Chapter Eight Hundred and Ninety Seventh Consecutive 3

Back in Hollywood, the first thing Eric needed to solve was MGM's salary contract with Pierce Brosnan.

The great success of "Casino Royale" not only brought huge profits to MGM, but also helped MGM's market value break through the $12 billion mark in the near future, but also made Pierce Brosnan, who plays James Bond, become a The remuneration for the sequel is very open, calling out what is likely to be the first salary contract in Hollywood history with a base salary of 20 million plus 20% profit sharing, and only willing to sign one at a time. If calculated according to the tickets of "Casino Royale", the value of this salary contract is close to 70 million US dollars. In recent years, the average salary of Hollywood's first-tier superstars has been less than 20 million US dollars. This kind of asking price is simply random. MGM Naturally impossible to agree.

Thanks to Eric's appearance, the highest paid Hollywood actor so far is still Jack Nicholson's $50 million in "Batman", and that's just an accident.

Hollywood, like Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, and other first-line big names who both starred and participated in the production, often get only 20 to 30 million US dollars in salary from each film. Although the global ticket of "Casino Royale" has shot up to 1 billion, it is clear to everyone that Eric's participation and the popularity of the MGM movie universe are the key to the film's success. Pierce Brosnan's The importance is far less than imagined.

With the release of "Casino Royale", all six films in the first half of the first half of the MGM film universe have ended, and the world view of the entire agent film universe has also been completed.

In the plan, the second half of the first phase of the Agent Cinematic Universe still includes six films.

At present, "Piliwa 3" has started filming, and it is expected to be released in the summer next year. "Mission Impossible 3" is also in the intensive preparatory process, and the schedule is determined at the end of next year. The starring roles of these two films have been determined in advance, and there will be no issues such as remuneration disputes for the time being. However, if the issue of Pierce Brosnan's salary cannot be properly resolved, the other four planned films such as "Bond 19", "Perak 4", "Mission Impossible 4" and "Bond 20" are likely to be released. Because MGM and several protagonists have a long salary tug-of-war, it could not be implemented smoothly.

Amy Pascal and Pierce Brosnan's agent have been talking for half a month one after another. Maybe they thought they had managed to hold MGM's seven inches. The fixed remuneration is the intention of SI without any concessions. Eric didn't want a salary contract to drag on for a few months or even a year and a half, so he decided to do it himself.

The Brantwood Country Club golf course in Santa Monica, not far from Firefly Studios in Playa Vista, where Amy happened to have a membership card, suggested a meeting with Pierce Brosnan Schedule here.

Now that he was back in Los Angeles, it was Monday again. Eric and Katzenberg habitually finished breakfast together. Before they finished talking about some things, they rushed over with him.

On the golf course, Eric emptied one shot again, ignoring the girl's heartless snickering, bent over to correct the golf ball on the ground, and said to Katzenberg, "So, you now understand why I want to talk to you. Stuart and the others should sign a long-term contract. If they don't, the situation we will face in the future will definitely be worse than the current MGM. They are a group of superheroes that are enough to destroy the earth. At that time, all of them will ask for sky-high pay, and Firefly will be given. They're working."

Katzenberg glanced at Drew and Amy Pascal who were whispering nearby,

Said: "I'm just curious, how do you solve it this time?"

Eric placed the ball and swung it out with one shot. Looking at the white shadow that flew far away this time, he and Katzenberg walked towards the far point. He didn't answer the question directly, but said, "Everyone. Everyone should understand who is the real master of Hollywood."

Katzenberg shook his head helplessly and said, "But, Eric, you will make more and more first-line superstars refuse to cooperate with us."

"You still don't understand, Jeffrey," Eric said. "At least, in Firefly, the era of superstars has ended prematurely. The next twenty years, or even longer, will be the era of technology and special effects. The Marvel Cinematic Universe that Firefly is brewing, MGM's upcoming "The Ring" series, and many other projects planned, their selling points will be visual effects and storybooks, although the participation of first-line stars can be icing on the cake. Tim, but they're not necessary."

Although Katzenberg didn't quite agree with Eric's words, he still nodded, turned his head to look at Drew and Amy who were at the ball not far away, and said, "So, Eric, you have plans for your next movie. Well, you know, this is what everyone asked me to ask together."

In recent days, although the suppressing effect of "Casino Royale" on other films in the third week of its release has been greatly reduced, the third film "Tarzan Forest" in the Firefly Group's distribution system still has a tepid start.

