Chapter 711: The Vibrancy of Outspokenness

[Chapter 711: The Vibrancy of Outspokenness]

After politely saying goodbye into the phone's microphone and hanging up, Harvey Weinstein took a deep breath and turned toward the banquet hall, his face filled with satisfaction.

The call had come directly from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman of News Corp, all the way in New York. Though it was just a simple congratulatory message, the fact that it was already past midnight in New York spoke volumes about the importance News Corp placed on Miramax.

Tonight's Oscars ceremony truly marked the most glorious moment for Miramax in its sixteen-year history. After being acquired last year, bolstered by the financial strength of its parent company News Corp, Miramax had finally shaken off the constraints that had previously restricted its endeavors to small, inconsequential projects. Thanks to films like Braveheart, Bullets Over Broadway, The Piano, and The Crying Game, Miramax had unprecedentedly secured a total of 27 Oscar nominations across all the major categories, ultimately winning 9 golden statues.

Behind this glory was Miramax's annual net profit of over $200 million in 1994, a figure that approached the profitability of 20th Century Fox's main operations. Harvey Weinstein, proud and excited, couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. If he hadn't sold the company last year or had retained more shares, he would have received a more substantial dividend from Miramax's annual profits. However, he quickly shook off that thought. Many things in this world had no "what if" attached to them. Just a few years prior, Eric Williams had even made an acquisition offer to Miramax. If that deal had gone through, even if he retained only ten percent or less of Firefly, it would still represent a fortune.

Shaking his head with a sigh, Harvey Weinstein had just returned to the party hall when a disheveled figure in a black suit approached him.

"Hey, Harvey," the man eagerly said, having clearly waited for quite a while, knowing Weinstein was busy. Without beating around the bush, he continued, "I heard Firefly's celebration is upstairs. Remember that thing I mentioned wanting to talk to you about?"

Harvey Weinstein made it a point to cultivate good relationships with talented filmmakers. Although this New Zealand director had come up empty-handed tonight, Weinstein didn't show any sign of neglect. He paused for a moment, recalling, "Peter, are you talking about The Lord of the Rings?"

Peter Jackson nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Harvey, the film rights for The Lord of the Rings are with Flower Films, right? I was wondering if you could introduce me."

Due to a certain peculiar ostrich mentality, Harvey Weinstein now found himself reluctant to see yet another rising star shine so brightly in Hollywood. He hesitated slightly, saying, "Peter, look around, there are so many guests to attend to. I really can't leave right now."

Peter Jackson, undeterred, replied, "Harvey, it doesn't matter if you don't have time. Could you at least send someone to get us into that party? I tried to go up just now, but they wouldn't let me in."

"Oh, ha ha..."

Harvey Weinstein paused for a moment, then laughed heartily while patting Peter Jackson on the shoulder, "That's no problem at all, Peter."

With Weinstein's help, Peter Jackson was no longer stopped at the door and easily made his way into Firefly's party hall.

...

Although Firefly had only one heavy-hitting Oscar film this time around, the party was clearly more crowded than Fox's -- there were at least two hundred guests bustling about.

Weinstein's assistant Brad Grey escorted Peter Jackson into the party hall and left without any further introductions. Jackson didn't expect any more than that, and after toasting with a glass of champagne and milling around the crowd for a while, he finally spotted Eric Williams's figure. However, Eric was surrounded by seven or eight men and women who seemed to be fervently discussing something. Jackson understood it was not the best time to approach, so he patiently waited for Eric to become available.

Around Eric were Jeffrey Katzenberg, his former assistant Allen Fisman, the girl draped across his arm, and a group of Victoria's Secret Angels.

They weren't discussing anything too formal; on the surface, it appeared they were chatting aimlessly. However, the Angels seemed to catch a whiff of something and skillfully steered the conversation toward reality television while occasionally testing Eric's reactions.

Unbeknownst to him, the disheveled figure in a black suit caught Eric's eye as he watched him linger for over ten minutes nearby. Eric subtly tilted his lips upward and nudged the girl by his side, "Drew, could you do me a favor and grab a glass of champagne?"

Drew Barrymore blinked her bright eyes, understanding Eric was trying to shoo her away. Although she found the five towering beauties surrounding him quite annoying, she feigned willingness and stepped away, heading toward the long table laden with drinks.

...

Peter Jackson waited patiently for over ten minutes, noticing that the crowd around Eric showed no signs of dispersing. He was debating whether to keep waiting or to make a move when Drew Barrymore emerged from that group.

He instantly recognized this as a fabulous opportunity. While the rights to The Lord of the Rings were indeed held by Flower Films, Peter Jackson was aware that the ultimate decision-maker behind Flower was Eric Williams, with Drew merely a figurehead. But as he realized that there was no opportunity to speak with Eric directly, the prospect of engaging with Drew felt worth a shot.

Although Drew didn't understand why Eric had pushed her aside, she decided not to dwell on it. She noticed a tall figure in a light gray suit nearby that was equally surrounded by others, and as she prepared to approach this shy yet charming guy, she heard someone call her name, "Miss Barrymore."

Turning around, she saw a scruffy white guy in a disheveled suit, wondering whether his poor attire was borrowed or stolen; yet her baby face broke into a sweet smile. "Did you call for me, Mister?"

"Yes," Peter Jackson nodded quickly, extending his hand. "Hello, Miss Barrymore, I'm Peter Jackson, a director."

