Chapter 310: This is a Misunderstanding
"Robert Shay finished speaking and the two men fell into a brief silence, their eyes locked and unwilling to back down. After a while, Eric was the first to break the gaze, and a victorious smile appeared on Robert"s face.
"Alright, Robert, if you insist," Eric"s voice was slightly hoa.r.s.e and deeper in tone.
Robert Shay laughed in what he considered to be a very cheerful manner and reached out his hand slightly, as if he wanted to pat Eric"s shoulder, but the conference table between them prevented his gesture from succeeding.
"Eric, don"t be like this. You have to believe me, in Hollywood, money is the most important thing. Without money, everything is empty talk, and the distribution channels can"t be built in just a day or two. Look at the other movie companies now, which one doesn"t have a history of several decades?"
Eric slightly nodded, not knowing if it was agreement or something else. "Right, Robert, Jeffrey told me that you weren"t fond of the "Basic Instinct" project before?"
Robert was taken aback and then nodded, "Yes, Eric, I thought..."
Eric had no mood to listen to Robert Shaye"s reason, hearing Robert say that, directly said: "Since that"s the case, then this project is canceled."
Robert Shaye opened his mouth: "What, cancel... cancel, but, Jeffrey has already started casting?"
"I mean cancel from the company"s production plan this year," Eric raised his head: "This movie will indeed encounter a lot of trouble in grading if it is produced. So. To avoid risks. I intend to pull investment from the big seven, and I will personally invest a portion and establish a sh.e.l.l company alone for operations."
Robert Shaye has been in Hollywood for twenty years, how could he not understand Eric"s meaning, he indeed does not like the script of "Basic Instinct", but he has not firmly opposed it.
Now, Eric is doing this, which means that the production of this movie has been separated from Firefly. If this movie succeeds in the future, the copyright and profits will have no relationship with Firefly, which means it will have no relationship with him.
"Robert couldn"t possibly not understand that this was Eric"s counterattack against his own actions just now. He had just acted recklessly and Eric, as a major shareholder, had even more capital to act recklessly."
After a moment of psychological gain and loss, Robert said: "Eric, although I don"t have high hopes, I actually don"t object ..."
"According to the current plan. We will release the movie "Sleepless in Seattle", which you are responsible for, during the summer file, as well as "The Silence of the Lambs" by the TG film company, and part of "Ghost" that we co-released with Disney. I think Firefly shouldn"t be able to put out too many resources to release "Basic Instinct", so it is also a good choice to separate this project, and it can also avoid risks."
After thinking for a while, Robert gritted his teeth and couldn"t believe that Eric would always be successful, so soon, Robert nodded: "Okay, Eric, I"ll do what you say."
In fact, even if Robert did not agree, Eric also intended to do so.
The box office of "Basic Instinct" was only around 100 million dollars, which cannot be compared to the popularity and financial success of "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Ghost", and even less to "Sleepless in Seattle".
However, with Robert taking the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise to Disney, Eric had to respond in some way to make Robert think twice. Otherwise, Eric was sure that Robert would continue to push his advantage.
"Well, I have to go take care of some things now," Eric nodded after hearing Robert Shaye"s reply and left the conference room.
After Eric left, Robert, with a smirk on his face, finished his coffee before slowly getting up and leaving.
... ...
On St. Monica Mountain in the north of Mali, amidst a forest, dozens of crew members are busy, with various photography equipment everywhere.
This is the filming location for "The X-Files," although the story of "The X-Files" takes place in various states in the United States, it is impossible to run around during filming. Instead, shots are taken in the surrounding areas of Los Angeles or in the studio, and only when it cannot be avoided, will they go to the corresponding state to take some exterior shots and then edit them together.
Mulder and Scully are driving a black Ford car on the small road between the trees, Mulder is chatting leisurely with Scully, and the car radio and the rest suddenly become chaotic in a strange buzz. Mulder quickly stopped the car.
"Cut, this shot"s over, Raymond, quickly take down the camera from the car, Brad, Farah, you can take a break," director Kim Manners shouted to everyone with a megaphone, and the crew members quickly became busy.
Brad Pitt and Famke Janssen also listened to the director"s words and got off the car with some laughter. Brad Pitt retrieved a bottle of water from logistics and kindly handed it over to Famke Janssen, who smiled and thanked him before taking it.
"Hey Famke, it"s only two hours until quitting time, how about going to a bar together tonight?" Seeing that the woman was in a good mood, Brad Pitt made a timely invitation.
Famke Janssen hesitated for a moment. Although in the past few days of getting along, she had a good feeling about Brad Pitt and even when the two of them were walking together, they were photographed by paparazzi and appeared in the newspaper.
However, in the woman"s mind, there would always be another figure flashing by. She knew very well how she got the lead role. The little man gave her this role among a large number of strong compet.i.tors. Because He liked her. The woman knew that when she signed that contract, she had agreed to certain things.
She initially believed that Eric Williams would soon extend an invitation to her, however, she has only recently acquired the role. Eric Williams soon became embroiled in controversy, and the matter was never further pursued.
Furthermore, Brad Pitt persistently courted her with unwavering devotion. She got along well with this man, she found Brad to be gentle and attentive, and she gradually developed feelings for him.
