Kapitel 58: Chapter 58: American Pie
The movies released in March, aside from the commendable Sleepless in Seattle, included the standard American action film The Hunt for Red October, which also performed quite well. Having been in theaters for two months, it grossed $100 million in North America.
At the end of March, the live-action version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had also grossed over $100 million in North America in just one month.
"New Line really hit the jackpot by picking it up. They spent a mere $3 million to buy this comic adaptation film from 20th Century Fox, which didn't want to release it," Arthur remarked with envy. "Golden Harvest spent tens of millions of dollars to make this action-comedy, and 20th Century Fox, which obtained the North American rights, didn't want to release it, so New Line bought it?"
New Line's reputation surged, grossing over $100 million in North America and making a huge profit.
Arthur was on his way to Culver City to discuss overseas distribution with Columbia Pictures and Tristar, with Tracy Jacobs having already arrived with the lawyer.
Arthur had secured a $9 million investment from Castle Rock, so the overseas distribution contract with Columbia and Tristar wouldn't adopt an advance sales model.
In the presence of a lawyer, Arthur signed a priority distribution pre-sale agreement with Columbia Tristar, receiving a $3.5 million advance for the international distribution rights of The Silence of the Lambs.
Of course, Galaxy Films could later negotiate the outright sale of international rights with Columbia Tristar or adopt a revenue-sharing model similar to Orion's.
"Arthur, why not sell outright? Columbia Tristar seems quite sincere," Tracy Jacobs asked perplexed after leaving Columbia's office.
"Because I've got Castle Rock's investment. Plus Orion's $5 million. The funding gap isn't that big anymore," Arthur replied, lifting the distribution contract with a smile. "This agreement allows me to secure several million dollars in bank loans!"
"With Orion's $5 million, Castle Rock's $9 million, and Columbia Tristar's $3.5 million, you have $17.5 million. Do you still need more?" Tracy Jacobs frowned. Was the budget for The Silence of the Lambs really $20 million?
"Who would complain about having too much money?" Arthur sighed, strolling lazily toward his car. "But there's no rush now. When we need more money, we'll go straight to the bank to avoid paying too much interest."
With the funding for The Silence of the Lambs secured, Arthur's Galaxy Films had completed renovations and was officially open for business.
Director Jonathan Demme was undoubtedly the happiest to learn Arthur had raised the funds for The Silence of the Lambs.
In the morning, Jodie Foster and Jonathan Demme visited Galaxy Films, finding only four people in the quiet office, including Arthur Smith; a 45-year-old finance person, an intern accountant, and a clerical worker!
"Just finished the renovations, haven't really hired anyone yet," Arthur said, inviting Jodie Foster and Jonathan Demme to sit.
"Nice," Jodie Foster remarked, surprised that Arthur had actually set up a company.
Jonathan Demme, unconcerned about the company's size, got straight to the point. "Arthur, the prison scene and other sets you created are all ready. We can start shooting the movie!"
Arthur nodded, "Are you both ready?"
Jodie Foster smiled, "After Orion sent the funds, Jonathan and I expedited the crew assembly. Scene construction, location selection, and casting are almost done. With the funds in place, we can start filming in half a month!"
"That soon?" Arthur knocked on the table. "No need to rush. It's only early May. As long as we start filming this month. I didn't expect things to go so smoothly. I thought we'd have to wait until July to get the investment."
"I need to inspect the Pennsylvania set one last time to ensure nothing's overlooked," Jonathan Demme, completely consumed by the film, said.
"Of course. I've entrusted a law firm to handle the crew contracts. Don't worry about anything else; just focus on making the movie great!"
A director and a leading lady are crucial to a film's success.
"Rest assured, we'll take this film very seriously," said Jodie Foster, who genuinely liked her role and intended to give it her all.
Meanwhile, Arthur's screenplay American Pie, which Universal made into a low-budget teen comedy on a $7 million budget, released at the end of April, grossed $11 million on its opening weekend in North America.
Arthur, having sold the screenplay, naturally kept an eye on its box office performance. With this opening, the film was projected to gross over $50 million by the end of its North American run.
That evening, at Malibu Beach, Arthur finished shooting his last scene for Sleeping with the Enemy.
Sleepless in Seattle also grossed over $100 million in North America, prompting Castle Rock to throw a celebration party at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Winona Ryder was at the set of Father of the Bride and wasn't in Los Angeles, and Jennifer Aniston had not yet arrived at the set of Sleeping with the Enemy.
"Arthur, why are you alone? There are plenty of beautiful women here," Alan Horn said, clinking glasses with Arthur. Sleepless in Seattle had surpassed When Harry Met Sally... at the box office.
Arthur shook his head with a smile. "I've just been busy lately and haven't rested enough. By the way, I heard Time Warner is settling its lawsuit with Sony out of court?"
Alan Horn nodded. "Time Warner is getting quite a haul. Sony is willing to give up its half ownership of the Warner Bros. studio lot as compensation!"
Arthur was astonished. "The Warner Bros. lot in Burbank? That place is worth billions with its buildings and facilities, right?"
"Some say it's worth a billion. Anyway, Sony learned a lesson this time. When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Alan Horn said calmly.
"Warner Bros. will definitely publicize this widely," smiled Arthur, admiring the approach. The powerful always operate by their own rules.
They never suffer losses at the hands of outsiders, nor sacrifice their own interests to accommodate others, only sacrificing the interests of outsiders.
*****
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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