Beverly Hills.

In a restaurant near Fox Studios, Simon was having lunch with Fox Film President Joe Ross.

The time is Friday, August 11th.

Daenerys Entertainment officially signed a settlement agreement with the WGA yesterday, and Simon made an appointment with Joe Ross today to discuss the first of the 10 foreign cooperation film plans.

Simon has already taken a fancy to more than one project, and the reason why he started with Fox is because of Murdoch. These days, Rupert Murdoch personally called Simon more than once, and naturally he talked about these 10 movies.

, even when talking to Janet on the phone, the woman also mentioned Murdoch's confession to her old man.

Fox Pictures has collaborated with Simon on three films in the past two years: "The Butterfly Effect", "The Last Day" and "Basic Instinct", all of which were huge successes.

In addition, sequels to "The Butterfly Effect" and "The Return of the Dead" were also developed last year. However, due to the success of the first part, there were external factors such as the public's curiosity about Simon. After the second parts of these two series were released last year,

, the box office is far inferior to the first one.

"Butterfly Effect 2" only recovered more than 56 million U.S. dollars at the box office, and "Dead Man 2" only made a little over 38 million at the box office. Such results are actually very profitable. However, because the decline compared to the first film was too deep, Fox is developing

In the third part, we also became cautious.

Without the release of sequels to these two ace horror films this year, Fox Pictures' performance immediately slumped.

This summer, Fox's "The Boss Goes on Vacation" released in July has only made a little over 22 million at the box office so far, without making any splash. James Cameron's new film "The Abyss" released last Friday is even more of a big hit.

Unfortunately, due to Cameron's repeated budget overruns, the film's budget eventually reached an astonishing $69.5 million.

Hollywood movies usually use an integer budget, such as 10 million or 20 million. Of course, the actual situation is not such a coincidence. Most of them are just an overall estimate.

Fox did not round up to $70 million as usual for "The Abyss", indeed because studio executives were afraid to do so again.

After all, although there are many Hollywood movies with budgets of 50 to 60 million US dollars in recent years, there is only one with a production cost of 70 million US dollars, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Even this movie,

Disney also often lies to the outside world in a covert manner, claiming that the budget is not that high but is actually US$45 million.

If the money spent could be exchanged for a blockbuster like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", the result would be pretty good. However, compared to the high production cost, "The Abyss" was actually a box office dud.

According to statistics released this morning, the box office of "The Abyss" in its first seven days was only US$17.53 million. In comparison, "The Sixth Sense", which was released in its sixth week, still had a single-week box office of US$20.37 million.

It firmly ranks first in the weekly box office list.

Based on media reviews and audience feedback, Fox's North American box office estimate for "The Abyss" is only US$50 million, and this project is almost destined to lose money. However, this is the best box office result among the seven movies Fox has released so far this year. Other movies

, the highest box office is last month's "The Boss Goes on Vacation" with a box office of 22 million US dollars so far, and the other six films have not exceeded the 20 million box office threshold.

In fact, Murdoch has never been very enthusiastic about the film business. He prefers newspapers and television. However, now that he has bought Fox Pictures, he cannot continue to be tepid, so he is eager to start from Daenerys Entertainment.

Get a share of the 10 foreign cooperation film plans.

Now that he has decided to use Australian capital as his backing, Simon naturally has no reason to refuse Murdoch's request. Moreover, News Corporation's huge global media network will be of great benefit to Simon's personal business expansion around the world.

Being a good friend of the Murdoch family has only advantages and no disadvantages.

"'Sleeping with the Enemy'? Hmm... I remembered it. It's the story of a wife who couldn't stand her husband's abuse and faked her death and ran away." In the restaurant, Joe Ross opened the folder of scripts selected by Simon and looked at it.

He kept saying: "Simon, this story seems to have no selling points. It can only be made into a low-cost thriller. I think "Marked for Death" seems better. Have you seen it?"

"Sleeping with the Enemy" is actually a movie starring Julia Roberts in the original time and space. It tells the story of a wife who was trapped by her mentally disturbed husband and escaped from the family because she could not bear the torture and pretended to fall into the water and drowned.

The overall story seems to have no highlights, but it is a work that Simon remembers with a box office of over 100 million in North America.

Simon happens to have seen this movie.

The success of "Sleeping with the Enemy" is not just due to the participation of Julia Roberts. The key to its success is the interlocking and tense plot that constantly grabs the audience's heart from beginning to end.

Therefore, compared to a script that really doesn’t have many highlights, details such as rhythm control, suspense setting, atmosphere creation and even theme soundtrack during the film’s production are all very important.

There was not much free time at noon. Simon had no intention of arguing with Joe Ross. He put down the tableware and raised his head and said: "Joe, I'm not interested in "Marked for Death". If you like it, you can focus on this project in person. Let's talk about "With"

Let's sleep together with our enemies."

Joe Ross smiled slightly awkwardly, stopped talking nonsense, and said: "So, Simon, what should we do next?"

Simon simply said: "I've had people evaluate it according to my idea. The budget for this project is about 15 million US dollars. Now we are starting preparations. If everything goes well, filming will start in October and will be released in the summer next year. You can start looking for suitable candidates this afternoon."

The director and producer, I will also let people contact the actors."

Joe Ross thought for a while and said, "This is a movie with a female protagonist. Simon, who are you going to let be the female protagonist?"

"I saw a preview movie review in The Hollywood Reporter. You are going to release a new movie in October called "The Baker Brothers"?"

Joe Ross naturally knows all about the films produced by Fox and blurted out: "Michelle Pfeiffer?"

