Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 604 The Degeneration of the Ruling Class

Buckingham, UK, the European headquarters of Dawn Global Films.

Aaron sat on the sofa in his office, flipping through the financial statements in his hand, and looked up to ask, "How's the casting for 'Harry Potter' going?"

Graham Bradstreet, head of the UK branch, laughed, "It's incredibly popular; almost every child in the UK wants to act in it!"

"Lowling and our producers will serve as casting judges together!"

Aaron nodded; he could have guessed this situation. "Regarding the contracts, make sure they're signed carefully. Have the copyrights for Rowling's subsequent novels been signed?"

“It’s settled. Universal will adapt all seven novels in the Harry Potter series, including several to be published in the coming years,” Graham Bradstreet responded.

"Well, there are also a few child actors; everyone knows that getting to act in 'Harry Potter' is a very lucky thing."

"Furthermore, I am very optimistic about the future of the Harry Potter series, and we must be careful with the actors' contracts."

"There are seven Harry Potter films in total, so the contract will be signed for all seven films together, and the salary will be increased based on market positioning."

"They were given the opportunity to become famous overnight and become child stars admired by thousands, making them incredibly successful. Anyone who wants to be greedy will not be allowed to appear in the movie!"

Aaron knew all too well how valuable the Harry Potter film series was; becoming the lead actor in any film in the series would undoubtedly bring him both fame and fortune.

Anyone who is greedy is not eligible to be selected.

Graham Bradstreet, of course, had no objections. "Understood. We will certainly take the Harry Potter series project seriously."

"The casting process for the Harry Potter series was a massive undertaking, requiring consideration of various factors, followed by collective training."

"In addition, there is the construction of the sets. The location selection and design of buildings such as Hogwarts Castle and Diagonal Harbor are already in preparation, as well as the production of a large number of magical props, costumes and equipment, etc."

The importance that Dawn places on the Harry Potter series goes without saying!

The Harry Potter novel series is published by Bloomsbury Publishing, a subsidiary of Dawn Publishing, while the film series is produced and distributed by Universal. A theme park based on the Harry Potter series will also appear in Universal Studios in the future.

Without a doubt, J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series are now completely intertwined with Dawn Universal Entertainment!

Aaron tapped his fingers on his knee. As the author of the series, J.K. Rowling could certainly reap huge profits, but as the mastermind, Dawn was the real beneficiary.
Compared to others, the benefits of Dawn are immeasurable.

He then glanced at Graham Bradstreet and asked, "Isn't it true that MGM's 'The World Is Not Enough' is going to be released next month?"

Graham Bradstreet nodded immediately. "That's right. The premiere will be held in the UK early next month, and North America will follow a day later."

Pierce Brosnan, who plays 007, just starred in "Entrapment" with Catherine Zeta-Jones this year, which grossed $220 million worldwide. "The World Is Not Enough" has twice the budget of "Entrapment" and is a top-tier IP, so its performance is sure to be even more explosive!
That evening, Aaron returned to London and watched Stanley Kubrick's posthumous work, "Eyes Wide Shut," with Catherine Zeta-Jones at a small cinema near Knightsbridge.
"Eyes Wide Shut" premiered in North America in July, then participated in the Venice Film Festival, and subsequently began its international release.

"Eyes Wide Shut is about to leave theaters, what made you suddenly interested?"

While seated, Catherine Zeta-Jones was still somewhat curious. "Eyes Wide Shut" had only grossed over $5000 million in North America, just over $1 million in the international market, and around $1.5 million worldwide.
Moreover, the film "Eyes Wide Shut" is highly controversial and has received mixed reviews.

Rolling Stone: "Eyes Wide Shut approaches (but does not surpass) the emotion of Stanley Kubrick's classic work—thought-provoking and unsettling. The impressions and images linger long after the projector has finished its strange magic weaving, making it one of the best films of the year so far."

Empire: "Eyes Wide Shut, which is as simple as an Aesop's fable and as unforgettable and mysterious as a dream, is a remarkable final achievement of one of the greatest innovators in film history."

Eyes Wide Shut, seemingly simple like an Aesop's fable, yet unforgettable and mysterious like a dream, is a remarkable final achievement of one of the greatest innovators in film history.

The Washington Post: "Stanley Kubrick's last film will only succeed if its satirical and mischievous qualities are fully appreciated."

"As an article about the nature of sex, it is vulgar and pretentious, but as a dark comedic allegory about the bizarre and illusory aspects of married life, it is reasonable and enjoyable."

Premiere: "Eyes Wide Shut, which is as simple as an Aesop's fable and as unforgettable and mysterious as a dream, is a remarkable final achievement of one of the greatest innovators in film."

Entertainment Weekly: "The New York scenes lack authenticity, and the sound design in the film fails to capture the bustling reality of New York."

The New York Observer: "Eyes Wide Shut's weak attempts at drama and suspense, along with its clumsy clichés and anticlimax ending."

Aaron stared at the screen and laughed, "Didn't some newspapers say that the final cut of 'Eyes Wide Shut' might not really match the director's original vision?"

"Warner Bros. said that Kubrick handed over the finished film to them before he died, but that's not true. Kubrick didn't finish all the editing before he died!"

Catherine Zeta-Jones nodded. "So you mean this 'Eyes Wide Shut' is actually a Warner Bros. cut?"

Aaron crossed his arms. "Not bad, Warner Bros. really did some major surgery on this movie; they must have cut a lot of scenes and content."

"However, what Stanley Kubrick wanted to express was far too profound and bloody!"

The film Eyes Wide Shut has many themes, the most important of which is the examination of the depravity of the ruling elite in the upper class.

Capitalism treats everything, even people, as commodities. In places unseen by ordinary people, the living conditions of these so-called big shots are utterly unbearable to witness.

This is an attempt to stand in opposition to those who have vested interests and those who allocate resources, and to tear open the truth hidden in the shadows!

(End of this chapter)