Hollywood Road

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Throughout the awards season until now, everyone knows that "Inglourious Basterds" will not be the biggest hit at the Oscars, but it is definitely one of the best movies last year.

Among the top ten movies of 2008 selected by The Hollywood Reporter, “Inglourious Basterds” was on the list, and it was also included in the “Empire” magazine’s top ten list, and it was also the top 20 of the year selected by Roger Albert. One of the best films, ranked sixth in the top ten most influential films of the year announced by the BBC.

If "Inglourious Basterds" now has a North American box office of 212,600,000 US dollars and a global box office of 422.71 million US dollars, they represent the choices of many viewers, then these prove the professional reputation of the film.

Although "Inglourious Basterds" did not win many awards during the awards season, it was not nothing. Christopher Waltz won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Colonel Hanslanda. In the just-concluded Los Angeles Film Critics At the People’s Association Awards, "Inglourious Basterds" also won two awards for Best Director and Best Picture.

Therefore, although this film is not the most popular of Oscars, it is also recognized as one of the films with a high probability of appearing on the nomination list.

In mid-January, 2009, the nominees luncheon for the 81st Oscars was held at the Regent Hotel on Wehill Street in Beverly Hills. Murphy did not attend the nominees luncheon because of the threat of bullet letters and replaced him. Bill Rossis, who was present, received good news just after the luncheon.

"Inglourious Basterds" won a total of eight nominations for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Photography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound Effects, and Best Sound Editing.

However, Murphy is very clear that it is okay for this film to hit individual awards that are not very important, but due to the subject matter, it is basically hopeless to make a difference in the best film and best director awards.

The "Slumdog Millionaire" that has almost swept the award season is the real hit. This film is said to have spent nearly 15 million US dollars on the public relations promotion of the award season. If this film does not get the heavyweight in the end For awards, the producers and distributors are really going to cry on the street at a loss.

Sometimes, Oscars are still fair, and only how much input can produce much output.

With the announcement of the Oscar nomination list, Murphy has achieved his goal of accumulating qualifications for himself. Because there is basically no hope for getting the best director, he temporarily put the Oscar matter aside and turned to Leonardo, who expressed his hope to cooperate- DiCaprio is about to start negotiations.

Before the start of the negotiations, Murphy had already given the disclosure of the project to Carla Fess. With his current reputation and achievements, there is no surprise. After the 20th Century Fox has gone through the routine procedures, the same will be the case. Investors and issuers.

Bill Rossis and Leonardo DiCaprio’s agents currently have several contacts, Murphy’s Stanton studio and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company exist There are many disagreements, many of which cannot be resolved by the agent, and the two of them need to negotiate in person.

As Murphy knows, Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company has been investing in the films he participated in in recent years, including several projects he collaborated with Martin Scorsese. To put it simply, the directors of these projects are all tools Leonardo DiCaprio used to hit the best actor Oscars.

Of course, this kind of cooperation is beneficial to both parties. A good actor needs the same good director to raise points, and a good director also needs the same good actor to help, but the director is more dominant, especially with the final editing rights. Director.

No matter how good an actor performs during filming, if he is cut randomly by the director in the post-editing process, the worst side of his performance may be revealed in the end.

Leonardo DiCaprio was born as a child star and has worked hard in the circle for more than 20 years. He knows these things very well, so he always strives for the greatest power in the films he participates in.

This is one of the biggest differences between Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio, and the other divergence comes from the investment of the two companies and the proportion of future income distribution.

It can be said that this is more difficult to solve.

Therefore, this negotiation about Jordan Belfort's autobiographical film ultimately fell on Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio.

"Murphy, no matter how much you calculate the production cost."

In a reception room of the Death Star Building, Leonardo DiCaprio, who is also a CAA customer, said to Murphy, "I want to account for 60% of the investment."

Murphy frowned slightly, this investment ratio also means that Leonardo DiCaprio will be the dominant one in the future crew. If it is placed five years ago, in order to be able to cooperate with super A-level superstars like him , He will agree without hesitation, but now handing over the dominance, unless Leonardo DiCaprio makes huge concessions in terms of income, it is absolutely impossible.

