[Shout out to The Real Cacto and Dwhateverprof!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 89
Kazir Grey and Harold Witsend watched the filming for a few minutes. Ed Helms and the other actors also greeted them. Ed Helms returned to his skinny figure, which was shocking but respected. It was very hard to lose weight, but Ed Helms worked hard just to return to Napoleon's appearance.
Kazir was impressed.
"Director Grey, thank you for giving me a chance. I'm actually sad that you're not the director this time. I'm scared and nervous that the success of this movie will be affected because of your absence."
"..." Kazir just shrugged. He was getting used to that statement.
Kazir Grey was the director who made them famous, and he had a better composure than Hugo Lameire. He was easier to talk to and he had an approachable aura. At least he didn't like to raise his voice during the shooting.
'The plot of Napoleon Dynamite II is basically an unknown venture. And to be honest, I'm not sure that's a good thing. Let's all just wait and see.'
If the release date of the movie was around May or June. If the filming finished at the right time, Kazir could attend the premier.
Well, with the budget of $15 million plus the strong authority of 20th Century Fox, the filming will definitely be in good hands.
As long as the movie could make a profit, 20th Century Fox would milk it dry.
"Director, I got a call from Tom Rothman's secretary. She said that CEO Tom Rothman is waiting for you in his office."
"Thank you, Nancy."
Kazir and Harold left the studio and went to the top floor of the building.
Tom Rothman understood the importance of Kazir's project and believed it had a great chance of success. That was why he agreed to the meeting. However, he had to look at the project from a business standpoint.
'Kazir has already made two movies with huge box office receipts. That's enough to make me interested. However, he is trying to venture into an unknown territory. Comedy and action are two completely different genres.' Tom Rothman nodded.
'A comedy film can be finished in a month. But an action movie is different, it takes at least three months to finish shooting. Also, the preparation before shooting is important. Now that Kazir Grey has decided to invest in his own movie and hire an amateur producer, I wonder how he can make this movie successful'.
A long rant from the CEO of 20th Century Fox, but a valid one.
In fact, Kazir's production crew did suffer a backlash. Now that the film had no studio backing, Grey Pictures had to take responsibility and work hard. Fortunately, they had experience working with big-budget films. The pressure was not that much. Just enough to make them tense, but serious.
'I heard that Warner Bros was going to start the sequel to The Hangover in midsummer. The Hangover made over $400 million at the box office last year.'
'They are probably working hard to make sure the results are better. I bet the actors are negotiating for salary increase... If Napoleon Dynamite II was a success, Warner Bros might have to increase the budget of The Hangover Part 2 to appease the actors.'
An obvious thing that would surely happen. In fact, that was the reason Napoleon Dynamite II went from $500,000 to $15 million. All because the actors' salaries went up.
"Sigh... Those goddamn agents. They are disgusting leeches, sucking blood to the limit."
Tom Rothman said with his teeth gritting. In fact, Ed Helms' agent even asked for a share of the box office! It was outrageous.
"The reason Napoleon Dynamite and The Hangover are successful is because of Kazir Grey. The actors have no reason to keep up their bravado! I'm sure they know that."
The life of working in the showbiz industry is to make sure that your movie/show attracts the attention of the masses. Film companies were willing to accept outrageous conditions just to increase the likelihood of success. But they were not stupid.
A few minutes later, Kazir and Harold walked into the office. The reason Kazir showed up was to assist Harold, since the producer was still new to the job.
:I can use Rafael too, but this is related to my company, so I have to make it worthwhile.'
Harold worked for Grey Pictures while Rafael was a CAA agent. Of course, Kazir had to trust his old friend.
"Good morning, Mr. Rothman."
"Kazir, how's your work?"
The two shook hands and sat down a few seconds later. Smiling like they were close friends.
"It's still sad that you are not the director of Napoleon Dynamite II. I will not hesitate to give you a share of the box office if I have to."
"Tom, it's already in the past. You already have a deal with Hugo."
"That's right. It's disappointing that you don't want to make a sequel. Regarding Taken, if the movie had a sequel, would you give it to another director?"
"It depends. My plan for Taken is one movie every two years, with a trilogy in the works."
"Hm, I have an idea about this Cinematic Universe of yours and I'm still not convinced. With your Cinematic Universe, the trilogy may not be successful. I think you are not the only one who had this idea. I'll tell you this, the reason no one has made a Cinematic Universe is because it's impossible. The budget, the time, the actors, it's impossible."
Tom Rothman said seriously.
"The reason no one has been successful is because everyone is afraid to do so. Once I prove that Cinematic Universe is possible and profitable, many film companies will try to copy me."
Kazir grinned.
When the Marvel Cinematic Universe became successful, Warner Bros tried to replicate it by starting the DCEU. Even Universal Pictures tried to start a Monster Cinematic Universe by releasing The Mummy starring Tom Cruise.
'I heard that Disney released John Carter as the opening movie of their Cinematic Universe. Well, the movie didn't live up to their expectations.'
The only successful one was MCU. Even Warner Bros' DCEU was a fucking flop in terms of quality. The movies of DCEU and MCU were not comparable at all.
In the next century, Marvel would become the face of superheroes. People like Superman and Batman would slowly be forgotten by young people.
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[Rest in peace, the Honoured One, Gojo Satoru of Jujutsu Kaisen.]