In the lounge, Ronan slowly sipped a cup of black tea, and Tom Cruise and Will Smith were reading the script very carefully, pausing to think about it from time to time.

These two people are not highly educated, but they have been in the industry for many years, and they still have the judgment of the script.

The script is written by two typical Hollywood screenwriters, written according to the Boston style and Hollywood model, except for the main framework, it is completely different from the Hong Kong version of "Infernal Affairs".

In fact, in these two versions, you can also see some helplessness.

The acceptance of Western culture in the East is quite high, but Westerners generally reject Eastern culture.

The repercussions caused by the two versions of "Infernal Affairs" can be said to be reflected in this regard.

Many people once said that "The Departed" was filmed very well, and many people said that it was very bad, most people will think that the original version is better, and the remake version no longer has the morality and brotherhood of the boss and undercover agents, but to be honest, who can expect Americans to understand this.

Sometimes, it has to be said that good movies are global, but they are also regional.

When Ronan lived on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the dispute between the Hong Kong version and the American version was a bit similar to tofu brain, and who was good and who was bad had their own reasons.

It can only be said that the regional and social environment has brought about inevitable differences.

Just like Ronan, starting from his personal hobby tendency, the Hong Kong version must be more exciting and beautiful, but from the perspective of the project's future repercussions and profits, Americanization is a necessary choice.

Will Smith took the lead in putting down the script, turned his head to look at Ronan first, and then looked at Tom Cruise, seeing that Tom Cruise was still reading very seriously, and did not speak, but waited patiently like Ronan.

Tom Cruise had a very serious disorder when he was younger, and even though he was later cured by Scientology, he read books and newspapers at a slower rate than the average person.

Ronan has heard many people say that after graduating from the twelfth grade in Britain and the United States, there are many people who can't read normal written expression, and on the other side of the Pacific, this situation still occurs after graduating from high school, which is called illiteracy or IQ arrears......

This does not seem to be the case in English.

Ronan himself hadn't had this kind of problem, so he wasn't particularly aware of it.

But it is difficult for Ronan to understand that Tom Cruise's disorder was cured by Scientology, and it is speculated that Tom Cruise may have gradually increased his amount as he has increased his age and experience, and it is naturally better.

After another half an hour of waiting, Tom Cruise also put down the script.

Ronan asked directly, "How?"

Will Smith nodded lightly and asked rhetorically, "This is based on those two movies you just watched?"

"It doesn't seem like the same. Tom Cruise said slowly: "The main frame is similar, but the setting and story are all Americanized. ”

Ronan spread his hands and said, "I'm going to make a movie that will be screened in North America, and it will definitely be Americanized, maybe you haven't noticed, the original movie has already been screened in North America." ”

Will Smith wondered: "Why haven't I seen it?" Although there are some expressions that I can't understand, the film is wonderful, and if I see it, I will definitely be impressed. ”

Ronan explained simply: "When there were the most theaters, there were only a dozen or so, and the embassy film industry did not dare to invest more. ”

Tom Cruise is also the man with the studio: "Prevent losses?"

"Yes. Ronan thought about it for a moment and said, "It seems that the cost has not been recovered until now." ”

He straightened his face: "What I'm telling you about is this new film project, which is based on these two Hong Kong films and makes a film set in the United States." ”

Tom Cruise nodded slowly, and Will Smith gently pinched his ears: "The copyright is here?"

Ronan smiled: "Of course, the copyright is in the hands of Shahai Entertainment. He asked directly, "Tom, Will, are you interested in the two male leads?"

Tom Cruise was very decisive: "I took the project. ”

Will Smith suddenly laughed and said, "Ronan, it looks like we're going to work together for the third time." ”

Ronan didn't expect the two to agree so simply, and said: "I also prepared a lot of arguments to persuade you, but you didn't give me a chance at all, and all the arguments I prepared were in vain, which is really a bit disappointing." ”

"You won't have that chance. Tom Cruise said seriously: "Ronan Anderson's project is now the guarantee of Hollywood's success. ”

Will Smith shrugged: "I'm the beneficiary of working with you now, you don't have to convince me." On the contrary, Ronan, I'm going to hug your big thick legs!"

Ronan pointed at Will Smith and said, "You better go and hug Sister Williams' thick legs." ”

Tom Cruise also laughed: "This is in Will's appetite. ”

Although this is a project based on an oriental film, and the script can only be said to be decent, Tom Cruise and Will Smith have almost no doubts about this, does Ronan's project need to be doubted?

