On November 20, 1997, the weekend before Thanksgiving, the eyes of Hollywood and even the entertainment industry in the United States turned to the Chinese Grand Theater in Hollywood, which was curious, expectant, waiting, and blessed, but more mockery, two years ago, the big pounce "Future Water World" set a film investment record of nearly 200 million US dollars, and now "Titanic" has officially refreshed the investment record to 200 million US dollars, they are waiting for this masterpiece to sink forever like the big ship sailing from Portsmouth to New York.

However, no matter how those who envy and hate curse in their hearts, it cannot change the fact that the ship attracts attention, hundreds of media and more than 500 journalists gathered in front of the China Grand Theater, Fox TV and Columbia TV broadcast the red carpet of the premiere live, and a large number of first-tier and second-tier stars walked on the red carpet one after another.

A successful premiere does not necessarily mean that the film will be successful, but the star-studded crowd can attract more audiences, and the film's three major investors - Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Duke's Studios - have all mobilized their full strength.

Tom? Mr. and Mrs. Hanks just walked by, Naomi? Watts walked the red carpet alone again, and then Tom? The Crews appeared in front of the camera again, and ICM's two ace actresses, Julia? Roberts and Jennifer? Aniston also arrived......

The shutter of the camera in the hands of the reporter never stopped, and the shouts of the audience never stopped, an unprecedented masterpiece brought an unprecedented premiere.

Of course. How many of them came to see the Big Three investors and James? Cameron's joke, that's only God knows.

"I have only one point of view."

In the VIP lounge, Duke vs. Tom? Mr. and Mrs. Hanks said. "Those who have laughed at the film will soon find out how wrong they were."

Tom? Hanks smiled and said, "Your confidence seems to be better than James's?" Cameron has more than enough. ”

"Because there's my $50 million investment in it." Duke shrugged, "How did those critics laugh at me?" Hollywood's biggest! I wonder how they will feel after the film is removed from the world? ”

The quality of the film is no worse than it used to be, and the publicity is even better, and Duke believes that the film will be like Star Wars. Crush all the dignity of film critics.

And this film is not just a box office success, it also ushers in a truly global era for Hollywood. Knocked open many doors that were closed to Hollywood films.

Film history can really be divided into before "Titanic" and after "Titanic". Previously, European and Hong Kong films were still struggling to get out of the declining situation; After that, European films and Hong Kong films went into complete decline. can only survive in the face of the giants of the computer age, and even the latter will soon exist in name only.

"Hi, Duke."

"Hi Tom. Hi Nicole. ”

After saying hello to another Tom, Duke remembered the investment projects that he hadn't paid much attention to recently, "Mission: Impossible filming is complete? ”

"It's done!" Tom? Cruise was confident.

"Is the release date confirmed?" That's what Duke cares about.

"Next year's summer file, the specific time has not been determined." Tom? Cruise frowned, "I heard that your new film is coming out in May?" ”

"So. Tom, my Jianyì. ”

As the cooperation deepened, Duke also touched Tom? Cruise's weird temper. The two sides have common interests, of course, it is not a time for conflicts, "In May, quite a lot of films were squeezed in, and it was already crowded, and it was released in June. ”

"That's what I mean, too."

Although sometimes arrogant, Tom? Cruise isn't stupid. "I'm still in the process of choosing a suitable weekend for June, and I'll let you know as soon as it's confirmed."

"Then I'll wait for your good news."

For Mission: Impossible. Duke didn't interfere too much except for investment, and he only had the financial supervisor and the producer who represented him in the crew, and according to his instructions, as long as his interests were not touched, these two would fully support Tom? Cruise.

Cruise invested $40 million in the project, and he wanted the film to be a success more than anyone else.

"There's a big guy coming."

Suddenly, Tom? Cruise patted his arm, "It seems like I'm looking for you, I don't want to deal with him, let's go to the theater." ”

After saying that, Cruise didn't hesitate and took Nicole? Kidman turned and walked away.

Duke turned his head and saw who it was, indeed a big shot, Michael, the former CAA emperor, the outgoing CEO of Walt Disney and the current owner of the artist's management agency. Ovitz.

"It's been a long time, Duke."

"yes, Michael, it's been a long time."

Maybe it's a habit that has been developed since entering the nineties, even if it is not as important in Hollywood as it used to be, Michael? Ovitz's smile still makes people feel that he is shrewd and competent, and the most famous brokerage giant of all time in Hollywood, even when he is down, no one should be underestimated.

