The moon hung in the night sky, the light sprinkled the land, and in the open-air clubhouse in the Santa Monica Docklands area, Christopher Nolan met his friend Pete Broderick.

This is the producer who used to work with Pursuit, but after Following it, Pete Broderick and Christopher Nolan took two different paths.

The latter gradually rose to prominence and made a name for himself in Hollywood, while the former entered Fox Television and became an obscure executive producer in some TV series.

"Chris, to introduce, this is James Kaput, from Twentieth Century Fox Productions. Pete Broderick gave an introduction to both sides: "James, this is Christopher Nolan, the talented director. ”

James Kaput took the initiative to step forward and shake hands with Christopher Nolan: "It's an honor to meet you. ”

Christopher Nolan responds politely while also observing James Kaput, thinking about who he is and what he is here for.

He's a director, and he's from the production department of a big company......

After a brief pleasantries, Pete Broderick said, "Chris, Mr. Kaput is here on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox and wants to talk to you about the new project. ”

James Kaput took the opportunity to say: "Chris, I had the pleasure of seeing your Batman: Time to War at a preview of Warner Bros. in the ring, a very bold and outstanding superhero movie, which I think is the best of all Batman movies. ”

"Thank you. Christopher Nolan is modest: "It's too much of an award. ”

James Kaput shook his head: "No, you deserve this movie." ”

Christopher Nolan smiled, simply stopped talking, and waited quietly.

Pete Broderick answered: "Chris's talent and ability are praised even by Ronan Anderson. ”

According to the meaning of his words, it seems that the director who can be praised by Ronan will be a very remarkable character.

James Kaput also took it for granted, looked at Christopher Nolan, and said very sincerely: "Twentieth Century Fox is interested in working with director Nolan. ”

This was not what Christopher Nolan expected, and the film production company approached the director, and that's what it did.

"I'm honored that Twentieth Century Fox is so important. Christopher Nolan was also a little complacent, but his mind was still relatively clear: "However, Mr. Kaput, my schedule for the next five years is already full. ”

Pete Broderick hurriedly gave Christopher Nolan a look, Christopher Nolan is an assertive person, just don't see it.

James Kaput came over, of course he understood the situation, and said: "The schedule that Director Nolan said is a magic-themed movie that you just started preparing, and there is a sequel to "Time to Go to War" with uncertain factors, right?"

Christopher Nolan remained silent, glanced at Pete Broderick without a trace, and finally didn't say anything.

James Kaput said again: "Director Nolan, Twentieth Century Fox is very sincere in inviting you to work together. ”

"I'm sorry. Christopher Nolan directly refused: "My schedule is really not suitable. ”

James Kaput continued: "You may be misunderstood, but the collaboration I am talking about is exactly your magic film project......"

Christopher Nolan interjected: "I have signed a contract with Shahai Entertainment for this project. ”

"It doesn't matter, as long as you're willing to work with Twentieth Century Fox, all of this is not a problem. James Kaput can vaguely guess why the above is doing this, after all, the troubles that Relativity Entertainment is now encountering are not a secret in the circle: "Director Nolan, the liquidated damages for the project, Twentieth Century Fox can pay for you." When your project goes into the hands of Twentieth Century Fox, you get a 10% increase in your production budget, and you get all the power except for the final editing. ”

Christopher Nolan only thought for a moment and refused: "Thank you for the importance of Twentieth Century Fox, but I signed a contract with Shahai Entertainment, and I want to be true to my word......"

"Director Nolan, think about it again. Behind James Kaput is Twentieth Century Fox, and the other party is just a director who has just entered the second line: "There are not many directors who can make Twentieth Century Fox value, and the opportunity is rare, you think about it for a few days and then give me an answer." ”

Although he vetoed it in his heart, Christopher Nolan didn't want to annoy the big companies in the circle, at least he had to be able to get by on the surface, and answered: "I'll think about it for two days." ”

He is not stupid, and looked at James Kaput: "I will let James convey the specific results." ”

When this former friend called, he said that there was an urgent matter to find him, and where was there an emergency, it was obvious that he had dug a hole for him, and since this was the case, let this friend be a microphone and buffer tape.

Pete Broderick tried to persuade him, but Christopher Nolan didn't give him a chance, saying: "Mr. Kaput, it's late, I have to go home, or my wife will get me in trouble." ”

"Please. James Kaput said.

