Okay, that was just a joke. Since Adriaan had the intention to cooperate with Universal, why would he let them suffer losses? Otherwise, it would be a heavy blow to the image he was trying to build. The reason why the box office of The Shawshank Redemption was less than 30 million was naturally related to The True Story of Argan, which had been released in the same year. Otherwise, why would The Shawshank Redemption be listed as one of the most tragic movies in the history of film?
Of course, this had a lot to do with the fact that the producers did not know how to promote the film. Due to a lack of resources and a lack of focus, the film did not receive too many good reviews when it was released, which affected the box office. Fortunately, after being nominated for several Oscars, it was picked up by Columbia. After some marketing, it became an unprecedented success in the video market. The film occupied the top spot in video rental stores for a long time.
Now that it was in Adriaan's hands, he could replicate the film almost perfectly. He also had a manager who was excellent at promoting the film, and Universal was involved. If it still ended up the same as he remembered, he might as well quit.
Speaking of which, did that film need to be Universal as well? As he sat alone in the corner, Adriaan suddenly thought of the purpose of attending the party. According to the figures that he managed to recall, the budget seemed to be between 50 million and 60 million. This was a sum that Adriaan could easily fork out, or the company, Claude, and himself would each fork out a third. Since this big cake could be eaten, there was no need to share it.
But … Adriaan shook his head again. Eating alone was not a behavior that was welcomed anywhere. In this day and age, sharing and win-win situations were the right thing to do. Moreover, the reason why he chose to develop a relationship with Universal, other than that person, was because in the future, there would be minimal conflict with Universal.
Then again, he still had a lot of scripts that could make money. At worst, he would just compensate them in the future. This time, the cake was too big and too tempting … Adriaan suddenly laughed. He had not even finished discussing with the person involved, and he was already thinking about what would happen next. Did he think that everything would go according to his plan? Confidence was a good thing, but once it was overdone, it would become complacency. Therefore, it was better to put this matter aside for now.
After making up his mind, Adriaan tidied up his clothes and was about to find a place to sit down. After glancing around the hall, he was stunned. The person he was waiting for was chatting with a few people next to the first window.
"Yes, she's an angel. Although she doesn't have much screen time, that graceful and noble look is something that others can't learn." Stroking his beard, Steven Spielberg recalled to the people around him. Although he was wearing a suit, his iconic flat glasses and beard had not changed.
"Sorry to bother you. Are you talking about Mrs. Audrey Hepburn, Mr. Spielberg?" A voice suddenly interrupted. It was a little magnetic and deep, but it was very pleasant to listen to.
"You are?" Spielberg looked at the young man in front of him in surprise.
"Adrian Kewell." The young man introduced himself. "It's nice to see you here, Mr. Spielberg. I grew up watching ET and Jaws."
"It's nice to see you here too, young man." Spielberg smiled slightly. After repeating Adriaan's name a few times, he raised his eyebrows. "It turns out to be the genius director."
"You flatter me." Adriaan shrugged. "I just have some different ideas, and I express them through the film."
"Don't be so modest, young man." Spielberg laughed. "I've seen your Memory Fragments. The idea and editing are really exquisite. You are a person with ideas."
"I'm honored to get your compliment, Mr. Spielberg. Okay, Steven, please call me Eide. In fact, sometimes I want to be like you and make some works full of childlike innocence."
"There are some things that can't be forced, Eide. As long as you know what you want to shoot, that's enough."
Through the common topic of movies, the old man and the young man began to chat. From Spielberg and Audrey's Until Forever to Adriaan's Memory Fragments, everything became their topics of conversation. With Adrian, who had a lot of information, subtly catered to him, the two of them had a rather congenial conversation.
"Yes, I admit that this film was influenced by the failure of my parents' marriage. That kind of loneliness was not a good feeling. And … it was also influenced by the failure of my marriage, especially in the last few months … "As he spoke, Spielberg couldn't help but sigh. Saying this to Adriaan — although it was unintentional — meant that he had left a good impression on him.
"This seems to be Madam Audrey's last film, right?" Adriaan, who knew when to stop, didn't continue this topic. "I really want to go back to the 50s and see her beauty with my own eyes."
Spielberg suddenly laughed. "Every man would probably think so. She is indeed very outstanding and attractive. No matter what period it is, she has an indescribable quality that makes people fascinated."
