Chapter 136: Pursuit and Cooperation

The ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hilton is brightly lit, men and women in formal dresses standing or sitting, filling every space, Duke holding champagne and clinking glasses with people who come over to say hello. At Josephson's reminder, depending on the identity of the person who came, he either nodded or shook hands.

Ever since he walked into this huge banquet hall, he had not been left with anyone, as if it were the blood that attracted flies the most.

Paramount, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony Columbia Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and other first-tier companies, as well as second-tier companies such as Carlock and Miramax, their executives or representatives have come to congratulate Duke, and at the same time are testing whether there is any possibility of cooperation in the future.

Although it is impossible for these companies to invest in a film project immediately when Duke throws it out, it will definitely push the review and preliminary research as quickly as possible in the program.

This is the aura that comes with success.

Perhaps there is no such thing as 'superstition' in this land, but it is one of the craziest countries for those who chase success.

"Although Duke? Rosenberg only made three films. ”

Standing not far away, looking at Duke who was busy socializing, Cook? Dick was looking for the right opportunity, and he said to another Disney executive next to him, "But one of the three films grossed more than the other, and "Independence Day" was a complete hit, and our marketing department predicted that the film could hit $350 million in North America and $800 million globally." ”

"Bob, Duke deserves our attention!" He said again.

Robert? Iger nodded, "Duke's ability in business is undoubted, it's just that the film's reputation is ......"

"Professional reputation? Does that matter? ”

Seeing that there is no one around Duke for the time being, Cook? Dick winked at Egg, and the two strode over to Duke.

"This is Cook, who is in charge of Disney's live-action film business? Dick. ”

Just as the two of them are about to get here, Nancy? Josephson whispered in Duke's ear. "The other one is also a Disney executive, named Robert? Egger, he likes to be called Bob. ”

"Hi, Duke."

"Hi Cook. Hi Bob. ”

The two sides shook hands intimately. Like very familiar friends, Duke was sure that he had seen the two men on other occasions before, but he was not too impressed, and as before, he was neither arrogant nor modest.

"Congratulations on your movie on the sale."

The two people on the opposite side are obviously Cook? Dick is the main one, "This is really an amazing result. ”

"Thank you!" Duke smiled and raised his glass to him.

Cook? Dick took a slight sip of wine, and after waiting for another actress who came over to say hello next to him left, he went straight to the point. "I heard you still have a script? When do you plan to turn into a full-fledged film project? Preference can be given to Disney. ”

"It's almost there." Duke tilted his head to the side, "If Disney wants to, Nancy ......"

"We're interested."

With Nancy? Josephson shook his hand, Cook? Dick said, "Nancy, why don't we find a place to talk after the banquet?" ”

"No problem." Nancy has shown good work ethic.

Just around the corner, Warner Bros. Jeff? Robinov was looking this way. A pair of brows seem to be a little tight, and you can hardly see the joy after the film is a big hit.

The people who watched Disney shake hands with Duke goodbye. Saw the people of Sony Colombia walk over again, Jeff? Robinoff understood that such a successful director must be the goal of the whole of Hollywood.

If directors who have grossed more than $300 million in North America for a single film don't chase after it, then Hollywood is really a concentration of idiots!

Thinking so, Jeff? Robinov's right index finger tapped his middle finger slightly. Warner Bros.'s current CEO is about to step down, and with the successive successes of "Independence Day" and "Death Island", he has won the competition within Warner Bros. and is already the obvious choice for CEO.

What's next, Jeff? Robinov considered that. How to consolidate your position and then come up with good results.

He had read Duke's new screenplay, which was a story about the Normandy landings and rescues, which was not only popular, but also appropriately added humanistic care that Duke's previous films did not have, and next year is the 50th anniversary of the victory in Europe, such a film would be a box office weapon if it was released on D-Day, German surrender day, or Memorial Day......

Although this film genre cannot be as super popular as "Independence Day", it naturally has Oscar attributes, and if it can make a difference at the Oscars, the film's subsequent TV broadcast and videotape rental sales will greatly increase the profits!

How can we continue to work with Duke? Jeff? Robinov couldn't help but pinch his chin.

It is true that according to the original agreement, Warner Bros. has the right of first refusal, but that is based on the same conditions, and it would be the most naΓ―ve and stupid joke to say that other Hollywood companies were not at all interested in Duke's film project and watched Warner Bros. take it!

