Next to Beverly Hills, the bellelle community is on Saturday night.
Yesterday, after signing the overseas distribution contract of "Lola Run" with Warner, Simon received an invitation from Warner Bros. CEO Terry Semel to attend a party held by him tonight.
"This is a very smart romantic comedy called when Harry meets Sally. It tells the emotional process of the hero and heroine Harry and Sally from knowing each other, hating each other, getting along with each other, getting to know each other and finally falling in love. The story is similar to Woody Allen's Anne hall, but it's not as neurotic as Woody Allen's, which makes it more warm and interesting. ”
at the party scene in the courtyard of the hillside mansion, Terry Semel, holding a cocktail, listened to Simon with a smile, but shook his head and said, "Simon, for Anne hall, what the audience likes is just Woody Allen's little intellectual neuroticism. According to your description, "when Harry meets Sally" is a love sketch that relies on dialogue and emotional change to promote the plot. This type of film, without the support of Woody Allen's skills, or without the participation of famous actors, is difficult for the audience to generate much interest. "
Simon, also holding a cocktail, stood opposite Terry Semel, still smiling and said, "Terry, maybe you should read the script first. If Warner is interested in this film, I can even make a sample film first. This is definitely a film worth investing in."
"Simon, if you pay a little attention, you will find that Hollywood has not had a hot love movie for ten years, let alone a plain love sketch." Still shaking his head, Terry Semel said, "Simon, you're a very talented screenwriter. So why don't you try to write some police and bandit action movie scripts like detective Beverly and lethal weapon? This is the popular trend in Hollywood in recent years. If you have any ideas in this field, you can contact me at any time. "
Detective Beverly was the North American box office winner of Paramount Pictures in 1984.
"Lethal weapon" belongs to Warner. It was released a month ago.
When Warner bought the script for the movie for 250000 dollars, it caused a little stir in Hollywood. Although "Lola Run" has been firmly suppressed since its release, "lethal weapon" has now won nearly $40 million in North American box office, and the total box office in North America is expected to exceed $60 million.
Warner also made a lot of money relative to the $15 million production cost.
Now that he has reached a cooperation with Warner, Simon also took the opportunity to get to know one of the seven largest film companies.
As a result, Warner Bros., which is supposed to be very powerful, has been even worse off than fox in recent years. For example, last year, Warner's highest box office movie, starring Sylvester Stallone, grossed just over $49 million in North America.
Knowing this, Simon no longer wonders why Warner won the overseas distribution right of "Lola Run" at a relatively high price.
In this era, the overseas distribution of films is usually delayed by three months to more than half a year.
Warner undoubtedly has a perfect global film distribution network, but at present, the film company has no films worthy of global distribution. It is obviously a great waste of resources to support so many overseas branches, but there is no film to release.
So, "Lola Run" has become a very good choice.
The box office of "Lola Run" in North America is expected to exceed 200 million US dollars, and there is no risk of loss in overseas distribution. As long as it works properly, the overseas box office of the film will get at least $100 million. Although the operation cycle of video and TV broadcasting is a little longer, it can certainly bring huge profits.
With all this in mind, Simon could only nod to Terry Semel and say, "if I had a similar idea, I would."
"Well, for the time being," Terry Semel said, looking back at Janet next to Simon and saying, "Miss Johnston, you're really impressive in the negotiations these days. Are you interested in working in Warner?"
Janet shook her head with a smile and said, "Terry, are you going to give up your place to me?"
"Well, it's not up to me to decide," Terry Semel said, smiling, gently raising his glass to the two and again, "have a good time."
Terry Semel said and turned away.
Simon watched as Terry Semel left, noticed Janet's eyes flickering and said with a smile, "you should know Frank price, President of Universal Pictures, these days when you're in touch with the studio?"
Janet didn't know, so she nodded.
Simon said: "when Spielberg wanted to shoot et, Frank price was not optimistic about this project. He thought that Spielberg's idea of shooting children's films was crazy. In the end, it was Sid simberg, CEO of Universal's parent company, who made the decision himself before the project was passed."Janet turned her mouth. "And then what?"
