Made in Hollywood

The ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills was brightly lit. Men and women in formal dresses were standing or sitting, filling every space. Duke held champagne and kept clinking glasses with those who came to say hello. In Nancy Josephson Under the reminder, according to the identity of the person coming, or nod to greet, or shake hands to greet each other.

Since he walked into this huge banquet hall, no one has been broken by his side, as if it is the blood that attracts flies the most.

First-tier companies such as Paramount, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony Columbia Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox, as well as second-tier companies such as Carlock and Miramax, their executives or representatives came to congratulate Duke, and also We are testing whether there is a possibility of cooperation in the future.

Although Duke throws out a movie project, these companies will immediately invest impossible, but they will definitely promote the review and preliminary research at the fastest speed in the program.

That's the halo of successive successes.

Perhaps this land does not have the term "superstition", but it is one of the craziest countries to pursue success.

"Although Duke Rosenberg only made three films."

Standing not far away, watching Duke, who was busy socializing, Cook Dick was looking for a suitable opportunity, and he said to another Disney executive next to him, "But the box office of the three films is higher than that of one. "Independence Day" is a big hit, and our marketing department predicts that the film can hit $350 million in North America and $800 million globally."

"Bob, Duke deserves our attention!" he added.

Robert Iger nodded, "There is no doubt about Duke's commercial ability, it's just the reputation of the film..."

"Professional reputation? Does that matter?"

Seeing that there was no one around Duke for the time being, Cook Dick gave Iger a wink, and the two strode towards Duke.

"This is Cook Dick from Disney's live-action business."

Just when the two were about to get here, Nancy Josephson reminded softly in Duke's ear, "The other is also a Disney executive, called Robert Iger, and he likes people to call him Bob."

"Hi, Duke."

"Hi, Cook. Hi, Bob."

The two sides shook hands intimately, as if they were extremely familiar friends. Duke was sure that he had seen these two people on other occasions before, but he was not too impressed. As before, his attitude was neither arrogant nor modest.

"Congratulations on your movie selling out."

The two opposites are clearly dominated by Cook Dick, "This is really an amazing result."

"Thank you!" Duke smiled and raised his glass to him.

Cook Dick took a sip of his wine and waited for another actress who came over to say hello to leave, and went straight to the topic, "I heard you have another script? When do you plan to turn it into an official movie project? It can be given priority. Consider Disney."

"It's almost time." Duke tilted his head to the side, "If Disney wants to, Nancy..."

"We are very interested."

Shaking hands with Nancy Josephson, Cook Dick said, "Nancy, why don't we find a place to talk more after the banquet is over?"

"No problem." Nancy showed good professionalism.

In the corner not far away, Jeff Robinoff of Warner Bros. is looking at this side, his brows seem to be a little tight, and he can hardly see the joy after the film's big sale.

Watching the Disney people shaking hands with Duke, and seeing the Sony Columbia people walking over, Jeff Robinoff understood that such a successful director must be the target of the entire Hollywood.

If the director of a single film with a box office of more than 300 million US dollars in North America does not chase and win over, then Hollywood is really a concentration of idiots!

Thinking like this, Jeff Robinoff tapped the middle finger with the index finger of his right hand. The current CEO of Warner Bros. is about to step down. With the success of "Independence Day" and "Brave Island", he won the The competition within Warner Bros. is already the best candidate for CEO.

The next step, Jeff? Robinoff considered is how to consolidate their position, and then come up with a beautiful performance.

He has seen Duke's new script, which is a story about the Normandy landing and rescue. The content is not only popular, but also appropriately adds humanistic care that Duke's previous films did not have. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the victory in the European war. If the film is released on D-Day, German Surrender, or Memorial Day, it will be a box office weapon...

Although this type of film cannot be as super-sold as "Independence Day", it naturally has Oscar attributes. If it can make a difference in the Oscars, the subsequent TV broadcasts and video rental sales of the film will greatly increase profits!

How can we continue to maintain cooperation with Duke? Jeff Robinoff pinched his chin.

Indeed, according to the original agreement, Warner Bros. has the right to invest first, but it is based on the same conditions. It would be the most naive to say that other Hollywood companies are not interested in Duke's film project at all and watch Warner Bros. take it away. Stupid joke!

