"Are you optimistic about this project?"

In the office of Pacific Pictures, Louise read the project proposal for "Escape from Tehran", took off her black-rimmed glasses, rubbed the corners of her eyes, and asked Martin opposite: "You haven't even seen the script yet." ”

Martin stretched: "At the Oscar level, this is an extremely politically correct film; At the market level, this incident itself is legendary, a CIA extrication expert, using real and fake Hollywood crews, assisted six diplomats to escape from Tehran, the movie did not dare to be filmed like this, and would be scolded for having no brains and no logic. ”

Louise couldn't help but laugh: "Reality is often more outrageous than the movies. ”

If it weren't based on facts, the content of "Escape from Tehran" would have been scolded by audiences and critics alike.

Martin told the truth: "I think this film is not only marketable, but also meets my actual needs. ”

There was a knock on the office door, and the assistant came in and said, "Mr. Graham King has arrived." ”

Martin and Louise went out to greet them.

Graham had just stepped out of the elevator when he saw Martin and Louise, shook hands with them, and entered the reception room together.

Martin asked, "The actor hasn't been decided yet, has he?" ”

Graham has worked with Martin, and directly took out the script and handed it to him, saying: "The director, actors and investment have not been determined, but a few actors have contacted me, but the project will not start filming until the second half of next year at the earliest, so I am not in a hurry to make a decision." “

Martin flipped through the script and said, "In terms of investment, Louise and I can solve most of it. ”

Graham understands that Martin is going to bring money into the group.

In this way, he has a lot of advantages over ordinary actors.

The funding of the project was solved, the actor was solved, and by the way, even the market appeal was solved.

What could be more perfect?

Graham said: "Working with you, most of the problems of this project were solved at once, how could I refuse?" ”

Louise took over: "How about our tripartite joint investment in production?" ”

Graham's GK Pictures is not a big company, and if it doesn't raise money from here, it will have to find other people to invest, so he immediately nodded: "Let's send someone to negotiate a contract with my film company." ”

Louise glanced at Martin.

Martin quickly flipped through the beginning and end of the script, and made sure that it was the "Escape from Tehran" he had seen, and nodded slightly at her.

Louise said, "I'll have people talk about it this afternoon." ”

Martin was very particular about his work, and said to Graham: "The project of "Prince of Thieves" also requires you to be the producer. ”

Granham responded: "No problem, but I've got a full schedule, probably until 2012." ”

Martin's schedule is also very full, and the films that will be confirmed to be made next year include "The Martian" and "Escape from Tehran".

"I don't have a schedule for next year, so I'll wait until 2012," he said. ”

For project cooperation, they only need to finalize the big picture, and the rest of the details will naturally be discussed by the following professionals.

The three chatted for a while, and then talked about the director.

Graham said: "I wanted to bring in Steven Spielberg, but he didn't have the right schedule and was preparing to make a film about Lincoln, and the price was too high. ”

"Spielberg's ability is undeniable, but as a director, he has to take most of the profits," Martin said. ”

"So, I just touched it a little and gave up." Graham sighed: "Director Scorsese is not interested in projects of this genre, and other suitable directors are not easy to find. ”

The three are not just actors and producers, there are studios behind them, and the choice of directors also has to consider the issue of profit.

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "How is David Fincher?" ”

Graham nodded: "You can touch it." ”

Louise also agreed: "There is definitely no problem with Fincher's ability to direct, it depends on whether his schedule is suitable or not." ”

"I'm going to meet him in the afternoon, so I'm going to ask him," Martin said. ”

"If he's interested, we'll talk to him about working together," Graham said. ”

The three of them talked for a while, and Graham took his leave and left.

Coming out of Pacific Pictures, Graham got in the car and got a phone call, Matt Damon.

"Hi Matt, is there something wrong?" He asked.

Matt Damon on the other side said: "I just saw a project in the agency, about the adaptation of the CIA's real rescue incident, called "Argo", your GK Pictures project, is recruiting a male lead? How am I? ”

He deliberately added: "I know the working mechanism of the CIA very well, I have dealt with them many times in the past, and I understand their style of doing things." ”

Graham said that if you had called earlier, you might have been the best person, but now? He could only say sorry: "Matt, the actor already has a suitable candidate." ”

Matt Damon didn't give up so easily: "Can you know who it is?" I'll call him and have a good chat. ”

It's not uncommon for Hollywood stars to use their influence to dissuade their opponents, and Christian Bale and Matt Damon are both representatives of this.

