บท 253: Chapter 253: Not Interested?
"That 21st James Bond movie Casino Royale is releasing next month, competing directly with my 300 - interesting!" Charles and Eva Green were chatting on the couch in the resting area during the party.
"This Bond film is a bit different from the previous ones, what do you think?" Eva Green asked.
Looking at the gothic beauty in a black low-cut evening dress, Charles smiled and glanced at the producer siblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson nearby.
"If it weren't for Sony Columbia controlling the distribution rights and demanding changes, those siblings wouldn't dare to change James Bond's nature," Charles really didn't think much of the siblings who took over Danjaq.
After Albert R. Broccoli passed away, the reputation of the 007 series kept declining.
Sony Columbia was, after all, one of the Big Six in Hollywood. Market research reports were crucial for films, especially blockbusters. Sony Columbia's macro-control made the reboot of Casino Royale look completely new.
"No surprise, this Bond film should be the best-reviewed in recent years," Charles gave an honest assessment, "James Bond feels more human, and the Bond girl is at least more than just eye candy!"
Eva Green's eyes lit up. Charles Capet's evaluation was quite high.
"By the way, when I was in Britain, Ms. Jordan Scott contacted me, saying that you recommended me for the lead role in her new film!" said Eva.
"The script adapted from Sheila Kohler's novel?" Charles was surprised, "Has she finished the script so quickly? Last time we met, it was just an idea."
Eva Green shook her head, "Not yet, we talked about the novel, and I think it's really good too; the characters are very complex, and I feel such roles are very challenging!"
"Challenging?" Charles nodded, "It's challenging indeed, but I think this kind of role suits you."
"Let's head back; staying here is pretty boring anyway," Charles didn't care much about MGM anymore, let alone smaller companies like United Artists.
Eva Green had no objections. She wouldn't oppose anything Charles decided.
After leaving the Hilton Garden Hotel, the two got into Charles's luxurious business car and asked the driver to head straight to Capet Manor in Beverly Hills.
"Is The Golden Compass finished?" Charles asked, reclining in his seat.
Eva Green nodded, "My part didn't take long, not even two months, but the movie will wrap up by February next year!"
The Golden Compass was scheduled for release during the Christmas period next year. The thought of New Line Cinema suffering heavy losses because of The Golden Compass, leading to a forced merger with Warner Brothers, amused Charles.
After Charles left, Donna Langley, the President of Capet Pictures, was chatting with Amy Pascal, the Chairwoman of Columbia Pictures, at the party.
"Amy, Capet Pictures is very different from DreamWorks. Charles is very generous when it comes to investing in movies," Donna Langley knew that for Capet Pictures to break through under pressure, they had to surpass the market share of the Big Six studios.
Amy Pascal chuckled, "It's just business competition. Over the years, companies like Carolco Films, Miramax, New Line Cinema, DreamWorks, and Lionsgate have all tried to break through the Big Six; unfortunately, independent studios don't have the same capital strength and foundation as the Big Six. They either get acquired or survive in niche markets."
Amy Pascal glanced enviously at Donna, "Actually, we were in talks with Dan Brown about acquiring the adaptation rights for his novel The Da Vinci Code, but unfortunately, we lost to Capet Pictures in the bidding."
"So, you're putting a lot of money behind that anti-hero script He Comes Tonight?" asked Donna, shaking her head, "Did Sony do this because Charles Capet was interested?"
Amy Pascal smiled, "We were already considering it, but Capet Pictures' involvement cemented our decision. If Capet Pictures is interested in producing this project, a budget of $100 million is entirely feasible."
Donna Langley shook her head, "Capet Pictures is far more than just a Hollywood independent production company now. If Charles himself is interested, he can join in. After all, he also likes this project."
Amy Pascal would love to have Charles Capet as a producer; after all, he was a box office guarantee in Hollywood. Unfortunately, Capet Pictures had just established its distribution channels, signing agreements with AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Carmike Cinemas.
Capet Pictures had to supply a certain number of films to these theaters every year and was already working with various independent production companies to develop movies. Why would they produce movies for other companies?
"Actually, John Calley admires Capet Pictures a lot. I wonder if Capet Pictures has any interest in MGM?" Amy Pascal asked.
"What do you mean?" Donna Langley was momentarily taken aback. John Calley was the chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, and Amy Pascal became President of Columbia Pictures in 1999 and was promoted to co-chairman of Sony Pictures four years later.
In Sony's entertainment division, Amy Pascal was the second most powerful figure and the highest-ranking female executive among Hollywood's Big Six.
"It means that Sony and its partnered investors are willing to let MGM and Capet Pictures merge into a new company, led by Capet Pictures!" Amy Pascal explained.
Donna Langley chuckled, "Why would Charles take over the heavily indebted MGM? Capet Entertainment is such a premium asset, you know that."
"We can help MGM regain a position in the MPAA, plus the brand influence and enormous library, doesn't Capet Pictures find it tempting?" Amy Pascal asked, staring at Donna Langley.
Donna Langley furrowed her brows. The benefits of acquiring MGM were obvious: it could quickly become an MPAA member and leverage MGM's global influence to establish an international distribution network rapidly. Furthermore, MGM's massive film library could indeed spark Charles Capet's interest.
"Only Charles can make that decision!" Donna Langley said, taking a sip of her drink.
*****
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