American Life

Chapter 239: The displaced crew, Fox’s counterattack
"I think this movie is very good. It blends reality and absurdity, just like a Dickens novel. It is an extremely wonderful Indian movie. Some plots refer to "City of God". You should really come and watch it." Bob said excitedly on the phone.

"Since you are so optimistic, then we might as well buy the distribution rights directly." Charlie said without hesitation.

"Slumdog Millionaire" has swept eight Oscars, and buying its film distribution rights will be an investment with a high return.

"But from my point of view... I have to remind you that this is an Indian film made by a British independent production company, and it is also related to a reality show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", you should know Yes, it’s that kind of quiz show, and movies with related themes, such as “Quiz”, have no one in the market.”

"But you also said that this movie is great. Forget about those market concepts. You are the boss of Summit Entertainment. I believe in your vision and go ahead and do it boldly." Charlie gave Friedman full trust in his words. .

"When did I become so important to my mind?" Friedman marveled.

Is this still the boss he doesn't see a few times a year?
"You have always been extremely important in my heart, Friedman." Charlie said affectionately.

"If you really want to buy the distribution rights to this movie, you'd better come in person." Friedman lowered his voice: "The people at Fox Searchlight also want this movie."

It's really a narrow road for enemies.

"No way, these are the people that come and go in Hollywood," Friedman said.

The distribution department under Twentieth Century Fox is divided into five different labels and departments, each with its own exclusive area.

This film corresponds to large-scale mainstream commercial movies, such as "Avatar".

Fox 2000 focuses on novel adaptations and films with strong literary and artistic qualities. The films it has released include "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Life of Pi"

Blue Sky Films specializes in 3D animation, and its films include "Ice Age" and "Rio"

There is also Fox International Film Production Department, which co-produces with markets outside Hollywood, such as "Love in the City" and "Sword Laugh".

Finally, there is "Fox Searchlight", which is very close to Charlie. This department is responsible for distributing low-cost art films. In 06, it discovered "Little Miss Sunshine" and in 07, it fell in love with "Juno". All these films were given to Fox. Contributed considerable income.

Charlie has already snatched the black swan from the opponent before, and now he is also eyeing a dog in the slums (the original name of Slumdog Millionaire is Slumdog Millionaire)

"Who is coming this time?" Charlie continued to ask.

If it were James Ginapolis, Charlie felt that he had a high probability of winning the favor of the producer under the same conditions.

But Bob's words poured cold water on Charlie.

"He will not come here. This time it is Peter Rice. He is a meritorious veteran of Fox. He worked at Fox in the 80s. After 2000, he joined Fox Searchlight and developed many high-quality projects. He is the one who made "Moulin Rouge" The project is a collaboration with Baz Luhrmann, who previously participated in the planning of the "Independence Day" project and tried to build "X-Men" into a long-term series. In addition, he and Alex Proyas and The Hughes brothers are very close. Don't tell me you don't know who these two are."

"Of course I don't know." Charlie said confidently.

"You will know later, and the most important thing is, do you know who he was working for when he first entered Fox? Tom Sherak, the former chairman of Fox and now the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

Have connections, abilities, and vision.

"That's why I asked you to come here, there's no way I can compete with him."

"I know." Charlie put down the phone.

The situation was indeed a bit tricky. During this time, he recalled many details of his past life memories.

Many of Hollywood's best films, including "12 Years a Slave", "Birdman", "The Shape of Water" and "Nowhere", are closely related to Fox Searchlight.

It also includes word-of-mouth masterpieces such as "127 Hours", "The Tree of Life", "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Three Billboards".

To be honest, Westin Films, which is known as a Hollywood professional, will also be defeated in front of Fox's searchlight.

The next day Charlie Rossi appeared in front of Bob Friedman in a dusty state.

"Hey boss, how's the casting going?" Bob asked with concern.

"It went pretty well. I have finalized the choice of the heroine. Chris Evans finally expressed his inner worries last night. Do you know what he is afraid of?"

"He's afraid that the US team will make a big bad movie that no one cares about, and he will continue to star in eight of the same bad movies. That's where his concerns lie." Charlie shook his head.

"Also, I actually want to talk to Peter Rice. Why don't Magneto and Wolverine make cameos in the movie? This is Kevin Feige's Electron. I think this Electron is pretty good." Charlie continued.

Bob laughed helplessly: "Only if he is willing to talk to you, maybe he will be willing to tear you apart the first time he sees you."

"I wish he wouldn't be so rough."

Bob Friedman also introduced Charlie to several other films participating in this year's Toronto Film Festival.

There are still some familiar faces in the participating films, such as "Rachel's Wedding" starring Anne Hathaway, "Pride and Glory" starring Edward Norton, and "The Hurt Locker" under PB Films. .

Coincidentally, the film "The Duchess" starring Keira Knightley is also among the exhibitors.

"In addition, there is a movie that I am very optimistic about, "Zach and Miriam Makes a Movie", an R-rated comedy that may be a box office hit." Bob Friedman explained enthusiastically.

Charlie stopped and looked at him.

Charlie was a little confused when he saw it, and he said uneasily: "Don't you think this is a film with good commercial potential? And the other party is willing to give us a higher distribution share, which is a good choice."

"Every penny spent on this movie is a waste." Charlie shook his head.

He rejected Bob's proposal outright.

Then Charlie discovered a pretty good movie, Fernando Merrills' new film "Blind Flu", which tells the story of a special blindness epidemic that is raging around the world.

There are many well-known stars in the film, including Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.

The story is novel enough, with big-name support, and the director has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Director. It looks like a good project.

Charlie saw the director himself at the booth and walked over directly.

