Eric chatted with David Fincher until the afternoon, and confirmed most of the details of "The Seven Deadly Sins". David Fincher did not have the initial hesitation. The very bold way of decentralizing cooperation made him feel very comfortable, and he had already given a definite promise before leaving, agreeing to direct the film.
They each left their contact information, and Eric personally sent David Finch away.
At noon, Xiao Nizi didn't come back, but just made a phone call to be intimate, and she must help Eric order takeaway from a long distance away.
Gwyneth Parrott has been reluctant to leave, sending David Finch away, and Eric doesn't want to bother with her anymore. In the eyes of those young actors with no background, the Paltrow family can definitely be regarded as a "rich family" in Hollywood, but in the eyes of Eric, it is not worth mentioning. The two parties have no friendship, and Eric does not need to give any face After David Finch left, Eric also politely invited her out.
Since she didn't like the heroine of "The Seven Deadly Sins", Eric didn't have the habit of insisting on using the "original cast".
In Eric's view, this seemingly inconspicuous role is actually the "turning point" of Gwyneth Paltrow's career in Hollywood in her previous life. The influence it brings is definitely not comparable to "Seven Deadly Sins". After all, those independent films with a box office of only one or two million or even no chance of being released are basically impossible to bring much popularity to the actors. For actors with mediocre qualifications, the best way to maintain their careers is to "show their faces" in blockbuster movies. If they have enough popularity, they will also have box office appeal, so that they can get better movie contracts.
As for missing this film, Eric is not concerned about where Gwyneth Paltrow can go in Hollywood.
For the next period of time, until the Oscars ceremony, Eric basically spent a series of busy schedules such as script discussions, actor auditions, budget meetings, and film scenography.
The Oscar public relations for "Saving Private Ryan" is still in the second place, after reconfirming a "Seven Deadly Sins". Eric needs direct attention and has entered the substantive production stage. There are seven films, including "Titanic", "The Matrix", "Brave of the Deadly Island" scattered on several labels under the Firefly Group. ", "Bad Boys" and "Seven Deadly Sins" five key films, in addition, there is also "Men in Black 2" in cooperation with Columbia. "Charlie's Angels 2" under DreamWorks Production Company, which cooperates with MGM.
In addition to these live-action films, Blue Sky Studios successfully completed the transaction and became affiliated with Twentieth Century Fox.
The inside story of the deal quickly spread in Hollywood, and knowing that Blue Sky Studio would get full technical support from Firefly in 3D animation naturally aroused envy. There is no film company in Hollywood that does not covet the 3D animation technology in the hands of Firefly.
During this period, Fox quietly won the film copyright of "Shrek". At the same time, Eric handed over the idea of "Ice Age" to Chris Wedge in advance. Just these two big-selling animated film series are enough for Blue Sky Studios to eat for ten years.
During this period, the only thing that didn't go well was the copyright of "Transformers".
Elizabeth wanted to discuss with Hasbro silently about the live-action film adaptation rights of "Transformers", but Hasbro is different from other copyright parties. As a world-class toy giant, although it knows that once "Transformers" Shooting the live-action version can greatly promote the sales of this series of toy brands, but the conditions are not soft at all. Not only does it require huge copyright fees, limit the scale of film production, but also requires joint participation in film investment.
Of course, Elizabeth could not easily compromise. As soon as the two sides reached a stalemate, the news quickly spread in Hollywood.
Hollywood has never lacked smart people. When things spread, they noticed Elizabeth, who led the copyright negotiations, and some people sensitively smelled the "firefly breath" behind this incident, so the result was predictable, and there was a lot of looting. Hasbro is also immediately up for sale.
In order to show their 'innocence', Firefly also joined the competition.
However, Eric did not offer too high a price, and the desire for competition was not too strong. Because of the limitations of special effects and so on. Right now is far from the time to make a live-action version of "Transformers".
In fact, the best production time for "Transformers" is 10 years later. Even if it is advanced, it is best to put it after 2000. Before that, I want to produce the live-action version that Eric remembers. The cost must exceed 200 million US dollars, otherwise the effect can only be unsatisfactory.
Eric doesn't believe that other major film companies will have the courage to invest 200 million US dollars for a movie. What's more, even if they have the courage, it is impossible for them to have the industry-leading special effects in the digital field. Industrial Light & Magic, the original special effects production company, has been technologically far behind the digital field by a few blocks.
Without these prerequisites, even if several other major film companies grab the copyright and forcefully launch this project, the chances of success are not high.
If it fails, the copyright will naturally be shelved. It is only 1995 and there is still plenty of time. Who knows what will happen during this period
It's late March and the Oscars are approaching.
