Chapter 406

The sky was gloomy and filled with dark clouds, as if rain would fall at any time. However, the people walking on the classically styled street did not speed up their pace. This kind of weather was very normal for them, and they would usually bring umbrellas when they traveled in this kind of weather.

It did not matter if they did not bring umbrellas, as most of the surrounding shops provided them with free umbrellas. They just had to remember to return them the next time they passed by. It would be even better if there was a tavern. All they had to do was go in and have a drink, and the rain might stop by the time they came out.

Taverns with British characteristics had become a part of their culture. It was said that the Romans opened taverns in Britain more than 2,000 years ago. However, in the 18th century or even earlier, these taverns were more often small inns in rural areas. They sold food and drinks, and also provided accommodation.

Such inns and taverns had a very important place in the history of Britain and even the entire Europe. Many European and American fantasy novels and games could not do without them. For example, in "Heroes of Might and Magic", heroes could only be recruited with taverns, or in "The Lord of the Rings", Gandalf asked Frodo and the others to wait for him at the Prancing Horse Inn.

With the development of time, taverns also began to change, and many local characteristics were added. For example, in the late 18th century, with the tide of Britain's industrialization, taverns became a place for workers to vent.

In modern times, although many historical taverns began to decline, many British people still liked to have a drink, play billiards, throw darts, and discuss things with friends.

Pushing open the door of the tavern, Adriaan looked around, then walked to the corner, and then sat in front of a man in his fifties, wearing glasses. He was writing something in a small notebook with his head down.

"Sorry, Mr. Newell, I'm late." He took off his hat and said with an apologetic smile.

"It's okay, Mr. Kewell." The man then raised his head and said with a typical British accent, "I understand your situation. Reporters can be very annoying sometimes."

"It sounds like you don't think I've ruined the famous British novel?" Adriaan asked with interest.

"A director must be responsible for his own work, provided that he completes it," Mike Newell shrugged. Mike Newell shrugged. "I won't make any comments before this, but after this, I'll definitely say my opinion, whether it's praise or criticism."

Adriaan smiled and said, "Thank you. Then let's skip the discussion about the weather and other trifles and get straight to the point. You can call me Adriaan, so I can call you Mike."

"Of course!" Newell said with a smile and reached out to ask the waiter for two glasses of dark beer.

"Although you only told me the gist of it over the phone, I can tell it's very interesting. It's a romantic comedy, right?" "The idea of changing the hero and heroine 'relationship through weddings and funerals is very refreshing."

"In fact, I've already come up with a name for the script. It will be called 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'." Said Adriaan with a smile. His expression was completely indiscernible. "The hero is a British playboy, and then he meets an independent and slightly conservative American woman at his wedding. If the plot is well arranged, coupled with the wedding and funeral, it will definitely be very attractive."

Newell pondered for a moment and did not continue the discussion. Instead, he changed the topic and asked, "There are so many directors in Britain, and many of them are better than me. Why did you look for me, Adriaan?"

Adriaan could not help but laugh. He shook his head and answered, "You know, Mike, before you, many directors have asked me the same question. Why did I look for them?"

"Oh?" Newell raised his eyebrows and looked curious.

"You know, in addition to being a director, I have many other identities. For example, I am a producer, an investor, the boss of Bosworth Pictures, and … a screenwriter!" Adriaan gestured and said, "I entered the film industry because I wrote a few good scripts. Therefore, I always have a lot of ideas when it comes to writing stories. The Screenwriter's Guild already has a lot of my outlines. I really want to adapt all of them into movies, but you know that one person can't do so much. Therefore, when I had my own film company, I began to look for people who could show these stories on the big screen. So far, I have found a few directors and negotiated with them. Although they are still in preparation, I believe in my own judgment. I have seen your movies, Mike, and I believe that you can make this movie very well. "

Newell pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose. After a while, he forced a smile, "It sounds amazing. So many scripts were written by … you alone?"