"Perhaps, he has already forgotten about me."
The woman thought to herself that, after several months without any action and given that the man was evidently a womanizer, it was highly likely that she was just a pa.s.sing acquaintance in his life.
Being a beautiful woman, pride was inevitable, and these thoughts inevitably left the woman feeling somewhat disheartened, more so than when she signed the actor"s contract for the role.
"I ... alright," she considered before nodding slightly.
Brad Pitt smiled more brightly: "By the way, do you have a bar that you often go to?"
Famke Janssen shook her head: "Sorry. I used to live in New York, you can pick any one."
"No problem." Brad Pitt nodded.
Just as the two were about to continue their conversation, a car drove directly into the production set. One of the producers of "The X-Files", Hans Whitsell, got off the car, looked around, and saw the two together. He walked over with a slight frown.
"Hi, Hans, how did you get here?" Before Hans Whitsell could reach the two people, director Kim Manners greeted him.
Hans Whitsell smiled and shook hands with Kim Manners and pointed to Brad Pitt and Famke Janssen: "I"m looking for them."
"What"s the matter?" Kim Manners asked.
Hans Whitsell shrugged helplessly: "Mr. Williams is looking for them."
"Mr. Williams..." Mr. Kim Manners hesitated for a moment, but quickly realized that the only person who could be addressed by Hans Whittel was Eric Williams: "What is it?"
Hans handed Mr. Manners a newspaper: "Take a look for yourself."
At this time, Brad Pitt and Famke Janssen also walked over and saw the newspaper that Hans had handed to Mr. Manners. Both of them were stunned. The newspaper clearly had a photo of the two of them.
Brad Pitt was well aware that Hans Whittel was a producer at Firefly Studios, and he suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. He couldn"t be so unlucky, he had never forgotten the time when he was chased out of a TV drama group in New York for flirting with a female lead in the TV drama.
Although he hated Eric at the time, the situation gradually pa.s.sed and Eric became more and more dazzling, so he appeared more and more insignificant. A person may envy and hate those who lead him by one or two steps, but for those who are far ahead of him, he usually cannot generate this feeling.
Although Eric is much younger than him, Brad Pitt doesn"t hold any negativity towards Eric, rather showing reverence.
Initially, when the production crew was newly established, Brad Pitt was worried that Phoebe. Jensen could be Eric"s woman, therefore he didn"t harbor any thoughts initially, but over time Brad Pitt realized that Phoebe. Jensen and Eric seemed to have no connections, thus he relaxed and began to pursue her.
But now he realizes he miscalculated again.
Glancing at Famke Janssen next to him, Brad Pitt really wanted to slap himself. This woman had no prior acting experience, and was able to be picked from a large pool of auditionees, it would take a miracle to believe it was just luck.
Since it"s not luck, then it must be another reason. And both the male and female lead of "The X-Files" were chosen personally by Eric Williams, thus this "other reason" is even more obvious.
Kim Manners glanced at the newspaper and saw Brad Pitt and Famke Janssen lined up for a walk, as well as articles about the "X-Files" male and female leads sparking a love affair, and he asked curiously, "Hans, what does this mean?"
Hans Whittel leaned in to Kim Manners and whispered something, Kim Manners looked at the man and woman in front of him and immediately said, "Hans, I think there must be some misunderstanding, I thought the article was for the promotion of the movie."
Brad Pitt could no longer resist and also spoke up, "Mr. Whittel, this is really just a misunderstanding, Miss Famke Janssen and I have no relationship at all."
Famke Janssen, hearing Brad Pitt"s words, was surprised and opened her eyes wide, looking at the man beside her.
Brad Pitt looked a little embarra.s.sed at the woman looking at him, but quickly said, "we just happened to run into each other yesterday, we chatted for a few minutes and then parted, nothing happened between us, right?"
"Brad Pitt was relieved but at the same time disappointed when Famke Janssen affirmed her lack of relationship with him to Mr. Whittel, without a shred of hesitation, as if their previous courteous interactions were merely a mirage. Famke"s once faint affection for him evaporated instantly.
"Yes, Mr. Whittel, I have no connection to Mr. Pitt, and the newspaper scandal is entirely fabricated by the paparazzi," Famke said coolly.
While Brad"s nerves settled, he was quick to adjust his mindset. So long as he secured the lead role, he could afford any woman he wanted in the future. He had learned from his agent that Fox valued "The X-Files" as highly as "Friends," and every time he envisioned his future fame like the six friends on "Friends," Brad knew all his struggles in Hollywood were worth it.
Whittel gave them a blank look and then focused on Famke, implying something with his words, "Mr. Williams wants to see you two. You can tell him these things face to face."
Director Kim Manners asked, "Hans, is it now, but the next shot is ready?"
Hans Whitel patted Kim Manners" shoulder: "Sorry, Kim, it may only go this far today, it takes more than an hour to drive from here to Firefly headquarters, Mr. Williams instructed me to take them there before I clock out."
"Hans, it only takes ten minutes, the shot is not long, just a few simple dialogues?"
Hans Whitel still shrugged.
"Well, I"ll have the crew shoot other shots first." Kim Manners knew there was no room for negotiation, so he said helplessly, said goodbye to a few people, and walked directly to the crew.