The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds, and beneath them, the sea gleamed a matching azure, its waves gently lapping at the shore and leaving sprays of water in their wake. The sea breeze carried a slight chill, touching the skin of those seated on the beach and offering a comforting sense of serenity.
On the terrace of a seaside villa, Nicolas Cage sat gazing at the rolling waves. The sea breeze brought him a rare sense of relaxation and contentment as he sipped his morning tea—feelings he hadn't experienced in years.
Debts? Loans? Lawsuits? The title of "King of Flops"? It all felt as if it were being trampled under his feet.
Across from him, Sofia Coppola lifted her coffee cup, taking a measured sip before speaking. "I told you, following Matthew Horner would be your way out."
The results of the past weekend lay before him, undeniable. Nicolas Cage nodded slowly and said, "Sofia, I owe you one."
Sofia waved it off. "We're family. No need to say such formal things."
"My career might finally be turning around," Nicolas Cage admitted, no longer displaying the arrogance of his younger years. "And the vicious cycle of declining paychecks might finally end."
Sofia pondered for a moment before offering more advice. "Nicolas, let me give you some advice."
In the past, Nicolas Cage would have brushed off his sister's words, but times had changed. He turned his gaze from the sea to Sofia. "We're siblings. Just say it."
Sofia's tone became unusually serious. "Stick close to Matthew Horner. He can help you get out of this mess once and for all."
Nicolas Cage laughed. "I've been thinking the same thing."
He had signed a three-film deal for The Conjuring series, and the success of the first installment had given him hope. If the next two films succeeded as well, the "King of Flops" label would surely fade.
Moreover, his pay for the sequels had already increased significantly. If he kept working with Matthew Horner on similar projects, he might finally clear all his debts.
With his financial burdens gone, he could afford to be more selective about the roles he took.
Sofia finished her coffee and stood up. "I need to head to Burbank. I'll see you later."
Nicolas nodded and didn't see her out, as they were family. Once she had left, he picked up a newspaper from the table and began reading. It had been years since he'd so eagerly followed box office reports for a film he starred in.
In the early days of his career, he succeeded so frequently that it didn't matter if he followed the reports. Later, failure became a constant, and reading them only brought frustration. Why bother?
But now, thanks to Matthew Horner, his fortunes had taken a turn for the better.
The newspaper was a Los Angeles Times piece that read:
"The Conjuring's solid quality, bolstered by Matthew Horner's brand effect and Warner Bros.' effective promotion on social media, has set the film up for a box office explosion. And the results speak for themselves."
"Premiering in 3,491 theaters across North America on Friday, the film grossed $16.95 million on its opening day, debuting at the top of the box office. Although Saturday saw a slight dip, the 17% decline indicated strong momentum, with an additional $13.93 million earned that day. Sunday continued the trend, adding $10.96 million."
"By the end of its first weekend, The Conjuring had grossed $41.53 million in North America, nearly three times its production cost. It left other films with far larger budgets far behind, topping the box office while also breaking the record for the highest opening weekend for a horror film in 2012 and the highest opening for an original horror film in history."
"The unexpected success of The Conjuring has shocked the industry, but it owes much to director James Wan's growing popularity. Directors, like actors, can also be significant box office draws."
"Now holding two major records, The Conjuring has a solid chance of breaking the $100 million mark if its momentum continues into next week."
Nicolas Cage sighed. How long had it been since one of his films grossed over $100 million in North America? Matthew Horner's influence was undeniably powerful.
Not only were the films he starred in seeing great success, but even those Matthew invested in were thriving.
With this in mind, Cage continued reading the paper. Audience demographics for the first weekend showed that 53% of viewers were female, with 59% aged 25 and older. The film's CinemaScore audience rating of "A" was exceptionally high for a horror movie.
Critically, the film also excelled. Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% fresh rating, while MetaCritic gave it a composite score of 68 from 33 outlets. For a horror movie, these were outstanding numbers.
After reviewing all this data, Nicolas Cage was convinced the film would cross the $100 million mark in North America.
If something as inexplicable as The Hunger Games could gross over $400 million domestically, why couldn't The Conjuring surpass $100 million?
Simultaneously, as the first-weekend numbers were being reported, Matthew Horner and James Wan held a press conference to announce the development of The Conjuring 2. They also revealed plans for a spin-off film featuring the haunted doll Annabelle.
This announcement effectively confirmed the creation of a "horror universe."
The media exploded with speculation, as it seemed a new cinematic universe was in the making.
Currently, there were two widely recognized cinematic universes: Marvel's Avengers Universe and the Fast & Furious Universe, co-developed by Matthew Horner and David Ellison. With this new addition, the count had risen to three.
Of these, Matthew Horner was involved in two. How could anyone not be impressed?
"Matthew Horner has grown from a superstar into one of Hollywood's most successful investors and producers. He may very well be the most successful producer of the 21st century," reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, Vanity Fair claimed: "The success of Warner Bros. and Disney, especially the latter's rapid growth in recent years, is closely tied to Matthew Horner's collaborations. Working with Matthew is a surefire path to dominance in the North American market."
In late October and early November, a relatively quiet time for the entertainment industry, the media seized on The Conjuring's success and turned the spotlight onto Matthew Horner.
The New York Times published a comprehensive analysis of his role as a producer.
"A producer is a sacred and deeply responsible title. The word 'Producer' derives from 'Produce,' symbolizing creation. A producer must embody the spirit of both an entrepreneur and an artist, serving as a cornerstone for both the film industry and cinematic art."
"Without a doubt, Matthew Horner is one of Hollywood's most successful producers since the dawn of the 21st century."
"As a producer, Matthew is deeply involved in all aspects of filmmaking, from overall planning and casting to reviewing scripts and dailies. He even meticulously examines each day's production logs."
"What he doesn't say—but consistently does—is ensure the successful marketing and distribution of his films. He relies on his expertise to make precise market assessments and decisions."
"Matthew has earned the respect of industry insiders. They say, 'Whoever has Matthew on their side, rules the industry.' His sharp eye and broad vision allow him to spot opportunities others miss."
This article, widely circulated, was brought to Matthew's attention by Margot Robbie. While it accurately described his skills, he knew his success came from a unique blend of factors.
He understood that being a good producer required more than just talent and instincts.
A great producer must also be eloquent, capable of persuading investors, directors, and actors. They must be willing to handle lawsuits, manage budgets meticulously, and make tough decisions.
Matthew had honed these skills through years of experience and learning, but he knew the importance of hiring professionals to handle specialized tasks.
Amidst this flurry of publicity, The Conjuring maintained its momentum. In its second weekend, the film dropped just 46% to earn $22.2 million, retaining the top spot at the North American box office. With weekday earnings added, its domestic gross reached $84.95 million.
Breaking $100 million was now a certainty.
Matthew left Los Angeles to join Justin Lin's team in London, where filming for Fast & Furious 6 was underway.
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