Chapter 21: Chapter 21 - Rejected!
The 17 Again movie preview went smoothly, both the 20th Century Fox executives and filmmakers were optimistic about this campus comedy. For the Thanksgiving/Christmas period, if Eric hadn't appeared, the 20th Century Fox was planning on releasing the comedy Working Girl, starring Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver, on the 23rd of December.
Now, with 17 Again, their Thanksgiving timetable was full. After some discussion, they decided to release the movie on the 18th of November which Eric found satisfactory. He checked his memory and couldn't remember any interesting movie that released in November of 1988, so it would be smooth-sailing for 17 Again. If it had been released in December, it would have to go against top-grossing movies like Rain Man, Twins or Naked Gun.
Around noon, James brought Eric over to a middle-aged man with rimmed glasses. This was the 20th Century Fox's distribution department head, Director Carter Hunt. James introduced the two before quickly leaving. Although he had a good relationship with Eric, he wouldn't ask for favors on his behalf.
"Hello, Mr. Hunt." Eric shook hands with the man who politely praised Eric's performance in 17 Again.
However, once Eric explained his purpose of meeting with Carter Hunt, the latter immediately refused: "I'm sorry, Eric, this year's release schedule is already full, we can't squeeze in a low-budget comedy, I'm really sorry."
The reason was definitely bullshit. If the movie had been directed by Spielberg instead, he was sure Carter Hunt would start jumping in happiness.
Although he had been rejected, Eric didn't give up: "Mr. Hunt, please take a look at it first. I brought a copy and it is only a little more than an hour long. I assure you this is a great movie."
Carter Hunt shook his head once more. A lot of small film companies tried to sell him similar stuff daily, especially now that it was the holiday period. They would constantly seek him out as they lacked distribution channels. Carter knew that those films had little to no commercial value and was just a waste of time. The low-budget comedy of an eighteen-year-old would be the same.
"Eric, I'm very busy right now and have to go back to the headquarters to handle the distribution of 17 Again. I'm sorry."
Eric persistently kept insisting, before Carter Hunt lost his patience and sent him away.
"Eric, how did it go?" Penny asked once he returned.
Eric shook his head and wryly smiled. Penny patted him before comforting: "Don't be discouraged, Eric. You know, many movie releases cost higher than the making of the movie itself. If they don't get a good box office, the one to shoulder the responsibility would be the head of the Distribution Department, so you see, Carter has his own difficulties. I get that you made the movie with your own money, so after the release of 17 Again, while the hype is ongoing, I could help you get back some money by releasing it direct-to-VHS. But after that, I think you should focus more on acting and writing, you shouldn't let your talent go to waste."
"Thank you, Penny." Eric gratefully said, but he felt slightly resentful. Everyone seemed to regard Home Alone as the experimental film of a rookie. He just wished he could tie all the people present to their seats, and forcefully make them watch it.
Since the 20th Century Fox had no interest in his project, he could only try other studios.
Aniston was curled up like a cat on the living room sofa, watching a BBC soap opera. When Eric arrived home, she propped her head up and asked, "Eric, how was it?"
Eric hugged and said while rubbing her back, "The 20th Century Fox rejected it, but it's okay, I'll try somewhere else."
Aniston felt Eric was slightly dejected, and clung to his waist while softly saying, "You know what Eric? Home Alone is so great, this time it's their loss. After it gets released, they will definitely regret today."
"Ah, baby, you always know just what to say." Eric squeezed Annie closer.
They started kissing but were quickly interrupted by the phone ringing. Eric who had been trying to undress Aniston reluctantly let go of her.
"Hey, you've reached Eric Williams."
"…"
"Oh hey, Jeffrey, what's up ?"
"…"
Eric listened to Jeffrey on the phone, and his eyebrows jumped. Aniston knew that this happened when her boyfriend was happy and got curious, but she couldn't hear anything.
Eric nodded a few times, hung up the phone, then took Annie is his arms and twirled her around.
"Ugh, Eric, I'm dizzy, put me down and tell me the good news."
Eric sat Annie back on the sofa before saying: "Jeffrey ran into a friend from Columbia Pictures this morning. He talked to him about Home Alone, and apparently, his friend was very interested. He even said that if I didn't reach an agreement with the 20th Century Fox, I could go to him."
"Columbia Pictures? Is that…" Aniston made a Statue of Liberty pose.
"Yep, that one." Eric nodded.
...
"Amy was a good friend of my wife, very capable. She's in her early thirties and already in a high position at Columbia. She helped my wife distribute two of her films in the past. We met yesterday when I mentioned you to her, she seemed to know who you were, so I told her about Home Alone." In a cafe, Jeffrey Hanson kept talking on and on.
Sitting opposite him, Eric curiously asked: "Amy? The friend you talked about is a woman ?"
"Of course."
Eric felt that this was too much of a coincidence, and she even worked at Columbia Pictures, so he couldn't help but ask: "This Amy, what's her full name ?"
"Amy Pascal."
Sure enough, it was her. In the past, the one who shined throughout the '90s was the CEO of Paramount, Sherry Lansing whose title as Hollywood's "matriarch" was nothing to laugh at. But if we talked about achievements, then Amy Pascal's were no less than Sherry, and she had even ruled Columbia Pictures for a longer time.
Eric and Jeffrey were chatting, when Amy Pascal arrived a few minutes later. She was about a meter and seventy centimeters in height, with brown hair and delicate features. Wearing a black suit, overall, she gave off a good vibe.
After a brief greeting, the three of them sat together.
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