Chapter 45

Chapter 45

[Kudos to Vasyl Č, ryan k, Dave m, Huy G, and The Real Cacto]

"Sir, Kazir Grey met with CEO Brad Grey of Paramount Pictures yesterday. Not only that, but Salvatore Barlowe has also contacted Universal Pictures and Walt Disney."

As the producer that CEO Terry Semel entrusted to work on Kazir's next movie. Enrico Pusi took the job seriously.

"I see."

Terry Semel nodded after listening to his report. He already expected that Kazir would find another way to increase his chips.

Now that he had proven himself twice at the box office, most movie companies were interested in working with him.

Se7en and Napoleon Dynamite each crossed the $100 million mark at the North American box office.

Especially Napoleon Dynamite, it has a small investment. Yet its performance was much better than their Batman Forever.

Warner Bros was proud of its superhero characters like Batman and Superman. They are the faces of DC Comics. But the superhero trend was slowly weakening. Warner Bros need a new movie to freshen up.

Terry Semel read Kazir's script three times. The reason was simple, it was funny. He believed that The Hangover, if filmed correctly, would be a box office success.

"...Enrico, check the other companies. Our offer will be $5 million salary and 10% of the North American box office. But the box office should be over $100 million. Try to contact Salvatore and Kazir".

In the proposal, it was written that the investment cost of The Hangover would be 35 million. This amount was no problem for Warner Bros.

Unlike the budget of Batman Forever, which was $100 million, The Hangover was much easier to invest in.

"I understand."

Enrico left the room. Like Terry Semel, Enrico Pusi believed The Hangover would be a success. As one of the producers under Warner Bros, he wanted to take over the project.

If the movie was successful, his position would be better. He could become the head of production management.

Another week passed and it was already February. Kazir had already solved his money problems and bought a new car. A brand new Honda.

He didn't have the courage to spend more money on a car. Especially when he contacted an investment firm.

He gave the investment firm $5 million, almost half of his money, to invest in Microsoft, Cisco and Nokia. He remembered these three companies. He knew they would do well in the 1990s.

As for Google and Yahoo, these two companies were unknown this year. Yahoo had just been founded last year, while Google would be founded in 1998.

So Kazir Grey and Warner Bros began their first collaboration.

Kazir signed the contract and the project officially began.

Warner Bros bought his script for $300 thousand and his salary as a director was $5 million.

He received the $300 thousand and $2.5 million first. To get the other half of his salary, he had to finish shooting.

"I hope we will have good cooperation, Kazir."

"I will do my best to make the movie a success."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Terry Semel and Kazir Grey shook hands. Since the contract was already signed, Warner Bros arranged for a public signing of the contract. They invited reporters.

This was common practice. Of course, the contract Kazir signed in front of the public was a fake.

The contract had been signed earlier. The contract was thick, and many conditions were written in it.

So the public signing of the contract was nothing but publicity.

"Director Grey, how do you feel about working with Warner Bros.?"

"I'm excited."

The reporters began to ask him questions. Fortunately, every reporter here was under Time Warner. They would not ask him anything controversial.

"Director, do you have any actors you would like to work with?"

"If I'm being honest. I would like to invite Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal. I already have experience working with them. I believe in their hard work."

He smiled and left the room after answering most of their questions. The flashing cameras were blinding.

After that, he contacted his crew and officially started the preparations. Of course, everything had to be taken seriously.

Editing the script, preparing the props, checking the locations, and so on.

Perhaps the most important part of pre-production was auditioning for the roles. /Puji_maki