Dominating Hollywood: Starting with Scarlett

Chapter 226 Assassination of the Head of State
Taylor's words surprised Tang De. He didn't expect this girl to confess her love so openly.

Of course he was not a fool, he had already seen what this girl thought about him, but the reason why he didn't give any response was very simple.

A girl like Taylor Swift will definitely be very annoying. If two people get together, she will definitely want publicity all over the world.

So Tang De couldn't agree to her easily, at least he had to wait until she was a little more mature.

"What do you mean by like?" So Tang De didn't react much to Taylor's words and just turned his head and asked her.

"I just like you, nothing else. I like you. Isn't that enough?"

Taylor's expression was serious.

"Yeah...enough." Tang De smiled: "But you are only 17 years old this year."

"What does age have to do with it?"

"Of course it does matter." Tang De explained: "If you are in love with a boy of the same age, no one cares about your age. Everyone will only say that this is pure love and should be blessed and respected."

Therefore, if you want to improve the box office performance of this movie, you may need to make some modifications to the movie's presentation.

It is also a well-known historical fact. No matter how they adapt it, they will not be able to change the movie into a group of people who successfully killed Hitler and left.

In the end, the film earned 8300 million box office in North America and US$2 million worldwide.

For Tang De, there is only one reason why this movie did not achieve a high box office, and that is that the movie was too straightforward.

First, the film's characters were not recognized by Germany, which led to restrictions on the filming of many scenes. Later, after finally successfully negotiating, a large section of the film had to be reshot because the film was damaged mid-shoot.

But if you look closely at this movie, you will know that it was ill-fated.

MGM paid a large sum of dollars to quell the incident.

After Tang De finished speaking, Taylor put his chin on his hand and looked forward to it: "Yeah, if I stand on that stage and sing..."

Therefore, the ending of this movie has no suspense for the audience, which also makes the appeal of the movie itself weaker.

If I confess to him again, will I be able to get a positive answer?
Taylor secretly glanced at Tang De, then covered his mouth and thought for a moment.

The purpose of his call was to let Tang De fulfill the contract he signed before and help direct a movie.

"It's just... the time we spend together is too short, Taylor, and we discuss music all the time, haven't you noticed?"

But MGM, which spent US$7500 million in costs, could at best be considered a loss-free operation, but it can't be said that it made much money.

"What do you mean, don't like it that much?" Taylor asked him.

But this is not over yet, because the originally scheduled release date coincided with "Wanted" starring Angelina Jolie. For box office considerations, the film was postponed for several months.

Tang De knew about this movie mainly because it had been screened in China and the box office was pretty good.

"Like a Grammy?"

The next second, the little girl threw away the sadness in her heart and became happy again.

"Yeah... that's right, think about it when you stand on the Grammy stage and sing, and then I sit below, and the two of us look at each other, that feeling must be very strong."

Box office share is the most important indicator that distinguishes a first-line director from a top director. All top directors in Hollywood will include box office share in their remuneration.

During a break in the filming of "No Country for Old Men," Parent from MGM called Tang De.

But Tang De thought it was too low and asked Parent to give him a certain share of the box office.

The next day, Donde asked Tom and the others to send Taylor and her brother back to Texas.

"So actually we don't know each other that well, and to be honest, I like strong women and the like...you know, the kind that shine very brightly on the stage..."

"To be honest, I find you very attractive the way you are."

"But if you and I are together, then those people will say that this is an abduction, a deception, an adult man's abduction of an underage girl." Tang De raised the corner of his mouth: "What do you think? "

"Let them decide, I don't care! What does it matter!" Taylor looked stubborn.

The original film spent a lot of time focusing on the assassination, resulting in insufficient dramatic tension, so even with the blessing of Tom Cruise, it is normal for the box office to be lower than expected.

This price is very good. Although it is not the income of a top director, it is already at the first-tier level.

"Okay, I know, I must be on the Grammy stage." Taylor stood up and swore to the bonfire: "Don, you will definitely see me in the audience."

His words were unusually direct. Taylor was a little hurt when she heard them, but she suddenly realized something from these words.

"You're right, actually I don't care very much." Tang De laughed, and then said when Taylor became happy: "It's just that I don't like you that much yet."

But this requires the consent of MGM, and they also need to give Tang De the benefits he deserves.

Then the filming started in full swing.

"Really?" Taylor turned to look at Tang De in surprise and found that he nodded.

The content of the movie is based on the entire process from the initial plan to the final failure of Operation Valkyrie on July 1944, 7. It is a true historical event.

Later, while filming the tank footage, another explosion occurred, injuring 12 people.

In fact, the current salary they are offering is US$10 million.

The movie is called "The Killing of Hitler" and it is a movie that MGM has been preparing for a long time and is trying to turn around.

It did not alleviate their increasingly serious debt crisis at all, which undoubtedly made the MGM executives who had high expectations a little frustrated.

"You're right."

For example, Nolan's box office share of "Dunkirk" was 20%.

Coupled with a fixed salary of 20 million US dollars, a movie can often earn 40 to 50 million US dollars.

This is the net worth of top directors, which is basically the same as that of top Hollywood stars.

However, Parent of MGM seemed very hesitant about this proposal and did not agree immediately.

Although Tang De's "Fifty Shades of Grey", "Saw" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" have all proved his strength and box office appeal, he still lacks experience in large-scale commercial films.

It was only after "Batman" became famous that Nolan officially joined the ranks of top directors.

However, Tang De has not really proven himself yet, so MGM does not agree with his request.

The two parties negotiated several times on the phone, but failed to reach an agreement.

