บท 952: Chapter 954: Issues of Power
[Chapter 954: Issues of Power]
Miramax had consistently performed exceptionally well in recent years, and Fox was absolutely reluctant to part ways with the Weinstein brothers.
Elisabeth frowned, considering for a moment, and then said to Eric in the back seat, "I think Fox could support Harvey in developing big-budget films, as long as they are commercial, right?"
"Harvey's business mindset has already been confined to art films. Without even discussing whether he would succeed in the big-budget commercial film realm, how do you intend to balance the relationship between 20th Century Fox and Miramax if he does succeed?"
Elisabeth countered, "Isn't New Line also starting to produce high-budget films? How did you handle that?"
"Firefly Group has always been very clear about New Line's positioning, focusing primarily on mid-to-low-budget genre films, which can be either commercial or artistic. New Line's average production cost for films has remained below $20 million over the years. The high-budget films you mentioned are undoubtedly the Bad Boys series and the Rush Hour series, each of which had a budget of around $20 to $30 million for their first installments. The increase in costs for sequels due to commercial success is inevitable but merely an exception that has not altered New Line's strategic direction."
"Since Harvey harbors such ambitions, doesn't Kenneth Horne, who oversees New Line, also have an interest in directly participating in big productions?"
Eric shook his head and replied, "New Line's global box office exceeded $1 billion two years ago, and it reached the same figure last year. The combined global box office for all films released by various labels under Sony Pictures was just $1.27 billion this year. Comparatively, simply New Line's box office performance is already nearly catching up with one of the major seven studios in Hollywood. Moreover, Kenneth Horne manages the entire production and distribution system at New Line, which grants him more power than the heads of departments at either Firefly or Buena Vista International. So why would he have any grievances? At the end of the day, it's a matter of power: Firefly can offer Kenneth Horne a big pond, whereas Fox can only provide Harvey a swimming pool."
Although Elisabeth knew Eric spoke the truth, she still shot him an unhappy glance.
All Eric could offer her were suggestions; the choices ultimately remained with them. When he initially placed the control of FFM television firmly in the hands of Firefly Group, he largely considered the possibility of Fox splitting from Miramax. If such a scenario unfolded, the collaboration between FFM and the Weinsteins would likely remain unaffected.
Ignoring the faint look of annoyance on Elisabeth's face, Eric casually asked, "I haven't seen your old man in a while. In this kind of setting, he should really make an appearance, right?"
"My dad is in Asia," Elisabeth answered, not bothering to modify how Eric referred to her father. "The headquarters for Star Entertainment is in Hong Kong. After the handover last year, my dad intended to build good relations with China and see if he could expand the business there."
For some reason, when Eric heard this, a woman's image immediately surfaced in his mind. He wondered if Murdoch would still face challenges this time around.
Elisabeth shot a glance in the rearview mirror, noticing Eric's strange, half-amused expression, and skeptically asked, "What kind of twisted thoughts are you having? Your expression is so weird."
"I'm such an innocent person, how could I..."
"Ah, come on!"
Eric exaggeratedly sighed, bending down to look at Julia, who was fervently playing with the button on his shirt, repeatedly unbuttoning and rebuttoning it. "Sweetheart, do you think I'm a good person?"
"No," Julia honestly shook her head, then looked up at Eric with eager anticipation.
Eric cleverly continued, "Well, only liars get punished, you know."
"Okay," Julia quickly changed her stance without any shame.
Eric playfully patted Julia on the buttocks and said, "Good girl."
"I can't take this anymore," Elisabeth remarked disdainfully as she glanced in the rearview mirror. "Eric, I think you really should hire a psychologist for Julia."
Before Eric could respond, Julia quickly restored her usual tone and retorted, "I don't want a psychologist."
Elisabeth was about to say more when she noticed Julia burying her head in Eric's chest, plugging her ears as if playing ostrich. With a glare at Eric through the rearview mirror, Elisabeth decided to drop the topic.
...
Back at the Liberty City mansion, Elisabeth parked the car, and Eric tapped Julia, who still had her head buried in his embrace. "We're home. Get out. We'll continue punishing your little lie from earlier."
Julia lifted her head and wrapped her arms around Eric's waist, saying, "Eric, carry me inside."
"Liz will get jealous," Eric chuckled, "Choose another route; how about I piggyback you?"
"Okay."
The front passenger, Elisabeth, grabbed her and Julia's bags before stepping out of the car. Watching Julia drop her high heels and jump onto Eric's back like a little girl, she curiously asked, "Why do you think it's okay for you to carry her, and I won't get jealous?"
Eric carried Julia's lightweight frame toward the villa without answering, saying only, "As long as you don't have a reason to be jealous, it's all good."
Elisabeth pouted as she playfully swatted Julia's backside.
However, Julia wasn't upset at all; she leaned closer to Eric and whispered something in his ear.
With a smile, Eric turned his head and kissed her cheek, while warning, "You absolutely can't call me that in front of others."
Julia laughed softly, "I wouldn't, I'm not stupid."
Seeing the two converse in whispers, Elisabeth suddenly realized something and scoffed, "You two are perverts."
"Hehe," Julia chuckled and glanced up at Elisabeth. "Liz, how about we play role-playing later?"
Elisabeth blushed slightly, declaring, "I've decided to sleep by myself tonight, far away from you two."
