Chapter 435: Finalizing the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

[Chapter 435: Finalizing the Lord of the Rings Trilogy]

"Link, Harvey Weinstein just called. He says there's something important he wants to talk with you about." Monica Lewinsky leaned close in the Guess Pictures screening room and whispered.

"Got it. I'll call him back later." Link kept watching Primal Fear, which was having its test screening today after a period of production.

When the movie ended, he received system feedback: Engagement was 71.3%, completion 97.8%, market fit 87%.

Rewards: 2.4x box office bonus; director experience +10%; director stamina +10%; movie quality up 10%.

Compared to Se7en, The English Patient, and other films, Primal Fear had decent stats but gained fewer experience and stamina boosts. This indicated that after becoming a top director, gaining experience and stamina from low-budget films lessened. To earn more rewards, bigger productions were necessary.

...

"Link, should Primal Fear release in the summer or the fall? Which do you think is better?" Mark Amin and Jon Gordon asked.

In past screenings, they always praised Link first before discussing business. But since Link directed so many high-quality films and held frequent screenings, they'd grown numb to praise. Sometimes they found themselves repeating compliments, making it awkward. Now they cut to the chase.

"Put it in the summer slot," Link decided. Considering Titanic and Saving Private Ryan would release at year-end, he planned to launch several company productions earlier to avoid competition.

"Understood, boss!"

...

After the screening, Link returned to his office to handle business and called Harvey Weinstein to ask about his matter.

Harvey was excited about a fantastic fantasy script based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. He wanted to invest but the production costs were too high for Miramax. Hearing Guess Pictures might team with Disney for a fantasy project, he suggested Link might be interested and recommended the screenwriter visit Guess Pictures.

...

"Lord of the Rings trilogy?" Shortly after, Link received word from the company's script department that they had a submission from a director named Peter Jackson.

The script was split into two parts with extensive special effects and very high production costs -- a risky investment. They were unsure about backing it and preparing to escalate the script for approval.

Link asked Monica Lewinsky to bring the script.

After reading it, Link confirmed it was the famous Lord of the Rings series.

Rumor had it that Peter Jackson initially submitted the script to Miramax. Harvey felt dividing it into two parts risked losses and suggested cutting it into one movie, but Jackson refused.

Harvey withdrew investment. In retaliation, Jackson modeled a grotesque, fat-faced monster named Gothmog after Harvey in the film.

Jackson then took the script to New Line Cinema, where Robert Shaye liked it and advised expanding the two parts into three. Jackson, excited by this, made it a trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy became a worldwide hit, grossing $3 billion, with rumors of $6 billion, though New Line allegedly underreported to limit royalties.

Tolkien's heirs sued New Line in Los Angeles court, accusing them of hiding profits and seeking payments based on the higher number.

Whatever the earnings, the project showed great investment promise.

Link contacted Peter Jackson and invited him to visit Guess Pictures.

...

That afternoon, Jackson arrived casually dressed, his messy hair and beard making him look like a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean -- hardly needing makeup.

Jackson was blunt. "Director Link, I want to make this clear up front: the script is final. No matter your opinions, we will not modify it."

Link raised an eyebrow. "No changes at all?"

"No. Our writing team spent three years on the script, revising it over ten times. I'm confident it's perfect and won't accept any edits."

Jackson secretly regretted this point. He had hoped for Link's investment but suspected Link, like Harvey, wanted to trim the script. He was a hardcore Tolkien fan and loved the story; given enough funds, he dreamed of filming the entire Middle-earth saga across ten or twenty movies. But that was cost-prohibitive and risky.

"That's unfortunate," Link said, tapping the script. "I love Lord of the Rings and like your adaptation. But I believe the trilogy should be three parts, upper, middle, and lower. You won't revise, so I can't force it."

"Wait, Director Link!" Jackson sat up, arms on the table, surprised. "You want to make it three parts?"

"Yes. Two parts crammed too much and cut many great scenes. Three parts, each telling a complete story, can truly showcase Middle-earth's magic and grandeur."

"Fine, we can modify," Jackson stood excited.

Link feigned doubt. "Director Jackson, didn't you just say no edits?"

"Haha, this isn't editing. Originally, we planned for three parts but Harvey insisted on shortening to two for market reasons, and then to one."

Jackson cursed quietly and asked, "If we redo the script as a trilogy, will Guess Pictures really invest?"

"Yes. I said I love the Lord of the Rings and want to see it filmed. I'm pleased with your script, so we're investing," Link shrugged.

Jackson laughed heartily, then turned serious. "Director Link, you know the effects are extensive, pushing costs high. Two parts cost at least $180 million; three parts $250 million or more. It's a huge investment and risk. Will you stick with us through production?"

Jackson had been in Hollywood six years and knew many studios delayed funding mid-shoot, causing filming troubles, like James Cameron faced.

The Lord of the Rings budget exceeded Titanic's, so Jackson didn't want to beg for money during filming.

"Relax, Peter. Two or three hundred million isn't a burden for us. If I promise to invest, I deliver."

"Fantastic! Director Link, I'm a fan. Like you, I adore thriller films. I watched your thrillers over ten times. It's an honor to collaborate with you."

Jackson gratefully shook his hand.

Link smiled and complimented Jackson in return.

...

When Daniel DeVito and James Schamus arrived, the three discussed Lord of the Rings preparations.

Jackson promised to submit the script trilogy by April. Guess Pictures would start prepping then.

The main challenge was the effects.

Jackson planned to found a digital effects studio dedicated to the project.

Link thought it wise, knowing Guess Pictures' weak special effects, so he agreed to invest in Jackson's studio.

He recalled Jackson's Weta Digital would later dominate effects, a valuable investment.

Jackson was thrilled, praising Link as the world's greatest film investor.

Link modestly agreed, considering himself unmatched in film investment.

...

"Link, tired?" Monica Lewinsky approached, massaging his shoulders and leaning close.

"This isn't much," Link said, flipping through folders. "How's the 007 crew?"

"After two weeks' rehearsal, actors are ready. London sets are prepared. Ms. Barbara Broccoli said you can start filming anytime."

"Good!" Link nodded, signing papers. "Monica, you did great in screenwriting before. How about returning as head and managing it in a few years?"

"No! Link, I love being your assistant. I don't want any other job. Are you tired of me?" Lewinsky blinked her long lashes, looking a little hurt.

"No! You're great as an assistant. But long-term it's not good for you. Managing other departments offers experience and a chance to use your strengths. Like Lily and Annie -- they excelled after moving to PR and MPAA. If you don't want screenwriting, other roles are available."

Link held her close.

Monica Lewinsky winked. "Okay, I'll follow your plan. If you want me in screenwriting, I'll go. Elsewhere, I'll do great, but like Lily, I want to keep meeting you anytime."

"No problem!" Link patted her rear playfully.

*****

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