Birth of an actor

On CBS, David Letterman is hosting his eponymous talk show.

Coincidentally, the guest was Andrew Nicholl, the New Zealand director and producer who had worked with William on "Gait Shot" and "The Truman Show".

William was busy in the kitchen. He turned on the TV when he was bored. Now that he saw someone he knew, he simply put the remote control aside. While observing the coloring of the cupcakes in the oven, he watched the program absent-mindedly.

It can be clearly seen that tonight is also a talk show with no fixed topics and script prompts. David Letterman and Andrew Nicole cover a wide range of topics, from social unfairness to politics, It went from politics to the weather, and then some interesting recent happenings in Hollywood, and the life of Andrew Nicol, and they even talked about William.

"I noticed that after you came to Hollywood from London, you only participated in the production of two films. The leading actor in both films was William Bradley. How does it feel to work with him twice?"

"Love him to death."

William choked on his saliva and coughed violently. He looked at the TV, and David Letterman on the screen also had an expression of "Did I hear you right?", and the eyes were even more intriguing.

Andrew Nicol's prank was successful, and he laughed "hahahaha".

"I was so excited that I almost had a heart attack. I thought that finally a male guest would come out publicly on my show, especially when the one who came out was a well-known Hollywood director and screenwriter, and the one who was admired was still hot. Movie star, this is going to be a big event in the United States. My God, maybe even the Associated Press will come to interview me as a witness." David Letterman's response is also called witty.

"Well, to be honest, it's love." Andrew Nicholl said: "In fact, Will was not the original starring candidate for the two films, but after careful consideration, it was decided that it was him. I have to say this Two of the most important decisions I've ever made in my career, Will is perfect, he's Vincent, he's also Truman, the important thing is that the two roles he plays won't be that much alike, won't Bringing the feeling of "Ah, he is actually playing himself" to movie fans. Every character Will plays is different, but they are all lovable and hard to hate. Also, he is a hardworking He is a very professional actor with a great personality, and I can't think of any director who doesn't like him after working with him."

David Letterman nods: "'That's the man who beat the tyrant James Cameron.' I've heard gossip about him. So, everybody loves William?"

"Haha, Will's not Raymond, David, they're just as likable. But, there are people who don't like him that much, but that's mostly innocuous, you know. Occasionally there are men working on the crew The staff complained and called him 'Will Public Enemy', and those who were more kind were 'Will Dare to be more handsome Bradley.' But everyone was just joking, because Will is so cute Yes, he often asks his assistant to buy cookies, cupcakes, donuts, pizza, hotdogs, fish and chips, coffee, tea... God, I remember the afternoon tea menu so well."

"My stomach growled when I heard it. Then, let's talk about movies. "The Truman Show" has become a big hit this summer, and it has also gained a very good reputation in Europe. There are many people around me. Still talking about it after going to the cinema, and everyone arguing over whether it was a tragedy or a comedy."

"Comedy or tragedy, it depends on which angle you look at it from."

"A friend of mine was very curious. Although Truman finally broke free from the shackles of Taoyuan Island and came to the outside world, he has lived under the eyes of people all over the world for the past 30 years. He is a truly global real person Show star, when Truman walks into the real world, can he really adapt to modern society, and everyone who knows him will become a brand new camera lens? Taoyuan Island is a bondage for Truman, but also Aren't you also protecting him?"

"Your friend's thinking is very similar to that of Christ, really. Yes, Taoyuan Island is both imprisonment and protection for Truman. It imprisoned Truman's soul and turned him into a marionette, but protecting him can A safe, smooth and happy life, such as a beautiful wife, a bosom friend, and a satisfying job. But the point is, Truman would rather have real pain than false happiness. What he pursues is a free life that he wants. In the end, I got it, which is already a perfect ending for Truman himself, as for whether Truman can live well in the real society, that is another story."

"My friends will hear these words, Andrew, very thought-provoking. Let's talk about this next, did you know that your film even changed the fate of a woman?"

Now not only Andrew Nicole, even William in front of the TV showed a surprised expression, and he could hear from the audio that the audience was also very curious.

