[Kudos to Vasyl Č, ryan k, Dave m, Huy G, and The Real Cacto]
Hollywood What If Chapter 45
"Sir, Kazir Grey met with CEO Brad Grey of Paramount Pictures yesterday. Not only that, but Salvatore Barlowe has also contacted Universal Pictures and Walt Disney."
As the producer that CEO Terry Semel entrusted to work on Kazir's next movie. Enrico Pusi took the job seriously.
"I see."
Terry Semel nodded after listening to his report. He already expected that Kazir would find another way to increase his chips.
Now that he had proven himself twice at the box office, most movie companies were interested in working with him.
Se7en and Napoleon Dynamite each crossed the $100 million mark at the North American box office.
Especially Napoleon Dynamite, it has a small investment. Yet its performance was much better than their Batman Forever.
Warner Bros was proud of its superhero characters like Batman and Superman. They are the faces of DC Comics. But the superhero trend was slowly weakening. Warner Bros need a new movie to freshen up.
Terry Semel read Kazir's script three times. The reason was simple, it was funny. He believed that The Hangover, if filmed correctly, would be a box office success.
"...Enrico, check the other companies. Our offer will be $5 million salary and 10% of the North American box office. But the box office should be over $100 million. Try to contact Salvatore and Kazir".
In the proposal, it was written that the investment cost of The Hangover would be 35 million. This amount was no problem for Warner Bros.
Unlike the budget of Batman Forever, which was $100 million, The Hangover was much easier to invest in.
"I understand."
Enrico left the room. Like Terry Semel, Enrico Pusi believed The Hangover would be a success. As one of the producers under Warner Bros, he wanted to take over the project.
If the movie was successful, his position would be better. He could become the head of production management.
Another week passed and it was already February. Kazir had already solved his money problems and bought a new car. A brand new Honda.
He didn't have the courage to spend more money on a car. Especially when he contacted an investment firm.
He gave the investment firm $5 million, almost half of his money, to invest in Microsoft, Cisco and Nokia. He remembered these three companies. He knew they would do well in the 1990s.
As for Google and Yahoo, these two companies were unknown this year. Yahoo had just been founded last year, while Google would be founded in 1998.
Even though Kazir knew the future of these companies, he didn't want to interfere in their management or become a shareholder. His passion was making movies.
He didn't know how these companies ran their businesses, so he was just going to invest.
He believed that his $5 million would multiply before the new century.
"Kazir, I have now contacted the other giants and they are interested in your movie. This is the list."
Kazir had just rented a floor in the building a few blocks from his apartment. So far, Grey Pictures has 10 employees.
Kazir hired his crew. Unfortunately, some of them were not confident in his future, so they were in a wait-and-see mode.
Kazir already gave the crew a bonus, so they left without a problem.
"Let's see..."
Kazir read the conditions one by one.
Universal: $6 million
Sony Columbia: $8 million
Touchstone (Walt Disney): $7 million.
Paramount: $5 million + 5% North American box office share
20th Century Fox: $5 million + 5% North American box office
Warner Bros: $5 million + 10% North American box office
Kazir smiled. His plan worked. At least he saw a company that was serious about working with him.
"Salvatore, what are Warner Bros' conditions?"
"They are hoping that you can release the movie in the summer schedule. The movie must gross over $100 million at the North American box office before you can get your 10% share."
"... Contact them. Tell them I want to work with them."
Kazir didn't want to wait any longer. Just like Warner Bros, he wanted to finish filming quickly and release the movie before the end of the summer.
So Kazir Grey and Warner Bros began their first collaboration.
Kazir signed the contract and the project officially began.
Warner Bros bought his script for $300 thousand and his salary as a director was $5 million.
He received the $300 thousand and $2.5 million first. To get the other half of his salary, he had to finish shooting.
"I hope we will have good cooperation, Kazir."
"I will do my best to make the movie a success."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Terry Semel and Kazir Grey shook hands. Since the contract was already signed, Warner Bros arranged for a public signing of the contract. They invited reporters.
This was common practice. Of course, the contract Kazir signed in front of the public was a fake.
The contract had been signed earlier. The contract was thick, and many conditions were written in it.
So the public signing of the contract was nothing but publicity.
"Director Grey, how do you feel about working with Warner Bros.?"
"I'm excited."
The reporters began to ask him questions. Fortunately, every reporter here was under Time Warner. They would not ask him anything controversial.
"Director, do you have any actors you would like to work with?"
"If I'm being honest. I would like to invite Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal. I already have experience working with them. I believe in their hard work."
He smiled and left the room after answering most of their questions. The flashing cameras were blinding.
After that, he contacted his crew and officially started the preparations. Of course, everything had to be taken seriously.
Editing the script, preparing the props, checking the locations, and so on.
Perhaps the most important part of pre-production was auditioning for the roles.
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