Chapter 138: Girlfriends
[Chapter 138: Girlfriends]
"Is that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon? Should we call them over to chat?"
In the bar, Sandra Bullock asked, watching the two men's retreating figures.
Renee Zellweger shook her head. "Let's not. After the release of The Blair Witch Project, a lot of people saw me and were surprised, asking if I had been missing and when I came back. They even asked if I had seen the Blair Witch and if the witchcraft was real.
Ben and Matt probably faced similar experiences. If we all gathered and got photographed together, it could affect the box office. So, until the film finishes its run, we need to maintain some mystery."
Sandra noticed Renee sitting at the bar, drinking and wearing a hat, and smiled. "It's mainly because you both shot the film so authentically, like a documentary. When I first saw the movie in theaters, I really thought you were missing. I called you right after watching to hear your voice and remembered it was just a film."
"When we filmed The Blair Witch Project, we really focused on that sense of realism. Before starting, Sophia didn't tell us that the residents we interviewed were actors. We thought they were the real locals."
Renee chuckled, recalling, "And during that camping scene in the wild, Link didn't tell us the crew was nearby. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, they shook the tents and tossed in a black lamb. We couldn't see anything and ran out without even putting on our shoes. It wasn't until we heard Link yelling that we realized what happened. It was terrifying; our reactions were completely genuine!"
Renee patted her chest, still feeling shaken by the memory.
In the middle, Julianne Moore remarked, "From an audience experience standpoint, The Blair Witch Project felt more real than Paranormal Activity. It's clear Link is becoming more skilled at making this type of film. I can't imagine how his next film will turn out. If it's another horror, it might be even scarier."
"Ha! Actually, it won't be; his next project is a proper film, investing over ten million dollars, though it's still a thriller," Renee replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Sandra and Julianne exchanged knowing glances and smiled. "They say Link is casting for his new movie. Did you get a part early on?"
"No, the lead roles are high school students. The three main female characters are either older or younger than me, so I don't quite fit. I might just have a small cameo."
"A cameo? Does Link even need actors for his new film? I could do a cameo too!" Sandra asked eagerly.
"Sure! It's a campus thriller needing a lot of young actors. If you're interested, I'll call you when filming starts," Renee said with a bright laugh.
"Great! It's settled then." Sandra smiled.
Even though she wouldn't get a significant role in Link's new movie, appearing in a minor part felt worthwhile.
Julianne wasn't keen on being an extra; she took a sip of her cocktail. "Renee, I'm a huge fan of Link. I loved Interstellar. When can you take me to meet him for an autograph?"
"Sure, Link is really down-to-earth; he doesn't act like a big shot. I'll invite him to the next gathering," Renee replied, laughing heartily.
Julianne smiled faintly, feeling a hint of envy toward Renee's easy-going nature.
The three women had all climbed the ranks together as actresses over the past year. Initially, Renee had lagged behind Sandra and Julianne, who had become second-tier actresses after several successful films, while Renee still took on minor roles.
But last year, luck turned for Renee when Link cast her in Paranormal Activity, and then as the lead in The Blair Witch Project. Both movies, although low-budget, grossed over a hundred million in North America and millions had seen her work.
Now, Renee Zellweger was gaining recognition in the industry, achieving a solid second-tier status. Many people recognized her face. She had signed with a talent agency that managed her work, and has good personal relations with multi-millionaire, film company owner, and top director Link.
In that regard, Renee had already surpassed them.
Julianne couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, sensing that no matter how hard they worked, it couldn't compare to having a stroke of luck. But since Renee was their friend, the chance to meet Link through her felt like an opportunity.
---
By the fourth week of The Blair Witch Project's release, overseas distribution began.
Columbia Pictures was handling the international release. After making a significant profit from Paranormal Activity, they were keen to acquire rights for The Blair Witch Project.
They proposed $30 million plus 15% of box office earnings to buy the overseas distribution rights, plus video rights and sequels. Guess Pictures upped the offer to $50 million plus similar box office terms.
After two rounds of negotiation, Columbia ended up securing overseas distribution rights for The Blair Witch Project, along with ancillary rights, for $42 million and a 15% share of the overseas box office.
...
A small hiccup occurred during negotiations between Guess Pictures and Columbia. Due to insufficient confidentiality measures, details of the negotiations leaked before they concluded.
The Business Daily was first to report the scoop. The article stated that Columbia and Guess Pictures were discussing the overseas release of The Blair Witch Project, confirming the previous rumors about the project being Guess Pictures' venture.
The paper estimated Guess Pictures was already over $100 million in profit from the film. If they earned $150 million on the project, that, along with the profits from Buried and Paranormal Activity, positioned Link and Guess Pictures' estimated earnings at around $520 million for the three movies combined.
With Link owning the majority of shares in Guess Pictures, The Business Daily predicted his net worth had surpassed $500 million.
In closing, the article marveled at how Link had transformed from a nobody with no money to a multi-millionaire in just one year, cementing his status as a new American success story.
His good fortune was enviable.
...
After the article's release, other media outlets picked up the story, and questions about Link's net worth became the hot topic in Hollywood. By late March, when Link attended the 65th Academy Awards, a reporter asked him how much he earned last year.
Link modestly replied he made a little, but not nearly as much as the media reported. "I'm just at the point where I can afford meals and clothes. I haven't reached true wealth yet."
...
Shortly after he spoke, the new Forbes list came out.
Link not only graced the cover of Forbes magazine but also ranked on multiple lists, including the global rich list, the American 400, and lists for self-made millionaires under 40, celebrity income, and annual author earnings.
According to Forbes' research, Link's total income from early last year to the end was $380 million. It included earnings from Buried and Paranormal Activity, script sales, royalties from Interstellar, and earnings from book signings.
With investments in Guess Pictures and other projects, Forbes estimated Link's net worth at the end of 1992 to be around $400 million.
On the Forbes global rich list, Link ranked 981st out of 1,072. The entry threshold was $300 million. On the Forbes American 400 list, Link placed 382nd, with that list requiring a $380 million entry level.
Among the self-made millionaires under 40, Link ranked 12th, and he was the youngest on that list at just 21.
On the most recent Forbes list of celebrity incomes for 1992-1993, Link topped it with an annual income of $380 million.
Second on the list was the famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey with $98 million, followed by director Steven Spielberg with $72 million, and comedian Bill Cosby with $66 million.
Link's income was more than the combined earnings of the second to sixth place.
After the Forbes rankings were published, Link once again became the subject of intense public attention.
*****
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