"No, no, no, it was the outline!" Adriaan smiled and shook his head. "The first scripts were indeed written by me alone. In the beginning, I locked myself in my bedroom and didn't go out for three whole months. Every day, I typed on the typewriter. Even now, when I think about it, I am still surprised that I forgot myself. But later, when I became a director and had my own film company, it was no longer so hard. Under normal circumstances, I provide the outline and let the other screenwriters add to it. If there are any problems, I will give my opinion and let them revise it until I am satisfied. My screenwriters are all very good. "

This was the truth. Although due to the agreement between the Producers Alliance and the Screenwriter's Guild, Adriaan could not give the screenwriters a high salary, the level of welfare was second to none in Hollywood. Therefore, the company signed many outstanding screenwriters, such as the female screenwriter named Judith Mann.

"I know you are a little worried, Mike. You are worried about whether the script can maintain the unique feeling of British humor. After all, there have been enough negative reports about me recently." As he spoke, Adriaan took a sip of his dark beer and then frowned. He did not like the taste. It was astringent with a hint of bitterness. It reminded him of the Chinese medicine that he had been away from for a long time.

Maybe I should add some chocolate? That was the thought in his mind, but his mouth did not stop. "You can rest assured. As long as you agree, I can let you choose a British screenwriter to perfect this script. I will also give you enough authority to be in charge of this movie. You can film it as you wish without any worries. I will take care of all the logistics for you. In fact, I have even thought about the male and female leads. I believe they are definitely suitable."

"It sounds like … I have no excuse to refuse." After a few minutes of silence, Neville sighed. His eyes behind the glasses looked straight at Adriaan. "Let me choose the screenwriter to work with? Everything will be filmed according to my ideas? "

"Of course!" Adriaan nodded his head vigorously.

"Then, it's a deal!" Neville raised his glass.

Ding, a soft sound rang out!

Watching Mike Neville leave the pub, Adriaan waved his arms and stretched his body. Although he had stated that he would not interfere with the director's work, he still had to interfere where it was necessary.

For example, Neville was very likely to let Richard Curtis take over as screenwriter. They were friends. Adriaan did not mind this. After all, "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was originally Curtis's work. However, if Curtis's script did not meet his requirements and he refused to make any changes, he would definitely let him go.

This was not impossible. Although the status of a screenwriter was not high, Curtis was, after all, a long-established screenwriter. Although most of the screenplays were for television dramas, Adriaan was an American.

The current version of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" had been edited by Adriaan. After the Cannes Film Festival, he had been looking for a comedy film for Denis. It just so happened that Thompson and Hopkins talked about Mike Neville, which made him think of the popular 1994 romantic comedy film.

After talking with Neville and determining that he had not accepted such a script, Adriaan immediately decided on "Four Weddings and a Funeral." In any case, Dennis was of British descent and could speak a good British accent. He had played an Englishman in his first movie, and his appearance was more handsome than Hugh Grant's slanted eyebrows and frown all day long. Coupled with his highly malleable acting skills, it was not a problem for him to play this role.

After deciding to let Denis play the male lead, Adriaan immediately came up with an idea that could kill two birds with one stone. So, the female lead candidate was Julia Roberts!

Although Julia would slowly get rid of the title of box office poison in the next few years, it was "My Best Friend's Wedding" that really made her return to the peak of her popularity and even surpassed it. It was not that Adriaan did not think of this movie at first, but there were not many romantic comedies that received unanimous praise from critics and had a box office of more than a hundred million yuan. If he wanted to use it, it had to be used at the best time.

So, Adriaan thought that letting her play the female lead in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" seemed to be a good thing, but in this case, the plot had to be adjusted. The female lead in the original movie was a frivolous woman with a promiscuous private life. The reason why Julia could win the love of most people was because of her strong and independent screen image. If she lost this characteristic, it would only make her future uncertain. So, Adriaan set the female lead's character to be an independent and slightly conservative woman, and the male lead to be a very casual libertine.

This would not affect the whole movie. The main attraction of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was British humor, an alternative interpretation of love and marriage, and the details of the wedding and funeral. As long as Mike Neville adjusted it properly, the new version would definitely not lose to the old version in his memory. And since Adriaan had done so much work, naturally, he would not allow anyone to change the key parts, even if it was Richard Curtis.

Neville actually understood this, but although Adriaan did not say it explicitly, his tone made it very clear: as long as a few key points were not messed up, it would not matter. So, in the end, he agreed. For a director, under the current producer system, there were not many situations where he could get the power to squander at will.