Hollywood starts with a broker

"I just took a shower, and you've already made me sweat all over again," Winona Ryder, lying on the bed, said between breaths, ruffling Aaron's hair.

Aaron was straddling the woman, "Just now, you were pretty wild, weren't you?"

"By the way, what did you mean when you said there was a bombing at the World Trade Center?"

"Oh, someone drove a car bomb into the World Trade Center's underground parking lot, intending to detonate it, but they got stuck on the outskirts. Six people died!"

Aaron said, propping himself up on his elbows, "Don't go to the World Trade Center if you don't have to. You might run into another terrorist attack."

Winona Ryder paused, "What are the odds of that happening again?"

"Who knows!"

Aaron stroked her face. Winona Ryder had delicate features, and her clear, beautiful eyes were like those of an elf!

"Mmm," Winona Ryder kissed Aaron directly on the lips, their tongues entwining in a passionate kiss.

After the kiss ended, Aaron pulled the woman onto his body, "What's wrong? Wasn't that enough just now?"

"Hmm, are you already done?"

"Me, done?" Aaron smiled, then patted the woman on top of him, "Let the second half begin..."

Downtown Manhattan, West Village, Dawn Pictures' New York office. Aislinn Beckett brought in two people Aaron wanted to meet: director Jonathan Demme and writer Thomas Harris.

Their previous collaboration, 'The Silence of the Lambs,' had been a huge success. Now, Aaron wanted to continue developing another of Thomas Harris's works, 'Red Dragon!'

Writer Thomas Harris had currently published three works. The first was 'Black Sunday.'

The second was 'Red Dragon,' and the third was 'The Silence of the Lambs.' 'Red Dragon' introduced his most famous character, the cannibalistic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter!

"Aaron, you want to remake 'Red Dragon?'"

Jonathan Demme was a little surprised. He had just finished filming 'Philadelphia' for Dawn Pictures, and it hadn't even been released yet.

Aaron nodded, then looked at the author Thomas Harris, "The 1986 version of 'Manhunter' was too crude. The adaptation of 'Red Dragon' was too much of a failure."

"Producer Dino De Laurentiis only knows how to make low-quality commercial rip-offs. 'Red Dragon' should appear as a prequel to 'The Silence of the Lambs.' Our focus should be on how Hannibal Lecter ended up in the Baltimore State Hospital!"

Thomas Harris thought for a moment, "Wouldn't that be a bit rushed?"

Because 'Manhunter' was released in '86, less than 10 years ago.

Aaron then looked at director Jonathan Demme, "I'll have Ted Tally adapt the script first. Do you think 'Red Dragon' could be released next year?"

Ted Tally was the screenwriter for 'The Silence of the Lambs.' It was his first adapted screenplay, and he directly won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay!

Jonathan Demme smiled wryly, "Aaron, are you not going to let me rest?"

After thinking for a moment, he said, "If Ted adapts a script that meets my requirements, I will direct this prequel."

Aaron nodded, "Dawn Pictures will also invite Dino De Laurentiis, who has the excellent adaptation rights to Thomas's novel, to be a producer and buy the filming rights for 'Red Dragon' from him."

"The original screenwriter and director of 'The Silence of the Lambs' will join, and I will also invite Anthony Hopkins to continue playing Hannibal."

"While Anthony hasn't aged too much, playing a younger Hannibal shouldn't be a problem!"

Aaron's idea was clear. The newly adapted work would be called 'The Silence of the Lambs Prequel: Red Dragon.'

The main plot would focus on why Hannibal Lecter ended up in the mental hospital.

"By the way, Thomas, have you ever thought about writing a sequel novel to 'The Silence of the Lambs,' about what happened after Hannibal escaped from the Baltimore State Hospital?"

Aaron asked. The Hannibal Lecter IP was just too tempting. They could even develop a TV series and spin-offs featuring Clarice Starling and other characters!

"A sequel?" Thomas Harris smiled and nodded, "I've been thinking about it."

Whether in 'Red Dragon' or 'The Silence of the Lambs,' the cannibal Hannibal Lecter doesn't appear that much. If there were a sequel, it would focus on Hannibal's story arc.

What Aaron wanted to develop most was the story of Hannibal Lecter, exiled after leaving the mental hospital, and FBI agent Clarice Starling continuing their relationship.

Simply put, 'The Silence of the Lambs' was too popular. Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster's portrayal of Clarice Starling were too influential.

If 'The Silence of the Lambs' were to develop a sequel, and continue to pair Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, it would be a surefire hit!

"Aaron, isn't it a bit early? 'Philadelphia' is still in post-production," Jonathan Demme reminded him.

"Yes, of course, I know. Anyway, there's still plenty of time. Let Ted Tally adapt the script with Thomas's advice first."

Aaron wasn't in a hurry. After all, it was only the beginning of the year. Releasing it at the end of next year should be enough time!

After Jonathan Demme and Thomas Harris left, the next step was to deal with the Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis.

Dino De Laurentiis had obtained the adaptation rights to Thomas Harris's novels a long time ago. After all, 'Manhunter' was adapted from 'Red Dragon.'

Dino De Laurentiis originally wanted to adapt 'The Silence of the Lambs' as well, but the actor he favored refused, and because of the failure of 'Manhunter,' he gave up filming it.

Mike Medavoy, the former president of Orion and current chairman of TriStar Pictures, bought the film rights from him!

Soon, Aislinn Beckett came to Aaron's office, "Should we have Dawn Steel follow up?"

"Good, I believe Dino De Laurentiis won't object!"

Aaron tapped the table, "By the way, we also need to talk to Anthony Hopkins. Since filming 'The Silence of the Lambs,' he's been involved in more and more projects."

Related to Aaron, there's 'Bram Stoker's Dracula,' 'The Mask of Zorro,' and Edward Zwick wants to invite him to play a role in 'Legends of the Fall.'

He also participated in 'Chaplin,' 'Howards End,' 'Freejack,' and 'Where Angels Fear to Tread.' This year, there are also four films to be released, including 'The Public Eye' and 'The Remains of the Day.'

It can be said that Anthony Hopkins is now a veritable golden supporting actor in Hollywood!