"As we all know, the production cost of ET was only 10.5 million, but the global box office exceeded 700 million dollars."
Janet is getting to know a lot about Hollywood these days, and she can't help saying, "10.5 million dollars, that's interesting."
The project budget of big Hollywood film companies is usually a relatively loose integer, US $10.5 million, which shows how harsh universal was on the project of et at that time.
"It's true, so after the success of ET, Spielberg made a public announcement to Hollywood that he would never cooperate with Frank price again. Later, he worked as executive producer on several projects of back to the future, and Spielberg even wrote this one into his contract
Janet took Simon's arm with a smile and said, "in the future, we will also include those who have rejected you in the contract."
"I'm not going to do such a boring thing," Simon said, shaking his head. "Speaking of this, I just want to tell you that in Hollywood, anyone will be rejected, and anyone should get used to being rejected."
Terry Semel invited Simon tonight just to have a relationship with him, a potential young Hollywood filmmaker. But when the outside world is still bombarding the butterfly effect, Terry Semel will not rush to reach any cooperation with Simon. What's more, "when Harry meets Sally" is not written by Simon.
They stayed at Terry Semel's party until about 9:30 and left.
Back at the palisade mansion, the telephone message light in the living room of the villa is still flashing. Janet ran upstairs to change her clothes. Simon heard the message from Amy Pascal and called back.
Janet didn't know when she had come downstairs again. Wearing a loose white T-shirt and jeans, she ran to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. When she came back, she was lying on the sofa like a kitten to watch Simon call.
Simon and Amy talked on the phone for half an hour before they put down the phone.
She came over and picked up Janet's coffee and leaned relaxed on the sofa.
Janet had just been listening to the news. She leaned over and said, "New World Pictures has refused, too?"
Simon nodded.
It was last year that new world pictures acquired Marvel Entertainment's film company, which was initially founded by Roger Coman, the king of Hollywood B-class films. In recent years, it has also been in a state of rapid expansion. Although there are no such hot films as Orion, because the company inherits Roger Coman's prudent business philosophy, the operation of new world pictures is better than Orion and canon Second tier film companies are much better.
These days, Simon and Amy are separately looking for investors for when Harry meets Sally. New world pictures is also one of the potential partners.
Now, obviously, it has failed again.
Hearing Simon's confirmation, Janet frowned again and said, "what's next?"
"It's not a good time to find a partner for when Harry meets Sally. I've asked Amy to stop for a while," Simon said, not bothered by Janet's tone. "Next week, watch the first week's box office and the second week's decline of the butterfly effect. If the situation turns better, Amy and I will contact those independent film investment funds, as long as we get enough money It's easy to invest and find the issuer. In the end, if it's really not possible, we'll invest on our own. Only in this way, we'll definitely have to wait until the end of the year to start shooting, and it's not easy to do the follow-up issue. "
Janet twirled the fabric on Simon's shirt shoulder, listening to him say so clearly and softly: "Goldberg seems to be cooking himself these two days, and David and Brian, they are also very anxious. Simon, don't you really care about the bad reviews? I dare not look at it. It's too much. "
Simon felt some of Janet's tone, took the woman's little hand and said, "do you want to see me pretend to be worried?"
Janet's eyes flashed and she shook her head. "I don't want to."
Simon put the coffee cup back on the coffee table in front of him. With a little force on her hand, Janet lay down with her head on the man's lap.
Looking at the woman with bright eyes in her arms, Simon helped her dial the blonde hair that covered her neck, looked down at the woman and said seriously: "including the doubts of some time ago, and the bad comments from the media now, to tell you the truth, I don't feel much at all. Because I clearly know what kind of person I am, what abilities I have, and what I can do in the future. Those people's small movements, may delay my steps, may let me feel some trouble, but in any case, they can't stop me to continue. To use a slightly arrogant metaphor, how could a lion care about the bite of an ant? "
"Simon..." Janet raised her hand, carefully touched the man's face and whispered, "you'll really conquer the world."