"Oh," she grasped his hand, nodding as she awaited him to continue.

Peter Jackson had contemplated many ways to spark a discussion, but faced with the moment, his thoughts scattered. Finally, he managed to say, "You see, Miss Barrymore, I have been a Tolkien fan since childhood, and becoming a director was always my dream -- to bring The Lord of the Rings to the big screen. I heard that Flower Films holds the rights, so I hope to secure a chance to direct."

Drew asked, "Have you directed anything similar to this before?"

Jackson shook his head, "Not yet, but I've been preparing for years, working on script adaptations, scouting locations, and character designs. If I could just get a shot, I'm sure I could convince you."

Drew blinked and replied, "Then tell me about your filming ideas; I want to hear."

Jackson cast a glance at Eric nearby, hesitating as to whether discussing these concepts with this golden-haired beauty was of any use. Drew noticed his change in demeanor and smiled slyly, asking, "You say you've prepared for this film for years, yet you lack the patience to even share your thoughts with me?"

Realizing his blunder, Peter Jackson knew he had to seize this opportunity. He straightened up and said, "So, Miss Barrymore, first off, I believe The Lord of the Rings shouldn't just be a single film. It should be a trilogy; otherwise, it would be a wasted opportunity to fully showcase Tolkien's grand world."

Drew nodded, in agreement. "Eric mentioned something similar."

Upon hearing that, Jackson felt energized. "In my proposed script, the story would start with Bilbo Baggins's 111th birthday. The One Ring, crafted by the Dark Lord Sauron thousands of years ago, eventually found its way to Bilbo. During his birthday party, he proudly showcased the ring, prompting Gandalf to recognize its power. At Gandalf's urging, Bilbo handed the ring to his nephew Frodo Baggins while Sauron, having awakened from centuries of slumber, dispatched the nine Ringwraiths to reclaim the One Ring..."

Noticing that Drew was engaged with the story, Jackson dove into the narrative, sharing the twists and turns of the plot with ease while answering her occasional questions. Half an hour had passed before he concluded his thoughts.

Though she had purchased the rights to Tolkien's works as Eric requested, Drew lacked the patience to read through all of them. Yet at that moment, she was thoroughly engrossed and, looking towards Eric, saw that the five tall beauties had disappeared. She turned back to Peter Jackson and said, "Come with me, I'll introduce you to the person you want to meet."

Peter Jackson felt a bit awkward upon hearing that, realizing his intentions had been guessed, yet he didn't hesitate and closely followed her.

...

"Eric, this is Peter Jackson. He wants to do The Lord of the Rings and just shared some ideas with me -- pretty good!" she succinctly introduced.

Eric smiled as he shook Jackson's hand, "Hello, Mr. Jackson."

"Hello, Mr. Williams."

"I saw you two talking for quite a while -- was it about this?"

Jackson nodded, "Yes, Mr. Williams. Miss Barrymore is a very patient listener."

Eric turned to Drew, asking, "So, what do you think?"

"He's put a lot of thought into this; I think he should have a chance to try."

Since the opportunity had presented itself, Eric didn't want to waste energy being aloof. He replied to Peter Jackson, "If that's the case, you can head to Flower Films headquarters tomorrow and talk with Amy Pascal. However, there's one more thing: even if it's negotiated successfully, the project won't be able to launch for a few years, so you'd better prepare yourself."

Upon hearing Eric's word, Peter Jackson felt a mix of emotions -- he was thrilled to see some light ahead but perplexed about what Eric meant by 'a few years.'

Fortunately, Drew asked for him, "Eric, when will it actually start? I have no shortage of funding here."

"Probably one or two years," Eric replied with a smile. "Once you have the independent distribution capability to release the film, it'll be around that time."

Understanding Eric's insinuation, Drew guessed that he meant after Flower Films secured MGM.

Given the current situation, it seemed like it wouldn't take long. MGM had been struggling for years, and the production department was almost nonexistent, with only the distribution side still intact. Flower Films needed MGM's distribution network.

...

After exchanging contact information and sending Peter Jackson on his way, Eric turned his attention back to Katzenberg and Allen, asking a different question, "Who do you think would be more suitable among those girls?"

Eric was referring to the candidates for the host of America's Next Top Model. His previous conversation with the Victoria's Secret Angels had also served as a sort of examination.

Allen glanced at Katzenberg, who replied without hesitation, "Eric, Diane Kruger wouldn't be suitable. Her age and that cutesy vibe wouldn't resonate with the nature of the show."

Hearing Katzenberg's quick dismissal of Diane Kruger, Eric shrugged, "Jeffrey, do you really think I'm the type to be stubborn and only favor my own?"

Katzenberg smiled, secretly wondering what Eric's thoughts truly were. He still felt that Eric's choice of the Wachowski brothers to direct The Matrix was a bit hasty; if Eric were to let Diane Kruger host America's Next Top Model, he wouldn't be too surprised. It would just seem rather chaotic.

"Additionally, Miss Turlington's high street fashion vibe is too strong, and she doesn't seem very articulate -- she wouldn't be suitable for a reality show requiring close interaction. That leaves Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Tyra Banks. Tyra's a bit young and inexperienced, and her skin tone may not be favorable, but she certainly has an exuberant energy that gives her a notable edge over the other two."

*****

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