Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 55: There is money in the account

"Aaron, Village Roadshow Entertainment Australia is willing to acquire the Australian distribution rights for Phone Booth, but they're only willing to pay $150 million!"

At the end of April, Aaron had returned to Los Angeles and received a call from Nicole Kidman in Australia.

"Promise them to come to the United States as soon as possible. The filming of Ghost is about to start," Aaron said as he sat in the office of Dawn Pictures with a lazy look on his face.

"Okay," Nicole Kidman said on the phone with excitement in her voice.

After hanging up the phone, Jessica Parker came in and said, "Come on, 20th Century Fox is calling again!"

Aaron shook his head. "Phone Booth's North American box office is already $3100 million. Even if it doesn't reach $4000 million by the time it's released, it won't be far off."

"They think $700 million for videotape and TV broadcast rights is too much, and the movie's reputation is pretty good?"

Look how happy PolyGram is with its earnings. The international box office has now exceeded 1500 million US dollars, while PolyGram only spent 160 million to purchase the European copyright!
"Well, 600th Century Fox is only willing to pay $ million."

Aaron knocked on the table. He brought back $1550 million from New York, plus Nicole Kidman brought back $150 million, which added up to $1700 million.

The North American box office of "Phone Booth" has not yet been settled, and now the sale of videotapes and television rights can bring in millions!

"$650 million, th Century Fox has the right of first refusal, but I believe other film companies will definitely be willing to pay this price. If they still don't agree, we will contact other companies."

"Also, have 20th Century Fox settle the box office revenue as soon as possible."

Within 1500 million, 20th Century Fox will charge a 450% distribution commission. The theater share of "Phone Booth" is half, and after deducting the commission, there is million US dollars left;
1500 million to 3000 million US dollars, 18th Century Fox charged an 480% commission, and Sugon's profit was million US dollars.

Of the first $3000 million in box office revenue, only $930 million belonged to Dawn Pictures, while 300th Century Fox spent $400 million on marketing and another $ million on copying, management, transportation, taxes, etc.

After deducting this amount, Dawn Pictures' profit was only 230 million US dollars. As for the profit exceeding the box office of 3000 million US dollars, it is estimated to be over one million US dollars.

"20th Century Fox, how much did this cost me?"

Aaron cursed a few times. How could he continue to cooperate with them from now on? They were overcharging customers!
If it weren't for the international distribution rights, videotapes and TV broadcasts, he would have almost lost money just relying on the North American box office?

Within a few days, 880th Century Fox transferred $3000 million to Dawn Pictures' account, including a $ million share of the box office and copyright fees for videotapes and television broadcasts.
Adding the $150 million in cash from Australia's Village Roadshow Entertainment, Dawn Pictures currently has $2580 million in its account, which is more than enough to develop "Ghost"!
For "Ghost", Aaron specifically gave a budget of 2000 million US dollars, and left 100 million US dollars as an overspending budget to avoid any accidents at that time. After all, it was the first "high-cost" work produced.

As May approaches, both "Pretty Woman" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" have surpassed 100 million yuan in box office revenue, and it's clear that "Pretty Woman" has more staying power.

As an independent distributor, New Line Cinema's reputation has soared, and Disney has also fought a good battle with "Pretty Woman".

At the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Disney held a celebration party for "Pretty Woman";
Not only did "Pretty Woman" break the 1.5 million mark in North America, it was even more impressive overseas. After only three weeks of release, the overseas box office has already reached million US dollars!

The film's director Garry Marshall and the leading actors Al Pacino and Julia Roberts were all in high spirits;
Disney Film Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg also had a beaming face.

"This is a reward from Disney!"

Jeffrey Katzenberg handed Aaron Anderson a cashier's check for $50.

"Thank you," Aaron accepted it with ease. The news he'd created with Warren Beatty had certainly helped promote the film. "Aaron, I heard you're developing a fantasy romance film with a $2000 million investment?"

"Yeah, it starts filming next month!"

"That's great. If you have any projects in the future, you can choose to submit them to Disney," Jeffrey Katzenberg said, looking at Nicole Kidman next to Aaron.
"I won't bother you young people anymore."

After Jeffrey Katzenberg left, Aaron handed the check directly to Nicole Kidman and said, "Spend it?"

Nicole Kidman rolled her eyes at the man but still took the check. After all, Aaron Anderson is now a multi-millionaire!
"The crew has completed preparations and will start filming next month. The indoor scenes will be shot at the Sony Studios in Culver City, and the outdoor scenes will be shot in Chicago.

"During this period, you need to start rehearsals with the crew members."

Aaron squeezed Nicole's waist.

Nicole Kidman nodded. "Well, I know. I'm going to Cannes to attend the film festival in the middle or late part of the month."

“‘Wild at Heart’ has been shortlisted for the Palme d’Or in the Cannes main competition!”

Then, she leaned forward and kissed Aaron on the cheek, "Do you want to go together? Cannes is your lucky place."

Aaron smiled, it made some sense, "We'll see when the time comes."

Afterwards, Aaron ran into Al Pacino and chatted for a while, "Is 'The Godfather Part III' finished?"

"We just wrapped filming and are in post-production. Paramount wants to schedule it for the Christmas season!"

Al Pacino smiled and patted Aaron on the shoulder. "You're incredible! A movie made with less than $200 million actually achieved such a high box office."

"Besides, this 'Pretty Woman' is also a phenomenal work. I'm glad I listened to you!"

Aaron's lips curled up. "I'm really looking forward to the release of 'Dick Tracy' next month."

In Hollywood today, there are less than ten films that break the $1500 million mark at the North American box office each year, and both "Pretty Woman" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" were produced with budgets under $ million.

It’s a typical example of making a small investment for a big return, and judging by the momentum of “Pretty Woman,” it’s comparable to last year’s blockbuster “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”!
Aaron didn't see Disney CEO Michael Eisner at the celebration party at the Roosevelt Hotel;

Instead, I saw Disney's group president Frank Wells show up.

"Interesting," Aaron seemed to smell the high-level struggle within Disney.

Now no one believes that Dick Tracy can surpass Pretty Woman at the box office. With the influence of Warren Beatty's scandal, Michael Eisner is probably lucky to just break even.
And "Pretty Woman" directed by Jeffrey Katzenberg won beautifully!
As for Aaron Anderson's bet last year that Dick Tracy would make less than half as much as Pretty Woman, no one took it seriously.

But now, this possibility is very high, which will make Warren Beatty feel even more ashamed.

(End of this chapter)