Beverly Hills.
Inside a reception room at MGM headquarters, Tony Thomopoulos, chairman of United Artists, leaned back on the sofa, holding the coffee his secretary had just brought him. He said to Michael Ovitz, who was sitting on the other side, "Did you hear? That kid tried to sound out Semel at a party hosted by Warner Bros. last night, asking if he could sell DC to him. Pascal also seems to be negotiating a TV series copyright for him with Columbia. Columbia is asking for $10 million, and it didn't even scare him off. Tsk, tsk. Young people these days, they've just made some money and they're already planning to buy the whole world".
Michael Ovitz listened to Thomopoulos, who was over sixty, with a noticeably unbalanced tone. Although he didn't think Simon Westeros was getting carried away by his sudden wealth, due to the purpose of today's meeting, he still chuckled in agreement and said, "Hollywood needs people like that. Otherwise, how could all the movies we make every year get funded?"
Tony Thomopoulos's eyes flashed with shrewdness when he heard this. He said, "Michael, I know you've always wanted to make the 'Rain Man' project happen. However, that kid has been a bit too greedy in his collaborations with Fox and others. A screenwriter demanding 10% of the box office revenue? That has never happened in Hollywood history. As for this collaboration, even if 'Rain Man' is further delayed, I certainly won't back down on the interests that belong to United Artists".
Michael Ovitz nodded and said, "I understand, Tony. In fact, I've always been a big proponent of sharing profits. Everyone makes money together, and business can last longer".
As the two were chatting, Thomopoulos's secretary walked in with Amy Pascal.
After greeting each other, the three sat down on the sofa. Michael Ovitz smiled and asked Amy, "How did the talk with Robin go?"
Before rushing to MGM headquarters, Amy Pascal had just met with Hollywood actor Robin Williams regarding 'Dead Poets Society'. Although he was a CAA client, Robin Williams, who was only considered a second-tier actor at the time, was not directly managed by Ovitz.
However, Amy wasn't surprised by Ovitz's sudden question. The CAA bigwig, who liked to control everything, was like a spider, always making people feel that he was fully aware of every development in Hollywood.
"Robin is very interested in the script for 'Dead Poets Society.' We plan to sign the contract tomorrow".
Michael Ovitz was a bit surprised: "That fast?"
Amy said, "Simon hopes to finalize this before the new year, so he can start preparations after he returns".
Tony Thomopoulos, who completely didn't understand what Amy and Ovitz were talking about, said at this point, "Westeros isn't in Los Angeles?"
Amy turned to Thomopoulos and said, "Simon went to New York. Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve, and his girlfriend is there".
The secretary then brought Amy coffee. Tony Thomopoulos waited for a moment and said, "In that case, Amy, let's first talk about your development plan for 'The Hobbit.' This is a very classic novel, and United Artists will not casually hand it over to others".
"Tony, Daenerys Films hasn't immediately launched the 'Hobbit' project. We hope to acquire the rights first, spend two to three years designing and perfecting the special effects technology required for this epic fantasy, and then begin production".
Thomopoulos shook his head and said, "Three years is too long, and frankly, that sounds completely like an excuse to get the rights".
Amy retorted, "Tony, if I said Daenerys Films would immediately start production, that would be the real excuse. A fantasy novel like 'The Hobbit,' involving elements such as dragons, elves, and dwarves, would only fail if rushed into production without sufficient time for careful preparation".
Thomopoulos said, "Alright, Amy, what's your offer?"
"Tony, I've already made an offer to United Artists: $1 million. Now, as an addition, Daenerys Films can invest $10 million in 'Rain Man.".
Although he had just played hard to get regarding 'The Hobbit', Tony Thomopoulos didn't actually care too much about the novel's copyright.
United Artists acquired the rights to 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' in 1969, and it had been almost twenty years since then. Although the novels were very popular back then, the Middle-earth series had not shown any remarkable commercial potential in film and television; otherwise, United Artists would not have transferred the rights to 'The Lord of the Rings' to Saul Zaentz in 1976.
At this point, hearing Amy readily agree to the $10 million investment in 'Rain Man', and thinking of that young man's considerable wealth, Thomopoulos quickly shook his head and said, "No, that's not enough, Amy. If you want 'The Hobbit,' you'll need to invest at least $15 million".
Amy heard this and turned to Ovitz in confusion: "Michael, you didn't tell me any of this on the phone."
