Chapter 319: Interested
Chapter 319: Interested
After quickly glancing through the detailed information below, Eric saw that Stan Winston Studio had been established as early as 1972 and had successively undertaken special effects production work for many films, including the famous The Terminator and Alien. The studio had even won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects once in 1986, while the owner of the Winston Studio, Stan Winston, was himself one of Hollywood’s most famous special effects masters.
Moreover, Eric gradually recalled some information from his previous life.
The Digital Domain that later stood alongside Industrial Light & Magic and Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop had actually been founded jointly by Stan Winston and the world-famous James Cameron. In terms of CG technology for certain films, that studio had even been stronger than Industrial Light & Magic.
However, Digital Domain did not possess the deep technological foundation that Industrial Light & Magic had, nor did it enjoy the various forms of policy support that Weta Workshop received due to being located in New Zealand. Coupled with Cameron’s departure, the founders leaving one after another, and Stan Winston’s death, the company ultimately fell into leaderless chaos and eventually went bankrupt.
“Aaron, help me contact Mr. Stan Winston,” Eric said as he pulled out the file on Stan Winston Studio and handed it to Allen. “As quickly as possible. You know the schedule for Ghost is very tight. The location scouting in New York is already complete, and I’m only missing the female lead now. The most important thing at the moment is resolving the special effects issue.”
Allen took the file and looked through it before nodding. However, he still said, “Eric, I think if we hand the special effects over to Industrial Light & Magic, the film will definitely be completed on schedule. But if we do it ourselves, then both the results and timeline will become difficult to predict.”
Eric fell silent for a moment before saying, “I know what I’m doing. Contact Stan Winston as quickly as possible.”
“I understand.” Allen nodded.
Just as he was about to leave, the office door was knocked on.
After receiving permission, the female secretary poked her head in and said, “Mr. Williams, they’ve arrived.”
“Let them in,” Eric said.
Allen had also heard the contents of Eric’s earlier phone conversation with the front desk and tactfully turned to leave.
Jim Lester and Jennifer Connelly soon walked in one after another.
“Hello, Mr. Williams,” Jim Lester said as he extended his hand to Eric, who had stepped out from behind his desk.
“Hello, Jim,” Eric replied with a smile as he released the man’s hand.
Then he looked toward Jennifer Connelly.
The woman lowered her head somewhat nervously, but quickly raised it again, trying hard to look directly at Eric. She wanted to put on a composed smile, but no matter how one looked at it, her expression remained awkward.
“Jennie, long time no see,” Eric softly said.
“Y-yeah,” the woman nodded.
Feeling something was inappropriate, she wanted to say more, but Eric had already gestured toward the sofa in the lounge area.
“Let’s talk over there.”
The three sat down on the sofas while the secretary served coffee for them.
Eric sat opposite them, openly sizing up the woman across from him.
Jennifer Connelly met Eric’s gaze briefly before quickly looking away in panic.
The aggressiveness in the man’s eyes was almost exactly the same as it had been a year ago.
“What have you been busy with this past year, Jennie?” Eric proactively asked.
“I…” The woman hesitated, not knowing what to say.
Should she say she had been going from audition to audition, hitting wall after wall, while being neglected by her agent?
Jim Lester was sitting right there.
And even if her agent were not present, she still could not possibly say such things.
Seeing the woman’s awkward expression, Jim Lester hurriedly spoke up.
“Mr. Williams, Jennie spent most of this past year at Stanford University. You know, she’s still young. Learning more is always a good thing.”
Eric noncommittally nodded and looked toward the woman again.
“Is that so?”
Jennifer Connelly bit her lip before ultimately nodding.
“Yes.”
Eric continued, “By the way, last night I had a conflict with that… sorry, I forgot his name. Something Brandt…”
“Tony Brandt,” Jim Lester eagerly reminded him.
Eric nodded.
“Right, Tony Brandt. I ended up ruining your female lead opportunity because of the conflict with that gentleman.”
The woman showed no particular reaction, but Jim Lester let out a startled little sound.
