Chapter 46: Annie’s Call
Chapter 46: Annie’s Call
After carefully reading through the screenplay for Pretty Woman, Jeffrey said somewhat hesitantly, “Eric, I still think this story is too perfect. It’s practically a fairy tale about a prince and Cinderella. Do you really think audiences will like a fairy tale about a prostitute? Even famous literary works like Boule de Suif and La Dame aux Camélias ended as tragedies.”
Eric thought to himself that what he wanted to write was exactly a perfect fairy tale.
The original screenplay for Pretty Woman had actually been a dark drama titled 3000. Through the three-thousand-dollar sex transaction between the male and female leads, it reflected the survival conditions of prostitutes in Los Angeles.
However, during filming, because the production had a sufficient budget, the director and producers repeatedly revised the script. In the end, it unexpectedly transformed into a romantic comedy. Most surprising of all, this completely altered film went on to earn 170 million dollars at the North American box office, leaving many actors and actresses who had rejected the project because of the original script’s dark tone pounding their chests in regret. At the same time, it created the brilliance of Julia Roberts.
That scene at the beginning of the movie where a prostitute died in a filthy alley had been retained from the original screenplay during filming. Thus, when audiences in his previous life finished watching the movie and later thought back on it, they would realize how completely out of place that scene felt compared to the film’s overall romantic tone.
“Jeffrey, setting everything else aside for the moment, what do you think about Vivian’s character?”
Since it was still only words on paper and had not yet been expressed visually on screen, Jeffrey pondered for a moment before replying, “Straightforward personality, cheerful, somewhat vulgar but naturally so. Even after falling into that line of work, she still holds onto her own little principles…”
Eric patiently listened to Jeffrey’s long stream of impressions before finally saying, “Jeffrey, perhaps you didn’t notice, but while you were describing Vivian just now, the corners of your mouth were turned upward. That means you don’t dislike this fallen woman at all. In fact, you even like her a little.”
Jeffrey had merely spoken instinctively about his feelings toward Vivian and had not noticed the detail Eric mentioned.
“Did… did I really?”
Eric nodded firmly. “Of course. So if even you don’t dislike Vivian, then once the film is made, audiences will definitely fall in love with her too.”
Jeffrey nodded, then quickly raised his brows in dissatisfaction. “What do you mean by ‘even you’? Do I seem like a harsh person to you?”
Eric hurriedly denied it. “Of course not. You’re just a bit naggy.”
“…”
Eric smiled and patted Jeffrey on the shoulder. “Don’t be depressed. People get a little naggy once they’re older, so don’t take it to heart.”
Jeffrey glared at Eric gloomily. “Fine. You’re the boss, and the facts already prove your judgment is much better than mine. Since you’ve already decided, when do we start preparations?”
“As soon as possible, of course. Ideally, we finish pre-production and casting before Christmas, then begin filming immediately after New Year’s. This movie is perfect for a Valentine’s Day release.”
Jeffrey lowered his head and calculated the timeline. “The Valentine’s Day slot really does suit this film, but Eric, isn’t that rushing things a bit? Home Alone won’t even be out of theaters by then.”
Eric shook his head. “Jeffrey, you saw the speed at which I made Home Alone. So a little over a month is more than enough time for Pretty Woman. We can negotiate with Fox and begin promotional work while the movie is still in post-production.”
“Then when do we start casting? Do you already have a plan?”
Eric replied, “I’ve decided on Richard Gere for the male lead. My first choice for the female lead is Sophie Marceau. Jeffrey, I’ll need you to help me find Sophie Marceau’s contact information and send her an invitation. If she declines, then we’ll use Julia Roberts instead. As for the supporting cast, we’ll wait until after we acquire the talent agency. Some of the supporting roles in this film are quite memorable. We can’t let outsiders profit from them.”
“Eric, Sophie Marceau… spelled like that? You mean that French actress?”
“Of course. The one from La Boum. Sophie Marceau’s image fits Vivian perfectly. I just don’t know whether she’ll accept the offer. After all, you’ve probably heard some things about her.”
“Alright, I’ll send the invitation as soon as possible. But if she refuses, Eric, I think Meg Ryan would also be a good choice. As for Julia Roberts… you mean that waitress who showed up at your house that night? She’s a bit… well, is she really suitable?”
In Eric’s memories, Meg Ryan belonged to the generation of “America’s Sweetheart” before Jennifer Aniston. Thinking back to some of her films, such as the famous Sleepless in Seattle, her image really was excellent. But since Eric had already decided to make Julia Roberts famous, combined with the influence of his previous life’s memories, he naturally had no intention of handing the opportunity to someone else.
“Jeffrey, trust me on this. It’s settled. I have my own reasons for choosing Julia Roberts. Right, contact the owner of Sid Talent Agency, Kapoor Sid, as soon as possible.”
Jeffrey accepted the page of information Eric handed him and glanced through it.
“Eric, Kapoor Sid really is capable. I heard he was driven out by Creative Artists Agency a couple of years ago.”
Jeffrey had clearly wanted to say more, but Eric interrupted him before he could continue. Eric knew exactly what Jeffrey wanted to say.
After CAA signed Stuart Rankel so quickly, Eric had grown increasingly displeased with them. Although Michael Ovitz had already been called the most powerful man in Hollywood by some media outlets, and although CAA still monopolized many celebrity resources, compared to the gradually consolidating media conglomerates, they were no longer as dominant as before.
Moreover, while CAA might monopolize many superstars, Eric believed he himself could create superstars.
“Let’s just go with this, Jeffrey. We’re still tiny fish right now. CAA can’t be bothered with us.”
Jeffrey shrugged helplessly. “Alright, as you wish.”
…
After persuading Jeffrey to stay for lunch, Eric was about to head to the study to continue writing Resident Evil when the telephone in the living room suddenly rang.
“Hello, Williams residence?”
Eric picked up the phone but instinctively held the receiver slightly away from his ear. Over the past few days, he had already received several harassing phone calls. One person had immediately begun screaming curses the moment the line connected, making Eric’s eardrums buzz painfully. He had even begun considering whether he should change his number.
The other end remained silent for quite a while. Eric thought it was another prank call and was just about to hang up when a voice finally came through.
“Hello, Eric.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Eric immediately became excited. Hugging the phone tightly, he leaned back against the sofa.
“Hi, Annie. I’ve been wanting to explain what happened that morning. There’s nothing between Drew and me. I was drunk out of my mind that night. It was entirely that little girl Drew fooling around.”
“T-That… that has nothing to do with me. We’ve… we’ve already broken up.”
Inside an apartment building in Manhattan, Jennifer Aniston listened to Eric’s hurried explanation. Her voice stumbled slightly, revealing the small struggle in her heart, while at the same time she felt a little resentment toward the oblivious idiot on the other end of the line.
On her third day in New York, Drew had somehow obtained her contact information and explained what had actually happened that day.
Yet that hateful idiot on the other side of the phone, after so many days, had neither come looking for her nor contacted her even once. If it were not for something extremely important today, Aniston swore she would never have taken the initiative to contact that bastard for the rest of her life.
If Eric knew what Aniston was thinking, he would definitely cry out that he had been wronged. Since that day, one thing after another had crashed down upon him, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. At this point, he hardly even dared leave the house casually. How could he possibly have had time to deal with this matter?