Birth of an actor

For Scientology, William does not know much, but there is also a lot, most of which are fragments of information: this is a very controversial new religion in the United States, founded in 1954 by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard Creation; do not believe in God; believe that human beings are the product of alien seeding; the meaning of the existence of the sect is to serve the believers, but every course, every book or even every conversation is charged; the membership fee is as high as $[-] or even More; believers can't go to the hospital to see a doctor when they are sick, they can only choose the "mind purification" treatment in the church; the sect is extremely rich, with assets of more than one billion US dollars; the most famous believer is Tom Cruise, oh, yes, Now perhaps add Mrs. Cruise, who converted from Catholicism to Scientology after her marriage.

No matter how you look at it, Scientology does not seem like a serious and serious sect, and it is the same in fact. Although Mormonism, which practices polygamy, is controversial in the United States, it is still a serious religion in general, but Scientology In the hearts of most Americans, Christianity is an out-and-out "dangerous religion with evil temperament"-have you heard of any religion that makes believers sign a lot of legal contracts in order to keep them loyal?Scientology is that, and they also cooperate with well-known law firms, paying at least 2000 million U.S. dollars in lawyer fees every year, and let their strong and professional lawyers carry out various lawsuits, including prosecuting believers who have been sentenced to the church and intending to expose it to the media. Scientology true followers and so on.

Although William hadn't really paid attention to Scientology, but only judging from the vague teachings and crazy money-making practices pursued by this sect, he would be interested in joining the sect.

"I'm actually not religious, Tom." William looked at the Cruises very apologetically and said, "And I'm going to go to West Hollywood in the afternoon to dub the movie that will be released at the end of the year. Why don't we meet again? Let's talk about life. and new movies and stuff."

Tom Cruise looked a little unwilling to give up: "Then you have time tomorrow morning, how about—"

"Hi Will, sorry we're late, the traffic jam on the way back to town was terrible, some goddamn jerk threw a three day wild party in Malibu, booze was totally free, and now it's time to go from beach to town There's cars all over the road here—oh, Tom?"

The black Mercedes-Benz car stopped abruptly on the side of the road, and Amon Goffman and Harvey Weinstein, who had lunch with William today, got off. When he opened his mouth to speak, he not only interrupted Tom Cruise's words, but also found the other party belatedly: "Nicole, hi, Tom, long time no see, how are you doing recently?" A hug was exchanged.

"Hi, Tom. Prettier than the last time we met, Nicole." Harvey Weinstein was obviously much more enthusiastic about Nicole Kidman.

"Hi, Amon, Harvey, I've been fine recently, nothing too good or too bad happened." Tom Cruise had to stop talking with William and greeted him: "So the three of you have a date? "

"For work." Amon Goffman shrugged, and then continued to curse the traffic: "Damn traffic jam, otherwise we should have arrived half an hour ago, have you been waiting for a long time Will?"

"It's not too long." William shrugged: "It's just a couple of stomach growls."

The crowd laughed.

"We have to go, there is a party to attend." Tom Cruise said goodbye after laughing, and made a phone call gesture to William before leaving: "I will call you, Will you."

William waved goodbye to the two with a smile, and made a relieved expression after the Cruises drove away.

Amon Goffman quickly ordered meals for the three of them. After closing the menu and waving away the waiter, he looked at William and said, "It seems that the chat with Cruise is not very pleasant?"

"Cruise? Didn't you just call him Tom affectionately?"

Amon Goffman raised his eyebrows: "We don't actually know each other well. In Hollywood, everyone likes to be called by nicknames directly. Babyboy is the name I like to use when expressing intimacy."

William showed a disgusted expression. He almost spit out the word "Babyboy" before.

"Cruise just smiled warmly at you, why?" Harvey Weinstein chimed in.

Amon Goffman also showed a curious expression towards William.

William told them about Scientology.

Amon Goffman's expression changed immediately, and he burst out a series of uncivilized language from his mouth in extreme anger, and repeatedly asked William to swear that he would not participate in Scientology activities before giving up, almost killing the waiter who served the food. Terrified, and Harvey Weinstein, one of the most sophisticated Jews in Hollywood, actually showed a very disliked expression.

Amon Goffman and Harvey Weinstein Hate the Cruises?It's not quite like it, but it's for sure not to like it.

After thinking for a while, William understood the reason: Jews are generally devout, and most of them believe in God. Going to church is a way for Jews to socialize. Many Jews go to church regularly, such as Amon Goffman and Harvey Wayne Stan became friends from church together, and the nature of Scientology needless to say, Tom Cruise, as a Scientologist, would be strange to please the two of them.

"Nicole is not bad. If it wasn't for her reminder, maybe you would be trapped in the base camp of Scientology this afternoon." Amon Goffman waited to vent a bit, and he was no longer so angry before continuing to publish Opinion.