Christopher Nolan said to his friend again: "Pete, we'll be together again when we have time, you know Emma's temper." ”

Pete Broderick knew Nolan's wife, and he didn't have much to say at this time, so he could only say, "You think about it, remember to contact me." ”

Christopher Nolan got out of the open-air clubhouse, got into the car and didn't leave immediately, but first called the agent: "Dan, I have something to look for you, I'm outside now, go home immediately, you go directly to my house." ”

Half an hour later, Nolan met with his agent, Dan Aroni, at his home and told him the general story of what had happened.

This agent is considered second-tier in CAA, and he is far from reaching the status of firing CAA squid with Christopher Nolan in the future, but those who have hope to go to a high position in the future will naturally not be fools.

Instead of giving an answer, Dan Aroney asked, "Chris, what do you think?"

Emma Thomas also looked at her husband with concern, she is not a housewife, but a fairly capable producer.

Christopher Nolan looked serious and said, "It's stupid to change partners at this time. Hollywood's top big companies are attractive, and any director wants to work with big companies, and I'm no exception. But Relativistic Entertainment isn't small, so it can be classified as a big company, right?"

Despite knowing her husband, Emma Thomas breathed a sigh of relief when she heard these words, she knew that her husband had always wanted to direct big projects for big companies and was worried that he would be hooked by the name of Twentieth Century Fox.

"Relativity entertainment is strong. She said to her husband, intentionally or unintentionally: "Except for the six major Hollywood companies, the relativistic entertainment industry is the strongest." ”

Dan Aroni chimed in, "Emma is accurate. ”

Christopher Nolan continued: "Since I'm working with a big company, why should I give up a company near me that has enough trust in me and go to a strange company far away? I'm just a young director who has just made a name for himself, and if I leave Relativity Entertainment, can Twentieth Century Fox really give me a higher salary? more trust, more power, enough creative freedom?"

Emma Thomas laughs, "They are a commercial company, not a charity. ”

"Let me tell you about it. Dan Aroni saw Christopher Nolan's clear attitude and said at the right time: "I didn't want to affect your creation and normal work before, so I didn't tell you what happened in the circle. ”

As film creators, the Nolans, who are fully engaged in their work, do not care too much about the situation in the outside world.

Dan Aroney said: "Twentieth Century Fox probably didn't really want to work with us, their real purpose should be to relativistic entertainment. Recently, Relativity Entertainment has encountered a lot of troubles, just like DreamWorks two days ago, Hollywood's big companies don't want new entrants to appear at the top of the force, and they are always intentionally or unintentionally creating trouble for Relativity Entertainment and suppressing the development momentum of Relativity Entertainment. ”

Christopher Nolan suddenly realized: "Relativity Entertainment's main business is film production and distribution, and my project is different from the project initiated by Relativity Entertainment's Embassy Pictures, the original initiator of the project is me, so ......"

Dan Aroni nodded lightly: "I guess that's it." He suddenly sneered and said, "Twentieth Century Fox seems to have promised well, but compared to us, the big company is unshakable. Chris, you're really going to fall out with Relativity Entertainment and Ronan Anderson, and no one can guarantee whether Twentieth Century Fox will do what it promised. ”

Emma Thomas suddenly thought of some examples in the industry: "Even if a contract is signed, the studio can delay it for normal reasons such as financing and fundraising. ”

Christopher Nolan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Hollywood isn't calm either. ”

Dan Aroney laughs and says, "Hollywood has never been calm. ”

"I called Pitt two days later and categorically rejected Twentieth Century Fox. Christopher Nolan never hesitated: "This is the end of the matter." ”

He told Dan Aroni and Emma Thomas: "Don't spread the word, just let the three of us know." ”

Dan Aroni nodded subconsciously, but Emma Thomas showed a little thought on her face, and after a moment, she said, "Ronan should be informed of this matter." ”

Christopher Nolan and Dan Aroni looked at her side at the same time, and Emma Thomas said, "Since we are partners, we also need to remind Ronan. Also, Chris is rejecting Twentieth Century Fox, shouldn't Ronan know about it? Relativity Entertainment is in trouble, and Ronan Anderson needs to know who is supporting him and who he should support in the future. ”