America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 32, Section 34: The Next World King

Super Burger King, a fast food restaurant located on West Hollywood Road, is characterized by its high cost-performance ratio and large portions, mainly serving young people who come to Hollywood to pursue their dreams.

If you're short on cash, don't worry. Come here and have a high-calorie "wall-mounted meal" that can keep you going all day.

Considering James Wan and Rey Warner's current predicament, Eric did not choose any upscale restaurants, but instead set the meeting place here.

In the United States, when discussing business, meals are usually split equally (AA system), which is completely different from China.

Because if one party treats the other to a meal, it could be suspected of bribery, and people feel obligated to accept a meal in return, so it's generally avoided.

Similarly, when friends invite each other over for a meal, they usually bring some inexpensive items like food or alcohol, and won't bring anything valuable.

Another advantage of eating at Burger King is that you don't need to tip, because you do everything yourself, such as taking and picking up your food. However, tipping is unavoidable at slightly upscale restaurants.

Tips of around 15% can add up to a significant expense over a meal, and in the United States, it's not just restaurants that tip.

Aside from a few places like fast food restaurants, government offices, hospitals, schools, and supermarkets, tipping is expected for almost all services. It's so extreme that Americans themselves often complain about the tipping culture.

Eric and Judy sat around a round table on the street. After a short while, Judy gestured with her chin: "Look behind us, they're here."

Eric turned his head and saw two young men in their twenties hurrying toward him.

The young white man in front of them was handsome, and his white shirt and trousers were very well-dressed.

The Asian youth behind him looked rather inferior. His skinny frame and somewhat short stature, especially his exaggerated non-mainstream hairstyle, made him stand out in the crowd at all times.

Sighing, Eric, as a time traveler, really couldn't appreciate this outrageous hairstyle. Judging from the movie, James Wan definitely had an eye for aesthetics, but on his own head, it looked very abstract, as if he particularly liked non-mainstream haircuts.

Eric waved to them: "Win, Ray, over here!"

The two didn't recognize him, but they understood when they saw Judy. They quickly came over and offered their hands.

"James Wan, Mr. Eric, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Reignard, Mr. Eric, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Eric Cooper, it's a pleasure to meet you both as well."

The two ordered food and chatted as they ate. They weren't stupid that Eric, such a big shot, chose to meet them here; it was a clear sign that he was accommodating them, and they immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards him.

"Lei, I've read your script. Although I only skimmed it, good ideas can't be hidden. I think it's very good."

Reignard and James Wan exchanged a glance. When they received the call, they had a feeling that good luck was about to come, and it seemed that they were right.

Reignard cut to the chase: "Mr. Eric, you mean MGM is interested in Saw?"

"Of course, otherwise why would I invite you? Let me put it bluntly, MGM is interested in investing, and I want to make this story about life into a film."

A gust of wind blew by, and everything went black for a moment. James Wan hurriedly grabbed his flowing hair: "Mr. Eric, that director..."

Eric smiled at him and said, "Don't worry, I won't break you up. And I don't think anyone knows this story better than you."

His heart clenched, and Wen Ziren suddenly began to tremble all over.

Reignar patted him on the shoulder: "Don't get excited, this is what you've always wanted, isn't it?"

Wen Ziren took a big bite of the hamburger on his plate, swallowed it whole, and looked gratefully at the handsome guy across from him who was even younger than him.

"Mr. Eric, I really don't know what to say. We've gone to almost every small company, but no one is willing to provide even just 100 million in funding."

"Then we went to Warner, Universal, and Paramount, only to be turned away. Even if they wanted the script, they would never agree to let me direct."

As he spoke, James Wan choked up a little. In Hollywood, new actors have the easiest time getting by, followed by new screenwriters, and the most difficult is being a new director.

Actors can start with small supporting roles; if they're cast in the wrong place, it's not a big deal. Buying the wrong script is also fine; at worst, it'll just sit in storage.

But if the wrong director is chosen, it can be a disaster. Even a low-budget film requires an investment of several million dollars, and losing money could bankrupt a small film company.

For example, Josh Trank made a name for himself with the low-budget sci-fi film "Chronicle".

Then 20th Century Fox handed over "The New Fantastic Four" to him, and the result was a piece of crap, causing Fox to lose more than $100 million.

Superhero blockbusters like this don't require as much skill from the screenwriter, since everyone knows the story. The director is the key, and this is what happens when the wrong director is chosen.

Of course, this guy wasn't much better off. All his subsequent contracts were canceled, and he plummeted to rock bottom. It seems that he only heard news of Eric again just before Eric's time travel. This time, he disappeared for five years, which shows how terrible the aftereffects were.

"Mr. Eric, your boldness is absolutely top-notch in Hollywood. It's only been a few hours since we entered MGM, and I already don't know what I'm saying anymore," Rewanal said excitedly and clumsily, trying to flatter him.

Eric laughed: "If you're truly grateful, the best way to repay you is to make a good movie, but before that, we need to discuss the details."

"The first issue is remuneration. Business is business, and I don't want to be bothered by the union afterward."

Reivanal tentatively asked, "Can I really play the male lead?"

"If you insist on doing so, I agree. No one understands what the film is trying to express better than you. But I hope you think clearly about your own position: whether you are an actor or a screenwriter. This is related to your future career planning."

Reivanal nodded: "I will consider your opinion. As for the script fee, let's go with the union's minimum standard. I am really grateful that you are willing to give us this opportunity."

Eric then looked at James Wan, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Could I ask first, what is MGM's budget?"

Eric opened his palm: "No more than $500 million, but the exact figure needs to be discussed internally within the company."

A smile immediately appeared on James Wan's face: "Then I'll take the minimum wage, just like Whannell."

Eric asked, somewhat puzzled, "So, what's the purpose of your question?"

"Mr. Eric, Ray and I have also considered that if MGM's investment is less than 200 million, we will not accept any payment and will only take a share, which will save costs."

"But if it's $400 million or even $500 million, we can go all out and make the music, props, editing, and other aspects even more perfect."

"Mr. Eric, what Ray and I really want is an opportunity, a chance to prove ourselves, especially since I'm of Chinese descent, you know."

Eric nodded. It's common knowledge how difficult it is for Chinese Americans to make a name for themselves in the United States; it's an open secret.

"Wen, Cameron was willing to pay $1 for the directorial rights to 'The Terminator,' and he became the king of the world. I believe you will be the next king of the world!"

On the second day of the trial, the editor said that to advance to the next level, the minimum number of readers needed to be 300, which means that I need to increase by more than 200 in three days. I'm still far from that level.

I hope you guys can lend a hand and give it your all!

I'm begging for your support by adding this to your favorites, following this story, giving a reward, voting for it, recommending it, and commenting. Thank you everyone!

(End of this chapter)