Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 412 This is no joke

In September 2006, after leaving United Elite Bros. (UTA), his agency of 15 years, Jim Carrey rejected offers from CAA and did not sign with any new agency.

However, he retained his long-time agents Jimmy Miller and Eric Gold, and kept UTA's two agents in charge of his business management.

This is actually a new cooperation model with UTA, no longer letting UTA take charge of everything about him, and no longer letting UTA "bundle" him with other UTA actors, directors or other staff.

During this period, Hollywood talent agencies were rife with "bundled sales" and "packaged" services—a series of nested "services" including staff, actors, funding, filming locations, and more.

Among these people, the main person is either a big star or a popular and well-known director. If you want to use this big star or director, you have to accept the other "set" of people tied together.

In Hollywood, the first person to secure an early share of the total box office revenue for directors and actors was Michael Ovitz, the founder of CAA, who also pioneered the "package" service.

The initial intention behind this package service was good: to reduce the hassle of inviting other staff for studios or producers and to speed up the project's progress.

Furthermore, since these staff members are all from the same agency and are familiar with each other, their work efficiency can be improved.

Therefore, this service did not encounter resistance from film studios when it first appeared.

Back then, talent agencies put a lot of effort into arranging and combining talent to launch their own "packaged" groups, truly putting in the work.

However, over time, the service has changed.

A talent agency might slip a less-than-ideal newcomer, a washed-up actor, or an actor with certain peculiar interests into a "package" led by a big star or a well-known director.

It wasn't just the actors; other staff members were subjected to the same treatment.

Gradually, this led to dissatisfaction not only with production studios, but also with the big stars or directors who led the "package" service.

In 04, Leonardo DiCaprio did not renew his contract with his agency, opting instead to have UTA handle only his acting career, and not any "package deals."

In 05, Christopher Nolan, who had already made a name for himself as a director, switched to CAA with his agent. There was a specific agreement in the negotiations with CAA that he could accept a "package deal," but he had to decide on the people in the "package deal" himself.

After Jim Carrey's contract expired in 06, he made the same choice: he did not renew his contract with UTA, only letting his former manager handle his acting affairs, and no longer accepting "package" deals.

It's worth mentioning that Depp is also signed with UTA.

However, after collaborating with Cao Yang, he won the Oscar for Best Actor for their first film together, "The Dirty Milk," and subsequently collaborated with Cao Yang on several other films as well.

He was previously known as an eccentric, only accepting roles based on his mood; such an actor is difficult to "package" with.

Before UTA even had a chance to "package" his collaboration with Cao Yang in the film, he became a two-time consecutive Oscar winner and one of Hollywood's hottest stars.

In addition, there was Cao Yang's influence, as well as his "golden combination" with Depp.

Even if UTA wanted to intervene and "package" him now, it wouldn't be realistic—Depp is different from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jim Carrey; he won't "endure" until his contract expires, he's capable of actually paying out of his own pocket to terminate the contract.

Both talent agencies and agents find dealing with "eccentrics" quite a headache.

"Jimmy, what do you think about this?"

Jim Carrey asked Jimmy Miller, his UTA ​​agent who was still handling his acting career.

“I don’t think this is a matter of choice. You have to understand that this is Cao Yang, the director who made Depp win the Oscar for Best Actor for two consecutive years, the director who made Depp have two films that grossed over $9 million in a row.”

Jimmy Miller shrugged and continued, "That's someone who won an Oscar for Best Director, and as a producer, he also won three Oscars for Best Picture."

"But this is a comic book adaptation, and it's not the most popular Batman, but just an insignificant Joker."

Another agent, Eric Gold, countered, "Don't forget, by the end of the year, we had almost finalized a deal with the 'Yes Man' production team, and this film is the most traditional comedy that fits King's style best, so the chances of success are the highest."

After a moment of silence, Eric Gold reminded him, "Jimmy, I think you should know Kim's predicament. He can't afford to fail again, not even if the movie doesn't make as much money at the box office."

Eric Gold then turned to look at Jim Carrey.

“King, I know you want to challenge yourself, but don’t forget, this is an art film, a fucking art film adapted from a superhero comic, that’s the most ridiculous part.”

Then, he slammed his fist on the table and asked Jimmy Miller:

"Jimmy, when have you ever seen a comic book movie win an Oscar? When have you ever seen a superhero comic adapted into an art film? Let alone win any awards, it's a complete joke."

