Chapter 231

Invite yourself to take over as the director of "Titanic"?

After hearing this, Duke froze for a while, then turned his head to look at Townsend Roseman. Fox's ceo looked serious. Obviously he was not joking. No one would joke about this kind of thing. Meaning, this incident was not a sudden decision made by Pai Forehead, but the result of discussions between investor Fox and Paramount.

Be a picker yourself?

It is true that anyone without Hollywood can turn, but the ship has been under the control of James Cameron and has been running for almost two years. How difficult is it for others to rush to take over?

Not to mention anything else, just say that after changing the director, the crew will inevitably produce complex personnel conflicts. How long will it take to straighten out? Will James Cameron hand over with him smoothly? The main departments on the set are all his team members. Should these people be changed? How long will it take for the newcomer to get started if it changes? If you don't change, oh... then Rosario will be wonderful...

It's not surprising that the crew has just started to change directors, but after such a long period of preparation, the risk of changing directors is too great. The new director is simply not prepared enough. In Duke's view, taking over such a project is more important than opening the same scale. The project is even more difficult.

Becoming a Panman, it's not as simple as taking Project 4, you can continue preparations, and then start shooting smoothly!

"Townsend, I have a few questions." Duke did not directly refuse. "James Cameron's request for additional investment can embarrass Fox. It must not be a small number?"

Townsend Roseman nodded solemnly, and Duke continued, "All Hollywood knows what Cameron's style is. He likes big scenes, and I also like big scenes. Although I don't know the specifics of the project, you guys Have you ever thought about it. Even if I change my role as the director, I might need to add a large investment?"

"But your past few films," Townsend Rothman obviously has a different view, "always use the most effective capital utilization to produce sufficiently outstanding big scenes, and all have been successful!"

"You overlooked one thing." Duke pointed to his forehead. "The past projects only appeared after thinking about it for a long time, but in the face of a completely unfamiliar project, how much money do you think I can save?"

He shook his head, "So Townsend, I don't think I'm suitable to take over."

Seeing Duke's face resolute, Tang Se? Rothman understood that this matter was extremely difficult, and after thinking about it. Then he said, "What about the other proposal? Fox delays paying part of your share?"

Duke did not speak, and put on a thinking look, seemingly embarrassed.

"Can you know how big the project funding gap is?" Duke asked.

This project, which even banks refuse to lend, has pushed Fox into a situation where it is impossible to advance or retreat. Although they are also pressing James Cameron, even if the tyrant on the set is forced to commit suicide by jumping into the sea, huge investment must be considered. Way back.

Just hesitated for a moment. Tang Se? Rothman said, "Cameron asked for an additional investment of 30 million U.S. dollars! You should know his style. This number will definitely increase. Without 50 million U.S. dollars, "Titanic" will definitely not be finished!"

"How much is the total investment?" Duke asked again.

"Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount have invested a total of 150 million US dollars!"

Hearing Townsend Rothman's numbers, Duke gradually made a decision in his heart, "Townsend, the division of "Saving Private Ryan" can be handed over to Fox for the time being."

The expression on Townsend Rothman's face relaxed a little. Then he asked, "Go ahead, Duke, what are the conditions."

"Don't you want to invest this part of the funds in "Titanic"?"

Seeing Townsend Rothman nodding, Duke slowly knocked on the arm of the sofa. He chuckled and said, "This is the investment of Duke Studios in "Titanic", what do you think?"

He wants to invest in "Titanic"? Townsend Rothman frowned. It is one thing for Fox to lack funds, but it is another thing to allow foreign funds to invest in their projects with Paramount.

This will involve all aspects of the problem, Duke is very clear, and did not expect Townsend Rothman to give an answer immediately, and in the absence of Paramount Pictures, he, Fox's CEO, does not have such power. .

"Townsend, this is just a suggestion."

Duke still has a little memory of the financial difficulties encountered by "Titanic". Combined with what Townsend Rothman said, that scene is undoubtedly being staged, "How big is James Cameron's appetite? I believe you know better than me, and I think replacing him is the worst choice. If the Duke's studio can join in, I can make up for your funding gap."

"I can't give you an answer." Townsend Rothman thought for a while, and then said, "This needs to be resolved by Fox and Paramount Pictures."

Duke just left a possibility for himself to intervene in this project, and the investment is definitely not as simple as talking about it. Who knows what changes will happen to Rosario's set? He always has to confirm some circumstances before he can really talk to Fox and Paramount.

