Chapter 116

Saw II grossed another $17 million in its second weekend, bringing its ten-day North American total to $62 million, with a 47% drop.

In the third week, Saw II made $9.2 million, a 46% drop, clearly showing the weakness common to horror films.

In contrast, The Grudge experienced a 45% decline starting from the second week, but after a month of release, it was just a few million dollars short of reaching $100 million in North American box office, which it should surpass next week.

Saw II definitely wasn't going to reach $100 million in North America, with $90 million being the estimated maximum.

With Halloween in October just passed, it was now Thanksgiving. Bush, the winner of the presidential election, gave a speech wanting to celebrate this special Thanksgiving with all Americans!

At the famous Michelin two-star Italian Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills, Charles was having dinner with his mother, celebrating Thanksgiving.

"Mom's planning to go to Aspen, Colorado, for a vacation next week. Will you come with me?" Evelyn asked as she ate her steak.

"Going skiing?" Charles smiled and then shook his head. "Next week, Brokeback Mountain will be released in some European countries, Italy, France, Germany, etc. It will gradually be released there, and we'll have to wait for it here in North America."

"Dear, there are many ranches around Aspen where you can ride horses!" Evelyn reminded her son.

"Ranches," Charles looked at his mother and suggested, "How about we buy a ranch? There's plenty of land for sale in the West anyway."

Evelyn thought about it and nodded. "I'll look into it then. Ranches in Colorado are pretty good, and the scenery is lovely."

"Saw II did pretty well at the box office, more popular than the first, and its global box office should at least reach $100 million!"

Charles laughed, "James Wan, though young, is capable. We can trust him with the sequel. I believe the third installment will bring more surprises."

Evelyn agreed. James Wan was one of the talents she signed with her company. Despite her high position, she still followed many capable young filmmakers closely.

"Zack Snyder's remake of the low-budget horror film Dawn of the Dead also grossed $100 million worldwide. The two young directors you recommended are indeed promising!"

Charles almost forgot about him. Hearing his mother mention Zack Snyder, he immediately thought of the highly stylized 300.

"I just thought of a great idea for Zack Snyder to take on! We must get the rights to Frank Miller's graphic novel 300."

"Oh, what's the idea?" Evelyn paused, showing interest in hearing more.

"Frank Miller's comic 300, about the Battle of Thermopylae, needs strong visual impact. I believe Zack can handle it well!"

"Frank Miller's comics... Miramax's Dimension Films just developed a stylized film Sin City this year, directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and Quentin Tarantino. It's set to be released next April," Evelyn nodded. "You better act fast; other companies might jump in first!"

"Don't worry. I never wait!" Charles seemed quite confident.

"By the way, has Brokeback Mountain's approaching release caused you any trouble?" Evelyn was aware of the conservative backlash against the film.

"Not really. Many people still support the film. The conservative opposition is limited and wouldn't dare go too far!" If they did, it would become a political issue, similar to how racism can't be openly endorsed even if felt internally.

"Besides, the film's attention is mainly focused on the director and leading actors. Ang Lee, Heath Ledger, and Jake Gyllenhaal have faced a lot of criticism, even Michelle Williams, who has a prominent role, has been affected."

Evelyn had seen Charles' interviews and noted his composed demeanor, so she was reassured.

After dinner, Evelyn went home to rest while Charles made a call and then drove his Corvette straight to Scarlett Johansson's house.

Having spent six months shooting The Island, Scarlett Johansson felt that commercial films were much more exhausting than art films and had just returned to Los Angeles recently.

"Hmm," Charles kissed Scarlett Johansson, who was only wearing a nightgown, as soon as he walked in.

"Okay, okay. I've been really tired recently," Scarlett laughed, lying on the couch with Charles on top of her.

"Oh, was the shooting of The Island not smooth?" Charles sat up and pulled Scarlett into his arms, his hands slipping under her nightgown.

Though slightly aroused, Scarlett explained, "Michael Bay is really harsh on set. Many scenes had to be shot multiple times."

"A lot of action scenes?"

Scarlett Johansson shook her head. "Most of it was special effects, mainly focusing on the human aspect of cloning, with action scenes involving car chases, gunfights, and explosions. I wasn't in many action or explosion scenes."

"Michael Bay can't direct without explosions and action," Charles shook his head.

"The love scenes in Pearl Harbor made the plot drag. He didn't learn his lesson and added some personal ideas into the sci-fi film. He probably doesn't realize he can't tell a story."

As a sci-fi blockbuster, The Island stayed true to Michael Bay's style, and Charles knew how much of a failure the film was.

Exaggerated visual and sound effects, chaotic editing to create atmosphere, bullet-ridden explosions, and the usual three-stroke technique. But now, other directors had already perfected these elements.

In movies that didn't need a plot, expanding these scenes turned them into blockbuster films that still attracted many viewers to the theaters.

It's no wonder the Transformers series under his direction had such poor reviews; there was nothing notable apart from the explosions.

If I develop Transformers in the future, it seems I can't use Michael Bay as the director. He's expensive and ruins the franchise.

"Charles, I'll run you a bath and get your pajamas. You should take a shower first," Scarlett Johansson stood up from Charles' arms and headed to the bathroom.

"Thanks!"

*****

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