Chapitre 103: Chapter 103: Your Fame Isn't Greater Than Mine
Simon and two others approached, greeting Jonathan and De Niro while discreetly observing their expressions.
Jonathan maintained his usual graceful and humble demeanor, while De Niro's face clearly showed some hesitation.
Seeing this, Simon realized that Jonathan must have had a very good talk with De Niro.
However, Robert De Niro had not yet made up his mind.
After several upheavals last year, WMA, with its rigid operational mechanisms and intense internal strife, was clearly on the decline. On the other hand, CAA's packaging strategies were continuously securing higher and higher salaries for Hollywood stars. It was clear which agency Robert De Niro would prefer.
Still, Simon was very reluctant to see this happen.
With his role shifting from screenwriter and director to producer and investor, Simon realized that if CAA once again became as dominant as in the original timeline, Hollywood studios would definitely become more passive.
The way to break this situation was simple: maintain a competitive environment among the major Hollywood agencies as much as possible.
Daenerys Studios, still just a small newcomer causing ripples in Hollywood, couldn't possibly change this industry trend alone. However, Simon wasn't about to give up easily.
After a brief conversation, Simon straightforwardly said, "Bob, in my view, joining WMA is a better choice for you."
Since their first meeting, Robert De Niro had a very good impression of Simon.
Hearing this, he glanced at Jonathan Friedman and said after thinking, "Simon, and Joe, actually, Mr. Ovitz has already personally talked to me several times. Frankly, CAA is more appealing to me."
Simon looked at Jonathan, who appeared slightly uncomfortable, and continued to address De Niro: "Bob, you certainly know about Sean Connery's office at CAA?"
De Niro nodded, puzzled.
Sean Connery was the first Hollywood superstar snagged by CAA. To show their commitment, Michael Ovitz had stated that CAA would always reserve an office solely for Sean Connery.
For most stars, this might seem like a demonstration of CAA's commitment to their clients.
Simon, however, saw it differently: "Bob, since CAA signed Sean Connery in 1979, the films he has starred in these years have hardly been box office hits. Even the 007 spin-off 'Never Say Never Again' from four years ago wasn't really successful. Yet, CAA keeps landing him high-budget projects. Bob, do you know what this means?"
De Niro just shook his head, while Jonathan looked somewhat enlightened but did not interrupt, smiling and waiting for Simon to continue.
Simon explained, "It means that CAA is also a company that very much respects seniority. And their internal collaboration mechanism ensures that they will inadvertently favor certain individuals. Sean Connery benefits from this system. Not only him, but CAA also now boasts Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, and Al Pacino, each as famous as you, and all of them joined CAA before you. So, Bob, do you think you would still get enough attention if you joined CAA now?"
These words from Simon weren't merely to dissuade De Niro from joining CAA.
If not for Simon's intervention, Robert De Niro would indeed have become another major client of CAA.
But what then?
Since the 90s, Robert De Niro, who could have matched Meryl Streep in acting achievements, gradually became just a comedy star.
CAA secured a $20 million payday for Sean Connery in 'Entrapment' when he was nearly seventy. However, in his later years, Robert De Niro could only play in low-brow comedies like 'Dirty Grandpa.'
It was a considerable regret in Hollywood history.
After hearing Simon's argument, Robert De Niro fell silent.
Simon and Jonathan did not disturb him.
After a moment, De Niro said to Jonathan, "Joe, I need to think about this more."
Jonathan realized that there would likely be no significant changes in this matter and nodded, "Of course, Bob, I look forward to hearing good news from you."
It was already past nine-thirty.
After saying this, Robert De Niro said his goodbyes.
Upon seeing him off and returning to the party, Jonathan curiously asked Simon, "You seem even less eager for De Niro to join CAA than I am. What's going on?"
While close, Simon wouldn't disclose his deepest thoughts to Jonathan, merely replying, "You know about Monday's event, right? My talk with Ovitz wasn't very pleasant."
Jonathan nodded and smiled.
He knew about Monday's event and had even worried that Simon might suddenly be poached by CAA.
After holding back for a week, Jonathan had intended to probe Simon's intentions at this party. After witnessing Simon's persuasive talk with Robert De Niro, the agent now felt completely reassured
.
They chatted a bit more before Simon prepared to leave, but then he remembered something else, "Joe, I recently wrote a screenplay for an animated film. I'll give it to you on Monday; help me get in touch with Disney."
Jonathan was surprised, "An animated film?"
Simon nodded, "The story is about a young lion who grows up to become the king of the savannah. It's called 'The Lion King.'"
Jonathan couldn't help but shake his head, "Simon, Disney isn't what it used to be anymore. Eisner and Katzenberg don't value animated films much. Two years ago, they not only restructured the animation department into a subsidiary of Disney Film, but they also sent the studio staff to a disused warehouse in Glendale."
Simon, who always kept a close eye on Hollywood dynamics, naturally understood this situation.
Despite Disney releasing several successful 2D animations like 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin' in the early 90s, in their first few years at Disney, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg focused more on live-action films, and there were even rumors that Disney planned to close its animation department altogether.
"Joe, I know all this. I'm not planning to sell the script to Disney. If possible, I'd like Daenerys Studios to invest in it, and have Disney's animation department produce it on commission. The production cycle for animated films is very long, so let's not consider the distribution issue for now. Just discuss it with Disney in this way," Simon explained.
Jonathan frowned, "Simon, I don't understand."
Simon would do more things in the future that would puzzle those around him, and he didn't want to waste time explaining each time. This time he simply said, "Joe, it's actually a gift I want to give to Jenny. So, just contact Disney according to my idea."
