Chapter 266: The Risk is Too High

The sequels were still a long way from starting their shoots, and the initial preparations did not require the actors to join in. After attending the press conference, Matthew and the others went about their usual business, just needing to adjust their schedules broadly and wait for Jerry Bruckheimer's specific timetable, and then wait for the script.

Like "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "National Treasure," which were stillborn and stayed on the desk to this point, the latter two sequels Jerry Bruckheimer continued to produce had no scripts, just a broad creative idea.

But this is the confidence of a top producer. Ordinary producers and screenwriters might run themselves ragged for a project, and Hollywood production companies might not even take notice, but all Jerry Bruckheimer needs to do is present an idea and a rough plan, and the movie company bigwigs will pay attention.

After Jerry Bruckheimer briefly spoke a few words, Matthew and the other two left. Keira Knightley hurried to Los Angeles International Airport to catch a flight back to London, while Matthew and Johnny Depp walked out of the Disney headquarters building at a leisurely pace.

"Next month, I'm planning to move to France with Vanessa," Johnny Depp suddenly said.

"To France?" Matthew knew Vanessa was Depp's wife, "Why go so far? From now on, drinking with you will mean flying across the entire Atlantic."

Johnny Depp smiled, "That's Vanessa's hometown."

Matthew nodded, "I see."

Frankly speaking, Johnny Depp was indeed a very peculiar person, often difficult to understand. One might say he does things on a whim, but when it comes to family, he's exceptionally caring.

Perhaps this is just the nature of an eccentric.

After leaving the Disney headquarters building with Johnny Depp, Matthew bid farewell, and they each got into their cars and left.

Inside the Disney headquarters building, Jerry Bruckheimer walked into the office of Robert Iger, the co-chairman of Disney Film.

"Bob..." Jerry Bruckheimer sat on the sofa and directly asked, "Can we now inject funds into the 'National Treasure' project?"

Robert Iger, sitting on the sofa with Jerry Bruckheimer, said, "Don't rush."

Jerry Bruckheimer's long face immediately turned sour, "Didn't the North American box office share of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and some of the overseas box office share come in?"

"Most of it was pulled away by the group company," Robert Iger said somewhat helplessly, "You know, the group is preparing for a huge acquisition and needs a massive amount of funds."

He didn't wait for Jerry Bruckheimer to speak again, adding, "The second installment of the overseas box office share will arrive at the beginning of next month. I guarantee it will be prioritized for the 'National Treasure' project."

"The second installment?" Jerry Bruckheimer was dissatisfied, "How much is that, can it cover the funding gap of 50 million dollars?"

Robert Iger could only say, "If you don't think this fund is enough, we'll have to seek external financing."

Jerry Bruckheimer fell silent at once. If external financing were a solution, the 'National Treasure' project wouldn't have been delayed till now.

Robert Iger continued, "Jerry, if you want this investment, you at least need to give Disney Film a script outline and a brief plan, otherwise it will be difficult for me, and the company's review committee might reject the project."

He looked at Jerry Bruckheimer, asking, "Is the script finished?"

"No," Jerry Bruckheimer said as simply as possible, "The scripts from the writers' team were all rejected by me."

This was actually related to insufficient funds. Without enough funds, the crew couldn't be assembled, and naturally, there was no hurry for the script. Plus, as the person in charge, he was indecisive, influenced by the box office of 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' thinking that movies aimed at young audiences with young protagonists would perform better. But after hearing several screenwriters' pitches, he also felt that a middle-aged male protagonist with rich life experience could be interesting too.

"You need to determine the script as soon as possible! At least have a thematic framework!" Robert Iger emphasized again, "That way, the company can proceed to inject funds into the crew."

Jerry Bruckheimer remembered the key question, asking, "How much is this installment?"

Robert Iger recalled, saying, "About 30 million dollars."

"Only 30 million dollars?" Jerry Bruckheimer was even more dissatisfied, "The initial budget was 100 million dollars! If you give me another 30 million, the budget is only 80 million dollars! That's a whole 20 million dollars less!"

"This is also unavoidable," Robert Iger said helplessly, "Otherwise, just wait a bit longer, wait for the DVD release, the sales share will come..."

