Chapter 41: The Candidate for Mason

Although Duke had a bad feeling, he remembered that in the previous production team, the first choice for the role of John Mason was Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, after the governor dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, Connery was brought in as a last-minute replacement. Still, the production team sent an invitation to CAA, as it was difficult to find a more suitable candidate than Sean Connery for the role of a former British agent. Just three days later, CAA responded, and both parties agreed to meet at Warner Bros.

However, Duke didn't expect that when he and Charles Roven arrived at the reception area representing the production team, they would encounter someone familiar.

"Duke, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

The person approaching to shake hands was Martin Bober, the CAA mogul. Duke put on a polite and courteous smile. "Martin, it's great to see you."

By the time Charles Roven shook his hand, Duke had figured it out: CAA employed a system of cross-management with multiple agents for their big-name stars, and important clients like Sean Connery were definitely under the care of top agents like Martin Bober.

Perhaps Michael Ovitz was among Connery's co-managers.

After sitting down, Duke remained silent, letting Charles Roven take the lead.

"I don't know if Mr. Connery…"

Before Charles Roven could finish, he was interrupted by Martin Bober, which confirmed the strong authority of CAA agents. "Sean is very interested in the role of Mason, and CAA is also very interested in 'The Rock'."

Hearing this, Roven didn't beat around the bush and directly asked, "So, Martin, what are your terms?"

"It's quite simple. Just like Warner Bros., CAA is optimistic about the profitability of this film."

Holding the scarce resources the production team urgently needed, Martin Bober was confident. "Aside from Duke as the director, we'll take care of the packaging and operations of the production."

Without waiting for their reaction, he turned to Duke and said, "It's still the same requirement: revise the character of Gus to make him fit Tom's image better."

"And…" he raised a finger, "Sean requests to come on board with an investment of $10 million!"

Roven and Duke exchanged glances, both realizing that CAA had laid out their terms, and it was now time for them to negotiate.

CAA's packaging services, along with the inclusion of Sean Connery and Tom Cruise in the project, seemed like conditions that could easily sway Warner Bros.

But these terms were extremely unfavorable for Duke. The packaging service meant that his newly formed team would be ousted. Even if he remained the director, the entire crew would be CAA's people. With two superstars like Sean Connery and Tom Cruise, if any conflicts arose, Duke's position as director would be precarious.

Especially since Sean Connery wanted to bring investment, which would inevitably dilute Duke's investment stake and lower his share of profits. Moreover, CAA would take a commission from the packaging service, essentially slicing into his profits!

Anyone who encroached on his interests became an enemy!

Seeing that Charles Roven seemed to be deliberating, Duke didn't hesitate. "Still, I refuse, Martin."

Martin Bob, who was calm and confident, paused for a moment before returning to normal. He had insider information that Sean Connery's inclusion was proposed by Duke Rosenberg; how could this be happening now…

"Duke, this is Hollywood." He spoke slowly, his tone carrying a noticeable sense of pressure. "It's a place that values qualifications."

"Indeed, this is Hollywood," Duke replied flatly. "No one is irreplaceable."

Charles Roven glanced at Duke and then at Martin Bob, wisely choosing to remain silent for the moment.

"A former British agent?" Martin Bob's tone was laced with slight mockery. "Is there really anyone more suitable than Sean among all the male actors in Hollywood?"

He shifted to a more oppressive tone again. "You want to change the script? Alter Mason's character? That would require overturning a lot of groundwork! CAA will release the news that Sean was keen on the British agent role but was rejected by you. Once the film is released, everyone will compare this role to Sean, and a failed character will lead to a failed film!"

This was almost a threat. Even if Duke changed the script, with CAA's ability and media connections, they could stir up this issue. As long as there were any spy-like roles in the film, audiences would naturally compare them to Sean Connery. Who among the current male actors could withstand such comparisons? Duke couldn't think of anyone at that moment.

Actors like Sean Connery, while perhaps only of moderate acting skill, were indeed scarce resources in Hollywood, and Duke had to acknowledge this.

CAA's strength in the late 80s and early 90s against Hollywood production companies stemmed from their possession of numerous scarce resources, which often guaranteed a film's box office success. While their packaging services might later degrade to the independent film sector, right now, they were at their peak.

Should he bow down and share his interests with others? Duke pondered whether to refuse and start casting again.