As a Brazilian, Fernando Merrills' English is actually not very good. He can only communicate briefly and has to translate the rest.

As soon as he saw Charlie, he stepped forward enthusiastically and started chattering.

At this time, Charlie would really like to have fellow Brazilian Gisele Bundchen by his side.

"We welcome you very much, Mr. Charlie Rossi. Several new films you have invested in have achieved outstanding results. You are creating a new era." The translator said.

The director then enthusiastically introduced the film to Charlie, hoping that Charlie would release the film.

Although Charlie showed enough interest in the movie, he did not immediately agree.

"You also know that the current film market is unfair to those of us who want to stick to originality. Big Hollywood companies only like various sequels and adapted movies. I even want to apply to be the director of the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics." The words of Fernando Merrills were spoken as the translator passed them on.

"I think this would be a great honor." Charlie said.

"If I really become a director, I will invite Gisele Bundchen and let her walk the show at the opening." Fernando Merrills added.

Of course, this was done in a joking tone.

"Then I have to convince her, it's all up to me." Charlie responded with a smile.

At this moment, Friedman whispered to Charlie: "Peter Rice is here."

Charlie turned his head and saw Peter Rice, who was communicating with others, gradually approaching, and he also discovered himself.

Peter Rice has a "baby face", a thin body, and wears thick black-rimmed glasses. He looks very young. Even though he was born in 66, when he walks with him, he looks like his secretary. .

Instead, he took the initiative to shake hands with Charlie: "I finally met you, Charlie Rossi."

"It seems like you're very interested in this science fiction thriller." He turned and noticed Fernando Merrills standing next to Charlie.

"Director Fernando, we meet again." He hugged him.The two exchanged words in Portuguese.

"Generally, it's still unclear whether the audience will accept a movie that deprives people of vision." Charlie shook his head.

Movies with a similar concept such as "A Quiet Place" are obviously more audience-friendly.

Watching a group of invisible people in action on the screen can make the audience impatient.

He patted Charlie on the shoulder, but did not believe what Charlie said, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, we won't care about your poaching our project."

Then he leaned over and whispered in Charlie's ear: "But, I don't hope there will be a next time."

Only Charlie could hear this sentence.

Then he showed that sunny smile again, and took the initiative to ask Charlie to have dinner together in the evening.

"I've already made an appointment with someone else for dinner, Danny Boyle." Charlie responded with a smile.

Danny Ybor is the director of "Slumdog Millionaire."

"You can go." Peter Rice said in a cold voice with a hard smile on his face.

The relationship between film companies is purely business competition, but there is no "friendship" in it. Charlie gives him this face today, but he may not necessarily give him face tomorrow.

After a few words, Peter Rice left quickly, and Charlie went to visit the "Slumdog Millionaire" crew.

Danny Ybor is British, and the other female director of the film is Indian. Although he is named as a co-director, Danny Ybor is responsible for most of the scenes. As for the leading actors in the film, they are not It has no reputation and is an Indian theme. It is no wonder that it has been lukewarm in terms of distribution. According to the executives of these distribution companies, this is obviously not a movie that can bring audiences into the cinema.

"I really admired your previous films," Charlie told him.

Danny Ybor has produced many classic works, such as "Trainspotting", "The Beach" and "28 Weeks Later".

However, his life has not been easy in the past two years, especially since his last high-investment and big-budget movie "Solar" caused the production and distribution company to lose all their money.

Without any extra pleasantries, Charlie said straight to the point: "I hope to buy out this movie."

Danny Ybor was stunned for a moment, then adjusted his glasses: "Do you want to buy out this movie?"

"That's right. I wonder how far you and Fox Searchlight have progressed?"

"We have talked about this movie, and I'm afraid you should also know that this movie has been approached by five distribution companies, and they have all been rejected. Fox Searchlight is our only hope."

That is to say, the intention has not been formally reached, and Charlie's confidence has greatly increased.

"Now you have a second option."

"No." Danny Ibor shook his head: "Actually, Fox Searchlight is the only option."

"I have a good relationship with Peter Rice. "The Beach" was originally a movie produced by Fox. It was Peter Rice who gave the green light, so we had the investment to successfully hire DiCaprio. "28 Weeks" was also invited by him. I'm the director."

Unexpectedly, the two have a close relationship.

"I have invested 150 million in this movie, and I can pay the distribution fee of 1000 million." Charlie said decisively.

For such a low-cost film, even if it is distributed by Fox, there is still a question mark whether the box office can reach 1000 million.

This price undoubtedly impressed Danny Ibor.You must know that Fox Searchlight's bid is far inferior to that of Charlie Rossi.

Speaking of which, Fox Searchlight was only interested in the film because a senior executive thought a piece of music in the film was good.

He has a good personal relationship with Peter Rice, but Peter Rice did not take this film seriously. The last film "Sunday Sun" cost Fox a lot of money. There are cases in the past. Fox Searchlight obviously will not pay attention to "Slumdog". "Millionaire" how many resources to invest.

"PB Pictures has acquired the business of the original Westin Pictures. We have good connections in the academy. This film has the potential to hit the Oscars." Charlie offered a second very tempting condition.

·
"Danny Ybor chose to sell the movie to Charlie Rossi, who offered him $1000 million."

Half an hour after Danny Ibor made a deal with Charlie, his subordinates told Peter Rice the news.

"He's really a lunatic." Peter Rice felt quite speechless.

"Danny also said that if Fox was willing to improve..."

Peter Rice raised his hand and interrupted his words: "He is too greedy. In this case, we will contact the producers of "Blind Flu"."

This is not the first time that Charlie Rossi has taken food from Fox. As a counterattack, Peter Rice is preparing to take action on another film that Charlie is concerned about...

(End of this chapter)