Chapter 214: Johnny Depp

In a film set located in a small town near Austin, Texas, they were filming a family romance drama titled What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

The movie starred Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, while the female lead was Juliet Lewis, Brad Pitt's girlfriend.

In a Mexican restaurant, Tracy Jacobs explained to Johnny Depp across the table, "Arthur is very optimistic about you taking this role. This kind of commercial film will help elevate your status. And Speed is a rare big-budget production, both in terms of investment and scale!"

Johnny Depp set down the script. "The story seems kind of similar to Die Hard, right?"

"It's not similar. Speed is a thrilling action film set on a speeding bus," Tracy Jacobs continued, convincing Johnny Depp. "There are many stunt actions in the movie, different from your previous films. This action movie will help expand your acting range!"

Johnny Depp nodded. "Arthur is also my friend. I trust his judgment. I can take on this script. Anyway, What's Eating Gilbert Grape is wrapping up soon, so I can join the crew anytime."

Tracy Jacobs smiled. "The filming will begin in late August, so get ready first. By the way, how's the actor playing your younger brother with cerebral palsy?"

"Oh, you mean Leonardo DiCaprio, right? The 18-year-old guy is quite good. He previously appeared in the TV show Growing Pains. This movie should be his first significant film role. He's quite handsome," Johnny Depp was in his peak period of good looks, so Leonardo DiCaprio couldn't compete with him yet.

Tracy Jacobs nodded. She planned to sign Leonardo DiCaprio!

For the director of Speed, Galaxy had approached several action movie directors, but none were interested. John McTiernan, who directed The Hunt for Red October and Die Hard, recommended his long-time cinematographer Jan de Bont.

Jan de Bont also presented his plans and proposals and was hired to direct Speed, making it his directorial debut. His old friend - director John McTiernan - was also invited to be one of the producers!

By June, with the leads of Speed confirmed, the team was officially formed.

"The budget is $33 million," Amy Pascal looked at the report in her hands and smiled helplessly, "Part of the overseas rights and the advance deposits add up to about $10 million. Don't worry; the remaining amount is not a problem. The first-round revenue shares from The Bodyguard will arrive soon."

Arthur nodded. "It's been about half a month since The Bodyguard was released, and the box office has crossed the $50 million mark. Mid this month, Warner Bros.'s big film Batman Returns will be released. The summer box office competition is indeed fierce!"

Amy Pascal tapped her pen and said, "Although the rating agencies predict The Bodyguard's North American box office will exceed $100 million, we can't ignore some negative news about the movie during this period."

"We certainly need to spend the necessary money," Arthur couldn't say otherwise. The marketing budget for The Bodyguard had risen from $15 million to $18 million and couldn't be reduced.

No doubt, the competitors had their fair share of contributions, especially as Lethal Weapon 3 had just crossed the $100 million mark, with Mel Gibson, who had a personal grudge against Arthur, as the leading man!

However, the box office for the sequel Lethal Weapon 3 was indeed strong, premiering just a week before The Bodyguard.

Another movie, Basic Instinct, had been released for over two months and had just earned $100 million. When it exited theaters, it was expected to earn about $115 to $120 million in the North American market. However, it performed strongly overseas. Following the Cannes Film Festival, it began releasing internationally and achieved over $100 million in international box office earnings within a month!

In the evening, on the streets near UCLA in Westwood, Arthur opened the car door, and Nicole Kidman got in.

"Why are you here? When did you come back?"

Nicole Kidman stuck out her tongue. "I came back this afternoon. I heard Speed is about to start filming, so I had to come back!"

Arthur chuckled and drove straight back to the nearby Bel-Air estate. "By late August, your movie will be done, right?"

"Yes, the shooting schedule was three months, and we wrapped up a few days ago in New York," Nicole Kidman said, patting Arthur's thigh.

"Johnny Depp is signed for the lead role in Speed. Why aren't you in it?"

"It would have been a waste of time. Besides, I'm not exactly an actor now. Depp is more professional and famous than me," Arthur explained, caressing Nicole Kidman's smooth thigh with his hand.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine working with him. Speed is Galaxy's highlight next year. After it releases next year, your fame will skyrocket, and you'll definitely thank me for it!"

Nicole Kidman smirked. "I'm looking forward to your movie. This year, I received a script written by the screenwriter of A Few Good Men. It's called Malice, another femme fatale story, somewhat similar to To Die For!"

"The screenwriter of A Few Good Men, that would be Aaron Sorkin, right?" Arthur thought highly of him as a screenwriter.

"Yes, with Columbia Pictures. But unfortunately it clashed with Speed. My agent then recommended someone else, Madchen Amick," Nicole Kidman said, deliberately glancing at Arthur. "An actress from Scream 2, you know her, right? Pretty and young!"

"Ah, yes, I know her," Arthur might have mentioned before to Jessica James that she was a smaller version of Nicole Kidman. Playing a femme fatale wouldn't be an issue.

"Tsk, tsk," Nicole Kidman made a few strange noises at Arthur. "You're quite the lover!"

Nicole Kidman probably guessed that there might have been something unusual between Arthur and Amick.

"Alright, stop overthinking it. I didn't even know about it," Upon arriving at the Bel-Air villa's garage, Arthur unbuckled his seatbelt and embraced Nicole as they entered the hall.

"You already have so many women, isn't that enough?" Nicole Kidman held Arthur's arm and reminded him, "Be careful not to get entangled with outside women and cause trouble?"

"Really?" Arthur embraced Nicole, sat on the sofa, and kissed her. "You're overthinking it..."

*****

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