Hollywood starts with a broker

"$16 million?"

Aaron was also stunned when he heard Saul Zaentz's asking price for the adaptation rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."

He looked at his deputy, Dawn Steel, "Is Saul Zaentz unwilling to lower the price?"

Dawn Steel shook her head, "His attitude seems very firm."

Aaron thought for a moment, "Agree to his price. "The Hobbit" can be considered one book, and "The Lord of the Rings" is a trilogy, so that's four novels in total. $16 million isn't unacceptable!"

"The Hobbit" has 220,000 words, and "The Lord of the Rings" series has over a million words. If it weren't for the overly grand world view depicted in the novels, no one would think it could be adapted into a movie.

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Given the popularity of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" novels, the price would definitely be astronomical.

"Aaron, are you really confident?"

Dawn Steel was still a little worried because Tolkien's novels were too difficult to adapt.

Saul Zaentz is 72 years old this year and is a veteran Hollywood film producer. In the 1970s, he co-produced the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with Michael Douglas, which was a great success, winning five Academy Awards that year, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress!

It can be seen that Saul Zaentz is definitely not an incompetent person. He has owned the rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" series for almost 20 years, and has only developed one animated version.

Doesn't this just illustrate the difficulty of adapting Tolkien's novels?

"Don't worry, you've also seen Spielberg's "Jurassic Park". The popularity of special effects blockbusters is beyond our imagination!"

"The Lord of the Rings" must belong to Aurora. Aaron would definitely not give up.

Dawn Steel nodded, "Okay, then I'll contact Saul Zaentz immediately to acquire all the rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings"!"

Since Aaron had decided, Dawn Steel would not object.

"By the way, Disney spent $60 million to acquire Miramax, including all debts."

"Miramax is still managed by the Weinstein brothers, maintaining its independence, but can only decide on projects under $12 million!"

"Oh, really? Not slow," Aaron just smiled and didn't take it to heart. With Aurora in Hollywood, the remaining independent film companies wouldn't have any good opportunities.

Disney's live-action movies are currently a mess. Jeffrey Katzenberg's animated feature films are certainly strong.

But the market for live-action movies is much larger than the children's animation market!

"What's the situation with Sumner Redstone and Barry Diller competing for Paramount?"

Aaron suddenly asked, after all, the fate of Paramount is a major event that can affect the entire Hollywood!

"The competition is fierce. Paramount's board of directors is still watching, waiting to see what Martin Davis will decide."

Martin Davis, Chairman of Paramount Communications (Gulf and Western Industries) Group.

"It seems that both Barry Diller and Sumner Redstone want to take Paramount!"

Aaron leaned back in his chair and tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

"Forget it, let's first get the rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" novels from Saul Zaentz's hands."

In the evening, Aaron and Catherine Zeta-Jones returned to the Bel Air villa together. "The Mask of Zorro" has been released for nearly two months, with North American box office exceeding $100 million and overseas markets also exceeding $100 million, a great situation!

"Aaron, "Speed" grossed another $13 million this weekend, the trend is also very good."

After coming to the United States, Catherine Zeta-Jones also began to pay attention to Aurora's other works.

Aaron leaned on the sofa and smiled, "Accumulated $35 million in 10 days, not bad."

After all, the production cost of "Speed" was only $30 million, and the director Jan de Bont is also a new director, and the male and female protagonists Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly are also generally famous.

"Speed" as a new type of action film has a very good reputation.

"The Hollywood Reporter": "This is a smart and creative thriller that closely links action, stunts, special effects, and excitement. It is a rare and excellent thriller action film."

Quentin Tarantino, the director who just finished filming "Pulp Fiction", also has a very high evaluation of "Speed".

"Well, "Four Weddings and a Funeral" has grossed over $200 million worldwide, and now "The Mask of Zorro" and "Speed" are also dazzling;"

"Aurora's performance this summer is another surprising one!"

Catherine Zeta-Jones put her arms around the man's neck and kissed him, "In Hollywood, Aaron Anderson is the best film producer."

Aaron stroked the girl in his arms, "Aurora has a romance film to shoot, and it needs two actresses;"

No mistake, one first, one hair, one inside, one capacity, one in, one to see!

"So, I plan to let you and Jennifer Connelly star together."

What Aaron said was the script "My Best Friend's Wedding", which Aaron originally prepared for Jennifer Connelly.

This year, Jennifer Connelly and Catherine Zeta-Jones have become famous for "Speed" and "The Mask of Zorro" respectively. It's just right to star in "My Best Friend's Wedding" together!

"The script you prepared?" Catherine Zeta-Jones's eyes lit up, after all, Aaron Anderson's vision is very sharp.

Especially romance films, just look at Nicole Kidman's "Ghost" and "Sleepless in Seattle" to know.

"Yes, a romantic comedy, there's nothing complicated about filming it;"

"It is estimated that it will start within three months, preparing for a summer release next year!"

"My Best Friend's Wedding" has already completed the preliminary preparations, and only needs to form a crew, which is quite fast to complete.

"No problem," Catherine Zeta-Jones will of course agree. Although she has entered Hollywood because of the release of "The Mask of Zorro" and has a certain reputation.

She has also received Hollywood scripts, but how could she refuse Aurora's projects?

Aaron smiled and reached out to rub the girl's body, "Aren't you going to look at the script first?"

Catherine Zeta-Jones hugged the man, "Would any woman refuse Aaron Anderson's script?"

"With Nicole Kidman's example in front, and Sophie Marceau behind, Jennifer Connelly and I, now all the actresses hope to play a role in your movie!"

Moreover, Catherine Zeta-Jones has also been paying attention to her fellow countryman Elizabeth Hurley, who is currently filming Aurora's blockbuster "Forrest Gump" with Tom Hanks.