Meizong Wealth Life

Chapter 153 Carrot and stick, confusing Director Li

In Larchmont, New York, a white house with a low-key appearance.

Li Eu and his youngest son Li Chun were sitting on the sofa next to the fireplace. The TV set was playing the "Hulk" cartoon produced by UPN TV in 96.

This animation was produced for a total of two seasons, and the second season was renamed "Hulk and She-Hulk".

Li Chun actually wanted to watch the second season the most, but Li Yu disagreed.

In the second season of the animation, there are many scenes of the female Hulk changing clothes. Although there are no scenes that are inappropriate for children, the elegance and conservatism of Eastern people still make Li Yu feel that children should not be exposed to these things too early.

Li Chun has watched the first season of the animation many times and kept asking questions during the viewing process.

"Dad, why does the Hulk's other clothes get torn, but his pants never get torn?"

"Dad, who do you think is better, the Hulk or Big Boss?"

"Dad, why is Banner's hair brown, but it turned black after the transformation?"

Questions from tricky angles made Li Yu panic for a while.

At this time, he began to miss his wife's time at home, because his wife only needed a look to make his son shut up and watch TV quietly.

It's a pity that my wife is at work today and my younger son is on vacation.

The task of raising children naturally fell on Li Yu, a former househusband.

It would be okay if it was a weekday, but recently Li Eucalyptus is preparing for the movie project "The Incredible Hulk".

This is Li Yu's first time involved in a real Hollywood commercial film.

From the moment his agent started contacting Universal, Li Eucalyptus began to make various preparations, including making up for Hulk-related comics.

Even an old "Hulk" TV series filmed in 1978 was dug out and watched by Li Eucalyptus.

Today is the day when agent representative Li Eu officially signs a contract with Universal.

Early in the morning, Li Yu was waiting for the other party's call.

Just after one episode of the cartoon was played, the landline phone placed in the living room suddenly rang.

Li Chun ran over first and picked up the phone receiver.

After proficiently stating his name in English, a burst of hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone.

"Mason, guess who I am?"

The other party spoke Chinese, which was equivalent to directly telling Li Chun the answer.

"Uncle Jiang, I recognized your voice right away."

Jiang Zhiqiang laughed on the other end of the phone.

"Really? Then next time I will take the test in English."

Li Chun agreed immediately.

Li Yu, who was standing aside, rubbed Li Chun's head and took the phone receiver from his son's hand.

"Jiang Sheng, aren't you in mainland China during this time? Why do you have time to call me?"

"The film directed by Yimou is almost finished filming. I plan to return to the United States after the New Year to discuss overseas distribution with the film producers here. We haven't seen each other for half a year, so we must get together then."

Li Yu kept nodding while holding the phone.

"sure."

"By the way, last time you said that Karl was helping you contact a commercial film project. How is the progress now?"

"Today we officially signed a contract for a comic book movie that Universal is preparing."

"Really? Then I have to congratulate you in advance."

Li Yu responded politely, and Jiang Zhiqiang on the other end of the phone finally got to the point.

"I made this call to you today because I was entrusted by someone else."

"Oh, who is so proud?"

"Cheng Long."

Li Yu was stunned on the spot.

He and Cheng Long couldn't fight each other, so what did the other party want from him?

On the phone, Jiang Zhiqiang's voice continued to ring.

"Cheng Long was also entrusted by someone, Michael Ovitz. You must have heard of this person, right?"

Li Yu, who was holding the phone receiver, was stunned again.

Li Yu had not only heard of the name of Hollywood's No. 1 agent, he was simply familiar with it.

Although Ovitz had already left CAA when Li Yu signed with CAA, Li Yu still heard many legendary stories about the other party.

Most of them came from Li Eucalyptus’ agent Karl Meyer.

The world is like this. The person who knows someone best is not necessarily his friend, but is more likely to be his or her enemy.

This happened to be the case with Karl Meyer.

However, in private, Karl Meyer revealed to Li Eucalyptus that he was actually just a shield used by his uncle Ron Meyer to deal with Ovitz.

When Ovitz wanted to return to CAA, Ron Meyer was completely unwilling. However, due to past friendships, he didn't want to break up with Ovitz directly, so he instructed his nephew Karl to jump out and "stab" Ovitz in the back. tz.

