Chapter 330: Jerry Bruckheimer

In downtown Manhattan, at the offices of Galaxy, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer paid a visit to Arthur Smith.

Jerry recommended a low-budget action-comedy script to Arthur.

Arthur read it and was stunned - it was Bad Boys!

"Jerry, have your contract with your partner Don Simpson and Paramount expired?" Arthur seemed aware that Jerry Bruckheimer had a partnership with Paramount.

Jerry Bruckheimer smiled, "Our partnership has ended, and now we're looking for a bit more freedom."

He then introduced the project, "Arthur, Bad Boys is an action film, but it has strong comedic elements. We've chosen Michael Bay, a newcomer from the advertising world who has won numerous awards in that field, to direct it. Both Simpson and I believe he can handle Bad Boys very well!"

Arthur nodded, "The script is good, and as for the director and the cast, there are no big names, so the budget isn't high. However, you intend to cast Arsenio Hall as Lowrey, but I feel you should consider Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Another black actor, Martin Lawrence, was already cast, and Arthur had no objections as he was somewhat well-known.

As for Will Smith, at this point, he was just a small-time TV comedy actor.

Jerry Bruckheimer paused for a moment, then smiled, "Will Smith? Michael Bay did mention him before; it seems he likes Will Smith's style."

Arthur stood up and shook hands with Jerry Bruckheimer, "Hmm, Galaxy will invest in this Bad Boys film, and I hope we can have more collaborations in the future!"

"Definitely," Jerry Bruckheimer, the famous Hollywood producer, had developed many great films with Don Simpson.

"Will Smith," as Jerry Bruckheimer left, Arthur thought of this black actor and couldn't help but smile.

In the afternoon, Arthur went up to the penthouse of Galaxy Tower and found Nicole Kidman taking a bath in the bathroom.

He immediately took off his clothes and walked straight into the bathroom.

"Hey, Arthur... mmph..." Nicole Kidman was about to greet Arthur when her words were cut off.

"We have to attend the cocktail party later, what are you doing now?" Nicole Kidman leaned against the wall, held up by Arthur, and reminded him, clinging to his neck.

"It's still early," Arthur smiled, running his hand over her softness, "We can rest a bit after the bath."

Nicole Kidman's long legs wrapped around Arthur's waist, "The Oscar nominations are out. Redemption received seven nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Frank Darabont is quite impressive for a new director. Do you think he'll sweep the Oscars like Jonathan Demme did?

But the most amazing one is New Zealand director Jane Campion's The Piano, which received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress!"

A few years ago, newcomer Jonathan Demme swept the Oscars with The Silence of the Lambs.

Regarding The Piano, Arthur wasn't surprised it received several nominations, although he doubted it'd win Best Picture or Best Director.

"Yeah, I thought Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia would also get Best Picture and Best Director nominations, but it only got Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay," Arthur said as he moved over Nicole Kidman.

"Redemption is quite popular among critics and journalists, with a high chance of winning," Nicole Kidman said, grabbing Arthur's back tightly.

"Who knows, we'll find out at the awards next month," Arthur said, kissing her again...

After some time, Nicole Kidman stood up with support from the wall, and leaned weakly on Arthur, "I need a few days to rest; otherwise, you'll really wear me out!"

Arthur carried the freshly bathed Nicole Kidman to bed, "You can't handle it already?"

"Yeah, I'm satisfied for now, you can go find other women," Nicole Kidman contentedly embraced Arthur, "I'm going to take a nap, wake me up when it's time."

That evening, at the Carlyle Hotel, a grand cocktail party started. With the Oscars approaching, it wasn't just Los Angeles that was alive with celebration!

Nicole Kidman, looking sexy and beautiful, kissed Arthur, "I see a friend over there; I'm going to have a chat."

"Go ahead," Arthur nodded.

"Kevin, good evening!" Arthur ran into Kevin Costner.

"Oh, Arthur, good evening," Kevin Costner was currently at the top tier of Hollywood stars.

Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard, and JFK had boosted his fame, and at the end of last year, the Clint Eastwood-directed Western drama A Perfect World, which he starred in, received good reviews and grossed over a hundred million dollars globally!

"By the way, Kevin, I heard you and Universal are working on a big project, Waterworld, which starts filming this year?" Arthur inquired, aware of the buzz surrounding Universal's post-apocalyptic sci-fi blockbuster Waterworld, which had a budget of over a hundred million dollars.

"Right now, we're scouting locations. Since most of the shooting will be on water, we need to build a large water-based set. We're considering either Australia or Hawaii," Kevin Costner explained with a smile, obviously in high spirits. "However, Hawaii seems more likely for filming, as May to June in Australia is winter, making shooting difficult. Plus, Hawaii offers better tax incentives."

Arthur nodded, "I see. Well, congratulations. There aren't many projects with such high budgets."

He thought to himself, Hawaii's hurricane season? You're building a water-based set there?

Tides, typhoons - these factors can't be overlooked.

After chatting with Kevin Costner, Arthur found himself looking forward to Universal's famously disastrous box office bomb.

Waterworld had been plagued with issues - weather conditions in Hawaii had destroyed the set multiple times, causing delays and creating on-set conflicts.

Well, he had to admit, sometimes Murphy's Law really came into play...

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.