American Fame and Fortune Chapter 354

Chapter 354 He wants to dig up our roots

In the office of the president of Warner Pictures, Alan Horn looked a little ugly as he listened to what Thomas said on the phone.

　　The invitation I sent out in person was turned down.

Although the approach was very tactful, using the excuse that he was preparing to compete for roles in Nolan and Fincher projects, Allen Horn was still not comfortable.

 This also directly declared the bankruptcy of his Plan A.

There was a knock on the office door. Paul Haggis came in from the outside, sat opposite Allen, and asked, "I heard that something unexpected happened?"

"Martin Davis gave a reply, saying that the schedule was not suitable and refused our invitation." Allen did not have any emotion, as if explaining the facts from the perspective of a bystander: "The day before yesterday, Louise Meyer He called me and said that Pacific Pictures wanted to invest in another major project of Warner Bros. and couldn't allocate funds.”

Paul Haggis immediately understood the current situation. The male protagonist with strong market appeal is gone, which means that the Atlanta funds and Asian funds behind him are also gone.

 There were many rumors in the industry about Pacific Pictures' Louise Meyer and Martin Davis. She declined, and Martin also declined, which was not a surprise.

Allan Horn tapped his finger on the table and said, "Our plans are going to change."

“The new actor does not meet our requirements.” Paul Haggis did not want to risk using a newcomer as the leading actor in a project with such a huge investment: “The investment is too great.”

Allen nodded: "It must be an actor of the first-line star level. We still have time to find it." He frowned: "Actually, the key lies in funds. In the past, there was always a lot of hot money entering Hollywood. It is not easy to attract investment in Warner Pictures' projects. It's difficult, but the situation has changed a lot since the end of last year, and the amount of hot money pouring into the industry has dropped sharply. Even Spielberg went to India to invest.”

Although he is good at making movies, he has been in a high position for many years and has a keen sense of smell. He feels that there seems to be something wrong with the U.S. economy.

Most obviously, Wall Street's enthusiasm for investing in Hollywood has plummeted.

Paul Haggis doesn't understand this. He is a relatively pure filmmaker and only thinks from the perspective of film investment: “Can we bypass Martin Davis and connect with the Atlanta funds and Asian funds behind him?”

 Allan does not lack decisiveness: "I'll let someone try it."

 When Paul Haggis left, he called his subordinate Lauren and asked her to contact people in Atlanta and Asia.

 Paul Haggis left the office and went to the lobby downstairs, where he met Jon, the creative director of Legendary Pictures.

The two exchanged pleasantries, and Haggis asked, "You should know about the new project I'm leading, and don't you plan to invest in it?"

Although Warner Pictures and Legendary Pictures are both under Warner Bros., the two parties are not affiliated, but have a parallel relationship. Jon shrugged: "Legendary Pictures' focus in the next year is the Batman sequel, and there is nothing else it can do."

Haggis wondered: “Didn't you raise a lot of funds from Wall Street private shareholders and hedge companies?”

Jon replied casually: "Small investors on Wall Street are also short of money."

There were footsteps nearby, and Christian Bale came over from Warner Bros., greeted him, and asked, "What topic are we talking about? I see you are very engaged."

ˆ Jon smiled: “Of course it's money.”

Haggis said: “A lot of big projects are looking for money.”

 Bell didn't understand this and said, “Actually, I'm also looking for money.”

 The three of them laughed, and Jon quickly left.

Bell is leaving too,

Haggis suddenly remembered what Allen had just said, and quickly called Bell: "Chris, let's have a few words alone."

 Bell pointed to the leisure area: "Over there."

 The two sat down and Haggis said directly: "Warner Pictures and I are working on a new installment of the Terminator series, with an investment of about US$200 million. The leading actor has not yet been determined."

Bell said: "I also want to play Bruce Wayne."

Haggis said: "I asked Jon about the shooting date and there was no conflict."

　　The first "Battlefield" revitalized the Batman movies. Warner and DC are confident in the sequel. The fourth Terminator will definitely be released after Batman.

Haggis thought a lot in a moment. With the good foundation laid by the first film, the new Batman movie should be a big hit, so that it can borrow the momentum of Bale...

As for the remuneration, it's not a problem. With such a high budget, we just plan to hire first-line stars.

 Bell is a good person, and he neither said yes nor no: "According to industry regulations, I cannot discuss roles and job acquisition issues without the agent present."

Haggis said: "I will contact your agent." He opened his briefcase and gave Bell a script and plan: "Take a look."

Bell said: "Paul, thank you for your attention and invitation."

Agent Patrick was waiting for him in the car outside.

Bell got in the car, handed him the information, and said, "I received an invitation."

Patrick flipped through the pages and said, "I've heard about this project, and it's said that Martin Davis was invited to be the leading actor."

