Chapter 267: Extraordinary Measures
Chapter 267: Extraordinary Measures
After eliminating that possibility, the script’s value dropped by one level.
Next, Eric left that group, and Bruce caught up with him, then narrated the outline of the script to Eric. After Eric finished listening, he merely left Bruce a business card and told him to come to the company the next day for a detailed discussion.
Therefore, it could be confirmed that Eric was interested in this script. But Eric was interested in too many scripts. The matter of him having that little girl Drew Barrymore go around acquiring rights recently, though he thought it had been done quietly, was known to everyone who should know. It was just that scripts were actually the least valuable thing. Hollywood produced eight to ten thousand scripts every year, and only a few hundred could be made into films.
Therefore, what Michael Eisner needed to confirm was whether Eric would personally direct this script.
So far, among the films Eric had made, three had already finished their theatrical runs, and all three had exceeded 200 million dollars at the North American box office. Judging from Home Alone 2’s first-week box office of 46 million dollars, it was only a matter of time before it also broke 200 million.
Under these circumstances, unless Eric’s next film was an art film aimed at the Oscars, its box office absolutely would not be lower than 100 million dollars. Perhaps it would be another film whose box office could reach 200 million dollars.
And Michael Eisner had personally read the script for Ghost. This script had absolutely nothing to do with art films.
“Bruce, can you confirm that when you discussed it with Eric, his words indicated that he intended to personally direct this script?”
Because Michael Eisner had left him waiting through such a long period of thought, Bruce was somewhat annoyed, but he still nodded. “Yes. From beginning to end, Williams indicated that he wanted to personally direct this script.”
Of course, Bruce omitted Eric’s statement that the film would have two different outcomes depending on whether Eric directed it himself or someone else did.
Because that would hinder Bruce’s price negotiations with other film companies. In fact, Bruce already had another plan in mind. As long as another studio could offer him a satisfactory price, he did not necessarily have to sell the script to Eric. He only needed to specify in the contract that the other party had to hire Eric as the director. As for how those major companies would invite Eric, that was not something he needed to worry about.
After thinking it over repeatedly for a while longer, Michael Eisner finally made his decision. “One million dollars, plus 3% of North American profits. Mr. Rubin, this is Disney’s final offer. There is no room for negotiation. I also believe no other film company will offer a higher price. So, if you agree, we can draft the contract immediately. If you do not agree, you may leave now.”
The corner of Bruce Joel Rubin’s mouth twitched. He quickly calculated in his heart. This price had actually already reached his expectations. A few weeks earlier, he had still been doing everything possible to sell this script. Now, one million dollars plus 3% profit participation had far exceeded his original expectations. As for the three million dollars and box office participation he had asked for in Eric’s office, that had only been a starting point for negotiation.
Moreover, Michael Eisner, sitting across from him, seemed even tougher than he had imagined. Bruce knew the other man was not joking. Bargaining would not produce much result.
Since that was the case, Bruce quickly made his decision. “Mr. Eisner, I can sell the script to Disney at the price you mentioned, but I have one condition.”
“Please go ahead,” Michael Eisner said, making a simple gesture for him to continue.
Bruce Joel Rubin said, “I want Eric Williams to personally direct this film.”
Michael Eisner’s expression shifted slightly. He knew very well that a film shot by different people would produce vastly different results. Therefore, he originally had the idea of buying this script and later co-producing the film with Eric. Otherwise, he would never have offered Bruce such a high price.
“I can agree to that condition.” Michael Eisner pretended to think for a moment, then nodded.
“No, I’m not finished yet.” Bruce revealed a crafty smile. “I’ll sell the script to Disney at the price you just mentioned. Disney must first pay me the one million dollars. Then there will be a three-month deadline. If Disney cannot confirm within three months that Eric will direct this film, the contract will become void. As for the one-million-dollar deposit, I can at most return 50% of it to Disney.”
Michael Eisner’s face darkened. “Don’t you think that’s too unreasonable?”
Bruce shook his head. “Of course not. I’m taking a great risk by doing this. If you fail to invite Eric Williams to direct, then after the contract becomes void, outsiders will definitely be able to guess our terms. If I want Eric Williams to direct this film afterward, I won’t be able to gain much benefit from it at all.”
“How can I be sure you won’t secretly leak the news to Eric Williams yourself?” Michael Eisner asked.
Bruce said in surprise, “How could that be possible, Mr. Eisner? Even if the news were leaked, it would be far more likely to come from Disney’s side. If I leaked it myself, I would lose at least one million dollars. That amount may be nothing to Disney, but to me, it’s a huge sum.”
Michael thought about what he might need to do next, then said, “Three months is too short. At least one year.”
“Half a year at most. One year is too long.”
“Not long at all. Since you’re a Hollywood screenwriter, you should know that there are countless scripts that only become films after ten or eight years of twists and turns. So, one year. After one year, even if Disney fails, the value of your script won’t depreciate. Therefore, it has to be one year.”
Bruce lowered his head and thought for a moment. “Fine. One year, then.”
“Then I’ll have someone draft the contract now.” Michael Eisner stood and picked up the internal phone on his desk to give a few instructions.
Several hours later, after the script contract was signed and Bruce Joel Rubin was sent off, Michael Eisner took a car to a villa in Malibu that had been arranged in advance. It was already afternoon, and several people had arrived early. Anyone very familiar with Hollywood would recognize at a glance that these people were all heads of the seven major studios.
“Hi, Barry. Long time no see.” Michael Eisner first walked up to Barry Diller and greeted him warmly.
