After the rating audit for saw was handed over to Focus Features, Charles was relieved, and James Wan would also make revisions to ensure the film met the R-rating standard for release.
As for refusing a long-term partnership with Universal, it was simply because he didn't want to become a nominal label for Universal, even though being a nominal label would free him from worrying about funding and distribution.
It was like Tom Cruise's Cruise/Wagner Productions' partnership with Paramount, or Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment's partnership with Warner Bros.
There were some differences; it should be said it was similar to Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney, helping to develop film projects, earning profits, and not taking risks.
Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Rudin, these golden producers of Hollywood, were not Charles's goals.
"Boss, Ms. Lauren Weisberger and her Agent have arrived at the company," Donna reported.
"Take them to the reception room," Charles wanted to acquire the film adaptation rights for the devil wears prada and needed to negotiate.
Lauren Weisberger was only 25 or 26 this year, having graduated only two or three years ago, a new novelist.
Hearing that Capet Pictures hoped to adapt the devil wears prada, she was, of course, supportive; there was no reason not to be.
Charles didn't waste much time and discussed with her Agent to purchase the film adaptation rights for the devil wears prada for $1.45 million.
However, Capet Pictures first signed an option agreement with Lauren Weisberger for a $150,000 deposit. If Capet Pictures did not develop the novel within three years of its publication, the author would have the right to re-license it to other film production companies.
Within three years, Charles could choose to spend $1.45 million to purchase the adaptation rights or simply not develop it and lose the $150,000 deposit.
With the agreement settled, both parties were pleased.
Charles's price was not low, but since the novel was not yet published, the other party's Agent would certainly ask for an appropriate price.
The three-year option was also requested by the other party's Agent, as workplace-themed films currently did not have a very large market.
However, Charles had a more important matter: which of the three films to collaborate on with Universal Pictures should be the first project?
the departed or mr. & mrs. smith both seemed viable, but the infernal affairs series filmed in Hong Kong had its second installment released this year, with a third coming next year.
So, Charles planned to present the mr. & mrs. smith project for Universal's audit, then directly develop the remake of the departed. As for the third film, Charles still had the script for wedding crashers.
It was a romantic comedy; he wondered if Universal Pictures would accept it.
Los Angeles, Hollywood, Universal City.
Since Vivendi acquired Universal, film performance had not improved much, and high debt also made Vivendi uncomfortable.
Subsidiary Universal Pictures was now very much looking forward to the film market. Vivendi and General Electric, which owned NBC, one of the three major US broadcast television networks, were discussing the acquisition of Universal's film and entertainment group.
Universal Pictures' ceo Ronald Meyer had been in charge of Universal since 1995, and now Universal was once again facing a change of ownership.
In the office, Head of Production Donna Langley was discussing the collaboration with Capet Pictures with Ronald Meyer.
"A budget of over $100 million? Charles Capet is only 21 this year, isn't he?" How could Ronald Meyer not be surprised?
"He's only developed two films, and with extremely low budgets, they've brought back astonishing box office returns. lost in translation, distributed in North America by Focus Features, grossed over $6 million!" Donna Langley couldn't help but admire him.
"Unfortunately, Capet Pictures sold both overseas distribution and DVD distribution to Sony Columbia Pictures," Ronald Meyer also sighed.
"By the way, what are Stacey Snider and Adam Ferguson's opinions?" Ronald Meyer asked again.
Stacey Snider was currently the President of Universal Pictures, one of Hollywood's top female executives, second only to Paramount chairman Sherry Lansing and Sony Columbia chairman Amy Pascal.
However, Universal Pictures President Stacey Snider's reputation was clearly not as prominent as Sherry Lansing's and Amy Pascal's.
Adam Ferguson was the Head of Marketing for Universal Pictures, on the same level as Donna Langley; both were Executive Vice Presidents of Universal Pictures.
"Stacey highly rates Charles, but she remains skeptical about a budget exceeding $100 million, unless Capet Pictures can first invest at least half of the budget, and then Universal Pictures joins in."
"Adam believes we should wait for the release of saw to see its performance. We could first let Capet Pictures develop a medium-budget production as the start of our collaboration!"
Donna Langley's meaning was clear: everyone believed they shouldn't miss out on collaborating with Charles Capet.
"A three-film contract, with Capet Pictures responsible for at least half of the budget. His terms indeed prove he is very confident," Ronald Meyer had no objections.
"Then we'll wait for saw to be released to see if he succeeds again. At that time, you can have him bring over that medium-budget film project first!"
"If he can raise $40-50 million in investment budget, a project over $100 million can also be considered."
A budget over $100 million would definitely be a commercial blockbuster. With Universal Pictures' operational capabilities, overseas pre-sales combined with mortgage loans from budget contracts could fully raise funds from overseas and banks.
Coupled with Capet Pictures' capital, Universal would not have much investment at all; it just depended on whether the project Capet Pictures presented was attractive.
"However, Charles requested that for the new films we collaborate on, we can only collect a 10% distribution commission!"
"If Charles can indeed have three consecutive blockbuster films, a 10% distribution commission is what he deserves!"
Ronald Meyer was unfazed. For a brave person who makes films with his own capital, risk and reward are certainly proportional.
"By the way, Capet Pictures seems to have invested in the passion of the christ!" Donna Langley reminded him again.
"First brokeback mountain, then the passion of the christ. Charles Capet's vision is indeed extraordinary," Ronald Meyer shook his head.
"Don't worry about this. Universal Pictures certainly won't distribute the passion of the christ. It's just a film Capet Pictures invested in themselves. The impact of this film is too great; we don't need to get involved!"
Universal Pictures had no obligation to help him distribute films, especially a controversial film that offends judaism.
Didn't Hollywood usually have one religious film flop after another?
"Okay, I'll find an opportunity to finalize the collaboration agreement with Charles Capet," Donna Langley actually preferred Charles to focus on romance films, as he had already succeeded with two.
Why insist on making commercial blockbusters with budgets over $100 million? Weren't low-budget romance films good enough?