American fame and fortune

"Are you very optimistic about this project?"

In the office of Pacific Pictures, Louise read the project plan for "Escape from Tehran", took off her black-rimmed glasses, rubbed the corners of her eyes, and asked Martin opposite: "You haven't even seen the script yet."

Martin stretched himself: "At the Oscar level, this is an extremely politically correct film; at the market level, this incident itself is legendary. A CIA escape expert used real and fake Hollywood crews to help Six diplomats escaped from Tehran. No one would dare to make a movie like this. They would be scolded for being brainless and illogical."

Louise couldn't help laughing: "Reality is often more outrageous than movies."

If it were not based on fact, the content of "Escape from Tehran" would definitely be criticized by audiences and critics.

Martin told the truth: "I think this film not only has a market, but also meets my actual needs."

There was a knock on the office door, and the assistant came in and said, "Mr. Graham King is here."

Martin and Louise went out to greet him.

As soon as Graham came out of the elevator, he saw Martin and Louise, shook hands with them, and entered the reception room together.

Martin asked: "The male lead hasn't been chosen yet, right?"

Graham, who had worked with Martin before, took out the script and handed it to him, saying: "The director, actors and investment have not been confirmed yet. A few actors have contacted me, but the project will not start filming until the second half of next year at the earliest. I There’s no rush to make a decision.”

Martin flipped through the script and said: "In terms of investment, Louise and I can handle most of it."

Graham understood that Martin wanted to bring money into the group.

In this way, he has many advantages over ordinary actors.

The funding for the project was solved, the leading actor was solved, and by the way, the market appeal was also solved.

Is there a more perfect solution than this?

Graham said: "By cooperating with you, most of the problems of this project have been solved immediately. How could I refuse?"

Louise took over: "How about we jointly invest in the production?"

Graham's GK Pictures is not a big company. If it doesn't raise money from here, it will have to find other people to invest. He immediately nodded: "You guys should send someone to negotiate a contract with my film company."

Louise glanced at Martin.

Martin quickly flipped through the beginning and end of the script, confirming that it was the "Escape from Tehran" he had watched before, and nodded slightly at her.

Louise said, "I'll have someone come over and talk to me this afternoon."

Martin is very particular about his work and said to Graham: "The "Prince of Thieves" project requires you to be the producer."

Graham responded: "No problem, but my schedule is very full, maybe until 2012."

Martin's schedule is also very full. The two films that are confirmed to be shot next year are "The Martian" and "Escape from Tehran". Taking into account the preparation time, shooting time, and the promotion time of other films, the actual schedule is also very nervous.

He said: "I don't have a schedule next year, so I'll have to wait until 2012."

For project cooperation, they only need to finalize the big aspects, and the rest of the details will naturally be discussed by the professionals below.

The three chatted for a while and then talked about the director.

Graham said: "Originally I wanted to invite Steven Spielberg, but his schedule was not suitable. He was preparing to make a movie about Lincoln, and the price was too high."

Martin said: "There is no doubt about Spielberg's ability, but as a director, he has to take most of the profits."

"So, I gave up after just a little contact." Graham sighed: "Director Scorsese is not interested in projects with this theme, and it is not easy to find other suitable directors."

The three of them are not just actors and producers. They also have a studio behind them. When choosing a director, they also have to consider profit issues.

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "How about David Fincher?"

Graham nodded: "You can get in touch."

Louise also agreed: "There is definitely no problem with Director Fincher's ability. It depends on whether his schedule is suitable."

Martin said: "I'm going to meet him in the afternoon and just want to ask him."

Graham said: "If he is interested, we will discuss specific cooperation matters with him."

The three chatted for a while, and Graham said goodbye and left.

After coming out of Pacific Pictures, Graham got in the car and received a call from Matt Damon.

"Hey Matt, what's up?" he asked.

Matt Damon on the other side said: "I just saw a project in the agency, which is based on the real rescue incident of the CIA. It's called "Argo". Your GK Pictures project is looking for male protagonists? What should I do? Sample?"

He specifically added: "I know the operating mechanism of the CIA very well. I have dealt with them many times in the past and understand their style of doing things."

Graham thought to himself, if he had called earlier, you might have been the most suitable person, but now? He could only say sorry: "Matt, we already have a suitable candidate for the leading role."

Matt Damon did not give up so easily: "Do you know who it is? I'll call him and have a chat."

