Beverly Hills.
Inside a restaurant near Fox Studios, Simon was having lunch with Joe Roth, president of 20th Century Fox.
The date was Friday, August 11th, 1989.
Daenerys Entertainment formally signed a settlement agreement with the WGA yesterday, and Simon met with Joe Roth today to discuss the first of the 10 co-production film projects.
Simon had more than one project in mind, and the reason he started with Fox was because of Murdoch. Rupert Murdoch had personally called Simon more than once these days, naturally mentioning these 10 films. Even when talking to Janette, the woman also mentioned Murdoch lobbying her old man.
Fox Studios had collaborated with Simon on three films in the past two years: 'The Butterfly Effect', 'Final Destination', and 'Basic Instinct', all of which were highly successful.
Additionally, 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'Final Destination' also developed sequels last year, but because the success of the first films was partly due to the public's intense curiosity about Simon, the box office for the second instalments of both series, released last year, was far less than the first.
'The Butterfly Effect 2' only grossed over $56 million, and 'Final Destination 2' only grossed over $38 million. These results were actually very profitable, but due to the significant drop compared to the first films, Fox became more cautious about developing a third instalment.
Without these two flagship horror sequels released this year, Fox Studios' performance immediately declined.
This summer, Fox's 'Weekend at Bernie's, released in July, has only grossed just over $22 million so far, making no waves at all. James Cameron's new film 'The Abyss', released last Friday, was even more of a disaster. With Cameron's repeated overspending, the budget ultimately reached an astonishing $69.5 million.
Hollywood films usually round their budgets to whole numbers, such as $10 million or $20 million, but the actual situation is rarely that precise; most are just overall estimates.
Fox not rounding the budget for 'The Abyss' to $70 million, as per usual, was indeed because studio executives dared not do so.
After all, although there have been quite a few Hollywood films with budgets of $50-60 million in recent years, only 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' had a production cost of $70 million. Even for that film, Disney often attempted to claim that the budget wasn't that high, saying it was actually $45 million.
If burning money could result in a blockbuster like 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', the outcome would be considered good. However, compared to its high production cost, 'The Abyss' was truly a box office dud.
According to data compiled this morning, 'The Abyss' only grossed $17.53 million in its opening week of 7 days. In comparison, 'The Sixth Sense', in its sixth week of release, still grossed an impressive $20.37 million in a single week, firmly holding the top spot on the weekly box office chart.
Based on media reviews and audience feedback, Fox's North American box office estimate for 'The Abyss' is only $50 million, a project almost certainly destined for a loss. However, this is still the best box office performance among the 7 films Fox has released so far this year. For other films, the highest grossing was 'Weekend at Bernie's at $22 million as of last month, and the other 6 films failed to break the $20 million box office threshold.
Murdoch has never been particularly keen on the film business; he prefers newspapers and television. However, since he bought Fox Studios, he couldn't let it remain lukewarm, so he was eager to get a share of Daenerys Entertainment's 10 co-production film projects.
Since he had already decided to use Australian capital as his backing, Simon naturally had no reason to refuse Murdoch's request. Moreover, News Corporation's vast global media network would greatly benefit Simon's personal business expansion worldwide.
Befriending the Murdoch family could only bring benefits, not harm.
"'Sleeping with the Enemy'? Hmm... I remember, it's the story of a wife who can't stand her husband's abuse, fakes her death, and escapes", Joe Roth said, opening the script folder Simon had chosen and looking at it. He couldn't help but add, "Simon, this story doesn't seem to have much appeal; it can only be made into a low-budget thriller. I think 'Marked for Death' seems better; have you seen it?"
'Sleeping with the Enemy' was actually a film starring Julia Roberts in the original timeline, telling the story of a wife trapped by her mentally unstable husband who, unable to bear the torment, fakes her drowning and escapes her family.
While the story as a whole didn't seem to have many highlights, it was a film that, in Simon's memory, grossed over $100 million at the North American box office.
Simon happened to have seen this movie.