Eric Gold is a very experienced agent. He became Jim Carrey's agent not long after Jim Carrey joined UTA, and can be said to have watched Jim Carrey rise to fame step by step.

As Jim Carrey's longtime agent, he can be considered one of the behind-the-scenes driving forces behind Jim Carrey's rise to fame.

Jimmy Miller, however, is different.

When he became Jim Carrey's agent, Carrey had already become a hot Hollywood star. Due to increased business, the agent team needed to be expanded, so he became one of Carrey's agents.

The main reason Jim Carrey chose these two UTA agents after not renewing his contract with UTA is that Eric Gold is mature, steady, and reliable.

Jimmy Miller is younger and more adventurous.

"Eric, I admit that it's rare for superhero comics to be adapted into art films, especially for a superhero like Batman, and I've never seen a superhero comic book movie like this win an Oscar."

At this point, Jimmy Miller smiled, and then said softly:

"But have you ever seen someone who has won an Oscar for Best Director also win three Oscars for Best Picture? Or two Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and one Oscar for Best Original Screenplay?"

He also mentored a two-time Oscar winner for Best Actor and an Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor.

He has also won two Venice Golden Lions and a Cannes Palme d'Or, and he became the first person in history to achieve a grand slam of Best Director awards at the three major European film festivals.

He has also produced four Best Actress winners at the three major European film festivals and one Best Actor winner at the Berlin Film Festival.

His two most recent Hollywood films have both grossed over $9 million worldwide, and he may even become the third director to have a single film surpass $10 billion.

Jimmy Miller spread his hands, turned to look at Eric Gold, and asked in a low voice:
"Have you ever seen such a comprehensive and super director? So what you think is impossible, what you think is a joke, may not be true for a genius director like Cao Yang."

Eric Gold opened his mouth as if to refute, but said nothing.

"If I can reach an agreement with director Cao Yang, what will happen to 'Yes Man'?" Jim Carrey asked from the side.

Jimmy Miller's words not only left Eric Gold speechless, but also deeply moved Jim Carrey.

His requirements aren't actually high. If he can't break through at the box office, then winning the Best Actor award at one of the three major European film festivals would be pretty good.

It would be even better if he could get an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

He has never been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.

Why has he changed his career path in recent years and made several films of different genres?
Because he has already proven himself at the box office.

What is the thing a big star wants to do most after proving himself at the box office?
Of course, breakthroughs are also possible in awards, especially at the Oscars or the three major European film festivals.

Forget about the Golden Globes; they're not authoritative enough, at least not for a superstar like Jim Carrey.

"That's not a big problem."

Somewhat unexpectedly, it wasn't Jimmy Miller who answered the question, but Eric Gold, who had consistently opposed it.

"If they knew you were going to work with director Cao Yang, they would be more than happy for you to film Cao Yang's movie first. They would be waiting to schedule 'Mr. Nice Guy' after Cao Yang's new movie, which would save a lot of publicity costs and create a good buzz."

How should we negotiate the salary?

Jimmy Miller asked, "Although this is a superhero movie adapted from a comic book, it's an art film, which means how much of a concession do we need to make on the salary?"

Eric Gold was silent for a moment, then shook his head and smiled wryly, "An art film with a budget of over 7000 million dollars, really..."

An art film with a budget of over 7000 million US dollars is not unheard of, but it is very rare.

"Since it's an art film and directed by Cao Yang, the actor's salary will definitely be discounted."

Then, Eric Gold looked at Jim Carrey and asked, "Still the old rule, half the salary for art films?"

Then, Eric Gold looked at Jimmy Miller and said, "Did Warner contact you with any special requirements regarding salary and profit sharing?"

After saying that, he muttered to himself, "I don't know what's going on now. In the past, actors received discounted fees for art films because many art films were independent movies with limited budgets, and they couldn't afford to hire high-paid actors."

But what about now? It's almost an open secret that salaries for art-house films have been halved, but this is a film with a budget of over $7000 million; there's no question of a budget shortage.

Jimmy Miller ignored Eric Gold and didn't say that Warner Bros. could only offer a maximum of 40% of Jim Carrey's salary. Instead, he said:

"I don't know if you've been following the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival. Director Cao Yang's film 'Love in the Seaside City' not only won Best Director, but also earned kung fu superstar Jackie Chan the Best Actor award at the Berlin Film Festival."

