Made in Hollywood

"Duke, this is Lieutenant Colonel Howard from the Department of Defense."

Under the introduction of the Pentagon Liaison Officer in Hollywood, Duke shook hands with a soldier with short chestnut hair, "Hello, Lieutenant Colonel, it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Director Rosenberg."

It is certainly not a rigid person who can sit in the position of an official dealing with the media industry. This Lieutenant Colonel Howard gave Duke a bright smile.

"Just call me Duke, Lieutenant Colonel."

Although he has achieved something, Duke has never been an arrogant person. Besides, it is only good to have a good relationship with the Pentagon. In the future, he will use a lot of the Pentagon, and only idiots will think that the people in the Pentagon are a group of people. moron.

This is the reception room of the Duke's studio. Lieutenant Colonel Howard introduced Duke to the accompanying members, and the two sides began a small negotiation on film cooperation.

As we all know, the Pentagon has always supported the shooting of Hollywood movies, and in many cases it can provide free equipment and personnel support. Of course, the premise is that the film must conform to the purpose of the military's consistent propaganda.

Although the script of "Iron Man" somewhat alludes to the Afghan War, it actually contains a strong Great Americanism, indeed ≈∵. After the final version of the script was set, Duke sent the script to the Pentagon Hollywood Liaison Office. Except for a few small details that will not harm the market value of the film, the Pentagon did not put forward too many opinions.

Duke has been collaborating with the Pentagon since more than ten years of "Break into Death Island". The subsequent "Independence Day" and "Saving Private Ryan" have not only deepened the cooperation between the two parties, but also these films have not One is not that the United States saves the world, plus the various ideas that Duke later cooperated with the government and the military to put forward after 9/11. He is definitely the most trusted partner in the eyes of the Pentagon.

This is also related to Duke's personal character and thoughts. Whether he was once or he is now, he is very clear that individuals will never be able to compete with the entire mainstream society and the huge state apparatus.

His experience is very special, but only his head is amused. Will be stupid enough to confront rather than cooperate.

As a Hollywood director, he will not be stupid enough to arrogantly fight against the traditional six major companies, but has established very deep partnerships with some of them.

A consensus was reached on the major cooperation direction. This modest negotiation went smoothly. The Pentagon will send a fleet of military Hummers, more than 20 fighters, and a large number of professionals to participate in the filming. It is only a token fee. .

But what Duke did not expect was that the Pentagon also gave out a luxurious gift package.

"Duke, there is a scene in the script where Tony Stark encounters an Air Force fighter plane, first confrontation and then rescue."

Although a civilian officer. Lieutenant Colonel Howard always sat upright. After a moment of recollection, he said, "I remember that the plane you suggested to the Pentagon here is an F-16 or an F-18 Hornet?"

"Yes." Duke nodded slightly.

Although it is not clear which year the F-22 Raptor will be equipped in the future, it is obvious that the US military has not installed it, so Duke did not mention it.

What he didn't expect was that Lieutenant Colonel Howard took the initiative to mention it, "Have you heard of the F-22 Raptor fighter?"

Of course Duke knew. Said, "A new generation of main combat aircraft?"

"The f-22 is about to enter service." Lieutenant Colonel Howard did not go round. Say directly, "The Pentagon wants the f-22 Raptor to appear in your movie, so that its name will ring throughout the world as soon as possible."

Paying is rewarding. The Pentagon supports him. It is not a free lunch. Duke understands this truth. Besides, this is only good for movies.

After Tony Stark incarnates as Iron Man, confronting the f-22 Raptor fighter will undoubtedly add a big aspect to the film.

So Duke said without hesitation, "I totally agree with this suggestion."

Lieutenant Colonel Howard stood up and offered his hand. "I believe this will be another pleasant cooperation."

Duke took his hand. "I always thought that our cooperation was very pleasant."

After leaving the Pentagon and his party, Duke also left the Duke’s studio and went to the Warner Studios not far away to check the progress of some preparatory work. As usual, this film was joined by some people from Marvel Studios. The main staff is still composed of Duke's team.

In addition to him and Kevin Fitch on the producer side, Charles Rowan assumed the role of another extremely important production manager. As in the past, he was specifically responsible for handling chores for Duke.

At present, his most important job is to negotiate with the main actors. After about a week of wrangling, Robert Downey Jr's contract has been confirmed. The other party not only officially signed the actor contract, but also signed the supplementary clause.