"The publisher of this project is Twentieth Century Fox, and they are also interested in investing in this film." Murphy's words are still more euphemistic, "60% of the investment ratio is impossible."

Leonardo DiCaprio thought for a moment and said, "Fifty percent, this is the bottom line I can accept."

"Yes," Murphy agreed unexpectedly. Leonardo DiCaprio was beaming, but before he smiled, Murphy added, "This 50% of the investment income includes your salary."

Murphy's meaning is very clear, even if Leonardo DiCaprio participated in this movie, he will get the income as an investor, but not as a Hollywood superstar pay.

"Impossible." How could Leonardo DiCaprio accept this self-depreciating condition, watching Murphy not give up, "Of course, my salary must be calculated separately."

Murphy frowned deeper. Leonardo DiCaprio is a very professional investor at the moment, and he didn't even consider the friendship between them.

Having said that, he also didn't consider these when he mentioned the conditions just now.

"What's your salary," Murphy asked directly, "The number of your agent, Billy?"

"Yes." Leonardo DiCaprio nodded and said, "2+2 is my bottom line."

If Leonardo DiCaprio did not make any concessions, he has gradually dispelled Murphy’s idea of ​​cooperating with the superstar. The 2+2 payment terms are not US$4, but the basic payment of US$20 million. , Plus a 20% global box office share.

This also means that if the project takes shape, most of the future income will fall into Leonardo DiCaprio’s pocket. If he is lucky, he will get an Oscar nomination for best actor. It is not impossible, it can be said to be fame and fortune.

Murphy can only sigh secretly, Xiao Li is not only a superstar, but also a successful businessman!

Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio's unwillingness to give in, Murphy did not reluctantly anymore. He did want to cooperate with the superstar, but if the conditions were not suitable, it didn't matter whether he cooperated or not.

After talking a few more words, Murphy said at the right time, "That's it for the time being, Leo, I need time to think about it."

Leonardo DiCaprio nodded lightly and said with a smile, "I hope I can wait for your good news."

Murphy smiled and shook Leonardo DiCaprio's hand and left the reception room first.

Watching Murphy's figure disappear at the door, Leonardo DiCaprio could see that Murphy was very repulsive of his conditions, but he was not prepared to give in, especially in terms of remuneration. A concession might bring The chain reaction may lead to lower pay for the rest of the film.

Out of the reception room, Murphy did not leave the Death Star Building, but went to Bill Rossis's office.

"How's the talk?" Bill Rossis saw Murphy coming in and asked concerned, "How was the talk with Leonardo DiCaprio?"

Murphy walked to the opposite side of Bill Rossis' desk, pulled out the chair and sat down, shook his head and said, "The result is not ideal. From my perspective, the negotiation has broken down.

"How could this happen?" Bill Rossis was a little surprised.

In fact, both he and Leonardo DiCaprio’s agents want to facilitate this cooperation, and CAA also wants to facilitate the cooperation of its two largest clients.

"Leotti's conditions are too harsh." Murphy also knew CAA's unspoken ideas, "I can't accept them."

He added, "The Twentieth Century Fox as the distributor can't accept it either."

In any case, Murphy couldn't accept Leonardo DiCaprio's terms. Regardless of the investment, the high salary alone made him retreat.

Although he really wants to facilitate the cooperation between Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Rossis knows that even if the power of the entire CAA is assembled, it cannot force the current Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio. Caprio, they can only match in the middle. If they really want to force their A-level customers, the consequences may be very serious.

At their level, the brokerage company will become a veritable service provider.

Bill Rossis still asked, "Can't we talk anymore?"

Murphy shook his head without hesitation, "There is no need anymore."

"What about the actor?" Bill Rossis asked again with concern, "Is there a suitable candidate?"

"Don't worry for the time being, my script and plan are not ready yet." He looked at his watch, stood up and said goodbye, "I have to go back to prepare the script of the new project, and call me if I have something to do."

Leaving the office area where CAA was located, two bodyguards immediately followed and escorted Murphy to Stanton's studio in Century City.