Eric's pessimistic judgment on "Adversarial Games" made Joe Silver's face serious. Although Firefly and Warner have a competitive relationship, when it comes to a movie project, Eric will either not Make any judgments, but never speak nonsense now that you have spoken. After all, the movie will be released after all. Once the movie is released and the result is completely opposite to what Eric said, then what Eric said today will definitely make him a big laughing stock in Hollywood. With Eric's current status, No single movie is enough for him to make fun of his reputation.
Hollywood is not only a circle of people, but it is also extremely indifferent and ruthless. The failure of a big-budget movie often indicates the resignation of a certain executive or producer of the film company. Therefore, a Hollywood-specific "expulsion season" has been formed. Every summer and After the new year, with the failure of some movies, some people will be kicked out by the movie company. The cost of "Adversarial Game" is 50 million US dollars. Although it is not as good as the super productions of 70 to 80 million in recent years, it is also a big-budget movie. Joe Silver understands that if this movie fails, Although it will not let him be kicked out by Warner, the cooperation between the two parties will definitely not be as close as before. Although Eric's solicitation made him very excited, but Joe Silver has been operating in the Time Warner system for nearly ten years, and he doesn't want to switch to another company unless it is absolutely necessary.
After hesitating for a moment, Joe Silver still couldn't help but tentatively asked: "Eric, what do you think is the problem with this movie, and is there any possibility of remedy?"
Eric shook his head with a smile: "Joe, my position does not allow me to consult you in this area. It is enough to tell you what you just said."
There are too many problems with "Adversarial Games" in my memory. Although action movies inevitably have the shortcomings of weak plots, this movie does not even tell a weak story clearly, even if the KGB is replaced by other The forces of evil, also don't help the whole movie.
Eric thinks that the only remedy is to cut the project directly. Although this will make the initial investment in vain, it can save more subsequent production and distribution costs and avoid greater losses. but. The possibility of this kind of thing happening in Time Warner is very low. The internal system of Time Warner Group is very bloated, and there are many factions. The establishment of each big-budget film project is full of games between various forces. When a film has a bright future, the management team can of course work together, but if there is a problem with the project, the person in charge will definitely scramble to clear the blame, even the CEO of Time Warner. As long as no self-interest is involved, it is impossible to take the risk of the board of directors to make a decision to cut down a project that has entered the filming stage.
Eric didn't want to say more, and Joe Silver couldn't ask for more.
Joe Silver appeared at this party, and originally wanted to talk about some cooperation with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who regained his popularity with "True Lies". But after hearing Eric's words, he also canceled his original plan. If the "Adversarial Game" project fails, there will be no possibility of cooperation with Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Confrontational Games" is somewhat similar to "Die Hard" in some settings. Joe Silver originally expected to create a hit action movie series after "Lethal Weapon" and "Die Hard" , but now, all he thinks about is how to avoid more losses. After all, the filming had only just begun. There is certainly room for maneuver.
On the way back to his mansion in Beverly Hills, the more Joe Silver thought about it, the more he felt that this matter was urgent. He called the main creators of "Confrontational Games", and then told the driver to turn around and head towards the Warner Bros. studio in Burbank. go.
Cindy Crawford, who left with Joe Silver, sat on the other side of the carriage, looking anxiously at the fat man beside him with an anxious expression, feeling inexplicably regretful in her heart. Her agent has a good relationship with Edward Razek, the operations director of Victoria's Secret. She heard some news from a phone call from Edward Razek in the morning that Cindy Crawford will appear at the "True Lies" party In fact, Eric's guess about Joe Silver was indeed good, and Cindy Crawford was unwilling to give up her identity as the heroine of "Confrontational Games". But at the same time, I also want to get the contract of Victoria's Secret spokesperson. She is still quite confident in her charm. She thought that as long as she saw Eric Williams in person, everything would be easy, but the current situation is completely opposite to what she imagined.
Cadillac luxury cars have been around for a while. Only then did Joe Silver notice the woman next to him again. Originally, this woman personally delivered it to his door, and Joe Silver planned to enjoy this wonderful beauty tonight, but now he no longer has any thoughts of playing with women . Joe Silver is well aware that his power in Hollywood comes from the movies, and if a producer loses his job. His power would be gone, too, and the women who had been at his disposal like docile cats would never look at him again.
The luxury car drove forward to another intersection, Joe Silver casually ordered the driver to stop, and then said to Cindy Crawford: "Miss Crawford, I still have important things to do, I'm afraid I can't drive you back to your residence Yes, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Mr. Silver." Cindy Crawford left with a charming smile, and after the driver helped her open the door, she got out of the car gracefully, and did not forget to wave to the luxury car as it drove away.