"Yes," Simon said with a smile, kissing her in the palm of the woman's hand. "So, when the time comes, you'll be merciful and don't destroy my world.""Well."
Janet nodded her head seriously. She still looked up at the man above her. Suddenly, she was a little reluctant. She asked in a low voice, "Simon, what about us, what about our future?"
"We," Simon said softly, fingertips across Janet's delicate face, "it's still a little early. In a few years, we'll get married. Then, give birth to a few children, you can be a good policeman, I can be a bad policeman, and we can bring them up together. "
Janet, with a vision in her eyes, listened to Simon's words, then shook her head, grabbed Simon, put her hand in her arms and said, "it's not like this, it shouldn't be like this. Simon, you are a lion, the king of grassland, destined to conquer the world. How can you be trapped by a kitten and become a mediocre man in your small home. It shouldn't be like this. "
Simon felt that Janet's mood was getting more and more wrong. He picked up the woman and put it on his lap. Looking at the woman's dim eyes, he felt pity in his heart and said seriously, "Jennie, what did I just say that you misunderstood? If so, I apologize. "
"No," said Janet, shaking her head and kissing Simon on the lips. Then she leaned over the man's chest, hugged him and murmured, "Simon, last time you had a birthday, I told you I wouldn't be a hindrance to you."
Simon also hugged the woman in his arms and said firmly, "no, of course not. How can you get the lion with a kitten?"
"But that's the truth," said Janet dreamily. "You know, Simon, I love you very much. It's not love at first sight, because from a very young age, I knew that in my life, I would either be free to be alone forever, or I would only love one person forever. I always think that the probability of the first choice will be higher. But when I was 27 years old, I suddenly fell in love with a little man. He was smart, strong, lonely, mysterious, crazy and determined. At the same time, he would indulge me when I was mischievous, connive me when I was wayward, guard me when I was drunk, and trust me when I was working. Although I know that it's because lions don't care about kittens' mischief, I still fall in love with them. I'm not going to be as timid as Kate, so now that I'm in love, I'm going to hold this man tight. "
Simon put his hand on Janet's crystal ear lobe and said softly, "it's not good to say Catherine behind her back."
Janet's earlobe is very sensitive. When she is pinched by Simon, her face becomes ruddy, but she doesn't break free. She still sticks to the man's chest and goes on: "then, Simon, after we really get along with each other, I will soon find your shortcomings."
"Well," Simon said with a worried look on his face, "just keep it in your heart. Don't talk about it everywhere."
Janet gently laughed, and directly revealed the answer, saying: "Simon, I found that you are a guy who likes to connive at people around you, especially for those who love you. It's always difficult for you to refuse them. You always treat them better, and even feel that you don't do well enough."
Simon retorted weakly, "isn't that a weakness?"
"Of course, it's a weakness," Janet said, rubbing her face against Simon's chest. "Just like me, I always know that you're not ready to accept a relationship at all, but after Christmas Eve last year, you recognized my identity." at this point, Janet suddenly looked up at Simon and said, "last time in Arizona, Simon, Did you sleep with Kate? "
Simon shook his head. "No."
"Look, that's it," Janet put her face back. "You like Kate better, but Kate likes you. I don't think you even have to say anything. At that time in Arizona, she would not resist carrying Kate to her room and pressing her bed. But you didn't. That's the tie, my tie to you. "
"That's what I should do," Simon said, patting Janet on the back. "If any other man dares to carry you into the house, I'll kill him."
"You don't have the chance. I'll kill people," Janet said, patting Simon and saying, "don't interrupt."
"All right."
Janet continued: "and for the rest of the time, your adjustment to the revenue of Lola Run is the supplementary contract. Simon, I can feel your guilt. You want to accumulate more capital quickly, but you think it's unfair to me. You don't think it's enough for me. You feel selfish in doing so. But, how can it be, Simon? I only paid $400000, but now I can get back $67 million. 168 times of return, how can greedy people feel that this is not enough? So, Simon, that's your weakness, a fatal weakness. I can feel your estrangement and indifference to the world. It's hard for you to love someone on your own initiative, but you are too soft hearted and indulgent to those who love you. "
Simon forced a smile and said, "Jennie, you won't be disappointed with me now, will you?"