“Yes. Everyone’s been busy. I can’t even remember when we last met,” Barry Diller said with a smile.
Michael Eisner also greeted Warner’s CEO Steve Ross and Universal CEO Sid Sheinberg, then took a seat beside Barry Diller.
Soon, Columbia Pictures CEO Peter Guber, whose company had recently been acquired by Sony, also arrived at the villa.
Next came Paramount CEO Frank Mancuso. With that, six of the seven major studios’ CEOs had arrived.
The heads of the major film companies all knew one another, and most had even worked together before. Therefore, even though they were now competitors, they all appeared warm on the surface. After they chatted for a while, one of Michael Eisner’s assistants hurried in and whispered a few words beside his ear.
After the assistant left, Barry Diller asked, “Is MGM’s man not coming?”
Michael Eisner nodded.
“Sigh. Actually, whether he comes or not doesn’t matter. He can’t make any decisions anyway. Everything still has to be decided by that bastard Kirk Kerkorian. Even if he came, it would be useless,” Paramount CEO Frank Mancuso said. “A few months ago, that bastard Kirk even wanted to invite me to take charge of MGM, but whoever takes over that mess now is doomed.”
As the heads of major film companies, everyone present had more or less some feelings for the film industry. Hearing Frank Mancuso say this, they all began sighing over how glorious MGM had once been.
“In that case, let’s begin,” Michael Eisner said. He had been the one who pushed hard to organize this gathering.
Hearing Michael Eisner say this, the other five men stood and walked toward a conference room that had been prepared in advance.
After they sat around the conference table, an assistant entered and distributed the prepared materials to everyone present, then silently closed the conference room door and withdrew.
“Everyone, take a look. We can’t allow Firefly to continue developing like this,” Michael Eisner said.
These were materials he had asked people to compile about Firefly. In fact, the other film companies all had these data as well, but Michael Eisner could not exactly ask the others to “bring their own rations.”
The room remained silent for a long time. Time Warner CEO Steve Ross was the first to close the file in his hand, and the others gradually finished reading the materials as well.
Then they looked at one another.
They all knew Firefly was already a massive threat to the seven majors, and they all had the data in those documents. However, none of them had gathered it all together like this.
Now that Firefly’s achievements over the past year were laid out in front of them all at once, the impact on these helmsmen was obvious.
“I didn’t expect Firefly’s profits this year alone to already exceed half the total profits of all seven majors combined,” Steve Ross said with emotion.
Paramount’s Frank Mancuso shrugged and gave his former boss Barry Diller a meaningful glance before saying bluntly, “Martin Davis wants to interfere in everything, yet he doesn’t understand the business at all. Paramount’s profits this year are negligible. Maybe we’ll face losses next year.”
Universal’s CEO rubbed the plastic cover of the folder and glanced at Michael Eisner. “The Others and Steel Magnolias together will probably earn more than 200 million at the box office, right? Disney is also a beneficiary here, Michael. What exactly do you plan to do?”
Michael Eisner heard the sourness in Sid Sheinberg’s words and said, “Disney didn’t make that much. Williams only gave us the film distribution rights. The videotape and television broadcast rights aren’t in Disney’s hands.”
“Even then, you must have earned at least forty or fifty million,” Steve Ross also said.
“Enough arguing. Don’t forget what we came here to discuss today.” Barry Diller interrupted this exchange.
Then all five men turned their gazes toward Barry Diller.
Everyone knew that Fox was Firefly’s closest collaborator. Not only did Fox hold the distribution rights to three films personally directed by Eric, but it also controlled peripheral rights such as videotapes. On top of that, Fox Television had obtained Friends.
Barry Diller naturally understood what their eyes meant. He said in a deep voice, “If you think it’s inappropriate for me to be here, I can leave. But if that happens, I imagine today’s meeting will become meaningless.”
After saying this, Barry Diller coldly swept his gaze around the room. Only when no one said anything further did he continue, “Let’s not discuss the past. I’m sure all of you have seen this week’s box office data. From November 17 to November 23, the total North American box office was around 130 million dollars. But the three films related to Firefly accounted for more than 70 million, more than half of the total. If we continue allowing Firefly to expand like this, you should be able to imagine what the seven majors will face.”
Universal’s Sid Sheinberg said, “Before Firefly acquired New Line, I specifically warned all of you that Firefly must not be allowed to complete that acquisition. But in reality, the acquisition went through without the slightest resistance. None of you took action to stop it. Now that Firefly has New Line, it has its own distribution channel. Even if its overseas distribution is still extremely weak, as long as Firefly continues earning massive profits domestically, developing and expanding overseas channels is only a matter of time. So tell me, what can we do now?”
Everyone fell into a brief silence again. Barry Diller looked toward Michael Eisner, who had organized the meeting. “Michael, since you initiated this gathering, you must already have some ideas, right?”
Michael Eisner nodded. “At this point, it is no longer realistic for us to stop Firefly’s development. Therefore, we can only do our best to seek a stake in it. If we can’t destroy it, then we should try to control it.”
“Heh. If it were as easy as you make it sound, that would be nice. I imagine everyone here has already discussed the matter of investing in Firefly with them, right?” Columbia CEO Peter Guber, who had remained relatively quiet, said.
“Of course. So ordinary methods definitely won’t work. Since that’s the case, we can only use some extraordinary measures.” Michael Eisner’s tone became faint and drawn out. “This requires several of our companies to join forces and act together in order to succeed.”
“What about MGM?” Frank Mancuso asked worriedly.
“Kirk Kerkorian isn’t an idiot. Once we act together, MGM will definitely follow.”