And most importantly, Duke? Rosenberg is only 24 years old and may have unlimited potential in the future, what has Spielberg achieved from "Jaws" to the present?

Just think of that, Jeff? Robinov couldn't wait to tie the young director to the Warner Bros. chariot.

But how to tie it, then it is worth thinking about.

"Duke, what do you think of monsters?"

Standing across from it was Mickey, vice president of Sony Columbia Pictures? Schulhoff, who was not as verbose and hypocritical as the Japanese executive next to him, was a typical American businessman, and after a simple greeting, he went straight to the point, "It's a huge monster with the ability to destroy miΓ¨." ”

"Is it Godzilla?" Duke immediately understood what he meant.

"Yes, it's this monster from Japan." Schulhoff saw that Duke had heard about it, and immediately made an introduction, "Sony Entertainment got the film rights of Godzilla in 1992 and has been planning the film adaptation, but we have not found a suitable director, the kind of director who can fully unleash Godzilla's power!" ”

Duke nodded, waiting for the other to continue.

Mickey? Schulhoff organized the language a little, "Frankly, Duke, Independence Day just ruined North America, don't you want to ruin more places?" Like Japan? ”

"Japan?" Duke's eyes immediately lit up, "All along, I've been very, very much trying to sink Japan, or destroy it all, Godzilla......"

Hearing Duke's words, the Japanese executive next to him looked a little embarrassed.

Despite a few teasing words, Duke would not be rude on such an occasion, "I mean ruining MiΓ¨ Japan in the movie, I don't think Mr. Oga will mind, right?" ”

"Of course not."

The Japanese-American executive immediately showed his brightest smile, "I love the work of director Rosenberg very much, and I love seeing those earth-shattering scenes. ”

"Thank you......"

With a casual polite remark, Duke looked at Schulhoff again, "Mitch, I have my own plans next, I'm afraid I won't be able to cooperate with Sony Entertainment." ”

"Duke, think again." Mickey? Schulhoff lowered his voice, "Sony Entertainment has set a production budget of $120 million for this project, and if you are willing to be the director, this budget can be increased by ......"

Frowning slightly, Duke directly led the other party to the agent, "You guys talk to Nancy first." ”

Directing a Japanese monster film? This is not in Duke's plan, this is not a matter of prejudice, but based on practical considerations, the North American film and television culture market is the most closed market, it is too difficult for outsiders to succeed, and the Japanese Godzilla will meet the appreciation of mainstream audiences in North America? No kidding.

If you operate on Godzilla's appearance, you should be able to win some North American audiences, but you will lose the film's biggest source of income - the Japanese market!

This is a very unflattering subject!

If he really wanted to make a monster movie, Duke would rather go for the original one than use Godzilla.

After dealing with the duo of Sony Columbia, Duke finally had a little free time, his eyes swept over the spacious banquet hall, the ribbons and petals that had been sprinkled at the beginning of the celebration were everywhere, and the guests stepped on them back and forth, not remembering the theme of the celebration, and the party inevitably changed in the direction of the business party.

In addition to Duke himself, several of the main actors of the crew are also sought after, especially Will? Smith and Naomi? Watts, these two can be called the actors who benefited the most from the film, the former is the most popular among teenagers, and the latter has received a lot of praise for his acting skills.

"Looking for the right prey?"

Hearing the monotonous nasal words behind him, Duke knew it must be Sophia? Coppola, deliberately said, "Do you have a recommendation?" ”

Sophia stepped forward and fought side by side with Duke, her eyes turning to more than thirty feet diagonally opposite, "Madonna?" Siconi is there, and you're sure you'll be able to get her there, and she's probably interested in people like you. ”

"I'm not interested in her." Duke felt the wine in his stomach rush.

Although Madonna looked to be in her thirties at best, Duke was sure that she was born in the fifties, and that she was not so serious.

Just think about how often the big worm Rodman gets involved with her, where would Duke still be interested.

Suddenly, Sophia? Coppola put away his joking expression and reminded in a serious working tone, "Duke, Townsend?" Rothman came over. ”

Townsend, the CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, walked over? Rothman, who has collaborated on two films and didn't have so much politeness with each other, drank a glass of champagne together, and when the other party asked what his plans were for the near future, Duke went straight to the point.

"I'm done sending duì and planning to go on vacation to Europe."

Now is not the situation before when there was no capital, Duke said with a deliberate smile, "Townsend, my travel fee has not been settled yet, I don't know when the share will arrive?" (To be continued......)

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