He had not known about this matter.
However, recalling Tony Brandt’s tone during the phone call that morning, Jim Lester immediately understood why.
A trace of resentment had just surfaced in his heart when he suddenly reacted.
It had only been the lead role in a low-budget production anyway. Losing it was no big deal.
As long as they could latch onto the powerful figure in front of them, would they still have to worry about lacking roles?
“It’s alright, Mr. Williams. Actually, that film wasn’t very suitable for Jennie to begin with. Losing it is no great loss.”
Eric looked toward the woman.
Jennifer Connelly also forced a smile, though she said nothing.
“You should both know that I’m currently preparing a new film. Last night, by coincidence, I finalized the male lead. Preparations in New York are already complete as well. Once I find the female lead, filming can begin.”
The moment those words were spoken, even Jennifer Connelly, who had been pretending to remain composed, could not stop her eyes from lighting up.
As for Jim Lester, ecstasy flashed openly through his eyes.
However, Eric continued:
“It’s just a pity that the female lead of that film isn’t suitable for Jennie.”
After speaking, Eric leisurely picked up his coffee and observed the changing expressions on the faces opposite him.
After teasing them a little, he found their reactions quite amusing.
Even though he realized he had been toyed with, Jim Lester did not dare display even the slightest dissatisfaction, though the disappointment on his face was unmistakable.
Jennifer Connelly, meanwhile, tightly grabbed at the hem of her dress.
She was still wearing the gown from last night’s party. Because of Eric’s words, her breathing had become slightly uneven in her disappointment, causing the full softness beneath her strapless dress to tremble gently with the rise and fall of her chest, creating an extremely pleasing sight.
After thinking for a moment, Jim Lester still unwillingly suggested:
“Mr. Williams, perhaps you could let Jennie audition first and see the results. Her performance in last year’s The Hot Spot was actually very outstanding.”
Eric shook his head.
“If it were only an acting issue, then it wouldn’t be a problem at all. The key issue is image. My film requires the image of a home-oriented little woman, but Jennie’s temperament is too cold and glamorous. She simply doesn’t fit.”
“What a pity,” Jim Lester sighed with a shake of his head.
Eric took a sip of coffee and leisurely said:
“But it’s not a big issue. Hollywood produces several hundred films every year. Even the combined annual production output of the Seven Major Studios never falls below one hundred films. Finding a movie suitable for Jennie is an extremely easy matter.”
Jennifer Connelly still felt somewhat confused.
The incident where Eric had been attacked from all sides some time ago was already common knowledge.
Although no evidence had ever been publicly revealed, everyone knew the Seven Major Studios had been behind it.
Under such circumstances, shouldn’t the man now have a terrible relationship with the Seven Major Studios?
What was the point of saying these things?
But Jim Lester saw far more clearly than Jennifer Connelly.
Since Eric had successfully weathered that storm, it meant he had already been reluctantly accepted by the Seven Major Studios.
Under such circumstances, with Eric’s current status in Hollywood, requesting a female lead slot from the Seven Major Studios would be absurdly easy.
Any one of the Seven Major Studios would gladly do Eric such a favor.
“Mr. Williams, are you serious?”
Eric nodded.
“Of course. However, this will require some time. I need to have people search first. And Jennie will also need to cooperate with some—”
“Don’t worry, Jennie will absolutely cooperate with you this time,” before Eric could finish speaking, the agent blurted out without even thinking.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Not only did the woman’s face flush red, even Eric himself felt embarrassed.
What kind of wording was that?
So direct!
“Ahem, Jim, I meant Jennie will need to free up time to cooperate with some auditions,” although he felt the rescue attempt was probably useless, Eric still finished the sentence he had left hanging.
“I understand, I understand,” Jim Lester said ingratiatingly.
Just as the atmosphere remained awkward, knocking sounded at the door.
Allen poked his head in, revealing an apologetic expression.
“Mr. Williams, there’s something… urgent.”
“Please wait a moment,” Eric quickly said before walking out of the office.
