Hollywood What If

Chapter 52

There are many reasons why movie companies like PG-13 movies. 

Movies can sell more tickets if they are rated PG-13 or lower. Families prefer to see a movie that their children can enjoy. 

This was one of the reasons why Disney became the strongest movie company for the next three decades. They used this advantage to take over their competitors. 

Some Warner Bros shareholders hope that The Hangover will be rated PG-13. Because it would be more profitable.

Of course, R-rated can be profitable too. Se7en, which was just released in North America, made more than $400 million worldwide. That was a huge profit for a R-Rated thriller suspense film. 

But The Hangover was not a thriller suspense, it was a comedy. So they hoped to convince Kazir Grey to change the script.

Unfortunately, Kazir Grey was firm in his decision. It was written in the contract that he had full authority over the creation of The Hangover. Even the right to edit was his alone. 

So they decided to keep their mouths shut and let Kazir do his job. 

"John, are you sure about this?"

"Ed, the WMA wants the best for you. Can't you see that? If they agree to $3 million, that will be your salary."

John and Enrico negotiated the salary down to 3 million dollars. But Enrico was still not satisfied. He felt that hiring Ed Helms for that amount of money was not worth it. 

"..."

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Ed Helms felt that 3 million dollars was a good amount. But he knew damn well that he was not worth that amount. At least not now. 

As for his agent, John Harris, the agent wanted to fight for a higher salary. After all, 10% of that amount would be his commission. 

"I understand. But I can agree with 1.5 million, you don't have to fight for more. I don't want to interfere with the shooting schedule of the movie."

Two weeks were left before shooting officially began. 

Except for Ed Helms, all the actors had already signed contracts. 

"Alright."

To be honest, John Harris didn't know why WMA was asking him to make trouble for the project. 

Still, it was an order from the top. He had to carry it out. 

'Of course I want Ed to be in the cast. But I'm looking for more money. That's my duty as an agent.'

He was not wrong... Agents are known in the industry as leeches. They will demand a higher salary, which will also increase the production cost. 

In fact, the main reason for the increase in production costs was the actors' salaries. 

While agent John Harris and producer Enrico Pusi were engaged in a tug of war, Salvatore Barlowe went to Kazir's office. 

Since Kazir had started a studio company that was currently shooting The Hangover, Kazir spent most of his time in the office polishing the script and storyboard. 

He didn't even go back to his apartment that week. He slept and ate at his office. It was almost as if his office was his bedroom.

When Salvatore entered the office, he was surprised to find so much rubbish on the floor. 

'Dozens of sketches and many cup noddles... This is a terrible scene. '

'I know that some creative people are like this, but it's still a sight to see,' Salvatore thought.

He found Kazir tapping away at his keyboard. 

"How was it?"

"I got it."

"Phew, that's good to hear. I thought it would take a while."

"Well, Alan Shayne Productions wanted to sell it for $3 million, so I didn't hesitate. You said that this copyright is important."

Salvatore Barlowe placed the documents on the table. 

Kazir read only a few words

"Bourne Identity."

After realizing that Tom Cruise had bought the film version of Mission: Impossible, Kazir decided to buy the Bourne franchise before it was too late.

'No one thinks this movie is going to be a huge success.'

"Kazir, I can't think of any reason why you would want to buy the rights to adapt this novel. A 3 million dollars at that. Do you want to make an action movie?"

Alan Shayne Productions bought the film rights of The Bourne Identity in the 80s. They even made a TV movie, but it didn't end well. 

Since then, the movie rights of Bourne Identity stayed in their film libraries for many years. 

Bourne Identity is actually a famous novel from the 80s. It's one of the founders of the spy novel. 

But because novels and comics are losing their power after digitalization, many people have already forgotten about the Bourne Identity.

"That's right. If things go well, maybe I can do an action movie next year. I've been dreaming about doing an action movie all my life."

"... Are you sure you can do it?"

Salvatore was skeptical. As his agent, Salvatore hoped Kazir would stay in his comfort zone. 

Shooting a comedy and an action movie is very different. An action film is much more complicated. 

"Don't worry, Salvatore, I'm not going to do The Bourne Identity for the next three years. I have something to experiment with"

Of all the scripts he had written, one had a very small budget. He was confident that he could make it with his own money... If he had to. 

"I just hope you know what you're doing."

From the moment he first spoke with Kazir, Salvatore knew that Kazir was impossible to control. 

Well, not that he complained. 

3% of the $2.5 million Kazir received went into his pocket. 

It might look small, but it was only the beginning. He knew he would get more from Kazir. 

In fact, because of his connection to Director Grey, Salvatore was able to get his client a role. 

This was exactly why agents like to have a director under them. Because their actors would always have a job.  /Puji_maki