HWI 182

[Shout out to Петр Голдобин!]

Hollywood What If Chapter 182

After signing a distribution deal with Sony-Columbia, the two sides had an understanding. Grey Pictures expressed their thoughts that The Bourne Identity would be released in late July or early August.

Sony-Columbia didn't have a problem with that schedule and agreed. As long as they didn't have a movie coming out on that schedule, they would distribute The Bourne Identity within that timeframe.

With Kazir's fast shooting style, the movie would be finished before the beginning of June. Maybe June 4th. There would be no problem with the shooting schedule.

In fact, by the second week of May, they had already shot more than 2/3 of the movie.

As for Taken 2, Grey Pictures was planning to release it in September or November. It depends on Fremont Smith's ability how fast he can shoot the movie. Of course, his crew members were also responsible for the speed of the production.

Unfortunately, unlike Kazir's efficient crew, Fremont's crew was recently formed and they didn't have strong cooperation. They were still getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

With the two films that Grey Pictures would release, the company was expanding and the Big Six were alarmed.

Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Paramount were three film companies that Kazir Grey worked with. Their relationship was good, at least from a business standpoint.

The three major studios made money on his projects, and Kazir Grey made money as well. They got along quite well.

But that didn't change the fact that they were also rivals. Knowing that Grey Pictures was getting better and better, the three film companies couldn't help but block its way.

If there was something good, the three movie companies were not so relentless about it. After all, they were in the process of forming an alliance to prevent Grey Pictures from growing.

Maybe it was a good thing for Grey Pictures to have no distribution channels. Because as soon as they announced their intention to acquire a distribution channel, not only the three movie companies would make a fuss. All of the Big Six would join forces to wipe out Grey Pictures. They would attack it from different directions until the company collapsed.

"I hear rumors that Star Wars will be released in late July or early August. Not only that, but Matrix, which Warner Bros has invested in, will be released in September or November.

Kazir Grey told Stella Willow.

The woman nodded, realizing the intention of the three major movie studios.

She knew that if Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released on the same day as The Bourne Identity, the latter would immediately lose the box office. Not only that, but theatrical distribution would be against them.

After all, there were only over 11 thousand theaters in North America, and Star Wars Episode 1 might have the advantage. Star Wars is a huge IP and it's impossible to beat. At least not yet. Now that many Star Wars fans have been waiting for the movie for a decade.

The last Star Wars movie was Return Of The Jedi, which was released in 1983.

If Star Wars Episode 1 and The Bourne Identity had a fight, the outcome would be obvious. The Bourne Identity would be knocked out.

'However, I'm confused as to why Kazir is nervous about this so-called Matrix... I heard that this movie is rated R. Taken 2 can easily beat that movie if they are released at the same time.'

Taken 2 was a PG-13 movie and the expected box office for that movie was at least $400 million. Surely this Matrix from Warner Bros would be kicked out of the theaters, right?

Well, Stella Willow didn't know the future, so she was confident that Taken 2 wouldn't be bullied...

'The toughest enemy will be Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.'

Indeed, she thought so.

As for Paramount, their attitude was unknown. They showed no intention of joining the alliance, but they weren't against it either.

Taken 2 would be distributed by them and they didn't want the movie to suffer. Of course, if things changed, Paramount would use their own means to sabotage Taken 2.

Even though the two sides had signed a contract, Paramount had many ways to ruin Taken 2. They could extend the payment, they could make the number of theaters low, or they would make a minimal investment in terms of promotion.

"The reason I'm telling you this is because I want to hear your opinion. When you return to the United States, you will be the official general manager of Grey Pictures."

'So this is like the last test or something?'

Stella Willow nodded.

"These are just rumors, and the three movie companies haven't made any official announcements about the release of their movies. That means they are still waiting. Waiting for your answer."

Kazir agreed. He also thought about it.

"If you don't do anything, the three movie companies will go ahead with the plan and sabotage The Bourne Identity and Taken 2."

"Based on my understanding. We have three things to consider." The woman nudged her gold-rimmed glasses.

"First, you can express your intention to work with them. The scripts you've written have shown positive results, and the three movie companies will surely want to work with you again."

"Second, be confident in your movies and let them collide with Star Wars Episode 1 and The Matrix."

Kazir didn't want to fight against these movies because he knew that the result would be bad for him.

"Third, we can end all cooperation with Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, and Paramount Pictures. Instead, we will ally ourselves with Walt Disney, Universal Pictures and Sony-Columbia and ask them to protect us. Of course, we have to prove to them that we can be useful."

Hearing the woman's thoughts, Kazir Grey knew he hadn't made a mistake in choosing her.

"It is good that we met."

"Yes, President."

"Ah, I'm really not used to being called President. I prefer to be called Director."

Kazir scratched his head and chuckled.

"Hm, Director Grey."

"Then I think we both know what the best solution is."

"That's right."

They looked at each other and nodded.

"Maintaining the relationship with the three movie companies is important. I don't want to be their enemy."

"I understand."

Ah, the complicated life in Hollywood...