In the Duke's studio, Duke was communicating with his accountant David, and after the New Year, the financial pressure on Twentieth Century Fox was eased, except for the $50 million that Duke invested in "Titanic", they paid off the remaining $17 million in arrears as soon as possible, and paid interest at the bank rate.

Also not to be left behind is Warner Bros., because of the relationship involving overseas marketers, the overseas share of "Saving Private Ryan" only paid Duke $30 million for the time being, but guaranteed that the rest would arrive within a month.

They wanted to be involved in Duke's new film.

There are two reasons why these people are so positive, one is that "Chicago" is not a super hit compared to Duke's previous works, although it is not a super hit, but it is also a success, and the other is that Duke's new work is based on science fiction films, and he plans to return to the summer file!

"The king of the summer file is back in the summer file, is there a reason why Warner Bros. should not be involved?"

On the board of directors of Warner Bros., in front of many independent directors and executive directors, CEO Jeff? Robinov uttered such resounding words.

Of course, this project is only the completion of the script, and Yiqiē is in the initial stage, and Duke is only letting Nancy? Josephson only leaked a little bit of information to the outside world.

Although as early as 94, the outline and character of the script were recorded by him in the Screenwriters Guild, Duke still acquired the adaptation rights of a sideline comic, which did not cost much money, which can reduce some unnecessary troubles in the future.

But that's about it. This kind of thing can never be avoided in Hollywood, think about those films that were once hugely successful, which one did not have the so-called plagiarism voice and people who jumped out to get a piece of the pie after a big hit?

Even this kind of lawsuit is basically a sure loss. Still, one writer after another jumped out, desperately trying to get involved with these well-known films, to attract attention with controversy, and then to sell their work.

The most typical, once accused James? Cameron's people. A certain writer who plagiarized the film sold out in a short period of time after the media reported it heavily......

Profit is the biggest reason for attracting these people.

There is a large amount of money in hand. Duke took out some of it and was going to put it into Yahoo, after noticing the site from Kelis the last time. Specially asked people to check, one of the founders did have a surname Yang, although a lot of specific information was also found, but unfortunately it was useless for him. Because he doesn't remember at all......

Duke is ready to put the money from Twentieth Century Fox into the stock market, and even better if he can invest it directly, and David's team will reach out to some of Yahoo's shareholders to see if they can buy shares from them, or wait for Yahoo's next share expansion.

If you really don't qualify to go in and share the cake, then you can buy as much as you can from the stock market.

The rest of the money will be held down for the time being, Charles? Rowan has agreed to make him the production manager of another project, and the two will have concrete discussions in the next period of time, and then a large amount of money will flow to New Zealand. Tolkien's epic masterpiece took two years or more to prepare.

These are all the work of the next few months, and they also need to be carried out according to the plan step by step, and there is no hurry.

Recently, it wasn't just Warner and Fox who got in on the action. Even Disney is trying to talk to Nancy? Joseph re-established a good connection, and the rising box office of "Chicago" has proven that Duke can stand out from the fierce competition, if not sweep all rivals, after leaving the summer slot.

After entering 1997, the number of theaters of "Chicago" has slipped below 1,000, and the weekday box office is even less than $1 million. By mid-January, the film had grossed $139.81 million at the North American box office. The number of theaters continues to shrink.

The other two films in the same schedule, "Star Trek: First Strike", have been forced to drop because the box office has fallen too fast, and the North American box office finally stopped at $91.75 million, compared with "Chicago", fully interpreting the saying that winning first is not called winning.

The number of theaters of "The English Patient" has always adhered to the distribution strategy of award-winning films, and the number of theaters has been maintained at about 500, and the cumulative box office in North America has gradually approached 28 million US dollars.

Due to the limited investment of "Chicago" in rushing for awards, in recent times, Miramax and "The English Patient" have clearly occupied the advantage in publicity and public relations, but Duke's goal is first and foremost to be nominated for an Oscar, and "Chicago" wants to make a difference in the Oscars, although it is not impossible, but it is difficult.

In late January, the 69th Oscar Nominees Luncheon was held on time at the Beverly Hills Regent Hotel. Josephson was present on his behalf, and as everyone expected, "Chicago" and "The English Patient" became Arthur? The biggest winner in the list of nominees announced by Miller.