Michael Ovitz was also a bit surprised by Thomopoulos's sudden change of mind and couldn't help but frown, saying, "Tony, you can't do this. This will only cause 'Rain Man' to be shelved again".
Tony Thomopoulos, however, just looked at Amy and said, "Since Westeros is willing to offer $10 million for a TV series from Columbia Pictures that no longer has much value, he shouldn't mind an additional $5 million for a movie starring two superstars, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, especially since he'll also get the rights to 'The Hobbit'".
Amy's expression showed a hint of annoyance as she retorted, "Tony, we didn't offer $10 million for a TV series".
Tony Thomopoulos thought for a moment, sat up straight, and said, "Amy, I think it would be better for Westeros to discuss this with me personally".
Amy shook her head and said, "I just explained, Tony, Simon is in New York".
Tony Thomopoulos chuckled, "It's not two hundred years ago, so a phone call will do".
Amy picked up the shoulder bag she had just placed beside her and said, "If you insist, Tony, I'll go back and discuss it with Simon".
"No, I mean now" Tony Thomopoulos, not wanting to give Simon and Amy too much preparation time, insisted, "We can hold a conference call immediately".
Amy glanced at her watch and said, "It's already five o'clock in New York. This is Simon's personal time".
"Amy, I hope this matter can be resolved today, so call him. Or, you can tell him tomorrow during Westeros's working hours that this matter is over".
Amy looked at Tony Thomopoulos, and after a moment of stalemate, she still dialled a series of numbers on the landline on the coffee table.
In speakerphone mode, Simon's voice quickly came through: "Hello?"
"Simon, it's me," Amy glanced at Thomopoulos, then said, "I'm at MGM headquarters. Mr. Thomopoulos wants to talk to you personally".
"Thomopoulos?"
"Chairman of United Artists".
"Oh".
Tony Thomopoulos listened to the indifferent voice from the speakerphone, feeling a bit displeased, but he still took over the conversation and said, "Simon, I'm Tony Thomopoulos".
"Hello, Tony".
Tony Thomopoulos didn't bother with too many pleasantries and got straight to the point: "Simon, let's be direct. 'The Hobbit' is a very valuable copyright asset for United Artists. If you want to acquire the rights to this novel, Daenerys Films needs to commit at least $15 million in investment for 'Rain Man'".
After a brief pause of a few seconds, Simon's voice came through again: "Tony, the budget for 'Rain Man' is $25 million, right? If Daenerys Films invests $15 million, whose movie is this?"
Tony Thomopoulos said, "Simon, United Artists developed the entire project, so the copyright naturally belongs to us. However, Daenerys Films will certainly receive its due share of profits in the future".
"Sorry, Tony, I'm not really used to putting in enough effort and not getting control. If United Artists wants $15 million, this project must be handled by Daenerys Films, just like 'Basic Instinct'".
Tony Thomopoulos refused, "Simon, that's impossible, unless Daenerys Films bears the entire investment".
"Tony, I'm not interested in this project; I just want 'The Hobbit.' $10 million is already enough for United Artists, and it shouldn't be a big problem for you to raise another $15 million".
"$15 million, Simon. If you want 'The Hobbit,' it must be $15 million".
There was another moment of silence on the other end of the line before Simon said, "Then $25 million it is. Daenerys Films will be responsible for production, United Artists will handle distribution, and you must guarantee the release date, marketing efforts, and minimum number of screens".
Tony Thomopoulos had originally expected to haggle with Simon on the phone for several tens of minutes, but he didn't expect such a sudden outcome.
United Artists had previously bought the script rights for 'Rain Man'. Tony Thomopoulos's planned production and distribution strategy was to find external investment as much as possible, and if that didn't work, to raise some funds through copyright pre-sales and loans, with United Artists producing and MGM distributing.
With two A-list superstars, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, starring, though not widely favoured, the commercial prospects of 'Rain Man' were still somewhat guaranteed compared to most Hollywood projects.
Given United Artists' current situation, quality film projects wouldn't likely fall to them anyway.
According to this operating strategy, his company would always earn a stable distribution fee in the future. If the film succeeded, as the producer, United Artists would also gain some profit. If the project failed, the company wouldn't suffer too great a loss.
Now.
A certain wealthy young man suddenly proposed a plan he had never anticipated.
$25 million, huh?
He brought it out so easily. You know, Warner, Universal, Paramount, and other companies had all previously rejected this project. Even Spielberg couldn't secure enough funding for the film, which is why he withdrew under the pretext of filming 'Indiana Jones 3'.
Who would have thought that the turn of events would be so sudden?
