Hollywood Hunter

Los Angeles.

The Bellaire neighborhood next to Beverly Hills is on Saturday night.

Yesterday, after officially signing the overseas distribution contract of "Roller Run" with Warner, Simon received an invitation from Warner Bros. Film CEO Terry Semel to attend a party hosted by the other party tonight.

"This is a very clever love comedy called "When Harry Meets Sally", which tells the emotional journey between the actresses Harry and Sally from acquaintance, disgust, getting along, knowing each other to the last love, The story is somewhat similar to Woody Allen's "Anne Hall", but without the nerves of Woody Allen, it looks more warm and interesting."

At the party scene in the courtyard of the mountainside mansion, Terry Semel held a cocktail and smiled and listened to Simon, but shook his head: "Simon, for "Anne Hall", the audience likes Woody exactly ·Allen’s neuroticism. According to your description, “When Harry Meets Sally” is another love sketch that relies on dialogue and emotional changes to promote the plot. There is no Woody in this type of movie. Allen’s skill support, or the lack of big actors, it’s hard for the audience to generate much interest."

Simon also held a cocktail and stood opposite Terry Semel. He still smiled and said, "Terry, maybe you should read the script first. If Warner is interested in this movie, I will even You can make a sample first, this is definitely a movie 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 flat romance." Terry Semel still shook his head and turned. But he said: "Simon, you are a very talented screenwriter. So why not try to write some gangster action movie scripts like Detective Beverly and Deadly Weapon. This is Hollywood. The trend in recent years, if you have an idea in this regard, you can contact me at any time."

Detective Beverly is the North American box office champion produced by Paramount Pictures in 1984.

"Fatal Weapon" belongs to Warner, and the film was released a month ago.

At the time Warner bought the script for a high price of $250,000, it also caused a little sensation in Hollywood.Although it has been firmly suppressed by "Rola Run" since its release, "Deadly Weapons" has already received close to US$40 million at the North American box office, and the total box office in North America is expected to exceed US$60 million.

Relative to the production cost of 15 million US dollars, Warner is also a big profit.

Now that he has reached a cooperation with Warner, Simon also took a look at this one of the seven major film companies.

As a result, Warner Bros., who was supposed to be very powerful, has managed even worse than Fox in recent years.For example, last year, Warner’s highest box office movie of the year, "Blood and Blood", starring Sylvester Stallone, had a total box office in North America of only more than 49 million US dollars.

Knowing this, Simon is no longer wondering why Warner had won the overseas distribution rights of "Rola Run" at a relatively high price.

In this era, the overseas distribution of movies is usually delayed from three months to more than half a year.

There is no doubt that Warner has a very complete global film distribution network, but at the moment, the film company itself has no films worthy of global distribution.Having so many overseas branches but no films to publish is obviously a huge waste of resources.

Therefore, "Roller Run" has become a very good choice.

"Roller Run" North American box office is expected to exceed 200 million US dollars, overseas distribution is completely free of any risk of loss.As long as it is operating properly, the movie can earn at least US$100 million at the overseas box office.Although the operation cycle of video tapes and TV broadcasts is slightly longer, it can certainly bring huge profits.

With this in mind, Simon could only nod to Terry Semel and said: "If there is a similar idea, I will definitely."

"So, for now," Terry Semel said, looking at Janet next to Simon, and said: "Miss Johnston, you are really impressive these days of negotiations, and are interested in coming to Warner Working?"

Janet smiled and shook her head, saying, "Terry, will you give me your place?"

"Oh, this is not something I can decide," Terry Semel smiled and raised a glass to the two of them, and said again: "You guys play and have fun."

Terry Semel finished speaking and turned away.

Simon looked at the figure where Terry Semel left, noticed that Janet's eyes flickered beside him, and smiled and said: "In contact with the studio these days, you should know Frank Price, President of Universal Pictures. ?"

Janet nodded, so nodded.

Simon said: "When Spielberg wanted to shoot "ET", Frank Price was very optimistic about this project. He thought Spielberg's idea of ​​shooting children's films was crazy. In the end, it was the global parent company. CEO Sid Zinberg personally finalized this project before it was approved."

Janet bent her lips: "And what?"

