Since the news broke that Drew was staying overnight at Eric's house, many newspapers that hyped it up have seen a surge in sales. So during this time, the paparazzi around Eric have not been less. The day after the acquisition of the brokerage company, the news soon appeared in the newspapers.

Directly wrote an article analyzing this matter:

It's hard to understand why Eric Williams chose to buy Kapoor Sid's agency, who was kicked out of CAA because of his conflict with Michael Ovitz and struggled in Hollywood agent circles. It is rumored that Kapoor Sid was planning to sell his agency and go to Europe, but Eric Williams was determined to keep him. It seems that our young miracle director has been carried away by success and does not know how severe the consequences will be after angering the behemoth of CAA. ”

The focus is on Eric's increase in brokerage commissions:

According to a contracted actor who changed his name to United Elite Agency, one of the first things Eric Williams announced when he took over the company was to raise the broker's commission to the maximum of 10 percent under federal law. Eric Williams will definitely give preference to the actors of his own agency when making movies in the future, and if his works can always maintain that level, even if the commission is increased to 20%, it is enough to make many actors who want to be famous flock to it. But obviously this assumption is impossible, movies are like gambling, and no director can win all the time. So I'm sure it's hard for Eric Williams, the new company, to survive a year. ”

Other newspapers have also taken a look at Eric's acquisition, and some reporters have even sent interviews to Michael Ovitz in order to maximize the popularity of the incident.

Michael Ovitz did not refuse as before, although he did not come forward, but asked his assistant to make a statement on his behalf, to the effect that he was very optimistic about the potential of Eric Williams, a young director, and hoped that the two sides could cooperate.

This passage seems to be commonplace, but the media has given another diametrically opposite interpretation, which is the CAA boss's subtle warning to Eric Williams: as long as the other party still has a relationship with Kapoor Sid, it is difficult for the two sides to cooperate with Zài.

Of course, this is only part of the media's speculation.

Immediately afterwards, Eric's second film was announced by the media, and the paparazzi did not have much time to dig up the news of Eric's attempt to invite Richard Gere to play the leading role.

This made many paparazzi excited again, because Richard Gere was one of the CAA's signed artists at this time, and he was at a low ebb in his career, and under normal circumstances, the other party would 100% accept Eric's invitation. Therefore, if Richard Gere and Eric fail to work together, the speculation that the CAA will ban Eric will also be confirmed.

……

In a conference room that Firefly Films has just renovated, Horner Wiley sits and sipps coffee, one of the CAA's gold agents, and also has another identity: Richard Gere's agent, which is why he is here today.

The door to the conference room was pushed open, and a well-dressed Eric walked in, smiling and holding out his hand to Horner Wiley, "I'm sorry, Mr. Wiley, for keeping you waiting. ”

"It's okay," Horner Willy said as he stood up slightly with a proud expression, shook Eric's hand, and quickly sat down to himself.

Eric frowned without a trace, sat down opposite Horner Wiley, and scanned the conference room suspiciously: "Mr. Wiley, may I ask why Mr. Richard Gere didn't come today, he is the protagonist of today's discussion, right?"

Horner Wiley shook his head and said, "Richard is busy with other things, and he has given me carte blanche to take care of this matter." ”

Although he already had a premonition in his heart, Eric politely asked, "He should have read the outline of the script I sent to Mr. Richard Gere, I wonder what you think?"

Horner Wiley said: "Mr. Williams, Richard is still very happy with your script, but your salary is only half a million dollars, which is difficult to accept. You know, Richard got more than $100 million at the North American box office that year. ”

Eric sneered in his heart, and another self-righteous guy who regarded himself as a rookie: "Mr. Wiley, I'm young, I haven't heard of this movie, please ask what year this movie was filmed, I'll go back and find the tape to take a good look at." ”

"In 1982," Horner Wiley blurted out, and seeing that Eric didn't hide too much banter on his face, Horner Wiley realized that he had been tricked.

The salary of Hollywood movie stars is not that the higher the box office of the movie at its peak, the higher the value. It is calculated comprehensively based on factors such as the box office, awards, and personal exposure of the movies he has starred in in recent years. It's already Richard Gere's movie from seven years ago, and it basically doesn't have the reference value for his current value.

Before sending out the invitation, Eric had a good idea of Richard Gere's recent career, and Richard Gere's films over the past three years have been a box office hit, with one of his best action thrillers grossing $12 million. And a recent cameo movie only got a total box office of $180,000, you read that right, it's $180,000, and it is estimated that the producer didn't even earn back its cameo fees.

So Eric's $500,000 salary is even a bit too high.

"Alright, Mr. Horner, since you are too little, let me tell you about your conditions. ”

Horner Wiley's face quickly returned to normal, and he said, "Mr. Williams, actually, half a million dollars is not unacceptable to us. However, you should know where your problems are. Mr. Ovitz is not a stingy man, and as long as Kapoor Sid leaves the United States, Mr. Ovitz will no longer target him. Originally, this matter was already a matter of course, but you took it upon yourself to keep the other person, which embarrassed Mr. Ovitz, so ......"

Eric sneered, "So you threaten me with our cooperation and ask me to dismiss Kapoor, right? It's ridiculous to force a man to leave his country, and he can shamelessly say that he is generous." ”

"Mr. Williams," Horner Wiley's face turned cold, "although you have achieved some things, don't think too highly of yourself. You're just an ant in front of the huge CAA. I hope you're a smart person and don't do that kind of youthful thing. ”

"What if I have to do it?"

"Then we're sorry, Mr. Williams, don't forget, the protagonist Stuart Runkel is also a CAA signed artist, if you go against CAA, don't think about the second part of the film. ”

"It seems that the CAA has swelled to the point that it has forgotten its duty," Eric still had a sneer on his face: "Don't forget, you are a brokerage company, and you must put the interests of your customers first in every action, only in this way can you survive for a long time." ”

Horner Wiley retorted: "You don't need to be reminded of this, Mr. Williams, we have been doing this all along, and even if we can't get along, Richard will get the lead character of another movie as compensation." The most important thing CAA lacks is high-quality film projects. ”

"Hopefully, after the release, Mr. Richard Gere will still feel that he has been compensated enough," Eric said, standing up with a hint of meaning in his tone, "Mr. Wiley, there is no need for us to talk any further. Please go back and tell Michael Ovitz that in Hollywood, no one is irreplaceable. But as long as CAA has an actor I like, I will continue to send out invitations, and I will not accept any binding conditions from CAA, I hope you have the confidence to continue refusing. ”

Horner Willy gave Eric a cold look, "I also hope you won't regret your decision today." After speaking, the other party didn't mean to say another word, picked up the briefcase and pushed the door straight away.