Jerry Bruckheimer shook his head directly, "Waiting more would mean my film company's allocated funds might become a problem."

Robert Iger thought for a moment, saying, "Then cut the budget appropriately. It's difficult to reduce other areas, but we can save a bit on actor salaries." He suggested, "Didn't you consider Nicolas Cage? His salary demands 20 million dollars, we can look for actors in the 10 million dollar range, and for roles like the female lead and male supporting roles, we can use new actors who don't demand high salaries."

Jerry Bruckheimer didn't respond, seriously considering Robert Iger's words. The reality was before him: either the project would be aborted in the near future, or it needed appropriate adjustments.

Robert Iger added, "I had reservations about your initial idea to use Nicolas Cage. He just messed up 'The Windtalkers,' dragging MGM into bankruptcy. If we use him again in a big production, the risk is too high."

"I know," Jerry Bruckheimer replied, "I plan to go younger with the male lead, better aligning with the youth market's demand."

"Right!" Robert Iger fully agreed, "I support this idea!"

Disney Film's productions tend to be youth-oriented, which also benefits promotions, and the company is more experienced in this area.

Jerry Bruckheimer immediately had a series of ideas, saying, "Bob, once the funds are in place, you must ensure this money goes into my project! Rest assured, I will quickly finalize the script outline and production plan."

Robert Iger pondered for a moment, saying, "Alright, I'll do my best."

Afterward, Jerry Bruckheimer hurriedly left Robert Iger's office, calling the assistant responsible for the project to contact two screenwriters, planning to meet them face-to-face for a discussion.

Then, he called a casting director he had long cooperated with to find a suitable location for a male lead audition.

Although the crew had not yet been officially established and the funds from Disney Film were not in place, for a producer who had developed to Jerry Bruckheimer's level, like the initial preparations for 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' holding auditions to determine the male lead was not a problem at all.

Leaving the Disney headquarters building, Jerry Bruckheimer drove towards the small town of Venice, pondering the male lead in the car, and for some reason

, Matthew Horner was the first to come to mind.

He had seriously considered Matthew Horner before. If not for the funding issues causing his indecision, he might have chosen Matthew Horner as the male lead early on.

The explosive box office of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and the popularity of Will Turner among the audience have largely proven that Matthew Horner is very favored by the youth audience. Among young male actors in their early twenties, his appeal is definitely at the forefront.

This actor had already cooperated with him in 'Black Hawk Down' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' a dedicated and hardworking actor who rarely caused trouble for the crew.

Young, appealing, with a pleasing appearance, and not bringing unnecessary trouble, producers like such actors.

Moreover, Matthew Horner is still a second-tier actor, unlikely to enter the top tier in the short term. Without the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, his salary would definitely be under 10 million dollars.

This was more than half less than what he once wanted to pay Nicolas Cage.

"Matthew Horner seems like a suitable choice," Jerry Bruckheimer mused, "Perhaps there are other candidates with even lower salaries who are more suitable?"

Thinking this, Jerry Bruckheimer decided to hold an audition, more names flashing through his mind, calling his assistant again, "There's something you need to follow up on. Send audition invitations to Matthew Horner, James Franco, Josh Hartnett... no, forget Josh Hartnett..."

'Pearl Harbor' and 'Black Hawk Down' did not meet expectations, and Jerry Bruckheimer had lost faith in Josh Hartnett's future, "Also, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, send their agents the audition invite. Just say the project is an action-adventure type, don't give specific explanations. I want to see who naturally fits the male lead role better."

After making the call, Jerry Bruckheimer decided to shift his work focus to the 'National Treasure' project, as 'King Arthur' was wrapping up.

As time slowly entered November, 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,' after four months of screening, officially withdrew from the North American cinema market, with the final North American box office stopping at 356.68 million dollars.

At the same time the film was withdrawn, Matthew received news from Helen Herman that the Angel Agency had received a formal invitation from Jerry Bruckheimer, inviting Matthew to audition for the male lead in an action-adventure film.

The audition invitation did not specify the content, and Jerry Bruckheimer's project had not yet been made public, even remaining on the desks of a few people. But Matthew was very clear that this must be the audition for the male lead in 'National Treasure'!

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