Chapter 1877: 1877 Comedy Challenge

Hugo couldn't help being stunned. Why did Shirley Lansing call him at this time? Now that "The Truman Show" has chosen Jim Carrey, which means that the matter has been settled, then, Shirley called... to express her apology and look forward to the next cooperation; or to express Be friendly, provide another performance opportunity; or...there are too many possibilities, but Hugo doesn't have a context at all.

Hugo took Joseph's cell phone in doubt, and was about to answer the call, but remembered Jack and others waiting in the room. He pointed to the room, and Joseph said he could handle it, and then Hugo picked it up Phone, "Hi, this is Hugo talking."

"Hey, Hugo, I can see that you are very busy tonight. I called you a few times, but I didn't get through." Shirley chuckled in a leisurely and casual voice.

Hugo frowned, and chuckled, "Today is an important day for the crew. I'm in a meeting with Jack and the others, so my phone has been turned off all the time, sorry." Hugo also responded half-truthfully, but He is now on the passive side, not only can't figure out Shirley's abacus, but also hasn't fully recovered from the shock just now, so Hugo's voice is still unavoidably tired.

Fortunately, Hugo was tired all day today, so Shirley didn't find it strange, "Yes, I have seen related reports on the evening news. This work has made many people look forward to it. Mark's wish It always comes true."

Listening to Shirley's polite greetings, Hugo could feel a burst of irritability. He didn't like such hypocritical dialogue, even if it was a necessary means of negotiation, Hugo didn't like it. What's more, this is not what Hugo is best at. In addition, his mood is indeed a bit mixed today, and the bitterness on the tip of his tongue can't be dissipated. Therefore, Hugo decided to use the method he is most familiar with to solve the problem.

be honest.

Hugo took a deep breath, and said proactively, "So, when you call me at this time, you must not want to congratulate me, right?" Shirley asked "Why not", which made Hugo chuckle Get up, "Shirley, I'm not a fool."

"I can hear the sarcasm in your words." Shirley still had a slight smile in her voice, but her words were very soft, almost without any edge. "However, in fact, I do want to congratulate you. Mark's courage is not for everyone, even though I believe that 'As Good as It Gets' is a good script."

Shirley also half concealed the truth, which is a good start. Hugo smiled, "So, can I understand that you guys want to be more conservative recently and refuse to make too many bold changes?" Hugo paused for a while, and he could hear the voice on the other end of the phone. Shirley sounded puzzled, "I mean, you chose a comedian to act in a comedy, not a serial murderer."

Hugo was talking about "The Truman Show".

Shirley originally hoped to be able to take the initiative by herself, but she didn't expect that Hugo broke the balance and brought up this topic on her own initiative. However, this is not surprising. People in the circle know more or less about Hugo's habits. Shirley chuckled lightly, "I don't think it's conservative, I would say it's a 'strategic choice'."

"Then, I believe you have made a wrong choice." Hugo's words were understated, but they burst out with unprecedented confidence. Usually, Hugo is always modest and modest, but at this moment, Hugo's words shone with light that people dare not look directly at, truly showing the demeanor of his current top superstar.

Shirley couldn't help being amazed by Hugo, she had never seen such a Hugo, "Tell me, what is your confidence?"

"Because I'm Hugo Lancaster." The words flashed through Hugo's mind, but he didn't say them because he realized how dramatic and arrogant they were, and how Hugo couldn't help chuckling, and the smile on the corner of his mouth was completely outlined, "Because I'm an excellent actor, I can give Truman more things, and I believe Peter can dig out more from me." color."

Shirley has no way to refute, this is Hugo's professionalism, but also Hugo's self-confidence, even in the whole of Hollywood, no one can refute. "So, if you were to star in 'The Truman Show,' what would you ask for?"

Hugo paused for a moment at Shirley's words, and frowned slightly, "I thought you guys had already signed a contract with Kerry." There was only a chuckle on the other end of the phone, and Shirley didn't speak. Hugo chewed slowly, but he didn't stop talking, but continued, "So... 15 million dollars in salary, 10% of the box office dividend, and the identity of the producer."

This is not Hugo's own idea, but the bottom line that Rick told Hugo before. The part of negotiating the pay is always Rick's job, and Hugo hardly interferes—as long as Rick doesn't go overboard, and he doesn't. Hugo knew that when Rick was negotiating with "The Truman Show", he had actually been fighting for the initiative for him: Compared with the salary, the position of the producer is still more convincing.

