Chapter 264 264 Taking Risks

What kind of actors are eligible to share? Big-name actors? Such an answer is obviously unqualified, and the truly meaningful answer should be: actors who can take the risk at the box office, or in a positive way, actors with box office appeal.

In Hugo's acting career, although the five films before "Deadly Hour" have achieved very good reputation, they are not very good at the box office, even the best performing "Dead Poets Society", the box office is not good. It's only $95 million, and it's Robin Williams, not Hugo, who does the heavy lifting at the box office. The subsequent three consecutive box office commercial blockbusters failed one after another, which verified the fact that Hugo had acting skills but no box office appeal.

Last year's two works, "Smell the Fragrance and Know a Woman" and "Yihai Xiongfeng", both achieved very good box office results. "Yihai Xiongfeng" won US$170 million for eight consecutive championships, which is an annual surprise. , This is due to Hugo's credit, which is why the media is willing to call Hugo in the front line.

But Hugo's so-called box office appeal is only for these two works, and it is not trustworthy at all. Therefore, Hugo naturally does not have the qualification to share. At present, the qualified actors in Hollywood can be counted on two hands, and there is definitely no place for Hugo.

Joseph was very troubled by this, but this was his responsibility, and after so many things, Joseph knew that as an agent, he could give Hugo the best support. So, even though the task was daunting, Joseph and the film's producer, Gary. Foster, had a tough negotiation.

In fact, Gary is not a big-name producer in Hollywood, which is also in line with the background that "Sleepless in Seattle" is not favored by the industry. In the list of Gary's works, 1986's "Short." Cicuit)" is his first work as an executive producer. The film invested less than 10 million US dollars, but achieved 40 million at the box office. It can be said to be a huge success, so a sequel was born two years later. Unfortunately, the sequel failed, earning only $21 million.

After that, Gary made two more films, neither of which was anything bright. It can be said that Gary is the unknown among the producers. But Joseph will never underestimate Gary, because any producer is a vampire with a careful calculation, and they will never let go of their interests easily.

"Gary, you must show enough sincerity." Joseph and Gary had been deadlocked here for nearly twenty minutes, and Joseph had to use his trump card, "You know, Hugo is really willing to star in this work, And for an actor like Hugo who is sincere and powerful, I think Nora has been looking for a long time, a long time..."

In fact, Joseph is implying: Except for Hugo, other actors seem to be unwilling to take over "Sleepless in Seattle", you should not be picky anymore.

However, Gary chuckled, "I think I'm sincere enough. You know, Hugo doesn't have so many scripts to choose from recently." People in the circle should have a good understanding of Hugo's situation. , Gary is no exception.

"But Hugo and I can keep waiting, you know we can wait, say, after the Oscars." Joseph was reminding Gary that Hugo won a double nomination at the Golden Globes, although Hugo didn't win an Oscar. Nominated, but "Smell the Fragrance and Know a Woman" and "Righteous Sea Heroes" are both Oscar favorites. As long as the work wins the award, Hugo's reputation will still rise.

After Joseph finished speaking, seeing what Gary wanted to say, he was the first to interrupt him, "I know what you're going to say, so I thought, we're stuck here, looping, looping? You just So sure, Hugo won't pass up this opportunity?"

In fact, they have repeated this conversation just now, and the two sides are just going around in circles. So Joseph decided to strike first.

Gary looked at Joseph in front of him. It was difficult for him to find a loophole in Joseph's expression, so he didn't know how true Joseph's words were. However, Gary was reluctant to bow his head. Now is the time to compete for momentum. Whoever bows first will lose the opportunity. This first opportunity is a budget of several million dollars, and Gary only has a total cost of 20 million. , he will not splurge at will.

But Joseph didn't intend for Gary to bow his head first, so he gave Gary a step, "I told Nora that eight million dollars is not necessary at all, and Hugo has never thought of this, so why don't you guys Show me a little sincerity? Like, tell me a more realistic number instead of clasping my arms and waiting for me to step back again."

The salary that Gary proposed just now is three million, which is naturally unacceptable to Joseph. One year ago, Joseph took over the "Heroes of Righteousness" for Hugo for three million dollars. That was the situation a year ago. Next; although Hugo is in the midst of a big-name cloud of suspicion, his paychecks can't stand still at all. "Yihai Xiongfeng" is still making a big splash on the North American box office list. Therefore, Joseph also chose to be tough.

