Chapter 293: Eisner's Decisiveness

[Chapter 293: Eisner's Decisiveness]

After a while, Eric returned to the conference room holding a portable phone, while Robert Shea set down his coffee cup and looked at Eric inquisitively.

"It's Michael Eisner," Eric explained with a hint of cheerfulness in his tone.

"Is he wanting to invite you to talk?" Robert Shea raised an eyebrow as he recalled that the recent turmoil was orchestrated by Michael Eisner.

Eric nodded and sat back down in his chair. "Yes."

"Did you agree?" Robert Shea asked curiously.

"I don't mind hearing him out; after all, I don't have plans tonight," Eric replied, placing the phone beside him. He continued, "Robert, since you don't want to take on Basic Instinct, you should pick a script soon. It's already March, and if we don't get the project finalized, it will be tough to hit the summer release window."

Seeing that Eric wasn't insisting on giving him the Basic Instinct script anymore, Robert felt a slight sense of relief, though he couldn't help but feel a conflicting disappointment. After all, it was a script Eric had written himself.

However, he quickly adjusted his emotions and said, "I understand. I've collected six scripts these past few days; I'll have my assistant bring them to you for your thoughts."

Eric shook his head. "No need for that. I think it's better if you choose personally. I can't guarantee any movie will succeed. Just pick a script and bring it to me for a signature when you've made your choice."

Robert Shea paused for a moment, then understood that Eric was preparing to fully let go of the project. This meant that the success or failure of the film would be entirely his responsibility. But Robert Shea wasn't one to shy away from accountability. After a brief hesitation, he nodded, "Alright, I'll choose a script as soon as possible."

...

After work, Eric drove back to Malibu, but his destination wasn't his Cliff House. Instead, he was heading to a mansion owned by Michael Eisner in Malibu.

"Eric, I'm glad you could come. Please, come in," Michael Eisner greeted Eric with a big smile as the servant led him through the front door.

"Hello, Mr. Eisner," Eric offered a polite smile and shook Michael's hand briefly.

Michael Eisner didn't mind Eric's cool demeanor one bit. Still beaming, he said, "Eric, I specifically invited a famous French chef to prepare dinner for us tonight. Let's head inside."

Eric nodded and followed Michael directly to the dining room. Throughout the dinner, besides the periodically appearing servants, it was just Michael and Eric at the table. Michael proficiently described the exquisite French dishes as they were served, and after dinner, he even invited the chef wearing a tall white hat to take a group photo with them.

While Eric admired Michael Eisner's patience, he subtly enjoyed the meal. After all, the initiative was in his hands.

Once dinner was done, Michael Eisner led Eric to his study, and after the servant brought in coffee and exited, he said, "Eric, now that the past is behind us, I think it's time we discussed a potential collaboration."

A mocking smile finally crept onto Eric's lips. "Collaboration?"

Michael Eisner maintained his smile. "Yes, collaboration, Eric. In this world, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Though that's a strategy of British diplomacy, I believe it applies to companies as well."

"There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests," Eric chuckled slightly and then said, "Mr. Eisner, if you had the option to collaborate with friends or neutral parties, would you collaborate with your enemies?"

"Of course not," Michael Eisner replied. "But, Eric, do you think in Hollywood, Firefly Films has friends? Although you've found your partnership with Fox quite enjoyable, believe me, if given the chance, Murdoch will surely stab Firefly in the back."

"I'm aware of that, which is why I will do my best to not give Mr. Murdoch that opportunity. Furthermore, I certainly won't allow enemies who have already stabbed me in the back a chance again," Eric said casually, picking up his coffee.

Michael Eisner smiled upon hearing Eric's words. "Eric, I imagine you have learned some things. I won't deny that; therefore, I believe it's time for a truce."

"A truce?" Eric raised his head and asked, "What kind of truce?"

Michael Eisner replied with a hint of confidence, "How about the script for Ghost?"