After the Cadillac figure disappeared, Cindy Crawford retracted her figure and looked at the desolate streets around her. Amidst the tinkling sound of tin trash cans being kicked, a woman cursed out of her composure: "Damn Los Angeles, damn it! of Hollywood…”
Anything, even a handful of worthless soil, if someone says it is good, can definitely find a bunch of advantages. Similarly, even if it is a gem, if someone says it is bad, you can find a series of disadvantages Easy as pie.
Joe Silver originally liked the script of "Confrontational Game" very well, so he ignored the shortcomings that many people can find according to the law, but when Eric, the legendary director who created the myth of the box office, read this story After it was worthless, the shortcomings in the script were immediately exposed.
In a conference room at Warner Pictures headquarters in Burbank, although it was already early in the morning, Joe Silver, who had a gloomy face, Andrew Sipes, the director of "Confrontational Games", and Charlie Fletcher, the screenwriter And several other assistant directors and production assistants were silent.
The problems that Eric can find, as long as the main creators of the film face it seriously, they can actually find them. After all, these people have been immersed in the film industry for many years.
"The filming is suspended for a week, and I will go to the headquarters to say hello. After a week, I will see a brand new script," Joe Silver tapped his fingers on the table, staring at the results of several hours of discussion on the memo: "Keberger's The gimmick will definitely not work, the Soviet Union is finished. Kerberg will not have any appeal to the audience. It can be replaced by the Mafia or Latin American drug lords. Also, what happened to the ex-girlfriend of the actor Marx, I remember She only starts one scene, and the role is dispensable. Why did she pop up again in scene 24?"
Facing Joe Silver who suddenly looked up and stared at him sharply, screenwriter Charlie Fletcher subconsciously glanced at the assistant director named Thomas Samuel on the left.
Seeing this situation, how could Joe Silver still not understand, he rummaged through the actor information beside him for a while, found an actor information, and then looked at Thomas Samuel with a half-smile The assistant director: "Salma Hayek, hehe, the hunger is really big, this Mexican girl must serve you very comfortably, right?"
Thomas Samuel realized that this was the prelude to Joe Silver's imminent rage, he stood up tremblingly and said, "Mr. Silver, please explain, I just think this character in the original book is very interesting, so I suggest..."
"Your life in the future will definitely be more interesting," Joe Silver interrupted Thomas' sophistry, rolled up the information in his hand, and threw it at the other party vigorously: "Now, take your Mexican bitch, give I'm getting out, don't let me see you again in Hollywood."
After the unlucky assistant director left the conference room in embarrassment, Joe Silver coldly scanned the others. Said: "I don't care how you guys use your identities to lure those ignorant little actors in private, but if you really dare to trade your work for a deal, I will definitely make him look good, you fucking remember it .This is a tens of millions of dollars business, tens of millions of dollars!"
After the rant, Joe Silver quickly calmed down, shifted his gaze to the memo in his hand, and quickly raised his head again, saying to screenwriter Charlie Fletcher: "The role of the heroine is too heavy. If she is Nicole .Kidman, I don't mind doing this, but apart from being coquettish, this character is completely reduced to a screaming vase in the later stage. Since there is no characteristic, let's focus on shaping the male protagonist. In addition... "Thinking of a few hours ago Joe Silver said again: "Notify Cindy Crawford tomorrow that she has been fired. This woman doesn't have any box office appeal. Even if we need a vase, we need a vase with box office appeal."
Director Andrew Sipes, who was sitting under Joe Silver, said in a low voice: "But, Mr. Silver, Cindy Crawford was introduced by Mr. Melnik..."
Joe Silver hesitated for less than a second, but remembering Eric's solicitation at the party, he immediately said confidently: "If I don't want to, no one can put people in my movie, Mel If Nick insists, I don't mind bringing this matter to the Warner board for discussion."
The Benjamin Melnik mentioned by Andrew Sipes is the executive president and chief financial officer of Warner. Most people in the conference room know that Joe Silver has been very polite to Benjamin Melnik in the past, so they are a little puzzled Why did he suddenly become so much tougher tonight.
But this is not something these little shrimps can care about. It is difficult for these high-level struggles to affect them, so they all nodded in agreement.
Joe Silver was very satisfied with everyone's reaction, and said, "So, do you have any candidates to recommend?"
Andrew Sipes said: "How about Claudia Schiffer, if you talk about vases, there is absolutely no vase in Hollywood that is more attractive than her, but her current salary is around 5 million US dollars. Dee Crawford was paid ten times this time?"
