During this time, he will always unconsciously pay attention to a lot of things related to Simon, and Courteney Cox listens to Meg Ryan's claim that he is not interested in Simon's films, but quickly remembers her identity, the established heroine of "When Harry Meets Sally".

So there was some contempt.

If you're not interested in his films, why should you still be involved in "When Harry Met Sally"? Although he is not the film he directed and wrote himself, he will definitely hold the most powerful position as a producer.

Jonathan Friedman watched Meg Ryan leave, before turning to Courtney and asking, "Have you seen Simon?"

Courtney nodded, regret on her face, and said, "He's a little busy right now." ”

Jonathan looked at the girl in front of him, paused, and said with the usual gentleness in his tone: "Then, wait and find more opportunities to talk to him, you were the first to know each other." ”

Having worked in this circle for more than two decades, Jonathan is used to seeing too many actors rubbing shoulders with opportunities. However, he still had some emotions at this time.

If Courtney had been able to seize the opportunity, it would have been a different story.

Now, among Jonathan's clients, Sandra Bullock became a blockbuster with "Lola Run", Elizabeth Sue also rose to the first line with "The Butterfly Effect", and the age and positioning of the two daughters are not much different from Courteney Cox, plus Nicole Kidman, whom Simon just recommended, it is obviously impossible for him to spend too much attention on Courtney.

The two chatted a few more words, and the twilight had unconsciously shrouded the surroundings, and the lights were on, which really reflected a glitzy world of bright lights.

A crisp tinkling sound came from the side of the villa, and everyone at the scene quickly fell silent.

Jonathan and Courtney followed the sound together, Simon was standing under the eaves of the villa's backyard, holding a glass of champagne, and when he caught everyone's attention, he handed a metal spoon that had just struck the glass to the waiter next to him, and then Langsheng began to address the party tonight.

Far away from "Death Comes" filmed in New York, "Lola Run", "The Butterfly Effect", "Vulgar" and "When Harry Met Sally", the main and supporting roles of the four films in front of and behind the scenes, invited personnel from MA, Orion, Fox and other companies, plus the companions brought by the guests, the total number of people attending the party exceeded 200.

At this time, hundreds of pairs of eyes looked at the young man under the eaves, and there were also hundreds of mixed feelings floating in the air.

While "Lola Run" and "The Butterfly Effect" have been back-to-back unexpected box office successes, Simon's influence in Hollywood at this time is still limited relative to fame, and the three films that Daenerys Films has ambitiously produced also seem uncertain to many.

Maybe it's just next year that young people in the eye will recognize the reality that no one in Hollywood can succeed forever.

But.

No one can ignore the fact that Simon Westeros is only 19 years old this year.

In just one year, the 19-year-old directed and screenwritten a film that grossed more than $300 million at the North American box office, which is unique in the entire history of Hollywood films. Moreover, the young man has shown more cinematic talent through two films than most Hollywood directors, and no one can doubt that Simon will have too many opportunities to create box office miracles similar to "Lola Run" in the long time to come.

In addition, the most important point.

With a "Lola Run", Simon has accumulated a net worth of tens of millions of dollars when many of his peers have not thought about the future at all, which is also enough to arouse the envy and amazement of too many people.

Hollywood's trend of high salaries has only increased dramatically in recent years with the overall expansion of the industry and the promotion of brokerage firms. Therefore, Simon's more than $40 million from "Lola Run" is enough to surpass the entire wealth accumulated by most Hollywood A-list stars over the years, even after deducting high taxes and fees.

In the vanity fair of Hollywood, what everyone pursues is nothing more than the words 'fame' and 'profit'.

By the time he was 19 years old, a young man had already achieved two things that many people might not have been able to ask for in their entire lives.

After Simon's brief thank-you speech, the evening party officially began.

The pool was turned into a dance floor from the open space on the other side of the villa, and the music in the air soon became more active, and everyone shuttled back and forth between the villa and the courtyard.

Simon and Janet just socialized in the crowd, and before they knew it, more than half an hour had passed.

Back in the villa, sitting on the sofa chatting with Sandra, Nicole and others, and taking a break by the way, Catherine accompanied the other two people and came over, but it was De Laurentiis Entertainment's boss Dino De Laurentiis and president Martha Schumacher.

After saying hello, Dino de Laurentiis said, "Simon, can we talk alone?"