Bale was immediately interested: "Martin Davis?"

Patrick said: "Alan Horne met him personally." He mentioned the most critical point: "The budget of the new Terminator will not be less than 180 million US dollars. If you can win this role, I can help you." Negotiate a salary of at least 15 million U.S. dollars."     Who is not interested in money? Hearing this figure, Bell became more interested: "Try to contact Warner Pictures, Paul Haggis and Legendary Pictures has talked about it, and there is no conflict between the schedules of the two parties.”

 After accepting the instructions from her boss Alan Horn, Lauren immediately took action, researched all the film projects starring Martin Davis, and quickly identified the four major sources of investment funds to support Martin.

  Pacific Pictures in the Hollywood industry, Gray Films, the largest film company in Atlanta, Beast House Entertainment, also from Atlanta, and wealthy Asian businessman Wu Maoting.

The directors of the first two, Louise Meyer and Kelly Gray, were too involved with Martin. The latter was far away in Asia and could not be interviewed in a short time. Lauren put it aside for the time being and planned to contact Atlanta's House of Beasts first. Entertainment.

 They also have an office in Los Angeles.

Laurent inquired that one of the owners of Beast House had recently arrived in Los Angeles.

 He immediately drove to South Botswana Street and found the office of Beast House. After entering, he told the person who greeted him his purpose of visit: "I am Lauren Kohner from Warner Pictures. I am here to visit Ms. Sophia."

 “Please wait a moment.” The person turned around and walked inside.

 After a while, a middle-aged man came out and called to Lauren: "Follow me."

Laurent found that this man's walking posture was quite strange. He stretched his legs outwards and walked erratically, as if his **** had suffered some huge damage.

Scott suddenly turned around, and Lauren followed him into a reception room without squinting, as if she hadn't seen anything.

 “Sit.” The woman who spoke made Lauren's mouth tremble.

Sportswear can't cover up this woman's strong body, and the bulging muscles in her hands and feet are even more exaggerated than Dwayne Johnson's today.

Lauren's head can only find one suitable description: female version of King Kong!

Then he realized that the head of Pacific Pictures was a woman, the head of Gray Pictures was a woman, and the head of Beast House was also a woman.

Martin Davis has a great appetite, right? This can go down without fear of breaking?

Laurent is also well-informed and has a lot on her mind, but her expression is normal. She introduced herself: "Hello, madam, I am Lauren Kohner from the Planning Department of Warner Pictures..."

 Sofia, who always does things directly, interrupted him: "Can you tell me something?"

Laurent made preparations before arriving and quickly talked about Warner Pictures' projects and sincerity.

Sophia didn't answer much, but she listened carefully.

In Brioni's famous store on Rodeo Drive, Martin, who had finished filming the new season's advertising campaign, was trying on a formal dress.

This is the Oscar shirt specially handmade by Brioni based on his body data, and it will be put into use this weekend.

Store manager Critia was on the side. She looked at Martin carefully and said, "Perfect! Martin, your body proportions are very good, and your frame is like a model. It perfectly demonstrates Briony's outstanding elegance."

 Martin smiled and said: "Thank you, I am very satisfied."

In the eyes of people like him who don't have much fashion knowledge, men's formal dresses are nothing more than that. People like him who need a mature and stable style will inevitably choose dark colors in public events.

In the rest area, Bruce, who was holding Martin's mobile phone, answered a call. When he heard Sophia's voice, his heart tightened inexplicably and his legs shook unconsciously.

But what Sophia said was serious, so he endured it and hung up the phone quickly, went to find Martin, and whispered: "Sofia wants to see you."

 Martin asked: "What's the matter?"

Bruce said: "People from Warner Pictures approached Sophia and wanted to attract investment."

 Martin nodded: "Tell her and I'll be there right away."

 He went to the dressing room to change clothes.

Bruce wanted to call, but he really didn't want to hear Sophia's voice, so he simply sent a text message.

Martin changed his clothes, said hello to Claudia, went downstairs with Lao Bu, and drove to Burbank.

Bruce knew that Martin had recently rejected an invitation from Warner Pictures and asked: "Is it related to Allen Horn?"

  Martin said: "Alan Horn is the president of Warner Pictures. If you bring in a new investor, he will definitely give his nod in the end."

Bruce frowned slightly: "He wants to dig up our roots!"

 Martin closed his eyes and meditated, considering the situation in Hollywood and the investment income of the House of Beasts, and thought about the conversation he would have with Sophia.

 The car soon arrived at South Botswana Street, where the Los Angeles branch of the House of Beasts is located.

 Martin and Bruce went upstairs and saw Scott first.

Haven't seen each other for more than half a year. Scott's legs have no longer expanded to the sides, but the way he walks seems to be fixed, always with his legs spread.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end