Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 654 The Golden Age of Independent Films
The highly controversial film "American Psycho," adapted from the novel of the same name by Brett Easton Ellis and produced and distributed by Lionsgate, has also been released in North America.

Set in New York City in the late 1980s, the film tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and promising stock manager who, while trying to maintain his image as an upper-class elite, begins to kill out of anger and jealousy. However, he gradually loses himself in the process of killing and becomes unable to judge whether he is in the real world.

"American Psycho" is controversial due to its explicit content, and it has sparked considerable discussion at the Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.
Originally rated NC-17 by the MPAA, Lionsgate made extensive cuts and obtained an R rating for its theatrical release in North America!

The release of "American Psycho" sparked heated discussions among film critics in North America:
The New York Times: "American Psycho is an ambitious and confident film that has saved a novel that was widely disliked for its supposed misogyny and horrific gore by removing the excess fat from the original work through a cinematic liposuction."

The Philadelphia Inquirer: "American Psycho is a brilliant satire of its time, and it may be too early to know what it might foreshadow, if anything."

The Baltimore Sun: "The film is a stark condemnation of a culture that glorifies greed, a culture in which viewers can laugh without feeling guilty."

The Washington Post: "Director Mary Harlan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gina Wesley Turner, has adapted Brett Easton Ellis's morbidly lowbrow novel into a flashy but ultimately empty black comedy."

"Aside from the gore and the humor of executions, there is almost nothing else in the whole movie. It is full of secondhand allusions to materialism, class conformity and misogyny."

USA Today: "Mary Harlan's handling of violence in the film American Psycho is so subtle that she ultimately renders it too distant and cold. She made a film about a man without passion, and the film therefore also seems without passion."

Burbank, Dawn Headquarters.

Aaron leaned back in his office chair, flipping through the newspaper in his hand, marveling at how many stars were featured in "American Psycho";
Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Reese Witherspoon, Willem Dafoe, and others.

Reese Witherspoon appears to be filming the MGM romantic comedy "Legally Blonde," adapted from Amanda Brown's novel of the same name!
A short while later, Etherine Beckett arrived at Aaron's office. "The negotiations with Warner Bros. for 'Ocean's Eleven' have been finalized."

"The two companies jointly invested $9000 million, with George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston starring as the male and female leads, respectively. Universal handled North American distribution, and Warner Bros. handled international distribution."

"Director Steven Soderbergh is looking for other actors."

Aaron just smiled. "Is there a female lead in Ocean's Eleven?"

The female characters don't have many scenes in the script.

"By the way, who is David Fincher planning to choose to replace Jodie Foster as the female lead in the sequel, 'The Silence of the Lambs 2: Hannibal'?"

"Well, based on the audition results, David Fincher and the producers prefer Cate Blanchett, and she's also available."

“Naomi Watts would also be suitable, but filming of Mulholland Drive needs to be finished first.”

Hearing what the other person said, she nodded in agreement, "Naomi Watts' new film, *Mulholland Drive*, is directed by David Lynch, who is known for his slow and deliberate filmmaking style."

"Furthermore, Naomi Watts will be filming our remake of 'The Ring'."

Etherine Beckett spoke up, "Boss, Ms. Donna Langley now wants to increase the investment in independent films!" "Independent films?" Aaron thought for a moment, then decided, "Then let's increase the investment in independent films to $2000 million."

Donna Langley is the president of New Moon Films, who is in charge of the independent film market business, which imports domestic and international art films.

Previously, Crescent Moon Pictures could decide on its own investment amount of up to $1500 million without having to report to Universal Pictures, but with the DVD market growing larger and larger;
There are indeed more and more independent films, and the competition is getting bigger. With the budget increased to $2000 million, Crescent Pictures should have enough.

After all, Dawn now owns cable TV stations like Starz and AMC, and also needs some TV movies. Crescent Moon and Twilight Studios sometimes develop non-theatrical films to be broadcast directly on television and distributed directly on videotape and DVD!

"In recent years, independent films have sparked considerable discussion, such as last year's 'Boys Don't Cry' and the currently showing 'American Psycho'."

"Could it be that Donna Langley has received a good script?"

Aaron looked at Etherine Beckett.

Etherine Beckett nodded. "There's a script similar to *The Sixth Sense*, adapted by the young Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar."

"It's called 'The Others.' I've seen it. It's a thriller about ghosts. The female protagonist and the child are ghosts. The plot is revealed at the end, but the deeper theme is anti-war!"

"Does Donna Langley want Nicole Kidman to play the lead role?"

Aaron's lips twitched. The Others?
I do know that this movie is in the same vein as "The Sixth Sense"!
Aaron was somewhat puzzled. "But shouldn't this kind of subject matter be more suitable for Twilight Pictures?"

Etherine Beckett shrugged. “Ms. Langley said it’s an anti-war thriller that Crescent Moon Films could develop.”

Aaron chuckled. "Nicole Kidman is back in Australia filming 'Moulin Rouge!' She's not available this year."

Etherine Beckett nodded. "Yes, and from what Nicole said, she doesn't want to make thrillers!"

Aaron thought for a moment and asked, "What important works has that Spanish director, Alejandro Amenábar, done before?"

Ethelyn Beckett responded, "Three years ago, he directed a Spanish thriller/romance film called *Open Your Eyes*, starring Penelope Cruz."

"The movie has received good reviews, and Tom Cruise has taken a liking to it, planning to remake an American version with himself as the male lead!"

“I see,” Aaron nodded. “Since Crescent Pictures wants to develop ‘The Others,’ let’s cast Monica Bellucci as the female lead…”

(End of this chapter)