However, before that, the most sensational event in Hollywood was that after more than half a year of negotiations, the Canadian Seagram Group finally reached a deal with Panasonic to acquire the MCA Group and its Universal Pictures owned by Panasonic for US$7.5 billion.
This deal should have been completed by the end of last year, but because of the Michael Ovitz incident at the end of last year, several parties to the deal have been arguing for a long time about Michael Ovitz's huge resignation compensation, and there were even reports of negotiations Broken news.
The deal, which was delayed for more than two months, was finally reached without a hitch.
Although Panasonic, Seagram and Universal did not disclose the content of the compensation agreement finally reached with Michael Ovitz, these are no secrets to Eric.
Michael Ovitz finally took 120 million US dollars of resignation compensation from Universal, which was jointly borne by Panasonic and Seagram. At the same time, Universal CEO Michael Eisner also re-signed the employment contract with Universal during this period. Reduced the ratio of options and bonuses in the next few years.
Although the dispute was barely resolved in the end, there was no winner in this incident. Naturally, Panasonic and Seagram were indignant at the 60 million US dollars they paid out for no reason. depressed.
As the apparent beneficiary of this matter, Michael Ovitz is actually the most failed party. If he hadn't left CAA at the beginning, Michael Ovitz would have received tens of millions of dollars in dividends every year with only half of the equity in CAA he held.
In order to join Universal, Michael Ovitz 'went out of the house'. He sold all his CAA shares and wanted to make a big splash on a broader platform, but he was kicked out of Universal in less than a year, and several other major Hollywood film companies did not intend to accept him. , It is even more impossible to return to the brokerage industry. CAA will not welcome back the abdicated 'King'. The stable monopoly of ICM, WMA and CAA has also cut off his way to start from scratch.
It can be said that Michael Ovitz, the all-powerful entertainment industry tycoon in the 1980s, has completely wiped out his career in Hollywood.
Losers are quickly forgotten, while Hollywood upstarts are eager to make their presence known.
After the transaction was completed, Edgar Bronfman, the helm of the Seagram Group, quickly spread invitations and held several grand parties in the Universal Studios in Burbank, quite a newcomer. The meaning of "worshiping the pier" coincides with the early days of the Oscars. There are many superstars and celebrities in Los Angeles, and there are many people who respond naturally.
As night fell, the party hall inside Universal Studios was already full of people, and guests were still coming from all over Los Angeles in a steady stream.
After Edgar Bronfman finished entertaining the important guests in the hall with a red face, he was stopped by Michael Eisner, and beside Michael Eisner stood a middle-aged white man in his thirties.
"Edgar, this is what I told you, Hasbro CEO Alan Hasenfeld," Michael Eisner enthusiastically introduced the two: "Alan, this is Seagram Mr. Edgar Bronfman of the group."
Seagram and Hasbro actually share some similarities. Both companies are family owned and controlled by the founding families, Seagram by the Bronfmans in the early 20th century and Hasbro by the Hassenfeld in the early 20th century.
Although Universal has experienced a few months of turmoil. But everything still has to go on.
During the acquisition negotiation process, Panasonic once suggested that since the conflict between Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz was irreconcilable, the one with the lower liquidated damages should be kicked out. Michael Eisner is undoubtedly the The 'cheaper' one, in the end, Edgar Bronfman forcibly saved Michael Eisner, and Panasonic was leaving Hollywood. Naturally, they have no scruples, but the Seagram Group knows that Michael Eisner, who has already opened up the situation in the world, is definitely more valuable than Michael Ovitz. In comparison, the difference in liquidated damages of tens of millions of dollars does not count. What.
Therefore, Michael Eisner is also eager to prove the correctness of Seagram's decision at this time, so he is particularly eager to fight for the copyright of Transformers.
He can be said to be the first group of people who realized that the copyright of Transformers may be related to Eric, and even if this matter really has nothing to do with Eric, after a detailed study during this period, Michael Eisner also found that , Transformers, a world-renowned toy image, if a live-action movie is produced with the current popular CG special effects technology, it will definitely have a very large commercial potential, and it is completely worthwhile for Universal to snatch the copyright at all costs.
Edgar Bronfman has already heard Michael Eisner's detailed evaluation of the Transformers copyright, and he is very eager to hear him introduce Alan Hassenfeld. Michael Eisner is eager to make some more The dazzling performance proves itself, and the same is true for Edgar Bronfman, who has bet most of his family's resources in Hollywood.
