Chapter 344: Sophie's Script
[Chapter 344: Sophie's Script]
After the Venice Film Festival, Link spent a few days in Paris with Monica and Sophie Marceau before returning to Los Angeles in early September.
Just after getting home, he received a call from Michael Ovitz.
"Michael, you're being too hasty. You've only just joined Disney and haven't familiarized yourself with the situation, nor have you taken over the film department yet. Why are we talking about partnerships at this point?" Link said as he stood in his study atop the hill.
"Link, it's only a matter of time before I take over the Disney film department. Let's discuss a partnership plan now, and once I officially take the reins, we can implement it more smoothly," Ovitz responded.
"Michael, partnerships in film aren't that simple. It's not as if you and I can agree on a collaboration over the phone. We need to clarify the terms first. For instance, there's a partnership between Guess Pictures and New Line Cinema where we invest in individual films, splitting box office profits once released. Or, look at the model between Columbia Pictures and Guess Pictures, where several hundred million dollars were put into producing ten films. Or my collaboration with Warner Bros where you provide the projects and funding, and I handle the production. Which model are you planning to use?" Link asked.
There was a moment of silence from Ovitz. "Which model do you think is the best?"
"They all have their merits!" Link sipped his tea. "The first has lower risk and flexible cooperation; the second takes longer but can yield greater returns; the third gives the investor more control over the investment amount, the cast, and the distribution scale.
However, the first and third models would suit you better since you just got to Disney and don't have much power or resources. Disney won't provide you with adequate funding to establish a long-term partnership with Guess Pictures."
"Alright, I'll think it over," Ovitz said after a pause. "Link, I'm serious about seeking your collaboration and I hope you take it seriously too. Don't mislead me, or don't think I don't have leverage against you."
"Oh? You have something on me?" Link inquired curiously, stroking his chin.
"Regardless of whether I do, you should maintain enough respect for me and enthusiasm for our collaboration. If you can manage that, you'll reap generous rewards afterward," Ovitz replied in a teasing tone.
"Alright, here's to a pleasant collaboration," Link said, hanging up the phone with a smile. He didn't know what Ovitz was insinuating, but he wasn't particularly worried; at his level, nothing could bring him down except death.
...
Link put down the phone and continued writing the new film script while also sending letters to the four leads of The English Patient to discuss their characters and enrich their connection to those roles.
The three leads for The English Patient were tentatively set as Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliette Binoche. Among them, Juliette joined at his request to portray the kind-hearted nurse Hana, who was a secondary character, while Ralph played the male lead, Almasy.
Ralph, a British actor, was 33 years old and had made his debut in 1991, gaining fame by starring alongside Juliette in Wuthering Heights in 1992. In 1994, he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a German Nazi officer in Schindler's List and gained a position in Hollywood's circles. His most iconic roles besides Almasy in The English Patient included Voldemort in Harry Potter.
His participation in The English Patient was due to Juliette's recommendation, and he performed commendably in the auditions hosted by Guess Pictures, eventually earning Link's selection as the lead.
Selecting the female lead, however, took quite a bit of effort. According to the original novel of The English Patient, the female lead embodied a quintessential English beauty, aged between 28 to 36, mature, elegant, charming, and possessed a certain sophistication.
During the audition process, Link watched audition tapes of over ten actresses, yet felt none fully captured the essence of the original lead.
Upon returning from Hawaii, Catherine Zeta-Jones handed him a letter from Kristin Scott Thomas, who claimed to be the perfect choice for the role of Katherine.
Kristin, 35 years old, had been acting since she was seven, initially landing minor roles. She gained prominence in 1993 for her role in Roman Polanski's Bitter Moon and enjoyed a box office success in 1994's Four Weddings and a Funeral, achieving a certain level of fame.
She also shared many similarities with the character, as her father was a British Royal Air Force pilot who tragically died in a crash when she was five. Her mother remarried another pilot, who also died in a plane crash when Kristin was eleven. She had some knowledge of flying and felt confident she could handle the role well.
After reviewing her portfolio, Link reached out to discuss the character with her and ultimately decided to cast her as the lead due to her connection to the role.
With the female lead settled, the production team of The English Patient began preparations, with plans to start filming around early October.
...
Knock, knock, knock!
"Link, are you busy?" Sophie called from outside.
"Come on in," he replied.
Sophie entered, her golden hair cascading around her shoulders, wearing a rose-embroidered sundress that revealed her delicate collarbone and subtle curves. She had a habit of not wearing undergarments at home.
"That's a beautiful dress; I've never seen you wear it before," Link said, pulling her into an embrace.
"It's one I designed myself. Wait, don't get me distracted. I have something serious to discuss with you," Sophie insisted, pushing his hand away from exploring under her skirt as she laid a script in front of him.
"Is this the script for your next movie?"
"Girl, Interrupted. It's a novel by Susanna Kaysen published in 1993, based on her real-life experiences detailing the stories of a group of female patients in a mental hospital. I was searching for new scripts for a while and after struggling, Winona recommended this novel to me. I found it very interesting, so I rewrote the script based on that. I'd like your thoughts on it," Sophie said.
Link flipped through it briefly.
...
The main character, Susanna, was a 19-year-old who got sent to a hospital after sleeping with her parents' friend and was diagnosed with 'Borderline Personality Disorder.'
She was then sent to a psychiatric hospital where she met a group of other young women with similar issues and formed friendships. Together, they devised various wild plans to escape the psychiatric ward. Throughout their adventures, their issues began to surface, with some descending into madness while others rediscovered themselves and returned to normalcy.
It resembled a female version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Link had seen that film, starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. Jolie won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for that role.
...
"What do you think?" Sophie asked.
"Pretty good. It's a deep and interesting story," he replied.
"Do you think anything needs modifying?" Sophie leaned on his shoulder, inquiring.
"Have you shown it to Susanna Kaysen or Winona yet?"
"No, I came to you as soon as I finished writing," Sophie replied.
"You should definitely let them look at it first and hear their feedback. Since the story is based on Susanna's real experiences, she'll provide a deeper understanding of the plot and characters. Also, Winona has experience spending time in a psychiatric hospital and would know something about it. Or you could visit a psychiatric hospital, speak with some patients, and hear their stories. I think after doing that, your script will be more refined and the characters will feel more alive," Link suggested.
"That's a great idea! I'll follow your lead and visit the hospital first before discussing the script with Winona and the others," Sophie agreed.
"Just remember to take a bodyguard with you when you go to the hospital," he added.
"Got it! But I'll be busy working over the next few days and won't have time to be at home with you. Can you hand me my share for this month?" Sophie blushed, sitting on his lap while her hand slipped under his shirt, exploring his muscles.
"Are you sure? With Milla not here, can you handle it alone?" Link raised her chin with a smile.
Sophie froze momentarily, a hint of nerves flashing across her lovely cheeks as her delicate legs instinctively trembled.
"Must you be so brutal?"
"I can be gentle too," he teased.
"No, I love your wildness and the intensity. I love all of you."
Sophie bit his shoulder, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Realizing he was losing restraint, Link lifted her onto the desk with an upward push.
*****
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