantom Heroes" fails at the box office , in order to restore popularity, Arnold Schwarzenegger will definitely choose to reduce the pay appropriately.
Cameron thought for a while, and suggested: "Eric, even if the box office of "Phantom Heroes" is a little unsatisfactory, but Arnold's reputation is there, even if the film salary is reduced, it will not drop too much. It is better to sign the contract earlier. Best to sign."
"Wait patiently for a few months, Jim, I promise Arnold will agree to come down by then."
Cameron shrugged when he heard Eric say this, and did not continue to persuade him. The script "True Lies" was pushed to him by Eric from the beginning. Compared with the original "Terminator", Cameron Mellon was not too interested in "True Lies", and the film was made purely to make money. Although he and Arnold Schwarzenegger are good friends, Firefly is an investor after all, and Eric is also his friend. It is impossible for Cameron to argue with Eric for Arnold. There are still quite a few action stars with the script conditions of "A Lie", not to mention that Cameron himself knows Arnold's acting skills well, and he will not refuse to change to an actor with better acting skills.
"If that's the case, then you just have to know what's in your mind."
Cameron finished. Just about to ask Stan Winston if the digital realm has done anything interesting recently. Eric brought up the incident just now: "Speaking of the Titanic. I remember reading in the newspaper that CBS TV is planning a TV series about the Titanic recently. Jim, are you interested in this subject? "
"TV dramas? No, no, no, I won't spend my time directing TV dramas. It's a waste of time, and the budget of TV dramas is too small, so I can't make anything good at all," Cameron shook his head violently. Soon he became interested again: "But if it's a movie, I can think about it."
Eric said: "Of course it's a movie."
Cameron stared at Eric for a few seconds before asking, "Eric, are you sure you are serious."
"Do you think I'm joking?"
"Well..." Cameron wanted to say something, but remembering that he had already signed a contract with Firefly, he had no choice but to say: "After I finish "True Lies", I will start preparing for this movie."
Stan Winston suddenly smiled and said: "Eric, don't be fooled by Jim. His so-called preparation must be to let Firefly pay for the rental of a deep-sea research ship. Continue your hobby."
Cameron said unconvinced: "Hey, Stan. If such a movie is really going to be made, a detailed inspection of the Titanic must be done."
Eric said to Cameron: "Jim, if you feel the need to do that, Firefly can provide you with funds."
Cameron immediately showed a joyful expression, and made a fist movement towards Stan Winston. If he had the support of a big benefactor like Firefly, he would be able to implement the underwater expedition plan that he could not afford, oh , Of course, this must be in preparation for the movie.
Eric looked at Cameron's excited appearance, thought for a while and said, "However, I have one condition."
"You said," Cameron was obviously in a good mood at this time.
Eric said: "I can give you the most authority and the most relaxed budget for this movie, but I want the heroine to decide."
Cameron showed a cautious expression, considered the pros and cons for a while, and then confirmed again: "Eric, are you sure that as long as I hand over the decision of the heroine to you, other aspects of the film, from pre-production to final editing, will be up to you?" I alone decide, right?"
Eric pointed to Stan Winston and Roland Emmerich, and said, "Yes, Stan and Roland are here, and they can testify to what I said today."
Although Stan Winston and Roland Emmerich didn't know why Eric had a sudden whim, they still nodded together.
"Then, it's a deal," Cameron immediately raised his palm, as if he was afraid that Eric would go back on his word.
Eric and Cameron clapped their hands together: "That's it."
Cameron withdrew his hand, grinned and said, "Hey, speaking of it, I have a good idea now, why don't you listen to it first?"
Eric saw Cameron eager to try, and immediately interrupted him: "Jim, don't forget, you have to finish filming "True Lies" first."
Cameron waved his hand: "Of course, as long as the preparatory work for "True Lies" is completed, I can start it tomorrow. Let's listen to my thoughts on the Titanic first. First of all, I think this has to be a love story..."
Cameron’s idea for the script of “Titanic” is basically the same as the original version. When Eric left, Cameron had even started to discuss some special effects details with Stan Winston. .
With the rhythm of Cameron's film production, "True Lies" was released in the summer of 1994, so "Titanic" is estimated to wait until 1995, and the release time is even more unpredictable.
It's not that Eric doesn't want to make this miraculous movie by himself, but with his current situation, it's hard to spend a few years focusing on making a movie without distraction, let alone Cameron. This kind of strict requirements on the quality of the film to the point of nitpicking, you must know that in the original time and space, "Titanic" only took 160 days to shoot, and it took more than two years from the project approval to the final release of the film.
Although I don't know what "Titanic" will become in this time and space, Eric believes that as long as the quality of the original version is comparable, even if it still costs 200 million US dollars, there will be no problem in recovering the cost. Moreover, a very important point, this time Eric took the right to decide the heroine in advance, and finally he was able to choose a satisfactory heroine.
Throughout January 1993, Eric spent the late stages of making Jurassic Park. And at the 50th American Film and TV Golden Globe Awards at the end of January, Eric still didn't join in the fun, but saw the host's teasing of him at the awards ceremony in the newspaper the next day, as well as the Golden Globe awards. result.
At the 50th Golden Globe Awards, Spielberg easily defeated Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" with "Schindler's List" and won the best film and best director awards In the next few days, the list of winners of the 65th Oscars was released, and "Schindler's List" even surpassed the dust with 12 nominations, far ahead of other nominees, and became the biggest favorite of this year's Oscars.
And Eric's "Tornado" last year, as expected, only won two insignificant nominations for best sound and best visual effects, but the probability of winning these two nominations is close to 100%. The sound effect of "Tornado" was praised by a large number of film critics when it was first released. As for the visual effects, plus "Tornado" itself, there are only four nominees in total, namely Robert Zemeckis' "Flying Over Longevity" ", David Fincher's "Alien 3" and Tim Burton's "Batman Returns", no matter from which point of view, the special effects of these three films cannot be compared with the devastating hurricane in "Tornado" Compare.
However, Oscar Eric still had to be absent this time, because from the end of March to April, the two little guys in Virginia and Joanna's womb will be born, and Eric will definitely be there Spend time with two women.
At the beginning of February, with the passing of the Golden Globes, the popularity of the Oscars also began to rise. However, "Premiere" magazine launched the annual Hollywood power list in the latest issue of the magazine, once again shifting the public realization to Ai Rui Ke, and the reaction to the list in Hollywood circles was even stronger.
The selection criteria of the Hollywood power list are mainly based on the influence of the previous year's list in Hollywood. In the first two years of Eric's rebirth, because of the strong rise of CAA, he almost monopolized most of Hollywood's first-line stars and script resources. As a result, CAA's Michael Ovitz continued to top the Hollywood power list, leaving behind Michael Eisner and Barry Diller, who were in the limelight at the time. (To be continued..)