Chapter 103 (1/2)
Simon and the two greet each other as they approach, looking at Jonathan and De Niro without any trace.
Jonathan was still as gentle and modest as usual, but De Niro's expression was obviously a little hesitant.
Seeing this, Simon realized that Jonathan should have had a very good talk with De Niro.
However, Robert De Niro is clearly not determined.
After several changes last year, wma, with rigid operation mechanism and fierce internal struggle, has obviously begun to turn from prosperity to decline. On the other hand, CAA's packaging strategy is constantly striving for higher and higher film remuneration for Hollywood stars. It is self-evident that Robert De Niro wants to choose a brokerage company, which side he prefers.
But Simon was very reluctant to see this happen.
With the change of his identity from screenwriter and director to producer and investor, Simon realized that if CAA becomes as dominant as in the original time and space, Hollywood film companies will definitely become more and more passive.
If you want to solve this situation, the way is simple, as far as possible to keep the competition situation of several major Hollywood brokerage companies close.
Denise pictures is just a small yellow croaker that has just stirred up a few waves in Hollywood. It's impossible to change this industry trend with one's own efforts. However, Simon will not give up this effort easily.
So after a few words, Simon said frankly, ”Bob, in my opinion, joining wma is a better choice for you.”
Since the first meeting, Robert De Niro's impression of Simon has been very good.
At this point, he looked at Jonathan Friedman, thought about it, and said frankly: ”Simon, and Joe, actually, Mr. owitz has talked to me personally several times. To be fair, CAA is more attractive to me. ”
Simon glanced at Jonathan with a slightly uncomfortable expression and continued to say to Robert De Niro, ”Bob, you must know Sean Connery's office at CAA?”
Robert De Niro nodded suspiciously.
Sean Connery is CAA's first Hollywood superstar. In order to show the importance of this customer, Michael owitz once said that CAA will always keep a separate office for Sean Connery.
For most stars, it seems that CAA attaches great importance to its customers.
Simon has a completely different view on this: ”Bob, since CAA signed Sean Connery in 1979, few of his films have sold well at the box office. Even the 007 film cruise missile four years ago was not a success at the box office. But CAA still keeps on getting high budget projects for Sean Connery. Bob, do you know what that means? ”
De Niro just shook his head, but Jonathan's eyes were a little more clear. He just didn't interrupt and waited for Simon to continue with a smile.
Simon added: ”it means that CAA is also a very seniority oriented company. Moreover, the cooperation mechanism within CAA is doomed that they will involuntarily incline more resources to some people. Sean Connery is the beneficiary of this mechanism. Moreover, not only Sean Connery, CAA now has Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Al Pacino, all of these superstars who are as famous as you. They have become CAA customers earlier than you. So, Bob, do you think you can get enough attention when you join CAA now? ”
In fact, Simon's words are not just an excuse to stop De Niro from joining CAA.
Without Simon, Robert De Niro would be another big client of CAA.
But in the end.
Since the 1990s, Robert De Niro, who was expected to compete with Meryl Streep in her performance, has gradually become a comedian.
When Sean Connery was nearly 70 years old, CAA also won 20 million US dollars for the other party through the ”sky trap”. But Robert De Niro's age, but can only play ”dirty grandfather” this vulgar comedy.
This has to be said to be a great pity in the history of Hollywood film.
Robert De Niro was silent after Simon's words.
Neither Simon nor Jonathan bothered.
A moment later, Robert said to Jonathan, ”Joe, I need to think about it again.”
Realizing that there would be no more major changes, Jonathan nodded and said, ”of course, Bob, I'm looking forward to hearing your good news.”
It's half past nine before I know it.
So Robert De Niro said goodbye.
Seeing each other off and back to the party, Jonathan curiously asked Simon, ”you don't seem to want DeNiro to join CAA more than I do. What's the matter?”
Despite his close relationship, Simon couldn't tell Jonathan what he thought from the bottom of his heart. He just said, ”do you know what happened on Monday? I didn't have a very pleasant conversation with owitzJonathan nodded and laughed.
Of course, he knew what happened on Monday, and even worried that Simon would be poached by CAA.
After a week's hard work, Jonathan wanted to test Simon's attitude at the party. After what he had just done to persuade Robert De Niro, the agent was completely relieved.
So he said another thing: ”Simon, the actress you sent in this afternoon, Nicole Kidman. I've been in touch with her and it's not a big problem to dig it up. But what's your plan? ”
Simon did not hide, said: ”I want her to play MIA.”
Jonathan had a clear idea of the casting progress of vulgar novel.
Mia is just in the stage of submitting her resume. Nicole Kidman has some fame in Australia, but in Hollywood, it's just a nobody. Simon is not likely to see the other party's performance in advance.
However, the message ”Australia” flashed through his mind, and Jonathan immediately thought of Janet.
As Simon's agent, although it's not clear what happened between them, Jonathan can judge from many signs that Simon and Janet are not antagonistic at all as the outside world said, and even quarrel between lovers is not considered.
Maybe this Nicole Kidman was recommended by Janet Johnston to Simon.
Jonathan knew Simon had never been a rash man. Since he wants Nicole Kidman to play mia, the actress can definitely hold up the role. ”Lola Run” has made Sandra a leading actress in Hollywood. Naturally, Jonathan doesn't mind another top actress.
They talked for a while, and Simon was going to leave, but he thought of another thing: ”Joe, I just made a story script of an animated cartoon recently. I'll give it to you next Monday. Help me get in touch with Disney. ”
Jonathan was a bit surprised: ”cartoon?”
Simon nodded and said, ”the story tells the story of a little lion growing up to be the king of the grassland. Its name is the lion king.”
Jonathan could not help shaking his head and said, ”Simon, Disney is not the Disney of the year. Both Eisner and kasenberg don't attach much importance to animated films. Two years ago, they not only reorganized the animation department into a subsidiary of Disney Pictures, but also sent the studio staff to the abandoned warehouse in Glendale. ”
Simon has been paying close attention to all kinds of developments in Hollywood. He naturally knows what Jonathan said.
Before the rise of 3D animation, Disney successively launched many popular 2D animations such as beauty and the beast and Aladdin in the early 1990s. However, in the first few years when Disney was in charge, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey carsenberg paid more attention to live action movies, and it was even rumored that Disney intended to completely shut down its animation department.
”I know all you say, Joe. I'm not going to sell the script to Disney. If possible, I'd like Denise pictures to invest and commission Disney's animation department to make the project. Animation film production cycle is very long. Therefore, the issue of distribution will not be considered for the time being. You just have to negotiate with Disney in this way. ”
Jonathan frowned and said, ”Simon, I don't understand.”
Simon is sure to do more things that make people around him feel confused. He doesn't want to waste a lot of words every time. At this time, he just said, ”Joe, this is actually a gift I want to give Jennie. So, you just have to contact Disney according to my idea. ”
Jonathan looked at Simon a few times, did not ask, just said with a smile: ”well, who let you be my most important customer. But, Simon, if you think it's Pascal's job. I've been in touch with Disney a little bit more than my job. ”
Simon said, ”Amy is so busy that she has to fly to New York tomorrow. You get more money from me than Amy. You have to do more
When the two settled the matter, Simon said goodbye.
As usual, Neil Bennett drove to pick him up. Simon found Sandra from the crowd, took the girl to his SUV, left Jonathan's house and drove East and west to Hollywood.