Chapter 158: Tonight, I'm Yours
MGM's new executive lineup was exactly as Ronald Meyer had previously revealed. Former Paramount president Frank Mancuso officially took over as CEO.
Within CAA, Michael Markus—who had worked alongside Paula Wagner as Tom Cruise's agent—left the agency to become President of MGM Pictures, assisting Mancuso in running the studio. As for MGM's United Artists label, it was placed under the leadership of John Calley.
Despite accumulating massive non-performing assets under Giancarlo Parretti, Crédit Lyonnais ultimately chose not to break up and sell MGM. CAA's lobbying clearly played a role. After all, MGM's strategic partnership with CAA greatly benefited the agency's packaging business.
Meanwhile, after completing work on Indecent Proposal earlier in the year, Robert Redford moved on to direct a passion project he had been preparing for years—A River Made to Drown In. The male lead was someone Aaron recognized immediately: Brad Pitt, who had made a striking impression the previous year in Thelma & Louise.
That evening, after leaving the Pierre Hotel, Aaron headed straight to the Hilton Garden Inn, where Elizabeth Hurley was staying.
"Aaron, you're here," Elizabeth said excitedly when she opened the door and saw him.
"Of course," Aaron replied, pulling her into his arms and guiding her toward the bed.
Their kisses were eager, her warmth unmistakable even through the thin silk of her nightdress. She responded just as passionately, her hands already moving to undo his clothes.
"You've been drinking," Elizabeth murmured, catching the faint scent of alcohol as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Aaron nodded lightly. "There was a celebration tonight—for Indecent Proposal."
"I heard it did very well at the box office," she said, her tone carrying a trace of envy. She knew she could have played Demi Moore's role just as well.
"Your time will come," Aaron said with a smile. "Did you miss me?"
"Of course I did. You've been back in New York for days before coming to see me."
She traced his cheek gently, then smiled. "Go take a shower first. Tonight… I'll make it worth your while."
Aaron laughed softly. "Then you're joining me."
In the warm steam of the bathroom, Elizabeth slipped out of her nightdress, her figure revealed in full—confident, elegant, and undeniably captivating.
She wrapped her arms around Aaron, her fingers tracing the muscles of his body. Smiling softly, she murmured,
"Aaron, you're in incredible shape. What happened on the plane last time is still unforgettable."
Aaron looked down at her, feeling the warmth of her touch. "And you're no different. Who could possibly resist someone like you?"
Elizabeth Hurley leaned close and kissed his ear, her voice low and intimate.
"Tonight, I'm yours. You can do whatever you want."
Soon, the steamy moment in the bathroom carried them straight into the bedroom…
---
At the same time, one month after its release, Sleepless in Seattle crossed $80 million at the North American box office.
By late July, after Aaron returned from New York to Los Angeles, Jonathan Demme's drama Philadelphia was moving rapidly through pre-production.
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Monica Bellucci had all officially signed on.
Meanwhile, another Dawnlight Pictures project was fully prepared: Ridley Scott's action-adventure epic The Mask of Zorro.
Kevin Costner, Anthony Hopkins, and British beauty Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared together at the press conference, drawing enormous attention.
---
At the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, during the celebration party for Sleepless in Seattle, Aaron found himself chatting with Paula Wagner after a long time.
"The Mask of Zorro—a sixty-million-dollar production," Paula said with a sigh. "That's a bold move."
Aaron shook his head lightly. "It's a co-production with Sony's TriStar."
"Even so, it's impressive," Paula replied. Dawnlight Pictures was growing at an astonishing pace.
At the time, Paula Wagner and her star client Tom Cruise were seriously considering moving into film production.
Paula planned to transition from agent to producer, while Tom's representation would be handed over to veteran agent Pat Kingsley.
They were already in discussions with Sherry Lansing at Paramount, negotiating a multi-picture exclusive financing and distribution deal.
Aaron asked casually, "What's Tom been busy with lately?"
After all, Aaron had already secured the adaptation rights to Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.
"He just wrapped The Firm with director Sydney Pollack," Paula replied.
"I see."
Tom Cruise also had A Few Good Men slated for release that Christmas, and was already lining up his next projects.
Paula then added thoughtfully, "By the way, have you been following what's happening at Castle Rock?"
"Castle Rock? What about it?"
Paula shrugged. "A new director, Frank Darabont, adapted Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption."
"The script landed at Castle Rock and caught Rob Reiner's attention. Reiner wanted to buy it and direct it himself, but Darabont refused."
Rob Reiner, after all, was one of Castle Rock's founders.
Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Shawshank Redemption?"
"Yes. Castle Rock gave Darabont a $25 million budget to direct it himself," Paula continued.
"Tom read the script and liked it so much that he even went to audition."
Aaron smiled faintly. "And Tom turned it down, didn't he?"
Paula returned the smile. "Tom felt that Rob Reiner should at least be involved—either directing or overseeing the production."
"He's cautious about first-time directors."
Reiner, however, insisted that if the film was entrusted to Darabont, then the director deserved full creative freedom.
Frank Darabont was only thirty-three, previously known as a horror screenwriter, with just one low-budget directing credit to his name.
No awards. No box-office track record. Tom Cruise's hesitation made perfect sense.
Aaron took a sip of his drink.
"I'm planning to adapt Interview with the Vampire. I think Tom would be very interested."
"Interview with the Vampire?" Paula nodded. "That novel's been sitting at Paramount for a decade."
"Yes," Aaron said calmly. "Interview with the Vampire."