The success of 'Sleeping with the Enemy' wasn't just due to Julia Roberts' involvement; the tense plot, which kept audiences on edge from beginning to end with its interlocking events, was the key to its success.
Therefore, compared to a script that genuinely didn't show many highlights, details such as pacing, suspense setting, atmosphere creation, and even the theme music during the production process were all crucial.
There wasn't much free time during lunch, and Simon wasn't in the mood to argue with Joe Roth. He put down his cutlery and looked up, saying, "Joe, I'm not interested in 'Marked for Death'. If you like it, you can focus on that project yourself. Let's talk about 'Sleeping with the Enemy'".
Joe Roth smiled somewhat awkwardly, then cut to the chase, saying, "So, Simon, what's next?"
Simon simply said, "I had someone evaluate this project based on my vision, and the budget will probably be around $15 million. If we start preparations now, and everything goes smoothly, we can begin filming in October and release it next summer. You can start looking for suitable directors and producers this afternoon, and I'll also have people contact actors".
Joe Roth thought for a moment and said, "This is a film carried by its female lead, Simon. Who do you plan to cast as the lead actress?"
"I saw a test screening review in 'The Hollywood Reporter'. You have a new film coming out in October called 'The Baker Boys'?"
Joe Roth, naturally familiar with Fox's productions, blurted out, "Michelle Pfeiffer?"
'The Baker Boys' was a musical film starring the Bridges brothers and Michelle Pfeiffer, also translated as 'A Song of Unrequited Love'. From the title, it's clearly an artistic film, and the story is indeed very artistic, ambiguous, and evocative, even having a feel similar to old Hong Kong films like 'In the Mood for Love'.
Simon nodded and said, "Michelle's acting has become increasingly refined in recent years, and she can definitely carry this film. Also, if possible, have someone send me a copy. I'd like to see her performance in this film in advance. The review said Michelle's performance this time is enough to earn an Oscar nomination, and if that's true, it will be even more helpful for our film".
'Pretty Woman' was currently in production. Although filming would be completed before October, Simon didn't intend for Julia to continue starring in 'Sleeping with the Enemy'. The image contrast from a Cinderella in a romantic comedy directly to a poor wife trapped by her husband was a bit too great, and Simon wasn't sure if audiences would accept it.
Michelle Pfeiffer had just turned thirty this year, and her acting was entering its peak. If she could get an Oscar nomination for 'The Baker Boys' next year, her fame would rise even further, making her perfectly suitable for 'Sleeping with the Enemy'.
If anyone else had requested a copy, Joe Roth, even if he didn't refuse, would at least play hard to get. However, he readily agreed this time, saying, "I'll have someone send the copy to Daenerys Entertainment headquarters this afternoon".
Simon nodded contentedly and added, "One more thing, regarding James Cameron. I heard he has completed the script for 'Terminator 2'. Fox can buy the rights to 'The Terminator' and produce this film. This can be the second project in Daenerys Entertainment's collaboration with Fox".
Upon hearing this, Joe Roth's face immediately fell, and he said, "Simon, because of 'The Abyss', even if I wanted to continue working with James, the company's board of directors wouldn't approve it".
"I just said, this can be considered the second project in Daenerys Entertainment's collaboration with Fox," Simon said, then added, "Additionally, you only need to acquire the rights to 'The Terminator' and Cameron's script; we don't necessarily have to let him direct".
Joe Roth immediately understood, but he was also a bit confused.
If Simon was optimistic about this project, why wouldn't Daenerys Entertainment acquire it themselves?
Simon saw Joe Roth's confusion and explained with a smile, "I had people contact the rights holders of 'The Terminator' before, but it wasn't successful. If we approach them now, we'll definitely be heavily gouged".
'Terminator 2' was the highest-grossing film in North America in 1991 in the original timeline, with global box office exceeding $500 million. Simon naturally considered monopolizing this project.
However, since he proposed a plan for 10 films, if none of them became a huge hit from beginning to end, other Hollywood studios would certainly not be so enthusiastic in the future.