Rick hopes that Hugo can become a producer, and then share 15% of the box office dividends-the bottom line is 60 million US dollars in box office; if not, the next best thing is 20 million US dollars in salary and 100% Eight box office dividends, no box office bottom line; the final bottom line is that it is not Hugo's quotation just now, but 15 million US dollars in salary, 5% box office dividends, and the producer's right to speak.

The reason why Rick is willing to give in is because he clearly knows the importance of "The Truman Show" to Hugo. Rick has been fighting for the position of producer, which is a guarantee for Hugo and Endeavor Elite Brokerage Company, which is also a very important part.

Hearing Hugo's quotation, Shirley chuckled, "Hugo, you know, you have always been an actor who puts the most emphasis on your work, and this has never changed, and I think it still hasn't changed now." .Otherwise, you wouldn't have given up on 'As Good as It Gets'."

Hugo raised his chin slightly, he drew too many details from Shirley's phone call. Obviously, "The Truman Show" did not sign a contract with Jim Carrey. Hugo even suspected that the news Rick got was false news-everyone in the circle knew the importance of these inside information, and the insiders could The news obtained through untold hardships is basically true, because the broker himself has the ability to identify the source of the news. But this time Shirley took advantage of their initiative and successfully tricked Rick.

Purpose? In fact, Shirley just wanted to skip Rick and negotiate directly with Hugo. Interests are naturally the core focus. Shirley knew Hugo's desire for "The Truman World", and she wanted to use this Shang Fang sword to force Hugo to compromise.

Although Hugo is not sure how far the process he speculated is from the truth, he does know that Shirley must have been prepared to skip Rick and directly negotiate with him. But the fact is that Hugo really longs for "The Truman Show" very much. Under Shirley's deliberate creation, this kind of excitement of losing and regaining almost makes Hugo unable to control himself.

"Xue Li, you are a smart person, why do you keep going around in circles with me?" Hugo almost wanted to nod and agreed, even though he knew that all of this might be Shirley's conspiracy, but he still didn't want to Miss "The Truman Show". But the remaining rationality is telling Hugo that if he lets Shirley lead him by the nose, then even if he successfully starred in "The Truman Show", the next cooperation will be difficult to go smoothly.

Hugo's frankness made Shirley chuckle again, and she didn't answer directly, "Hugo, there is no need to ignite the anger. We all know that this is just a transaction."

"That's only for you." Hugo's words were completely beyond Shirley's expectations, and she could even clearly feel that Hugo's boiling blood was gradually cooling down. Shirley is a smart person, extremely smart, otherwise, as a woman, she would never have climbed to the position of Paramount CEO in Hollywood where the competition is so crazy. At this moment, Shirley smelled danger.

Shirley inexplicably remembered Hugo's previous anecdotes. Kevin Burns, Tim Robbins and others all relied on Hugo's emphasis on friendship to obtain cooperation. It is an existence that no top Hollywood boss can ignore. Hugo can nod and agree to the cooperation of a project for the sake of friendship; similarly, Hugo can also refuse the cooperation of a project for the sake of deception.

"Fifteen million dollars in salary, 5% box office dividend." Shirley finally didn't go around in circles this time, and directly showed her hole card.

Although it is said that Shirley represents Paramount, and uses a series of tricks to trick Rick around, and even messes up Hugo's persecution. But Shirley overlooked one point. In the face of absolute right to speak, the more urgent people are the winners. Hugo's desire for "The Truman Show" is far less than Shirley's desire for Hugo.

With the same salary of 20 million U.S. dollars, Hugo's value is almost double or even twice that of Kim Carrey; At a salary of 15 million US dollars, the competitiveness is still insufficient. The only advantage is Jin's comedy skills, but Peter Weir said: He believes in Hugo-in fact, people in Hollywood who don't believe in Hugo, How many more?

So, in the end Shirley showed her hole cards. In an instant, everything became clear. Like Barry Meyer, Shirley was still planning to control the entire crew. Barry handed over the producer position of "LA Confidential" to Hugo, but still A lot of benefits have been obtained from it; and Shirley simply hopes to hold the production rights of "The Truman Show" in her own hands to maximize her benefits.

This is the core focus of Shirley and Rick's confrontation.

Hugo didn't answer right away, which made Shirley feel a little uneasy. The uncertainty made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles. After about three seconds, but it seemed like three centuries, Hugo's voice was heard. Come here, "You can talk to Rick about the details of the contract."