Hollywood New Century

"Recently, the company has received a lot more movie investment projects," Simon sat in his boss's chair with a leisurely expression.

"It's not, but it's because Xinghai Pictures has abundant capital now, and many people have invested in us for projects. In the past, most of what we received were just scripts or ideas," Nina Jacobson has been paying attention to " The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but still took the time to read the film plans received.

"I've watched some, many of them are small-budget independent films, and there's nothing too eye-catching," Simon took a sip of coffee, and the company's own "26 Dresses" is also in preparation.

"By the way, Simon, what do you think of David Fincher?" Nina asked.

Simon thought for a moment and said, "How can I put it, he is very talented, like an independent director walking under the Hollywood system. He is essentially an anti-authority person, but he has been making films for the Big Six, and his personal style of films is very strong. , don't like to follow the rules!"

"Yeah, love it and hate it, there is a movie like "The Seven Deadly Sins" that has a good box office, and soon another movie "Fight Club" that has a poor box office, the movie has a good reputation, but I don't like to please the audience. Of course not," Nina Jacobson said with a smile, and continued,

"Remember when the 20th Century Fox distribution manager saw the 'Fight Club' cut and said David Fincher was a jerk!"

"Oh, what do you say?" Simon became interested.

"Men don't like to see Brad Pitt without clothes, and women don't like to see Brad Pitt with blood on his face!" Nina remembered what the distribution manager had said.

"Oh, "Seven Deadly Sins" is indeed his pinnacle work, and later "Edge Game" and "Thriller Space" and "Fight Club" did make the studio lose money, won the word of mouth and lost the box office, no wonder ," Simon Pike knew, "Fight Club" should be profitable from the DVD market later, but it has been five years after the movie was released.

"David Fincher is still very interested in your adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but the budget is too high. Fortunately, Warner Bros. and Paramount are all supported, plus Legendary Entertainment and Roadshow Pictures. , enough money," Nina Jacobson has decided to work with the four to develop "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

"Paramount, don't they object to using Tom Cruise?" Simon laughed.

"Fortunately, Paramount is the North American distributor of the movie, and Warner Bros. is the distributor in the overseas market, and they all want to make money. If Tom Cruise is more suitable for the box office than Brad Pitt, of course they will not object. "Nina Jacobson knows the faces of these filmmakers.

"The reason now is that Tom Cruise is more expensive than Brad Pitt. Although Tom Cruise's current situation and image are not very good, his appeal in the global film market cannot be ignored." Simon is also in a dilemma. Now there are only a few top Hollywood male stars. As for those comedy stars, they have little influence overseas.

"David Fincher wants you to support him in using Brad Pitt!" Nina Jacobson looked at Simon and said, after all, the first producer of the film was Simon Pike, and his decision was very It's important, whether it's Warner Bros. or Paramount, they will definitely support Simon on this matter.

"Let's see, how much has the "Babel" played by Brad Pitt been released so far?" Simon asked.

"It has been released for three weeks, and the cumulative North American box office is 12 million US dollars. Because it is an independent literary film, the reputation is good, but the prediction agency thinks that the North American box office is more than 30 million, and the main market is overseas!" Nina Jacobson knows Simon asked about "Babel" which was released at the beginning of the month.

"Alas, Brad Pitt's acting is still very good, and David Fincher's two highest-rated movies so far, "The Seven Deadly Sins" and "Fight Club," both starred in him, and it's no wonder he likes to use Brad Pete," Simon is embarrassed because Tom Cruise's appeal is strong, but it must be divided. Although they are all from the $20 million club, 20 million for Pete is absolutely enough for this movie, Tom Cruise is sure It is to ask for a million or a few million and then add a better share.

For big stars like them, the share is the box office and DVD revenue share, especially Tom Cruise, the share is higher.

"Simon, that, we have contacted Tom Cruise. His schedule is in the second half of next year. He will help Lianmei film a "Lion in the Mouth", and it will be released next year. The schedule is a bit urgent!" Na Jacobson added another fire.

"This, forget it, let Brad Pitt audition and see the effect, the budget of $150 million can't be more, Brad Pitt's salary will give him $20 million," Simon ignores David Fincher How to do it, you must save it elsewhere. If you don't force the director, he will use as much as he has the budget.

"This is a bit literary, are you sure that Brad Pitt will not share the risk?" Nina's idea is to reduce the advance payment, is it more insurance?

"It's not necessary. David Fincher likes to pursue perfection. He has a thousand ways to spend the money he saves." Simon doesn't want to be made too much by the actors, so he will have less.

I don't know if Susan White can get a $3 million advance payment for herself, and she is still a screenwriter. It would be better if you divide it into a high point!

"Okay," since Simon Pike is so confident, Warner Bros. and Paramount will be more supportive!

"By the way, about the project of "26 Dresses", the director, I took a fancy to the director of the "Dancing Out of My Life" released in the middle of the year, get in touch and come to the company to talk!" Simon Parker thinks that the director can also let the director It is beneficial to be involved in the project as early as possible.

"The 40-year-old young female director Anne Fletcher, "Dancing Out of My Life" is her debut film, and the filming is really okay, but she has been active as a choreographer before, is she okay with "26 Dresses"? ?" Nina Jacobson was a little worried.

"It's just a youthful romance, a romantic comedy. The performance in "Dance Out of My Life" is good, but the dance aspect is removed," Simon hasn't said yet, and the next "Fake Marriage" is the same. For a romantic comedy, Anne Fletcher will have a lot of cooperation with Xinghai Pictures in the future.

"Well, I will also pay attention to the adaptation of the script of "26 Dresses"," the company's own movie, Nina has to be concerned about it!