"Alright. Ronan slapped his palm: "No kidding, let's get down to business." ”

Will Smith interrupted him: "Wait, Ronan, I have one condition. ”

"It's just you. Ronan looked at Will Smith helplessly: "Don't be verbose, just say it." ”

Will Smith reminded, "Do you remember our pact?"

Ronan remembered so much, and wondered, "What kind of agreement?"

Will Smith didn't answer, but looked to the other side, "Tom, do you remember?"

Tom Cruise thought for a moment and asked, "Will, you're saying the three of us starred in the same movie?"

Will Smith snapped his fingers, "That's right, we agreed on the golf course at the time. ”

Ronan was speechless for a moment, and said with a cross-expression: "Two big guys, what do you mean by this? Do you plan to use me, an unpopular little actor, to set off how good your acting skills are?"

"To be a man is to be trustworthy. Will Smith said, "Ronan, that's what you say a lot. ”

Ronan patted his forehead: "We'll discuss this later, let's talk about the two of you first." ”

Tom Cruise didn't want to embarrass Ronan too much, and took the initiative to answer: "I don't have a problem, you let someone from Shahai Entertainment talk to my agent." ”

Will Smith nodded and said, "I'm okay, I'll notify the agent when I get back." ”

The intention of the two superstars to play the two leading actors has been reached, and the specific conditions Ronan will certainly not talk to Tom Cruise and Will Smith in person, and it is very inappropriate, just let the people of Shahai Entertainment talk slowly with their agents.

Ronan said: "I will officially inform Shahai Entertainment tomorrow. ”

Tom Cruise asked curiously, "Who are you going to invite as a director?"

"Rest assured, it must be a top director. Ronan said his name directly: "The first person I plan to invite is Martin Scorsese. ”

Will Smith said: "Gangster films are what Martin Scorsese does best. ”

Tom Cruise asked again, "When are you planning to start filming?"

Ronan said honestly: "You are all busy people, we will decide on the specific shooting and production time after we have coordinated the schedule." ”

"Yes. Tom Cruise endorses.

Will Smith chimed in: "It's true that I have a tight schedule, and I'm going to voice DreamWorks' Sharks Gang next year, as well as some reshoots of Me and the Robots. ”

Ronan looked at Tom Cruise, and Tom Cruise said: "I want to participate in the post-production of "War of the Worlds", and in addition to preparing "Mission Impossible 3". ”

Ronan nodded lightly, considered the words of the two for a while, and said: "In addition, it depends on the contact between Shahai Entertainment and Martin Scorsese, and the script also needs to continue to be adjusted, if everything goes well, we will start preliminary preparations in the second half of next year, and it will be released in 2005, with the goal of being the Oscar in 2006!"

Tom Cruise and Will Smith's eyes widened a little at the same time.

"Is this going to hit the Oscars?" asked Tom Cruise, "Is the hope big?"

Will Smith also said with concern: "Tom and I are not Oscar's favorite people. ”

Ronan shrugged slightly: "Who knows the result if you don't try?"

If memory serves, "The Departed" won two awards for Best Director and Best Picture at a certain Academy Awards, but won nothing for acting.

The two male protagonists at that time were Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.

The former is working with Martin Scorsese on "The Aviator", and the latter is making final preparations for the filming of "Spy 3".

Both of them were so busy, and Ronan was too embarrassed to bother them.

Of course, if the protagonists are replaced by Tom Cruise and Will Smith, no one can guarantee whether they can be nominated for an Oscar for acting.

But the two can also bring strong box office appeal.

The first choice for director is definitely Martin Scorsese, once "The Departed" won a big Oscar, although Martin Scorsese is not a key factor, but the sympathy score and seniority score definitely played a role.

This kind of film, if you don't go to the awards, it is difficult to generate a large profit.

Ronan chatted with Tom Cruise and Will Smith for an entire afternoon before they left one after the other.

The next day, Shahai Entertainment began to make formal contact with their agent, and since this is a standard film created for the Oscars, it can be classified as an art film, and Tom Cruise and Will Smith only need a friendship price, each receiving $12 million.

Of course, their agents are not simple, after all, agents must fight for the interests of their clients, and it is impossible to let the actual remuneration of the two superstars be too low than the normal value.

In the end, in addition to the basic salary, the two also have their own four percent of the North American box office.

The production budget for "The Departed" is likely to be around $80 million, which is a bit high for an award-winning film.

Ronan is also looking for ways to reduce upfront investment, such as pulling advertising sponsorships and applying for tax refunds.

It's no exaggeration to say that with Tom Cruise and Will Smith here, it's not hard to find advertisers to sponsor.

Since there is such a natural advantage, of course, it is necessary to take advantage of it.