Beverly Hills.

At a restaurant near Fox Studios, Simon is having lunch with Joe Rose, president of Fox Films.

It's Friday, August 11th.

Daenerys Entertainment officially signed a settlement agreement with GA yesterday, and Simon asked Joe Ross today to discuss the first of the 10 foreign film plans.

Simon already has more than one project in mind, and the reason why he started with Fox is because of Murdoch. These days, Rupert Murdoch has personally called Simon more than once, talking about these 10 films, and even when talking to Janet, the woman mentioned what Murdoch said to her old man.

Fox Films worked with Simon on "The Butterfly Effect," "Death Is Coming," and "Instinct" two years ago, all of which were great successes.

In addition, "The Butterfly Effect" and "Here Comes the Grim Reaper" also developed sequels last year, but because of the huge success of the first part of the series, there was an external factor of public curiosity about Simon, and after the release of the second part of the two series last year, the box office was far worse than the first.

"Butterfly Effect 2" only recovered more than $56 million at the box office, and "Death 2" only had a little more than 38 million at the box office. Of course, such an achievement is still very profitable, but because it is too deep compared to the first part, Fox is also cautious in developing the third part.

Without the launch of sequels to these two ace horror films this year, Foxfilm's performance immediately took a slump.

This summer, Fox's "Boss Goes on Vacation" in July has only had a box office of just over 22 million so far, and it has not made any waves at all. James Cameron's new film "The Abyss," which was released last Friday, is even more of a big hole, and the film has been repeatedly overspent by Cameron, and the budget finally reaches a staggering $69.5 million.

Hollywood movies usually take a whole number budget, such as 10 million, 20 million, etc., but the actual situation is certainly not so coincidental, and in most cases it is just an overall estimate.

Fox didn't round up to $70 million on "The Abyss," as is customary, because studio executives didn't dare to do it anymore.

After all, although there are not a few Hollywood movies with a budget of 50 or 60 million US dollars in recent years, there is only one "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" with a production cost of 70 million US dollars. Even in this movie, Disney often lies to the outside world in a veiled way that the budget is not that high, but it is actually $45 million.

If burning money can be exchanged for a bombshell like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", the result is not bad. However, "The Abyss" is really a box office dud.

According to the statistics released this morning, the box office figure of "The Abyss" in the first seven days of its opening week was only $17.53 million. In comparison, "The Sixth Sense of the Supernatural", which was released in the sixth week, still had a single-week box office of $20.37 million, ranking first on the weekly box office list.

Based on media reviews and audience feedback, Fox's North American box office estimate for "The Abyss" is only $50 million, and the project is almost doomed to lose money. However, this is still the best box office result of Fox's seven films released so far this year, and the best of the other films is the $22 million of "The Boss Goes on Vacation" last month, and the other six films have not exceeded the 20 million box office threshold.

Murdoch has never been very enthusiastic about the film business, preferring newspapers and television. However, since he bought Fox Films, he can't be so tepid, so he desperately wants to get a piece of Daenerys Entertainment's 10 foreign cooperation film plan.

Now that he has decided to run Australian capital as his backing, Simon naturally has no reason to refuse Murdoch's request. Moreover, News Corp.'s vast global media network has been instrumental in Simon's expansion of his business around the world.

To marry the Murdoch family, there are only benefits and no harms.

"Sleeping with the Enemy......? I remembered that it was the story of a wife who couldn't stand her husband's abuse and cheated to death and escaped," In the restaurant, Joe Ross flipped through the folder of scripts selected by Simon and looked at it, and couldn't help but look up and say: "Simon, this story doesn't seem to have any selling points, and it can only be made into a low-budget thriller." I think that Death Dead Count seems better, have you seen it?"

"Sleeping with the Enemy" is actually a movie starring Julia Roberts in the original time and space, telling the story of a wife who was trapped by her mentally disturbed husband and fled from her family after pretending to drown because she couldn't bear the torture.

This story as a whole seems to have no bright spots, but it is a work that Simon's memory of the North American box office exceeded 100 million.

