The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 1087 The Intention of a Drunkard
"…Who is James Kitcher?"

Anson's question made Edgar stunned, but he immediately reacted and answered directly without complaining.

"An 18th-tier actor."

"I have appeared in some productions, tried to be a director, and also tried to be a producer, but so far, no works worth mentioning have come out."

"There is a type of people who don't have much talent but always yearn for fame and fortune, and try their best to squeeze in, no matter what the method, and always fail but refuse to give up, and refuse to admit that they have no talent, and spend their whole lives wandering around in Hollywood."

"James Keitcher is like that."

Anson suddenly realized, "Don Quixote."

Edgar was stunned. "It's not that romantic, but it's true."

"In Hollywood, they wander and bump around like parasites, with almost no status to speak of; but in front of other people who aspire to Hollywood, they can brag about themselves, having dinner with a certain star tonight, and having a good time chatting and laughing with a certain star last night."

"Even though we all knew that was a lie and they might have just appeared at the same party, but they had no connection from beginning to end."

"There are countless people like this in Hollywood."

"In fact, they themselves know this very well, and they hate it even more than anyone else, so he is very, very eager for this Johnny Cash project to happen."

"If he succeeds, he will be able to completely change his destiny."

Edgar was very calm, showing neither disgust nor contempt.

To others, these people are very pathetic; but like the toothpick bird on the crocodile's back and the rhino bird on the rhino's back, their existence is necessary and an indispensable part of the Hollywood community.

In fact, among the 400 films released in the film market every year, at least 50 are successfully promoted by this group of "rhinoceros birds".

"Perhaps, this is his last chance, maybe his only chance."

"He tried very, very hard. But it didn't work out. No studio was interested. That's when James Mangold showed up."

"I'm not sure, I just glanced at the information, so I'm not sure if it was 1999 or 2000, it could have been 2001, anyway, before that, James Mangold had been pestering Johnny Cash, and he was very interested in this project and wanted to be a part of it."

"However, James Kitcher always refused."

"Until he had no other options left, he had no choice but to find James Mangold."

Anson raised his chin slightly, "I guess 2000."

"Girl, Interrupted" was released in 1999 and won an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress the following year; more than that, what was more important than the Oscar nomination was James Mangold's persuasiveness.

Mangold was able to convince Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie to star in Girl, Interrupted; and he was able to convince film studios to invest in his projects, even if they were adventurous and experimental projects like Girl, Interrupted. Mangold was able to complete the sales pitch.

This is what Kitcher lacks, he needs Mangold.

Edgar agreed, "It should be. All in all, the director finally got his wish and successfully became a part of this crew."

"But even with James Mangold joining, things still didn't go smoothly. They spent another two years looking for film companies, and after a lot of twists and turns, they finally convinced Sony Columbia to join."

"It's not surprising. 'Girl, Interrupted' was invested by Sony Columbia, and James Mangold has some friends in Sony Columbia."

"But I guess part of the reason Sony Columbia said yes was because June Carter had passed away."

Anson's eyes widened.

Edgar, "Yes. This April."

"So, Sony Columbia believed they should be able to make some changes to the script; and then just last month, Johnny Cash died."

"This means that the only person who now sticks to the script framework is James Keach. Sony Columbia can easily take the initiative in the project."

The amount of information is a bit overwhelming.

Looking back at how Keach and Mangold reacted, some of the odd details make sense, given how things turned upside down, how lives came and went, and how film projects took on new life in the space of a few months.

Edgar, "But I still remain skeptical. I don't think this is a good project. Moreover, I think the motives of both of them are not pure."

"They may be trying to use you to get more production money from Sony Columbia."

Anson, "Isn't this a good thing? It means I am now qualified."

Edgar, "Of course, you have appeal now. Just because of your name, there may be film companies willing to invest; but it is precisely at this time that your credibility needs to be tested."

"If a film company invests in you and it fails, it only takes one or two times for these old foxes to retreat back into the fold."

"Besides, I don't mind those producers wanting to take advantage of your fame. Only if they are willing to do so, we can fuel the momentum and expand your influence."

“But the problem is this project.”

"If this is a doomed project, and they use your name to get sponsorship, and James Keech has a little bit of glory for a career that doesn't exist and shouldn't exist, and you end up getting dragged down by this project?"

"besides."

Edgar took a deep breath.

"Our current relationship with Sony Columbia is sensitive and fragile. Even if you don't want to get involved in their internal power struggle, you have no choice now."

"Next, if 'Spider-Man 2' is a box office success, we can completely turn things around; but what if it fails?"

"However, there are still at least eight months until the film is released, and before then, every confrontation between us and Sony Columbia may lead to more possibilities. We need to be cautious."

"James Keech may just want to use you as a cover or a gimmick, but we need to face a series of risks."

“No, we are not Mother Teresa.”

Haha.

Anson just laughed out loud.

Edgar's face was full of helplessness. "How can you still laugh?"

Anson, "If you don't laugh, are you going to cry?"

That nonchalant look left Edgar helpless.

Anson continued, "Anyway, I haven't promised anything yet, so let's take a look at the script first."

Edgar was startled, "Anson, are you still going to read the script?"

Anson nodded, "Of course."

Edgar couldn't hide his depression.

Anson signaled Edgar to calm down. "Captain, I understand your concerns."

“But as you said, you’ve never read the script and have no idea what the story is or what the quality is. Being rejected by more than 30 film companies doesn’t mean the work is terrible, it just means it’s different from the current mainstream aesthetic. It may be terrible, but it may also be a success.”

Edgar tilted his head. "I doubt it."

Anson: "Haha, me too."

"I don't quite believe that this script could be shockingly brilliant, but at least, we should give the script a chance and then respond, right?"

"It's a kind of respect. For them, and for us."

(End of this chapter)