Chapter 40: HWI 40
[Shout out to Ricardo S. and Sahal I!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 40
The day after Christmas.
Kazir returned to Los Angeles to sell the copyrights to Napoleon Dynamite.
Unlike the actors who would promote the film overseas, Kazir stayed in America to start his new project.
Of course, he has already talked to Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal about joining his next film. Although they still have to audition.
But unlike the other actors, they have more time to prepare. Kazir has already given them the scripts and signed non-disclosure agreements.
"Kazir, I'm glad to see you again."
"Enrico."
Kazir nodded at the man before him. As soon as he left the airport, producer Enrico Pusi from Warner Bros. contacted him to negotiate.
"Enrico, I just want to set the record straight. Fox Searchlight Pictures and I have a contract. Fox Searchlight Pictures has first dibs on the copyrights to Napoleon Dynamite."
"I understand that. But if the negotiations with Fox Searchlight Pictures fail, you can think of Warner Bros. As long as the conditions are right, we are happy to work with you."
Kazir agreed. That was the way it usually worked in Hollywood.
In his opinion, Fox Searchlight Pictures would try to negotiate with him as much as possible. Napoleon Dynamite was a healthy cow they wanted to milk.
"I suppose you have another reason for wanting to talk to me."
"Actually, Kazir. I read your new script. I just want to say that Warner Bros. will accept your proposal, but we have some conditions."
Salvatore Barlowe first submitted the scripts to 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. These two studios made a good impression on Kazir.
Perhaps he felt their sincerity after the two CEOs attended his little screening.
In a way, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have the lead on Kazir's next film.
When Warner Bros. received the script, they studied it very carefully. They thought it would be as successful as Napoleon Dynamite. Terry Semel gave the green light.
Kazir had just started his career and his creativity was still blossoming. A director like him might have three or four movies that would be successful in a row.
His next project had a budget of 35 million dollars. It might be big compared to Napoleon Dynamite, but it was an expected budget. Warner Bros. could invest in a movie with that amount.
"Go ahead Enrico, you can tell me Warner Bros' terms."
"We want to sign an insurance company to monitor the shooting. You know that $35 million is a lot of money."
"I understand." Kazir already expected this kind of condition.
"Second, we hope you can reduce your share of the box office. Kazir, if I'm honest, it should be impossible for someone like you to have a box office share. But we decided to give you a chance. $100 million at the North American box office and you get 3%. $150 million, 5%. $200 million and you'll get 7%. $250 million and you'll get 10%.
Producer Enrico Pusi gritted his teeth as he explained these terms. In his opinion, it was outrageous.
Kazir is no Spielberg or Cameron.
However, compared to the benefits they would receive, this kind of contract was acceptable.
In fact, Kazir's terms were much worse than that.
"Enrico, regarding these conditions, you need to talk to my agent." Kazir grinned.
"..."
Enrico's eyes twitched.
'Fucking greedy!'
But he kept his smile. Their first negotiation had gone well. Both sides had a clear intention to cooperate.
But Kazir had to leave the negotiation to Salvatore Barlowe. That was an agent's job.
His first hour in Los Angeles began with negotiations. But it seemed that the next few hours would be negotiations as well.
At the entrance to 20th Century Fox headquarters, Kazir met Salvatore Barlowe and his attorney, Terrence Downey. If his intuition was right, the first negotiation of Napoleon Dynamite's copyrights would also be the last.
Surprisingly, the venue was the 20th Century Fox building. Instead of Fox Searchlight Pictures.
'Perhaps Tom Rothman wanted to attend the meeting. '
As he expected, Tom Rothman was also in the room.
"Tom."
"Kazir."
The two shook hands firmly. Their first collaboration had been successful.
But this was business, and they had to take it seriously. Everyone was fighting for money.
"As of December 26, 1995. Napoleon Dynamite has grossed $120 million at the North American box office. I'll be honest, it exceeded my expectations. I don't regret working with you, but I hate that I didn't buy all the copyrights. Hell, I even gave you a share of the box office... Kazir, state your terms. Unless they are unreasonable, Fox Searchlight Pictures will give it to you."
Tom Rothman was the lead negotiator.
"$30 million for all the copyrights to Napoleon Dynamite."
"$20 million and we'll get the sequel."
"29 million."
"21 million."
The two began to haggle over the copyrights.
In the end, the price dropped to $27 million.
"$27 million, but Fox Searchlight Pictures gets the sequels and your new project."
"Exclude the new project and we have a deal," Kazir replied.
"Deal, but you have to direct the sequels as well."
"Tom, if I'm being honest, I can't promise I'll be directing Napoleon Dynamite again." Kazir was serious.
"Tch, are you one of those directors who doesn't like directing sequels?"
"That's right."
"$25 million then." Tom tapped his fingers on the table.
"..."
Kazir was defeated and accepted 25 million dollars. This amount was actually not so bad. In just one year, Kazir was a certified millionaire.
Kazir sold the overseas distribution, videotapes distribution, sequels, and other copyrights of Napoleon Dynamite.
[Hello, I just want to promote my other novels:]
1) MC's Not Part Of The Story
- This novel is already completed with 526 chapters.
2) The Only Fuel Is Using The D.
-This is my most read novel for some obvious reasons, ahem.
3) Reincarnated As A Deadbeat Dad
-This is a new novel. A slow progressive slice of life about a deadbeat dad.
4) Hollywood What If
- Mc returned to 1994 Hollywood.
[I mostly post my novels in Scribblehub, Webnovel, RoyalRoad, and Questionable Questing]
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