Simon heard Michael Ovitz's condition and replied, "Michael, Bob is really worth $1 million." However, "Vulgar" is only a medium-budget production, so I can only offer $500,000 plus a 5% share of the net profit at the North American box office. As for the sharing model, I don't think I need to explain it anymore. ”

The whole of Hollywood knows that Michael Ovitz is a detail-controlled, very scary kind. Since he was able to know all about the CAA customers that Daenerys Films had contacted during this time, it was naturally impossible not to know the net profit sharing rules of "Vulgar".

Michael Ovitz didn't ask any more questions, but said: "Simon, if it were before today, Orion might have stuck the production budget of "Vulgar" at $8 million. But now, they shouldn't mind adding more, do they?"

Michael Ovitz apparently hasn't heard the details of Simon's contract with Orion yet.

Simon's proposed base salary of $500,000 is still from the original budget of $8 million, and he is now only $1.5 million in funds that he can use to select other actors.

As for the additional 5% share of the net profit of the North American box office, it was Simon who temporarily won it from Orion in the morning.

Traditional Hollywood filmmakers generally have a very strong superstar cult, and Robert Redford's participation in "Vulgar" is definitely something that Orion wants. The box office of the second weekend of "The Butterfly Effect" also made Orion executives confident in Simon again.

So, Simon didn't bother too much on the matter, and Mike Medois nodded in agreement.

In the face of Ovitz's doubts, Simon did not beat around the bush, shook his head and said, "Michael, this involves a contract issue. ”

Although Simon's sharing terms with Orion are kept secret, the contract for "Death is Coming" is well known, and Fox deliberately announced the original sharing terms as a gimmick.

Michael Ovitz heard Simon's answer, and his face showed a clear expression, but he said: "Simon, you want Bob to participate, but you are not willing to pay enough, this is definitely not possible." ”

From the original executive producer of "Lola Run" to the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford has helped Simon a lot.

Simon listened to Michael Ovitz's implied run, but he was not embarrassed, and said: "$500,000, plus 5% profit share, there is a good chance that the value of this contract will exceed $1 million." I have given the highest price I can offer, which is enough to prove my sincerity. If Bob can't be satisfied, then I can only say sorry. However, movies are movies, Michael, this is the riskiest business in the world, and we can't do it willy. ”

Michael Ovitz listened to Simon's words, his eyes looked deeply at the young man in front of him, his expression seemed to be a little hesitant, but he still said: "Simon, I will convey your conditions to Bob." Also, let's talk about When Harry Met Sally. Nora Efron is also a customer of CAA, but unfortunately you bought the script first. So, how about CAA acting as a full-fledger for the project? You set your own terms and we'll be in charge of contacting the studio. ”

Simon shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, Michael, I've gotten several calls today about When Harry Met Sally, so Daenerys Films doesn't need CAA's help right now." ”

"It's a shame," Michael Ovitz shook his head slightly, then stood up and said, "In that case, Simon, maybe it's time for me to leave." ”

Simon got up, took the initiative to reach out to Michael Ovitz, and said, "Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Michael, you're a Hollywood legend." ”

Michael Ovitz shook Simon's hand happily, but did not turn around immediately, stood in place and said: "Simon, to be honest, in order for you to join CAA, I deliberately did very detailed research work before I came, and even prepared enough topics for us to talk about for an afternoon. ”

Simon just smiled and said, "Then why did you leave so soon?"

Michael Ovitz didn't hide it, saying, "Simon, I knew before I came here that we were probably the same kind of people, but that didn't hold me back. However, just now, it dawned on me that we were destined to be only rivals. ”

Simon's smile didn't diminish in the slightest, and he said, "Seriously, Michael, I just had the same feeling, and it was very strong. ”

Michael Ovitz also laughed and asked with interest, "When?"

"You just said that we will always try to accommodate all the requirements of our customers," Simon replied, asking rhetorically, "What about you?"