"You mean, Mrs. Cruise reminded me on purpose?" Recalling Nicole Kidman's behavior just now, William did find a lot of clues.

"It's very possible." Harvey Weinstein also added: "In fact, the relationship between Nicole and Cruise is not as good as it was in the first few years of marriage. I heard that they took over Stanley's new film last year. I want to find a way to save the marriage by cooperating in another movie. After all, they first met because of the movie, but after filming "Eye Wide Opener", the problem seems to be more serious. Someone saw them go to marriage counseling together. Teacher. In fact, the reason is easy to guess. The seven-year itch is one aspect. Tom Cruise is fascinated by Scientology fans, but Nicole is a calm and smart girl. She converted to Christianity after she married Cruise. After joining Scientology, there have been signs of wanting to convert to Catholicism in the past two years, and I heard that Tom Cruise and the senior management of Scientology are very dissatisfied with this.”

"Tom Cruise is not stupid. He can definitely see something. I hope the couple will not quarrel because of me." All turned upside down.

"This is not something you should worry about, Will." Amon Goffman looked at William with a big smile: "Always so considerate, like a lover, but why didn't you talk about a girlfriend? Not really I said I expect you to fall in love. Brokers actually don’t like their clients falling in love. Being in love means more troubles, and there will be a third person joining the relationship between brokers and clients. The trouble is square. But as a friend, I don't like to see you always alone."

"Maybe I'm just suitable to be a popular lover, the perfect lover template in a girl's mind." William's answer was very informal, and he kept laughing.

"The Hollywood Agents Association should give you a 'Most Worried and Responsible Award', if they really have such an award." Harvey Weinstein raised his glass to Amon Goffman, with a look on his face The expression was surprised, admired and ridiculed.

Amon Goffman rolled his eyes: "Don't just laugh at me, Harvey, say something nice, for example, tell Will the good news."

"Okay." Harvey Weinstein agreed, looked at William again and said, "I can sell you the filming rights of The Lord of the Rings, and you can make it whatever you like, and you don't want to want it." Find Peter Jackson to direct, but Miramax’s early investment in the film needs to be settled, as well as the transfer of copyright fees, which must be calculated.”

William's mood surged in an instant, he squeezed his palm lightly, and turned his head slightly to look at his manager.

Amon Goffman winked at him.

After Harvey Weinstein finished talking about his conditions, William nodded, with a little bit of joy, but most of them said in a nonchalant tone: "No problem, we can leave the money to professional people. to talk."

……

The filmization of the "Lord of the Rings" novel trilogy is a arduous process that lasted for more than 40 years and consumed the painstaking efforts of several generations.

The trilogy was first published in 1954 and 1955, and Hollywood’s efforts to put it on the screen began two years later in 1957. At first, it was intended to be adapted into a movie mixed with animation and real people, and later it was wanted to make a movie. , and then animated films, not only Hollywood film companies, but even the Beatles want to play Frodo, Sam, Gandalf and other roles in person, but due to various reasons, the efforts of Hollywood filmmakers for decades have failed The following is mainly because the structure of the original work is too grand, and in the early years, Hollywood was unable to satisfactorily restore the original work regardless of funds or technology, and the previous owners of the copyright were also Tolkien's fans, and they did not want to read it. Until such a great work was adapted into a poor popcorn movie, the project of making "Lord of the Rings" live-action film has been kept.

On the contrary, the copyright handover of several film and television adaptations of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was very clean and neat, which provided great convenience to the later photographers.

In 1968, United Artists (yes, it was Chaplin's film company, once one of the eight major Hollywood companies, and merged into MGM in 1981) bought "Lord of the Rings" from Tolkien for $15000. "The film adaptation rights of the trilogy, the contract is said to have been negotiated for two full years, with a length of 50 pages, and the contract also gave United Artists the permanent film adaptation rights of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, instead of the common one nowadays. There is a time-based right to adapt.

In 1976, Hollywood producer Saul Zaentz bought the right to adapt "The Lord of the Rings" from United Artists. It bought the trademark rights of all the characters, scenes and objects of the "Lord of the Rings" novels there, but from 1976 to the present, except for a TV animation of "The Lord of the Rings" in 1978, the trilogy was in Sol Zaentz has been vacant for more than [-] years.

In 1994, "Angel of Sin" filmed by Peter Jackson won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Miramax, founded by the Weinstein brothers, bought the North American distribution rights of the film, and Harvey Weinstein was very happy. I took a fancy to Peter Jackson's talent and signed the right to make the first film of his next film. Just because Miramax had no suitable film project at that time, Peter Jackson was temporarily released to Universal to make a film.

In 1995, Saul Zaentz and Twentieth Century Fox co-produced "The English Patient", but there was a dispute between the two parties because of the casting. Twentieth Century Fox suddenly announced its withdrawal five weeks before the filming started, just as Saul Zaentz When he was at a loss, Miramax participated in financing the filming, and "The English Patient" finally won a double harvest at the box office and Oscar, and Saul Zaentz owed Miramax a big favor.