It is not uncommon for Hollywood stars to use their influence to persuade their opponents to withdraw. Christian Bale and Matt Damon are both representatives of this aspect.

Graham did not hide anything and said directly: "Martin Davis and I have finalized the cooperation with him and Louise Mayer of Pacific Pictures."

Matt Damon immediately fell silent.

"Let's have a drink together when we have time." Graham hung up the phone without saying anything more.

In the mansion in the Brentwood neighborhood, Matt Damon put down the phone in his hand.

The agent on the other side saw that he didn't look very good and asked quickly: "What's going on? What did Graham King say?"

Matt Damon said: "Martin Davis reached out and grabbed this project."

The agent asked: "There is no hope at all? Can't we try again? I have carefully inquired about this project. It is adapted from a real case. It is very legendary and can attract the audience..."

"Stop talking." Matt Damon raised his hand to stop the agent from continuing: "Let's give up."

The agent couldn't help but frown: "You give up so easily?"

Matt Damon covered his heart: "Remember one thing, you must remember it well!" He emphasized: "We will not participate in any project involving Martin Davis, and we will not compete for it, understand?"

Seeing that he was speaking extremely seriously, the agent nodded and said, "I understand."

Matt Damon picked up the project book on the low table and threw it into the trash can with some reluctance.

The agent said goodbye and left.

Matt Damon sent him back and stood next to a picture frame, silent for a long time.

There is a particularly large photo frame of three people, namely Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck.

The brothers lived a miserable life in prison.

It's not that Matt Damon didn't think of a way, but the people they provoked were really difficult to deal with.

As for Harvey Weinstein, that guy is completely hopeless and he has long given up on it.

The core members of the Foot Gang now consist of Matt Damon, Quentin and Robert Rodriguez.

The latter two are focused on the movie and don't want to cause trouble at all.

Matt Damon has seen the despicability of the Face Gang headed by Martin Davis and does not want to repeat the mistakes of the brothers Harvey and Affleck.

He murmured: "I can't afford to offend him, I can always hide from him."

From now on, Matt Damon decided not to touch any project that Martin Davis was interested in.

…………

Pasanadi, California Institute of Technology.

A promotional roadshow for "Gone Girl" had just ended. Martin approached David Fincher and said, "I have a new project here, would you like to take a look?"

David Fincher worked with Martin twice in a row and knew that he was reliable, so he asked, "What good projects do you have in mind?"

Now is the time when David Fincher is most obsessed with Oscars. Martin handed him the script of "Escape from Tehran" and said: "This project is very suitable for Oscars. It is adapted from a real case of legendary nature."

David Fincher took over the script and read it carefully. It started with a very familiar incident, which caused a sensation all over the world.

Seeing that Tony Mendes actually used fake Hollywood crews and projects to save people, David Fincher's interest was immediately heightened, and he turned directly to the back to read the ending scenes.

After watching it for a while, David Fincher said: "The script is very well written, and the rescue incident itself is full of drama and interesting to watch."

He asked: "Are you going to play the leading role, Tony Mendes?"

Martin nodded: "It's basically confirmed. The project will be jointly funded by Graham King's GK Pictures, Louise's Pacific Pictures, and my studio. Currently, there is still a lack of key directors."

David Fincher said: "What about the time? When do you plan to film and produce?"

"Later next year," Martin said.

David Fincher nodded slightly: "There's enough time."

Martin asked curiously: "David, do you have a new project in hand?"

"There is indeed a project." David Fincher closed the set and said with a smile: "You probably won't be interested."

He simply said: "At Netflix, Greg is planning to make his own content and invite me to be the producer and director of a political thriller series adapted from a British drama."

Martin has seen all of David Fincher's works and knew it was "House of Cards" as soon as he heard it.

David Fincher shook his head: "With your current status and market appeal, you would be crazy to shoot a gathering, and your age is not appropriate."

Martin asked: "Didn't you go to shoot?"

David Fincher laughed and said bluntly: "I can't help it. Netflix is ​​too convincing and offered me a price that I can't refuse."

Martin said seriously: "It's normal to make money."

"Indeed, without money, no matter how good a film artist is, he can only stare blankly." David Fincher pointed to the script: "Leave me here, and when the project is officially approved, Louise can come to me to negotiate the director's contract. "

As Martin's status in Hollywood increases, issues such as directing projects become less difficult to resolve.