"Everybody knows what happened later. The production cost of "ET" is only 10.5 million, but the global box office is more than 700 million US dollars."

Janet became more aware of many things in Hollywood during this time, and couldn't help saying at this time: "10.5 million dollars, really interesting."

For Hollywood major film companies, the production budget is usually a relatively loose integer, $10.5 million, and there are rounds. This is enough to explain how harsh Universal was at the time of the "ET" project.

"This is indeed the case, so after the success of "ET", Spielberg publicly announced to the entire Hollywood that he will never have any cooperation with Frank Price. Then he served as executive producer of "Back to the Future" "Several projects, Spielberg even specifically wrote this into the contract."

Janet smiled and took Simon's arm and said, "In the future we will also write those who have rejected you into the contract."

"I wouldn't do such a boring thing," Simon shook his head and said, "Speaking of this, I just want to tell you that in Hollywood, anyone will be rejected, and everyone will get used to being rejected."

Terry Semel invited Simon tonight, just want to have a relationship with him, a young Hollywood filmmaker with great potential.But when the outside world bombarded the Butterfly Effect one by one, Terry Semel would not havetily reached any cooperation with Simon.What's more, the script of "When Harry Meets Sally" was not written by Simon.

The two stayed at Terry Semel's party until about 9:30 and left.

Returning to the Palisades mansion, the message light on the telephone in the living room of the villa still flashes.Janet ran upstairs to change her clothes. Simon listened to the phone message from Amy Pascal, and simply called again.

Janet didn't know when she had come downstairs again, wearing loose white knitwear and jeans, ran to the kitchen and poured a pot of coffee, and when she came back, she was lying on the sofa like a cat watching Simon calling.

Simon and Amy talked on the phone for half an hour before putting down the microphone.

Walked over to pick up Janet's poured coffee and leaned back on the sofa.

Janet had already listened to it just now, and leaned over and leaned over, saying, "Also rejected by New World Pictures?"

Simon nodded.

New World Pictures was the film company that acquired Marvel Entertainment last year. It was originally created by Roger Coman, the king of Hollywood B-class films. It has also been rapidly expanding in recent years. Although there is no hot film like Orion, but because of the frequent popularity of Orion This company inherits from Roger Coman's prudent business philosophy, and the operating conditions of New World Pictures are much stronger than those of the same type of second-line film companies such as Orion and Canon.

These days, Simon and Amy are looking for investors for "When Harry Meets Sally", and New World Pictures is also one of the potential collaborators.

Now, obviously it has failed again.

Janet heard Simon's confirmation and frowned slightly, and said, "What next?"

"It's not a good time to find a partner for "When Harry Meets Sally", I have let Amy stop temporarily," Simon didn't bother with Janet's tone, said: "Next week, look "Butterfly Effect" the first week box office and the second week's decline, if the situation improves, Amy and I will contact those independent film investment funds, as long as the investment is invested, and then find the distributor is easy. Finally, If it doesn’t work, we will invest ourselves. If that’s the case, we will definitely not be able to start shooting until the end of the year, and subsequent releases are not easy to do.”

Janet twisted the cloth on the shoulder of Simon’s shirt. He heard this thought clearly and said softly: "Goldberg seems to be cooked these two days, and David and Bryan, They are also very anxious. Simon, don’t you really care about the bad reviews? I dare not read them, too much."

Simon felt the same tone as Janet, and took a small hand over the woman and shook his hand, saying, "Do you want to see me pretending to be worried?"

Janet's eyes flashed and shook her head: "I don't want to."

Simon put the coffee cup back on the coffee table in front of him. With a slight pressure on his hand, Janet lay down with her head resting on the man's lap.

Looking at the woman in her arms, Simon helped her to pluck the blonde hair covering her neck, and looked down at the woman seriously: "Including the doubts of some time ago, as well as the current media bad reviews, seriously, I I don't feel much in my heart at all. Because I know exactly what kind of person I am, what kind of ability I have, what I can do in the future. Those people's small movements may delay my footsteps, maybe make me feel some trouble , But in any case, they can't stop me from going on. In a slightly arrogant metaphor, how could a lion care about ants' bites?"