"Movies are movies, we can't do it willfully," Michael Ovitz also repeated Simon's words, but immediately said: "However, Simon, your expectations may be difficult to achieve, filmmakers are very willful." ”

Simon retorted: "Not in the big studio era. ”

Michael Ovitz said: "The big set era is a thing of the past. ”

"History is always reincarnating. That's why people like to use the term 'wheel of history' to describe the passage of time. ”

"Very interesting point," Michael Ovitz smiled and nodded, "perhaps, we can be friends in private." ”

"Of course, they will be opponents at the same time. ”

"You have to understand, Simon, that you are still very weak in front of CAA. ”

"If the lion wants to change history, he must find a big target, and he can't always use ants as opponents. ”

"When it comes to changing history, Ron and I thought the same way. Then, CAA had just been formed, and just the name of our small company at the beginning was the result of a lawsuit. Very profound lesson. ”

"It's not going to be a threat, is it?"

"Of course not, in terms of position, we are actually salespeople, you are consumers. It's a very stupid thing for a salesperson to threaten a consumer. ”

Simon and Ovitz chatted like this, and before they knew it, they already had a bit of a sense of speculation.

However, each was actually very busy, and the two did not sit down again, and Michael Ovitz quickly took his leave and left. Sending Michael Ovitz out of the company's headquarters, Simon returns to his office, where Susan tells Simon that Amy Pascal is already online.

Simon originally wanted Amy to cope with this meeting, so that even if the negotiation was not proper, both parties would not be too embarrassed by the agent. However, Michael Ovitz wanted to talk to Simon in person, so he and Amy temporarily switched schedules.

Last Saturday, a secret drug test was conducted to confirm that Meg Ryan had not touched anything too incorrigible, and Simon signed a film contract with the other party. With a $300,000 salary and an option deal, Meg Ryan must star in another Daenerys film after "When Harry Meets Sally."

Billy Crystal was Jonathan's client, and the contract was finalized much earlier. As a well-known American TV actor, Billy Crystal starred in his first big-screen film last year, "Double Stars Catching the Moon", which did very well at the box office, so the salary was set at $3 million.

Next up is the director.

Rob Reiner.

This is the former director of "When Harry Met Sally", and the original film is perfect in every detail, and Simon does not plan to replace it. The script had already been handed over to the other party, and after several contacts, Rob Reiner was also interested in directing, and Amy went to discuss the contract with the other party's agent today.

Simon answered the phone with Amy, chatted for more than ten minutes, and then leaned back in the leather chair behind his desk.

Rob Reiner is still a signed client of CAA, and Simon's directorial salary was not surprising.

$5 million.

In addition, the other party also asked to be the producer and insisted on a certain final cutting right.

After some negotiations, the salary did not change, and Amy successfully vetoed the other party's request for final cutting rights, but Simon still needs to make a personal decision on whether to agree to the other party as a producer.

Rob Reiner's films in recent years have been very successful. Last year's "Walk with Me" also got more than $50 million at the North American box office, Simon had no objection to the salary, and after some discussion with Amy, he also agreed to the other party's request to be the producer.

Now, Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal are already paid $8 million, and although Meg Ryan is a newcomer, if she wants to invite the original 'Princess Leia' Kelly Fisher as a supporting actress, it is definitely impossible to have one or two million.

Just the online cost of the main creator has reached the level of 10 million, and under this kind of coffee specification, the offline cost must also be guaranteed to be about 5 million US dollars.

As a result, the budget size of "When Harry Met Sally" came directly to $15 million.

In my memory, "When Harry Met Sally" grossed about $90 million at the North American box office, which is definitely a project that can bring huge profits to the film company relative to the production cost.

Before today, Simon had been hesitant to invest in When Harry Met Sally.

Simon's money won't be used until November.

In November, it's already winter in New York.

In the original film, the series of autumn scenery of yellow leaves when Harry and Sally get along is simply mesmerizing, which is definitely a highlight of the film.

But if you wait until November, the first snow in New York may have already fallen, and it will certainly no longer be possible to restore those beautiful shots. Without those shots, "When Harry Met Sally" would definitely be too much of a discoloration.

Simon can't wait until next year, either.

Not to mention the contract with Nora Epron, there will definitely be next year.

Right now.

With the release of the box office data for the second weekend of "Butterfly Effect", the original stalemate situation was instantly revitalized.

Simon also has a very precise plan for "When Harry Meets Sally".