Sam Mendes is definitely a director with top quality.

His works such as "American Beauty", "Road to Destruction" and "Road to Revolution" are all famous classics.

Although the current Sam Mendes is just a newcomer to Hollywood, and his first feature film "American Beauty" has not even been released, Donn has already made up his mind to pull Sam Mendes over.

"American Beauty" was the best picture at the Oscar and helped Sam Mendes win the Oscar for Best Director.

Before the release of American Beauty, it was the best time to sign Sam Mendes.

In mid-July, Down Pictures received a tax refund from Germany, totaling $21.5 million, excluding $1 million in intermediary fees and $500,000 in legal fees distributed to Constantine Films, and a total of $20 million in revenue from Town's Pictures!

Three days later, David also came with good news, and the British side also received a tax refund of up to $23 million. In addition to the $1.5 million in brokerage fees and attorney fees, Towne Pictures earned another $21.5 million.

So far, Donn Pictures has $195 million in funds, which is enough to run the two movies "Spider-Man" and "Soul Shifter" at the same time!

The crew of "Spider-Man" also officially started the audition and casting of some important supporting roles.

Male number one Peter Parker, Donn has a candidate in mind - James Franco.

The female number one, naturally, Jessica Alba is the one who does not give in.

By late July, the Sunglasses system finally came with a hint that he had obtained another "Mirror Possession" skill.

"Star Wars Episode I: The Ghost Man Menace" has grossed $460 million in North America, more than $240 million overseas, and more than $700 million worldwide.

So far, Donn's personal total box office has exceeded $3 billion, and he has received the system's third "Mirror Possession" reward.

At the end of July, Sam Mendes officially signed a contract with Down Pictures to direct "Soul Shifting Girl" with a salary of $1.2 million.

However, Sam Mendes made some requests, and he asked his partner in the filming of "A Beautiful Mind", Alan Ball, to join the crew as an executive producer.

Don almost laughed out loud when he heard the news.

Alan Ball, a famous producer, the famous "Uncle Ball", a god in American dramas, participated in the creation of many classic American dramas, and was a key figure in HBO's global popularity.

Such a talent, without Sam Mendes' request, Don wants to recruit it.

……

"Don, the creative committee didn't approve of our adaptation of the screenplay. ”

As the president of Marvel Studios, Nina Jacobson serves as the producer of "Spider-Man" and is responsible for communicating all aspects of the relationship.

Don rubbed his forehead with a headache, "What do those old guys think? Do you really want the heroine to die?"

In the original script of "Spider-Man", the story flow follows the Marvel plot, Peter Parker's first girlfriend is Gwen Stacy, because of the struggle with the Green Goblin, Spider-Man indirectly killed his girlfriend, and then completed his growth.

Such a story, in Donn's opinion, is too heavy, and what he needs is a lighthearted and enjoyable popcorn movie. If you want to express the depth and thickness of the movie, it is by no means through a "mouth cannon" hero like "Spider-Man".

So Don vetoed the character of Gwen Stacy, and directly chose Mary Jane, the wife of Spider-Man, as the heroine of this film.

"Nina, what do you think?" Don glanced at her.

Nina Jacobson mused: "I agree with you, Spider-Man has gradually changed from a young teenager at the beginning to a cheerful and outgoing, even a bit of a talkative superhero, which has grown up sufficiently, and there is no need to add such a heavy background." Spider-Man ...... is funny, he shouldn't have a too painful past. ”

Don praised, "That's a good point. Nina, I said, I'm going to put all the Marvel superheroes on the big screen, it's Spider-Man now, and then there's Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, Black Widow! I'm going to create the Avengers on the big screen! Remember, this is a big series, and I need to be lighthearted, funny, and entertaining the public, not pretending to be deep. ”

Nina Jacobson hesitated, "In that case, shouldn't our script be revised again, Peter's mistake indirectly killed Uncle Ben, it doesn't fit your overall structure, right?"

