Chapter 230

In recent gossip media, there have been quite a few scandals about Duke and Catherine Zeta Jones, but both of them tacitly abide by the overall plan formulated by Penny Kelly, and appear in public from time to time without any Overly intimate behavior, when asked by reporters at some events, he was all left and right, neither admitted nor denied.

Of course, the focus of the crew's early publicity has always been on this is the first collaboration between Duke and Tom Cruise, and the effect is comparable to the attention raised by the promotion of his cooperation with Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan", like The collaboration between Spielberg and Harrison Ford is the same. The collaboration of top directors and top stars can easily attract a lot of attention.

During the period, Duke also went to Lucasfilm once. There were a few special effects in "Chicago", which were handed over to Industrial Light & Magic, who had been cooperating. When chatting with George Lucas, he also heard him mention new stars. War plan.

"Star Wars" will be re-screened again, and the film will soon enter the mainstream theaters in Europe and the United States again. This may be the movie with the most large-scale releases in film history.

"Since 1994, I have been writing a new story for the Skywalker family."

The speaker is George Lucas. Opposite him, Duke is looking at the first two scripts of the Star Wars Prequel, "George ≈, so the protagonists of the film are Padmé Amidala and Ah Nakin? Skywalker?"

Lucas nodded lightly and added, "There is also Obi-Wan."

He saw that Duke had been reading the script carefully, and after thinking about it, he said, "I am good at building the world background, but the details of the story are weak. Duke, give me some suggestions."

If you change to someone else. Duke absolutely shut up, but George Lucas is an exception. After all, the relationship between the two families is different.

After flipping through it for nearly an hour, Duke closed the script and smiled at Lucas, "Did I say it straight?"

"Just say it." Lucas asked the assistant to change two cups of coffee again.

Pick up coffee. Duke took a sip and then said, "Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker are a brother-in-law love, but in the second script, the love affair came too suddenly and too much. People are not prepared. I think in the first part, the two should have more communication and show their emotional conflict. Especially Padmé."

"And the death of Anakin's mother, if I'm not mistaken, is this paving the way for him to transform into a black warrior?"

Seeing Lucas nodding his head, Duke thought for a while before saying, "There are too few scenes expressing Anakin's psychology in the script. I'm worried..."

After hesitating, Duke didn't say any more. Lucas spoke up, "Worried about changing for change?"

Tap the arm of the sofa lightly. Lucas laughed, "Do you know why the third screenplay has not been completed yet? I have been thinking about the process of Anakin turning to the dark side. Duke, you gave me a lot of tips."

"Just some very personal opinions." Duke said modestly.

George Lucas suddenly turned his head and looked at him seriously, "Duke, do you really no longer consider the director of Star Wars?"

"I'm sorry. George." Duke shook his head slowly and resolutely. "My work plan has been scheduled for 2003. There really is no time."

"It's a pity! I think you have surpassed me in the purely commercial field." George Lucas is obviously not joking, "No one in Hollywood, including me, is more suitable to be the new director of the Star Wars series than you. !"

He said again. "Whether you admit it or not, Steven and I are already behind this era. Duke, you will be the most successful director in Hollywood!"

The most successful director?

When leaving Lucasfilm, Duke couldn't help but think of this sentence. If someone can crush Hollywood and the world film scene with only the box office, it would be James Cameron.

There are still some problems with the shooting of "Chicago", and the speed has always been lower than expected. Fortunately, there are continuous inspiring news in other aspects, especially about the film division, which always refreshes people.

Duke can also look to Twentieth Century Fox for debt collection.

"Saving Private Ryan" has a North American box office of 325.79 million U.S. dollars and a global box office of 649.27 million U.S. dollars. It automatically triggers the 20% share clause in the tiered sharing agreement, because the film has experienced an extremely long screening period in North America. At the end of June, when the contract deadline was reached, Fox was ready to pay Duke the share, and there were still many difficulties. After Duke's accountant continued to urge, Townsend Roseman specially invited Duke to Fox's at Century City. In the headquarters.

"Townsend, our cooperation has always been very pleasant."

Sitting in the ceo reception room, Duke's face was full of dissatisfaction, "There are still three days, and June is about to end. The North American division of "Saving Private Ryan", the first month of North America has no vcd, video and TV copyright division. Arrived!"