After all, the main reason Hollywood was so excited about these 10 projects this time was the expectation of surprises like 'The Sixth Sense'. Otherwise, including the 10% distribution commission from various channels, other studios' share of profits in these projects would probably only be about 60%.
Calculated this way, a film with $100 million at the North American box office would actually only be equivalent to $60 million.
Of course, $60 million at the North American box office was by no means low in this era.
Excluding last year's box office boom, a year or two before that, $60 million at the North American box office was enough to enter the top ten on the annual list. Even in the next few years, Hollywood films with domestic box office exceeding $60 million would probably only be around 20 per year, and even if all went to the seven major studios, each would get less than 3 films on average.
Moreover, Simon didn't intend to choose all blockbuster-level projects this time, which made it even more necessary to have a few big hit films to support the performance of this plan.
Giving up 'Terminator 2' was mainly because the project's 'cost-effectiveness' was relatively low.
The original 'Terminator 2' was the first Hollywood film with a production cost exceeding $100 million. Now, even according to Simon's plan, if Cameron were removed and a different director brought in, and the producer was no longer Carolco Pictures, known for its extravagance in the industry, the film's budget would certainly not be much lower, making it perfectly suitable to offer now.
After their discussion, lunch quickly concluded.
As Simon and Joe Roth walked out of the restaurant, reporters who had caught wind of their meeting surrounded them.
"Mr. Westeros, are you discussing a film collaboration project with Joe Roth?"
"Joe, can you reveal what genre it is?"
"Simon, can you really communicate with spirits?"
"..."
"..."
'The Sixth Sense' was about to break the $200 million mark at the North American box office, a truly unstoppable force.
Due to widespread attention, Daenerys Entertainment's plan for 10 co-production films had become a recent media hotspot. Daenerys Entertainment had not taken any concrete action within two weeks of the plan's announcement, further fuelling strong curiosity from the media and public.
Amidst the clamour, Simon's bodyguards quickly stepped in to block the reporters, escorting him into the car waiting by the roadside.
Although Joe Roth enjoyed being surrounded and pursued by reporters, he didn't rush to reveal anything, only telling the surrounding reporters to pay attention to Fox's official announcements, then quickly got into his car and returned to Fox Studios.
Santa Monica.
As soon as Simon returned to his office at Daenerys Entertainment headquarters, Jennifer followed him in.
"Forbes magazine is releasing its new annual Forbes 400 Richest Americans list next month. They contacted us this morning, probing whether we could actively provide some materials. If possible, they also hope you can grant an exclusive interview".
Simon shook his head without hesitation, saying, "We won't cooperate or obstruct this matter. Let them figure it out themselves".
Jennifer hummed in acknowledgment, opened the folder she was holding, pulled out a check, and handed it over, saying, "This shouldn't just be left on the bedside table in the bedroom".
Simon took it and glanced at it; it was the check he had signed for Lynda Carter on Monday.
Presumably, Jennifer had found it when doing her routine cleaning of the villa that morning.
Simon hadn't been to Palisades since last Sunday and thought the woman would have taken the check, but she had left it behind.
He casually placed it aside, pretending it was unintentional.
'Uncle Buck' was opening today, and John Hughes had come from Chicago to Los Angeles in the past few days to promote the film. Simon had scheduled a meeting with him at 1 PM to discuss the second film in their contract. Of course, Simon's real purpose was to confirm the details of 'Home Alone'.
The time was almost up.
He looked across at her.
The female assistant was still standing there, head bowed, seemingly engrossed in reading the document in her hand, showing no intention of leaving.
After a brief standoff, Simon had no choice but to explain, "Well, I'm a very suspicious boss, you know. Of course, I have to test whether the cleaners would steal things. See, the results are pretty good".
Jennifer tilted her head slightly and glanced over, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, looking like a curious child wanting to hear more of the 'story'.
Simon, exasperated, simply straightened his face and put on his boss persona, saying, "John will be here soon. Go make a pot of coffee first. Are you just going to stand there and wait for me to deduct your salary!"
Jennifer gave Simon a harmless glare, and as she turned to leave, she didn't forget to repeat a habitual small threat: "I'll tell Janette".