Chapter 233: You Can’t Take All the Benefits for Yourself
Chapter 233: You Can’t Take All the Benefits for Yourself
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“What’s wrong? Is there some problem?”
Seeing Eric’s surprised expression, Elizabeth leaned over to look at the cover. Not finding anything special, she asked again:
“What is it?”
“Uh, nothing.”
Eric shook his head and directly opened the script, quickly reading through it.
More than ten minutes later, Eric finished the script and looked up.
“Where did you get this script from?”
Of course, Elizabeth was not going to tell Eric that Drew had found it. She simply repeated the explanation Drew had prepared.
The little girl had repeatedly instructed her and Julia to keep it secret. She wanted to quietly accomplish something first, then give Eric a huge surprise in the future.
After hearing Elizabeth’s story about “accidentally” obtaining the script, Eric could only shake his head in amazement.
If he knew this script had been dug up by the little girl, he would definitely spank that spendthrift brat hard. How could she possibly share something this valuable with others, and share so much of it at that?
“You’ve finished reading it. So what do you think?”
Elizabeth asked nervously.
Although she had already decided to produce the film, it was impossible for her not to want some affirmation from Eric.
Eric rubbed the cover of the script thoughtfully.
For an instant, he considered sharing at least part of the investment in this script with Elizabeth. After all, this was not only a blockbuster film, but also one of the rare movies that swept the four most important Academy Awards.
But the thought had only just surfaced before he quietly suppressed it.
He felt there was no need to monopolize every advantage in the world and leave no path for others. In the end, that would only leave him with nowhere to go himself.
Besides, this little woman in front of him had only just crossed the line of friendship with him.
Once he sorted out those thoughts, Eric relaxed and said:
“The story itself isn’t especially unique, but once adapted into a movie, it’ll definitely create a completely different effect. So I think the casting will be extremely important. Do you already have candidates in mind for the male and female leads?”
“I was planning to let Julia play Clarice Starling, and she already agreed. As for the others, I haven’t decided yet. Anyway, this is my debut project as a producer, so I can take things slowly. I’m not in a hurry.”
Eric immediately shook his head.
“No. Julia isn’t suitable for Clarice. Clarice is a very complex character, and Julia’s acting skills aren’t at that level yet.”
“Then who do you think is suitable?”
The woman asked tentatively.
Eric answered without hesitation:
Jodie Foster.
“Ah… what a coincidence. I just heard that the screenwriter adapting this script also recommended Jodie Foster for Clarice.”
Elizabeth sighed in surprise, then adopted what she believed to be a very professional tone.
“But Eric, this is just a horror film. Audiences watch horror movies for thrills and excitement, so I don’t think the female lead’s acting skills need to be exceptional at all. Horror films aren’t made to compete for the Oscars anyway. I’ve barely heard of any horror movies winning Academy Awards.”
“Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it never will,” Eric replied.
“Of course, I’m only making suggestions. Whether you listen is up to you.”
Since the film had nothing to do with him, Eric no longer wanted to forcefully interfere.
Hollywood history had already completely changed because of his existence. Even if The Silence of the Lambs disappeared as a classic, perhaps some even greater movie would emerge in its place.
“Then I’ll think about it again after I go back,” the woman said cautiously after hearing Eric’s response.
“Anything else?”
“For Professor Hannibal, you can try Anthony Hopkins.”
“Anthony Hobbkins?”
Elizabeth repeated the name Eric mentioned.
It was not strange that she had never heard of Anthony Hopkins. Although the famous future Hannibal actor had debuted back in the 1960s, in this parallel world, he only reached the peak of his career after the success of The Silence of the Lambs.
At that time, Hopkins was already over fifty years old. Before The Silence of the Lambs, he did not even have a truly representative work to his name.
Eric did not know how to explain why he knew of the man, so he vaguely said:
“He’s an old veteran actor in Hollywood. He’s appeared in a lot of art films, so his acting skills are definitely not a problem. I forgot which movie I saw him in, but his image fits Professor Hannibal extremely well. If you ask around a little, you’ll definitely find him.”
“Mm, then I’ll write it down.”
The woman nodded and pulled out an address book from her shoulder bag, carefully recording the name.
Watching the serious expression on the woman’s face as she lowered her head to write, Eric still spoke up:
“You know Jonathan Demme, right? He was the director I picked for the script of The Others. He’s quite capable, and after Home Alone, he’ll definitely gain a lot more fame. So let him direct The Silence of the Lambs. Though Jon is still in Venice right now. Once he comes back, I’ll introduce you to him.”
The woman’s hand paused slightly while writing. Then she looked up and stared at Eric.
“I don’t need your compensation!”
Eric froze for a moment before understanding what she meant. He smiled.
“You’re overthinking it. I never intended to compensate you. You can treat this as… a business deal. Jonathan Demme already signed with United Talent Agency, so UTA will take a percentage of his directing fee anyway. And I just happen to be a major shareholder of UTA.”
Elizabeth pouted slightly.
“Then I’ll negotiate with Jonathan Demme myself. I don’t need your involvement, and I definitely don’t need any discounts. Whatever his fee is, I’ll pay every cent.”
Eric shrugged.
“Fine. Suit yourself.”
After finishing their discussion, Elizabeth put the script back into her shoulder bag before looking up again.
“So do I have any work to do now?”
Eric gathered several documents from his desk and handed them to her.
“Take these out and shred them, then throw them away. Also, the top file is the shooting schedule for Sleepless in Seattle. You can familiarize yourself with it first so you won’t be completely lost once filming starts. There’s a desk in the lounge outside. You can stay there, and I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Mm.”
The woman nodded. She was very satisfied that Eric was finally letting her do some real work.
Holding the documents, she stood up and was about to leave when she suddenly stopped and asked:
“Eric, it seems like you only have Allen as your assistant. You don’t have a female secretary or anything?”
“That’s because I rarely stayed at the company before, so I didn’t need one. But after this year, the number of things requiring my personal attention will definitely increase, so I’ll probably find a pretty vase to handle miscellaneous tasks.”
At this point, Eric winked ambiguously at the woman.
“What? Do you have someone to recommend? Or are you recommending yourself?”
“Hmph. This lady is too expensive for you to hire, and I’m not a vase either!”
The woman said proudly before turning and walking out.