41 HWI 41
[Shout out to Alex and Alex!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 41
"So what's next? The answer is simple, negotiate with Warner Bros. and fight for better terms. If they don't agree, go to the other companies. I'm sure 20th Century Fox will want to work with us again."
"I understand."
Kazir and Salvatore talk after the deal was done. Kazir can't pay attention to negotiations and screenwriting at the same time.
This is one of the reasons why he signed with Salvatore Barlowe. The agent usually does this kind of work while the director concentrates on film-related things like writing, auditioning, and directing.
Lawyer Terrence Downey left after the negotiations, it seemed he was busy these days.
Kazir had known Terrence for years.
He was a good guy. When Cassandra filed for divorce, Terrence Downey wanted to defend Kazir. Unfortunately, Kazir was too much in love with Cassandra in his past life. He lost his fortune in the process.
In this timeline, Terrence was also disappointed because Kazir gave up his house again.
Anyway, these depressing things ended after Kazir won his first million!
'Hell, yeah!'
He got $2.3 million in the first round of negotiations with Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Then he got another $25 million after selling the copyrights to Napoleon Dynamite! There was a lot of money in his bank right now!
Third was the upcoming box office share. He has the right to receive 5% of the North American box office. As of now, Napoleon Dynamite has 120 million dollars.
If Cassandra had heard this news, she would have screamed her head off for leaving such a valuable man.
"Warner Bros. contacted me yesterday. They say they are willing to pay you $5 million to direct "The Hangover. "
Kazir's next film was also a comedy. The title of the movie was "The Hangover."
He first gave the scripts to 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. These two companies studied the script's profitability. In the end, they agreed that the film had a good chance of success.
Warner Bros. first showed their interest by inviting Kazir to direct the film at a salary of $5 million.
For a new director, this amount was outrageous. Warner Bros. definitely cursed Kazir at the time.
Unfortunately, Salvatore said that Kazir Grey would only accept the deal if he had a share of the box office.
Goddamn leech!
That was the best way to describe the agents.
These people have super thick faces. They will keep nagging for more money for their clients.
Apparently, Salvatore Barlowe wanted Kazir to have a share of the box office as well.
The copyrights to Napoleon Dynamite were sold for $25 million. As Kazir's agent, Salvatore Barlowe is entitled to a 3% commission.
This was the real reason why agents were crazy to have superstar clients. They would never go hungry with them.
Salvatore Barlowe was so happy that his gamble was a win!
750 thousand dollars! This amount was almost ten times his annual salary. Salvatore Barlowe could hardly sleep. Knowing that his bank account was filled with money!
"Salvatore, contact 20th Century Fox as well. I'll go to an accounting firm and settle the money."
"Don't worry Kazir, it's my job to make sure you get good terms. If Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox don't agree to our terms, I will go to Universal Pictures and Paramount. They are harassing me these days."
"Hm, I leave the negotiations to you."
Kazir stood up.
Kazir hired an accounting firm to handle his money and taxes. He thought hiring a personal accountant was a bad thing. He heard about what happened to Nicholas Cage. The famous actor was cheated by his financial manager.
According to the contract, Aaron was entitled to half of Napoleon Dynamite's earnings. This kind of clause was bad for Kazir because he could not take all of the income.
But Kazir and Aaron were brothers. The last people he wanted to betray were his family.
Half of the $25 million was wired to Aaron's bank account. Kazir had already contacted his brother about the money. Aaron laughed hysterically when he received the money.
Let's not forget the 5% of the North American box office.
Kazir was already talking to Salvatore. He was going to urge Fox Searchlight Pictures to give the 5%.
Kazir was confident that Fox Searchlight Pictures would not cheat him.
'If they tried to do that to me, I would never work with them again. Simple as that.'
There were six giant movie companies in Hollywood. He could also work with DreamWorks and MGM.
'I heard that Steven Spielberg founded DreamWorks with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen to break the monopoly of the big six.'
The company was formed last year and didn't have any projects at the time.
...
...
...
A few days came and Napoleon Dynamite was released in different countries. Just as it was written in the contract, Ed Helms and the cast were tasked with promoting the films outside of America.
As for Kazir, he talked to Fox Searchlight Pictures to let him stay in America. He wanted to polish his script.
Fox Searchlight Pictures didn't want to make him angry because Kazir had a new project. Fox wanted to work with him.
Kazir and his writing partners were also writing the sequel to Napoleon Dynamite.
Both sides were walking on eggshells and no one wanted to cut ties. At least not yet.
"What's the catch?"
After a week of talking with Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, Salvatore's face was haggard. But he was clearly excited.
"The two sides want to work with you."
"I know." Kazir nodded.
In fact, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox have contacted him so many times these days.
"First of all, 20th Century Fox will pay you a salary of $8 million."
"That's a lot of money."
"Indeed."
That amount was really big.
But directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron could get 20+20 from movie companies.
20+20 was known as $20 million salary plus 20% of the box office.
This was the reason why Steven Spielberg earned more than $100 million after the success of 'Jurrasic Park'.
Few people in Hollywood could negotiate 20+20 terms.
'Unfortunately, 20th Century Fox didn't want to share the box office with me.'
"What about Warner Bros?"
"Well, they will pay you $3 million and 10% of the box office. But the condition is that the movie has to make over $150 million at the North American box office. If it doesn't, you get nothing except your salary."
"Wow, both of them are really trying to squeeze me." He laughed.
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: I created a poll on what movie Kazir should make next. The choices are Ted, The Hangover, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My patrons chose The Hangover as his second movie. So I apologize if some of you are disappointed. Anyway, spread the love, stop the hate, and be peaceful.]
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