Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 474 There are many beautiful women here, take care of your health.

"Link, how's the script?"

"Ovitz asked."

"Not bad, it has some potential."

Link said objectively. Although the love triangle plot is cliché, the script also has many advantages, such as its prominent selling points, handsome men and beautiful women, friendship and love, a lot of explosions and air battles, and justice defeating evil.

Furthermore, the script's depiction of China, France, Britain, Japan, and other countries is relatively positive and can appeal to foreign audiences.

and many more.

The selling points are clearly defined, which is top-notch for a commercial film.

“Link, how about you direct this movie? You’ve directed ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘The English Patient,’ so you’re very familiar with this type of film. If you continue to direct this type of movie, the box office results will definitely be very good.”

Ovitz laughed.

When do you plan to start filming?

"If you don't have time this year, then we'll shoot next year."

"I have three movies to shoot next year, so I don't have extra time to take on such big projects."

"No rush, we can wait, even another year or two."

Ovitz had heard about Warner Bros.' box office failure with "Batman & Robin."

It's said that Warner Bros. initially wanted Link to continue directing the series, but they arrived too late, and Link had too many other commitments to direct the film.

Warner Bros. wanted to capitalize on the popularity of "Batman Forever" and make a quick buck with a sequel, so they brought in Joel Schumacher to direct. However, Schumacher's version of Batman was poorly made, and audiences didn't buy it, turning this popular IP into a failed project.

Ovitz did not want to repeat the same mistake.

Link thought for a moment, then shook his head. “The script is structurally good, but I don’t like the story, and I’m not good at making this kind of love triangle movie. I suggest you find a director who is suitable for this type of movie to direct it.”

"Link, think it over again. As long as you're willing to direct, the entire project is yours. Even if you want to revise the script, that's fine too. We only want to work with you."

Ovitz was very sincere. While speaking, he kept a close eye on Link's expression, trying to see Link's true attitude. Did he really dislike the script, or did he see the problem but not say it, trying to trick Disney in this way?

"Revising the script would be very troublesome, and besides, my schedule is full for the next two years, so I don't have time to film 'Pearl Harbor'."

“Link, you can decide the filming schedule. Our salary is 20% of the North American box office and 15% of the overseas box office. This is our sincerity.”

Ovitz stated his highest price directly. Originally, this price was to be brought out after several rounds of negotiations to persuade Link, but Link did not play by the rules. After reading the script, he said he did not want to direct.

He could only reveal the price in advance, hoping that it would sway Link.

Link stroked his chin. In the past, the seven major film studios had paid him 15% of the global box office revenue, with an additional 1000 million base salary for those who were truly interested.

Now Ovitz has raised the price to 20% of the North American box office revenue. If Pearl Harbor grosses over $2 million in North America, he could earn tens of millions more.

For him, as long as it's a blockbuster, his directing experience and physical fitness will contribute 15%-20% to his earnings, so no matter what problems exist in the plot of "Pearl Harbor," it won't affect his ability to make money and receive rewards.

"Okay, then I'll squeeze in some more time and make this movie when I have some free time."

"Okay!"

Ovitz paused for a moment, then nodded, inwardly cursing Link as a bastard. He had seen Link's firm attitude when he refused earlier, as if he really didn't want to act, but after he quoted the fee, Link immediately changed his mind.

This made him suspect that Link was using this method to manipulate him in order to get a higher salary.

He fell into Link's trap without any warning.

Damn it!
Link is worth hundreds of billions, yet he resorts to underhanded tactics for a few million or tens of millions.

This person is really obsessed with money.

Ovitz cursed Link in his heart.

"Mike, I'm going to rest now. Have fun tonight, there are lots of beautiful women here, but take care of yourself."

Link smiled slightly, took the script and a few girlfriends and left the coffee shop.

Michael Ovitz waved and smiled as he said goodbye to Link.

As soon as Link's figure disappeared through the revolving door, his face darkened, and he slammed his fist heavily on the sofa armrest.

Link is such a bastard! Every time I gamble or do business with him, he always ends up taking advantage of me and has me completely under his thumb. It's so unpleasant and makes me feel incredibly stupid.

"Forget it, don't be angry. We'll wait until Harvey and Epstein ruin Link's company, then we'll figure out how to get revenge."

Ovitz snorted and got up to leave.

He saw a large group of Latina women soliciting customers on the street. He wanted to call a few back to enjoy himself, but then he remembered Link's suggestion and worried that it was a conspiracy. In the end, he had to suppress his desires and returned to the hotel, full of resentment and anger, unable to sleep.

After parting ways with Ovitz, Link took his girlfriends back to the hotel to sleep, bathing in the hazy starlight streaming through the glass dome on the top floor of the Caribbean Coast Hotel, and doing things they loved.

Link spent a wonderful night here with his girlfriends, including Jennifer Lopez and Cate Blanchett.

In early July, after filming the scenes in the Caribbean Sea, the crew moved to Baja California, Mexico, to shoot naval battle scenes on a giant water tank set.
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In July, six more major commercial films were released in the North American film market.

This includes Warner Bros.' Lethal Weapon 4, Disney and Guess the Movies' animated film Mulan, Fox's comedy Dolittle, and DreamWorks' animated film The Little Warrior.

And then there were the two low-to-mid-budget films produced by MGM, *There's Something About Mary* and *Dumb and Dumber*. After several weeks of box office competition, the winners of the films released in July were decided, with the low-budget comedy *There's Something About Mary*, produced by Guess Movies, unexpectedly becoming the highest-grossing film in July and a dark horse at the box office.

