Hollywood What If Chapter 244
June passed and theaters had the best moment of their business lives. Summer vacation was happening and families and students were more than happy to watch movies.
Gone In 60 Seconds grossed $75.12 million the moment June passed. Numbers couldn't lie and the performance of Gone In 60 Seconds was average at best considering the investment Disney put in the movie. Disney was having a hard time recouping the $100 million investment if they were going to based on the box office.
Thankfully, this industry was saved by the videotapes. Another way of earning money. Although film companies felt like DVDs was going to overtake videotapes. The Big Six was adjusting to those changes by producing more DVDs of their movies.
Note that the Big Six had thousands of movie copyrights in their film libraries. As long as people consume movies, they have ways of getting money.
So now, Walt Disney felt like they had to rely on the videotape and DVD markets to return the investment and profit in the long run.
Unlike Disney, 20th Century Fox was satisfied with the performance of Big Momma's House. The movie grossed $90.95 million at the box office. The investment of this comedy movie was only $30 million. This kind of production cost was considered small now making blockbuster movies was expensive.
If there was a winner in this month, June, it was none other than Wanted which was distributed by Sony-Columbia.
The movie produced by Grey Pictures made $376.42 million. In just a month, a fucking month. This case was very hard to replicate.
This movie was not like Star Wars which had millions of fans all over the world.
This movie was not like Jurassic Park which was based on a novel and adapted into a movie. Directed by a star-studded director, Steven Spielberg.
This movie was not like Titanic which had a heartbreaking plot and captured the hearts of many women.
Yet Wanted had the same box office performance just like the three.
Well, Wanted was a different breed. It was an action movie with lots of action stunts and choreographies. It also had a superhero element that men love. Perhaps the biggest reason why Wanted had an outstanding performance was because of the built-up hype.
A lot of people were excited to watch the movie. And now that the movie was released, the opinion of people about it was positive, pushing more people to watch it.
The opinions of movie critics were mixed, the other side felt like the movie had no substance and the plot was boring. The other side praised the movie and said that Wanted would open another territory for the film industry to make money from.
If there was one thing sure, it was the fact that everyone recognized that Kazir Grey was not a simple director. Not anymore, he was part of the group of directors who set their names in the history of cinema as the best.
In fact, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the one responsible for the Hollywood Walk Of Fame invited Kazir and hoped that he would have his name added to the historical landmark.
So yeah, once you visit the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, you will see Kazir Grey's name on one of the brass stars.
...
...
...
While this was happening, a certain couple decided to look for a house.
"This place is nice. It has a pool, a wide garage, a lounge, seven bedrooms, and a wide ballroom for us to use if you're interested in having a party. But since I know you, I'm sure as hell that you don't like parties." Angelina giggled and made fun of Kazir.
"We can set up a party to celebrate the new house. I'll invite my family."
"I'd love you to do it. I want to see your cute niece."
Angelina met Kazir's family when they were promoting the movie in New York. The cute little girl was so adorable that Angelina immediately fell in love with her. Kazir's sister-in-law and Angelina had a great meeting.
"Well, since we both like this house, what's your decision?"
Kazir was known to be a cheap person but Angelina knew that it was the whole story. Kazir just didn't like spending money on useless stuff. The guy was actually sincere and loved to take her to expensive restaurants and Kazir bought her expensive gifts as well.
The woman realized that Kazir knew where to put his money. He would never hesitate to pamper Angelina.
She didn't know how much the guy spent on her, probably more than 7 figures.
The real estate agent kept smiling and tried to hide his nervousness. This was a huge deal and he hoped that Kazir would buy the house. They already checked four houses before this.
There was only one requirement that Kazir wanted to meet, the house should be in Beverly Hills. Kazir never had the chance to live in this neighborhood and it was one of his dreams to live in this place. He was just trying to achieve that right.
"How much is the house?"
"Sir, it's $25 million. The owner of this house was in dire need of money after filing for bankruptcy. The bubble burst affected him so much."
"Well, I'll take it. Let's get the papers done."
Los Angeles was a very expensive city to live in. Furthermore, the crime rate in this city was high. Beverly Hills was a safe and perfect place for celebrities to keep their privacy safe. In his opinion, $25 million was already good for a house like this.
The house might cost more than $100 million in the next two decades. Buying it early might be a good decision.
The real estate agent almost jumped out of happiness. He shook Kazir's hand in giddy.
"We can start the renovation. I'll probably live in this place after three to four months. Depending on the situation."
"What do you mean by that? Babe, we both know that you're going to keep living in your office and this house is just a decoration--Mmm."
Angelina weakly moaned as Kazir gripped her ass. The woman gave him the "fuck me" eyes after that interaction.
Hollywood What If Chapter 245
After the real estate agent left the house, the couple decided to bless the house with their bodily fluids.
Angelina was very exhausted and cuddled with her man on the sofa. Most of the furniture was gone but the beds, tables, and other stuff were left behind by the previous owner.
