Chapter 294: What a Coincidence

[Chapter 294: What a Coincidence]

Besides, the contract between Disney and Bruce Joel Rubin contained a clause that required Eric to personally direct the film. If the designated directors could present satisfactory proposals, Michael Eisner wouldn't mind breaching the contract to allow Disney's directors to take over the script. However, things didn't turn out as planned, and Michael Eisner decisively made the decision he did today. After all, if Disney produced the film on their own and it ended up performing poorly, it would be better to hand over the script to Eric, who undoubtedly had a strong box office guarantee.

After sitting in his study for quite a while, Michael Eisner pulled the proposal documents from the folder and casually tossed them into the nearby trash can before standing up and leaving the room.

...

By mid-March, after more than a month of investigation, the Federal Trade Commission announced the results of its handling of allegations of industry monopolies involving Firefly Films and UTA. With several major companies backing out and facing a wave of public pressure, the Federal Trade Commission didn't impose any harsh penalties on Eric. Aside from requiring him to relinquish all shares in UTA, it was just a symbolic fine of $1 million.

After the results were announced, Eric raised no objections and swiftly paid the $1 million fine. He then sold 90% of his shares in UTA for $30 million to ICM, one of the three major talent agencies in Hollywood.

Almost simultaneously, Sony Pictures and Firefly Films reached a settlement regarding the profit-sharing of their project, Running Out of Time. A week later, Sony cleared over $88 million in share profits from the film. As for the three other lawsuits Eric faced, two of the plaintiffs dropped their cases, and the third regarding the Malibu property, as investigations progressed, was also dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The TV series that Firefly Films collaborated on with Fox, The X-Files, also began its filming process. Meanwhile, another show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, launched an extensive promotional campaign starting in early March. Although someone on the show's team suggested that the first episode could feature some celebrities as guest contestants, Eric promptly vetoed the idea. While inviting stars could attract viewers, it would compromise the authenticity of the show. The main selling point was the average person's chance at overnight wealth; therefore, the production team decided to hold nationwide auditions across North America.

Soon after, Disney quickly announced that it would partner with Firefly Films to release Eric Williams' new film, Ghost.

Thus, the nearly two-month-long ordeal targeting Eric and Firefly Films, which had begun on New Year's Day, came to an end.

...

After a series of preliminary awards leading up to the Oscars, the 62nd Academy Awards ceremony was held on March 26, 1990, at the Los Angeles Music Center.

As Eric fastened his tuxedo button and just finished stepping out of the limo, loud cheers erupted from both sides of the red carpet. Eric faintly heard someone singing New Divide at the top of their lungs.

Smiling and waving at the crowd, Eric didn't linger too long and made his way directly to the interviews at the red carpet. The reporters in the interview area looked extremely disappointed; even worse for them was that Eric had come without a date, which left them with fewer topics to discuss.

After all, although Eric was still very young, he held a prominent status and wealth. Since his breakup with Aniston, speculating who might move into the Liberty City mansion in Malibu -- owned by Eric -- became a hot topic for gossip media.

If anyone could leak such information now, they would surely fetch a good price.

...

As Eric approached the end of the red carpet, he was stopped by the NBC host responsible for the Oscars broadcast, who politely guided him to the interview area.

"Mr. Williams, hello! This is your second time on the Oscar red carpet. Do you feel any different this time?" The female host in a black gown asked, holding up her microphone.

With a bright smile, Eric replied, "Of course! The fans have become even more enthusiastic. I want to thank everyone for their support during this time."

The host understood the reference Eric made and didn't continue the topic, given that NBC wasn't exactly innocent when it came to the earlier controversy: "So, Mr. Williams, could you share your expectations for tonight's awards? You're nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay, and surprisingly, you also received a nomination for Best Score. That's quite impressive!"

Hearing this, Eric leaned towards the microphone and recited the usual platitudes about hoping the judges would like it, before answering a few more questions patiently. Only then did the host reluctantly let him go.

...

Once he reached the waiting area, Eric felt countless eyes on him. He smiled without a specific focal point and then headed toward a few of the movie crews associated with Firefly Films.

The men in a few of the crews were cordial; Jonathan Demme, Al Pacino, and Tom Hanks all greeted him warmly. However, the women were somewhat reserved, considering that the media could capture their interactions.

After exchanging pleasantries with the men, Eric turned his attention to the women.

Virginia quietly stood at the edge of the crowd, wearing a faint smile, exuding a vibe of being unaffected by the commotion.

Nicole seemed eager to engage but hesitated, remaining still and looking at Eric with an undisguised mix of emotions in her eyes.

As for Julia, she was currently linked arm-in-arm with Elisabeth, both casting complex looks at Eric.

After a moment's thought, Eric approached Julia and Elisabeth. "Jules, Liz, um... though it might be a bit late, I really want to apologize."

Hearing Eric's words, Julia tightened her grip on Elisabeth's arm and seemed to pull back slightly. Elisabeth stepped forward, sounding like a protective hen, and whispered, "Mr. Williams, no need to apologize. We just hope you'll stay away from us from now on; Julia and I would appreciate it."

"Um... of course, that's not a problem," Eric said, raising his hand to scratch his nose. He found their current demeanor slightly odd but couldn't pinpoint why. However, he was certain his instincts weren't wrong. "By the way, Liz, how come you're here?" Eric asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Hmph, I have my ways," Elisabeth stated as she pulled Julia, who had remained quiet, along with her as they walked away.

Others in the vicinity thought Eric had gotten the short end of the stick in front of both women and displayed teasing expressions. Eric shrugged it off, greeting Nicole as he walked away, feeling the weight of their disappointed gazes as he went over to Virginia.

"Vicky, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the premiere of Reservoir Dogs earlier this month," Eric said, sounding a bit apologetic as he spoke to her. As Quentin's debut film, Reservoir Dogs had gained acclaim, and because of Eric's support, this version didn't fade into obscurity as it might have otherwise.

Thanks to Firefly's promotion, Reservoir Dogs' opening weekend box office hit over $6 million. Quentin Tarantino jumped into the ranks of top-tier directors as his film achieved over $10,000 in average weekly box office per theater. He was currently brainstorming his next script, with Firefly as his investor. However, Eric worried whether Quentin could manage to write something as groundbreaking as Pulp Fiction again. After all, due to Eric's butterfly effect, although Reservoir Dogs had not been swept away by the proverbial "butterfly's" wings, Pulp Fiction faced a much tougher road ahead. Eric resolved to find some time to talk with Quentin; if Quentin wasn't considering it, he would just write the script himself.

"It's fine. I regretted it later, too. You must have had a lot on your plate. How could you find the time for the premiere anyway? By the way, Eric, my brother asked me to thank you on his behalf," Virginia said softly.

Eric chuckled, thinking Michael Madsen would never say something like that. It was probably Virginia's own idea. He had been following the situation with Reservoir Dogs; after its release, during promotional interviews, Michael Madsen expressed his reluctance to work with Quentin again, even calling him a jerk in front of other creatives. During a scene where a police officer was killed, the associated dialogue triggered some personal thoughts related to his newborn child, nearly bringing him to tears.

However, Quentin had indicated he loved the "jerk" comment; whether he was joking, nobody knew.

With so many people around, Eric couldn't make any familiar gestures. He chatted briefly with Virginia before everyone began entering the Los Angeles Music Hall.

"What a coincidence, we were seated together last time," Eric remarked to Virginia as he found his seat in the auditorium and settled next to her.

*****

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