Simon looked at the other party's expression, probably guessed something, then nodded, and said, "Okay, Dino, go to my study." ”

Janet saw that Simon had something to do, so she got up and said to the others: "So, let's go to my studio and have a look, I have been inspired lately, and I have completed several new paintings." ”

Dino de Laurentiis saw that Janet was going to take the others away, and said, "Miss Johnston, perhaps, you can come along." ”

Janet blinked, but just smiled and said, "Simon is fine, his decision is mine." ”

With that, Janet got up with Sandra and Nicole, and finally grabbed Catherine and walked towards her studio in the villa.

Simon also took Dino de Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher to the study where he used to entertain guests.

Dino De Laurentiis's purpose was not what Simon expected, and the other party took a fancy to Simon and Janet's huge income from "Lola Run".

Since its release on June 19, "Night of the Bloody Corpse" has finally grossed $11.56 million in its first week, far exceeding De Laurentiis Entertainment's original expectations.

However, due to Simon's involvement, the film's shots and other technical details are excellent, but the story is a bit too mediocre after all, and the final box office of the film is probably between $30 million and $40 million, depending on the box office trend these days.

That's obviously a stellar box office result relative to the $5 million production cost, but even with pre-sales in the late-release channel, the film's revenue can't pull DeLaurentiis Entertainment, which has expanded too blindly in recent years, back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Dino De Laurentiis, who is in his late teens this year, has been a producer since the golden age of Hollywood, and he is also a little famous in the industry.

In 1983, Dino De Laurentiis reorganized De Laurentiis Films, which he had operated for many years, into De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, taking advantage of the overall economic situation in North America and the government's support for the media industry.

Since its establishment, De Laurentiis Entertainment has merged with other small film companies, established its own production base in North Carolina, and has invested in the production of more than 20 films in just a few years, including high-budget works such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Edge Soldier", Diane Keaton's "Crime of the Heart" and famous directorial masterpieces such as David Lynch's "Blue Velvet".

However, the highest-grossing of all these films is only Diane Keaton's "Sin of the Heart", which grossed $22 million in North America, but "Sin of the Heart" cost $20 million to make. Other films generally only make a few million dollars at the box office.

Orion Pictures, which has produced and distributed hits such as "The Terminator", "First Blood" and "Mozart" over the years, almost faced the fate of being taken over last year, and it is conceivable what will happen to De Laurentiis Entertainment, which has invested in more than 20 films in a row but has not had a single box office hit.

Now, Dino De Laurentiis is clearly not willing to fail, so he hopes that Simon will inject a sum of money into De Laurentiis Entertainment to pull the company back from the brink of bankruptcy.

$80 million, 25% of the shares.

This was Dino de Laurentiis's condition, and he promised to help distribute the film produced by Daenerys Pictures.

Simon did consider how to establish a distribution channel for Daenerys Films, and it was clear that it would be best to acquire a well-established distribution team directly through mergers with other studios. It's just that Simon can't look down on any of Hollywood's second- and third-tier film companies at the moment.

Since De Laurentiis Entertainment has been able to push "Night of the Blood Dead" into the crowded schedule of the summer season, its distribution ability must be much stronger than that of companies such as New Line and Miramax, which are just emerging now, but Simon can't buy only 25% of the shares for $80 million.

As for the Big Seven, even the dilapidated MGM can sell for $1.5 billion, and Simon can't afford one.

So, during this time, Simon was more concerned about self-reliance.

Although the North American theater resources are monopolized by the seven major powers, as long as the films produced by Daenerys Pictures can be sold frequently, Simon wants to open the local theater channels in North America, but it is not a big problem. As for overseas, it must be taken step by step.

Therefore, Simon could only refuse Dino De Laurentiis's invitation to cooperate.

After chatting for more than twenty minutes, seeing that Simon could not be convinced, Dino de Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher had to leave in disappointment.

Leaving the study with Dino de Laurentiis, Simon came to the doorway of the hallway near the living room and stood still. Waving to grab a glass of wine from the waiter's tray, Simon quietly leaned against the wall and felt what was happening in front of him.

Most of the lights are turned off in the living room, soothing music is played on an old-fashioned gramophone, and a few guests are standing or sitting, and in the center of the living room are a couple of men and women dancing slowly in each other's arms.

