1996, early February.
Wald Pictures.
"Boss, all the work before the filming has been completed."
"The main job now is to determine the main actors of the crew. After comprehensive consideration, the casting director and I think that two actors are more suitable for the role of actor "Manny"."
Victor Jones is the CEO of Wald Pictures. In addition to the latest work he has done, he has been in a position to maintain the organization and stabilize the attitude of the old employees.
And, Zuke's expectations were exceeded.
He bought the movie "A Man Named Mickey" from the New York Film Festival and bought all the copyright for US$120,000. After the videotape and DVD market was launched, he recovered US$50,000 in half a month. It is expected that this year, at the end of the year, Zuke could bring a net profit of 150,000 US dollars.
Don't underestimate the $150,000 profit, know that this is just a movie.
There are many low-end film companies in Hollywood, and the profit in one year is only one million US dollars, and the less is more than 300,000 US dollars. After all, it's not for filming theater movies, you earn money.
"Boss, this is the profile of the two actors." Victor handed the profile to Zuke.
"Oh, then I have to look."
[Actor: Mark Damon]
He was born in 1970. In 1988, he starred in his first film "Modern Cinderella" and entered show business; in 1993, he starred in the drama "Geronimo: An American Legend" and served as the leading actor for the first time.
"Hi! Still an acquaintance!"
The so-called acquaintance is Zuke from a previous life, who knew him, but he did not know Zuke.
In the future, Mark Damon, although not as famous as Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, is still famous worldwide.
The "The Bourgne" series that he starred in has been regarded as a classic by countless secret agent fans; the film "Planting Potatoes on Mars"...Well, no, it's the movie "The Martian", and it's also science fiction. A classic of the space theme. Of course, he also starred in Lao Mouzi's "The Great Wall", well, I won't mention this, and Zuke remembers the whole movie.
"Victor, does Mark Damon tend to act?" Zuke asked immediately.
"Boss, he has already contacted his agent and tends to act," Victor said.
"How much does he ask for a salary?"
Zuke still prefers Mark Damon. In addition to his potential movie star status, he has only said that his acting skills are worth paying for, but his salary is what matters. "Lola Run" is a low-cost movie after all.
"He is a newcomer after all, and the salary is not high. It can be done with 150,000 US dollars, but..."
"But what?"
Before Victor finished speaking, Zuke interrupted him.
Victor continued: "The agency where Mark Damon works, is CAA. They require them to accept their packaging services, and they also recommend an actress to act as the heroine."
CAA Brokerage Company?
As long as you are in the American entertainment circle, everyone knows CAA. Giants of the Hollywood industry, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, and other superstars are all contract artists for their company.
The so-called packaging service is a one-stop solution for directors, producers, crew filmers, actors, editors, and release channels after the project is confirmed.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, CAA packaging service solved many film preparation problems for small and medium-sized companies. Even if they want a 10% box office share and full copyright profit, they are very popular.
But.
As more and more success occurs, they become more domineering.
Looks at the major Hollywood companies as nothing!
Can you believe that a middle-level CAA agent dared to rush into the 20th Century Fox CEO-run company, one of the six largest Hollywood companies, and yelled at Barry Meyer and patted the table?
"boom!"
Zuke furiously slapped the table and cursed: "Damn, these **** bastards, if you want Mark Damon to play, you still have to accept their one-stop package service? Can you also recommend the heroine? What will this accomplish? As the director, do I have to change the person they designate?"
I took a breath and cursed: "Victor, you let the **** of CAA get out as early as possible, otherwise I must kick his eggs and put chili oil into his pussy!"
The boss is domineering! (Breaking sound)
"Good boss, if it weren't for Mark Damon's favorable development prospects, I would have wanted to kick them in the ass!" Victor muttered in agreement.
It took ten minutes before Zuke's mood calmed down.
Continue to look at the second actor profile.
[Actor: James McAvoy]
He was born in 1979 and appeared on the screen as a high school student in 1995. He starred in the movie "The Room Next Door" and served in the third supporting role.
James McAvoy?
Well, Zuke has never heard of this name.
"He just turned 17 years old. Will he be too tender?" Zuke wondered.
"Boss, you can understand by looking at his photos. Although he is not very old, he is relatively mature and looks like a young man in his 20s." Victor pointed to the information. In the photo.
Zuke looked at the photos and he was quite mature, not 17 years old.
"Huh? He looks familiar."
Suddenly, Zuke looked at the picture of James McAvoy and thought this man was familiar. And I can be sure I haven't seen him.
A flash of inspiration.
I remembered!
Isn't he just Professor X?
Of course, he is the young and hairy Professor X in "X-Men: First Class" and subsequent series "X-Men: Reversing the Future" and "X-Men: Apocalypse".
"Boss, although this actor is a rookie, he is also very young, and his acting skills are average, but it is enough to meet our requirements for a male protagonist. After all, we are a low-cost movie."
Victor is an experienced man, and he added: "Of course, his salary is not high, and it is estimated that it can be done for $50,000."
$50,000 for a film?
Ha ha, this number is completely acceptable to Zuke.
"Okay, it's him. We will lower the salary a little bit, so sign the contract immediately. We will start filming next Wednesday." Zuke clapped.
Isn't it better if the pay is lower? Zuke has now adapted to the capitalist role.
...
February 7, 1996.
On this day, the crew of "Lola Run" led by Zuke entered the Time Warner Group studio and officially began filming the film.