Although the film review was good, the film only collected more than 16 million US dollars in the first three days of the first weekend, which is only half of MGM's "Scream 2" released in the same period. Because of Rachel Weisz's participation in the stunt of killing a child at the beginning , "Scream 2" received 32.92 million US dollars in tickets in the first weekend and three days. At the cost of "Scream 2" only $24 million, MGM can fully recover the cost in the first week. In comparison, on the Firefly side, the cost of "Tarzan Forest" is US$55 million, including "Jedi Police 2", which was defeated by "Casino Royale", and "Air Prison", which was also not too successful, Firefly Several live-action movies this year can almost be described as annihilation. Although there will be a new line of "Death Comes 2" next, that movie cannot be regarded as the main one after all.

Therefore, even if there is a film like "Finding Nemo", which is enough to support the global 1 billion votes for the entire summer, it is still difficult for the executives of Firefly to be happy, especially Eric ran to MGM directed "Casino Royale" "With such dazzling achievements.

"Next movie," Eric said, pretending to be an SI test, "When the sub-group on Ying's side is set up, I would like to direct a music v first, a v that is very interested in SI."

Katzenberg couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth, wanting to yell, 'Boss, can we do something serious? ’, in fact, if Eric were his subordinate, not his boss, with Katzenberg’s fiery temper, he must have really yelled.

Looking at Katzenberg's uncomfortable look, Eric laughed and said, "Okay, Jeffrey, this kind of thing can't be rushed. You see, the global ticket of "Casino Royale" will definitely reach 10 100 million, since I have made two consecutive films with a global ticket level of 1 billion, wouldn’t it be better if the next film can continue to maintain this level of tickets?”

Katzenberg involuntarily imagined the scene depicted by Eric, and felt that his facial muscles showed signs of twitching again, and said: "You mean, three consecutive films, 1 billion in the world?"

Eric nodded and said: "Yeah, actually, I still really want to surpass the record of votes created by Jim, but I can't do his wholehearted pursuit after all, so we can win by quantity. . If the global ticket price of three consecutive films can be maintained at 1 billion US dollars, that should be considered a pioneering work.”

"Okay," Katzenberg felt that Eric's plan was a bit outrageous, but he did not doubt that Eric had the ability to achieve such a miracle, but, just nodded, he immediately added: " However, Eric, you have to make sure that the next movie will belong to Firefly."

"Of course, this is for sure," Eric nodded with a smile, and beckoned Natasha, who was standing not far away, to come over, change a club, and continued: "Also, I won't make everyone wait. too long."

The two chatted while playing the ball, and after a while, Drew and Amy came over with a middle-aged man in his forties.

When Amy was about to speak, the middle-aged man reached out and introduced himself: "Hello, Mr. Williams, I'm Pierce's agent, Rick Kotzman."

Eric politely shook hands with the other party and said, "I remember I said that I hope Pierce will come over in person."

"This, I'm really sorry, Mr. Williams," Rick Kotzman said with a troubled face, looking at the flaws at all, "Pierce couldn't come in a hurry, and he specifically told me to apologize to you."

In order to avoid too much tension with the film department during the salary negotiation process, the stars usually do not come forward in person, so that even if something happens, the two sides can keep some buffer space.

Eric naturally knew the rules and was not angry. When Rick Kotzman greeted Katzenberg, he said, "If this is the case, let's be honest, MGM hopes to be able to once Four-part deal with Pierce, two originals, two crossovers."

When Eric said this, Rick Kotzman said: "Mr. Williams, this is not good, we will only sign one movie contract with MGM each time."

Eric glanced at Rick Kirtzman, and waited for the other party to shut up wisely before continuing: "Four contracts, I have two remuneration plans here. First, the two originals are paid 20 million each, cross Each episode is paid 15 million US dollars, a total of 70 million US dollars, if Pierce is willing to choose this plan, MGM can pay the full amount at one time. Second, the base salary of the four films is all 10 million US dollars, and Pierce can get 10% from the original film. The profit share of the ticket, and the profit share of the cross concentration becomes 5%.”

Rick Kotzman couldn't help opening his mouth several times, but he endured it all. After Eric finished speaking, he couldn't wait to shake his head and said, "Mr. Williams, this contract is too insincere, We're not going to say yes, you know, Casino Royale can bring MGM a billion dollars."

"Yeah," Eric nodded, looking at Rick Kotzman, with a faint smile on his lips, "It seems you know this too, it's Casino Royale that brought 10 to MGM. $100 million, not Pierce Brosnan for $1 billion for MGM."

Rick Kirtzman didn't expect his own words to put himself in, but he was also used to seeing this kind of scene, and he didn't change his expression at all, insisting: "However, compared to what Pierce's 007 brought to MGM Profits, I think we should be compensated enough."

With a club in his hand, Eric nodded in agreement and said, "In this case, I recommend you to choose the second remuneration plan. I think in this case, Pierce will definitely be able to get more and eventually get $100 million. It's not impossible."

