Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 411 A Terrible British Film

Buckingham, England: Dawn's British studio offices.

Richard Curtis sat to the side, waiting for Aaron to browse through the script for "Mr. Bean's Great Disaster";
The script was adapted by Rowan Atkinson, the actor who plays Mr. Bean, and others.

“It’s pretty good. I think we should start filming as soon as possible,” Aaron said, increasingly satisfied with producer Richard Curtis after reading the script.

Last year, because Dawn acquired MCA, most of the time was spent integrating Universal's assets. This was done simultaneously in Europe, and the production business was indeed put on hold!

"Understood. The pre-production work for 'Mr. Bean's Big Disaster' is complete. I will assemble the crew and start filming as soon as possible."

Aaron nodded. Many people in Britain are fans of Mr. Bean and are very supportive of film adaptations.

"We've scheduled it for release next summer. After 'Mr. Bean's Big Disaster' is over, we'll start preparing for the romance film 'Notting Hill'!"

Shortly after Richard Curtis left, Catherine Zeta-Jones arrived at Aaron's office.

"News has come in that James Cameron's new film, *Titanic*, has cast its male and female leads."

"They are both newcomers: Leonardo DiCaprio from the United States and Kate Winslet from the United Kingdom. Both of them have worked with Dawn before."

Catherine Zeta-Jones sat on Aaron's lap affectionately.

Aaron hugged the girl in his arms and kissed her. Just as he thought!
Leonardo DiCaprio directed Romeo and Juliet for Crescent Moon, which will be released in the second half of this year;

Kate Winslet gave an excellent performance in "Sense and Sensibility," which was released at the end of last year.

"It's said that James Cameron likes women who are a bit muscular, and it seems that it's true."

Aaron couldn't help but smile. Kate Winslet was indeed a voluptuous beauty!

Catherine Zeta-Jones laughed too, "Is that why you chose Kate Winslet?"

“Perhaps,” Aaron said, looking at the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones in his arms. She possessed both classic and sexy charm, and she was quite suitable for the role.
That evening, Catherine Zeta-Jones drove an old Aston Martin DB5 with Aaron in tow straight to London.

"I heard that a very good movie was recently released in the UK and received unanimous praise from the British media, right?"

After the car entered London, Aaron suddenly asked a question.

"Yes, it was released earlier this year. It's a low-budget British independent film called *Trainspotting*, directed by Danny Boyle."

"It is adapted from the novel of the same name by Scottish author Evan Welsh, and it caused a great sensation in the British film industry after its release!"

As a representative woman of Britain today, Catherine Zeta-Jones certainly knows about these things.

Trainspotting depicts the squalid lifestyle of a group of drug-addicted youths in Edinburgh, Scotland. With its calm satirical tone, realistic narrative attitude, and consistent dark humor, coupled with modern audio-visual treatment, the film has become a classic among alternative films.
Moreover, the film "Trainspotting" provides an extremely detailed description and expression of the pleasure produced by heroin use. At the same time, the decadent mood and the values ​​and self-awareness expressed in the film have aroused great attention and controversy in society, making the film a focus of public opinion as soon as it was released.

Back at his villa in Hyde Park, London, Aaron specially had a videotape of "Trainspotting" delivered to him!
The film is only an hour and a half long, and after watching it, Aaron couldn't help but exclaim: "No wonder they say director Danny Boyle is the leader of the rebellion in British cinema!"

"This feels a bit like Quentin Tarantino's style." Trainspotting depicts a real-world problem: following the "angry youth" of the 1960s and 70s, the spiritual collapse of the younger generation is now a problem in Britain, Europe, and even the world!

The Times commented: "Trainspotting is currently the most moving film for teenagers, even bringing tears to the eyes of the dissolute and destitute."

"Compared to their 'angry' predecessors, today's lost youth are more decadent, and in some ways more rational. Although they still have some conscience, they have willingly fallen into depravity!"

"Quentin Tarantino? You speak highly of Danny Boyle."

Catherine Zeta-Jones poured two glasses of wine and came over.

The sudden emergence of Pulp Fiction almost made Quentin Tarantino famous worldwide;

Trainspotting is good, but its audience is too small, unless Danny Boyle can deliver another great film like Quentin Tarantino did after Reservoir Dogs.

Aaron took a sip of his drink. "The poor quality of British films is a reality. It's good that we have directors like Danny Boyle now!"

British cinema—even Aaron himself doesn't know what a truly pure British film is?
With Hollywood's dominance, it's hard to say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing for British films.

Both are English-speaking countries, and British films at least have a natural affinity with Hollywood because they are shown there. However, faced with the towering Hollywood film system, British films cannot stand out like French art films.

However, the British film industry is also very well-developed and advanced, and the UK is the country with the most Hollywood films shot outside of Canada.
The UK has a large number of directors, actors, behind-the-scenes film personnel, and various technical staff, which meets the needs of Hollywood films.

"By the way, is MGM preparing a new 007 sequel?"

Aaron, holding a wine glass, went to the window and looked at the villa garden under the night sky.

"Yes, it's been officially announced in the UK. The new version is called 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' and it's a story set in Asia."

"Moreover, the Bond girl was chosen to be a Chinese actress, and many of the stories take place in Hong Kong."

The James Bond series is a national film series in Britain, and every version of James Bond attracts the attention of British audiences.

"Tomorrow Never Dies (007)," Hong Kong?

Aaron smiled. If nothing unexpected happened, the actress would be Michelle Young (Yeong Qiong).

"By the way, it seems that Martin Campbell, the director of the previous film, said he didn't want to make any more sequels, so he quit directing 'Tomorrow Never Dies'!"

The James Bond film "GoldenEye," released last year, was a critical and commercial success, and director Martin Campbell's contribution cannot be overlooked.

The 007 series is currently the hottest cash cow in MGM movies, and Seagram Corporation will definitely take it seriously!
"Let's go to the set of 'The English Patient' tomorrow."

Aaron downed his drink in one gulp. The crew was assembled at the end of last year, and filming should be wrapping up soon.

(End of this chapter)