Amidst the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, where money greases the wheels of ambition, two small teams, led by Derrett and Wilson, raced against the clock to gather verified intel for Megan Ellison.
Wilson, with his direct line to Jerry Bruckheimer, delivered the juicy scoop, "Confirmed news, Megan. Jerry pitched the 'Lone Ranger' adaptation to Disney last December. It's all in the proposal he himself crafted."
Megan's laughter tinkled through the room, "So, it seems Martin Davis is raiding other folks' treasure chests."
Wilson nodded, "Absolutely. Jerry's clash with Disney over 'Pirates' revenue ruffled feathers. Alan Horn's not playing nice, and Jerry's convinced they're aiming to cut him down to size."
"And here's the kicker," Wilson continued, "Jerry was gearing up to helm the next 'Pirates.' Same crew, same Depp, new adventures."
Megan's eyes gleamed, "A gold-standard team for a goldmine project!"
Wilson, drawing from his seasoned expertise, urged, "Boss, we need to pounce on this opportunity pronto!"
But Derrett interjected with a sobering reminder, "Davis Studio's pulling out all the stops to woo Depp. They're throwing ludicrous sums and ironclad contracts his way. It's Martin's payback, plain and simple. Oh, and I've got intel straight from Disney—Davis and Horn powwowed over the 'Lone Ranger' project."
Megan's resolve solidified, "Round up our A-team, Derrett. We're snatching those adaptation rights from Disney today. Money talks, gentlemen!"
After a moment's contemplation, she added, "Wilson, reach out to Bruckheimer's camp formally. Let's rope in that golden 'Caribbean' crew for this venture!"
Wilson grimaced, "But Davis and Horn are tight."
Megan's strategy was clear: "Horn may helm Disney, but our bid will speak volumes. Make it known across Disney's board. It's business, pure and simple. When profits call the shots, even the closest ties bend."
Annapurna Films, a fledgling amidst Hollywood's giants, boasted a hefty bankroll despite its modest portfolio.
That afternoon, Hollywood's grapevine buzzed with the seismic news—Annapurna Pictures had snagged the coveted film rights to "The Lone Ranger" for a cool $30 million.
Disney, caught off guard, scrambled to regroup, signaling the start of a high-stakes bidding war.
In Martin's opulent office at Davis Studio, Leonardo delicately retrieved Lily's latest masterpiece from its glass sanctuary, murmuring, "The bait's been taken."
Nicholson's gaze bore into Martin, his tone resolute, "You can't back down now. We need to make a move."
Martin nodded, determination etched in his features, as he dialed Jessica's number. "We're entering the fray with an open offer—$50 million."
Nicholson's incredulity surged, "Fifty million? Are you out of your mind? That's a surefire way to scare off potential partners!"
Martin's conviction held firm, "Jerry had grand designs for a blockbuster franchise akin to 'Caribbean.' Fifty mil is chump change for those rights."
Recalling the staggering sums fetched by the "Fifty Shades" franchise, Leonardo chimed in, "We're not playing small stakes here."
Nicholson's phone buzzed, and after a terse conversation, he relayed the latest intel, "Annapurna's making moves, eyeing Bruckheimer's crew for production."
Martin's mind raced, calculating the potential investment, "Bruckheimer's blueprint called for a $150 million production budget, at least. With copyrights, it's a $200 million gamble for Ellison."
Leonardo, with a filmmaker's insight, added, "More likely, with unforeseen expenses."
Nicholson's laughter rang out, buoyant with anticipation, "This is it, boys! A high-stakes gamble. If Annapurna falters on all fronts, even with Ellison's billions, Hollywood won't be so generous."
Martin cautioned, "Stay vigilant, gentlemen. We can't afford to be blindsided."
Nicholson's smirk bespoke confidence, "Bring it on. Who dares challenge us?"
And so, the triumvirate departed Burbank for the glittering realm of Hollywood, their sights set on the Screen Actors Guild's awards luncheon.
As anticipated, DiCaprio and Portman claimed victory, solidifying their Oscar prospects.
With Nicholson at the helm, orchestrating every move, the battle for "The Lone Ranger" became Davis Studio's domain.
The rivalry escalated, with Davis Studio upping the ante, intensifying efforts to woo Depp and court Bruckheimer's team.
News of the showdown spread like wildfire, attracting opportunistic predators to the fray.
Relativity Entertainment, Lionsgate, Paramount, and even Sony Columbia Pictures threw their hats into the ring, driving the bidding war to dizzying heights.
Yet, as the offers soared, so did Alan Horn's reluctance to part with Disney's crown jewel. The risks of a $200 million venture loomed large, casting shadows over potential profits.
As the Oscars loomed large on the horizon, Hollywood found itself captivated by the frenzied bidding war surrounding "The Lone Ranger," transforming it into the hottest ticket in town.
A mere week before the Oscars, Annapurna Pictures, fueled by its formidable financial prowess, stunned Tinseltown by snatching up the film adaptation rights for a jaw-dropping $80 million, with additional post-production sharing clauses shrouded in mystery.
The industry buzzed with disbelief!
Megan Ellison's meteoric rise eclipsed even her brother David's Hollywood debut.
In a strategic coup, Annapurna Pictures inked a landmark licensing deal with Disney Pictures, securing the services of the legendary Pirates of the Caribbean dream team led by Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski. Their pledge? To wield their cinematic wizardry on "The Lone Ranger."
But amidst the jubilation, a snag arose with Johnny Depp.
"$30 million? Should I bother with their new flick?" Depp's voice slurred with rare sobriety as he mulled over Annapurna's offer.
Whigham, his agent, attempted to placate him, "It's just their opening bid, Johnny. We can negotiate."
Depp's gaze hardened, "Davis Studio dangled a $35 million carrot plus a juicy 10% slice of the North American box office. Annapurna can't match that, can they?"
Martin's gambit had inflated Depp's expectations.
"I'll hash it out with Annapurna again this afternoon. We'll stick to our guns—$35 million plus the 10% share," Whigham assured.
Martin's desire to poach Depp clashed with Bruckheimer's unwavering stance on retaining the enigmatic star. After arduous negotiations, Annapurna Pictures finally sealed the deal with Depp, offering a princely sum of $35 million and a potential 15% share of the North American box office.
Depp's mercurial nature posed a challenge. On top of his astronomical salary, the studio was obligated to provide for his entourage of five lackeys, three nannybots, and two pampered pooches. Additional clauses concerning catering, wardrobe, accommodation, and transportation ran into the hundreds.
Yet, with Depp's star power, such demands were merely par for the course.
With contracts inked, Annapurna Pictures seized the spotlight, hosting a lavish press conference on the eve of the Oscars, doubling as the kickoff for "The Lone Ranger."
The project's eye-watering budget soared to $220 million, with Bruckheimer's team gearing up for pre-production. Depp, fresh from "Transcendence," would seamlessly segue into filming.
Simultaneously, Annapurna Pictures steered two more ambitious projects into the Hollywood fray: "Seventh Son" and "The Hunt for Bin Laden."
As industry titans watched with wary eyes, Annapurna emerged as a formidable new player on the scene, yet uncertainty lingered—would this wolf feast or merely grow fat?
Juggling four high-stakes projects without a cinematic track record, Annapurna's financial footing was precarious. Megan Ellison, ever defiant of Hollywood's unwritten rules, eschewed her father's assistance, opting instead to leverage her own trust fund as collateral, scoffing at the establishment's disdain for self-funded ventures.