"Kazir, when will the sequel to 'napoleon dynamite' start filming?" Tom Rothman asked with an expectant look.
"Tom, relax a bit, the script still needs a lot of polishing!" Kazier Gray was seriously discussing the sequel with Tom Rothman.
At this point, the 5% share of the North America box office had successfully arrived, and the bank had even sent a notification, so Kazir was naturally aware of it.
Out of respect for Tom, Kazir decided to be honest about his thoughts: "Tom, to tell you the truth, I don't want to direct this sequel."
"I knew it!"
Tom Rothman sighed helplessly, then leaned back in his chair, looking a bit tired.
He knew all too well that many directors didn't like making sequels.
Take Spielberg, for example; he never touched 'Jaws 2' or its subsequent sequels. And Wes Craven also didn't get involved with the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' sequels, even detesting them, believing that making sequels would dilute the soul of the film.
Speaking of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' it had a bunch of sequels that almost turned it into a comedy, completely losing its original flavor.
However, 'napoleon dynamite' was different from those films.
"Kazir, you have to understand, this film can't do without you. You can name your conditions for Fox Searchlight Pictures—seven million in pay, plus a 10% share of the North America box office, how about it?" Tom felt these conditions were tempting enough and believed Kazir would seriously consider them.
"Tom, honestly, I have to decline. I'm currently working on other films!" Kazir said firmly.
"Are you talking about that script everyone's buzzing about? Kazir, 'ted' is still up in the air; you need to think carefully!" Tom tried to persuade Kazir.
Kazir just smiled and said nothing more.
He was actually quite conflicted—he wanted to make 'ted,' but also wanted to create that grand "cinematic universe." He especially wanted to be the first person to successfully create a cinematic universe.
"Once 'the hangover' is settled, I hope you can give me a definite answer." Tom still held a glimmer of hope.
"Thanks, Tom."
The two shook hands amicably, and then Kazir left the 20th Century Fox building.
After meeting Tom, Kazir went directly to Warner Bros. headquarters and walked straight into the editing room.
"Morning, Kazir."
"It's a pleasure, Mr. Hamilton."
"Just call me Brody, no need to be so formal."
The man in front of him was Brody Hamilton, 36 years old, one of Warner Bros.'s editors.
Warner Bros. had given Kazir complete creative control over 'the hangover,' but required them to use their own people for editing—after all, no company would let outsiders touch post-production; that was already standard practice.
Kazir's previous editor had worked out quite well, and he understood this rule, so he didn't raise any objections.
He was already quite satisfied to have editing rights.
"Let's begin!"
Without further pleasantries, the two walked directly into the editing room and began to immerse themselves in intense work.
Post-production was a crucial part of filmmaking.
Kazir had shot over 800 minutes of footage this time, and he needed to cut out all the NG shots, then select the best takes from each scene, cleverly string them together into a complete story, and finally compress it to about 100 minutes.
This sounded simple, but in reality, post-production usually took over a month, and if it was a film with special effects, it could even take half a year.
"Are you sure he's coming here?" Cassandra anxiously asked her informant.
"That's what I heard. Alright, my job is done; the rest is up to you." The informant led her to the agreed location and then left in a hurry.
Cassandra heard that Kazir was going to buy a suit because he was attending the premiere of 'twister.'
She carefully adjusted her clothes in the mirror, and even deliberately pushed up her chest, wanting to make her cleavage more prominent, hoping to attract Kazir's attention.
"Good morning." A sales assistant greeted her with a smile, and seeing her attire, didn't try to shoo her away.
Cassandra glanced at the dresses in the store and noticed there were no price tags.
However, just by looking at the styles of these dresses, she knew each one must cost tens of thousands.
She knew her credit card was already maxed out, and she was still deep in debt! Looking at these expensive clothes, her palms started to sweat.
The sales assistant saw her expression, pursed her lips, and knew perfectly well that this was definitely not a customer here to buy anything.
"Madam, perhaps you should leave!" The sales assistant said impolitely.
"No, no need, I'm waiting for someone, he'll be here soon..." Cassandra hurriedly explained.
"Good morning, sir, good morning, madam."
At that moment, a couple walked in, and another sales assistant quickly went to greet them.
Just then, Kazir and Reese walked in, Reese intimately holding Kazir's arm, the two of them flirting and teasing each other now and then.
"You pick first." Kazir said gently.
"Thank you." Reese smiled and kissed Kazir's cheek, her face beaming with happiness.
Cassandra in the distance was utterly stunned; there was a woman by Kazir's side!
And this woman was so beautiful!
What made her unable to look away even more was Kazir himself; his beard was neatly trimmed, he was so handsome it was infuriating, his stomach was gone, his body had become well-proportioned, and he exuded an aura of hormones!
She suddenly remembered why she married him in the first place—because of his handsome face and that confident demeanor.
The man in front of her was simply impossibly perfect—handsome, confident, successful.
Cassandra inexplicably swallowed, her cheeks flushed.
She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and waved at Kazir: "Husband..."
But before she could finish speaking, Kazir and Reese walked past her, not even lifting an eyelid, as if she were a stranger.
"Madam, perhaps you should leave!" The sales assistant's words pulled Cassandra back to reality.
She never expected Kazir to completely ignore her.
As she walked out of the suit store, her heart felt heavy and sour, as if she had lost some precious treasure.