"Then you go sleep," Julia said, resting her chin on Eric's shoulder. "Eric, I'm hungry. You have to make me a late-night snack."
"Sure, how about I make you Croque? It's my specialty, something most people can't get."
"Hmm."
"Who eats that kind of thing in the middle of the night, aren't you afraid of gaining weight?" Elisabeth asked. "Also, Eric, I remember your dad used to be an Italian chef. Why are you making French food?"
Eric touched Julia's smooth cheek and said, "Sweetheart, give her a reason."
Immediately, Julia stubbornly shot back, "Mind your own business!"
"I'm telling you off."
This time, Elisabeth directly raised her hand and lightly slapped Julia's behind.
...
Early the next morning, after working out, Eric took a shower and walked into the dining room, where a stack of newspapers awaited him. Elisabeth and Julia were busy in the kitchen.
As Eric picked up a copy of the Los Angeles Times and opened it, the two women came in bearing breakfast.
Glancing at the vegetable salad in front of him, Eric quipped, "Come on, I'm a man! Only eating this will starve me."
Elisabeth poured a glass of juice and placed it before Eric, saying, "We had such high-calorie food last night; of course, we need to diet today. You too. If someday you balloon up, neither Julia nor I will let you through the door."
Eric sipped his juice and remarked, "That's discrimination against fat people."
"Absolutely, it is discrimination," Elisabeth unabashedly shot him a glare as she pulled out a chair and sat down. "Eric, I've been thinking; I plan to have an open conversation with Harvey regarding the project, The Horse Whisperer. Fox will back it, but the budget absolutely cannot exceed $50 million. Moving forward, Miramax's budget for films will need to stick to this standard."
"That's great! Much better than letting the pressure build up until it explodes," Eric nodded with a smile. "But wait, we were busy all night last night; when did you even consider this?"
Remembering that the three of them had eaten the late-night meal Eric made and didn't sleep until around one in the morning, Elisabeth shot Eric a bashful look. "Just now."
"Of course," Eric said matter-of-factly.
Elisabeth grabbed her fork and began eating her salad, soon adding, "By the way, I just remembered something else. If Fox and Harvey really do part ways, what happens to FFM television?"
"The reason I originally placed FFM television under Firefly Group was largely due to this consideration. Even if Harvey leaves Fox to go solo, as long as you all don't reach a point of no return, his position at FFM won't be affected."
Elisabeth was aware that the Weinsteins were pragmatic individuals. Hearing Eric say so, she let go of her concerns.
Eric observed Julia, who was taking small bites of her salad, and asked, "What about you? Have you settled on your next film?"
Julia looked up and responded, "I had almost finalized a script with Working Title in the UK, planning for Fox to handle global distribution. However, Working Title is a film company under PolyGram. Recently, Seagram asked Working Title to hand over the distribution rights for all its films to Universal, so I pulled out."
Eric, momentarily recalling something, asked, "What's the film called?"
"Notting Hill," Julia replied. "It's a romantic comedy set in London, with Hugh Grant confirmed as the male lead. After I decided not to audition, they seem to be contacting Meg Ryan and Claudia Schiffer."
"Skipping it is for the best. You should try out different types of films," Eric nodded when he realized it was that 'absurd' film.
However, Elisabeth, hearing Eric say that, let out a playful hum of discontent. Mentioning Hugh Grant brought to mind his previous girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley.
Two years ago, Eric had cast Elizabeth Hurley in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery when she was still going out with Hugh Grant. Elisabeth didn't believe for a second that Eric had no connection with Hurley.
Confused, Eric asked, "What's with the humming?"
"I suddenly regret my previous decision."
"It's okay; regretting every now and then can motivate someone to keep pushing forward."
Elisabeth playfully waved her fork at Eric and said, "You jerk! I mean, that initial offer for Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, you swapped it for Final Destination. Now Final Destination has had two releases, each grossing over a hundred million worldwide. The first Austin Powers hardly brought in the same at the North American box office, both around $50 million, but it only made $13 million overseas -- there's just no market. Now Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is practically done. I've seen the previews, and it's not much different from the first, yet the budget is up to $30 million. I'm starting to worry if it can break even."
Despite Elisabeth explaining, Eric understood what she was thinking earlier.
He had wanted Elizabeth Hurley to play a role in Sex and the City, but due to Candace Bushnell's objections, the original cast remained intact, so he had pushed Hurley into the Austin Powers set for the lead role.
When Elisabeth heard Julia mention Hugh Grant, she clearly recalled this matter.
With Elisabeth bringing up Austin Powers, Eric smiled, "How about we make a trade back?"
Just moments prior, Elisabeth had been worried about Austin Powers' box office, but now she instinctively felt defensive. "No trade."
"Then never mind," Eric shrugged.
Elisabeth blinked, then switched her stance. "Alright, I'll trade. You give me the production budget for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and the rights to Final Destination, and that almost finished project is yours."
"I'm having second thoughts," Eric shook his head, popping a piece of salad into his mouth leisurely. "So you see, opportunities are fleeting."
Julia immediately burst into giggles at his misfortune.
Elisabeth clenched her fists and playfully punched Eric's shoulder. "You jerk! I'll bite you."
"Liz," Eric said with a smirk, "Let's have a proper discussion about this tonight."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง