Chapter 106

Los Angeles, Universal Studios, Martin Scorsese walked into the office of Universal Pictures President Stacey Snider.

"How are you, Martin?" At that time, Universal Pictures, a film production and distribution company under NBC Universal Entertainment, had to wait for General Electric's approval for many movie budgets.

Stacey Snider was, of course, very interested in Martin Scorsese's preparations for The Departed.

"Leonardo DiCaprio is on board, and I've also met with Jack Nicholson. He's been doing a lot of comedy lately, but he's quite interested in playing a big villain again," Martin Scorsese said as he removed his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on.

"Brad Pitt declined the invitation, Mel Gibson isn't interested in the role, and Robert De Niro is busy preparing for his self-directed The Good Shepherd, so he doesn't have the time to participate."

Stacey Snider sighed, looked at Martin Scorsese, and said, "Charles's condition is that the filming must take place in New York, and the lead actor must be a serious, skilled actor."

"So, the script needs revising, but we can have Leonardo play the undercover cop role, assuming he wants to," she added.

Martin Scorsese nodded, saying he needed some days to think it over before making a decision.

In mid-September, Ang Lee won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival with Brokeback Mountain.

Charles hosted a celebratory party at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, inviting many celebrities to the event.

Besides the film crew members, notable stars like Will Smith and his wife, Tom Hanks and his wife, and Nicole Kidman attended.

"Charles, you got the Golden Lion this year. I'm sure it won't be long before you win the Oscar for Best Picture," Tom Hanks remarked.

Charles chuckled, then said semi-seriously, "It definitely won't take long. I think just a year or two, not more than three!"

Both men laughed afterward.

Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and his girlfriend, who was also the film's leading actress Michelle Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and even the pregnant Liv Tyler attended.

"Good evening!" Charles gave Liv Tyler a light hug, "The baby is due soon?"

"Yes, about four more months," Liv Tyler answered, then noticing something off, she laughed and said, "This isn't your baby, it's my husband's child!"

Charles was taken aback, confused. He looked at Liv Tyler in disbelief and chuckled awkwardly, "Of course I know it's your husband's. I was just showing concern for your health."

"It must have been the way you said it that confused me," Liv Tyler laughed, remembering their one-night stand before last Christmas.

"Your husband didn't come?"

Liv Tyler touched her belly, smiling happily, "Oh, he's busy with concerts and recording albums. I'm working less now, and if this Brokeback Mountain celebration wasn't in New York, I wouldn't have been able to attend."

"Well, make sure to get plenty of rest!" Charles advised.

"Don't worry. I'm just here to congratulate the crew and then I'm heading back. I have three assistants and a nanny taking care of me, so it's all good," Liv Tyler reassured. Although she didn't have much screen time in the movie, she did contribute her beautiful figure.

Charles nodded and moved away.

"Charles!" Henry Winsted approached.

"What's up?" Charles inquired.

"I met with the Coen Brothers. They've nearly finished revising the screenplay for No Country for Old Men. I think we can speed up the project!" Henry announced.

"That fast?" Charles was delighted. "Weren't they working on another project?"

Henry grinned, "They found Cormac McCarthy's novel very intriguing. It perfectly matches their style of black humor and thriller, so they've dedicated the past few months to adapting the script."

"Then let's go forth with it. What's the budget?" Charles asked.

"$25 million. Most scenes are set in small towns on the border, so we can scout locations in either New Mexico or Texas," Henry responded.

"Fine, since the Coen Brothers have the time, let's start the No Country for Old Men project and begin filming as soon as possible," Charles agreed, confident the film could win the Oscar for Best Picture.

After Henry left, Charles mentally calculated the budgets: "$8 million for Little Miss Sunshine, $4.5 million for Hostel, and now $25 million for No Country for Old Men."

Additionally, purchasing a stake in Marvel cost $15 million, pushing the total expenses over $50 million.

Furthermore, producing Walk the Line and the Prison Break pilot would add nearly $30 million more, bringing the total to over $80 million.

Initially, with a $100 million cash flow, Carpe Films had to manage its release of Saw II. Nevertheless, the booming DVD market for Saw and The Passion of the Christ in North America provided at least $20 million in cash income. Meanwhile, Carpe Films could use film rights as collateral for bank loans, securing additional funds for movie development.

Given this, Carpe Films wasn't exactly short on cash. If money ever became tight, Charles could mortgage Dawn Investments assets and stocks to inject funds into Carpe Films.

"Congratulations, Charles!" David Linde, another executive from Focus Features, raised a glass to Charles.

Charles shook his head, "If I hadn't bought the rights to Brokeback Mountain, James would have discovered the novel and assigned it to Ang Lee."

James Schamus and David Linde were the current executives of Focus Features.

David Linde chuckled. Brokeback Mountain had its share of controversies. Despite winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, it still faced protest and opposition from numerous conservatives at home.

"David, don't worry! Fahrenheit 9/11 managed to release and even did well. Compared to it, Brokeback Mountain won't be as controversial, right?" Charles patted David's shoulder to comfort him.

The main opposition came from old white men in New England and the Mormon community in Utah.

"True enough, cheers!" David Linde smiled and clinked glasses with Charles again.

*****

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