The next morning, Martin came to Century City and entered the WMA office building.
As before, Bruce approached his assistant Natasha, and Martin entered Thomas' office alone.
Thomas had a pile of information piled on his desk. When he saw Martin coming in, he said, "I'm ready."
Martin took a bottle of water from the freezer and sat on the couch.
Thomas put the information on the coffee table: "I have printed out all the scripts and projects suitable for the company, as long as there is a glimmer of hope."
Martin saw the first copy, which featured one of Hasbro's flagship toys: Optimus Prime.
He brought the script over.
Thomas said: "Hasbro, DreamWorks and Paramount cooperated. DreamWorks served as the producer of the adaptation, Spielberg personally served as the producer, and the director chose Michael, who had just screwed up "Escape from Clone Island" - Bay, the expected investment is more than US$150 million."
Martin didn't read the script and asked directly: "The male lead?"
Thomas took the script over, turned to one of the pages, pointed to a concept drawing of a soldier, and said: "The second male lead, the captain of the US military special operations team."
Martin still has some general impression, and can vaguely remember which character it is: "Give up."
Thomas opened his mouth, but still couldn't hold it back: "This is Spielberg and Michael Bay's project."
Martin picked up the script, flipped it over, and said, "The real protagonists are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The male lead can only be number three. What about the second male lead?"
Thomas put it aside for the moment and picked up the second material, a few pages and a book titled "The Last Man".
He gave the book to Martin: "David Heyman, the producer of the Harry Potter series under Warner Bros., plans to remake Warner's old film "I Am Legend." I inquired that the plot is different from the original version. He plans to use "The Last of Us" The plot of "A Person".
Martin knew that the rights to the film were entirely owned by Warner Bros.
Thomas added: "I haven't got the script yet. I should use the one written in the 1990s. At that time, Warner was interested in pairing Ridley Scott and Schwarzenegger, but later gave up because the budget was too high."
He said: "But I am certain that the film is based on the one-person-one-dog-one-gun model you mentioned. Probably the success of the same model helped Warner Brothers make up their mind."
Martin asked: "What does the leading actor want?"
Thomas said: "The last person, as you can imagine from the name, has to rely on one person to support the entire film. New actors are definitely not within the scope of consideration by Warner and David Heyman. The male protagonist must have enough box office. Appeal.”
Martin can recognize himself: "I don't have enough box office appeal."
"If the wanted poster is successful, maybe I can make some money," Thomas said.
Martin said: "You keep your eyes on this project and fight for it if you can."
According to his understanding, the success of this film was partly due to the popularity of the original movie itself, and the appeal of the male protagonist was another part.
Perhaps the latter is more critical.
The latter role comes from "Zodiac", which is confirmed to be directed by David Fincher.
Susan Downey, who changed her last name after getting married, has already secured one of the main roles for Robert Downey Jr., and is recruiting actors for three other heavyweight roles.
This is also an adaptation.
Thomas also prepared the original version for Martin.
Martin preferred David Fincher's style in his previous life. I have basically seen his works, and Zodiac is probably a relatively mediocre one.
Martin looked through the script and said: "The protagonist's role is not prominent enough, so move it to the back."
Thomas didn't say much, and took another document, also carrying one: "You told me that the director you are focusing on, Christopher Nolan, the director of the new Batman movie, is going to make Priest's "The Prestige" "Adapted into a movie, Warner Bros. has bought the rights, and Jonathan Nolan is writing the script."
Martin asked the key: "Warner Bros. gave the project the green light?"
Thomas nodded: "The green light has been given. If nothing else happens, we will start filming next year and release it in 2007."
Martin, who has obtained the fatal magic trick: "You should keep an eye on Nolan's project. If you have the opportunity, you can contact him or his wife first."
"Emma Thomas has been serving as the production manager of Nolan's project." Thomas asked: "She seems to be over 35 years old. Should we use Mene..."
Martin shook his head: "Let's find out first before saying anything else."
Thomas nodded: "I understand."
Martin picked out two books, "The Last Man Standing" and "The Magic of Death," and said to Thomas: "Focus on the two projects of I Am Legend and The Magic of Death, and give up on the others."
In fact, Thomas is very optimistic about Transformers, after all, he can cooperate with Spielberg.
But Martin is also very realistic. There is a project that can win the male lead, so why should he play a supporting role for a robot?
"I will make appropriate contact with Warner Bros." Thomas gradually gained some confidence as he had Martin as a client.
Martin took the book and said, "You continue to work, I'm leaving."