At this time, he suddenly thought of something and looked at the time. Then, he apologized to Adriaan, "Sorry, Eide, I have to go. I have other things to do. It was nice to chat with you."
"Me too, Steven." Adriaan nodded. Before Spielberg left, he suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, Steven, there is a movie that I don't know if you are interested in."
"A movie?" Spielberg's eyes behind the flat lenses narrowed slightly. In an instant, the movie director turned into the businessman Spielberg. In his previous life, people said that this famous director was a director who picked up the camera, and a businessman who put it down. Adriaan agreed with this evaluation.
"Yes, a movie adapted from a science fiction novel. It is very imaginative." Adriaan didn't even blink.
Spielberg thought for a moment, took out his business card from the jacket pocket of his suit, and handed it to Adriaan. "How about this, call my assistant on Monday. He will arrange a time for you to meet."
"Thank you." Adriaan took it and then watched Spielberg disappear at the door of the hall.
"That's why you asked to cooperate with Worldwide?" Lafferne had appeared behind him at some point.
"Yes, he is one of the few people who can control that sci-fi movie well, not to mention …" Adriaan looked at his general manager and didn't continue. He knew Laffern understood what he meant.
But … did I seem to be a little too impatient? Adriaan smacked his lips and looked at the business card in his hand. Forget it, no matter what, I still have a trump card in my hand. I believe that convincing Spielberg shouldn't be a problem.
"I will leave first, Laffer." Adriaan said goodbye to Laffern and walked toward the door. He had achieved his goal, so there was no need to stay.
Strolling to the elevator, Adriaan pressed the button and waited. A few minutes later, the elevator arrived. Just as he was about to press the floor in the lobby, a hurried voice suddenly came. "Wait!"
A large hand blocked the closing elevator door, and then a white man walked in angrily. He looked to be between 35 and 45 years old, had a beard, and a frown on his face. He looked quite rugged.
Another white man hurried in. "Don't be so impulsive, James. It's really rude of you to do this."
There was a bitter smile on his face. Obviously, the first man had caused him a lot of trouble just now.
"I've already restrained myself, Wendell. I really can't stay in there any longer." The man named James waved his fist angrily. "Listen to what they said. It's unbearable!"
"Oh, hell, why don't you think about what you're asking for!" Wendell grabbed his hair in pain. "The investment has already accumulated to 100 million dollars, James! How many movies have an investment of 100 million dollars?! You've already set a record in Hollywood. You should be satisfied! "
"You should have seen the footage I specially made, haven't you? The scene where the T-1000 walks out of the sea of fire, "James said excitedly." You think it's shocking, right? You think it's wonderful, right?! But I can tell you, Wendell, with another 10 million dollars of investment, I will make the whole movie even more shocking and wonderful! "
Wendell shook his head with a wry smile. "No one will invest anymore, James. You should know what a total investment of 100 million dollars means. No one will take this risk."
James was silent. In fact, he also knew this, but he was unwilling to accept it in his heart.
"Well, James, that's it. Make good use of the remaining two weeks. Even if it can't reach the perfection in your heart, I believe that 'Terminator 2' will still be a wonderful movie."
"I know, Wendell. I'm just a little unwilling," James said with a sigh, covering his forehead.
At this time, another voice sounded in the elevator. "If it's only 10 million dollars, maybe I can invest."
The two men were stunned, only to realize that there was someone else in the elevator. Although a little embarrassed, James coughed and looked at the other person. "Sorry, we were a little excited about what happened before, so we didn't pay attention. May I ask who you are?"
"Adrian Kewell." The young man in the corner stretched out his hand with a faint smile, looking very cultured. "Nice to meet you, Mr. James Cameron."
"You know me?" James, who was shaking hands with him, could not help but raise his eyebrows.
"If the director of 'Terminator 2' was not James Cameron, then there would be no need to produce it," Adriaan smiled. "Frankly speaking, I have been waiting for the sequel for seven years."
James could not help but laugh, and then he thought of something. "Adrian Kewell? You are the genius director. "
"You flatter me. I just have some ideas about the movie." Adriaan remained calm.
"That's already very good. Most directors only follow the established procedures step by step." James waved his hand disdainfully, then looked at him eagerly. "You just said that you can invest more, right?!"
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