"Yesterday, the actor Heath Ledger of "Brokeback Mountain" was detained by the NYPD. He was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs at a Brooklyn studio, almost injuring the male and female actors and actresses of "Never Ended" Martin Davis and Jennifer Aniston. …”
In the driving commercial vehicle, CAA agent Kevin Howard quickly read the text and looked at the pictures next to him. They all showed the process of his client Heath Ledger being restrained by the NYPD and put into a police car.
During this period, the NYPD used handcuffs and other police equipment.
He handed the paper to Shams and said, "The news is out."
The latter is the producer of Brokeback Mountain and founder of Focus Features, as well as a shareholder of Paramount Pictures.
This report will have a negative impact on Brokeback Mountain's Oscar bid. Shams said: "There were too many people who saw it yesterday, and it is too difficult to keep it secret. Martin and Aniston are not ordinary people, and they are very difficult to deal with."
"I hope this trip goes well." Kevin looked at his phone and said, "Harvey will be at the studio later."
The commercial vehicle arrived at the junction of Brooklyn and Queens and entered a slightly old studio.
Kevin and Shams called their respective contacts and waited patiently.
Something happened yesterday, but the crew of "Never End" is still filming normally, but some of Martin and Aniston's scenes have been postponed.
Thomas and Aniston's agent Steve found the two at this time and said, "They are here."
The two discussed it carefully last night, and Martin said: "What is supposed to come will come, go and meet them."
Aniston was afraid that her little puppy wouldn't be able to hold on, so she specifically warned: "If you have any problems, just push it on me. I'm also a member of the Producers Alliance."
Martin experienced the kindness of a close sister more than once. He left the studio first and came to the studio office area.
Kevin took the initiative to greet Martin, ignoring Martin: "Jen, you are radiant and getting more and more beautiful." He shook hands with Steve who was behind him again: "The three of us can talk alone?"
Steve glanced at Aniston and saw that she had no objection, so they entered the office together.
Shams came over to shake hands with Martin: "This is the first time we have met. I heard Heath tell you what happened yesterday. You are better than the rumors say."
"Jane and I are probably lying in the hospital because of our poor health." Martin entered the nearby conference room and said: "If my bodyguard hadn't noticed the danger and alerted me, and I happened to react quickly, we wouldn't be able to meet today. .”
Thomas, who came in last, closed the door: "We have never contacted the media from the beginning to the end. We thought we were all insiders, so we just left it to the inside to solve it. What happened? You also put pressure on us through Warner!"
Shams said: "The news has broken out, making us very passive..."
"Then it's my fault?" Martin sneered, so angry that he seemed to be about to lose control: "I made Heath Ledger take drugs? I made him drive out of control? Did I break the news to the media?"
Shams was here to solve the problem, not to intensify the conflict. He quickly said: "That's not what I meant. Heath Ledger's current situation is because he made a mistake and it was caused by himself."
He smiled and said: "Martin, I came here sincerely to discuss how to deal with the matter in the future."
Martin knew that he was the producer of Brokeback Mountain and a representative of Focus Features and Paramount Pictures. He said directly: "I don't have to pursue this matter. I must go through the judicial process. After all, it is all in Those who work hard in the circle.”
Shamus relaxed slightly.
Of course Martin will not just let it go: "Yesterday, Heath Ledger insulted me, and later in front of so many people, he also said that he would kill me. I want him to be listed in a national media like the New York Times On an important page, publicly apologize to me and explain the reasons for the apology."
Shams thought that a newspaper had even published pictures of the scene, and said: "I have no problem, but CAA needs to communicate again."
Martin added: "Yesterday I was severely frightened and was in a state of shock. I couldn't work normally at all. The crew of NeverEnded had to postpone my filming because of this. I'm not sure when exactly these mental issues will be resolved. I need to Heath Ledger compensated for that."
He glanced at Thomas: "You can discuss the details."
The compensation that Thomas negotiated was also a commission, so he was particularly motivated: "Leave it to me."
Martin nodded politely to Shamus: "I'm emotionally unstable right now, so I'll go back first."
Shams confirmed Martin's attitude and did not want to talk to him anymore.
This guy throws out tons of difficult reasons and excuses.
…………
In another office.
Kevin first reviewed the so-called years of friendship with Aniston, and then said that it was difficult: "The awards season is now underway, and it has reached a critical time for judges to choose and vote. You know that many people like to vote with their feet, and negative news with a huge impact will make The judges avoided the people involved.”
He spoke very quickly: "CAA has invested a lot of resources and favors in Heath Ledger's Oscar nomination. If this news is allowed to ferment, the negative impact will be too great, and the resources we have invested will be wasted. "
In the industry, simply using illegal drugs is not a big deal, but when they almost bumped into fellow actors Martin and Aniston at a studio, many judges must have considered it. The studio is the place where they go most often. In the future, Will he become a victim?
