Peter Sanders, on the other hand, seemed a little impatient, and after greeting Simon, he suggested finding a place to talk.

Simon didn't shirk either, greeted Janet and the others, and took Peter Sanders out of the hotel where the crew was staying and to a nearby café.

The two sat down and ordered two cups of coffee at random, and Peter Sanders said, "Simon, I'm here this time to revisit the contract between you and Fox." ”

Simon just nodded slightly, quietly waiting for Peter Saunders to take the initiative.

Peter Sanders looked at Simon's expression, paused, and then temporarily changed the topic, and said: "Simon, Mr. Goldberg arranged a sample screening of "The Butterfly Effect" on Monday, but the effect was not very good, and several critics at the scene felt that the film was a little scattered. ”

Simon gently turned the coffee that the waiter had just served, and said lightly: "If that's the case, Mr. Sanders, I can only say it's a pity." However, I believe that my script is a very good story, and I also believe that Brian is good enough to bring it out perfectly. Perhaps, you should be more patient and wait for the film to be completely completed. ”

Feeling Simon's strength, Peter Sanders, who originally wanted to take care of it, remembered Ronald Goldberg's entrustment, so he had to say: "Okay, it should be like this." ”

Simon listened to Peter Sanders's tone, but he didn't want the other party to be too embarrassed, so he took the initiative to change his name and said, "Peter, you just said that contract?"

Peter Sanders took a sip of the coffee in front of him before replying, "Yes, Simon, we want to do our priority now and buy the script for 'The Grim Reaper,' and Mr. Goldberg wants you to direct the film himself." If you agree, the project can be started now, and the schedule can be set for the end of the year. ”

The brilliance of "Here Comes the Grim Reaper" is a very fantastic idea, but the movie is just an ordinary plasma thriller with limited box office potential, and Simon is not going to waste his energy on this movie. Moreover, Simon has already signed his next directorial film to Orion, and it is impossible to cooperate with Fox immediately.

However, Simon did not immediately refuse, but asked, "Peter, what about Fox's conditions?"

Peter Sanders hesitated, but this time he didn't go around the bend again, and directly quoted the price offered by Ronald Sandberg: "Simon, as long as you are willing to direct it yourself, we can give a director's salary of 2 million US dollars, plus 10% of the North American box office profit share." That's a generous offer, Simon, and normally, it's impossible for a newcomer like you to get a share of the profits. And, I can tell you that your contract is on the same terms as Brian's directing "The Butterfly Effect," a long-established director. Also, the script is quoted for $300,000, and you can enjoy the same share terms as union members. ”

Simon nodded slightly this time, and Fox's conditions this time were still more sincere.

In this era, except for a few people such as Spielberg at the top of the pyramid, the highest salary of other first-line directors is about $5 million.

Fox's condition is also an affirmation of his directing skills in "Lola Run".

You must know that in Hollywood, where the film industry is very developed, relying on the work, the studio's evaluation of a filmmaker's ability is still very accurate.

If Simon now happens to get a high box office with a non-technical film like "Blair the Witch." Well, the studio will definitely be amazed, but unless they want to try their luck and capitalize on the popularity he has accumulated in "Blair the Witch." Otherwise, no studio would be willing to issue him a director's contract, let alone a salary plan that is already a quasi-first-line director.

Speaking of which, this is actually the result that Simon wanted to see in the first place.

Thinking of this, Simon could only shake his head regretfully and said, "I'm sorry, Peter, I have signed a director's contract with Orion, which is actually a condition attached to Orion's willingness to release "Lola Run" for me. ”

When Peter Sanders heard this, he didn't know what to say for a while.

If it had been known that "Lola Run" would be able to achieve the current box office results, Fox would definitely be willing to sign Simon to the same contract.

Pity.

There are always countless ifs in this world, but there will only be one result.

Fox is not clear about the specifics of Simon's signing of the issuance contract with Orion, but due to several successive contacts, it is not difficult to speculate on the relevant conditions. Now that Simon Westeros has agreed to his terms, Orion will definitely maintain its share of the revenue from the North American box office at around 30%.

Then, even according to the North American box office of "Lola Run" of $150 million, Orion will be able to get a box office share of $50 million in the future.

As for the cost of publicity, according to Peter Saunders's observation, the box office of "Lola Run" basically relies on media buzz and audience word-of-mouth to prop up, and Orion Pictures' expenditure in this regard is simply pitiful. Even if Orion Pictures takes the initiative to increase its investment in publicity and distribution in order to get more revenue in the later stage, it is impossible to exceed $10 million in any case.

In this way, just the simple theatrical release of "Lola Run" will allow Orion Pictures to make a net profit of $40 million.

$40 million.

This is obviously a very conservative estimate.

However, the entire Fox Film industry did not make a profit of $40 million for the whole of last year. In other words, Fox Film's film business last year was completely loss-making.

As the vice president of Fox Films, Peter Sanders is well aware that the best box office of the films released by his company last year was only $85 million for "Alien 2".

Moreover, among the 16 films released throughout the year, there are definitely no films that have exceeded 100 million dollars at the box office, and only five have exceeded 10 million US dollars at the box office. Of these, 12 are obviously losing money. The parent company, News Corp., is even already talking about scaling back its budget for films this year.

Peter Saunders is just glad that it was Ronald Goldberg who finally rejected Simon's decision to give Lola Run. Otherwise, in the next few months, he will probably have to roll up and leave.

Seeing that Peter Sanders didn't speak, Simon continued: "Peter, to be honest, I don't actually have any interest in directing 'Death is Coming' myself. However, if Fox wants to get the script now, I have my own requirements, and I will be the producer myself. ”