Chapter 215: The X-Files

At night, Arthur lay on the bed, groaning a few times before taking a deep breath. After a moment, Nicole Kidman moved up onto Arthur's chest, panting heavily, her face flushed.

"Almost couldn't catch my breath," Nicole Kidman said with a satisfied expression, her hand moving to little Arthur. "Finally calmed down, huh!"

Arthur squeezed the woman's softness. "You need to continue soothing it later."

Nicole Kidman, her pale face and slender body now tinged with a blush, turned to Arthur with some confusion, "I remember Johnny Depp used to have the same agent as you, and then he was taken to CAA by the agent, right? The lead actor of Speed, why did you go for a CAA artist?"

Arthur sat up halfway, leaned against the headboard, and lit a post-coital cigarette. "What's the difference? Johnny Depp only listens to Tracy Jacobs.

Now there's a poaching war between CAA, WMA, and ICM. Michael Ovitz can't influence much.

Besides, the pay I offered isn't low!"

Johnny Depp was paid $3 million, and Nicole Kidman was paid $500,000. This is the disparity in pay between male and female actors.

Nicole Kidman thought of something else and asked, "So, The Bodyguard has been out for half a month and grossed $50 million. Mel Gibson's Lethal Weapon 3 made over $100 million in its first three weeks. Mel Gibson is so popular. What do you think about that?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Do I look like a child? Lethal Weapon 3 is a sequel; it started in more than 2,500 theaters. The Bodyguard only increased to about 1,800 theaters now. Its influence is not as strong, so lower box office numbers and a slower pace are fine.

However, in the international market, The Bodyguard will definitely surpass Lethal Weapon 3. The quality of the movie isn't low, and Whitney Houston's fame, combined with Oscar-winner Kevin Costner, is better known internationally!"

Nicole Kidman smiled, "Mel Gibson grew up in Australia, so he's kind of half-Australian."

She said this while snatching Arthur's cigarette and began to smoke it.

"Australia," Arthur didn't have much feeling for Australia. After getting off the bed, he looked at Nicole Kidman on the bed. "Shall we take a shower together?"

"You carry me," Nicole Kidman said, tossing the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

Shortly after, Galaxy held a press conference for the new film Speed in Hollywood. Director Jan de Bont and leads Johnny Depp and Nicole Kidman attended the media event.

Although the director is a newcomer and the leads aren't superstars, Galaxy's projects are garnering considerable attention, especially those personally developed by Arthur Smith.

...

Meanwhile, a grand celebration banquet for Lethal Weapon 3 was ongoing at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Warner Bros. Pictures' co-presidents Bob Daly and Terry Semel, along with producer Joel Silver, director Richard Donner, and stars Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, and Rene Russo, attended.

Bob Daly glanced at the crowd surrounding Mel Gibson and smiled, asking Joel Silver, "Arthur Smith's Galaxy is holding a new film press conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton on Wilshire Boulevard today, right?"

Joel Silver nodded with a smile, "Yes, Gibson picked that venue. It seems the conflict between him and Arthur runs deep."

Is this to attract media attention on purpose? Do they think it can make Galaxy's new film press conference flop? Bob Daly considered this an immature thought.

With the conclusion of the Lethal Weapon trilogy, Warner Bros. lost another box office IP.

The fourth installment of any series always faces greater resistance, and the director and actors' pay will increase significantly, meaning a much higher budget for the fourth film!

"Joel, any thoughts on Lethal Weapon 4?" Bob Daly couldn't help but ask.

Joel Silver shook his head, "I haven't really thought about it. A new story needs new selling points and creativity, which takes more time. Besides, Gibson is now directing his own movie, The Man Without a Face, adapted from a novel of the same name. He's the soul of this series. It wouldn't work without him."

...

However, Arthur didn't seem to care much about these matters. After attending the press conference for a while, he returned to his office.

Arthur had to review some scripts and ideas Galaxy Television Company received.

"Hmm, the pilot script for The X-Files by Chris Carter!"

Arthur marveled at seeing the pilot script for The X-Files.

"Anna, what's the deal with this X-Files series?" Arthur asked his assistant.

"Chris Carter previously produced comedy shows for Disney and developed series for Fox TV," Anna Walker explained.

"X-Files is his idea for a science fiction story about aliens, but his plan was scrapped by Fox. When he saw Galaxy established a TV company, he brought it to us."

Listening to Anna Walker's explanation, Arthur couldn't help but smile, "Inform Chris Carter that Galaxy Television will produce this series. I'll have ABC broadcast it."

Do we even need to discuss The X-Files' viewership? It holds a significant position among sci-fi suspense dramas.

Galaxy owns 20% of ABC's subsidiary ESPN TV, making them partners. Since Fox missed their chance, there's no turning back now.

Anna Walker nodded, "Understood!"

"By the way, how's the box office for 20th Century Fox's sequel movie Alien 3? I remember its opening weekend was $19 million."

Anna Walker smiled, "Alien 3 has been out for a month, grossing only $48 million, and it's the worst-received film in the series. It's expected to make just over $50 million at the box office. However, the new director, David Fincher, was completely sidelined. The new elements he added within his limited authority are still good. The failure of the movie can't be blamed on him."

Arthur nodded, "A director under 30 with an advertising background directing Alien 3; it's normal he'd be sidelined.

Take the script for Se7en to David Fincher."

*****

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