"I heard you're very optimistic about this movie?" He asked.

Duke smiled and gave the usual standard answer, "I have $50 million invested in it, and there's no reason not to be bullish on it." ”

Michael? Ovitz nodded, no longer going around in circles, and directly stated the purpose, "Interested in working with me?" ”

"Movies?" Duke asked tentatively.

"Cinema is only one aspect." Michael? Ovitz looked directly at him, "I'll represent your business in full, are you interested?" ”

It turned out that he came to poach. Duke instantly understood what he meant, and then shook his head, "Michael, I think you know very well why I rejected CAA in the first place. ”

"Without packing services, you will always be my God." Michael? Ovitz didn't feel that there was anything wrong with saying these words, "I'm just one of your service staff, you can do whatever you want within the scope of the law, and the company won't interfere at all." ”

Duke frowned and thought about it for a moment, "I feel that what you said is no different from what I am now. ”

Just like Spielberg is to the current CAA, Duke's importance to ICM can be imagined, and directors of their level will not be constrained by the agency.

"Michael ......"

Hearing this, Duke laughed, Nancy? Josephson walked briskly from his side and unceremoniously addressed Michael? "Do you think ICM is stupid enough to restrain Duke?" Well...... I met Martin some time ago and I thought I should ask him out for breakfast again. ”

Duke knows that the Martin in Nancy's mouth is Martin? Scorsese.

"It's just normal business."

To become an agent, being cheeky is the most basic condition, Michael? Ovitz's face did not change at all, and in his calm words, there was a faint provocation, "I heard that your contract with Duke is still seven percent?" I just think it's unfair. ”

Nancy, of course, could hear what he meant, smiled and said, "We just prepared a new contract for Duke, and the commission will be reduced to five percent. ”

"Congratulations, Duke." Michael? Ovitz turned his head to look at this side, "After so many years of waiting, I finally got a brokerage contract that matches your status." ”

"You're welcome." Duke replied lightly.

Michael? Ovitz did not mean to leave, but mentioned the film aspect, "I heard that your new film is scheduled for May next year? A week before my project, Godzilla? ”

"That's how it should be." Duke still had the same expression.

"Looks like we're going to have an indirect collision." Michael? Ovitz is full of confidence, "I hope your new film is good enough to withstand the onslaught of a monster." ”

"Do you need to worry about Duke's sci-fi, Michael?" Nancy? Josephson took the initiative to take over, "Monster movies? I'd love to see how this monster dies next summer. ”

Ovitz, who single-handedly promoted the project, was full of confidence, "Nancy, I think you ignore the fact that two consecutive "Jurassic Park" have been successful, and a monster movie craze has formed in North America, and this heat will not be transferred because of personal will, and a monster that is more terrifying than dinosaurs will push this heat to the peak!" ”

Nancy? Josephson was stunned, even she had to admit Michael? What Ovitz said is the truth, since the boom of "Jurassic Park", it has indeed brought a monster craze in North America, and with the release of the sequel this year, this craze has not only not decreased, but has been pushed up again.

Michael? Ovitz nodded to Duke, said nothing more, and turned away.

"Duke ......" Nancy? Josephson looked at him and seemed a little worried, "I think what he said makes a lot of sense. ”

"Makes perfect sense." Duke nodded, how powerful the dinosaur movie was, he knew very well, "But Michael? Ovitz misses an important point. ”

"What's important?"

Shaking his head at Nancy, Duke also walked towards the theater, and said to the agent who followed him as he walked, "The xenophobia of the North American film market!" The monster craze does exist, but the monster is native to North America, so the effect can be brought into full play. ”

He turned to Nancy and smiled, "Don't forget, my dear, Godzilla is not a product of North America. ”

By Duke's prompt, Nancy? Josephson also gradually figured out, "Japanese culture does have a market in North America, but it has never been the mainstream. ”

Throwing aside her few worries, Nancy turned the conversation to Duke's brokerage contract, "Let your lawyer negotiate with ICM as much as possible." ”

She knew Duke's temper, and as long as she did a good enough job, his employer would not change the brokerage company and broker.

The two walked into the theater of the China Grand Theater, and did not go to the front row, which was where the crew was located, but sat on the seats of the guests in the back rows, and a big ship slowly rushed towards the world! (To be continued)