According to the director's compensation agreement, Duke will receive a base reward of $500,000 when the film reaches $100 million at the North American box office, starting at a 5 percent split of $150 million, with a 5 percent increase in box office score for every $50 million increase in the North American box office, up to a maximum of 20 percent.

Today, the North American box office of "Independence Day" has reached $310.93 million, and Duke can fully enjoy the 20% share of the North American box office.

"I promise, Duke."

Thomson? Rothman swore and said, "Your share will not be less than a penny." ”

It takes time to get your hands on the shares, and Duke knows this, but he just wants to remind Twentieth Century Fox, as a North American publisher, not to delay too long.

Now, with his value unmistakable, and a team of professionals overseeing him, and no longer a little-known director, Duke believes that Twentieth Century Fox will not make some unwise decisions.

After all, both Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox have a basis for cooperation, and under the same conditions, Duke will definitely give preference to them as partners, and the executives of these two companies must also understand this.

Thomson? Rothman didn't stay long, apparently knowing that there was no power in wanting to impress Duke with words, and soon left, and with Nancy? Josephson made an appointment to have lunch together tomorrow.

"Let's find a place to rest for a while."

Signaling to Sophia and Nancy, Duke took the lead in walking towards the leftmost rest area of the banquet hall, found a random table, and asked the waiter to bring three glasses of juice.

However, this time it was not a representative of a large Hollywood company that came. It's the old acquaintances, Mr. and Mrs. Cruise.

"Long time no see, Duke."

Not even closer, Tom? Cruise greeted with a big smile, and Duke stood up out of politeness, "yes." Long time no see, Tom, and Mary, sit casually. ”

When they were seated, Sophia summoned the waitress, consulted them, and asked for two cups of soda.

"Duke, I think there may have been some misunderstanding between us." Tom? Cruise rarely took the initiative to speak.

"Nothing, Tom." Duke shook his head. He really didn't seem to care at all, and casually said, "It's just a trivial matter." ”

In Duke and Tom? Where Cruise can't even notice, Sophia? Coppola rolled his eyes, as if mocking some undesirable words with his eyes.

"When I came over...... "Tom?" Cruise quickly shifted the conversation to the film, "I heard that a lot of companies are interested in investing in your new film? ”

"It's just an intention." Duke smiled faintly, "You know, Tom. Hollywood's censorship system is cumbersome. ”

"Can you know the genre of the genre?"

Hear Tom? Cruise's question, Duke understood it thoroughly. "A story based on the experience of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy landings can be regarded as a war theme."

"So, I'm going to release it next year." Tom? Cruise immediately thought that next year would be the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II.

"The premise is that you can find a film company to invest." Duke didn't answer directly.

"Will your film be short of investment?" Tom? Cruise thought for a while, and suddenly said, "I have a sum of money on hand, so it's better to ......"

"Thanks, Tom." Duke shook his head slowly. "I have an agreement with Warner Bros., they have the right of first refusal, and if they give up, I think we will have a chance to cooperate." ”

Eyes from Tom? Cruise's face swept over. Duke sighed in his heart, the huge success of "Independence Day" brought about a chain reaction that could be called terrifying, even Tom? People like Cruise can temporarily throw away the contradictions of the past and come directly to set almost, and even propose to invest in the construction of the building.

Of course, Duke will not accept the investment, after all, it would make him the leading actor, and he would prefer to invite another one than the Tom in front of him.

Or is that a phrase, if Tom? Krusken takes a pay cut and doesn't mind playing a small role with few scenes, Duke definitely welcomes it with both hands, the question is Tom? Will Cruise give Tom in the film? Hanks as a subordinate? Or is it the kind that sets off the latter?

As for the real actor, Captain Miller, Duke will definitely not choose Cruise, his acting skills are really ......

After a few more small talks, Cruise took the initiative to say goodbye and leave, seeing the two who were far away, Duke didn't say anything special, there are too many disputes in Hollywood, as long as the other party doesn't violate his interests in the future, he doesn't have so much time and energy to entangle with an actor.

Will Tom? Cruise was thrown to the back of his mind, and Duke's mind turned to the new movie, perhaps because of preconceived notions, or maybe it was because Hanks' acting skills were too impressive, Tom? Hanks was his first choice.

That's right, his new movie is "Saving Private Ryan"!