“It’s like this, Mr. Williams. I just called Mr. Stan Winston. After I explained our intentions, he agreed very readily. The meeting has been scheduled for today at eleven-thirty in the afternoon. Also, Mr. Stan Winston hopes to bring a friend along. I thought it best to inform you immediately.”
A friend?
Eric raised his eyebrow.
Very quickly, he thought of someone.
Stan Winston’s best friend could only be James Cameron.
“No problem. Is the call still connected? Should I speak to him personally?”
“It’s already hung up,” Allen shrugged. “But if you agree, it’s already ten-thirty now. The meeting place is Clar’s Restaurant in Beverly Hills. I think you should… ahem… pay attention to the time.”
Eric looked at his watch, then glanced toward his office before nodding.
“Don’t worry. I understand.”
“Then I’ll get back to work,” the assistant quickly said.
“Sorry, you two. Something came up,” Eric said after returning to the office. “I’m afraid we can’t chat for too long.”
“That’s alright, Mr. Williams. Perhaps we can arrange another time and have a meal together? How about tonight?” Jim Lester suggested.
“Sorry, I already have plans tonight,” Eric said, thinking of a certain tall woman’s figure.
Since he had already decided to keep Famke Janssen by his side, naturally he had to strike while the iron was hot and go on more dates to deepen their feelings.
Material things were necessary, but emotional attachment was indispensable as well.
After thinking briefly, Eric turned toward Jennifer Connelly.
“By the way, Jennie, I’m going to attend a meeting shortly. Would you be willing to accompany me?”
Hearing Eric’s words, the woman immediately hesitated.
Jim Lester practically wanted to agree on her behalf, but at this moment, he still felt it best to let the woman decide herself.
“It’s just a normal lunch,” Eric added. “The other party is a very famous Hollywood special effects artist, and possibly a director as well. After lunch, I’ll send you home.”
“Then… alright,” Jennifer Connelly quickly nodded after hearing that explanation.
Eric smiled and looked at the gown the woman was wearing.
“Actually, your current outfit is perfect. Mm… very beautiful.”
“Thank you,” the woman softly replied.
“In that case, I think I should leave first,” Jim Lester said after the woman agreed, feeling greatly relieved inside as he quickly stood to take his leave.
Eric escorted him outside before returning to the office.
Now that only the two of them remained in the room, the woman immediately became nervous again.
“Wait a moment while I change clothes,” Eric casually told the woman before walking into the small adjoining room beside the office.
…
“Stan, what do you think that little guy wants with you?”
Inside Clar’s Restaurant in Beverly Hills, two men sat in a corner booth as a flat-haired man asked the middle-aged bearded man beside him.
“I heard his next film needs special effects. With that young man’s ambition, James, what do you think?”
James Cameron froze briefly before quickly saying:
“You mean he wants to acquire your studio?”
“Obviously,” Stan Winston replied with an unchanged smile.
“You actually seem very interested,” James Cameron thought for a moment before laughing.
“That’s a billionaire we’re talking about. He’s loaded,” Stan Winston said. “Last year, when he acquired that animation studio, I heard he poured in tens of millions already. Not a single cent returned yet, but he still invested without even blinking.”
“A generous little fellow like that naturally interests me very much.”
“You know how expensive special effects are.”
“And that’s also why I brought you here. Haven’t you always wanted to make Terminator 2: Judgment Day? This is a great opportunity.”
James Cameron immediately revealed an excited expression, but very quickly became dejected again.
“That little guy has never produced an ultra-high-budget film before. I remember the most expensive film he invested in was Running Out of Time, and even that only cost a bit over thirty million.”
“Although I already reduced the budget for Terminator 2: Judgment Day again and again, I still reported seventy million.”
“But none of the Seven Major Studios were willing to take it.”
“I doubt he’d be willing to take such a risk either.”
“If a massive production like that fails, Firefly would definitely suffer serious damage.”
“Anyway, you can’t find investors right now,” Stan Winston patted his friend’s shoulder. “So there’s no harm trying with him.”