After Simon's narration, Robert De Niro already had a feeling of enlightenment.

Compared with those memorable films or characters in film history, the young man in front of him seems more ambitious.

He wants to create a complete fictional world. He wants to make the audience believe that everyone in this world is alive. He wants to use an alternative plot structure, chattering dialogue and unusually rich details to create a unique world.

It unconsciously draws the audience's attention into this world.

It is conceivable that if this goal is achieved, who can say that this movie will not become a classic recorded in film history.

Robert De Niro has already had his most glorious years. Films such as "The Godfather", "Taxi Driver", "The Deer Hunter" and "Raging Bull" have brought him too many honors. He originally thought that

It's hard to find any other movies in this world that can interest him that much.

But at this time, the ambitious work of the young man in front of him once again aroused his desire to perform.

Moreover, as a standard experiential actor, Robert De Niro also realized that the role of Butch Coolidge was definitely an interesting challenge for him.

Butch Coolidge is a completely fictional character from an absurd world. To construct this character, he could not drive a taxi like he did when preparing for "Taxi Driver", nor could he box like he did when preparing for "Raging Bull"

.In fact, not only did he have to construct such a character out of thin air, he also needed to completely believe that he was living in an absurd world like "Pulp Fiction".

With these thoughts in his mind, when Robert Redford's figure disappeared, Robert De Niro no longer hesitated and said directly: "Simon, let's talk about the salary."

Simon quickly replied: "A base salary of US$2 million, plus 15% of the net profit share of the North American box office. Bob, the budget of "Pulp Fiction" is only US$8 million, so this is the highest offer I can give."

Robert De Niro did not hide his emotions, shaking his head and saying: "It's a bit low."

Over the years, although the box office performance ranked last among the original four major actors, De Niro's salary started at least 3 million U.S. dollars, and the budget of the films he participated in was rarely less than 1,000 U.S. dollars because his popularity was so strong.

million dollars.

For example, the production cost of "Angel Heart", which was released at the same time as Warner's "Lethal Weapon", was as high as US$17 million.

As for profit sharing, due to the special accounting system that makes it difficult for Hollywood movies to make profits on their books, current stars usually regard this promise as a blank check.

Starting with "Run Lola Run" and now with "Dead Man" and "Pulp Fiction", Simon has insisted on asking for a direct share of the box office, just to avoid the "Hollywood ledger" as much as possible.

After hearing De Niro's answer, Simon explained seriously: "Bob, this time the net profit sharing is calculated like this. Orion and the theaters will split it 50/50. They will only take 15% of the publicity fee. In addition,

35% of the total box office in North America, minus the production budget of US$8 million, and the remainder is used as the base for net profit sharing. You can start from

According to this sharing formula, if the box office of "Pulp Fiction" reaches 50 million U.S. dollars, your total salary will reach 3.5 million U.S. dollars. The expected North American box office of "Lola Run" exceeds 200 million U.S. dollars. I dare not

I guarantee that my next movie will be so successful, but thinking about it, $50 million is definitely no problem."

Robert De Niro still shook his head slightly and said: "Simon, according to this formula, if "Pulp Fiction" has a North American box office of US$100 million, I can only get US$6 million."

Simon said seriously: "It may be presumptuous to say this, but, Bob, you really need a blockbuster movie right now. So, if "Pulp Fiction" is really lucky enough to reach 100 million U.S. dollars in the North American box office, you will actually get

It’s much more than a $6 million salary.”

Robert De Niro finally fell silent.

The few films he has recently starred in, this year's "Angel Heart", cost 17 million U.S. dollars to produce, and are currently nearing the end of the year, with a North American box office of only more than 14 million U.S. dollars; last year's "On Fire", with a production budget of 25 million U.S. dollars, had a North American box office of just over 14 million U.S. dollars.

17.21 million U.S. dollars. The earlier "Once Upon a Time in America" ​​had a production cost of 30 million U.S. dollars, and its North American box office was only 5.32 million U.S. dollars.

It can be said that in the 1980s, the North American box office of all the movies he starred in did not exceed 20 million US dollars, but the production budgets of these movies all reached the level of blockbusters of 10 million US dollars.

Hollywood is very realistic. No matter how high the status is, no matter how many Oscars you win, if it cannot bring profits to the studio, it will be abandoned.

In fact, before this meeting, Robert De Niro had already encountered a setback.

He took a fancy to a project that Fox was preparing called "Leap of the Future".

Director Penny Marshall also hoped that he could play the leading role and actively recommended him to the studio. However, due to his increasingly tepid box office performance over the years, although Fox was also interested in letting him star, the salary offered was

But it's even stingier than Simon's conditions just now.

Now, that role has fallen to an up-and-comer named Tom Hanks.

There is no doubt that Robert understands that he is in this awkward situation of urgently needing a blockbuster movie to prove his box office appeal.

After thinking for a moment, Robert De Niro finally made a decision, stood up, stretched out his hand to Simon, and said: "Well, Simon, I hope we can have a happy cooperation."

Simon also stood up, shook hands with Robert De Niro, and said with a smile: "It's a pleasure to work together."

With Robert De Niro secured, the two heavyweight actors in the "Pulp Fiction" project are all in place.

Prior to this, Amy had already talked about John Travolta.

After the North American box office champion "Grease" in 1978, John Travolta was really famous for a few years. However, the disadvantage of young stars who are too shallow and easy to pass up soon became apparent. "Grease" cost 20 million US dollars to be produced two years ago.

After "The Best of Us" failed again at the box office, the 33-year-old Travolta even appeared in a TV movie last year in order to transform.

Therefore, after some contact between the two parties, Travolta quickly accepted the terms of US$1 million plus 5% of the net profit share of the North American box office.

Similar to "Pulp Fiction", "Pulp Fiction" is still fully controlled by Daenerys Pictures, and Orion is only responsible for investment and distribution. In addition to the $8 million budget, Orion also gave Simon a total of 20% of the net profit share

Used to recruit roles.

After securing Travolta and De Niro, Simon has paid a salary of US$3 million and a full share of the net profit.

According to the preliminary budget sheet, offline expenses for venue equipment rental and behind-the-scenes staff salaries will require at least US$3 million. For other roles in the film, Simon only has US$2 million available.

Although there are many roles, this amount of money is actually enough after careful calculation.

Robert Redford agreed to play Mr. Wolf, but this matter once again created some variables.

Unlike Travolta and De Niro, whose careers are in decline, Robert Redford is definitely a first-line actor who can reliably command a salary of more than 5 million U.S. dollars. Even if it is a guest appearance, Simon cannot

Too stingy.

This matter will definitely only be communicated to Orion next week.

Simon continued to discuss some more details with De Niro, and the two left the villa and came to the party in the courtyard.
Chapter completed!