"Of course not," Janet immediately shook her head, looked up, and still said seriously, "I love you, Simon. I like your strength, your mystery, your indifference. But if you are really cruel to anyone in the world, I may love you, but I will never want to be with you. Your shortcomings, on the contrary, make me love you more. But at the same time, your shortcomings have made me your obstacle. "Simon couldn't help interrupting: "Jennie, it's not like that."
Janet put her hand on Simon's lips and continued: "last month, at Malibu's villa, I asked you if you wanted to marry me so that you could own half of my property. I could feel your panic at that time, but still joked with me as if nothing had happened. Just now, you have been able to calmly tell me that in a few years, you will marry me, have a few children, I will be a good policeman and you will be a bad policeman. Obviously, you must have thought about it more than once during this time. You know I'm looking forward to this kind of thing, because I'm 27 years old. A 27 year old woman must be looking forward to marriage. Now that I'm in love, I'm really looking forward to that. Moreover, I have no doubt whether you will fulfill your promise, because you will. But it makes me realize that you are only 19 years old. A 19-year-old boy should have been flying. And my king, my lion king on the grassland, needs to conquer the world without any worries, rather than thinking about having children and returning to the family because of a kitten. "
Janet said, without waiting for Simon to talk to her again, she put her arms around her boyfriend and quickly said, "so, Simon, let's start over. It started when we first met that evening in Burbank. That day, standing on the side of the road, you said, you're from Watsonville mental hospital. It's cool. "
Simon felt the woman in his arms shaking slightly after saying these words. He put his hand on her waist and patted her gently. He said, "Jennie, I think we should take a bath together now and have a good sleep."
Janet didn't let go and whispered, "Simon, I'm not going to break up with you. I only love one person all my life. How can I break up. It's just that I don't want to be a hindrance to you. So, like Harry and Sally, we start with friends. I won't disturb your life, I won't disturb your work, if you need, I can also help you take care of the company. But we are not lovers for the time being, OK? "
Simon shook his head and said, "No
But Janet didn't seem to hear Simon's answer. She said to herself, "I'll move back to Malibu tomorrow. Before I met you, I always wanted to open a gallery, but I was too lazy and my small studio was in a mess. Now, oh, there's momentum. Since the release of "Lola Run," people have been contacting me because of the picture in the film. "
Simon didn't know what to say for a moment, but was silent.
Janet said to herself, also silent for a long time, and then said again, "Simon, I'm a little scared."
"Well?"
"The lion will conquer the whole grassland and become the real king. Will he care about the kitten?"
"Of course," Simon said firmly, "that's a selfish lion. What belongs to him will always be his."
"Then why don't you keep your kitten now?"
"Does it work?"
"No
"Then don't hold on," Simon patted the woman and said, "but you still live here. I'll move."
"Why?"
"Those paparazzi will go crazy when they hear this news. I don't want them to disturb you. It's more private here than Malibu."
Janet turned her mouth a little, her eyes shining, and said, "then you can live in Malibu. I'll lend it to you in the name of a friend."
"No
"You can pay the rent."
"In fact, I prefer modern style villas."
Janet thought of her European villa in Malibu and her Mediterranean style mansion. She hugged Simon's waist and said, "you've been accommodating me."
"Yes, there's no need to give in now."
"Well, little bastard," Janet said softly, as if she was a little discontented. She pinched her hand, but she didn't use any force. "You live in Malibu, and they don't know that we are separated for a while."
Simon thought about it, nodded and said, "good."
Janet pauses, feeling some of her shaking, then shakes her head and says, "no, you can go and live wherever you like. I don't care if you go and rent with Kate right away. We, we... " Janet murmured, suddenly broke away from Simon's arms, stood up, stepped back two steps, and said firmly, "Simon westero, I formally inform you that we have separated."