Graham didn't hide it, and said directly: "Martin Davis, I have finalized a collaboration with him and Louise Mayer of Pacific Pictures. ”

Matt Damon's side fell silent immediately.

"Let's have a drink together." Graham didn't say anything more and hung up.

In the mansion in the Brentwood neighborhood, Matt Damon put down the phone in his hand.

The agent on the opposite side saw that his face was not very good, and hurriedly asked, "What's the situation?" What did Granham King say? ”

Matt Damon said: "Martin Davis' big hand reached out and grabbed the project. ”

The agent asked, "No hope at all?" Can't we fight for it again? I have carefully inquired about this project, and it is based on a real case, which is very legendary and can attract the audience......"

"Don't say it." Matt Damon raised his hand to stop the agent from continuing: "Let's give up. ”

The agent couldn't help frowning: "Give up so easily? ”

Matt Damon covered his heart: "Remember one thing, you have to remember it!" He emphasized: "Anything that has Martin Davis involved, we don't participate, we don't compete, you know? ”

Seeing that he was extremely serious, the agent nodded and said, "I know." ”

Matt Damon picked up the project book on the low table and threw it into the trash with some reluctance.

The broker said goodbye and left.

Matt Damon sent him back and stood next to a picture frame and was silent for a long time.

Inside the frame is a particularly large photo of three people in Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Cassie Affleck.

The brothers had a miserable life in prison.

It's not like Matt Damon hasn't thought of a way, but the people they provoke are really hard.

As for Harvey Weinstein, that guy is completely hopeless, and he doesn't want to think about it for a long time.

The core members of the foot gang are now Matt Damon, Quentin and Robert Rodriguez.

The latter two are so focused on the movie that they don't want to find anything at all.

Matt Damon has seen the meanness and shamelessness of the Face Gang, led by Martin Davis, and doesn't want to repeat the mistakes of the Harvey and Affleck brothers.

He muttered, "I can't afford to mess with me, I can always afford to hide." ”

In the future, whenever Martin Davis has his eye on the project, Matt Damon has decided not to touch it.

…………

Passanady, California Institute of Technology.

Just after a promotional roadshow for "Gone Girl", Martin approached David Fincher and said, "I have a new project here, can you take a look?" ”

David Fincher, who had worked with Martin twice in a row, knew he was doing things reliably, and asked, "What's your best project?" ”

Now is the time when David Fincher's Oscar obsession is at its deepest, and Martin handed him the script for "Escape from Tehran", saying: "This project is very Oscar-like, based on a true case of a legendary nature. ”

David Fincher took the script and read it carefully, and it began with a very familiar event that caused a sensation all over the world back then.

Seeing that Tony Mendes actually used fake Hollywood crews and projects to save people, David Fincher's interest was immediately raised, and he turned directly to the back to read the closing scene.

After watching it for a while, David Fincher said: "The script is well written, and the rescue itself is full of drama and highlights. ”

He asked, "Are you going to play the male lead Tony Mendes?" ”

Martin nodded: "It's basically decided, the project is co-funded by Graham King's GK Pictures, Louise's Pacific Pictures, and my studio, and there is still a lack of key directors." ”

David Fincher said, "What about time? When do you plan to shoot and produce? ”

"The second half of next year," Martin said. ”

David Fincher nodded slightly: "It's time." “

Martin asked curiously, "David, you also have a new project in your hands?" ”

"There is indeed a project." David Fincher closed the crew and said with a smile: "You shouldn't be interested. ”

He said simply: "Netflix is planning to make its own content, and Greg invited me to be a producer and director, a political thriller series based on a British drama. ”

Martin has seen all of David Fincher's works, and as soon as he hears it, he knows it's "House of Cards."

David Fincher shook his head: "With your current status and market appeal, you will only go to shoot gatherings if you are crazy, and your age is not appropriate." ”

Martin asked, "Didn't you go to shoot?" ”

David Fincher laughed and said bluntly: "No way, Netflix is too convincing and offers a price that I can't refuse." ”

Martin said seriously: "It's normal to make money." ”

"Indeed, without money, no matter how good a film artist is, he can only stare at him." David Fincher pointed to the script: "Leave me here, wait for the project to be officially approved, and let Louise come to me to negotiate a directing contract." ”

As Martin's status in Hollywood has improved, issues such as the director of the project have become less difficult to solve.

(End of chapter)