"Simon..." Janet raised her hand and carefully touched the man's face, and said softly: "You will truly conquer the world."

"Yeah," Simon kissed his head in the palm of the woman and smiled: "So, when you are merciful, don't destroy my world, OK."

"Ok."

Janet nodded seriously, still looking up at the man above him, suddenly with some reluctance in her eyes, and asked in a small voice: "Simon, what about us, what about our future?"

"We," Simon said with fingertips across Janet's delicate face, and said softly: "It's still a bit early. We will get married in a few years. Then, have a few children. Come and be a policeman. I'll come. Be bad policemen, we will bring them together."

With a longing in Janet’s eyes, after hearing Simon’s words, he turned his head and shook his head, holding Simon in his arms and hugging him, saying, “It’s not like this, it shouldn’t be like this. Simon, are you a lion, grassland? The king on the destiny is destined to conquer the world. How can he be caught by a kitten and become a mediocre man staying in his little home. It should not be like this."

Simon felt that Janet’s emotions were getting more and more wrong, and he picked up the woman and put it on her lap. Looking at the woman’s unknowingly dark eyes, she suddenly felt a pity in her heart and seriously said: "Jenny, is it just me? What misunderstood you? If so, I apologize."

"No," Janet shook her head, leaned over and kissed Simon's lips, leaned against the man's chest, hugged him hard, and murmured: "Simon, I told you last birthday. , I won't be your trouble."

Simon also hugged the woman in his arms tightly and firmly said: "No, of course not, how can you be a kitten, and you can get a lion."

"But that's how it is," Janet said dreamily. "You know, Simon, I love you very much, this is not the kind of love at first sight, because from a very young age, I knew that my life, Either I will always be free, or I will only love someone forever. I have always felt that the first choice is more likely. But when I was 27, I suddenly fell in love with a little man, He is smart, strong, lonely, mysterious, crazy, and determined, but at the same time, he will accommodate me when I am fooling, pamper me when I am capricious, guard me when I am drunk, and trust when I am working. Me. Although I know that this is because the lion doesn’t care about the kitten’s nonsense, I still fell in love. I’m not as scared as Kate, so if you love, you must hurry and hold this man ."

Detective Simon pinched on Janet's crystal earlobe and said softly: "It's not good to say that Catherine is behind this."

Janet's earlobe was very sensitive, pinched by Simon, her face suddenly turned red, but she didn't break free. She still stuck to the man's chest and continued: "Then, Simon, after getting along, I will quickly find your shortcomings. ."

"This," Simon said with a worried look on his face, said: "Just hide it in your heart, don't talk about it everywhere."

Janet smiled lightly and opened the puzzle directly, saying, "Simon, I found that you are a guy in the bone who likes to indulge the people around you, especially for those who love you, it is always difficult for you to refuse them. They will always be more good to them, and even feel that they have not done enough."

Simon retorted weakly: "Shouldn't this be a disadvantage?"

"Of course it's a disadvantage," Janet rubbed her face on Simon's chest, saying, "Like me, in fact, I always know that you are not ready to accept a relationship, but after Christmas Eve last year , You still recognized my identity," Janet said suddenly, looking up at Simon, said: "Last time in Arizona, Simon, did you sleep with Kate?"

Simon shook his head: "No."

"Look, that's it," Janet posted her face back: "You obviously like Kate, and Kate actually has a good impression of you. I think you don't even need to say anything, just put Kate in Arizona. Carrying it into her room and pressing it on the bed, she wouldn't resist much. But you didn't do it. That's the stumbling block, I have the stumbling block on you.

"This is what I should do," Simon patted Janet's back and said, "If there are other men who dare to carry you into the house, I will definitely kill him."

"You don't have this kind of opportunity, I will kill people," Janet said, photographing him on Simon, saying, "Don't interrupt."

"Ok."

Janet continued: "In this period of time, your adjustment to the earnings of "Rola Run" is the supplementary contract. Simon, I can feel your guilt, you want to accumulate more capital quickly, But you think it’s not fair to me, you don’t think it’s enough for me, you think you’re a bit selfish. But, how is it possible, Simon, I paid only $400,000, but now, I’m Can get back 67 million US dollars. 168 times the return, how can a greedy person feel that this is not enough? So, Simon, this is your shortcoming, very fatal shortcoming. I can feel your feelings about this world It is difficult for you to take the initiative to love someone because of your estrangement and indifference, but you are too soft-hearted and indulgent to those who love you."