Of course, it is impossible for Joe Silver to not know about the relationship between Claudia and Eric. He subconsciously felt that if he sent an invitation, Eric would definitely let Claudia Schiffer refuse the invitation.
However, Joe Silver quickly thought, hand over the revised script, what if Claudia Schiffer accepts it? Then it is very likely that Eric approved the script. This kind of benefit is definitely not bought by 5 million US dollars. He believes that Warner will definitely increase the budget by 5 million US dollars for this reason. And even if they are rejected, they have nothing to lose on their side.
"Contact Claudia Schiffer's agent immediately after dawn." Joe Silver said to Andrew Sipes: "However, don't hand over the current script, first test the other party's schedule, wait Revise the script and show it to the other party."
Andrew Sipes nodded. Write this down in the memo.
"Then, let's continue the discussion." Joe Silver took a sip of coffee, refreshed himself, and said, "The scene where the hero and heroine are being chased is obviously too heavy. This will make the audience feel depressed, so, chase The plot must be deleted, and the plot of the male and female protagonists joining forces to fight back is added. This is what the audience wants to see... "
…
Of course, Eric didn't know that what he said on his own whim had affected so many people and things in just one night. After attending the party last night, thinking about the Victoria's Secret spokesperson, I tentatively made a phone call. Coincidentally, Claudia had just returned to Los Angeles recently, and Eric rushed to the girl's residence in Beverly Hills.
In a mansion on the hillside of Beverly, Eric was wearing a casual vest and beach pants. Sitting on the terrace on the second floor, enjoying the warm sunshine in the morning, flipping through today's newspaper, and under his feet is the City of Angels, which is dyed golden by the rising sun. Traffic that moves like blood.
The charming and lazy Claudia wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, walked out through the living room on the second floor with a tray, put the breakfast on the round table, leaned over and kissed Eric, and said: "I made a beef sandwich, try it?"
Eric pecked Claudia's sexy lips, stretched out his hand and pulled her into his arms, hugging the soft waist under the T-shirt. Pointing to the breakfast on the table, he said with a smirk, "I fed you full last night, now it's up to you to feed me."
Claudia smiled coquettishly and twisted her waist, but she didn't intend to break free. Sitting obediently on Eric's lap, he reached out and picked up the sandwich on the plate and brought it to Eric's mouth.
Eric took a few bites of the sandwich, and then suddenly remembered what he had left behind at random last night, and asked, "I just want to ask you about something, you know I'm preparing a show for Victoria's Secret Let's go to the show, this brand needs five spokespersons. We have already confirmed four, and the endorsement fee will definitely be very rich, but this time is different from ordinary catwalks, it will take a while to rehearse, are you interested in coming together?"
Claudia's eyes lit up. She has always hoped to participate in a movie directed by Eric himself. Although this time is not a movie, Claudia also knows that this is a great opportunity to get along with Eric day and night. However, Claudia quickly shook her head in disappointment: "If it was about you and me last year, it would be fine, but it might not work now."
Eric didn't mind either, he just asked curiously: "Didn't you just finish filming a movie, and you have another film appointment so soon?"
Claudia shook her head and said regretfully: "No, but last year I signed a three-year endorsement contract with the French neiyi brand Farmanl, and I will definitely not be able to participate in other brands' neiyi shows. Eric, I'm really sorry. "
Eric shook his head with a smile and said, "It's okay, I'm just asking casually."
Claudia hummed, leaned over charmingly, and asked, "When are you going to make a movie, let me be the heroine, okay?"
Eric smelled the girl's good smell, and said: "I dare not make any promises to you. Before the end of the Victoria's Secret show, I will not have any plans for the next movie, but I assure you, As long as there is a suitable role for you, I will never consider other people."
"Really?" Claudia raised the corners of her mouth and said, "Don't even Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman consider it?"
Eric nodded firmly and said, "Yes, it will not be considered."
Claudia smiled and kissed Eric on the face, and said, "Although I know you are coaxing me, I am still very happy."
"I'm definitely not kidding you. You are completely different types of actors, so there is no competition."
"Oh..." Claudia immediately showed a little disappointment on her face, her acting skills had improved a lot, and her tone was resentful: "You must think I'm just a vase."
"Yes, the most beautiful vase in Hollywood, bar none."
"That's still a vase," Claudia seemed a little reluctant, and stretched out her hand to pull Eric's neckline, as if she wanted Eric to take back this evaluation.
Eric squeezed Claudia's face with a smile, took the sandwich in her hand and ate a few bites, then suddenly picked up the girl in his arms and walked towards the room, saying: "It's still early, let me enjoy it Say 'Miss Vase'."
"Hehe, oops... don't do this." (To be continued.)