Chapter 89: Scream Starting the Shoot

At Orion Pictures, Arthur and the director of Sleeping with the Enemy, Joseph Ruben, were discussing the movie in the office.

Suddenly, they heard a door slam in the next room where Mike Medavoy's office was.

"Is Kevin Costner arguing with Mike Medavoy again?" Joseph Ruben asked.

Arthur smiled slightly. "More or less. This is Kevin's first time directing a Western, Dances with Wolves, and the director's cut is four hours long. There's no way Orion could release a four-hour film in theaters, so they cut it down to three hours. The film is set to release next month, with the premiere this month. Arguments are normal."

It couldn't be helped. The novel Dances with Wolves was bland, and finding a publisher had been tough. Even after publication, sales were low.

Many film companies had little interest in this Western. Orion sold several regions' overseas rights for a $15 million budget, but Kevin Costner went $7 million over budget during filming, despite covering $3 million himself. The remaining $4 million was something Orion had to find a way to provide.

A four-hour director's cut couldn't be screened in theaters, as it would allow only two showings a day. 

However, Orion would definitely release the three-hour cut, and it was understandable that Kevin Costner, the director, producer, and lead actor, was unhappy.

"Orion hasn't had much success this year besides RoboCop 2 at the box office. The other projects didn't do well," Joseph Ruben reminded.

Arthur nodded. "Yeah, but that's not our concern."

Orion had been heavily in debt for years, and it was catching up with them. Jennifer Connelly's The Hot Spot had a terrible run last month, leaving theaters in less than two weeks due to poor performance. A $13 million investment only grossed over $2 million at the box office.

Arthur looked out the window at Kevin Costner, who had just left the building. Dances with Wolves was indeed a successful film, but Arthur knew it required long-term screening to generate revenue, making it difficult for Orion to quickly recover the funds.

"Sleeping with the Enemy could quickly bring in some funds for Orion, but who knows how long that will last?"

Arthur sighed. Working with Orion was still quite good, as they gave him a lot of autonomy.

Few companies in Hollywood were so friendly to newcomers!

But once Dances with Wolves was released, it would sweep the Oscars next year. 

Then Arthur would bring in Kevin Costner to develop the script for The Bodyguard. Only with Kevin Costner's rising popularity next year could The Bodyguard find investors and distributors.

As for Tom Cruise, Aaron Sorkin was adapting the script for A Few Good Men for him, but Tom Cruise was currently busy preparing for Far and Away and likely wouldn't have time.

In the evening, at Long Beach, Nicole Kidman and Arthur were taking a walk on the pier.

"Have you been busy lately? You need to make time for more rehearsals with me," Nicole Kidman said. She had many scenes with Arthur in To Die For.

Arthur nodded. "I will. I'm just playing a delinquent student, so it shouldn't be too difficult. I have been kind of busy, but specific tasks are handled by others, so I don't have to do everything myself."

"Okay, let's head back," Nicole Kidman said, linking arms with Arthur as they headed back to her place.

"A few days ago, I met with Tom Cruise's agent, Paula Wagner," Arthur said once they were back at Nicole's place.

Nicole Kidman took off her coat. "Was it about me? Worried I'd be clingy?"

"Something like that. But don't worry, it's all in the past," Arthur said, hugging Nicole. "They're just concerned that Galaxy would hype up the new movie. They underestimate me. Tom Cruise won't pay attention or comment on such things. There's nothing worth hyping in the future."

Nicole Kidman wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck, leaning into him with a smile. "I've met that agent. She doesn't mince words. Did you have a pleasant chat?"

"It was alright," Arthur said, sitting on the sofa with Nicole. "But you know, missing out on Tom Cruise is missing out on a shortcut. Do you regret it?"

Nicole Kidman shook her head. "We never got that far anyway. Besides, I'm loyal to you now."

Arthur lifted her chin. "But if Sleeping with the Enemy and The Silence of the Lambs fail, this newcomer will quickly be back to square one."

"Will you fail?" Nicole Kidman pushed Arthur onto the sofa, kissed his neck, and said, "I have faith in you, and I trust my own judgment..."

As Sleeping with the Enemy began its promotion, Galaxy Film's first self-invested project, Scream, started shooting at Northridge High School.

Naomi Watts, Sandra Bullock, and Jennifer Aniston formed the cast of Scream. Winona Ryder, back in Los Angeles, made a special appearance.

"Winona, your character is the first victim. It's a small role, and your scene will be the opening of the movie," Arthur explained briefly to Winona Ryder.

Winona Ryder looked at the script and smiled. "I die as soon as I appear. It's my first time in such a role!"

"Yes, and your scene will be featured in the trailer for promotion," Arthur said, somewhat helplessly.

"This movie's director and lead actors are all newcomers, so we need some promotional points. We'll use your bit of fame for that."

Winona Ryder knew this was Galaxy Film's self-invested project. Arthur had high hopes for it but was a bit worried. "I'm not that famous. Will it really help?"

"Don't worry, it will," Arthur reassured. If he remembered correctly, Drew Barrymore was the original choice for the first victim in Scream.

"Okay, I'll discuss with the director how my character should die," Winona Ryder said, leaving the office with the script.

Arthur, leaning back in his chair, pondered the To Die For project, which was also about to start shooting.

*****

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