Although this film also has a lot of explosion scenes, it has higher requirements for narrative ability, and after three consecutive films, especially after the super hit of "Independence Day", "Saving Private Ryan" is the most suitable choice that Duke can find.

If the next film is still purely sensory, even if it is a relatively successful explosion or visual effects film, Duke feels that the possibility of hitting the street far outweighs the possibility of success.

Cinema is definitely not a commodity that can be successfully copied simply, it has been affected by too many factors, "Independence Day" has made Duke reach a peak in terms of explosions and sensory stimulation, but after the peak is downhill, a director's style is fixed for a long time, which will inevitably bring aesthetic fatigue, once Michael? Bay and Roland? Emmerich is a striking example.

After "Independence Day" was a super hit, some films may succeed if they are placed on other directors, and they may fail if they are placed on him.

As long as the style is similar to the past three films, the audience will take out "Independence Day" for comparison for the first time, and today's special effects will not have a qualitative leap in a short period of time, and preconceived comparisons can easily bring many prejudices, which will affect the audience's reputation, and even the box office is not ideal or even fails.

Although "Saving Private Ryan" has a lot of explosion scenes, it is fundamentally different from pure sensory stimulation films.

Transformation, it's easy to say, but it's not easy to do, Duke is not worried about the control of the war scenes, but is a little worried about his own literary drama, fortunately, he has shot three movies in three years, plus the previous accumulation and experience in filming, it will always bring a lot of help to the future production of this film.

And Tom? Hanks, although the North American box office of "Forrest Gump" has not exceeded $300 million for the time being, but the film is a big hit, this is not the kind of film that "Once Upon a Time in Philadelphia" is not popular, Hanks's salary is bound to rise sharply, and it is not too much to call a basic remuneration plus a share of the asking price.

However, these are all questions that the producer should consider, Duke does not plan to invest in the film, and with "Independence Day" being a super hit, he is ready to work on this project, let Nancy? Josephson fights for a share deal for Hollywood's top directors.

Maybe with Tom too? Hanks conflict?

Suddenly, Duke thought of this, now is not the new century, the filmmaker will give up to 25% of the total revenue of the film, if he and Tom? Hanks shouted a high price at the same time, and there must be a compromise on one side.

After a little thought, Duke put this matter aside for the time being, in case of a conflict, he couldn't give up his interests, if Tom? Hanks didn't back down on the side, he wouldn't hesitate and would definitely give up on Hanks.

There's a high chance that this will happen, Tom? Hanks is indeed a well-known good person in the circle, but when it comes to interests, he will not back down casually, and it is not only about himself, but also about the many team members around him, such as PR, assistants and agents, who will keep their mouths shut?

Everyone is affected by their surroundings.

The film has not yet been established, these are still far away, Duke has turned his energy back to the pie, and the new film project still needs Nancy? Josephson talks with various companies to see whose conditions are more suitable.

Mario who came to say hello after the party? After Casa, Sophia asked Duke curiously, "Are you going to take a vacation?" ”

"yes." Duke nodded, "The work is handed over to Nancy for the time being, I plan to go around Europe, are you interested?" We can go together. ”

"Let's go find your temporary lover." Sophia refused without even thinking about it.

"I'd rather go alone."

Although he wanted to go around Europe, Duke's plans were doomed to fail, and the afternoon of the day after the end of the party, Nancy? Josephson informed him that the rights to the film adaptation of the English epic were basically agreed, and that Duke needed to represent the Duke's studio in the final round of negotiations and sign the subsequent transfer agreement, and that Europe would definitely not be able to go.

As long as the transfer price is basically agreed, the negotiations on other sides will be relatively smooth. After Saz paid a total of $8 million in three installments for the transfer of the film's rights, and Tolkien's descendants on behalf of the London copyright commission agency owned a 7.5 percent share of the film's net profits, the three parties formally signed the copyright agreement and memorandum.

Duke also got the rights to the film adaptation of his favorite work.

It's September, Nancy? While Josephson negotiated with a host of Hollywood companies, she didn't neglect the projects she was responsible for packaging, and ICM's "Friends," a joint production of Warner Bros., landed on NBC this month, and after just two episodes, it sparked a lot of reaction......

At the same time, the North American screening of "Independence Day" was at the end of the season, and the growth rate of the North American box office completely turned into a snail crawling. (To be continued......)