Now when he heard that Ovitz found him through Cheng Long, and Cheng Long found him through Jiang Zhiqiang, Li Yu suddenly became wary.

If it were a normal cooperation, there would be no need for Ovitz to go around in such a big circle.

"Cheng Long didn't explain the specific situation to me in detail on the phone. He just said that he would collaborate with Ovitz on a movie recently. Then two days ago, Ovitz suddenly found Cheng Long and said that he had another movie project in hand. , is a story about Chinese Americans in the United States, and I want Cheng Long to star."

"Cheng Long directly recommended you to Ovitz after reading the script, saying that if Ovitz could convince you to be the director, then he would agree to be the leading actor."

Li Yu said nothing.

Tell him directly that things are definitely not as simple as what you said on the phone.

Jiang Zhiqiang on the other end of the phone also expressed his judgment.

"Cheng Long shouldn't lie about this kind of thing, so there must be a script, but if he really meant it, he should have called you in person instead of contacting you through me."

"I suggest you read the script, but Ovitz needs to be careful. I heard that his relationship with Carl is not very good."

After Li Yu thought about it for a moment, he originally wanted Jiang Zhiqiang to reject Cheng Long directly, but then he thought it was not appropriate.

Cheng Long's development momentum in Hollywood is becoming more and more rapid, and he has become the representative of Chinese-speaking filmmakers in Hollywood.

Cheng Long is very face-conscious. If he refuses directly like this, it will definitely make Cheng Long feel very embarrassed.

In the end, Li Yu decided to use a more tactful approach. Instead of rejecting the offer directly, he agreed to read the script first.

Anyway, he was about to start filming "The Incredible Hulk", and Cheng Long also had a movie project to participate in. When the time came, he refused because of the unlucky time, and both parties looked better.

Jiang Zhiqiang on the other end of the phone also supported Li Yu's decision.

And he has more ideas.

If the cooperation between Li Eucalyptus and Cheng Long can be promoted, it will be regarded as a strong alliance in the Chinese film industry in Hollywood. If this movie succeeds, it will definitely become a legend in the Chinese film industry.

The two made an appointment on the phone to first ask Cheng Long to send the script to Jiang Zhiqiang.

If the script is really good, Jiang Zhiqiang will recommend the script to Li Yu.

As soon as the matter was settled, Li Chun ran over with Li Yu’s mobile phone.

"Dad, it's Uncle Meyer's phone number."

After Li Yu said goodbye to Jiang Zhiqiang, he put down the phone and calmed down before taking the phone from his son.

"Karl, I'm sorry, I was just talking to an old friend on the phone. How's it going with you there?"

"Li, there have been some changes in the "Hulk" project." On the other end of the phone, agent Carl's tone was unusually solemn.

Li Yu frowned.

"What happened? Are Universal executives dissatisfied with my shooting plan, or do they think there is a problem with the script?"

On the other end of the phone, Karl replied in a deep voice:

"In fact, Universal's executives were very satisfied with you and your shooting plan at first, but someone interfered and took away the project."

Li Yu was enveloped in huge disappointment when he heard the news.

But what he couldn't understand even more was that even though he had already reached the stage of signing a contract, he could still be intercepted.

Especially when it comes to cutting off Hu from CAA. What is the background of the other party?

"Not William Morris (WMA), but a remnant of an old time!"

Listening to agent Carl's hateful tone on the other end of the phone, Li Yu felt an unpleasant feeling in his heart.

It can't be such a coincidence, right?

Just as I was thinking this, Karl on the other end of the phone already said that name.

"Michael Ovitz, someone around me secretly tipped him off and learned that I was fighting for the "Hulk" project for you. Ovitz also prepared a shooting plan and script, and persuaded Universal executives with his rhetoric."

Li Yu's mind went blank.

So the "Hulk" project just said goodbye to him?

On the phone, Karl continued to curse Ovitz loudly, until he realized that Li Yu had not responded, and then he calmed down.

The most important thing to do at this time is not to complain and complain, but to appease Li Yu first.

"My uncle already knows about this. He will personally negotiate with Universal. You don't have to be too disappointed. I will find other more suitable projects for you."