Now, it wasn't just about Sean Connery and CAA; Tom Cruise clearly showed interest as well. Given CAA's treatment of A-list clients, they would surely find ways to meet his demands, and accepting CAA's packaging would inevitably require changes to the lead character, Stanley Goodspeed.

A cool, handsome FBI chemical expert?

Thinking about this made Duke grimace, and he no longer hesitated in his mind.

"Martin, we need time to consider this matter."

Before Duke could say more, Charles Roven spoke up. "We will respond to you as soon as possible."

After seeing Martin Bob off, Duke and Roven headed straight to Jeff Robinov's office. Soon after, others responsible for the project arrived. After Charles Roven detailed Martin Bob's conditions, the office fell into a brief silence.

Duke observed everything. Even if he could compromise in other areas, he wouldn't give up what he rightfully deserved.

"Yes, Sean Connery was my proposed choice," Duke stood up, enhancing his tone. "But that doesn't mean he can't be replaced. CAA wants Tom Cruise's character modified, which would render much of our previous groundwork useless."

To persuade Warner Bros., Duke knew where to start. "Warner is willing to invest in 'The Rock' because they see its profitability. If I remember correctly, CAA's packaging service takes an additional 10% of the film's earnings."

"Gentlemen…" Duke's tone turned serious. "Are we really going to share the profits that should belong to us with those bloodsuckers?"

"No one wants to share with them." One of Warner Bros.' executive vice presidents said in a low voice.

Indeed, CAA was powerful, but they were certainly unpopular in Hollywood. Their packaging services not only inflated film costs to a new level but also intruded into profit-sharing areas that previous agencies had never entered. In the eyes of all film companies, they were indeed bloodsuckers.

Some film moguls even complained that the rising production costs in Hollywood were entirely due to CAA's meddling.

Duke understood that he didn't have enough weight in the conversation. He used the simplest reasoning and approach: profit. Warner Bros. had a mature production system, and since they had never intended to involve CAA from the start, they surely had some confidence in themselves. Now, with CAA forcibly intervening, it would inevitably cause rejection.

Currently, Hollywood was willing to accept CAA's packaging services because they could bring profit. However, in the future, CAA's packaging services would suffer defeats in large-scale productions due to their greed encroaching on too many companies' interests.

These words clearly resonated with Warner Bros.' executives, as several nodded slightly in agreement.

"Charles."

As the project leader, Jeff Robinov, who sat behind the desk, directly addressed Roven. "Send a letter to refuse CAA tomorrow."

"And the candidate for John Mason?"

One executive still had some doubts. "Are we going to change the script?"

"Aren't there any other suitable actors?" The executive who spoke before asked. "We can select from other male actors over sixty who are not with CAA."

"Roger Moore…" Charles Roven took over the conversation. "Or other retired 007 actors?"

"007?"

Hearing Roven's words, Duke began to sift through the Bond films he had watched and the actors who had starred in them.

"Modifying the script isn't a wise choice." Jeff Robinov continued. "Let's hold a wide-ranging audition for this role. If CAA wants to use this role to start a battle, then let them come; does Warner Bros. have to fear them?"

Once a decision was made, Jeff Robinov was equally confident. Warner Bros. was not one of those independent production companies; they had the massive backing of Time Warner.

After leaving Jeff Robinov's office, Duke hadn't walked far when Charles Roven quickly caught up to him.

"As a production manager," he seemed to be referring to the meeting with Martin Bob "any decision must be made cautiously."

"I understand." Duke nodded.

He was not the kind of person who liked to fight, so he would not take such a small matter to heart. There was no benefit in having a falling out with the production manager of Warner Bros.

"You seem to be deep in thought." Roven walked beside Duke, "Have you thought of a suitable replacement for Sean Connery?"

"Um…"

Duke nodded. After filtering through the 007 movies he had watched, he actually thought of someone. "Roven, have you seen *The Man with the Golden Gun*?"

"You mean…?"

"Yes, the Man with the Golden Gun. If I remember correctly, this actor is a real British secret agent, not just a fake agent like Sean Connery."

He looked at the production manager, "Roven, I need you to go to London."

"No need." Roven shook his head, clearly thinking of who it was, "He moved to the United States a long time ago."

"Okay, let's send an audition invitation to his agent."

Sean Connery only played a British agent, but according to Duke's memory, the future Count Dooku and Saruman not only fought in the battlefield of World War II, but also worked as British agents and killed people. Their acting skills are not inferior to those of Connery, who is not considered a serious actor, and their salary is only about one-tenth of his.