"Alan, I hope you can have a good time tonight," Edgar Bronfman shook hands with Alan Hasenfeld with a smile on his face, and said, "I hope you can carefully consider the copyright of Transformers." Let’s see, Universal is very sincere in cooperating.”
"Of course, Hasbro also very much hopes to reach a cooperation with Hollywood," Alan Hasenfeld replied with a shrewd look, without giving any answer, but with an ambiguous smile.
Edgar Bronfman didn't seem to feel Alan Hassenfeld's perfunctory. With the same smile, he said, "In this case, Alan, how about playing golf together tomorrow. Let's talk about it in detail then?"
"Edgar, I may not have time tomorrow, so I can only apologize," Alan Hassenfeld shook his head.
Michael Eisner knew that no agreement could be reached on this occasion, and the most important thing was to entertain Alan Hassenfeld well. Noticing Alan Hasenfeld's eyes looking at the surrounding crowd from time to time, he said, "Alan, if you want to know any of the guests present, maybe I can introduce you."
Alan Hassenfeld smiled and said nothing, but gently brought the red wine in his hand to his mouth.
Edgar Bronfman's eyes flickered, and he realized that Alan Hasenfeld appeared here without a female companion. After thinking for a while, he said, "Alan, girls in Hollywood are very enthusiastic, you can Don't be restrained. If any actress you are interested in is no longer here, we can help you get in touch."
Just as they were talking, there was a commotion at the entrance of the party hall, and the three of them could clearly feel that everyone's eyes were turning to that side, and some guests were walking towards the door.
The three of Michael Eisner looked over curiously. At the entrance, five dazzling girls walked into the party scene one after another, like a five-tailed mermaid, and instantly became the focus of everyone's attention. While Hollywood has its fair share of beauties, the five already tall women wore gorgeous couture gowns and high heels. Coupled with the five exquisite and flawless faces, it immediately showed a magnificent aura, as if it instantly attracted the brilliance of all the women in the hall.
Looking at the five beauties with voluptuous figures and delicate faces not far away, Edgar Bronfman couldn't help but sigh Eric Williams' gaze again in his heart.
Although not a movie star. But in Hollywood recently, the media still gave these five Victoria's Secret Angels a lot of attention. They will also present this year's first Oscars together as guests of the Oscars.
Moreover, in the eyes of many people, with their current popularity, there is still almost no threshold for entering the film and television industry, not to mention Eric Williams' glittering connections. If they express their desire to appear in film and television dramas, those film companies that are interested in them will definitely not be stingy with their film contracts. In the past, supermodels who wanted to star in movies usually only got some insignificant small roles, because even when they reached the peak of their fame in the circle, they often didn't have much public popularity.
But under the operation of Eric Williams, these five Victoria's Secret angels have completely jumped out of the boundaries of supermodels. At this time, they are completely sexy idols at the national level.
Thinking of Eric Williams, Edgar Bronfman had mixed feelings. Of course, it was impossible for him not to invite the other party to the recent party. Even to show importance, after sending the invitation letter, Edgar Bronfman Fuman also made a phone call in person, but Eric didn't attend the previous parties, and he didn't know if he would show up today.
When Michael Eisner saw Cindy Crawford and other five girls appearing, he also had mixed feelings in his heart. The young man who seemed a bit ignorant to him when they met for the first time back then not only stood at the pinnacle of Hollywood , and even spread his powerful influence beyond Hollywood, but he is still racking his brains to consider how to stabilize his position in Hollywood.
However, Michael Eisner's sighs did not last long, and his attention quickly turned to Alan Hassenfeld. It is meaningless to consider these things that have become facts, and the most important thing is to do the things in front of him. of.
Noticing that the CEO of Hasbro looked at the five girls who were surrounded by the crowd, he also had the undisguised eagerness of a man in his eyes. Michael Eisner thought for a moment, and suddenly came up with some thoughts.
Stretching out his hand and tugging at Edgar Bronfman beside him, Michael Eisner said to Alan Hasenfeld, "Alan, these five beauties should be considered the most beautiful in the world. There are a few lovely people, let's go and get to know each other."
Edgar Bronfman didn't understand what Michael Eisner meant, but he said very cooperatively: "That's right, in the selection of the most beautiful stars of the year in some magazines recently, the five of them are basically in the top few. In the ranks, it would be a pity not to recognize such a beauty."
After the two of them made such a push, Alan Hasenfeld no longer refused, nodded, and said, "I'm also looking forward to getting to know them."
When the three of them were talking, the five Victoria's Secret angels, surrounded by different guests, had gradually dispersed throughout the hall.
Michael Eisner led Alan Hassenfeld, but walked directly to Diane Kruger in a wine red evening dress. (To be continued.)