"This is a video that the production team inadvertently interviewed during the street interview. To be honest, I was also very surprised. If I didn't know that it was a passerby stopped by the photographer in front of the movie theater, I would have thought That's Paramount's propaganda method." David Letterman turned his chair 180°: "Come on, let's turn around and look at the big screen."

A video began to play on the big screen behind the stage. It was a street interview. The photographer was hidden in a position where the camera could not see. There was only the interviewee on the screen. A person with a beautiful face, full of energy, and elegant temperament, but with plain hairstyle and appearance A woman with a slightly out of tune temperament.

"Which one of the movies currently in theaters is your favorite?"

"Are you a TV station or a prank show?"

"We're the exterior crew of The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS."

"Then I'll just say, I like "The Truman Show" the most. This movie has changed my life." The interviewee was suddenly agitated.

"Don't get excited, speak slowly, ma'am, our camera's battery is fully charged." It was clearly the voice of the photographer.

"I used to be a housewife. After ten years of marriage, I have been taking care of the family without a job. My husband is a jerk. He has a cold and selfish personality. He not only flirts with the secretary often, but also commits cold violence to me. It's just that I can't get it down. The determination to divorce, but after watching "The Truman Show", I suddenly realized, which one should I choose between spiritual freedom and material sufficiency? I have always chosen the latter before, but I have never been happy .So I finally filed for divorce, maybe alimony can't provide me with the same good life as before, maybe I have to live in a very cramped life, but I have gained spiritual happiness."

The woman interviewed took a deep breath and said: "Truman taught me how important freedom is. He changed my world view and my life. Now, I have applied for the job of a shopping guide in a shopping mall. The child has also transferred to a public secondary school. Now neighbors and new friends invite me to dinners and parties every week. The child also has a lot of playmates in the public school. He now plays police catch with the neighbor’s boy covered in mud every day. Thief’s game, he told me that he hated the previous home, and we are much happier than before.”

"Wow," said the photographer's voice-over.

"Wow." Andrew Nicole in the studio also shook his head in surprise: "I really didn't expect this, but I'm glad someone got a real benefit from this movie, really."

……

"Truman is a great character, you played a great movie." Lance also came to the kitchen at some point, and said to William who was waiting for the dessert to be baked.

"You watched this movie too?" William walked to the wine rack next to the refrigerator, picked and picked for a while, and found two bottles of wine.

"You should ask me how many times I read it." Lance sat next to the central island, watching William deftly uncork the bottle, playing with the family tail ring on the little finger of his left hand with his right thumb and index finger.

William took out two empty wine glasses and joked, "Don't tell me that you have booked a box office."

Lance's movements froze for a moment, and he decided not to tell William about the many companies under his name. As long as William had a new movie released, he would hold a dinner or party in the hotel restaurant near the movie theater in the name of the company, and give away every It’s about movie tickets for employees and their families—he’s rich, he’s self-willed, and he can give employees whatever benefits he wants. This doesn’t count as buying box office, right?

First, there was a sweet smell in the air, a bit like the oriental spice "star anise", and then the fragrance of citrus. William mixed the two liquids in the shaker and swung back and forth, and finally put a cup full of golden yellow liquid (There is still a mischievous mint leaf floating in the cup noodles) Put it in front of Lance: "Want to drink some together?"

"What's this?" Lance asked.

"Galiano vanilla wine and white curacao make a dreamy golden color that will flatter your hair."

"You only made this for the color?"

"Otherwise?" William put the ice tray in front of Lance: "Maybe next time we can try two cocktails made of rum and vodka. The ice blue one should suit your eyes very well."

Lance was not too impressed with the golden color. He tasted the taste and found that it was not strong. After drinking the whole glass, he began to order: "I want the one from last time."

Although it was just an adjective like "that", William immediately understood what Lance was referring to, and he rolled his eyes helplessly: "Okay, I will satisfy you, little sweet prince."

Seeing William pull out two more bottles from the wine rack, and one of them exudes the aroma of coffee after opening, Lance is satisfied, and he leans back in his chair relaxedly: "I don't want to finish filming the three Lord of the Rings together." No, but why does it have to be New Zealand?"

