Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 353 The Sexy Elf

In late July, Universal's post-apocalyptic blockbuster "Waterworld" opened in 2268 theaters in North America, grossing $2117 million in its opening weekend.
However, the film received mixed reviews, with mainstream opinions being low. In particular, the $1.75 million production cost led everyone to believe that "Waterworld" would be a box office flop!
In a bar on Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan, Jack Wells and Aaron, who came from Texas, are having fun together.

"It seems like Waterworld will have a hard time breaking even?"

Unfortunately, Waterworld didn't receive high praise and generated very little discussion. If it weren't for its claim to be the most expensive film to date, its reach would have been even lower.

"Alright, 'Casper' and 'Apollo 13' both did well, so we can't expect too much from Universal."

"Moreover, Toy Story, The Silence of the Lambs: Red Dragon, Seven, and Con Air were all very successful."

"Things will be much better once we've integrated the film resources of Dawn and Universal!"

Aaron stretched as he spoke, "How are the NBA labor negotiations going?"

Jack Wells shook his head. "It's difficult. There's a hard salary cap and restrictions on player contracts, and the players' union is strongly opposed to it."

"The president of the players' union is Buck Williams, the power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, and his statements are very assertive."

Aaron chuckled. "These guys?"

"Forget it, let David Stern worry about these things!"

Jack Wells, remembering something, reminded him, "By the way, Aaron, the Dawn Center in Houston officially opens in October. You have to be there."

"Don't worry, I'll go. The Rockets have won two consecutive championships, and now they've moved to a new home arena, so I'm definitely going!"

The Houston Rockets are now offering Aaron a high social standing, especially in Texas.

He also has a very close relationship with the newly elected governor, George W. Bush.

Jack Wells suddenly asked, "What do you think about Michael Ovitz joining Disney as president of the group?"

Aaron shrugged. "Michael Ovitz is too ambitious, stubborn, and greedy."

"With Michael Eisner at the helm, a man with an extremely strong desire for control, how could Disney allow anyone to challenge his position?"

"Even the highly capable Jeffrey Katzenberg was ousted from Disney. How could Michael Ovitz, who has no experience in managing major studios, possibly end up in a high position?"

Look, with the departures of Michael Ovitz, Ronald Meyer, and Bill Haber, the CAA is now in a precarious state.
Hollywood agencies like WMA, ICM, and UTA are all sharpening their knives, targeting CAA. Pop icon Michael Jackson, who had worked with CAA for many years, recently left CAA and joined UTA!

Jack Wells laughed, "So you weren't optimistic about him joining Disney either. Now that Pixar has suddenly emerged, Disney is taking it very seriously."

Aaron frowned. "Not only that, I received news from Pixar that that bastard Jeffrey Katzenberg is not only poaching animators from Disney;

"Our Pixar is also a target for this guy's poaching. I've already asked Pixar President Ed Catmull to give the employees a raise;"

"After receiving investment from Paul Allen and South Korea's CJ Group, DreamWorks SKG really has a lot of money to spare!"

Jack Wells scoffed, "He's nothing but a stray dog. Look at David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Steven Spielberg—they're all selfish bastards."

"Developing Dream Factory SKG is no easy feat."

In terms of animation, it faces a pincer movement from Disney and Pixar;
Needless to say, in live-action films, MGM has now been acquired by Seagram, giving them a strong financial backing. The seven major Hollywood studios are not to be trifled with.

"Don't worry, the competition in Hollywood is fierce these days," Aaron said with a smile, raising his glass. "Alright, let's drink!"

Jack Wells then ran straight onto the dance floor. Aaron went to the restroom, and when he returned, he ran into Tom Hanks and a group of people who had come to the bar for some fun.

"Hey Tom, what's going on?"

Tom Hanks' "Apollo 13," released during the summer, was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, but the person next to him now is not from that film crew.

Tom Hanks smiled. "Aaron, as I mentioned before, I'm going to direct a movie, and the production team is all set!"

Aaron followed their gaze and saw that they were indeed a group of young people.

"Oh, 'An Unstoppable Miracle'!"

Aaron had an idea.

"Congratulations," for an actor of Tom Hanks' caliber, it doesn't matter if he's just doing it for fun.

"Thank you, this is a new experience for me!"

After chatting for a while, Aaron returned to his seat, when suddenly a sexy woman walked over.

"Mr. Anderson, may I have a drink?"

Aaron looked up and saw a beautiful woman in front of him who was sexy, alluring, and full of youthful energy, with long black hair and bright eyes!
Aaron smiled, recognizing her immediately—it was the Elf Princess! "Of course!"

He then poured the other person a glass of wine.

“My name is Liv Tyler. I just saw Mr. Hanks chatting with you. I never expected to meet the famous Aaron Anderson here!”

Liv Tyler, 18 years old, is the daughter of Stephen Tyler, the lead singer of the famous rock band Aerosmith.

"It seems you're the female lead in Tom's new book, 'Unstoppable Miracles,' quite a good fit!"

Aaron raised his glass and clinked it with the other man's; Stephen Taylor's name was also quite prestigious.

"I just finished filming a movie directed by Bernardo Bertolucci in Italy, and I'm honored to be able to work on Mr. Hanks' project after returning home!"

"Bernardo Bertolucci's movies?"

"Yes, it's a romance film called 'Stealing Fragrance'!"

Bernardo Bertolucci's works are generally quite explicit, but Aaron's most memorable work is the Oscar-winning film "The Last Emperor".

“I see,” Aaron said, glancing at Liv Tyler. “I’m actually looking forward to your performance in ‘Stealing Scent’!”

Liv Tyler patted Aaron's thigh and grinned with her signature wide mouth. "Director Bernardo Bertolucci will certainly not disappoint."

"Let's go dancing, as a way of celebrating my 18th birthday!"

Aaron nodded in response to Liv Tyler's invitation, saying, "It would be an honor."

Then, he led Liv Tyler into the dimly lit dance floor...

(End of this chapter)