Simon happened to have seen the movie.

The success of "Sleeping with the Enemy" is not only due to Julia Roberts's participation, but also the tense plot that hangs the audience's heart at all times from beginning to end. Therefore, compared with the script that really doesn't have too many highlights, the rhythm control, suspense setting, atmosphere creation and even the theme soundtrack of the film in the production process are all very important.

There was not much free time at noon, Simon didn't have the heart to argue with Joe Rose, put down the utensils and looked up and said: "Joe, I'm not interested in "Death Marked", if you are optimistic, you can focus on this project yourself, let's talk about "Sleep with the Enemy". ”

Joe Rose smiled slightly awkwardly, stopped talking nonsense, and said, "So, Simon, what's next?"

Simon said simply: "I had people evaluate it according to my vision, and the budget for this project is about $15 million. Now start the preparations, if everything goes well, it will start in October and be released in the summer next year. You can start looking for the right directors and producers this afternoon, and I'll put people in touch with the actors. ”

Joe Ross thought for a moment and said, "This is a movie where the heroine is propped up, Simon, who are you going to make the heroine?"

"I saw a preview film review on The Hollywood Reporter that you're going to release a new film in October called 'The Baker Brothers'?"

Joe Ross naturally knows everything about Fox's films, and blurted out, "Michelle Pfeiffer?"

"The Baker Brothers" is a musical song and dance film co-starring the two Bridges brothers and Michelle Pfeiffer, and it has also been translated as "A Song of Lovesickness".

Simon nodded and said, "Michelle's acting skills have become more and more proficient in recent years, and she will definitely be able to support this movie." Also, if I can, have someone send me a copy, and I'd like to see her performance in this movie in advance. Film critics say that Michelle's performance this time is enough to get an Oscar nomination, and if that is the case, it will be more helpful for our film. ”

"Pretty Woman" is in the process of filming, although it can be completed before October, Simon has no intention of letting Julia continue to star in "Sleeping with the Enemy", Cinderella in the romantic movie jumps directly to the poor wife who is circled by her husband, the image contrast is a bit big, Simon is not sure if the audience can accept it.

Michelle Pfeiffer has just turned 30 this year, and her acting skills are beginning to enter their peak, and if she can get an Oscar nomination for "The Baker Brothers" next year, her fame will also reach a higher level, and it is just right to star in "Sleep with the Enemy".

If someone else asks for a copy, Joe Ross will at least take care of it, if not if he won't refuse. However, at this time, he readily agreed: "I will have someone send the copy to Daenerys Entertainment headquarters in the afternoon." ”

Simon nodded with satisfaction, and said: "One more thing, about James Cameron, I heard that he has completed the script of "Terminator 2", and Fox can buy the rights to "Terminator" to shoot this project, which can be used as the second project of Daenerys Entertainment and Fox. ”

When Joe Ross heard this, his face suddenly became bitter, and he said, "Simon, because of the matter of "Abyss", even if I am willing to continue to cooperate with James, the company's board of directors will not approve it. ”

"As I said, this is the second project that Daenerys Entertainment has with Fox," Simon said, adding, "Plus, you just need to take the rights to Terminator and the script in Cameron's hands, and we don't necessarily have to make him the director." ”

Joe Ross immediately understood, but was a little confused.

If Simon is optimistic about this project, why doesn't Daenerys Entertainment take it personally.

Simon saw Joe Rose's doubts and explained with a smile: "I've had people contact the copyright owner of "The Terminator" before, but it didn't work out. Now when you come to the door, you will definitely have to be knocked hard. ”

"Terminator 2" was the 1991 North American box office champion in the original time and space, with a global box office of more than $500 million, and Simon naturally thought about monopolizing the project.

However, since the plan of 10 films has been proposed, if there are no blockbuster films from beginning to end, other Hollywood studios will definitely not be so fanatical in the future.

After all, the main reason why Hollywood is boiling for these 10 projects this time is to look forward to surprises like "The Sixth Sense". Otherwise, if you add up to the 10% commission for distribution in each channel, the interest of other studios in these projects is probably only 60%.