"Because that fat Peter Jackson wants to save New Zealand's tourism industry." William was mixing the ratio of vodka and coffee liqueur according to Lance's favorite taste. By the way, he remembered several meetings with Peter Jackson, almost every time Significant progress has been made. Less than 48 hours after the first meeting, Willlot, Miramax and Peter Jackson's studio signed various contracts for the adaptation of the original "Lord of the Rings" film "Lord of the Rings", Thinking about it now, the speed of the process is fantastic.

After Harvey Weinstein's phone call, Peter Jackson flew back to Los Angeles from Wellington almost overnight. In Willot's conference room, he said almost in front of William: "1.4 million budget? No problem, I can I will give you 2 million, as long as you can guarantee that all the money is worthwhile, the original book of "The Lord of the Rings" is a trilogy, and it is inevitable that a large number of original works will be cut out if it is filmed into the upper and lower parts. Since we are going to make this epic On the big screen, it is better to be faithful to the original work, three films, total about eight hours, I hope it can become a magnificent epic like "Apocalypse Now"." At the same time, he excitedly interjected: "When will we Start negotiating the contract? If I can go through the necessary procedures today, I will start planning the shoot tomorrow!"

William just threw out a bait, and Peter Jackson hurriedly agreed, without even asking if Willot Films, which was just making a movie and hadn't released a work yet, could come up with hundreds of millions of dollars. Investment—but it's not surprising why he didn't worry, the heirs of Roderick's family were all sitting in the conference room, so he still needed to worry about money?

Although Peter Jackson temporarily received a call from his assistant and learned that Hollywood's New Line Film Company was also interested in the filming of "The Lord of the Rings", he finally chose Willot. Weinstein is also inclined to sell the film adaptation rights to Willot. After all, Peter Jackson is going to leave Miramax with the "Lord of the Rings" project. He always listens to Harvey Weinstein's opinion , and another reason is that Peter Jackson was moved because William promised a very good prospect.

——Many years later, when Peter Jackson participated in a talk show on NBC, he talked about the scene of reaching a cooperation agreement with Willot many years ago, and suddenly emphasized one after another emotionally: "I knew this decision would be difficult." Make a big mark in the history of Hollywood movies, I have known it for a long time. Because I have never seen a young man describe a multi-hundred million dollar project in such a flat tone as William Bradley , as if I didn’t take the money that even Disney was concerned about, and I didn’t worry about screwing up the movie at all. Official Shaye approached me and sincerely expressed his interest in adapting The Lord of the Rings. I chose Willlott without hesitation. William Bradley looked more likely than Saya to make a big movie. I am very happy to see that my original prophecy has come true.”

In short, after paying Miramax $200 million—1000 million is the money that Miramax has already invested in the "Lord of the Rings" movie project, and the 200 million Miramax has already replaced it. New Zealand dollars, after the film project was transferred, they were useless for these New Zealand dollars, and Willot just bought them together - Willot finally got the right to adapt the film of the "Lord of the Rings" series and sell peripheral products rights, even DVD distribution revenue.

Of course, it doesn't mean that as long as the 200 million yuan is paid, the film and other copyrights of "The Lord of the Rings" will completely belong to Willot. What William and the others need to pay are: Miramax and Saul Zahn Hereby will receive 5% of the final box office revenue of the film trilogy, which is the royalty fee for the transfer of film adaptation rights; according to the contract signed between Tolkien and United Artists in the 50s, the Tolkien estate will receive any According to the contract signed by Miramax with Universal Films as early as 7.5, the overseas distribution rights of the film trilogy belong to Universal.

Calculated in this way, the income that the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy will eventually bring to Willot will definitely not be as profitable as the "Harry Potter" series after it was moved to the big screen, and may even be less than the "Titanic" The box office profits brought to [-]th Century Fox are definitely higher than the big boats in terms of DVD and movie peripheral products.

With such an estimate, although William's original intention of buying the film adaptation rights of "Lord of the Rings" was not to make money - he had a lot of money-making ideas in his head, and the primary reason for choosing "Lord of the Rings" was that An epic film like Part [-] is destined to be famous in film history. If Willot can participate in the production process, and when the film series is successful, Willot will immediately gain a reputation and instantly become a medium-sized production company in Hollywood. Not necessarily -- but he still showed his businessman qualities in his negotiations with Peter Jackson.