Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 50 Kevin Costner
Burbank, Dawn Pictures.

Aaron Anderson, director Edward Zwick and screenwriter Bruce Robin, three people discussed the project of "Ghost";

Edward Zwick is very interested in directing this fantasy love story adapted from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth"!

"As for the female lead, Nicole Kidman from 'Over the Horizon' is a good choice, but it's not easy to find a male lead," Edward Zwick said.

He also knew that big-name male stars would be reluctant to play a ghost. Without big-name stars, it would be difficult for Aaron to raise funds?

After all, his own "Glory" was only nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and several technical awards, which is not very attractive to investors.

"I'm more optimistic about Kevin Costner. The script has been sent to him. When the time comes, I will go and talk to him in person;"

"Don't worry about the filming cost, it will definitely not be less than 1500 million US dollars!"

Kevin Costner is now at most a second-tier Hollywood actor, but Aaron knows that things will be different after "Dances with Wolves" is released at the end of the year.

Aaron knocked on the table and said, "Regarding the script, if there are any areas that need revision, you should complete them as soon as possible."

Bruce Robin nodded and said, "That's no problem. I can modify the plot according to the director's requirements."

In mid-February, an action crime film "Revenge" directed by Tony Scott and starring Kevin Costner was released. It only opened to $2 million in the first three days of the weekend.
It fell to 280 million US dollars in the second week, and the word of mouth was also very low. "Revenge" can be considered a failure!
At the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Jack Wells and Kevin Costner walked in together, and Aaron stood up to greet them.

"Mr. Costner," Aaron said, winking at Jack Wells.

"Aaron Anderson, your name is quite famous in CAA," Kevin Costner smiled.

"Just call me Kevin!"

"Sit down, what would you like to drink?" Aaron asked.

"Cafe!"

"Aaron, I'll go, you guys chat," Jack Wells said.

"I heard from Jack that you two are good friends?"

"Yeah, we started out together in the mail room," Aaron smiled, "Is Jack okay?"

"Well, quite a nice young man!"

After a while, the waiter brought two cups of coffee and cake.

Kevin Costner took a sip and said, "I've read the script for Ghost and I can accept the role, but now I have to be busy finishing the post-production of Dances with Wolves."

"So, you have to wait at least three months, is that okay?"

Aaron nodded. "No problem, then we'll start filming in June. The estimated filming time is 10 weeks, and the main filming location will be Chicago!"

Aaron knew that Kevin Costner was not in a good situation now. Dances with Wolves, which he directed and starred in, was overspent. Not only did he invest his $300 million salary as a director and actor, but he also had to worry about the subsequent publicity and promotion costs; because the investor and distributor Orion Pictures encountered a financial crisis and would not have much money to invest in marketing. It needed to rely on the reputation of the film, because Orion now released more works every year than MGM, but most of them were at a loss.

"Dances with Wolves" is a western film that was not well received by the outside world, and the recently released "Revenge" was a complete failure, which plunged Kevin Costner's career into a trough!
He couldn't refuse the project of "Ghost", and the salary of 270 million US dollars was also suitable.

"Well, then, when the crew has finished preparing, can you notify me of the rehearsal? Do you need my cooperation with the audition?"

Aaron picked up his coffee and took a sip. "The leading actress is Nicole Kidman from Australia, who just starred in 'Wild at Heart' directed by David Lynch."

"Once the preliminary preparations are complete, we will arrange auditions and rehearsals for the actors..."

Aaron's conversation with Kevin Costner went smoothly. Let's just say that the disastrous failure of "Revenge" really helped a lot!

The director, male and female protagonists of "Ghost" were secured, as well as the most important investment and distribution.

By March, Shuguang Pictures had also recruited the necessary staff, including finance, operations, and office clerks!

"Jessica, are the finances over at Orion really that bad?"

Aaron leaned back in his chair and asked the company's accountant, Jessica Parker, who previously worked at Orion Pictures.

“Yes, after Dances with Wolves went over budget, Orion developed The Silence of the Lambs, which cost $1900 million to produce;”

"Orion has several more movies coming out now. If they don't do well at the box office, it will be even worse!"

Aaron shook his head. Could it be that two great movies like "Dances with Wolves" and "The Silence of the Lambs" couldn't save Orion?

However, the overseas distribution rights of "Dances with Wolves" have been sold in exchange for filming funds.

"Alas, we have to maintain our independence while also aspiring to the horizontal business model of the big studios. There are so many productions that are losing money!"

Orion's distribution capabilities are pretty good. After all, it also has its own theaters. Although the number is not large, it is still more than Miramax and New Line.
Miramax was originally developed by the Weinstein brothers taking over the Century Theater in New York, and New Line was also founded by Robert Shaye based on his own small theater chain.

Jessica Parker looked at Aaron and said, "Actually, two years ago, when Orion suffered a huge loss, we brought in Mr. John Krueger as a major shareholder."

"Now, Mr. John Krueger wants to sell the company while maintaining Orion's independence, but no one is willing to take it over."

John Krueger is the founder of Metromedia Group. A few years ago, Rupert Murdoch acquired seven TV stations from Metromedia Group to form FOX!
Aaron smiled and said, "Now that Orion's losses have further expanded, it won't be easy for John Kruger to sell it;"

"The quality of their films is terrible. They release over ten films a year, but only one or two make money. The rest, which require significant investment, are losing money. They don't have the upstream and downstream industrial chains of other major studios!"

Well, this kind of independent play style is only available to Aaron Anderson in the whole of Hollywood. After all, his own vision is the biggest cheat;

In the future, Dawn Pictures will be able to become a leader based solely on the profits from the movies themselves. Besides, how could Aaron Anderson be so unambitious?
In addition to the production and distribution of movies and television, which are essential, broadcasting and television networks, home entertainment, interactive games, derivative consumer product markets, etc. are also indispensable!
　Come come come, ask for collection, ask for popularity...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)