readease Chapter 68 Unexpected Visitor
Chapter 68 Unexpected Visitor
Chapter 68 Unexpected Visitor
The MGM New Year's Eve party was in full swing, and Ernst and Hugh Hefner were having a lively conversation when Robert Iger whispered something in Ernst's ear, interrupting their conversation.
Ernst tapped his fingertips on the crystal glass in his hand, raising an eyebrow and a smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "Where?"
"I reckon we'll be there in a few minutes," Robert Iger said, glancing unintentionally toward the door.
At MGM's New Year's Eve party, Ernst never expected to receive several unexpected guests.
Just now, Robert Iger received a call from Cameron Anthony, who said he was bringing the creators of Titanic over for a visit, and that they were already on their way.
Setting down his glass, Ernst joked, "Looks like our truck driver's in a hurry, huh? Good thing."
The progress of the Titanic project is now an open secret in Hollywood, especially after MGM completed its acquisition of Paramount's stake in the project. Paramount's current president, Tom Jacobson, has been praising MGM in the media, saying it was a good company that helped Paramount get rid of this sure-fire money-losing burden.
His relieved expression only fueled further skepticism about the project from the outside world.
The saying "three men can make a tiger" applies here. Initially, only experts were skeptical of "Titanic," but now even Paramount has turned against it, leaving 20th Century Fox, the project's lead developer, completely uncertain and starting to have doubts.
The film is now finished shooting, but there are still some post-production issues. It's not that we don't want to do it, it's just that we don't have the money.
Historically, due to funding needs for later stages and publicity, Cameron approached Fox and Paramount many times, practically wearing out their doors, but still didn't receive a satisfactory response.
It's not that they're not responding; one has clearly stated that they won't contribute a single penny, while the other simply doesn't have the money to contribute.
This resulted in the filming of "The Big Ship," which was originally completed in 1996, being delayed until the end of 97 before its release.
But things are different now. With the involvement of new capital like MGM, the situation has changed dramatically.
Moreover, it is widely said that Ernst was very optimistic about this project, and even had a conflict with the CEO he personally appointed because of it.
After repeatedly failing at 20th Century Fox, this great director turned his attention to MGM, giving him another option.
"We haven't even received the money yet, and debt collectors are already coming to our door. Why didn't they come sooner?"
Robert Iger harbored resentment towards this renowned director.
Since MGM took over Paramount's "Titanic" project, this renowned director hasn't even made a single phone call to contact them, clearly showing his disdain for MGM.
But now that the chaos at MGM has settled down, news broke yesterday that the DVD and videotape rental rights and television broadcasting rights for "The Man from Earth" will bring MGM at least $100 million in 1997, and the famous director is coming to visit them today.
Ernst, however, took it in stride. He patted Egger on the shoulder and said cheerfully, "It doesn't matter. We were going to push this project anyway. Now it's even better. He needs our help, so we can use that as leverage to put pressure on 2000 Century Fox."
Ernst was annoyed by Twentieth Century Fox's indecisiveness.
Can we talk?
We can talk.
However, they demanded a staggering $1.5 million, with Fox stating that they would hand over the Titanic project if MGM paid $1.5 million.
With a total investment of only $130 million, and given the market's pessimistic outlook and widespread pessimism, how could anyone be so foolish as to expect to earn $20 million?
But if you say Fox was confident in this project, it seems they don't want to invest in it anymore.
Including post-production and promotional costs, Titanic will need approximately $6000 million more in funding, with a maximum of $7000 million.
With the success of "Independence Day," it wouldn't be too difficult for Fox to come up with the money.
However, they opted to launch several new film projects instead of considering the large ship.
Furthermore, Fox was somewhat hesitant and ambiguous about the idea of MGM taking over the subsequent fees.
They had originally agreed with Paramount that the latter would cover all subsequent expenses, but Paramount felt that this large ship was too much of a rip-off and refused to pay any more money.
But now that MGM is ready to release it, Fox is delaying it again.
Ultimately, the crux of the problem lies with Ernst; the film "The Man from Earth" has left Fox in a dilemma.
What if Titanic explodes? Although the chances are extremely slim, what if it happens?
Given the budget of "Titanic," the ship would need to gross over $5.5 million worldwide, plus the subsequent sales of videotapes and other copyrights, for the production company to recoup its costs.
With a global box office of $5.5 million, there wasn't a single romantic film to begin with.
The two men made no attempt to hide their conversation from Hugh Hefner and the women, whose eyes were now shining with curiosity.
This project is known to everyone in Hollywood today. There have been rumors that Ernst was extremely optimistic about it, while Robert Iger was extremely opposed to it.
There were even rumors that Robert Iger threatened to resign in order to reduce Ernst's involvement in management matters.
Now it seems that things are not as simple as the rumors suggest.
Even if Robert Iger had complaints, he certainly didn't hate the project as much as the outside world widely believed.
That means the two of them have found the highlights of the project and at least reached an agreement on the decision to acquire it.
A glint flashed in Hugh Hefner's eyes as he began to have some ideas.
In the eyes of successful people, successful people are always successful.
He had heard of the Titanic project, but it was not viewed favorably by the industry.
If Ernst can even bet on this project correctly, he will be extremely confident that the other party can lead MGM to success.
"They've arrived."
Robert Iger, who was keeping a close eye on the door, immediately spotted Cameron and the others who had already appeared there.
Ernst turned his head and his eyes involuntarily flashed with a wolfish glint.
There were four people at the door: James Cameron, the director of "Titanic," and his lover, who later became his fourth wife, Linda Hamilton.
Speaking of which, this guy is a scumbag. In just twenty years, he has had five wives.
After Linda, there was also Susie Amis, whom he married in 2000.
It's unclear whether Cameron was simply past his prime at that point, unable to get an erection, or if he had found true love, but this world-renowned director finally settled down.
Besides the two, there was also Kate Winslet, the British actress who starred in "Titanic," and an unfamiliar woman who was probably an assistant or agent.
They said they were bringing the main cast and crew to visit, but in reality, only the female lead showed up.
Cameron's success is not without reason; he has a firm grasp on interpersonal relationships, which greatly pleased Ernst.
After all, isn't it normal for a globally renowned bestselling author to be interested in drawing?
This famous director was afraid that he would run out of inspiration for painting, so he set all the goals for himself.
"Let's go, let's go meet this great director."
Ernst stood up, apologized to Hugh Hefner, and then went to greet Robert Iger.