In a coffee shop on Universal City Plaza Avenue in Hollywood.
"Donna, I am sincerely inviting you to manage Cape Entertainment. Currently, there are too many film and television projects, and the overall management and operation of the company are taking up too much of my time," Charles formally invited Donna Langley, Executive Vice President of Universal, to join Cape Entertainment as President.
Donna Langley smiled slightly. mr. & mrs. smith has now grossed over $100 million in North America, and over $200 million in overseas markets!
"Two years ago, when you and Focus Features discussed the distribution of the films Saw and Brokeback Mountain, that was our first meeting, wasn't it?" Donna Langley sighed with emotion.
"At that time, I wanted to sign a long-term film cooperation agreement with you, but you disagreed and only signed a three-year, three-film distribution contract with us."
"Now, the first film has just been released, and you're already trying to poach me from Universal to your film company."
Charles nodded and smiled, "Stacey Snider has confirmed she will be leaving Universal to join DreamWorks to assist Steven Spielberg."
"General Electric's positioning of NBCUniversal doesn't quite align with Universal's own development!"
Stacey Snider is currently the President of Universal Pictures and will leave when her contract expires next year to join DreamWorks as President.
Donna Langley was, of course, aware of the changes within Universal. She looked at Charles and asked somewhat seriously, "What do you plan to develop Cape Entertainment into? Many people can't understand why you spent such a huge sum to acquire Marvel Company."
"I also support high-concept films with big productions, big promotions, big stars, and big marketing. However, I am more optimistic about the future of special effects blockbusters. Marvel Company is a treasure; I just discovered it ahead of time!" Charles said with a calm demeanor.
"So, Marvel Studios developing iron man and Thor isn't just a plan; you're really going to develop them yourself?" Donna Langley was quite surprised.
"The disastrous failure of hulk doesn't seem to have affected you!"
Charles thought for a moment and smiled, "Marvel Studios' positioning for films is family-friendly popcorn movies, focusing on special effects and spectacle, without needing to add too much art and intellectual content."
Donna Langley nodded. This was clearly a path of pure commercialization.
"Charles, I am very grateful for your invitation, and this is also an acknowledgment of my abilities. However, I still need some time to consider it. After all, I have worked at Universal for quite some years," Donna Langley also had her own ambitions and considerations. Whether to continue as usual at Universal or to take a leap and join Cape Entertainment required serious thought.
Charles nodded and smiled, "Of course, everyone has their own career plans, but I still hope to work with you and lead Cape Entertainment forward!"
"Okay!"
Afterward, Charles stood up and shook hands with Donna Langley.
"Let's go," after Donna Langley left, Charles also had to take Phyllis Jones back to the company.
Sitting in the business car, Charles casually picked up a newspaper to read.
On the large front page, there was a huge photo of Tom Cruise forcefully kissing Steven Spielberg's cheek.
"What the hell? Wasn't last night the New York premiere of war of the worlds? And they even kissed?" Charles asked Phyllis Jones, who was sitting next to him.
"This was Tom Cruise directly kissing Spielberg's face at the premiere last night. Anyway, everything Tom Cruise has done recently has been unexpected and bizarre," Phyllis Jones said with an expression that suggested he shouldn't be surprised.
"Spielberg was both angry and embarrassed!"
"First jumping on sofas, then the shouting match, and now a forced kiss," Charles shook his head.
"mission: impossible iii is about to start filming, isn't it? Isn't he worried it will affect his collaboration with Paramount?"
"I don't know. Anyway, Tom Cruise's series of neurotic behaviors has become a topic of casual conversation for countless people after meals," Phyllis Jones believed it must be Tom Cruise's religious beliefs.
"Paramount's PR department is probably scrambling to deal with Tom Cruise's recent series of crisis PR issues," Charles said, putting down the newspaper. After all, Tom Cruise's Cruise/Wagner Productions was Paramount's closest partner.
Tom Cruise's films have provided 15% of Paramount's box office for over ten years!
"By the way, Boss, do you have a candidate for the supporting actress in the departed? The actress needs to join the crew for filming in August."
"The psychologist in the departed?" Charles leaned back in his chair, thinking.
"Kate Beckinsale, I think. Her age and acting skills are quite suitable!"
Kate Beckinsale only has one film, click, this year, and the resources she can get are becoming fewer and fewer.
However, Kate Beckinsale had never asked Charles for any roles, but Charles certainly couldn't treat her poorly.
Phyllis Jones nodded. If Charles Capet said Kate Beckinsale was suitable, then whether she was suitable or not, she had to be suitable.
"After Saw III, the director for the fourth film is changing. James Wan seems to have a new idea with his friend, and Universal is supporting him in developing a new film," James Wan had previously signed a three-film contract with Matrix Pictures, and the Saw trilogy had been completed.
"The director for Saw IV, which is set to be released next year, is changing, right?" Charles said, reaching his hand into the Lady's dress and caressing her thigh.
"It's a new director, Darren Lynn Bousman. Matrix Pictures' budget is $9 million," Phyllis Jones continued to explain. Although the production budget for Saw III was $12 million, a significant portion of that was the director's salary.
The production cost of Saw I was only $1.5 million at the time; then Saw II was $5 million; and Saw III was $12 million!
James Wan is a good director, but not very suitable as a producer. If Charles remembered correctly, Universal's collaboration with James Wan was for Dead Silence, a horror film that failed at the box office.
The insidious series and The Conjuring Universe series are no less significant than the Saw series. Charles also knows the plots. The script for insidious can be written by Leigh Whannell, James Wan's screenwriter friend; The Conjuring story seems to be based on a real event from the 70s, so it will take time to find someone to get authorization and adapt it!
"Matrix Pictures' collaboration with James Wan has been very pleasant and harmonious. I believe if he has any new ideas, he will collaborate with Matrix Pictures again," At that time, they would sign several more film contracts with James Wan!
The Saw series distributed by Matrix Pictures is now Cape Entertainment's trump card.