"You said there's a good script?" Nicole Kidman asked Charles.
Charles nodded and explained, "It's a genre film about vampires and werewolves, unlike Universal Pictures' previous vampire and werewolf films. It's a gothic dark style."
"Artistically, there's nothing special; it's a commercial film, somewhat similar to the live-action resident evil movie that was just adapted from a game this year and will be released next year."
Speaking of game adaptations, lara croft: tomb raider, released last year, was the most successful, and its sequel has already been filmed and is awaiting release next year.
Nicole Kidman pondered for a while. She was feeling a bit ambitious now and wanted to produce her own film.
"Give me the proposal to look at later. I'll get back to you after I've read it."
Charles nodded and then left.
"This Charles Capet, he's young and ambitious!" Nicole Kidman complained to her friend Naomi.
"Perhaps he really sees its potential!" Naomi shrugged, "Are you interested too?"
Nicole Kidman nodded and laughed, "I am indeed interested in investing in films now. A New Zealand director, Jane Campion, acquired the adaptation rights to a novel a few years ago and turned it into a script. She's been hoping I'd play the lead actress, so I invested, but I didn't play the lead actress."
"The scale was too big. Meg Ryan is currently seeking a career change and accepted the offer for the lead role."
"Investing in movies can easily lose money," Naomi still worried.
"It's a low-budget film, with a production budget of ten million dollars. Jane Campion is also a director who shot The Piano and won the palme d'or at Cannes, so she has some capability!"
Nicole Kidman had been Mrs. Cruise for over ten years and had accumulated some wealth, no less than fifty or sixty million dollars. Besides, she wasn't fully funding the production herself.
On the other side, Charles asked Len Wiseman to give the script proposal to Nicole Kidman first, and then just wait for her response.
Soon, Len Wiseman gave the prepared proposal to Charles.
"The script is almost done, along with the storyboards and various command codes," Charles flipped through it. It seemed this editor was eager to direct his first film.
After the script was given to Nicole Kidman, Charles and Len Wiseman did not receive a reply from her until after the New Year.
It wasn't until after the 2002 Golden Globe Awards that moulin rouge! won the Golden Globe for best picture – Musical or Comedy, Best actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and Best Original Score.
With Nicole Kidman basking in glory, Charles and Len Wiseman arrived at Sony Entertainment headquarters in Culver City, Los Angeles.
Mubao Pictures is a film label under Sony specifically for producing and distributing non-mainstream B-movies like horror and thrillers.
The distributor for Cutting, which Nicole Kidman produced, was Mubao Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony.
Outside the office of Mubao Pictures' president.
"Charles, this is Peter Schlessel, the president of Mubao Pictures. Mubao Pictures is interested in the underworld script," Nicole Kidman informed Charles. After all, she wasn't interested in underworld herself, so she helped pass it on to Mubao Pictures.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Charles was absolutely sincere, as Mubao Pictures was a distribution company, which solved the most crucial part of the film.
"Wiseman, perform well later!" Charles had been with Len Wiseman a lot recently, and Capet Pictures was also deeply involved.
"Understood," Len Wiseman certainly knew that the next step was to convince Peter Schlessel how much Mubao Pictures would invest.
"Sir, the vampires in our story are different from previous ones, involving genetics..."
Charles also listened from the side. He had to admit that Len Wiseman's speaking skills were quite good, especially as he came from an art background; the character command codes were indeed somewhat appealing.
Peter Schlessel listened and asked questions, finally nodding and saying, "Not bad. Mubao Pictures can distribute this film, but can only contribute 5 million dollars as production costs!"
"5 million dollars!" Len Wiseman and Charles had different feelings. One thought they finally had an investor, while the other thought they still needed to find more investors.
"Sir," Charles suddenly spoke after Len Wiseman finished, "We've found Kate Beckinsale to play the lead actress, Selene!"
"Kate Beckinsale?" Not only was Peter Schlessel surprised, but Len Wiseman was even more dumbfounded. When did this happen?
"Kate Beckinsale agreed to star?" Peter Schlessel asked.
Charles nodded, "We are very confident we can persuade her to play the lead actress!"
"If Kate Beckinsale agrees to star as the lead actress in the film, Mubao Pictures' investment will increase to 10 million dollars!" Peter Schlessel decided.
After Len Wiseman and Charles left Sony Pictures Studios together, they still looked puzzled.
However, Charles was too lazy to explain. The focus now was to secure Kate Beckinsale. Whether it was recruiting other actors or continuing to attract investment, her name was needed.
"Wiseman, let's divide the work. I'll go with my mother to see Kate Beckinsale. You go find support from film investment companies like Constantin Film and Village Roadshow Pictures. The production budget for underworld needs at least 20 million dollars," Charles said.