Rick Kirtzman couldn't help but jump when he heard the number of $100 million. If that was the case, then he could get a brokerage share of $10 million from it. In all of Hollywood, no agent has been able to take a $10 million cut from a star at a time, not even Michael Ovitz.

However, after a brief trance, Rick Kotzman quickly calmed down, and at the same time understood another thing. Since Eric said such a thing, he must have the same confidence in the tickets for the next few films. , In this case, MGM is even less likely to allow Pierce Brosnan to leave.

Secretly proud that he found another bargaining chip, Rick Kotzman smiled and said: "Mr. Williams, I just said that Pierce will only sign one contract with MGM at a time, and, just now Pay is definitely not acceptable.”

"I think you misunderstood one thing, Rick," Eric shook his head and said, "I'm not negotiating with you now, I'm just informing you of my decision."

Rick Kirtzman was stunned, looked at Drew and Amy next to him, and shook his head with a smile, and said, "Mr. Williams, it seems that it is impossible for us to reach an agreement today."

Eric ignored Rick Kotzman's look at the girl and Amy, and continued: "Of course, I don't have time to delay this matter for too long. Now go back and talk to Pierce, you have one day. It's time for consideration. At this time tomorrow, if MGM doesn't get a positive recovery, we'll make an announcement and start to choose a new Bond. Oh, and besides, Pierce's original contract with MGM still doesn't count. Okay, everyone, get together and leave."

Rick Kirtzman stared at Eric for a few seconds, then nodded decisively, and said, "Well, in that case, I'll tell Pierce this."

After saying this, Rick Kotzman stopped at all, nodded with the others, and turned to the outside of the golf course. He was certain that MGM would not easily replace the Bond candidates, thinking that Eric's remarks were just to force them to accept the contract, so he did not 'counterattack' in the slightest. He believes that even if they do not reply tomorrow, MGM will not be able to replace the news of Bond. After all, MGM's market value has only recently risen to a high of 12 billion US dollars, which is completely affected by "Casino Royale" Stimulated by the success of the vote, if MGM dares to kick Pierce out at this time, the stock price is likely to face a plunge. This is very bad for MGM, which is about to finance the acquisition of the cable TV stations recently.

When Rick Kirtzman walked away, Katzenberg, who had been quietly listening, looked at Amy Pascal with a worried face, and tentatively said: "Eric, is this a bit too big a bet?"

Eric gently swiped the ball on the ground to a nearby hole, shook his head and said, "I'm not betting anything. If Brosnan doesn't accept this contract, then forget it. If we Choose to back down. Next, Kevin Costner, Kate, and the three of them will all ask for the same salary. At that time, the salary of the actors in a movie is higher than the production cost, and if a lot of profits are divided, we will also There's no need to go ahead with the whole project. Instead of that, it's better to be tough now, so that other people don't talk about it. And, compared to the other two series, the risk of changing Bond players is actually It's the smallest. After all, this series has replaced several 007s. Well, Amy, don't use this watch, the big deal is that I will continue to be the producer of "Bond 19", tell me about you and Basic Cable How's the negotiation on Rainbow Media going?"

On the other side, Rick Kirtzman separated from Eric and the others, trying his best to restrain himself from the urge to look back. He kept walking, but there was an inexplicable anger in his heart. Knowing what was going on, in short, when he walked out of the golf course, he even felt a slight trembling in himself.

70 million fixed salary, 40 million base salary plus share, well, this is indeed a lot of money, but, this is four movies, maybe, well, but they absolutely dare not lose Pierce, absolutely.

With such a firm belief in himself, Rick Kotzman came to the parking lot, got into his gray Chevrolet, and Pierce Brosnan, who was sitting in the co-pilot, immediately looked over expectantly: "Rick, how is it? ?"

Shaking his head, Rick Kirtzman suddenly decided not to tell Brosnan about Eric's conditions. Anyway, MGM will definitely not dare to make any real announcement tomorrow. Saying it may shake his confidence. So he said, "There is still no result, Peel, let's go back to Century City first."

Pierce Brosnan felt that the agent's god was a little unusual, and asked, "What did Eric say?"

Rick Kotzman calmly started the car and said, "It's still those words, I hope you can reduce your salary, um, feel the cards or something. Don't worry, I will try my best to contact Amy Pascal next. , this person should be our breakthrough point."

Seeing that the agent had started the car, Pierce Brosnan had to suspend the questioning. He originally planned to go to see Eric with Rick Cozman, but was persuaded by the agent to stay in the car. Rick Kotzman has been his agent since he entered Hollywood. The cooperation between the two has been pretty good over the years, and Pierce Brosnan has no doubt that he will hide anything from himself. (.)