Thomas sent him out of the office.
Martin waved to Bruce and went downstairs together.
Halfway through, he threw two copies to Bruce: "New harvest."
Bruce glanced at the cover and said, "I haven't finished reading that "Dark Realm" yet, so you can get two more copies."
The two left the office building and got into the Escalade. Martin asked: "What is Alan's book about?"
Bruce started the car and drove out slowly. When he got on the main road, he said, "The hero is a writer, with a personality similar to yours. He daydreams all day long but has no ability. He is a loser anyway."
Martin nodded: "It's a standard useless start. Are there any plug-ins?"
"Clug-in?" After hearing Martin briefly explain the word "plug-in", Bruce said: "Of course there is a plug-in. The male protagonist encounters a kind of medicine. After taking it, it can stimulate all human potential, including stupid brains, even in one day. You can learn a foreign language and master a skill, such as finance or fighting."
Hearing this, Martin suddenly became serious: "Continue."
Bruce is not particularly good at telling stories and can only express it in his own way: "After taking that medicine, an idiot becomes a smart person, making money is like picking up fallen leaves in the woods, and he can still exude the charm of Leonardo. I Referring to Leonardo from Titanic.”
He tried to organize his words: "His anomaly was discovered by a capitalist. I haven't read it yet, but I think it was the capitalist who seized the drug, and the hero fought back with the ability of the drug."
Martin thought of a movie he had watched, one that diaosi had particularly loved, a masterpiece among YY movies.
The Chinese translation should be "Never Ending".
He still remembers watching this film with an extra actor. After watching it, the guy fantasized about being able to take this kind of medicine for a long time, and he couldn't stop giving nicknames to people who took the medicine.
The movie is very suitable for ordinary people: take medicine and become a superman, earn a lot of money, and pick up many beautiful women.
The author Alan Green deserves to work in an entertainment magazine, and he understands what ordinary people envy most about Hollywood stars.
Isn’t it just luxury houses, fancy cars, beautiful women, and the most important thing, money?
As for the original lead actor, he is probably still a low-level actor.
Martin asked: "Where is it? Did you bring it with you?"
Bruce pointed to the armrest box: "Inside."
Martin opened it and took out the gift from Alan: "Find a place, let's go read a book."
Bruce found a nearby coffee shop, parked the car and entered the shop with Martin, asking for two cups of coffee.
Martin flicked through "The Dark Realm," and Bruce read "The Prestige."
The two scumbags looked at it very seriously.
Martin can't write well, but basic reading is still fine.
Of course it is very different from the movie, but the main plot and framework are roughly the same as "Never Ending".
Martin was able to confirm that this was the original version of the film.
He took out his mobile phone and called Thomas: "Check for me how many copies of a book called "Dark Fields" by the author named Alan Green have been sold."
On the day of the wine tasting, Gillian once said that Alain Green has only created this one work so far.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, Thomas called back: "It was published in 2001 and has sold less than 40,000 copies so far."
Martin was not suitable to come forward in person: "You and Jessica contact the publisher and the author himself to buy the film and television adaptation rights of this film in the name of my film studio."
Thomas didn't understand: "It has a limited audience and is of little value."
Martin said: "Because of this, it doesn't cost much to buy it. It really can't be adapted, and it won't cost much."
Thomas thought about this and said, "Let Jessica talk, and I will be her deputy."
Martin said, "Okay, I'll rest assured that you're watching over me."
Thomas moved quickly: "I'll go to the studio right away."
Martin called Jessica first. There was no special matter. She and Emily would stay in Davis Studio to handle fan and network matters.
Bruce had already put down "Deadly Magic" and pointed at the book: "Are you sure it is the next target?"
Martin put it away: "It's not a big problem to get the adaptation rights for this one." He took pictures of the other two books respectively: "It can be said that it is a surprise for these two to win one of the protagonists."
Bruce said: "Nolan? He's not very famous either. Except for the new Batman movie, I haven't heard of any other works."
Martin simply said: "He is now one of the top emerging directors. Warner Bros. attaches great importance to him, and its Legendary Pictures fully supports him because he has revitalized Batman."
Master and Super are the most important assets of DC and Warner Bros.
Martin picked up the book: "Let's go."
Bruce followed him out: "Unfortunately, Batman has no superpowers."
Martin asked casually: "Does being rich count?"
Bruce was stunned for a moment: "If you are as rich as him, forget it."
Having money is the most realistic thing, and you can have the whole city play with you.
(End of chapter)