It wasn't until the filming of "No Country for Old Men" was completed and Tang De returned to New York that Parent officially met with him to discuss the salary issue. "Don, I know that you are very confident in yourself." In the office, Parent crossed his hands on his chest and said, "But your requirements are indeed somewhat...you know."

"I understand, Parent." Tang De smiled, picked up the water glass, took a sip and then put it down: "Ten million dollars plus a ten percent share does sound a bit like a lion's mouth. But Parent "Teh, I've never lost money."

"In other words, I've been making and winning, haven't I?"

Coming from other people, these words may be a bit arrogant. But when it came out of Tang De's mouth, Parent felt it was normal.

In his twenties, the global box office of his films has exceeded US$1.5 billion. It can be said that he is indeed a miracle and an undoubted genius.

Parent wanted him to direct for this reason.

"Then, I think we can sign a gambling agreement." Parent thought about it carefully, and it seemed that this was the only way to make both parties agree.

However, Tang De shook his head: "Don't bet against me. This is what I deserve."

"What do you mean?" Parent was a little confused.

"I can convince Tom Cruise to participate." Tang De sold the future partner without hesitation.

"Really?" This surprised Parent. Top actors are always what big-budget movies like this need most.

Because this will strengthen the box office appeal and help promote the movie, and Tom Cruise's tough appearance really meets the requirements of this movie.

It’s just that Parent didn’t expect Tang De to speak so firmly, as if his relationship with Tom Cruise had become like brothers and he could make decisions for the other party.

"Of course, 100%." ​​The reason why Tang De was so confident was not because of his partnership.

It's because he knows the reason why Tom Cruise participated in this movie in his previous life. It's very simple. It's just because the profile photo of Stauffenberg, the protagonist of the movie, looks very similar to him.

Tom Cruise has always been more casual, which can be seen from the fact that he often went crazy on interview shows during this period.

Tang De secretly cursed that he might have reached menopause early.

After selling Tom Cruise, Parent's expression became hesitant. Apparently he had not expected that Tang De could bring such a surprise.

So Tang De continued: "To be honest, this movie should be difficult to make."

"Uh..." Parent didn't answer, but his expression betrayed him.

"For a movie with an open ending, how to shoot it in an attractive way is, I think, the most important issue in this movie. I believe this is why you came to me, because I'm good at this, suspense."

"Well, you're right, we have considered Bryan Singer before, you know, "X-Men". He has been shooting commercial films, and to be honest, he is very suitable for our candidates, but he is not as good as you. "Parent was in his office, and naturally he was not so shy about speaking.

"He is better at big scenes and lacks some delicate things. But you are different, Tang. Although you have not shot the scheduling of such big scenes, your grasp of suspense and human nature is obviously better, and... the cost is also higher A little more controllable.”

Parent laughed, it certainly fit their budget-conscious ways.

"So, Parent, I will make some special adaptations for the entire movie." Tang De smiled slightly, and then told the truth about his thoughts.

Ten minutes later, the secretary outside the office heard a round of applause.

Then came Parent's voice: "Don, you convinced me."

"Looking for you to be the director seems to be a wise decision now."

Parent didn't expect that Tang De would surprise him again. After listening to Tang De's ideas, he immediately realized that he was indeed very different from other commercial directors.

Perhaps because of commercial films, many directors prefer to use exciting scenes and hot battles to attract audiences.

Although audiences are indeed attracted to these things, because the story gives way to the picture, the film's reputation and subsequent box office growth are often not strong.

But Tang De doesn't think this way at all. His thinking is to first find a story framework that highlights the plot, and then wrap it up with various wonderful dramas and pictures.

After watching the gimmicks, the audience will find that the story is also particularly interesting, which makes it easier for word-of-mouth to spread.

In Parent's view, this kind of thinking may be because Tang De started out shooting low-budget productions and art films, and he pays more attention to the integrity and reversal of the story than commercial film directors.

It reminded him of a man, Christopher Nolan.

He is also a similar kind of director who can capture a great story in a commercial blockbuster.

"It would be great if this movie could be as popular as "Batman."" This thought flashed through Parent's mind, and he shrugged, thinking it was unlikely.

That is the box office achieved by adding comic IP plus top-notch visual effects and top-notch stories. "Assassination of Hitler" does not have this kind of influence.

On the other side, after coming out of MGM, Tang De got into the car with the signed contract.

He finally took another step and became a director who can share the box office.

If nothing else happens, "No Country for Old Men" will become his last movie that does not participate in box office sharing.

Tang De's fingers tapped his knees easily. Tom, who was driving, saw that he was in a good mood and turned on the radio to play a song.

However, just when he was about to arrive at the company, Tang De received a call from Heath Ledger.

"Hey, Ledger, what's the matter?"

"Yes, Tang, there's something going on. It's like this. There's someone who wants to talk to you."

"Talk? What to talk about?" Tang De was a little confused.

"It's Director Nolan. He heard about your upcoming movie "Inception" and wants to have a chat with you."

"What?" Tang De was even more puzzled.

"Yes, because after I told him that this was a movie about dreams, he was very excited and wanted to know more, so he hurriedly asked me to find you."

"Okay, then when and where?" Tang De thought for a moment and seemed to know why Nolan was looking for him.

I remember that before the filming of "Inception", the script was polished for about 6 years.

But that's what they say. When asked, many writers say they have been writing their works for more than ten years, but in fact they often only start writing them a few months ago.

The rest of the time is spent thinking in my head.

So Nolan is probably no exception. He should only have a creative idea and some settings now.

Therefore, when he wanted to find Tang De, he probably noticed something consistent with his thoughts and wanted to confirm it.

Fortunately, Tang De was already prepared.

(End of this chapter)