"I heard people are getting crazy because of you."
"What are you saying?"
"Humph, don't tease me. Stop touching my-- you pervert, I tell you I'm serious right now. Staph~~"
Kazir just chuckled.
"I don't know why but Disney is desperate right now. They are asking me to direct a movie based on a novel."
"What novel? Perhaps I read it."
"It's Barsoom series, by Edgar Rice Burroughs."
"Really? You're freaking joking, tell me you're joking!?" Angelina was relatively shocked.
Edgar Rice Burroughs was a famous author. His most notable works were the Tarzan and Barsoom series.
His works were famous in the early 1910s and even now his works are appreciated. Angelina knew about the Tarzan and Barsoom series. She didn't expect Walt Disney to acquire the movie copyrights of the Barsoom series.
"Walt Disney wants a movie adaptation of the Barsoom series and they hope that I can be the director... They want to name the movie John Carter, based on the protagonist of the Barsoom series."
"What do you think? I think it's a great deal. I believe Disney expressed a desirable contract to you."
"They contacted my agent and they said that they are ready to open a 2020 contract with me. It's negotiable."
"Wow, I'm so proud of you." The woman showered him with kisses.
"They keep pestering Salvatore to accept the invitation."
"Then what are you waiting for? I think the novel will turn out great if you're the one who's going to direct it. You're an amazing person."
"Thanks, babe."
The reason why Kazir was hesitant to accept the deal was because of the knowledge he had about the future. He was actually surprised that Disney wanted to film John Carter very early compared to the original timeline. Well, he knew that one way or another, the reason was because of his interference with the timeline.
'John Carter was a box office flop. Walt Disney tried to promote it in foreign countries to recoup their loss but it was useless. In the end, they put down the project with no intention of making a sequel.'
Another reason was because...
"Warner Brothers contacted me as well. They want me to direct Harry Potter. It's a children's book."
"Haven't heard of it. You know that I'm busy."
Angelina replied, curling the man's hair.
"They said that they will give me preferential treatment, a 2020 contract, and a 5% videotape/DVD profit share for five years."
The first five years of a movie in the videotape/DVD market had the best profit performance. After that, the sales would slow down.
In his estimate, Kazir would earn around $30-50 million on the videotape/DVD profit share alone. That was a huge cut that Warner Bros was ready to step into.
"I'm speechless."
Indeed, Angelina didn't know what to say. She was quite famous and her net worth was above 7 figures, but she didn't expect that her boyfriend could earn ten times her annual salary. She was so proud of him.
"Then I guess you're going to choose this Harry Potter then."
"You're not afraid that I will fail?"
"As if. We are talking about you here, the talented director Kazir Grey. Of course you are going to be alright. I believe in you."
Kazir smiled and snuggled.
"Actually, I got an offer from Sony-Columbia as well."
"Let me guess, their offer is more enticing than Walt Disney and Warner Brothers. You know what, I think 20th Century Fox contacted you, right?"
"How did you know?"
"I just guessed, based on our conversation."
Indeed, but to be precise, the one who contacted Kazir was actually LucasFilm. George Lucas personally called him, congratulating Kazir. Then George Lucas asked Kazir if he was interested in directing the Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones.
After their first meeting a few months ago, the two met a few times and talked about their daily lives. One time, George Lucas invited Steven Spielberg and the three people had a good time.
Steven Spielberg said that he was happy that someone like Kazir was going to take the banner now that most Jewish directors were getting old. Kazir just accepted that and didn't bother to explain himself.
"So what about Sony-Columbia? What do they want from you?"
"You know Spiderman?"
"That comic superhero? I read a few editions."
"Sony-Columbia hopes that I'll be the director of that project. Well, it's actually complicated. Even Marvel is trying to talk to me."
Grey Pictures bought a lot of superhero movie copyrights from Marvel and the company was hoping to meet Kazir.
Kazir had an idea why they wanted to talk to him. Marvel was in their deepest down this time, they were in a downward spiral. Defeated by their rival, DC Comics.
Perhaps they were trying to find a solution to get back to their feet. They believe that Kazir had the answer to their questions.
The people from Marvel were not idiots. When they learned that Kazir intended to make a Cinematic Universe about hitmen, assassins, agents, and ninjas, Marvel understood the reason why Grey Pictures bought their not-so-famous superheroes.
Grey Pictures wanted to make a Cinematic Universe about superheroes!
'Erm, actually not. In the first place, I bought the superheroes because Marvel might become my enemy later. So I just cut their wings before they can fly... However, if we have an agreement, I've no intention of avoiding money.'
Especially now that Sony-Columbia wanted Kazir Grey to direct Spiderman, he would definitely meet the higher-ups of Marvel Comics.
He felt like he would reach the point where he had to decide his future. Because honestly, he was interested in DCEU as well.
[Now that I know Spiderman won the poll, I decided to cook.]