On the weekend, Duke made an appointment with Leonardo DiCaprio, using the actor to accompany him to visit the crew as an excuse to fly to Rosario, Baja California, to witness the crazy crew and The Titanic model ship stands in a huge man-made lake in a one-to-one ratio, and it is known from Leonardo that the heroine is an actress from the UK. The last Oscar won the best supporting actress with "Sense and Emotion" Nominated Kate Winslet.

The main cast and crew of the crew, Duke has a vague impression, not to mention James Cameron, who almost forced Fox to sell his **** and was forced by Fox to commit suicide.

This information is enough for him to make some judgments. Although the future is unpredictable, any investment is risky, and 100% profitable investment does not exist. After returning to Los Angeles from Baja California, Duke has already made a decision.

Nancy Josephson was once again pushed to the forefront of the negotiation. He frequently contacted Fox and Paramount. Unlike Fox's hesitation, Paramount Pictures expressed happily that he would support Duke's investment. In fact This project, which has lasted for nearly two years, and I still don't know when it will start shooting, has long since become a gold-absorbing black hole in Paramount's eyes. They are eager for a pick-up man to change the current situation of being unable to advance or retreat.

Duke has also done enough investigation and understanding. The situation is similar to the rumors he saw in his last life. The project was established for nearly two years. From the media to the Hollywood industry to the film company, no one is optimistic about James Cameron's project. , The voices of cynicism continue to appear, and even some media reporters and film critics have also opened up a special section on the weekly column, just to ridicule James Cameron and his "Titanic."

At the same time, Duke also understood the huge difficulties facing Fox. Because the project's expected profitability and credibility index continued to decline, Fox's contacts with banks and film funds all ended in failure. After all, "Titanic" has been nearly destroyed. 150 million U.S. dollars, let alone transfer to post-production, even the specific time to start shooting is still uncertain, no one knows when it will be completed, or even if it can be completed.

Not to mention anything else, even the third-party American International Assurance Company, which acts as a guarantee for the completion of the film, is moving around on Wall Street, wanting to transfer the completion guarantee agreement, or find a taker who shares the risk with them.

In other words, both Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron stood at their respective turning points.

This is a very suitable entry point. After going through this very difficult stage, Twentieth Century Fox will grit his teeth until the end.

As Paramount Pictures wanted to get rid of this funding black hole, Nancy quickly reached an agreement with them. In the following half month, he began a long negotiation with Twentieth Century Fox, and even James Card, who was in short supply of funds. Mellon rushed back to Los Angeles from Baja California for tripartite talks.

Fox's internal voices are not uniform. People headed by Townsend Rothman believe that Duke's Duke's studio should not be allowed to participate in "Titanic" casually, and a group of people headed by the financial director who is facing huge financial pressure, It is actively looking for foreign funds to prevent Fox from crashing because of the break of the capital chain.

As for James Cameron, as long as he has money to complete this epic at sea, he doesn't care about the source of funds.

Negotiations continued until mid-July. Due to successive setbacks in raising funds from other sources, Twentieth Century Fox finally decided to accept funds from the Duke's studio—in fact, the share has always been on Fox's account—at the same time, in Cameron and Pella After the joint negotiation meeting between Mon, Fox and the Duke's studio was concluded, and after the parties signed a formal agreement, the Duke's studio formally injected US$50 million into "Titanic", thus raising the production cost of this project to an unprecedented $200 million!

According to the agreement, Duke's studio occupies a quarter of the investment, and naturally enjoys the film including the North American box office, overseas box office and all surrounding revenue sharing in the same proportion, but does not own any copyright of the film.

Compared with the investment two years ago, the pledge period of funds is now shorter and relatively more cost-effective. The most important thing is that Duke is not as short of money as it was two years ago.

Although investment means risk, and like other small companies, it is impossible to get the copyright of the film from the giants, but Duke is quite satisfied with this agreement. If the film really goes on the same track, a quarter of it What are the benefits? This is more than just the box office!

At the same time, Duke also agreed that Fox postponed the payment of the remaining share in order to ease their financial pressure, so that Fox owed him a favor.

After getting the investment in "Titanic", Duke's energies all returned to the shooting of "Chicago". The film started in early April and has lasted more than three months. This is also the longest shooting time since Duke has been filmed. The film that encountered the most difficulties, after the entire crew suffered more than 100 days, the filming is finally nearing completion. (To be continued...)