The English Patient won a total of 11 nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Soundtrack, Best Sound Effects, Best Actor and Best Actress.

"Chicago" did not go far further, winning a total of ten nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Song, Best Actor and Best Actress.

In Nancy? Under the operation of Josephson, Naomi? Watts was nominated for his first Oscar for acting, and the much-attacked Tom? Cruise also got his wish, and after doing a lot of work, he finally got his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

As for Catherine? Zeta? Jones, is her performance really no better than Naomi? Watts is bad, but she is only a newcomer who has just entered Hollywood, and her agent Vivian is not a large entertainment agency, and she will have to stay up for a few years to be nominated.

“yes！”

In the Beverly Hills mansion, Tom? Cruise shook his fist excitedly, he didn't attend the nominee luncheon, he just got Pat? The list of nominees passed by Kingsley seemed to see the Oscar statuette beckoning to him.

Nicole? Kidman also saw the list, and sat next to him with a snow-white face without saying a word, and his mood seemed a little bad, and the reason was very simple-Naomi? Watts was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress!

A person who once needed her to lift, or even help, suddenly turned over and achieved far more than her, and only I can experience the taste.

Just because she climbed Duke? Rosenberg is the director, so now he is faintly among the ranks of Hollywood quasi-first-class actresses, and what about himself? Or is it a dependent Tom? Cruise's vase? She and Naomi? What is the difference between Watts? It's just that the men standing behind are different, and the results are very different!

Eyes turn to Tom? Cruise, he's still excited, Nicole? But Kidman knew that if she counted on him, her future could not go further, even if it was Tom? Cruise himself, nominated for Best Actor again after many years of absence, didn't he rely on Duke? Rosenberg?

"Hey, dear!" Tom? Cruise turned his head to look this way, "Aren't you happy for me?" ”

Nicole? Kidman barely managed to squeeze out a smile, "Of course I'm glad for you, congratulations, Tom." ”

"Giving up the previous contradictions and cooperating with Duke, this step is too correct!"

Stand up and walk around the couch, Tom? Cruise is still talking to himself, "The North American box office of the film has approached $150 million, and there are 10 Oscar nominations, we are a veritable winner!" ”

Although he is only paid $5 million and can't get a piece of the box office, Tom? Cruise felt a rare sense of satisfaction, and the dream Oscar for Best Actor was close at hand!

Looking at her husband in excitement, Nicole? Kidman temporarily suppressed negative feelings such as jealousy and resentment, after all, they are husband and wife, although the conflict has been escalating in the past year or so, they are a real community of interests.

"Tom, you should make a call, right?" She couldn't help but remind.

Cruise was stunned and asked strangely, "Call?" Who to call? ”

Nicole? Kidman sighed in his heart, Cruise is still so unbelievable, this Oscar nomination is already a victory, it is too difficult for him to win the award, and Duke? Rosenberg's work can get him nominated once, and it is likely that there will be a second time, and this kind of moment will not be brought closer without a thank you call, so will it have to wait until after the Oscars?

"Shouldn't you give Duke a call?" Nicole? Kidman spoke slowly, "We don't have any conflicts with him now, don't say you can't see the need to befriend him!" ”

As long as someone reminds you, Tom? Cruise was still very shrewd, and immediately understood, hurried to the phone, and dialed a private number.

"Hi Duke, it's me."

Not really a stupid person after all, Tom? Cruise said something beautiful, "It's nothing, I just want to say thank you to you!" No, no, no, I have to say, I am very grateful to you for giving me this opportunity, thank you so much for the help you gave me, if I can get the best actor, I invite you to go to Las Vegas party, that's it! ”

Hang up the phone and turn to look at Nicole? Kidman, Tom? Cruise nodded at her, which is more important, the contradiction of the past or the benefit of reality?

Is this Tom? Cruise is thinking about something.

On the other side, Duke had already thought about this issue, as long as Liangtang no longer violated his interests, he didn't bother to continue to entangle, after all, there was no Sean between the two sides? Connery and Mel? Gibson such irreconcilable contradictions.

At this stage, he is thinking about how "Chicago" can be re-expanded and promoted overseas through the Oscar nomination list. (To be continued)

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