Chapter 245: HWI 245
Hollywood What If Chapter 245
After the realtor left, the couple decided to bless the house with their bodily fluids...
Angelina was very exhausted and cuddled up to her man on the sofa. Most of the furniture was gone, but the beds, tables, and other things had been left behind by the previous owner.
"I heard that people are going crazy because of you."
"What do you mean?"
"Huh, don't tease me. Stop touching my-- you pervert, I'm telling you, I'm serious right now. Staph~~"
Kazir just chuckled.
"I don't know why, but Disney is desperate right now. They want me to direct a movie based on a novel."
"What novel? Maybe I've read it."
"It's the Barsoom series, by Edgar Rice Burroughs."
"Really? You're joking, tell me you're joking!" Angelina was quite shocked.
Edgar Rice Burroughs was a famous writer. His most famous works were the Tarzan and Barsoom series.
His works were famous in the early 1910s and his works are still appreciated today. Angelina knew of the Tarzan and Barsoom series. She didn't expect that Walt Disney would acquire the movie rights to the Barsoom series.
"Walt Disney wants to make a movie of the Barsoom series and they hope that I can be the director... They want to call the movie John Carter, based on the protagonist of the Barsoom series."
"What do you think? I think it's a great deal. I think Disney has offered you a desirable contract."
"They contacted my agent and said they are willing to do a 20+20 deal with me. It's negotiable."
"Wow, I'm so proud of you." The woman showered him with kisses.
"They keep forcing Salvatore to accept the project."
"What are you waiting for? I think the novel adaptation will be great if you're the one to direct it. You're an amazing person."
"Thanks, babe."
The reason Kazir was hesitant to accept the deal was because of what he knew about the future. He was actually surprised that Disney wanted to make John Carter very early compared to the original timeline. Well, he knew that one way or another, the reason was because of his interference with the timeline.
John Carter was a box office disaster. Walt Disney tried to promote it overseas to recoup their losses, but it was useless. In the end, they shut down the project with no intention of making a sequel.
Another reason was that--
"Warner Brothers also contacted me. They want me to direct Harry Potter. It's a children's book."
"I haven't heard about that. You know I'm busy."
Angelina replied, ruffling the man's hair.
"They said they would give me preferential treatment, a 20+20 deal, and a 5% profit share on videotape/DVD for five years."
The first five years of a movie's life in the videotape/DVD market were the best for profits. After that, sales would slow down.
In his estimate, Kazir would make about $20-40 million on the videotape/DVD profit share alone. That was a huge stake that Warner Brothers was willing to take.
"I'm speechless."
Indeed, Angelina didn't know what to say. She was quite famous and her net worth was over 7 figures, but she didn't expect her boyfriend to make ten times her annual salary. She was so proud of him.
"Then I guess you'll choose this Harry Potter."
"You're not afraid I'll fail?"
"As if. We are talking about you, the talented director Kazir Grey. Of course you will do well. I believe in you."
Kazir smiled and nuzzled against her breasts...
"Actually, I have an offer from Sony-Columbia as well."
"Let me guess, their offer is more tempting than Walt Disney and Warner Brothers. You know what, I think 20th Century Fox also contacted you, right?"
"How did you know that?"
"I just guessed, based on our conversation."
To be precise, the one who contacted Kazir was actually LucasFilm. George Lucas called him personally and congratulated Kazir. Then George Lucas asked Kazir if he would be interested in directing Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones.
After their first meeting a few months ago, the two met several times and talked about their daily lives. One time, George Lucas invited Steven Spielberg over and the three of them had a good time.
Steven Spielberg said that he was happy that someone like Kazir would take up the banner now that most Jewish directors were getting old. Kazir just accepted it and didn't bother to explain himself.
"What about Sony-Columbia? What do they want from you?"
"You know Spiderman?"
"That comic book superhero? I read a few issues."
"Sony-Columbia is hoping I'll direct this project. Well, it's complicated, actually. Even Marvel is trying to talk to me."
Grey Pictures bought a lot of superhero movie copyrights from Marvel, and the company was hoping to meet Kazir.
Kazir had an idea why they wanted to talk to him. Marvel was at its lowest point at the time, in a downward spiral. Beaten by their rival, DC Comics.
Maybe they were trying to find a solution to get back on their feet. They believed that Kazir had the answer to their questions.
The people at Marvel were no fools. When they learned that Kazir intended to create a Cinematic Universe about assassins, killers, agents and ninjas, Marvel understood the reason why Grey Pictures had bought their not-so-famous superheroes.
Grey Pictures wanted to make a Cinematic Universe about superheroes!
'Uh, not really. I bought the superheroes' movie adaptations in the first place because Marvel might become my enemy later on. So I just cut their wings before they can fly... However, if we have an agreement, I have no intention of avoiding money.'
Especially now that Sony-Columbia wanted Kazir Grey to direct Spider-Man, he would definitely meet with the higher-ups of Marvel Comics.
He felt he was getting to the point where he had to decide his future. Because honestly, he was interested in the DCEU as well.
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