Moreover, if you ask the judges to vote for Aniston for an Oscar, not many people will vote. If someone publicly hurts Aniston, most people will not have a good impression of the perpetrator.
Aniston temporarily suppressed her discomfort and asked, "What do you want to do?"
Kevin tentatively said: "How about this? Let Heath apologize to you privately and compensate you a sum, and you and Martin issue a statement saying that this was a misunderstanding?"
He emphasized: "The amount of compensation will definitely satisfy you. In the next six months, I will mobilize relationships to provide you with resource support."
Aniston looked at her agent Steve: "Kevin, is this your intention or the company's?"
Steve immediately made his attitude clear: "I don't know about this." He said loudly: "Jen is the victim, why should she swallow her anger?"
Kevin did not dare to offend Aniston too much and said quickly: "This is just a suggestion."
Steve could see what Aniston meant: "We won't accept it!"
"There's no need to continue." Aniston stood up and left.
Steve was about to leave, but Kevin stopped him: "Wait a minute."
"Is something wrong?"
Kevin closed the door: "Don't forget your position."
Steve said, “The customer comes first!”
CAA claims that all agents have equal status, but in fact it is something else. Senior partners and joint partners make up the top management of the company, and Kevin is one of them. He said sternly: "The premise must be in the interests of CAA! "
His tone softened slightly: "Steve, try to convince Jane. She is where she is today because of CAA's promotion."
But Steve saw clearly that the other person only thought about his customers: "I can't go against the will of my customers!"
Kevin was so angry that he spun around in circles: "Have you, me, including Brian, done enough against the will of our clients?"
It's like a superior reprimanding a subordinate: "You are a member of CAA!"
Steve didn't respond and turned around and left the office.
Aniston, who has worked with him for years, asked, "What's going on?"
Steve said: “The senior partner is so majestic!”
Aniston mused: "I can feel that, for me, since Friends ended, CAA is no longer the same CAA as before."
At the same time, Martin came out of the office building and met Harvey Weinstein.
In other words, the other party was waiting for him here specifically.
Harvey Weinstein said: "Long time no see."
Martin smiled and asked directly: "For Heath Ledger?"
Harvey put his hands into the pockets of his woolen coat and took the initiative to walk forward: "As soon as the project of "I'm Not There" was launched, I signed a distribution contract and made investment in the name of other studios."
Martin followed: "No wonder we can invite so many big-name actors. It turns out it's your appeal, Harvey."
Harvey emphasized: "Tens of millions of dollars of investment cannot be wasted just because of what happened yesterday."
Martin said: "I never thought about doing anything to Heath Ledger. He publicly apologized to me in the newspaper and gave me a compensation, and the matter was over."
"Do you know why I chose Heath Ledger as one of the protagonists?" Harvey didn't need Martin to answer: "Because based on my years of experience in running the Oscars, Heath Ledger will be a big hit after this awards season."
He shook his head slightly: "As soon as his fire is ignited, it may be extinguished."
Martin said, in the words of Michelle Williams: "It's just that he was under too much pressure."
"I have a suggestion with CAA." Harvey said something similar to Kevin Howien.
Of course Martin would not accept it: "I am a man of honesty and trustworthiness, and it is impossible to lie to the public. This kind of lie is too easy to be exposed, and it will be me whose reputation will be damaged."
Harvey suddenly changed his words: "Actually, I am very optimistic about your future. Your acting skills are very good. The Oscars should not ignore you."
"Thank you for the compliment." Martin said honestly: "I have a movie called The Departed this year."
Harvey stopped pushing: "Good luck."
Martin turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Bruce, who was hanging behind, quickened his pace and caught up with Martin: "You don't look happy?"
"It was the most peaceful conversation I had with him." But Martin was very aware: "It's not easy to ruin people's wealth."
Bruce suggested softly: "Would you like to call Sophia?"
Martin shook his head: "This is New York, the birthplace of the Weinstein brothers, not Georgia and Los Angeles."
Bruce said again: "Cooperate with him?"
"I've thought about it, but it's too difficult." Martin really had concerns: "I'm a member of the Face Gang, and I might not be able to bear the initiation ceremony of the Foot Gang! Also, even if I switch to the Foot Gang, he wants me to go What should I do to deal with the actresses he raped? Could it be that by deceiving them and enduring it, they would become big stars later?"
Bruce said: "This can only mean one thing, compared to this fat man, you are not bad enough!"
Martin walked forward slowly, thinking as he walked. After a while, he said: "Old Boo, call Atlanta and ask Ivan to come over."
"The more you get around, the more you regress?" Bruce suspected that Martin wanted to attack that guy Ivan.
Martin said: "Don't worry, just use your mouth."
Bruce wondered, shouldn't he talk to Mene?
(End of chapter)