The most important thing is that Duke Rosenberg is only 24 years old and may have unlimited potential in the future. What kind of achievements has Spielberg made from "Jaws" to now?

Just thinking about it, Jeff Robinoff can't wait to strap the young director to the Warner Bros. chariot.

But how to tie it up is worth considering.

"Duke, what do you think of monsters?"

Standing opposite is Mitch Schulhoff, the vice president of Sony Columbia Pictures. The other party is not as wordy and hypocritical as the Japanese executives next to him. He is a typical American businessman. After a simple greeting, he goes straight to the topic, "That is A huge, destructive monster."

"Could it be Godzilla?" Duke immediately understood what he meant.

"Yes, it's this monster from Japan." Seeing that Duke had heard of it, Schulhoff immediately made an introduction, "Sony Entertainment obtained the film rights of Godzilla in 1992 and has been planning a film adaptation. work, but we haven't been able to find the right director, the kind who can fully unleash the power of Godzilla!"

Duke nodded and waited for the other person to continue.

Mitch Schulhoff organized the language a little, "Frankly speaking, Duke, "Independence Day" just destroyed North America, don't you want to destroy more places? Like Japan?"

"Japan?" Duke's eyes lit up immediately, "I've always wanted to sink Japan, or destroy it all, Godzilla..."

Hearing Duke's words, the Japanese executive next to him was a little embarrassed.

Although he made a few jokes, Duke would not be rude on this occasion. "I mean destroying Japan in the movie. I don't think Mr. Oga would mind, right?"

"of course not."

The Japanese-American executive immediately showed the brightest smile, "I really like the works of Rosenberg's director, and I like to see those earth-shattering scenes."

"thanks……"

After a casual remark, Duke looked at Schulhoff again, "Mitch, I have my own plans for the future, and I'm afraid I won't be able to cooperate with Sony Entertainment."

"Duke, think again." Mitch Schulhoff lowered his voice, "Sony Entertainment has set a production budget of $120 million for this project, which can be increased if you are willing to direct... …”

Frowning slightly, Duke directed the other party to his agent, "You should talk to Nancy first."

Directing a Japanese monster movie? This is not in Duke's plan. This is not a matter of prejudice, but based on practical considerations. The North American film and television culture market is the most closed market. It is too difficult for outsiders to succeed, and the Japanese-style Godzilla will meet North America. The beauty of mainstream audiences? Do not make jokes.

If you operate on Godzilla's appearance, you should be able to win some North American audiences, but you will lose the film's largest source of income - the Japanese market!

This is a very unflattering subject!

If there was going to be a monster movie, Duke would rather go original than Godzilla.

After dealing with Sony Columbia's duo, Duke finally had a little free time. His eyes swept across the spacious banquet hall. The streamers and flower petals scattered at the beginning of the celebration party were everywhere, and the guests walked back and forth to step on it. Without remembering the theme of the celebration, the party inevitably turned into a business party.

In addition to Duke himself, several main actors of the crew are also sought after, especially Will Smith and Naomi Watts, the two actors who have benefited the most from the film, the former being the most praised by teenagers , the latter's acting has won a lot of praise.

"Looking for suitable prey?"

Hearing the monotone nasal voice behind him, Duke knew it must be Sofia Coppola, and said deliberately, "Do you have a recommendation?"

Sophia took a step forward and fought side by side with Duke, her eyes turned to more than 30 feet diagonally opposite, "Madonna Ciccone is there, you can definitely get her by your means, and she must be good to someone like you. very interested."

"I'm not interested in her." Duke felt the wine surging in his stomach.

Although Madonna looked at most in her thirties, Duke was sure that she should have been born in the fifties, and she was not too cold.

As long as you think about how often Rodman the big bug hangs out with her, how can Duke be interested.

Suddenly, Sofia Coppola put away her joking expression and reminded in a serious work tone, "Duke, Townsend Rothman is here."

It was Townsend Rothman, CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, who had worked together on two films, and they didn't have so many courtesy. Get straight to the point.

"After the party, I plan to go on vacation to Europe."

This is not the case when there was no capital before. Duke smiled deliberately and said, "Townsend, I haven't got my travel fee yet. I don't know when the share will arrive?"