In this way, a $100 million North American box office movie is actually equivalent to $60 million.

Of course, the North American box office of $60 million is definitely not low in this era.

Not counting last year's box office explosion, a year or two ago, the North American box office of $60 million was enough to squeeze into the top 10 of the annual list. Even in the next few years, there will be only about 20 Hollywood films that grossed more than $60 million a year, and even if they all fall to the seven major studios, the average is less than 3 each.

What's more, Simon does not plan to choose all the projects of 100 million yuan this time, which requires several blockbuster movies to support the performance of this plan.

The main reason for giving up "Terminator 2" is that the 'cost performance' of this project is relatively low.

The original "Terminator 2" was the first Hollywood film to have a production cost of more than $100 million, and now, even if Cameron is kicked out of the game and replaced by another director according to Simon's plan, the producer is no longer Carlock Films, which is known for its profligacy in the circle, and the budget of the film will definitely not be much lower, and it is just right to take it out.

After talking about things, lunch is over.

As soon as Simon and Joe Rose walked out of the restaurant, some reporters surrounded them.

"Mr. Westeros, are you discussing a film collaboration with Joe Ross?"

"Joe, can you tell us what the subject is?"

"Simon, can you really be psychic?"

“......”

“......”

The North American box office of "The Sixth Sense" is about to break through the $200 million mark, which is overwhelming.

Because of the general attention from all walks of life, Daenerys Entertainment's 10 foreign cooperation film plans have become the focus of recent media pursuit. Daenerys Entertainment has not taken any substantive action in the two weeks since the plan was made public, which has aroused strong curiosity among the media and the public.

In the midst of the gossip, Simon's bodyguards quickly walked over to block the reporter and escorted him into a car on the side of the road.

Although Joe Ross enjoyed the feeling of being chased by reporters, he didn't wait to reveal anything, just asked the reporters around him to pay attention to Fox's specific announcement, and then hurriedly got in the car and returned to Fox Studios.

Santa Monica.

Simon had just returned to the office at Daenerys Entertainment headquarters when Jennifer followed.

"Forbes magazine is going to release the new Forbes 400 list next month, and they contacted us in the morning to see if we could take the initiative to provide some materials. If you can, they'd also like you to give an interview. ”

Simon shook his head without hesitation and said, "We don't cooperate or block this matter, let them figure it out themselves." ”

Jennifer snorted, flipped through the folder in her hand, pulled out a check and handed it over, and said, "This, it's not good to put it on the bedside table in the bedroom." ”

Simon took it and looked at it, and it turned out to be the check he had signed to Linda Carter on Monday.

I think Jennifer found it during a routine cleaning of the villa in the morning.

Simon hadn't been to Palisades since Sunday, and thought the woman would take the check, but he didn't expect him to stay.

Pretend to put it aside unintentionally.

"Uncle Buck" is released today, John Hughes has traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles in recent days to cooperate with the promotion of the film, Simon made an appointment to meet with each other at one o'clock in the afternoon to discuss the next film cooperation, of course, Simon arranged this meeting The actual purpose of this meeting is to confirm the matter of "Home Alone".

The time is coming soon.

Look to the other side.

The female assistant was still standing in place, her head bowed, and seemed to be reading the document in her hand very carefully, without the slightest intention of leaving.

After a small confrontation, Simon had to take the initiative to explain: "Well, I'm a very suspicious boss, of course I have to test that those cleaners won't steal, well, the result is not bad." ”

Jennifer tilted her head slightly, glanced over, and the corners of her mouth were a little smiling, looking like a curious baby who wanted to continue 'listening to the story'.

Simon was helpless, so he simply straightened his face and put the boss on the shelf: "John is coming over soon, go make a pot of coffee first." Stupidly standing and waiting for me to deduct your salary!"

Jennifer glared at Simon nonchalantly, turning around and repeating the habitual little threat: "I'll tell Jenny." ”