"The Baker Brothers" is a musical musical film co-starring the two Bridges brothers and Michelle Pfeiffer. It has also been translated as "A Love Song Is Not Ending". Just listen to the name and you will know that it is a very literary film.

It's a movie, and the story is indeed very literary, warm, and evocative. It even has the feel of an old Hong Kong movie like "In the Mood for Love."

Simon nodded and said: "Michelle's acting skills have become more and more proficient in recent years, and she can definitely support this movie. In addition, if possible, someone can send me a copy. I want to see it in advance."

Her performance in this movie. Film critics said that Michelle's performance this time is enough to get an Oscar nomination. If this is the case, it will be more helpful to our movie."

"Pretty Woman" is currently being filmed. Although it can be completed before October, Simon has no plans to let Julia continue to star in "Sleeping with the Enemy". The Cinderella in the romantic movie will jump directly to the one trapped by her husband.

Poor wife, the image contrast is a bit big, Simon is not sure whether the audience can accept it.

Michelle Pfeiffer has just turned 30 this year, and her acting skills have begun to reach their peak. If she can get an Oscar nomination for "The Baker Brothers" next year, her fame will be even higher. She will star in "Sleeping with the Enemy"

》Just right.

If someone else made a request for a copy, even if Joe Ross would not refuse, he would at least consider it. However, he readily agreed at this time: "I will have the copy sent to Daenerys Entertainment Headquarters in the afternoon.

.”

Simon nodded with satisfaction and added: "One more thing, about James Cameron, I heard that he has completed the script of "Terminator 2", and Fox can buy the copyright of "Terminator" to make this film.

movie, which could serve as Daenerys Entertainment’s second project with Fox.”

When Joe Ross heard this, his expression suddenly became bitter and he said: "Simon, because of the matter of "The Abyss", even if I am willing to continue to cooperate with James, the company's board of directors will not approve it."

"I just said, this can be regarded as the second project between Daenerys Entertainment and Fox," Simon said, and then added: "In addition, you only need to win the rights to "Terminator" and Cameron

For the script, we don’t necessarily have to let him be the director.”

Joe Ross understood immediately, but was a little confused.

If Simon is optimistic about this project, why doesn't Daenerys Entertainment take it personally?

Simon noticed Joe Roth's doubts and explained with a smile: "I have contacted the copyright owner of "Terminator" before, but failed. If I come now, I will definitely get a heavy hit."

"Terminator 2" was the North American annual box office champion in 1991, with a global box office exceeding US$500 million. Simon naturally thought about monopolizing this project.

However, since a 10-movie plan has been proposed, if there is no blockbuster movie from beginning to end, other Hollywood studios will definitely not be so enthusiastic in the future.

After all, the reason why Hollywood is excited about these 10 projects this time is mainly because it expects surprises like "The Sixth Sense" to appear. Otherwise, including the 10% distribution commission from various channels, other studios will be more interested in these projects

The interest held in it is probably only 60%.

Calculated in this way, a movie with a North American box office of US$100 million is actually only equivalent to US$60 million.

Of course, the North American box office of US$60 million is definitely not low in this era.

Not counting last year's box office explosion, in the past one or two years, the North American box office of US$60 million was enough to squeeze into the top ten of the annual list. Even in the next few years, there will probably only be Hollywood films with domestic box office exceeding US$60 million each year.

There are about 20 films, and even if all are produced by the seven major studios, the average is less than 3 films each.

What's more, Simon doesn't plan to choose all 100-million-yuan projects this time, which requires a few blockbuster movies to support the performance of this plan.

The reason for giving up "Terminator 2" is mainly because the "cost-effectiveness" of this project is relatively low.

The original "Terminator 2" was the first Hollywood movie to cost more than $100 million to produce. Now, even if Cameron is kicked out and another director is replaced according to Simon's plan, the producer is no longer known in the circle for spending money. Carlock Pictures, the film's budget will definitely not be much lower, and it is just right.

After talking about things, lunch ended quickly.

As soon as Simon and Joe Ross walked out of the restaurant, some reporters who had heard the news surrounded them.

"Mr. Westeros, are you discussing a film cooperation plan with Joe Ross?"

"Qiao, can you tell me what the theme is?"

"Simon, are you really psychic?"

"..."

"..."

The North American box office of "The Sixth Sense" is about to exceed the US$200 million mark, which is an unstoppable trend.

Due to the widespread attention from all walks of life, Daenerys Entertainment's 10 foreign cooperation film plans have become the focus of recent media pursuits. Daenerys Entertainment has not made any substantive action within two weeks of the plan being released, which has triggered the media and public of intense curiosity.

In the midst of all the chatter, Simon's bodyguard quickly came over to fend off the reporter and protected him into a car on the roadside.

Although Joe Ross enjoyed the feeling of being chased by reporters, he didn't rush to reveal anything. He just asked the surrounding reporters to pay attention to Fox's specific announcement, and then hurriedly got in the car and returned to Fox Studios.

Santa Monica.

Simon had just returned to Daenerys' office at the entertainment headquarters when Jennifer followed him in.

"Forbes magazine will release the new annual Forbes 400 Richest Americans list next month. They contacted us this morning to see if we can proactively provide some materials. If so, they also hope that you can accept an exclusive interview."

Simon shook his head without hesitation and said: "We will not cooperate or stop this matter, let them figure it out on their own."

Jennifer hummed, opened the folder in her hand, pulled out a check and handed it over, saying, "This is not a good idea to just leave on the bedside table in the bedroom."

Simon took it and looked at it. It turned out to be the check he had signed to Linda Carter on Monday.
To be continued...