Warner Bros. says the new film, titled *Joker*, is similar to *Beach City* in that it focuses entirely on the male lead, with no female protagonist whatsoever.

"No female lead?"

"No female lead?"

Jim Carrey and Eric Gold said the same thing almost in unison.

In a film that isn't an ensemble piece, the absence of a female lead speaks volumes. In other words, most of the film focuses on the male lead's fate.

"Where's the script? Haven't you received it yet?"

Jim Carrey asked somewhat impatiently.

Jimmy Miller shook his head with a wry smile and said helplessly:
"As you know, big directors have this privilege. Due to the principle of confidentiality, they will only reveal what type of movie they are going to make before the audition, but they will not give you the specific content."

Jim Carrey didn't hesitate any longer and immediately made a decision, saying directly to the two of them:

"As for the salary, I can offer 30% off, just six million. I can also forgo profit sharing. However, I must ensure that the film's content is as Jimmy said, a film where most of the scenes focus on the male lead."

Now that Jim Carrey had made his decision, the two agents didn't say anything more. They exchanged a glance, and now all they had to do was contact Warner Bros. to discuss the audition details and ensure the accuracy of the film's content.

Cao Yang first met Joaquin Phoenix.

Joaquin Phoenix, now under 35, was dressed in a suit, tie, and leather shoes, with a specially trimmed haircut and a clean-shaven beard...

It's clear that he made sure to get ready before coming.

He looks like a handsome young man!

Damn, if this image were used to play Arthur the Joker, it would be a complete disaster.

Cao Yang was instantly disappointed.

Joaquin Phoenix, who looks about ten years younger, has a smooth face without a trace of aging. Even with makeup, it must be a struggle for him.

Besides, it's not like I can't live without you, so why should I spend most of my day doing your makeup?

Indeed, among Europeans and Americans, there is a significant difference between those over forty and those in their thirties, regardless of gender.

Joaquin Phoenix is ​​definitely not old or fit enough to play Arthur the Joker. Cao Yang doesn't know if Jim Carrey will agree to the terms, so it seems they need to find a few more backup options.

However, Jim Carrey "compromised" sooner than Cao Yang had imagined.

The day after Cao Yang met Joaquin Phoenix, Jim Carrey arrived at Warner Bros.

Before this, Cao Yang had also watched "The Number 23" starring Jim Carrey. While watching the movie, Cao Yang suddenly became very interested.

It's not that this movie is particularly amazing.

Rather, Jim Carrey's appearance in this movie is very, very close to Arthur's appearance in "Joker".

Furthermore, Jim Carrey departs from his usual comedic expressions, displaying a somewhat "morbid" transformation in this film, which is quite similar to his portrayal of Joker.

In other words, if Jim Carrey can act in "The Number 23", then acting in "Joker" wouldn't feel out of place at all.

His slicked-back hairstyle in particular made him even closer to the Joker.

Cao Yang had the makeup artist recreate Jim Carrey's slicked-back hairstyle from "The Number 23".

Surprisingly, although his appearance is different from Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in later generations, it actually looks quite similar to the image of Arthur in Cao Yang's mind.

The cast is fine; the key issue is whether they can agree on the salary.

Cao Yang will definitely not participate in the negotiations personally.

However, the terms offered by Jim Carrey showed Cao Yang his sincerity.

Asking for no profit sharing and only asking for a six million yuan salary is extremely sincere.

As for his management team's desire for a focus on the core characters of the story, that's certainly not a problem, since the film mainly tells the story of Arthur the Joker's fate.

Since both sides have no objections, let's sign the contract.

And so, the main actors for "Joker" were in place.

There is also a female character named Sophie in the movie who has a decent role. She is one of the few people Arthur interacts with in a positive light, and this relationship briefly provides Arthur with emotional comfort.

The role was originally intended for a Black actress, and Hollywood doesn't currently enforce restrictions on other races—mainly the amount of screen time and number of Black actors, which Cao Yang doesn't care about.

So he thought of Anne Hathaway.

They've worked so hard to hone their acting skills; we can't let their enthusiasm falter.

Although Sophie has a small role, if the film wins an Oscar, it will definitely boost her prestige.

Of course, Cao Yang still needed to ask Anne Hathaway's opinion.

There's no need to make a special phone call or anything; Annie is still in Los Angeles and hasn't left.

Well, to be specific, they are still living in Cao Yang's villa.

(End of this chapter)