In the autumn of 1995, Peter Jackson finished filming "Magic and Magnificence" and entered the window period. He and his colleagues wanted to make a blockbuster film, so they aimed at "Lord of the Rings", which they had loved since childhood, because they and Mi Lamax still had a contract for the right to make the first film, so Peter Jackson went to seek advice from Miramax. Harvey Weinstein was also very tempted after hearing Jackson's plan for the filmization of "The Lord of the Rings". With the favor of Saul Zaentz, he decided not to use it in vain.

However, although Saul Zaentz owed Harvey Weinstein a favor, he refused to let go of "The Lord of the Rings" easily. It was not until January 1997 that Miramax won the copyright of "The Lord of the Rings" , and finalized the shooting plan with Peter Jackson, that is, to adapt the "Lord of the Rings" novel into two parts, with a total investment of 1 million US dollars-although it sounds small, it is already Miramax, a dedicated small company. This is the biggest budget a company that has spent 7000 years on a movie can come up with.

So from the beginning of 1997, Peter Jackson returned to New Zealand and started a series of preparatory work such as script creation, pre-film design and modeling, but as the script was gradually completed, the budget required for the film became higher and higher. The estimated figure is 1.4 million US dollars. Peter Jackson took the budget to find Harvey Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein went to the parent company Disney. On the one hand, they did not want their subsidiary Miramax to produce blockbusters to compete with the parent company, so they rejected the new budget proposed by Harvey Weinstein and told him that the maximum investment for the filming of "The Lord of the Rings" was only 7500 million US dollars.

Harvey Weinstein, unable to find money and unwilling to give up on the project—Miramax had already spent about $1000 million in rights negotiations and pre-production—hoped that Peter Jackson would turn " The Lord of the Rings trilogy was compressed into a two-hour movie. After listening to it, Peter Jackson quit and insisted: "If you want to shoot, shoot the first and second parts, or I won't do it."

In the end, the two sides took a step back and reached a compromise: Peter Jackson went to find a home for "The Lord of the Rings" by himself, and if he found a company that was willing to shoot the upper and lower parts for him and pay Miramax's initial investment, he agreed to make "The Lord of the Rings" If Peter Jackson cannot be found, then he will have to voluntarily abandon the project, and all the hard work he put into the pre-production of "Lord of the Rings" will belong to Miramax.

Just when Peter Jackson returned to his hometown in Wellington, New Zealand, edited and produced a 30-minute promotional video by himself, and was preparing to go back to Hollywood to find major film companies to promote, he received Harvey Weinstein again. The phone call: "Peter, you can shoot "Lord of the Rings", someone has accepted this project."

"Who? Harvey, I never agree to make "The Lord of the Rings" into a two-hour movie!" Peter Jackson hadn't turned his head, he thought it was a big film producer like Universal and Fox The studio wants to take over "Lord of the Rings" to make a single movie. To be honest, if there is only one "Lord of the Rings" to be made, most Hollywood film companies want to take over, because low investment also means low risk, but Peter Jackson is Absolutely never agree.

"It's not a two-hour movie, it's a trilogy, one more than the two you planned."

"what?"

"Three, department, film, film. Yes. You heard that right."

Peter Jackson almost let the microphone fall from his hand, and when he came back to his senses, his first action was to shout out of the house: "Help me book a ticket to Los Angeles, the earliest flight!" Then he kept licking Lips asked, "Who? Who's going to join? MGM? Fox? Universal?"

"It's Willot, I think you should have heard of this company."

Of course Peter Jackson knew Willot. He had two deep impressions on this company. One was that it was backed by a large consortium and was very, very rich, and the other was that it held a hen that was destined to lay golden eggs. ——The "Harry Potter" series of novels has only published two books, and it has set off a wave of magic all over the world. Britain, the United States, France and Germany have selected it as the "Best Children's Book of the Year" for three consecutive years, whether it is " Both Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets have interesting stories and distinctive characters. The story of justice over evil will always be Hollywood's favorite, and it can easily be turned into a movie. I heard that the author J.K. Rowling is almost finished writing his third novel. Hollywood, with a keen sense of smell, naturally wanted to buy the copyright of the film adaptation before the novel became more popular, but when Warner approached Rowling, he was told that the film copyright had already been sold, and it was sold to Willot.Why?Because the "Harry Potter" series of novels were originally published by the publishing house owned by another partner of Willot, Lance Roderick.With such a favorable time and place, other Hollywood companies can only look at the golden egg hen and sigh.

"I know Willot is definitely not short of money." Peter Jackson made up his mind: "I'm going back to Los Angeles today, Harvey, when will we start negotiating the contract?"