Eric initially shook his head without thinking. "Mr. Eisner, I don't lack for scripts, and I'm not interested in collaborating with Disney. If we can't proceed with Ghost, I can always choose something else. And I guarantee that Disney won't be able to produce the version of Ghost I have in mind. You may make a small profit off it, but it absolutely won't become a classic; whether it sells well is even harder to say."

"No, no, no, Eric, I think you're missing my point entirely. I meant that Disney will transfer the script for Ghost to you, and then we can have our truce. How does that sound?"

Eric finally looked surprised and raised his head, meeting Michael Eisner's confident gaze. Then he thought of other concerns. "Mr. Eisner, I imagine Disney must have spent a significant sum to acquire the Ghost script, and possibly even promised Bruce Joel Rubin a share of the profits, right?"

"Yes," Michael Eisner nodded. "One million dollars in cash and 3% of the North American profits."

Eric calculated the figures in his mind. Based on past performance, that added up to over three million. Perhaps from a profit standpoint, it wasn't a small sum, but for a Disney that was clueless about the outcome, this price was absurd.

Seeing Eric silently deep in thought, Michael Eisner then said, "Eric, Disney is very sincere; therefore, once we establish a truce, I will transfer this script to Firefly Films for free."

"What about your contract?" Eric instinctively asked. "I imagine Bruce Joel Rubin wouldn't be okay with that."

"That's actually easily resolved. Disney will transfer the script to Firefly Films, and once the film is produced, Disney will handle distribution. Bruce Joel Rubin's share can come from Disney's profits. What do you think?"

"Firefly Films and Disney would co-distribute, with the film rights belonging to Firefly," Eric rapidly went through his thoughts before responding. Since Michael Eisner could make such a bold decision, being overly concerned would just seem petty.

On the other hand, while turning the film over completely to Disney for distribution might maximize profits, it would mean Firefly's channel wouldn't expand. If this situation persisted, Firefly would end up like DreamWorks in the past: capable of producing great films but struggling to distribute due to a lack of power, merely surviving among the larger studios.

Moreover, these years represented the best and last opportunity to expand Firefly's distribution channels. The costs of filmmaking in the early '90s weren't too high, so Eric was determined. Even if they earned less in these years, they had to expand the distribution channels for Firefly. Otherwise, by the late '90s, with the rise of special effects blockbusters costing hundreds of millions to produce, not having their own distribution channels would lead to a dire situation. Most profits would be siphoned off by the big studios controlling the distribution channels, leaving production companies unable to recover even their costs.

Seeing some softness in Eric's tone, Michael Eisner nodded without hesitation. "No problem."

Once Michael Eisner finished speaking, the atmosphere between them grew a bit tense. Michael Eisner achieved his goal, and Eric, who initially wanted to challenge Eisner, could no longer hold his ground.

After finishing his coffee, Eric stood up. "So, Mr. Eisner, if there's nothing further, I'll take my leave now."

"I'll see you out," Michael Eisner chimed in as he stood up.

...

After seeing Eric out of the mansion, Michael Eisner returned to his study with a somber expression. He picked up several unassuming folders that had been sitting in the corner of his desk. Inside were various project proposals from Disney directors related to the Ghost film.

Michael Eisner was arguably the one among the heads of the seven major film companies who understood Eric the best and was most aware of his personal potential. It was this knowledge that led him earlier in the year to ally with several other companies to jointly pressure Firefly. Unfortunately, due to some missteps in the process, the effort wasn't successful. After seeing news of Murdoch's interest in approaching Eric, Michael Eisner decisively chose to reconcile with Eric. After all, as he had begun by saying, there were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Moreover, Michael Eisner had not initially intended to use the Ghost script as a bargaining chip for reconciliation, but earlier he had asked several well-known directors under Disney to study the Ghost script. The project proposals they provided, which were now in his hands, were all unsatisfactory to him.

*****

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