I didn't like the hustle and bustle of the backyard, so I hid here, refused to talk to me a few times, and then completely quieted down.

A man sits on this couch in the corner, with a glass of red wine in his hand, occasionally wondering where he should be now.

Then I saw him appear.

Leaning against the entrance of the hallway, hiding yourself in the shadows, holding a glass of champagne, looking thoughtful.

Apparently not paying attention to themselves.

Yes, such an inconspicuous girl herself.

I thought a little lonely.

So she continued to look at him, worried and looking forward to being discovered.

A few minutes passed.

But it still hasn't been found.

There is no loss, but some pity.

For some reason, she could clearly feel that when he was quiet, there would be a sense of loneliness that was cut off from everything around him, as if he was just a spectator and did not belong to this world at all.

The first encounter in Venice Beach, she felt this breath from him. However, they were just strangers at that time, and she couldn't go up to him and ask, "Hey, are you okay?"

Right now.

She got up unconsciously, came to him with some restraint, and said softly, "Hey, you...... Do you want to dance?"

When Simon heard the figure, he turned his head and saw Jennifer Raybould in a light blue silk evening dress, the girl did not wear a ponytail today, and her loose blonde hair covered her beautiful neck.

After graduating from Yale in May, Jennifer Raybould moved to Los Angeles to work for George Norman's firm. During this time, Simon actually saw the girl more than once, but most of the time it was just for work, and today was the first time they met on the occasion of the test.

Hearing this, Simon nodded with a smile and said, "Okay." ”

Putting the wine glass aside, Simon reached out to Jennifer and pulled her to the dance floor, following the example of the others, holding his hands on the girl's soft waist, Jennifer also put her arms on his shoulders, just lowered her eyes, and swayed gently with the man's movements.

Simon looked at the shy appearance of the girl in front of him, smiled and took the initiative to find a topic, and said, "How are you preparing for the bar exam?"

Despite earning her Juris Doctorate, Jennifer is not yet a lawyer and will need to pass the California Bar Examination in July to obtain a formal practicing certificate.

Pressed by his hands on his waist, she felt like a deer who only wanted to escape but fell into a trap, hearing his question, she raised her head, lowered it again, and said softly: "I don't know if I can be a good lawyer." ”

"That's for sure," Simon said without hesitation, "you're a top student at Yale, and if you can't, there won't be many people in the entire Federation who are worthy of being lawyers." ”

"I mean," she thought for a moment, "I probably can't just be a lawyer like my mom and dad and my uncle. ”

Simon listened to the girl's still vague explanation, but he understood.

In the United States, lawyers are definitely one of the highest-paid groups, and they can move into politics and business at any time. But at the same time, if you want to be a top lawyer, then too often, you have to throw away the sense of justice in your heart and simply stand in the position of your own client to fight for the interests of the other party, whether it is a pedophile or a murderer.

Thinking like this, after thinking for a moment, Simon said, "Jenny, why don't you come and work for me?"

Jennifer paused, raised her head suddenly, and then lowered her face with a slight blush, and said, "I, you, what kind of work?"

Simon smiled at the corner of his mouth and said, "My assistant." ”

immediately thought of the recent scandals about him, as if asking an actress to come to his company to work as a secretary for him. Her face turned a little redder, but she couldn't help but say: "I don't know too much about Hollywood, I don't know if I can do it well." ”

Simon still smiled, and said again, "Then it's decided." In fact, I've been looking for an assistant lately, but I haven't been able to find a suitable one. ”

Seeing that he couldn't wait, she felt like a little white rabbit held down by a big bad wolf, or Little Red Riding Hood who was tricked into opening the door by a wolf grandmother.

In short, it's the kind that ends quite miserable.

Inexplicably, he didn't want to resist.

Still.

A little looking forward to it.

So he asked, "Simon, is it really possible?"

"Of course," Simon nodded, "Many executives in Hollywood are actually lawyers, just like Disney President Frank Wells, maybe you can also be the president of Daenerys Pictures in the future." ”

Only then did he put his mind at ease, but smiled again, glanced up at him, and said, "What about Amy?"

"Amy is definitely going to be promoted. ”

"What about you?"

"I'm the boss, so of course it's better not to have to work. ”

"It's lazy. ”

"Heh, remember to remind me to add a clause to the employment contract, ridiculing the boss for deducting wages. ”

"I won't remind you. ”