Before he could finish his words of comfort, he was directly interrupted by Li Yu.

With Li Yu's self-cultivation, making such a rude move is enough to prove that he cares about this matter very much.

"I really want to know where I lost to the opponent. We obviously prepared for so long."

Carl immediately apologized:

"Lee, everything is my fault. There was a mole around me who leaked our script outline to Ovitz, who came up with a new script based on our script outline."

Li Yu was silent.

Although Ovitz's method of competition is indeed not very glorious, it can only be regarded as a basic operation in Hollywood.

In order to compete for a movie or a role, directors, actors and the agents behind them can use various methods.

But Universal executives are not fools.

If Ovitz hadn't come up with a more attractive script, why would they have changed their mind?

On the phone, Karl's unwilling voice revealed a trace of frustration.

"The reply given to me by Universal executives was that the script produced by Ovitz was more commercial and entertaining. This group of idiots who went back on their word forgot who originally wanted to inject more connotation and thinking into this movie."

"Of course, you can completely ignore what these idiots say. As long as it is not written into the contract, even the punctuation marks of what these people say are lies."

"I think what really got them excited about the script was that Ovitz brought in Jamie Dutton to write the script."

"You also know that Jamie Dutton is really popular recently. Both Warner and Vestar have approached him to write superhero movie scripts. And from the news I have received, Warner and Vestar executives are not interested in Jamie Dutton. I'm very satisfied with Dutton's script."

Obviously, Li Yu was not completely convinced.

After a moment of silence, he continued to ask:

"What about the director? I want to know who defeated me."

These words made Karl on the other end of the phone feel a hint of uneasiness, and he immediately corrected:

"Lee, this is Ovitz's usual trick. Before he left CAA, he highly praised the so-called packaging service. If you use the script he recommends, you must use the director and actors he recommends."

"He thinks he is at the pinnacle of power in Hollywood, but in fact if he continues to be in charge of CAA, he will definitely lead CAA to destruction."

"The big guys in Hollywood won't allow anyone who can bargain with them to show up."

"Looking at what happened to Spielberg and DreamWorks, you know it was only a matter of time before Ovitz's approach failed."

Unfortunately, Li Yu on the other end of the phone is not interested in this rhetoric.

If you lose, you lose!

Li Yu just wants to know where he lost.

In desperation, Carl had no choice but to name the director Ovitz recommended to Universal executives to replace Li Yu.

"It's Joe Johnston."

"Ovitz, a cunning old fox, not only found strong support like Jamie Dutton, but also carefully selected Joe Johnston as the director."

"As we all know, the criticism that Joe Johnston encountered after the release of "Jurassic Park 3" was all taking the blame for Universal."

"Universal executives feel indebted to Joe Johnston, and they will naturally be more inclined to replace you as the director of "The Incredible Hulk" when making decisions."

That's what Karl said, but Li Yu knew it in his heart.

Hollywood doesn't have that many people and sophisticates.

The real reason why Universal executives chose Joe Johnston is because although "Jurassic Park 3" has been criticized for being a money-making mess, it actually made money for Universal.

Whoever has better box office performance in genre films will be more competitive. This is the rule of the game in Hollywood.

Karl knew that it was useless to comfort Li Yu now, and could only promise that he would find a way to get the "Hulk" script written by Jamie Dutton as soon as possible.

Even if Ovitz succeeds in intercepting him this time, it doesn't mean that Karl will give up.

After the call ended, Li Yu stood there blankly holding the phone.

Li Chun, who was sitting in front of the TV, didn't see Li Yu come back for a long time, so he turned around and called him.

"dad?"

Li Yu came to his senses, raised his head and was about to answer when his cell phone rang again.

After seeing the caller's name clearly, Li Yu quickly answered the call.

"Hello, Mr. Meyer."

Of course, the person who allowed Li Eu to use such an honorific title was not his agent Carl Meyer, but his uncle, Ron Meyer, the current president of CAA.

"Mr. Li, I am aware of the changes that have occurred in the "Hulk" project. Regardless of the reason, such problems are our work mistakes. I sincerely apologize to you."

"In addition, I have received some additional information about my old friend Ovitz being able to steal the "Hulk" project from us, and I think you have the right to know these things."

(End of this chapter)