Chapter 270: Next Year Plans

Arthur came to a small meeting room in the Galaxy office to discuss Jim Carrey and The Mask with the production department.

On the screen, Arthur pointed to some performance clips of Jim Carrey. "This guy's movements are exaggerated, his facial expressions are varied, and his physical skills are superb.

He's good at mimicking, and his slapstick performance style has great potential. Dark Horse Comics' The Mask was originally a dark horror piece.

However, if Jim Carrey plays the role, it should be turned into a comedy. Warner Bros.' Ace Ventura: Pet Detective has a lot of comedic scenes that Jim Carrey himself wrote."

Amy Pascal smiled. "A low-budget comedy?"

Arthur nodded. "That's right, start preparing this project as soon as possible."

"By the way, how is the progress of Legends of the Fall?"

"We're still in the casting phase. We have Brad Pitt for the lead role, but the role of his father hasn't been decided yet," Amy replied.

Arthur thought for a moment. "Let Anthony Hopkins try out for it. This kind of role is right up his alley. And there's a female role, although it's not a big part. Let Catherine Zeta-Jones from Four Weddings and a Funeral audition. She fits the look of the 1920s and 1930s."

Anyway, Catherine Zeta-Jones was his woman, so getting her involved in such a significant project in Hollywood was good.

At noon, Arthur had lunch with Amy Pascal.

"I heard Viacom is facing obstacles in acquiring Paramount Communications. News Corp and Time Warner were interested but have backed out. Now, Barry Diller's QVC, supported by several banks, is competing with Viacom to buy his old employer."

Arthur smiled. "The assets of Paramount Communications are indeed valuable. Barry Diller and Sumner Redstone each have their strengths. But ultimately, the ownership of Paramount will be decided by their bids."

The Paramount acquisition battle had finally begun: an old giant in the media field versus the former golden boy of Hollywood.

"By the way, when does Quentin Tarantino start shooting Pulp Fiction?" Arthur knew this guy had been staying in Amsterdam, living in a brothel there.

"Soon. He found a tall, sexy actress for the lead role, Uma Thurman, who starred in last month's R-rated film Mad Dog and Glory by Universal."

Mad Dog and Glory, directed by John McNaughton and starring Robert De Niro, Bill Murray, and Uma Thurman, featured the young and sexy Thurman showing off her body, catching Tarantino's interest.

"Alright," Arthur said. Tarantino was a genre film director with a specific fan base. Arthur was interested but not overly concerned.

In terms of importance, Arthur was more focused on Jim Carrey.

Forrest Gump, Little Women, Legends of the Fall, The Mask, and Pulp Fiction were all Galaxy's productions set for release next year.

Of course, five movies weren't enough for Galaxy to distribute. Arthur would continue to develop new films or invest in projects by other independent production companies, such as co-producing Rumble in the Bronx.

Arthur had also arranged for someone to contact the production company of the Chinese film Farewell My Concubine and secure the North American distribution rights. Next month's Cannes Film Festival would feature The Piano and the international premiere of Farewell My Concubine.

However, the summer season was approaching, and Galaxy's action blockbuster Speed was set to premiere next month.

In the evening, at the Beverly Hills Country Club, near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, Arthur met with Ritz-Carlton CEO Horst Schulze at the Hilton Hotel's restaurant to discuss building a new Ritz-Carlton resort nearby.

Horst Schulze said, "I have already contacted several investment companies. Many people are interested in building a luxury five-star hotel in Beverly Hills."

"This is the entertainment capital, a place filled with Hollywood celebrities, which easily attracts tourists!"

Arthur looked at a small shopping mall not far from the Hilton Hotel and smiled. "It's indeed a good location. Follow your plan. The new hotel should be built and managed with investment, which will be faster."

Horst Schulze nodded. Unlike the previous Ritz-Carlton hotels, which were mostly franchise-managed without equity, the Ritz-Carlton Group had lost ownership of its flagship Boston hotel and needed to build new flagship locations, expanding from the East and West coasts, with New York and Los Angeles as the focal points.

The Ritz-Carlton in New York was mainly a partnership with Galaxy, while the new Los Angeles Ritz-Carlton was a collaboration with investment companies.

"In that case, I'll host the Oscar charity gala at the new Ritz-Carlton hotel," Arthur suggested. This year's Oscar charity gala attracted a lot of attention, and it would continue next year with an even larger scale. Making the Beverly Hills Ritz-Carlton the designated hotel for the Oscar charity gala was a smart move.

Just like the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Arthur and Horst Schulze were dining, was the designated hotel for the Golden Globe Awards. Arthur planned to have Premiere and Vanity Fair, the event organizers, sign a long-term agreement with the hotel.

Horst Schulze's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea."

It was no surprise that Arthur was eager. The newly opened Peninsula Beverly Hills resort hotel was doing very well. With the economy recovering and consumer spending increasing, the hotel industry was booming. Arthur had acquired the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group to make money.

In a few years, Arthur planned to take the Ritz-Carlton Group public.

*****

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