According to the provisions of the supplementary clause, Robert Downey Jr.'s total remuneration of 2 million US dollars, except for the 500,000 US dollars previously paid by the crew to repay his debt, other remunerations will not be paid until the film is downgraded from North America. If Robert Downey Jr. takes drugs again during the period, the remaining reward will be automatically forfeited.

Of course, drug use here refers to being stabbed in front of the public by the media.

As long as it does not cause any negative films to the film, even if Robert Downey Jr. turns to inject heroin, Duke will not bother to care.

It is true that this circle cannot be measured by normal standards, but the road is chosen by oneself after all.

In addition, the crew also signed a formal actor contract with Scarlett Johansson, and her pay was only half a million US dollars.

At first glance, this seems to be extremely inconsistent with Scarlett Johansson’s fame, but this price, in fact, Marvel Pictures has given Duke a great discount.

Scarlett has a certain fame, but she has never appeared in a commercial movie, and has never proved her market value. To a certain extent, this is a great tragedy for literary and artistic actors, just like the former Daniel Dai. ? Lewis and Meryl Streep, in the field of commercial films simply can not call too high worth.

Especially the latter, with her acting skills and number of awards, should be a member of Hollywood A-level or even Super A, and has already entered the 20 million club, but the fact is just the opposite.

Acting skills and awards have always been part of the superstar, not even the most important part.

For example, Julia Roberts, even if she did not get an Oscar at the turn of the century, no one would deny that she was the most representative actress in Hollywood in the 1990s.

The price of half a million US dollars is enough to confirm the current worth of Scarlett Johansson, and Duke vaguely remembers that Scarlett Johansson once played in "Iron Man 2" in order to transform into a commercial film. Less than three hundred thousand dollars.

Entering the large studio of Warner Studios, Duke went around from department to department to keep abreast of the progress of various preparations. Although California's taxation is not favorable, Duke decided to focus the film on the Greater Los Angeles area. .

"Although the locations in the "Iron Man" comics are mainly in New York, like all Marvel superhero comics, I want to set this story in the West Bank."

While walking in the studio, Duke said to his deputy Anna Prinz, “In the past, too many superhero movies put the battlefield in New York. Tony Stark is fundamentally different from other superheroes. , We must bring some different changes."

Compared to Zach Schneider, Anna Prinz is an excellent performer, but not a decision maker. She thought about it and said, "Different from other superhero movies? This is your insistence on letting Tony Star at the end of the movie. Why did you disclose the identity of Iron Man?"

"All superheroes hide their heads and show their tails, have two identities and two lives, although they have not caused aesthetic fatigue now."

Walking to the entrance of the studio, Duke stopped, looked up at the vast sky, and said, "But we always have to bring some new ideas. Will an Iron Man who dare to publicly admit his identity as a superhero be more fresh? ?"

In the previous movie, Tony Stark publicly admitted that he was Iron Man at the end of the movie. This scene caused a very big impact, because no superhero has ever done this in a movie in the past, and Marvel can Duke is not clear about the considerations behind agreeing to the filming of the film.

Perhaps it was early. When Duke proposed this idea, he was strongly opposed by Marvel screenwriters headed by Stan Lee. After so many years of development in superhero comics, it is inevitable that some stereotyped fixed thinking will appear. In the end, Duke was able to convince them that the achievements in the past played a huge role.

After all, no one can ignore the advice of such a successful director.

Besides, after the plan developed by Marvel Pictures, the Avengers will inevitably appear, and the Avengers will surely make an earth-shattering prestige. If in this case, the identity of the superheroes can be kept secret, that is It's mocking the audience's IQ.

"I am leading several associate directors to develop script plans and sub-shot artwork."

Seeing Duke was about to leave, Anna Prinz handed him a folder, "This is the finished part."

It’s not the time to look at this. Duke just opened it and flipped it briefly, and handed it over to the bodyguard following behind. He waved his hand to Anna Prinz, indicating that he would be here for now, and turned to the training next to the studio. Go to the museum.

The crew has several main actors in action dramas and their stunt doubles. They are currently receiving professional training from Jimmy Carter in the training hall. After Duke walked into the training hall, apart from seeing the familiar figure of Scarlett Johansson, I also met another main actor-Robert Downey Jr. who played Tony Stark. (To be continued...)

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