hollywood melon man

Chapter 177 Investing in Big Ships
Such an acquisition, of course, cannot be kept secret without emphasizing confidentiality.

Except for Disney and Warner, which sincerely want to acquire it, other companies have approached Cantaloupe Studios one after another with the idea that even if they can't get it, they will still make trouble.

Among them, 20th Century Fox is undoubtedly the most active.

Twentieth Century Fox collaborated with Gilbert Jr. on two films and reaped huge profits, which made Twentieth Century Fox realize the value of this young Hollywood director.

Twentieth Century Fox President Townsend Rothman personally came to talk to Gilbert Jr. and also talked about the parent company, News Corporation.

"Mr Murdoch would love to meet you and have a chat.

He heard that you are a China expert. He has always been interested in the Chinese market and wants to discuss entering the Chinese market with you. "Townsend Roseman moved right out of Big Boss.

Did News Corporation become interested in the Chinese market so early? However, I have the impression that News Corporation's journey into the Chinese market was not smooth.

Little Gilbert just dealt with it. He remembered that News Corporation later overturned and had to cut up Twentieth Century Fox.

After losing the support of its parent company, 20th Century Fox gradually became unsustainable and eventually fell to the fate of being acquired.

If possible, Little Gilbert can also reach a cooperation with 20th Century Fox, and then wait for the opportunity to become the owner of Fox decades later.

He said honestly: "Indeed, it is actually 50 million U.S. dollars. We at Fox Pictures have invested 100 million U.S. dollars and Paramount has also invested 50 million U.S. dollars, but it still cannot satisfy James Cameron.

To be honest, if it wasn't already stuck, 20th Century Fox would have left the show long ago and would never have gotten involved in the big mess that is Big Ship.

Townsend Rothman was surprised: "Little Gilbert, now the outside world is starting to say that we at Fox Pictures are fools. They are not optimistic about this project, but you still want to invest?"

"That's because they don't understand the potential of this project. Frankly speaking, Townsend, I think big ships will do wonders." Little Gilbert did not say bad things just to be able to invest in big ships.

It seems that 20th Century Fox's willingness to acquire Melon Studios is not that strong, which is normal. Fox Pictures, George Lucas, and James Cameron are happy to cooperate.

When the project was first established, James Cameron said that the idea for the entire big ship project came from Gilbert Jr., and the male protagonist DiCaprio was also recommended by Gilbert Jr.

Twentieth Century Fox didn't object, but thought it added a touch of interest to the film and could be used for promotion.

At this time, Townsend Rothman looked at little Gilbert eagerly and said: "Little Gilbert, you are also familiar with this project. Please consider my proposal to serve as the director and replace James Cameron."

But that was not what Gilbert Jr. was talking about with Townsend Rothman. He said, "I heard that Director Cameron has requested an additional investment of $20 million."

So it was not surprising to Townsend Rothman that little Gilbert knew about the big ship.

Saying bad things while asking for investment seems very problematic.

"No, no, no," little Gilbert shook his head and said, "At this stage of the big ship project, changing the director is not a good decision.

If you are not particularly optimistic about this project, who will invest when big ships become a hot potato?

If Fox and Paramount don't mind, Melon Studios can make up for the $50 million shortfall. "

Therefore, James Cameron insisted on adding Gilbert's name to the list of screenwriters and producers.

This plan seems very feasible, but it just takes a little long.

He asked for additional investment, otherwise the Big Ship crew might be shut down and unable to complete all work on schedule. "

Under such circumstances, compared to Disney and Warner Pictures, which are short of directors, the price paid by Fox Pictures certainly cannot meet Little Gilbert's requirements.

For this reason, 20th Century Fox also paid Gilbert Jr. a sum of money as a salary for the screenwriter and producer.

However, it is not so easy for little Gilbert to invest.

"We need to think about it before we can give you an answer," Townsend-Rosman said.

"It doesn't matter. You can call me when you've decided." Little Gilbert made a phone gesture.

It’s not that easy to acquire Xigua Studio. Without a process of several years, this would not have been possible.

Putting this matter aside, after having contact with little Gilbert, Rachel Weisz gradually became determined to break into Hollywood.

After hard work, she won the opportunity to star in "Chain Reaction", starring Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman, and is scheduled to be released on August 2.

Rachel Weisz rented an apartment in North Hollywood and while fighting for the opportunity, she finally called Gilbert Jr.

Gilbert Jr. drove to the North Hollywood apartment where he had lived before moving directly to Cantaloupe Manor.

Rachel Weisz was already waiting for little Gilbert in the apartment and specially prepared dinner.

"Wow, honey, I didn't expect you could cook?" Little Gilbert expressed his surprise when he saw a table of exquisite dinner.

Rachel Weisz was very honest and told the truth: "I ordered this from a nearby restaurant. I only know how to heat milk and use a toaster."

"Don't worry, honey, you are an actor, it's not a big deal if you don't know how to cook." Little Gilbert said with a smile.

Rachel Weisz covered her mouth and made an invitation gesture: "Take a seat, I'll open a bottle of red wine."

"I'll do it!" Little Gilbert pulled out a chair and motioned for Rachel Weisz to sit down.

