Chapter 85
No problem, my "The Mummy" will definitely impress Mr. Carl. By the way, it will bring Universal Pictures a glittering cash cow that can bring countless money!" Zhang Dongcheng stood up and smiled confidently.
The meeting with Mr. Carl began soon. In the United States, a place full of gold, the only thing missing is time. Time is money and time is life. These two sentences are a perfect portrayal.
Within an hour after James got in touch with Carl, a seat was already arranged in a high-end restaurant in Hollywood, just waiting for the meeting that made the whole world crazy.
This is the first personal restaurant opened by Richie Notar, who founded the Nobu restaurant empire with several partners in 1994. This food tycoon, who can be said to be a famous figure in the restaurant industry, has a quirk: he hates all restaurants with random and messy environments. It's this quirk that takes this new restaurant to a higher level in setting and design.
Except celebrities, only those who are good-looking and well-dressed are eligible to enter.
The restaurateur loves the decadent vibe of luxury, and has incorporated it into Harlow's design, making it an elegant and luxurious dining venue with the debauchery and flair of 1970s Hollywood.
Walking into this well-known restaurant, those magnificent decorations and beautiful and lovely hostesses can no longer arouse Zhang Dongcheng's exploring eyes, and his mind has been thinking about how to make friends with the boss of Universal Pictures , How to explain my point of view, in order to impress the actual helm of the second largest film company in Hollywood in the United States, so that my film can appear in American movie theaters as soon as possible, and let discerning Americans be convinced willingly.
Not long after Zhang Dongcheng and James sat down, a short, fat middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties walked over surrounded by several people, and James stood up immediately.
Seeing James' reaction, Zhang Dongcheng keenly knew that the real master had arrived.
"Mr. Carl, this is Mr. Smith. He is a talented young director. I have seen his new screenplay for "The Mummy". It is very thoughtful and creative." James introduced to the visitor and pointed Pointing to Zhang Dongcheng beside him.
Zhang Dongcheng smiled and stretched out his hand, and shook hands with the surprised Mr. Carl: "Mr. Carl, I am Smith."
"Oh, young man, although I have known your age for a long time, I only know that I am old when I see you!" Carl said with a big smile. contempt.
"You're flattering yourself." Zhang Dongcheng was used to dealing with big shots in the film industry, and his demeanor was calm and decent, which satisfied Carl very much.
The whole group sat down, and Mr. Carl was not in a hurry to talk about the movie, but kept asking Zhang Dongcheng how he felt when he came to the United States.
"How is it? Are you still used to it when you first came to the United States?" Carl sat on the chair, took a sip from his teacup, and started chatting as usual.
"I have lived in the United Kingdom for six or seven years, and I have nothing against it when I come to the United States. On the contrary, I like this place very much, the smiles on the faces of passers-by, the ever-changing changes, the afternoon sun and the brilliance in the night. Here is the same as my hometown, Huaxia, full of upward passion and unremitting efforts." Zhang Dongcheng adjusted his glasses with black bars, and talked freely and generously.
"I heard that you went to Hollywood studios? Did you gain anything?" Mr. Carl continued to smile.
"I have gained a lot. The biggest achievement is that I have found two very good actors. I think they will be a blockbuster in future movies." Zhang Dongcheng tried to bring the topic back to the movie.
"Oh, haha, it seems that Mr. Smith never forgets his work. By the way, after so many days in the United States, is there any food that impresses you the most?" Mr. Carl didn't answer Zhang Dongcheng's topic, and the conversation changed again It's pulled aside.
Zhang Dongcheng is still calm. He used to be a relatively deep and calm person. Seeing that Mr. Carl didn't want to talk about movies, he wasn't angry, and just chatted along his topic.
The messy topics went on and on for more than an hour. Although Zhang Dongcheng was a little impatient, he still kept a modest and friendly smile on his face, and introduced and discussed in depth the topics that Mr. Carl was interested in. .
"With the energy of young people, without the roughness and insecurity of young people, this Smith seems to be qualified." Although he has been chatting with Zhang Dongcheng on unnutritive topics, Mr. Carl has his own way of knowing people According to the standard, he has been in Hollywood for so many years, and he has seen many young people who have been dazzled by their dreams.
Karl didn't want to hand over his film to a young director who had a cannon in his mouth and chanted slogans, but refused to settle down.
"The Mummy" is the movie he puts high hopes on, and he also wants to rediscover the effect that the movie in the 1930s caused a sensation all over the world. If it is not a trustworthy director, or a movie worthy of the huge fame of the original movie, Karl will die Will not agree to start shooting.
Even if he waits for a few more years, even ten years, he will not hand over "The Mummy" to any director hastily and impulsively.
The young oriental man in front of him looked very young, but his eyes were clear and bright, and the persistence and persistence revealed made Karl also moved. Coupled with his resume, the two films stand out even when everyone is not optimistic about them. This unique way of breaking all the shackles without taking the usual path is also appreciated by Mr. Carl.
In the original time and space, Karl waited for a full six years for a suitable director and script, but now, will he change his mind?
"Mr. Smith, it was a pleasure chatting with you. Oh, by the way, James said that your "Mummy" script has been written, can you show me?" After chatting for a long time, Carl finally took the initiative to change the subject and put the matter on the table superior.
"Of course, Mr. Carl, this is the script. Can I explain it to you in detail?" Zhang Dongcheng smiled, took out the script of "The Mummy" he had prepared a long time ago, and took the initiative to explain it to Mr. Carl.
Which shot should bring black horror, which shot should be replaced with American humor, which shot should have amazing special effects, Zhang Dongcheng pointed to the script, and told one by one, trying to make his movie transform in Carl's mind through words first into images, so that he can experience the charm of the new version of "The Mummy" more intuitively.
Carl listened very carefully, never let go of every shot, and asked all kinds of tricky and straightforward questions, and Zhang Dongcheng also answered them in detail, making him keep questioning and nodding.
It took a full two and a half hours, and the teacup in front of Zhang Dongcheng was poured and refilled before Karl finished watching the last scene.
"You need 80 million dollars for shooting?" Carl looked at Zhang Dongcheng's face very seriously, trying to find a trace of wavering and lack of confidence.
"Yes, 80 million US dollars, 20 million US dollars are focused on special effects, and 10 million US dollars are used to build the real image of the tomb. This movie can not use too famous movie stars to reduce the shooting cost, but other Hard spending is really irreducible. This is an epic fantasy adventure movie, this is not an ordinary movie. Its purpose is to let the world appreciate the magical charm of mummy, in the movie box office, DVD peripherals, movies There are more profit points and more opportunities in the expansion of park attractions. It is like a gurgling brook, but at its end, it is a mighty river." Zhang Dongcheng welcomes Looking into Carl's eyes, speaking without fear.
Looking at Zhang Dongcheng who was a little excited, and listening to his decisive tone, Carl couldn't help but believe that "The Mummy" would usher in another glory for him in his hands. He exhaled deeply, fell on the sofa, and closed his eyes. Eyes, pressing his temples hard.
Zhang Dongcheng didn't speak any more, just looked at the thoughtful Carl, he knew that not everyone could have such boldness for an investment of 80 million US dollars in 1996.
"Young man, I appreciate you very much. But the huge investment of 80 million US dollars, just based on these few hours of movie script explanation, I don't think it is enough to impress me. Mr. Smith, I think, I think if you can give I have more confidence, maybe I will promise you." Mr. Carl opened his eyes, said to Zhang Dongcheng calmly, then got up and left.