[Shout out to Chandler S, Blacktide, Professor Pedro B, Jit00, ToastyNug, Mark stone and Shivam Mittal!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 131
Kazir Grey was in high demand at the moment. Right after New Year's, Kazir was contacted by three companies at once.
John Wick was still in pre-production and this was the right time for Paramount, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros to work with Kazir Grey.
Both 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros experienced Kazir's directing skills and his films were successful.
The script of The Hangover Part 2 was already done and the screenplay was finished. If there were going to be changes, they were going to be minor changes. There was no need to audition because the cast had been in place since the first movie.
The only major issue with The Hangover Part 2 at the moment was the lack of a director. Three months before the official start of shooting, the project still has no director.
Enrico Pusi even went to Grey Pictures just to find Kazir Grey. Enrico Pusi was in charge of the project and he couldn't let it fall.
He went to Kazir's office and kneeled down to beg. He really did it.
Kazir massaged his forehead. The position of director was important and he didn't want The Hangover Part 2 to turn to dust.
"Mel Brooks."
"Hm?"
Enrico Pusi sat up and looked at Kazir.
"Why don't you hire Mel Brooks instead? I'm sure he can do a better job than I can."
"I'll try."
As a producer, Enrico Pusi knew who Mel Brooks was. In fact, Warner Bros invited Mel Brooks to take the job, but he asked for a $5 million salary.
Warner Bros was still skeptical, so they kept quiet for the moment. Mel Brooks didn't have a movie in the last few years. His last movie was Robin Hood: Men In Tights and it was released in 1993. His $5 million salary might be questionable.
But Kazir Grey knew Mel Brooks' next projects like Get Smart and Space Balls. At least the director understood humor.
'I actually want to recommend Todd Phillips, the original director of The Hangover trilogy but he's still not a director. It will be stupid to recommend a person who's not even a director yet.'
After hearing Kazir's opinion, Enrico Pusi quietly left the company after causing a scene. For the success of The Hangover Part 2, Enrico would have a face as thick as the earth's crust, shamelessness was needed.
Later, Enrico thanked Kazir Grey for his suggestion. As long as all was well, taking a knee was no problem.
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The next person to appear was none other than Paramount's Shirley Lansing. The head of publicity management.
The woman started to ask her about the possible promotion methods for Meet The Parents. Shirley asked Kazir Grey to visit Paramount at least once.
The project began its first round of auditions that week. Although Kazir was only the screenwriter, his opinion and wisdom could not be ignored. Kazir was now the most sought-after director lately.
With three years of successful films in a row, his opinions regarding the cast were relevant.
"Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler are all interested in the project."
Shirley Lansing added as she watched the man sketch.
"I'm sure Paramount didn't have a problem with the budget for the salary."
"Actually... We are suffering from Titanic. The movie needed constant investment and our budget is very tight right now. Furthermore, the movie seems negative... We will probably lose a lot of money, but we can't back out now."
"... We'll see about that next month," Kazir muttered.
"Anyway, are you still okay with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro being the leads?"
"I'm sure. But it all depends on your decision. I'm just the screenwriter."
He only sold the script for $500,000. It was the terms they agreed to so that his three movies would be distributed at a lower fee. Frankly, Paramount took an L on this one. Perhaps they were gambling, believing that Kazir's magic was still strong.
"I'll get back to you, no, I'm going to take you out of your office and force you to attend the final round of auditions. Make sure you take a shower that day. As for the marketing plan, I want to hear your response later."
"Shirley, I'm not your employee. You should ask your team."
"I know, but I won't lose anything by consulting with you. I'll buy you donuts if I like your suggestions."
"I don't like donuts."
"Donuts then, Dunkin Donuts."
"I don't like them."
"All right, I'm going now. Remember what I said."
Shirley Lansing left the office.
"I guess that's why she's the next CEO of Paramount. She's damn stubborn. Much worse than Enrico Pusi."
He had never met anyone like Shirley Lansing. He was afraid to work with her, he felt like he would be sucked dry...
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The first month of the year was too much for him as the three companies tried to contact him in different directions.
On top of that, Sony-Columbia and Walt Disney wanted to buy his scripts.
"Sir... Someone wants to talk to you." Erica Mendez told him on the phone. His assistant was also busy after Christmas. Even though Kazir stayed in his office for the whole month, his job was never easy.
Erica Mendez had to face so many people just to keep them from bothering him. But if she couldn't, she had no choice but to pass the baton to Kazir.
"Who is it?"
"It's Nancy Utley from Fox Searchlight."
"Napoleon Dynamite it is."
Kazir dropped his pen and prepared for another discussion.
'Seriously, they're pretty active these days. But at least they were the ones who came to see me, not the other way around. I guess people are starting to respect me.'
Scriptwriter and Executive Producer, his position for the three companies was quite cumbersome. But as long as it was related to movies and he was having fun, why not?
[Author's note: I know, I know, some of you don't like it when I write something unrelated to the movies. But I had to deal with the side arcs even in one chapter.]