America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 354 He Wants to Dig Up Our Roots

In the president's office of Warner Bros., Alan Horn looked a little grim as he listened to what Thomas said on the phone.

The invitation I personally sent out was unexpectedly turned down.

Although the approach was very tactful, using the excuse of preparing to compete for roles in Nolan and Fincher's projects, Allen-Horn still felt uncomfortable.

This also directly announced the bankruptcy of his Plan A.

There was a knock on the office door, and Paul Haggis came in from outside, sat opposite Allen, and asked, "I heard there was some unexpected situation?"

"Martin Davis responded and said the schedule was not suitable and declined our invitation." Allen said without any emotion, as if explaining the facts from the perspective of an observer: "The day before yesterday, Louise Mayer called me and said that Pacific Pictures was going to invest in another big project of Warner and could not spare the funds."

Paul Haggis immediately understood the current situation. The leading actor with strong market appeal was gone, which meant that the Atlanta funds and Asian funds behind him were also gone.

There were many rumors about Louise Mayer and Martin Davis of Pacific Pictures. It was not surprising that she refused and Martin also refused.

Alan Horn tapped his fingers on the table and said, "We have to change our plans."

"The new actors don't meet our requirements." Paul Haggis didn't want to take the risk of using a new actor as the leading actor in such a huge project: "The investment is too big."

Allen nodded: "It has to be an A-list star. We still have time to find one." He frowned: "In fact, the key lies in funding. In the past, there was always a lot of hot money flowing into Hollywood. It was not difficult for Warner Bros. to attract investment for its projects. But since the end of last year, the situation has changed a lot. The hot money flowing into the industry has decreased dramatically. Even Spielberg has gone to India to attract investment."

Although he was good at making movies, he had been in a high position for many years and had a keen sense of smell. He felt that there seemed to be something wrong with the US economy.

Most obviously, Wall Street's enthusiasm for investing in Hollywood has dropped sharply.

Paul Haggis didn't understand this. He was a pure filmmaker who only considered it from the perspective of film investment: "Can we bypass Martin Davis and contact the Atlanta and Asian funds behind him?"

Allen was not lacking in decisiveness: "I'll have someone try it."

After Paul Haggis left, he called his subordinate Lauren and asked her to contact people in Atlanta and Asia.

Paul Haggis left his office and went downstairs to the lobby, where he met Jon, the creative director of Legendary Pictures.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Haggis asked, "You should know about the new project I'm leading. Don't you plan to invest in it?"

Although Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are both under the umbrella of Warner Bros., they are not subordinate to each other but are in a parallel relationship. Jon shrugged: "Legendary Pictures' focus for the next year will be the Batman sequel, and it can't do anything else."

Haggis was surprised: "Didn't you raise a lot of funds from private shareholders and hedge companies on Wall Street?"

Jon casually replied: "Small investors on Wall Street are also short of money."

There were footsteps nearby, and Christian Bale came over from Warner Bros., greeted them, and asked, "What are you talking about? You guys seem very engaged."

Jon smiled: "Of course it's money."

“A lot of the big projects are looking for money,” Haggis said.

Bell didn't understand any of this and said, "Actually, I'm looking for money too."

The three of them laughed and Jon quickly excused himself.

Bell is leaving too.
Haggis suddenly remembered what Allen had just said, and quickly called Bell: "Chris, let's talk alone."

Bell pointed to the recreation area: "Over there."

The two of them sat down, and Haggis said directly: "Warner Bros. and I are working on a new Terminator film. The investment is about $2 million, and the male lead has not yet been determined."

Bale said, "I'm also going to play Bruce Wayne."

“I asked Jon about the filming dates and there was no conflict,” Haggis said.

The first "Terminator Begins" revitalized the Batman movie. Warner and DC are full of confidence in the sequel, and the fourth Terminator will definitely be released after Batman.

Haggis thought a lot about it for a moment. With the good foundation laid by the first film, the new Batman movie should be a big hit, so that it can take advantage of Bale's momentum...

As for the pay, that is not a problem. Such a high budget is made just to invite first-line stars.

Bale is a very good person, neither saying yes nor no: "According to industry regulations, I cannot discuss roles and work acquisition issues without the presence of my agent."

Haggis said, "I'll contact your agent." He opened his briefcase and handed Bale a script and a proposal: "Take a look."

Bell said: "Paul, thank you for your appreciation and invitation."

Agent Patrick was waiting for him in the car outside.

Bell got in the car, handed him the information, and said, "I received an invitation."

Patrick flipped through it and said, "I've heard of this project. I heard that Martin Davis was invited to play the leading role."

Bell immediately became interested: "Martin Davis?"

