Chapter 318: A More Forward Winona
West Hollywood.
Early in the morning, Aaron let out a contented sigh as he lay back against the bed.
A few moments later, Winona Ryder emerged from beneath the blankets and rested against his chest, breathing heavily. A faint flush colored her cheeks as she tried to catch her breath.
Aaron gently ran a hand along her smooth shoulder and smiled.
"You've been a lot more forward these past couple of days."
Winona looked up at him with a playful smile.
"Isn't that what you like?"
As she spoke, she lightly traced a finger across his chest.
Aaron chuckled and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Whatever's bothering you in the future, tell me."
"Don't keep everything bottled up inside until it turns into something worse."
He knew that beneath her confident public image, Winona often carried a great deal of pressure. In Hollywood, fame and success came with expectations that few outsiders could truly understand.
"I know," she replied softly.
---
As the Golden Globe nominations were announced, Dawnlight enjoyed an exceptional showing.
Forrest Gump, Legends of the Fall, and Pulp Fiction were all nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
Among them, Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction emerged as the clear frontrunners, earning seven and six nominations respectively.
Meanwhile, the film Aaron had championed from the beginning—The Shawshank Redemption—received nominations for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
While its box-office performance had disappointed, its growing critical recognition was becoming impossible to ignore.
Later that week, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel during the Golden Globe nomination celebration, Aaron met with Don Steel to discuss another project.
Twister.
"Jan de Bont is interested in directing it?" Aaron asked, taking a sip of his drink.
"I thought he might want a break after finishing Speed with Tom Cruise."
Don laughed and shook her head.
"Not at all."
"He's eager to direct a large-scale effects-driven film."
"This project's budget will be significantly higher than usual, which makes it even more appealing to him."
She paused before adding,
"And honestly, I think Jan also wants to complete the three-picture directing agreement he signed with Dawnlight as quickly as possible."
Aaron nodded thoughtfully.
That made sense.
After the massive success of Speed, Jan de Bont had established himself as one of Hollywood's most promising action directors. A disaster epic like Twister would be a natural next step, allowing him to combine spectacle, visual effects, and large-scale action sequences.
"If that's the case," Aaron said, setting down his glass, "then let's move forward."
"Twister is exactly the kind of event film audiences are looking for."
"And with the right execution, it could become one of the biggest box-office hits of the year."
Don smiled.
"That's what I'm counting on."
Jan de Bont's directorial debut, Speed, had turned him into one of Hollywood's hottest new filmmakers overnight. This year, he had followed it up by directing the $60 million action blockbuster Mission: Impossible, starring Tom Cruise.
And now, he wanted to tackle Twister, a full-scale special effects disaster epic.
"How much of a budget is he asking for?" Aaron asked.
"More than ninety million dollars," Don replied.
Aaron laughed.
"No wonder."
"Alright, that's acceptable. He's already proven himself with Speed and Mission: Impossible."
A production budget of $33 million had generated more than $350 million worldwide for Speed. Jan de Bont had certainly earned the right to demand bigger projects.
Don nodded.
She supported the decision as well.
"Twister is scheduled for release the year after next. It won't make the summer season, so we're aiming for a Christmas release."
"Fine," Aaron agreed.
"Tell Jan to begin preparations as soon as possible."
Large-scale effects films didn't concern him nearly as much as they did other executives. Compared to the enormous risks some studios were taking, a $90 million investment seemed manageable.
Besides, Roland Emmerich's Independence Day was coming in at a relatively modest $75 million budget.
Aaron leaned back and smiled.
"I'm looking forward to next year more and more."
The upcoming slate was impressive:
Jan de Bont directing Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise.
David Fincher directing Se7en, starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt.
Jonathan Demme directing Red Dragon, a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, starring Anthony Hopkins, Nicolas Cage, and Ralph Fiennes.
Michael Bay directing Bad Boys, starring Will Smith.
And Ang Lee directing Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant.
Established directors, rising talents, and major stars—exactly the kind of lineup any studio executive would dream of.
---
"Oh, right," Aaron said.
"Where are we on Men in Black?"
He paid especially close attention to effects-driven projects.
"The screenplay adaptation is finished," Don replied.
"And we've chosen Barry Sonnenfeld as director."
Aaron considered it for a moment.
"Barry Sonnenfeld... the director of The Addams Family films."
He nodded.
"That actually makes a lot of sense."
"His gothic-comedy style fits the material perfectly."
After all, The Addams Family had successfully blended fantasy, dark humor, and eccentric visuals.
Don shrugged.
"Barry is currently directing MGM's black comedy Get Shorty."
"John Travolta is starring in it, and filming is still underway."
"Realistically, Men in Black won't be able to enter full production until the second half of next year."
Aaron nodded.
That was understandable.
After the success of Pulp Fiction, John Travolta had become one of Hollywood's hottest actors again.
Casting him in Get Shorty was an obvious choice.
---
"Speaking of Travolta," Don continued, "we've selected him as one of the leads for Broken Arrow."
"What about the second lead? Any suggestions?"
Aaron shook his head.
"Just find whoever works best."
He paused.
"What about Nicolas Cage?"
Don laughed.
"Nicolas Cage probably won't be available."
"After finishing Red Dragon for us, he signed on for another project—an independent drama called Leaving Las Vegas."
"It's based on the autobiographical novel by John O'Brien."
"The adaptation rights were sold earlier this year, and shortly afterward O'Brien took his own life."
Aaron stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Leaving Las Vegas.
The very film that would eventually earn Nicolas Cage an Academy Award for Best Actor.
"Is it already filming?"
"It is," Don replied.
"They've been shooting for almost a month."
"Production should wrap around February, with a release planned for the end of next year."
"It's a low-budget drama."
"I see."
Aaron nodded.
"Then Nicolas definitely won't have the time."
A hint of disappointment crossed his face.
He would have loved to see a Travolta–Cage showdown ahead of schedule.
After all, Broken Arrow was scheduled to begin filming in January.
The studio had several backup choices, but no final decision yet.
"We're currently talking to several actors," Don continued.
"Johnny Depp."
"Keanu Reeves."
"Christian Slater."
"Val Kilmer."
"Among them, we're leaning toward Val Kilmer."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"The new Batman?"
"Exactly."
"His performance in Batman Forever has generated a lot of attention."
"But he's also considering another script."
"Heat."
Don didn't need to elaborate further.
Heat would pair two Hollywood legends:
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
For almost any actor, the chance to share the screen with both Oscar winners would be impossible to ignore.
Even though Broken Arrow carried a healthy $50 million budget, it simply couldn't compete with the prestige and appeal of Heat.
Aaron clicked his tongue.
"Then keep talking to the other candidates."
"The production schedule is already locked."
"We're starting on time, no matter what."