Peter Saunders, however, seemed a bit impatient. After exchanging pleasantries with Simon, he suggested they find a place to talk.
Simon didn't decline. After greeting Janette and the others, he took Peter Saunders away from the hotel where the crew was staying and went to a nearby coffee shop.
The two sat down and casually ordered coffee. Peter Saunders then said, "Simon, I've come here this time hoping to discuss the contract between you and Fox".
Simon just nodded slightly, waiting impassively for Peter Saunders to continue.
Peter Saunders observed Simon's expression, paused, and then temporarily changed the topic, saying, "Simon, Mr. Goldberg arranged a test screening of the rough cut of 'The Butterfly Effect' on Tuesday, but the results weren't very good. Several critics present felt the film was a bit disjointed".
Simon gently stirred the coffee the waiter had just brought, and said indifferently, "If that's the case, Mr. Saunders, I can only say I'm sorry. However, I believe my script is a very wonderful story, and I also believe Brian has enough ability to perfectly present this story. Perhaps, you should have a little more patience and wait for the film to be completely finished".
Sensing Simon's assertiveness, Peter Saunders, who had originally intended to play hardball, remembered Ronald Goldberg's instructions and could only say, "Alright, that should be it then".
Simon heard Peter Saunders's tone and didn't want to make him too awkward, so he proactively changed the address, saying, "Peter, you just mentioned that contract?"
Peter Saunders picked up the coffee in front of him, took a sip, and after putting down the cup, replied, "Yes, Simon, we intend to exercise the priority clause in the contract now and buy your script for 'Final Destination.' Moreover, Mr. Goldberg also hopes you can personally direct this film. If you agree, the project can start now, and the release date will be set for the end of the year".
The brilliance of 'Final Destination' lies in a very novel idea, but the film itself is just an ordinary slasher horror film with limited box office potential. Simon doesn't intend to waste too much energy on this film. Moreover, Simon has already signed his next directing contract with Orion Pictures, so it's impossible to immediately cooperate with Fox.
However, Simon didn't immediately refuse, but instead asked, "Peter, what are Fox's terms?"
Peter Saunders hesitated for a moment, but this time he didn't beat around the bush and directly quoted the price offered by Ronald Sandberg: "Simon, as long as you are willing to personally direct, we can offer a director's fee of $2 million, plus 10% of the North American box office profit sharing. This is a very generous offer, Simon. Under normal circumstances, a newcomer like you would never get profit sharing. Moreover, I can tell you that your contract is exactly the same as Brian's salary for directing 'The Butterfly Effect,' and he's been a famous director for a long time. Also, the script is quoted at $300,000, and you can enjoy the same sharing terms as union members".
Simon nodded slightly this time; Fox's offer was quite sincere.
In this era, apart from the few at the very top of the pyramid like Spielberg, the highest salary for other A-list directors was around $5 million.
Fox's terms were also an affirmation of his directing skills in 'Run Lola Run'.
One must know that in Hollywood, where the film industry is already very developed, the studios' assessment of a filmmaker's ability based on their work is still very accurate.
If Simon had now accidentally achieved high box office success with a technically undemanding film like 'The Blair Witch Project', then film companies would certainly be amazed, but unless they wanted to try their luck and capitalize on the popularity he had gained from 'The Blair Witch Project', no studio would be willing to offer him a directing contract, let alone a remuneration package that was already on par with a quasi-A-list director.
In retrospect, this was also the outcome Simon had hoped to see from the beginning.
Thinking about this, Simon could only shake his head regretfully and say, "Sorry, Peter, I've already signed a directing contract with Orion Pictures, which was actually a condition for Orion to agree to distribute 'Run Lola Run' for me".
Upon hearing this, Peter Saunders was at a loss for words.
If they had known earlier that 'Run Lola Run' would achieve its current box office success, Fox would have been a hundred percent willing to sign a similar contract with Simon.
What a pity.
There are always countless "what ifs" in this world, but only one outcome.
Fox was not clear about the specific details of the distribution agreement Simon signed with Orion, but due to several continuous contacts, the relevant terms were not difficult to deduce. Since Orion agreed to Simon's terms, they would certainly maintain their share of the North American box office at around 30%.
Then, even if calculated based on the total North American box office of $150 million for 'Run Lola Run', Orion would still be able to receive $50 million in box office revenue.
As for the marketing and distribution costs, according to Peter Saunders's observation, the box office of 'Run Lola Run' was basically sustained only by media buzz and audience word-of-mouth. Orion Pictures' expenditure in this regard was pitifully small. Even if Orion Pictures actively increased marketing and distribution investment for later greater returns, it would never exceed $10 million.
Calculated this way, just from the theatrical distribution of "Run Lola Run" alone, Orion Pictures would gain a net profit of $40 million.
Forty. Damn. Million. Dollars.
This is clearly still a very conservative estimate.
However, the entire Fox Film Corporation's profit for the entire previous year did not reach $40 million. Or rather, Fox Film Corporation's film business last year was actually operating at a loss.
As the Vice President of Fox Film Corporation, Peter Saunders was well aware that among the films released by his company last year, the best-performing at the box office was only 'Aliens' with $85 million.
Moreover, among the 16 films released throughout the year, none broke the 100 million dollar mark at the box office, and only five exceeded $10 million. Furthermore, 12 of them incurred losses. The parent company, News Corporation, was even discussing cutting the film business budget for this year.
Peter Saunders was now only grateful that the person who ultimately decided to reject Simon and hand over 'Run Lola Run' to someone else was Ronald Goldberg. Otherwise, he might have to pack up and leave in the next few months.
Seeing Peter Saunders remain silent, Simon continued, "Peter, frankly, I actually have no interest in personally directing 'Final Destination'. However, if Fox wants to get this script now, I also have my own demands: I want to personally serve as the producer."