Patrick said, "Alan Horn has met with him privately." He mentioned the most crucial point: "The budget for the new Terminator will not be less than $1.8 million. If you can get this role, I can negotiate a minimum salary of $1500 million for you." People who are in the world of fame and fortune are not interested in money. Hearing this number, Bale became more interested: "Try to contact Warner Pictures. Paul Haggis has talked to Legendary Pictures and the schedules of the two sides do not conflict."

…………

After receiving instructions from her boss Alan Horn, Lauren took immediate action, studied all the film projects starring Martin Davis, and quickly identified four major sources of investment funds to support Martin.

Pacific Pictures in the Hollywood industry, Gray Films, the largest film company in Atlanta, Beast House Entertainment, also from Atlanta, and Asian tycoon Wu Maoting.

The heads of the first two, Louise Mayer and Kelly Gray, were too deeply involved with Martin, and the latter was far away in Asia and could not be interviewed in a short period of time. Lauren put them aside for the time being and planned to contact Atlanta's Beast House Entertainment first.

They also have an office in Los Angeles.

Lauren found out that one of the owners of Beast House had recently arrived in Los Angeles.

He immediately drove to South Broadway and found the office of Beast House. After entering, he told the people who came to greet him, "I am Lauren Corner from Warner Bros. Pictures, and I am here to visit Ms. Sofia."

"Please wait a moment." The man turned around and walked inside.

After a while, a middle-aged man came out and greeted Lauren: "Come with me."

Lauren found that the man walked in a very strange posture, with his legs turned outward and limping as if his butt had suffered some serious injury.

Scott turned around suddenly, and Lauren followed him into a reception room without looking away, as if she saw nothing.

"Sit down." The woman who spoke made Lauren's mouth twitch.

The sportswear cannot hide this woman's strong body. The muscles bulging with every move are more exaggerated than those of Dwayne Johnson today.

Lauren could only find one suitable description in her mind: female King Kong!
Then he realized that the head of Pacific Pictures was a woman, the head of Grey Pictures was a woman, and the head of Beast House was also a woman.

Martin Davis has a big appetite, doesn't he? He can even eat this, isn't he afraid of breaking it?
Lauren was well-informed and had a lot on her mind, but her expression was normal. She introduced herself, "Hello, ma'am. I'm Lauren Kona from the planning department of Warner Bros. Pictures..."

Sophia was always direct in her actions and interrupted him: "What do you want to say?"

Lauren had made preparations before coming and quickly talked about Warner Pictures' projects and sincerity.

Sophia didn't say much, but she was listening carefully.

…………

On Rodeo Drive, in Brioni's boutique, Martin, who had just finished shooting the new season's promotional ads, was trying on a formal dress.

This is the Oscar suit that Brioni specially handmade according to his body data, and it will come in handy this weekend.

The store manager, Clydia, was standing nearby. She looked at Martin carefully and said, "Perfect! Martin, you have a well-proportioned body and a model-like frame. You perfectly display Briony's unique elegance."

Martin smiled and said, "Thank you, I am very satisfied."

In the eyes of someone like him who doesn't have much fashion sense, men's formal suits are nothing more than that. For someone like him who needs a mature and stable style, he must choose dark colors in public.

In the rest area, Bruce, holding Martin's cell phone, answered a call. When he heard Sophia's voice, his heart tightened inexplicably and his legs shook unconsciously.

But Sophia was talking about serious matters, so he listened patiently, quickly hung up the phone, went to find Martin, and whispered, "Sophia wants to see you."

Martin asked: "Is something wrong?"

Bruce said: "The people from Warner Bros. Pictures approached Sofia and wanted to attract investment."

Martin nodded: "Tell her I'll be there soon."

He went to the locker room to change.

Bruce wanted to call, but he really didn't want to hear Sofia's voice, so he just sent a text message.

Martin changed his clothes, said hello to Claudia, went downstairs with Old Bull, and drove to Burbank.

Bruce knew that Martin had recently rejected an offer from Warner Bros. and asked, "Could it be related to Alan Horn?"

Martin said: "Alan Horn is the president of Warner Bros. Pictures. Introducing a new investor will definitely require his approval in the end."

Bruce frowned slightly: "He wants to dig up our roots!"

Martin closed his eyes and thought, considering the situation in Hollywood and the investment returns of Beast House, and thought about the conversation he would have with Sofia.

The car soon arrived at South Bowei Street, where the Los Angeles branch of Beast House was located.

Martin and Bruce went upstairs and saw Scott first.

I haven't seen Scott's legs for more than half a year. He no longer extends his legs to the sides, but his walking style seems to have become fixed, and he always walks with his legs split.

(End of this chapter)