Gary narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Joseph carefully. The person in front of him was very different from the news he had inquired about. Today's Joseph was tougher and more shrewd than he expected, and Gary was a little caught off guard.

Just when Gary was thinking about how to consider the offer, Joseph spoke again, "I understand the difficulties of the crew, and I also understand Hugo's situation. We might as well take a half step back and show our sincerity." This is Joseph showing weakness. Now, just as Gary expected, Joseph bowed his head first, which made Gary happy, and then he heard Joseph continue to say, "Well, six million paychecks. What do you think?"

Gary had to admit that Joseph's offer was really sincere. It was also Hugo's offer when he starred in "The Eagle of the Hudson", and it was also in line with Hugo's current real worth. The circle knew about Joseph's offer, and no one would say that Hugo the Lion opened his mouth.

But the problem is that the budget in Gary's mind is still not in this position. Considering the salary of the heroine Meg Ryan, Gary has to press down again, "Four million." Gary severely pulled the salary down. For the most part, he doesn't feel any guilt about it, because that's his job. In Gary's view, this price is a lot higher than the original 3 million!

Joseph shook his head and gave Gary a smile, "If you don't want to express enough sincerity, then I think today's negotiation will end here, and there is no need to make everyone more unhappy." After speaking, Joseph He immediately stood up and stretched out his right hand.

Gary was speculating whether Joseph was going to retreat or really gave up, but his qualifications were still inferior to those of the old foxes. It was difficult for him to make an accurate judgment, so he also stood up as a last resort. , said a little eagerly, "Four and a half million." Then he tried to slow down his tone, not to appear too anxious, but unfortunately the effect was not very obvious, "Joseph, this is already our greatest sincerity. , you have to be considerate of the crew."

"Gary, if this is your so-called sincerity, I will express Hugo's apology to Nora." Joseph shook his head, he was absolutely impossible to agree with this number. After that, Joseph was really ready to turn around and leave.

Gary stood in the same place, uncertain. In fact, the film crew made a salary of 4.5 million for Hugo, but the upper limit was 5 million. Gary was still hesitating whether he should show the last card. But the problem is, even if he shows his cards now, it seems that Joseph will not agree, because there is still a long way to go from 6 million, and there is a chance for 5.5 million.

"Joseph, you must understand that there is really no way out of the situation of the crew." Gary said softly for half a sentence, but hesitated.

Joseph turned his back to Gary and showed a slight smile. Neither he nor Gary were top-notch old foxes. Both of them were careful in this fight. Now it seems that he finally has a small upper hand. , allowing Gary to reveal his flaws. But Joseph quickly withdrew his smile, he knew that the next thing was the fatal blow.

So, Joseph turned around calmly, thinking with a heavy face, "Gary, I understand all these situations, and we have talked a lot before. But you also know about Hugo's situation, he deserves better. Joseph explained embarrassingly, and then he pondered without speaking, as if he was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle.

Gary was already stuck at the word "five million", and he was waiting for Joseph's next words.

Sure enough, Joseph said, "Well, if you agree to give Hugo 20% of the box office share, then the salary can be reduced to three million."

The box office share is the most realistic result after Joseph's thinking. It does not affect Hugo's reputation and value, and at the same time can obtain sufficient returns. The only concern is whether "Sleepless in Seattle" is worth it. So Joseph and Hugo discussed it. Unexpectedly, Hugo agreed with one bite. It can be seen that everyone is skeptical about "Sleepless in Seattle", but Hugo firmly believes that this film can be obtained. success.

Therefore, Joseph came up with the final answer in his heart, either the salary is $5.5 million, the minimum can be barely $5 million; or it is three million plus 20% of the box office dividends.

"By the way, there is no lower box office limit." Joseph added.

Generally speaking, a lower limit is set for box office dividends. For example, actors can only participate in dividends after the box office has passed the 100 million threshold. This is also to stimulate the enthusiasm of actors. Otherwise, the original movie will lose money, and dividends will be distributed to actors. Then the production company It's a serious loss.

But Joseph was still worried about the box office of "Sleepless in Seattle", and he was not fully confident that the film would pass the 100 million threshold, so he added this clause. In this way, Hugo's remuneration will eventually be at least higher than "Yihai Xiongfeng".

Of course, relatively speaking, Hugo must take the box office risk of "Sleepless in Seattle", but the question is, does Hugo have the ability to take the risk?