"There's Something About Mary" is a romantic comedy.

It tells the story of Ted meeting a blonde beauty named Mary at a party when he was a child, and falling in love with her, but being too timid, he didn't have the courage to confess his feelings.

Thirteen years later, Ted, having achieved great success, thought of Mary and hired private investigator Hurley to help him find her whereabouts and see what she was doing.

After finding Mary, Hurley was also attracted by her charming appearance and began to pursue her relentlessly.

Just when they were about to succeed, Ted personally went to Mary and confessed his feelings to her. Mary was moved, but Hurley interfered and tried to sabotage their relationship. After a struggle, Mary chose Ted, and the lovers finally got together.

This film is directed by Peter and Bobby Ferrari, the brothers who directed "Dumb and Dumber," and stars Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, and others.

The production cost was $2300 million.

After four weeks in theaters, it grossed $1.07 million in North America, becoming Guess Movies’ third film this year to break the $3 million mark at the North American box office.

Based on the film's box office growth and current word-of-mouth, media outlets predict that the film will gross around $1.8 million in North America, with a box office return of 9 times, making it the biggest dark horse film of the year.

Second on the list is the comedy film "Dolittle," which grossed $8747 million in North America after four weeks of release. The film cost $6500 million to produce, and based on current data, it is a box office hit.

The third one is "Dumb and Dumb Forward".

The movie tells the inspirational story of a college football team's water deliveryman who, due to his taciturn personality, is ridiculed and mocked by everyone but never fights back. Later, with the help of the opposing team's coach, he leverages his strengths and talents to become a football star.

Similar to the football scene in Forrest Gump.

The film stars Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Angelina Jolie, and others.

With a production cost of $2500 million, the film grossed $7535 million in North America in its first two weeks of release.

The North American box office is expected to surpass $100 million next week.

It is expected to become MGM's fourth film to gross over $100 million at the North American box office this year.

Fourth place goes to the animated film "Mulan," co-produced by Disney and Guess the Movies. It is adapted from the Chinese folk ballad "The Ballad of Mulan" and tells the story of Mulan taking her father's place in the army to resist the invasion of the Huns.

With a production cost of $7500 million, the film grossed $8503 million in North America in its first three weeks of release.

The results were pretty good.

The four films mentioned above performed relatively well at the box office, while the other films had only average box office results.

And guess what? MGM's four summer releases have been box office hits, maintaining its position as the industry leader in total box office revenue.

Film company colleagues once again let out a helpless sigh.

"Sigh, this movie is another loss."

Bob Weinstein dropped a folder and sighed.

This year, Miramax Pictures borrowed money to produce six films, including "Rounders," "Sliding Doors," and "Club 54," and also acquired the distribution rights to eight films from the international market, including "Fireworks Signal," "Ghost," and "The Tutor."

Most of these films were art-house films, and the studio considered them to be of high quality. However, after their release, due to intense competition in the film market, only three of Miramax's films—"Rounders," "Dangerous Liaisons," and "The Tutor"—made a profit, while all the others lost money.

The losses amounted to as much as $6000 million.

This has led to Miramax Films incurring even more debt and is currently operating at a loss. If Disney does not provide financial support, they will have no funds to make movies starting next year.

"What's the use of you sighing at me? I'm not the company's president anymore."

Harvey puffed on a cigar, his face clouded with white smoke.

Last year, due to the scandal, he was removed from his position as president of Miramax by Disney and now only serves as executive producer, responsible for film project operations, but in reality, he is still the decision-maker of Miramax Films.

Bob glanced at it. "The company's debt has reached 3 million, with annual interest of four to five million dollars. If we continue to borrow money to make movies, and the movies continue to lose money, Miramax will go bankrupt before next year. At that time, we will all be laid off, and there will be no question of who will be the president."

Harvey's eye muscles twitched, and he coughed a few times. "Then what's your plan? I'll listen to you this time."

Bob sighed, “We’re not professional filmmakers, and we don’t have any lofty ideals about film. The main reason we’re in this business is to make money, oh, and pick up girls. When our company stops making money and we can’t pick up any high-quality beauties, there’s no point in us continuing.”

Therefore, my suggestion is to proactively file for bankruptcy and use the remaining funds and connections to pursue other industries. I believe that with our abilities, we can make money and attract even more beautiful women in other sectors. What do you think?

"I disagree!"

Harvey Weinstein said angrily, "Film is our career, our means of making a living. We've been in this industry for over twenty years, and we've poured everything into film. Now you're saying you want to change careers? Do you think it's that easy? If you quit now, all your previous efforts will have been in vain. Are you willing to accept that?"

"But we're not making money here anymore, that's a fact. If we quit now, we have a chance to break even and continue living a wealthy life. If we don't quit, we'll lose even more, and might even lose everything. Is that what you want to see?"

Bob countered with a question.

Harvey's face darkened further. "No matter what you say, I will not back down, not even if it kills me. I'm telling you, this isn't over. We still have a chance. That bastard Link will not be able to keep up his arrogance."

“Give up, Harvey. Link is a billionaire. We can’t beat him. If we keep fighting, we’ll only get hurt in the end. If you really care about the company, apologize to Link, admit your previous offense, and strengthen your cooperation with Guessing Pictures. Maybe by relying on your relationship with Link, we can still have a chance to get back to the Hollywood table.”

"Shut up! You want to be Link's lackey? I don't want to. My goal is to be the King of Hollywood, and no one can stop me."

Harvey angrily kicked over a chair and limped out of the office.

(End of this chapter)