A series of emotions flashed through his mind, and Tony Thomopoulos couldn't help but press on, "Simon, $25 million, Daenerys Films will bear it all. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"Tony, do I look like I'm joking?" Simon's voice carried a hint of impatience, "Alright, that's it. Amy, close this deal. I still have to go out to dinner with Jenny. Talk to you later, goodbye".
With that, the call was disconnected.
After a faint click, the reception room fell silent.
Amy noticed Tony Thomopoulos's expression, which, after a brief silence, quickly became flickering and uncertain. She stood up and said, "Tony, let's discuss this later. Simon's decision was too hasty; I need to talk to him".
There's always something fishy when things go awry.
Tony Thomopoulos had been in Hollywood for so many years that he was already an old fox.
Although he felt quite unbalanced by Simon, who at such a young age already possessed over a billion dollars, he absolutely recognized the young man's talent in film. Furthermore, Thomopoulos had a general understanding of Simon's previous collaborations with Orion, Fox, and Disney, some bold, some shrewd, some risky, all brilliant.
Therefore, Tony Thomopoulos absolutely did not believe that Simon Westeros was someone who would throw $25 million at a script that no one was optimistic about, just for the rights to a novel.
The current situation.
Either Simon Westeros was actually very optimistic about this script, and therefore just pretended to be foolishly demanding to take over the entire project. Or, the huge sum of money had turned a once brilliant young man into a brain-dead profligate.
Hearing Amy's voice, Thomopoulos's mind added another reason.
Or perhaps, Simon Westeros's previous series of business operations were all planned by this woman, and his true nature was just as he sounded on the phone.
Wanting to see if Amy was playing hard to get, Tony Thomopoulos quickly stood up as she rose, extended his hand to the woman again, and said, "Well, that's all for today, Amy. I also need to think about it some more. We, um, will schedule another time next week".
Amy shook hands with Thomopoulos, then nodded to Ovitz, and turned to walk out of the reception room.
Since the discussion couldn't continue, Michael Ovitz, who had been quietly observing, also stood up and bid farewell to Thomopoulos.
Leaving the MGM office building, Ovitz noticed Amy's car just pulling out of the parking lot. He walked over, tapped on her car window, and when the glass slid down, he smiled and asked, "Amy, can you explain to me what exactly is going on?"
Amy's face showed a helpless expression as she said, "Michael, you saw it too. Simon recently…" As she spoke, Amy gently shook her head and sighed, "I don't even know how to persuade him now".
Michael Ovitz, however, kept his smile and said, "Amy, if I'm not mistaken, when we spoke on Monday, you complained that a $10 million investment was too much, but today you showed no intention of reducing the share".
Amy's expression showed no flaw, saying, "This is Simon's decision".
After a brief chat, Ovitz watched Amy drive away, his smile unchanged. He realized that, regardless, the 'Rain Man' project was definitely going to happen.
Perhaps.
According to that young man's vision and ability, this film might still bring some surprises to everyone in the future.
After all, Michael Ovitz couldn't believe that the young man who made him feel a sense of kinship at their first meeting would so easily lose his mind to vast sums of money and become reckless and lacking judgment.
Thinking this, Michael Ovitz suddenly recalled a detail Amy Pascal had mentioned at the very beginning of their meeting.
A wider smile spread across his face.
Little guy, since you're so eager to sign Robin Williams, I certainly can't let you have your way so easily.
Let's first see if this matter can bring some surprises.
Hmm.
Robin Williams.
Michael Ovitz recalled, and his excellent memory quickly provided him with a string of information.
Robin Williams, who entered the film industry with the live-action 'Popeye', hasn't had any particularly outstanding works these past few years and can only be considered a second-tier comedy star. It seems he has a new film coming out recently, 'Good Morning, Vietnam', a popular Vietnam War reflection genre, with a satirical comedy style, somewhat similar to Robert Altman's 'MASH', which was nominated for Best Picture that year.
The internal test screenings have received good reviews, and it's scheduled for release on December 25th, which is the day after tomorrow.
However, Disney seems to intend for this film to follow an awards-season path, similar to 'MASH', adopting a long-term strategy of small-scale openings to build word-of-mouth, with only a single-digit number of screens in the initial release.
The driver pulled the car over.
After getting into the car, Michael Ovitz picked up the car phone and dialled his friend and Disney CEO, Michael Eisner. Their families were neighbours, so perhaps they could arrange a family screening that evening to watch a comedy film or something.