Don waved his hand, "I've thought about it, it's not a big problem, it can be digested with time." With the current special effects, it is a little difficult to really bring the Avengers to the big screen. And even if it is filmed, it is not satisfactory. We can accumulate fans' confidence and expectations for Marvel through the "Spider-Man" trilogy, and when the special effects technology is further mature, it is time for Marvel to win the world. ”

Nina Jacobson knew that Don had put too much effort into "Spider-Man" and had taken on a lot of debt, and if it weren't for his great confidence in the future, he wouldn't have to be under so much pressure.

"Okay, I'll talk to the creative committee. As one more thing, James Franco agreed to sign a three-part package contract, but he thought the ten-part contract was too long and wanted to cut it short. ”

"Huh?"

Tang En raised his eyebrows, a little displeased.

According to California's Talent Act, film companies can only sign a maximum of three film packages with actors, just to prevent the contract period from being too long, which will affect the interests of the actors.

This is also the reason why many movies are presented in a trilogy situation.

However, in order to prevent the actor from opening his mouth after filming the movie and becoming famous, it will seriously affect the interests of the film company and the plan to shoot a sequel, so it is allowed to "book a film contract".

In other words, the film company can sign a contract with the actor's current market conditions within the scheduled film contract to prevent the actor from opening his mouth.

For example, Gal Gadot signed a trilogy packaging contract with Warner, and after "Wonder Woman" sold wildly, her salary for participating in "Wonder Woman 2" was still only $300,000.

For example, Johnny Depp and "Pirates of the Caribbean" only signed a three-part contract, and when "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" and "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" were filmed, they had already offered sky-high prices.

For example, after Robert Downey Jr.'s film contract expired, "Iron Man 4" was delayed, and the half-hour performance in "Avengers 2" and "Captain America 3" got a salary of $40 million.

This is a salary that even Leonardo Riccaprio and Tom Cruise can't get. It's because there is no film contract restriction that the other party has the opportunity for the lion to open his mouth.

"As I said, the Avengers are a super-big series like never before, we're going to make dozens of movies, and we're going to have to be on guard!"

Tang En's face was grim, "The packaging contract of the trilogy can not be signed, even if his price is high, the salary of 20 million will be capped, but ten film contracts, one cannot be less!"

Nina Jacobson is slightly embarrassed," James Franco ...... is a very self-motivated actor, he is unwilling to be confined to the role of Spider-Man for the rest of his life, he wants more and broader development space. ”

"Spider-Man is a superhero with a mask, and we are making a movie, not a TV series!" Donn waved his hand, "James was too worried, told him, just say that this is my decision, the contract is unquestionable, if he doesn't agree, he wants to take over the actors who filmed Spider-Man, it's everywhere!"

Nina Jacobson immediately felt Donn's determination, "Okay, I'll go back and inform him." He's a smart guy and he's definitely going to make the right choice. ”

"Nina, the last decade has been the era of superstars, giving birth to superstars such as Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise. But the times have changed, the era of special effects has come, the era of superstars is gone, actors are actors, and no one can replace them. ”

Donn admires James Franco's abilities and wants to work with such a good actor, but only if it doesn't hurt his interests.

"By the way, Harry's character has been screened?"

"Well, after the initial audition, there are a total of five lads who have passed the level, and when you have time, you can personally host a final audition. ”

Don nodded, "Do you have any key recommendations?"

"Yes!" Nina Jacobson thought for a moment, "Tobey Maguire, 24, who has filmed Ann Lee's "The Ice Storm" and Woody Allen's "Structural Lovers", is sunny and handsome, and his acting skills are also good. ”

"Tobey Maguire?"

Don's eyes widened and he froze.

This ...... Interesting.

In the old version of "Spider-Man", Tobey Maguire played "Spider-Man" Peter Parker, and James Franco played his good friend Harry Osborne.

In Donn's version of "Spider-Man", it seems to be completely reversed.

James Franco is Spider-Man and Tobey Maguire is Harry Osborne......

Interesting!