After discussions, both MGM and Warner Bros reluctantly agreed to this arrangement.
After all, at this time, if Kevin didn't collaborate with them and sought outside funding, it would be a relatively simple task. The capital market is highly infatuated with successful individuals, and in the eyes of investors, Kevin is a highly desirable asset. If he were to announce that his new film was open to external investment, even for a budget of $100 million, it probably wouldn't take long to raise the necessary funds.
Although neither studio may be particularly optimistic about the success of the fantasy pirate film, Hollywood has a habit of following the footsteps of winners. Since Kevin has already achieved success with three consecutive films, they are willing to take another gamble with him.
Compared to Warner Bros, MGM has more confidence in Kevin, especially considering that he is a shareholder of MGM. They wouldn't want to harm themselves.
With this in mind, Reed decisively said, "MGM will invest 40%, and some of the crew members will still be provided by MGM, offsetting a portion of the investment."
Robinov, no longer hesitant, quickly added, "Then let Warner Bros take the remaining 30%."
"As for the subsequent marketing expenses, let's split them according to the same ratio. For a $100 million blockbuster, the marketing budget will be $20 million. Is that acceptable?" Robinov supplemented.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
...
After MGM left, Kevin arrived on the set in Hollywood and began working officially.
"Johnny Depp!"
"Present!"
"Salma Hayek!"
"Present!"
"Mila Jovovich!"
"Present!"
..."
As the assistant director, Zack Snyder counted the numbers one by one to ensure that the entire crew of over a hundred people was present.
He looked up at Kevin, waiting for his instructions.
Over a hundred people stared silently at Kevin, their eyes filled with different thoughts and expressions.
"Everyone who plays a pirate or a naval officer in the story, step forward."
Kevin held a megaphone and spoke loudly with a stern expression.
Kevin, who was generally calm in life, became intimidating once he stepped onto the film set.
Even during the filming of "Get Out," Jolie didn't dare to joke around with Kevin on set. On set, they were only actor and director.
Dozens of actors, including Johnny Depp, stepped forward, and Kevin continued with seriousness.
"In the following two to three weeks, you will undergo intensive training, including walking posture and swordplay training that suits your characters. Now, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask."
"Once the training begins, if you leave, you will have to pay a hefty penalty to the production crew."
After speaking, Kevin looked expressionless at everyone present.
An African-American actor stepped forward, raising his hand and asking, "I have something coming up in a few days. Can I take leave?"
Kevin said coldly, "Alright, you're fired. Now, immediately, leave this set."
The African-American actor's expression went from questioning to bewildered in an instant. He didn't expect to be fired just for asking a question.
Although he had heard about Steve Kevin's reputation as a tyrant on set, he was just testing the waters and didn't anticipate being fired like this.
His expression then changed once again, turning into a defiant and angry look as he exclaimed, "I will complain to the actors' union about this. Taking leave is our right."
"Do you still want to continue acting in Hollywood?"
Kevin's words extinguished the African-American actor's thoughts immediately with their cold and chilling tone.
As a major shareholder of MGM and in the midst of a fruitful collaboration with Warner Bros., it was effortless for Kevin to blacklist this unknown black actor.
If the actor didn't wise up, Kevin would truly blacklist him.
The African-American actor lowered his head and dared not make any more noise. He left with a dejected look on his face.
Watching his retreating figure, Kevin turned his head to Zack Snyder and said, "Find another actor to replace his role."
Then he turned his gaze back to the group and continued, "Now, does anyone else have any other questions?"
Everyone shook their heads in unison.
"Very well. Actors who stepped forward, follow director Zack Snyder to the bus outside. The training camp is located near the San Gabriel Mountains, 100 kilometers away."
"The rest of the crew can take a break for now. The later filming tasks will be demanding, so rest up."
"As for the other actors, use your channels to learn about the pirate activities between 1720 and 1750. In two to three weeks, you will be tested on your understanding of that period."
"... "
"Alright, you may all go now."
With these tasks assigned, the production team immediately sprang into action.
And Kevin once again arrived at Warner Bros.'s self-built studio.
Located in the wilderness outside of Los Angeles, the studio was vast in size and had forests, making it suitable for various types of film shoots.
Kevin's purpose in coming here was to construct the most crucial location in the Pirates of the Caribbean: the cave where Barbosa hid his treasure.
That cave filled with gold coins.
As soon as he arrived, Warner staff in charge of location construction greeted him.
After listening to Kevin's description, the staff led him to the soundstage.
Kevin's requirements couldn't be met by any existing scenes on the entire set, so everything had to be built from scratch.
After presenting the requirements, estimating the budget, and negotiating, a deal was struck.
The construction of the set was entirely entrusted to Warner Bros.
Of course, before the actual construction began, Kevin spent three days tormenting experts, trying to recreate the cave from his memory. He also hired professionals to design the formation of rocks eroded by the sea and the arrangement of water channels, ensuring each aspect was professionally designed.
Finally, a blueprint was created that perfectly matched Kevin's imagination while being scientifically accurate.
Once the blueprint was completed, Kevin didn't have time to supervise the construction that followed.
However, as a project in which Warner held a 30% investment, nobody dared to take it lightly. Kevin was confident about that.
After arranging the most important set, Kevin informed the staff about the design requirements for the Black Pearl's scenes.
It was impossible to film all the scenes of the Black Pearl and its interiors on the ship itself; it wouldn't be practical.
Some scenes needed to be filmed at sea, some in the soundstage, and then there would be post-production.
As for the small town at the beginning of the movie and the coastal scenery, Kevin had already selected the filming locations.
One such location was the San Pedro Port in the city of San Pedro. It had a beautiful seaside view, and only a small portion of wooden vintage buildings needed to be constructed.
For scenes like this, most of the distant views would undoubtedly rely on visual effects; otherwise, the investment cost would be too high.
Unless...
Kevin suddenly had an idea and immediately instructed his assistant to contact the local tourism bureau in San Pedro.
As a filming location for a multi-million-dollar movie and considering Kevin's current status as a hotshot in Hollywood, it made perfect sense to seek assistance from the San Pedro Tourism Bureau to build a Caribbean Pirate Town.
As for why they named it Caribbean Pirate Town, it was simply to ride on the popularity of the movie and help attract tourists to San Pedro.