Since the news of Drew's overnight stay at Eric's house broke out, many newspapers that hyped it have seen a surge in sales. So during this period of time, there were no fewer paparazzi around Eric. On the second day after the acquisition of the brokerage company, the news quickly appeared in the newspapers.
The "Los Angeles Metropolis Daily" wrote an article directly analyzing this matter:
"It is difficult to understand why Eric Williams chose to acquire Kapoor Sheed's brokerage company. Kicked out of CAA, struggling in the circle of Hollywood agents. Rumor has it that Kapoor Sheed planned to sell the agency and go to Europe to develop, but Eric Williams resolutely let him stay. It seems that Our young Marvel director has been dazzled by success, and doesn't know the serious consequences of offending the behemoth of CAA."
The "Hollywood Report" focused on Eric's increase in the agency's commission:
"According to a contracted actor who changed its name to United Elite Agency, the first thing Eric Williams announced after taking over the company was to increase the agent's commission to the maximum of 10 percent stipulated by federal law. Value. Eric Williams will definitely give priority to actors from his own agency when he shoots movies in the future. Twenty percent is enough to make many actors eager to become famous. But obviously this kind of assumption is impossible, the movie is like a gamble, and no director can win all the time. So I can be sure that Eric "Williams is a new company that's going to be hard to survive a year."
Other newspapers also looked down on Eric's acquisition. In order to maximize the popularity of this matter, some reporters even sent an interview invitation to Michael Ovitz.
And Michael Ovitz did not refuse like before. Although he did not come forward, he asked his assistant to make a speech on his behalf, to the effect that he was very optimistic about the potential of Eric Williams, a young director, and hoped that the two sides could cooperate. There is a possibility of cooperation.
This passage seems ordinary, but the media gave another diametrically opposite interpretation. This is the cryptic warning from the head of CAA to Eric Williams: as long as the other party is still with Kapoor Sheed There is a relationship, and it is difficult for the two parties to cooperate.
Of course, this is just speculation by some media.
Immediately afterwards, the second film "Pretty Woman" directed by Eric was announced through the media. The paparazzi did not take much time to dig out Eric's attempt to invite Richard Gere to play the leading role. news.
This made many paparazzi excited again, because Richard Gere was one of CAA's signed artists at this time, and he was at a low ebb in his career. Under normal circumstances, the other party would 100% accept Eric's invitation. Therefore, once Richard Gere and Eric fail to cooperate successfully, the speculation about CAA banning Eric will also be confirmed.
…
In a conference room just renovated by Firefly Film Company, Horner Willie was sitting there leisurely drinking coffee. He is one of CAA's gold agents, and he also has another identity: Richard Keir's agent, which is why he is here today.
The door of the meeting room was pushed open, and a well-dressed Eric walked in, and extended his hand to Horner Willie with a smile on his face: "I'm sorry, Mr. Willie, for keeping you waiting."
"It's okay," Horner Willy stood up slightly with a haughty expression, shook hands with Eric, and quickly sat down by himself.
Eric frowned indistinctly, sat down opposite Horner Willie, and scanned the meeting room suspiciously: "Mr. Willie, may I ask why Mr. Richard Gere didn't come today? We discussed today Things, he is the main character, right?"
Horner Willy shook his head and said, "Richard is busy with other things, and he has entrusted me with carte blanche to handle this matter."
Although he already had a premonition in his heart, Eric still asked politely: "He should have read the script outline I sent to Mr. Richard Gere, right? I wonder what you guys think?"
Horner Wiley said: "Mr. Williams, Richard is still very satisfied with your script, but the salary you offered is only half a million dollars, which is hard to accept. You know, Richard's "An Officer and a Gentleman" earned more than 100 million US dollars at the North American box office."
Eric sneered in his heart, another guy who thought himself a rookie: "Mr. Willie, I am young, and I have never heard of the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman". May I ask which year this movie was shot?" , I will go back and get the video tape and take a good look at it.”
"1982," Horner Wiley blurted out, seeing that Eric didn't hide the deep joke on his face, Horner Wiley knew he had been tricked.
The remuneration of Hollywood movie stars does not mean that the higher the box office of a movie at its peak, the higher its worth will always be. It is calculated comprehensively based on factors such as the box office, awards and personal exposure of the movies he has starred in in recent years. "An Officer and a Gentleman" is already Richard Gere's movie seven years ago, and basically has no reference value as his current worth.
Before sending out the invitation, Eric had a full understanding of Richard Gere's recent career status. Richard Gere's films over the past three years have all hit the box office. The best action thriller "Never Show Me Mercy also grossed just $12 million. And a recent cameo movie only got a total box office of 180,000 US dollars. You read that right, it was 180,000 US dollars. It is estimated that the producer did not even earn back the cameo fee.
So Eric's $500,000 remuneration was even a bit high.
"Okay, Mr. Horner, since you think it's too small, let's talk about your conditions."
Horner Wiley's expression quickly returned to normal, and he said, "Mr. Williams, actually, five hundred thousand dollars is not unacceptable to us. But, you should know where your problem is. Mr. Ovitz is not a You stingy man, as long as Kapoor Sheed leaves the United States, then Mr. Ovitz will not target him again. Originally, this matter was already a matter of course, but you kept the other party on your own initiative, which made Ovitz Mr. Witts is embarrassing, so…”
Eric sneered: "So you threatened me with our cooperation and asked me to fire Kapoor, right? It's ridiculous, forcing a person to leave his country, and he can shamelessly say that he is big Spend."
"Mr. Williams," Horner Wiley said with a cold face, "Although you have made some achievements, you should not think too highly of yourself. In front of the huge CAA, you are just an ant. I hope you are A smart person, don't do that kind of youthful thing."
"What if I have to do it?"
"Then we are very sorry, Mr. Williams, don't forget that Stuart Runkel, the protagonist of "Home Alone" is now also a signed artist of CAA, if you are against CAA, don't even think about the second part of "Home Alone" It was successfully filmed."
"It seems that CAA has swollen to the point of forgetting its own duty." Eric still had a sneer on his face: "Don't forget, you are a brokerage company, and everything you do must put the interests of your customers first. Only in this way can you survive for a long time."
Horner Wiley retorted: "I don't need you to remind me, Mr. Williams, we've been doing this all the time. Even if we can't reach an agreement, Richard will get the leading role in another movie as compensation. caa most There is no shortage of high-quality film projects."
"I hope that after "Pretty Woman" is released, Mr. Richard Gere will still feel that he has received enough compensation," Eric said with a hint of meaning in his tone, stood up and continued: "Mr. There is no need to continue the discussion. Please go back and tell Mr. Michael Ovitz that although no one is irreplaceable in Hollywood, as long as CAA has actors I like, I will continue to send out invitations, and I will not accept any binding conditions from CAA, I hope you have the confidence to continue to refuse."
Horner Willie gave Eric a cold look: "I also hope you won't regret today's decision." After finishing speaking, the other party didn't mean to say another word, picked up the briefcase and opened the door and go.