"You are such a gentleman, little Gilbert." Rachel Weisz held up her skirt and sat down on her seat. Little Gilbert opened the red wine skillfully and took the decanter to wake up first. The equipment is also very complete, including decanters and goblets.

After finishing it, the two enjoyed a candlelight dinner and chatted while eating.

"Rachel, how does it feel to be in Hollywood?" Little Gilbert took a bite of the salad. It may have taken a long time to deliver it, so the taste was a bit bad.

This kind of fruit salad tastes best when it is freshly made and left to stand for a while.

Rachel doesn't eat much and is trying to control her weight. She replied: "It's not bad. I can play a small supporting role and there are a lot of scenes with lines."

"That's not bad. Many people come to Hollywood and can only be a backdrop at first. Your starting point is already higher than most actors." Little Gilbert said.

Rachel Weisz was not satisfied: "I want to go one step further. I want to act in big productions and play more roles."

"Don't worry, Rachel, the road comes step by step. Unless you have great luck, anyone who comes to Hollywood will start from the bottom." Little Gilbert said.

"Including you?"

"Of course, that's included, but I'm lucky." Little Gilbert said.

"I also want to have such luck..." Rachel Weisz's skirt fell off, she walked over to little Gilbert, sat down on little Gilbert's lap, picked up his chin with her fingers and said: " Can you give me such luck?"

"That depends on your performance." Little Gilbert said, holding Rachel Weisz's waist with both hands: "Go to the bedroom..."

"Uh-huh..." Rachel Weisz's eyes gradually became blurred.

A half-bowl of salad and a half-eaten steak swayed in the candlelight on the table. The figure in the bedroom is elongated, and the two shadows change into various postures and merge into one picture.

Before becoming famous as "The Mummy", Rachel Weisz only starred in some independent films and low-budget films, or played small supporting roles in big productions.

Speaking of "The Mummy", this project took shape as early as 1992, and the copyright is currently in the hands of Universal Pictures.

Initially, Universal Pictures was only willing to give $1000 million to make the project into a horror film. Later, it was increased to $1500 million, but the idea of ​​making a horror film was still there.

But after several changes at Universal Pictures, the project was shelved.

Recently, news came that director Stephen Sommers, who is good at shooting fantasy films, called Universal Pictures, hoping to use the style of "Prince Jason and the Monsters" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to make the mummy the protagonist's opponent.

As a result, the original idea of ​​the entire project was overturned.

At present, Stephen Sommers has officially submitted the plan, and Universal Pictures has invested $80 million in production costs.

The project started earlier than in previous lives, but this does not prevent Rachel Weisz from becoming the heroine.

Although he no longer cooperates with Universal Pictures, Gilbert Jr. has a good relationship with Universal Pictures' senior executives, so he recommended Rachel Weisz.

Of course, it's just an audition. Whether she can win the role depends on Rachel Weisz's efforts.

Unlike those famous actresses who only need to participate in the re-test, Rachel Weisz needs to start from the preliminary audition and participate in the audition step by step.

However, she does have works. Before coming to Hollywood, she had already made a big name in the British theater industry and film and television dramas.

The second was the recommendation of Little Gilbert, so Rachel Weisz passed the first audition smoothly.

But the next audition session is not something you can get by having sex. Rachel Weisz needs to face competition from many famous actresses, which puts a lot of pressure on her.

Little Gilbert couldn't help in this regard. He was not familiar with Stephen Sommers, and he was not a producer or director, so he couldn't decide on the role.

But even so, Rachel Weisz is still very grateful to Little Gilbert. Without Little Gilbert's recommendation, she would not even have a chance to audition.

This is a super-large production worth 80 million U.S. dollars, a proper A-level commercial film, and every role is very profitable. Not to mention, she is still fighting for the female lead.

Compared with those local Hollywood actors, because of the script setting, the heroine is an Englishman and has a highly educated doctorate in archeology.

It just so happened that Rachel Weisz was satisfied. She graduated from Cambridge University. Although she did not major in archeology, her bookish scent still attracted director Stephen Sommers.

Moreover, during the fitting session, Rachel Weisz wore glasses and a veil, which gave her a unique style, which made the producers of Universal Pictures quite satisfied.

Finally, after fierce competition, Rachel Weisz won the role of the female lead in "The Mummy".

The day she got the role, Rachel Weisz was so happy that she couldn't sleep all night.

The next day, with dark circles under her eyes, she went to see Little Gilbert to celebrate and thank him for recommending her so that she could finally get this role.

But for little Gilbert, this was just a matter of one sentence. In his previous life, this role had originally belonged to Rachel Weisz.

There is credit for his recommendation, but if Rachel Weisz didn't work hard for it, she still wouldn't be able to get the role in the end.

While "The Mummy" is undergoing intense casting, the younger Gilbert is focusing his attention on Marvel Comics.

After several years of struggle, coupled with the fading capital wave in the comics industry, Marvel Comics finally couldn't hold on anymore and was preparing to file for bankruptcy protection.

This is an opportunity for Little Gilbert. The value of Marvel Comics has reached its lowest level, and this is the best time to take action.

(End of this chapter)