VCDs and video tapes will create peak sales in the first month of the next release of the film, even reaching more than one-third of the total annual revenue. According to the contract, Fox Pictures, the copyright owner of North America, The share that belongs to Duke must be paid before the end of the first half, which is not a small figure.

With eleven Oscar nominations, the film won nine awards, including best picture, and became a big winner in the video tape and television broadcast market.

During the whole month of April, the sales of "Saving Private Ryan" video tapes reached 23.5 million U.S. dollars, and the rental income of video tapes was 15.25 million U.S. dollars. Even the vcd discs that were rarely used in North America sold for 570,000 U.S. dollars. The first-round broadcast rights of North American TV also sold for $4.5 million.

In just one month, the North American surroundings of "Saving Private Ryan" brought a total of 43.82 million U.S. dollars in revenue, of which 6 percent belonged to Duke, which was 2.62 million U.S. dollars, plus the North American box office share of 6515 Ten thousand dollars, 20th Century Fox is about to owe him a lot of money.

If it were three years ago, Twentieth Century Fox could procrastinate, but now he has to consider the consequences.

After working together for several years, they can see Duke's ideas clearly and know that he will soon return to the ranks of mainstream commercial films. Which film company does not want to continue cooperating with such a successful commercial director?

But this is indeed a huge sum of money, and Fox really has some difficulties.

"Duke, we will definitely pay your share."

From sitting down, Townsend Rothman's brows have been frowning, "We are old friends, we all believe in each other's credibility, and Fox has always supported you."

"Yes, I am very grateful for your support." What Duke said was not entirely polite.

In the Mel Gibson incident, Fox's media has always stood firmly on his side. Even if this is a manifestation of political correctness, they did contribute.

"But you should know, Townsend." Duke's words were turned back. "Our cooperation has always been friendship and friendship, and business is business."

"I don't hide it, Duke."

The next thing to say, as long as someone who wants to do some investigation will be able to get relevant news. Townsend Rothman simply said directly, "Fox's liquidity is very tight. After the North American box office share of "Saving Private Ryan" is paid. , The part that belongs to Fox has been invested in the sequel of "Life and Death" and other projects. We have not moved your share, but..."

He sighed, "Besides you, there is another person chasing after Fox for money."

Hearing this, Duke gradually remembered something, but his face was not moved. He is now fully qualified to bargain with Twentieth Century Fox.

"Fox hopes to defer payment of your share." Townsend Rosman said slowly, "The board of directors has agreed to pay interest at the bank rate."

"Why don't you ask the group company for help?" Duke asked tentatively.

Tom Rothman shook his head, "Duke, you are a completely layman. The finances between Fox and News Corporation are all independently accounted for. Although the two parties have affiliation, there is very little direct capital exchange."

Picking up the coffee cup and drinking a small half cup slowly, Duke asked, "Is there something wrong with the project you are working with Paramount?"

"You should have heard that it is not a secret." Townsend Rothman kept calm, but his eyes were angry. "Fox has invested 100 million dollars back and forth! James Cameron also chased after us and demanded To increase investment, we even throw in some of the working capital to maintain Fox's daily operations, but he answered that the film will not be released this year!"

In the last two years, Fox has invested in more than this one project. The US$100 million invested by Big Ship seems not to be much, but a considerable part of the working capital has been used. In the memory that remains in Duke's mind, some senior officials of Fox once said, If Cameron's project fails, Fox is likely to go bankrupt.

Duke gradually had a plan in his mind, "So Fox wants to temporarily withhold my share and continue to add James Cameron's investment?"

"We will invest part of the funds to revitalize this project."

Now that things are up, there is nothing to say, not to mention that 20th Century Fox has other plans, "James Cameron has delayed too long, and both Fox and Paramount intend to replace him as the director!"

For Townsend Roseman's words, Duke was not surprised at all. Once in the 20th century, Fox and Paramount Pictures did intend to replace James Cameron halfway.

But what Townsend Rothman said next made him stunned.

"Yes, we are going to replace James Cameron. He has delayed a project for too long. We need to change to a director who can produce fast enough and can maintain quality and quantity!"

Having said so much today, Townsend Roseman is actually paving the way for the last sentence, "Duke, we would like to ask you to replace James Cameron as the director of "Titanic"!" Continued...)