Simon grinned reluctantly and said, "Jenny, won't you be disappointed with me now?"

"Of course not," Janet immediately shook her head and looked up, still serious: "I love you, Simon. I like your strength, your mystery, your indifference. But if you are really in this world Anyone is ruthless and ruthless, I may love you, but I never want to be with you. Your shortcomings make me love you more. But at the same time, your shortcomings make me yours. Stumble."

Simon couldn't help interrupting: "Jenny, that's not the case."

Janet raised her hand on Simon's lips and continued: "Last month, in the villa in Malibu, I asked you if you should marry me quickly so that you can own half of my property, I can feel it You were in a panic, but still joking 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 and have a few children, and I will be a good policeman. You are a bad policeman. Obviously, you must have considered this matter more than once during this time. You know that I am looking forward to this kind of thing, because I am 27 years old, and a 27-year-old woman is definitely looking forward to marriage. Since I love it, and I really look forward to it. And, I have no doubt whether you will fulfill your promise, because you will definitely. But, it makes me even more aware that until now, you are only 19 years old. The boy should have been flying freely. And my king, the lion king on my grassland, needs to conquer the world unfettered, not because of the fetters of a kitten, hurriedly considering the return of children family."

Janet said here, before waiting for Simon to talk again, he reached out and hugged his boyfriend in front of him, and said quickly: "So, Simon, let's start again. From the state we first met in the evening in Burbank Start. That day, standing by the road, you said, you are from Watsonville Mental Hospital. It’s cool."

Simon felt a slight tremor after the woman in her arms said this, and reached out and patted her on the waist gently, saying, "Jenny, I think we should take a bath together now, and then take a good sleep."

Janet didn’t let go, whispering, “Simon, I’m not going to break up with you. I loved only one person in my life. How could it be possible to break up. But, I don’t want to be your bond. So, we are like Harry and Like Sally, start with a friend. I will not disturb your life and your work. If you need it, I can take care of the company for you. But we are not lovers for now, shall we?

Simon shook his head and said, "Not good."

But Janet didn’t seem to hear Simon’s answer and said, “I’ll move back to Malibu tomorrow. Before I met you, I always wanted to open a gallery, but I’m too lazy, a small studio It’s still messy. Now, huh, it’s motivated. Someone has been in touch with me because of the painting in the movie since the release of “Laura Run”."

Simon didn't know what to say for a while, but was silent.

Janet finished talking on her own, and also remained silent for a while before saying again: "Simon, I'm a little scared."

"Ok?"

"The lion will conquer the whole grassland in the future and become the true king. Will he still care about the kitten?"

"Of course," Simon said firmly, "it's a very selfish lion, and everything that belongs to him will always be his."

"Then why don't you keep your kitten now?"

"is that useful?"

"No."

"Then don't save it," Simon patted on the woman and said, "However, you still live here and I move away."

"why?"

"Those paparazzi are going crazy when they hear this kind of news. I don't want them to disturb you. It's more private here than Malibu."

Janet bent a few corners of her mouth, her eyes bright and said, "Then you can live in Malibu. I lent you in the name of a friend."

"Don't go."

"You can pay the rent."

"Actually, I prefer villas with a modern style."

Janet remembered her European villa in Malibu and the Mediterranean-style mansion at the moment. She hugged Simon's waist and tightened again: "You have been accommodating me."

"Yeah, there is no need to move now."

"Well, little bastard," Janet seemed a little dissatisfied, and reached over and pinched, but was completely useless and softly said: "You, live in Malibu, they don't know us, we are separated for the time being."

Simon thought about it, nodded, and said, "Okay."

Janet paused and felt some shaking of her own, and soon shook her head again, saying, "Still, no, you can live wherever you like, even if I immediately go to share with Kate. We don't care. , We..." Janet murmured and suddenly broke away from Simon's arms, stood up and took two steps back, firmly said: "Simon Westero, I officially inform you, we, broke up."