In the president's office of Warner Pictures, Alan Horn looked a little ugly as he listened to what Thomas said on the phone.
The invitation 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, and 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 They called me and told me that Pacific Pictures wanted to invest in another major Warner project and they couldn’t allocate funds.”
Paul Haggis immediately understood the current situation. The actor with strong market appeal was gone, which meant that the Atlanta funds and Asian funds behind him were 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.
Allen Horn tapped his fingers on the table and said, "Our plans are going to change."
"Newcomer actors do 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 since the end of last year, the situation has changed a lot, the hot money pouring into the industry has dropped sharply, and even Spielberg went to India to attract investment.”
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 contact the Atlanta funds and Asian funds behind him?"
Allen 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 under the same banner of 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 involved."
Jon smiled: "Of course it's money."
“A lot of big projects are looking for money,” Haggis said.
Bell didn't understand this and said, "Actually, I'm also looking for money."
The three of them laughed, and Jon quickly excused himself.
Bell is leaving too,
Haggis suddenly remembered what Allen had said just now, 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."
Bale said: "I also want to play Bruce Wayne."
"I asked Jon about the shooting dates and there was no conflict," Haggis said.
The first "Star Wars" 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. The reason for such a high budget is to hire A-list stars.
Bell is a good person and 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."
Bell 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 US$15 million."
There is no one in Vanity Fair who is not interested in money. Hearing this number, Bell became even more interested: "Try to contact Warner Pictures. Paul Haggis has talked with Legendary Pictures. Both sides have schedules." Do not conflict."
…………
After accepting the instructions from her boss Alan Horn, Lauren immediately took action, studied 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.
Lauren inquired and learned that one of the owners of Beast House had recently arrived in Los Angeles.
He immediately drove to South Botswana Street and found the Beast House office. After entering, he told the person who greeted him his intention: "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."
Lauren found that this man's walking posture was quite strange. He stretched his legs outwards and walked erratically, as if his butt had suffered some huge damage.
Scott turned around suddenly, 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 movements are even more exaggerated than Dwayne Johnson's today.
Lauren could only find one suitable description in her head: 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?
Lauren is also well-informed and has a lot on her mind, but her expression is normal and she introduces herself: "Hello, madam, I am Lauren Kohner from the Planning Department of Warner Pictures..."
Sofia was always direct in doing things, so she interrupted him: "You have something to say?"
Lauren made preparations before arriving and quickly talked about Warner Pictures' projects and sincerity.
Sofia 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 Brioni's Oscar jersey specially handmade based on his body data, and it will come in use this weekend.
Store manager Critia was on the side, looked at Martin carefully, and said: "Perfect! Martin, your body proportions are very good, your frame is like a model, and you perfectly demonstrate 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 must choose dark colors in public occasions.
In the rest area, Bruce, who was holding Martin's mobile phone, answered the call. Hearing Sophia's voice, his heart tightened inexplicably and his legs shook unconsciously.
But what Sofia 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: "Is something wrong?"
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 locker room to change.
Bruce thought about calling, 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 Alan 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.
We 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 chapter)