Jonathan looked at Simon thoughtfully, not asking further, only smiling, "Alright, since you're my most important client. But, Simon, if we do it your way, this really should be Pascal's job. Contacting Disney is somewhat beyond my normal duties."
Simon shrugged, "Amy is too busy; she's flying to New York tomorrow. You're paid more than Amy from what I give you, so you should do a bit more."
Jonathan didn't believe Amy's salary was lower than his, but he nodded and agreed.
After they settled this matter, Simon bid farewell.
As usual, Neil Bennett drove to pick him up. Simon found Sandra, took the girl to his SUV, and left Jonathan's house, heading towards West Hollywood.
From Coldwater Canyon to West Hollywood wasn't too far; after about ten minutes, the Chevrolet stopped outside an apartment building near Santa Monica Boulevard.
Looking at the dark entrance of the apartment, Simon thought for a moment but still got out of the car with Sandra.
Just as they stood by the roadside, a clear click-click sound came from nearby.
Simon looked at Sandra, who hung her head with her hands clasped behind her back, and said with a smile, "Well, that's it, 'Simon Westeros' new romance exposed'."
Sandra listened to the shutter sound still clicking not far away, and even some flashlights started popping up, strangely feeling a bit happy. However, hearing Simon's nonchalant tone as if he was reading a gossip magazine headline, she realized he really didn't care.
He indeed wouldn't care.
Suddenly feeling a bit resentful, she countered, "Why isn't it 'Sandra Bullock's new romance exposed'?"
Simon shrugged, "Your fame isn't greater than mine."
"Egotist," Sandra rolled her eyes, grinding her toes on the ground and hesitating for a moment before she finally said, "Do you, um, want to come up for a bit?"
Simon looked up at the apartment building, "Your assistant, Gina, right? Doesn't she live with you?"
Sandra's assistant, Gina Colossus, usually lived with her.
However, after agreeing to let Simon drive her home, Sandra quickly sent Gina away from the party and specifically told her not to come back tonight.
Remembering some thoughts she had at the time, Sandra felt her cheeks warm up.
Now she calmly lied, "No, she has a boyfriend, staying out for the weekend."
Simon nodded, "Oh."
Sandra waited, but seeing Simon not moving, she made an inquiring sound, "Hm?"
Simon smiled, "I'd better not go up. You know, things with Jenny and me haven't been sorted out yet."
"You, you broke up with her, right?"
Sandra said this, glancing at the SUV parked by the roadside, not really believing it herself.
Simon shook his head, "No, we just hit a small snag. Relationships are always complicated."
Disappointment flickered in Sandra's eyes, then she suddenly looked up, asking, "Then, at the party,
that woman, would you sleep with her?"
Simon thought for a moment, "Maybe, maybe not."
"Hm?"
"It depends on the mood."
Sandra's eyes widened, recalling a nickname Jenny occasionally used, and she couldn't help saying, "Jenny was right, Simon, you really are a little bastard."
Simon feigned nervousness, "You won't stop being friends with me, will you?"
Sandra imitated Simon's tone just now, "It depends on the mood."
Simon chuckled, "Go upstairs, it's late."
Sandra didn't move, her hands still behind her back, mustering courage as she stared at Simon, "You know I like you, right?"
"Yes, that's why I can't go upstairs with you."
Sandra was persistent, "Why?"
Simon looked at the girl in front of him, "Because we're good friends, Sandy, there aren't many people I care about in this world. I already have Jenny, so I can't take it further with you."
Sandra still stared intensely at Simon, "But you want to sleep with, um, women you don't care about?"
Simon nodded, "Yes."
Sandra felt confused herself and then pulled her hands from behind her back, gesturing randomly, "Then, aren't you afraid Jenny will find out?"
Simon shook his head, "No."
Sandra asked again, "Why?"
Simon thought for a moment, "Jenny and I, well, we're both people with unusual views on life. She won't mind these things."
Sandra objected, "How do you know she doesn't care, women care about these things."
"I used to think so too," Simon nodded, "But after this breakup, I realized she doesn't care. Jenny is someone who advocates absolute freedom. She believes a person should do what they want and not do what they don't want to do."
Sandra instinctively said, "There's no such freedom in this world."
Simon smiled, "That's why Jenny probably likes me."
Sandra gave Simon a disdainful look, waiting for him to explain himself.
"The higher you stand on the pyramid, the greater your freedom. Jenny thinks I'll be the one at the very top of the world's pyramid," Simon explained, adding with a smile, "Actually, I think so too."
Sandra rolled her eyes at Simon, "I suddenly don't want to listen to your nonsense."
Simon opened his arms, "Then, good night."
Sandra looked at the handsome face in front of her, feeling a little indignant, thinking, God really isn't fair.
So handsome.
So talented.
So arrogant.
And not her boyfriend.
Really annoying.
Then, very angrily.
She took a step forward, suddenly wrapped her arms around Simon's neck, and kissed him.
Simon didn't expect Sandra to react this way, only managing to turn his head slightly, still getting kissed on the cheek.
Listening to the nearby camera shutters speeding up again, to spare Sandra any embarrassment, Simon just raised his hand to support her waist, gently trying to push her away without making it obvious.
But Sandra held tightly to Simon's neck, adjusting the angle, and her soft lips accurately found his.
After entangling briefly, she even gently bit Simon's lips, then Sandra let go of him, her cheeks flushed under the streetlights, ignoring the paparazzi that had gathered around, throwing a defiant triumphant look, and turned to flee into the building.
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