Chapter 172

On the sofa in the lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills, Harvey Weinstein was talking about a new movie with Renee Zellweger, Russell Crowe, and Ben Affleck.

"Harvey, our movie, Cinderella Man, was released this summer. Last year's Best Picture Oscar went to a boxing film, Million Dollar Baby, so our chances of winning this year aren't great." Cinderella Man was developed by Miramax in collaboration with Universal, starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger.

Originally, Cinderella Man was planned to be released during Christmas 2004 but was postponed to this summer.

However, now that Harvey Weinstein had left Miramax and Disney, he wasn't too concerned about Miramax's previous projects anymore.

Harvey Weinstein nodded, "The reviews for Cinderella Man aren't good. It's hard to compete for Best Picture this year!"

Cinderella Man had a production cost of $88 million but only grossed $100 million worldwide, a commercial flop.

"Now that Miramax isn't the same as when I was managing it, Disney won't value it much either!"

"Harvey, I'm directing a movie, Gone Baby Gone, in collaboration with Miramax. Can we transfer it to your current company, The Weinstein Company?" Ben Affleck had always aspired to be a director. Although he had directed two movies before, they hadn't been released in theaters.

Gone Baby Gone was different; Miramax intended to release it theatrically.

"No way, you and Miramax already signed a contract. Unless I buy the script back from Miramax," Harvey Weinstein said. He had only left Miramax this year, but he had already been preparing many projects there, so he couldn't take them all with him.

The Weinstein brothers managing to take Dimension Films with them was already a significant feat; the Miramax projects were untouchable.

Renee Zellweger, sitting on Harvey Weinstein's lap, spoke up, "Harvey, now that you've established The Weinstein Company and focused on independent films, more people will thank you at the Oscars in the future!"

Renee Zellweger had risen to fame through Bridget Jones's Diary and then starred in Chicago and Cold Mountain. She was now a popular actress.

Especially with the Best Actress Oscar nomination for Chicago and earning the same fee as lead actress Nicole Kidman in Cold Mountain as a supporting actress, she couldn't have done it without Harvey Weinstein's support.

"Haha, I will make The Weinstein Company restore Miramax's glory. There aren't many independent film companies that impress me nowadays," Harvey said confidently, feeling buoyed by the support from Merrill Lynch.

"Capet Pictures has been doing well these past few years. Both Little Miss Sunshine and Walk the Line have been successful at the box office this year, and they've also been well received in the independent film circle," Ben Affleck reminded, as he was an actor under ETA and familiar with Evelyn Capet in a senior position.

"Charles Capet!" Harvey Weinstein recalled the unpleasant encounter he had with Charles Capet at the Oscar backstage bar.

Shaking his head, he said, "Capet Pictures is now playing the big studio game with commercial blockbusters. Have you seen DreamWorks trying to save itself by selling?"

Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck knew that there had been some unpleasantness between Charles Capet and Harvey Weinstein, but they didn't know the details.

Given Charles Capet's current status and financial power in Hollywood, it wasn't something that Hollywood actors could casually discuss.

Even the notoriously hot-tempered "bad boy" Russell Crowe wouldn't readily speak up, as he knew it could easily be spread around.

Plus, during the summer, Russell Crowe had been detained by the police in New York for assaulting someone, leaving a record.

"Alright, this is a business cocktail party. There are plenty of beautiful girls here. Everyone, go find your prey," Harvey Weinstein said, patting Renee Zellweger on his lap, and also prepared to look for fresh faces.

Ben Affleck, known for his "butter hands" in Hollywood, was often hitting on actresses and frequently called escorts, much like Russell Crowe, being labeled "bad boys."

He exchanged a knowing smile with Russell Crowe and headed to the center of the party.

Upon entering the ballroom, Harvey Weinstein began searching for his prey and suddenly noticed the sexy and glamorous Jessica Alba.

It appeared that Jessica Alba was interested in starring as the lead in The Weinstein Company's indie movie Awake.

And, Dimension Films had just worked with her on Sin City. Jessica Alba's sexiness had left a deep impression on Harvey Weinstein, so he happily approached her for a chat.

"Jessica, you look stunning tonight!"

"Oh, Mr. Weinstein, good evening!"

Harvey Weinstein nodded and glanced at Jessica Alba a few more times, then smiled, "Just call me Harvey. I heard you auditioned for the lead role in Awake?"

Jessica Alba nodded. Having recently become a star with Fantastic Four, she was eager to transition and no longer just be a simple trophy actress.

The lead role in a thriller like Awake was what Jessica Alba needed. "Yes, I auditioned. Just waiting for the reply!"

"Awake is a thriller about a protagonist who hears doctors planning to murder him while awake on the operating table; the film has depth, and the role demands a lot from the actor. You've read the script, right?" Harvey Weinstein said with a wise expression.

Jessica Alba nodded, "I've read it carefully and analyzed the character's psychology..."

"Not bad, but not enough," Harvey interrupted Jessica Alba, saying casually, "This role requires a good talk. Come to my room later, and we can seriously discuss the script and the character. The Four Seasons Hotel has my suite, and I often talk scripts there. Charlize Theron and Salma Hayek have both done this."

Jessica Alba, not being naive, thought to herself: a script discussion in a hotel suite? Charlize Theron is an Oscar winner now, and Salma Hayek has been nominated for Best Actress.

"Harvey, we could talk about the script at the company, too, with my agent..."

Harvey Weinstein impatiently waved his hand to stop Jessica Alba, "You don't want to be just a pretty face, right? Think carefully!"

*****

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