hunt hollywood

Having obtained "Superman" and "Batman", and collected Tol King's Middle-earth series, Simon's operation of collecting copyrights has also initially come to an end.

Unknowingly busy, the time came to the end of February, and a very special day also came.

2 month 22 day.

Simon's 20th birthday.

In a mansion on the hillside of Beverly Hills, this is Sandra Bullock's new home.

After impulsively kissing a guy one night, she had to change residences in the face of the paparazzi's frantic pursuit.Too many things happened in the past six months. After Simon and Janet reunited, coupled with some guilty conscience, Sandra found that she was inevitably alienated from Simon a lot.

but.

Today is his 20th birthday party, for such a legitimate reason, he must go.

It's just that it always feels a little weird.

Think about my 20th birthday, when I was still in college and didn't know what my future would hold.

His 20 years old.

Ugh.

Standing so high, people can't touch it, and they are not afraid of falling.

hum.

It was already five o'clock in the afternoon.

Putting on a well-prepared water-blue evening dress, he just came out of the cloakroom when the doorbell rang and asked for a makeup artist to come to the door, and he arrived just in time.

Assistant Gina ran to open the door, and Sandra carefully sat down on the sofa in the living room with her skirt lifted.The TV in the living room had been on all the time, only then did I notice that the anchor of CNN and two other guests happened to be talking about Simon, and the screen behind them actually showed the live broadcast of that guy outside the mansion in Palisades.

This is too exaggerated, right?

It was just a birthday party, and even CNN was invited and broadcast live.

but.

Considering what he has done from the summer of two years ago to now, CNN's current response does not seem to be too much.

Picking up the remote control and turning up the volume of the TV, Gina came in with a makeup artist. She motioned for him to help her make up in the living room, but her eyes were fixed on the TV screen, listening to the host and A discussion between two guests.

"Yes, Jim, Simon Westeros also reminds me of Howard Hughes, but he is more legendary than Hughes. The first film Westeros produced won the North American box office and the global box office 4 Compared with his age, this is a miracle. What is even more amazing is his operation in the stock index futures market last year. In five months, Westeros was completely close to the S&P 500 The rise and fall of the index is buying and selling, as if he can completely predict the rise and fall of the index.”

Another female guest wearing glasses said: "However, Daniel, but I think Simon Westeros has completely lost control after last year's stock market crash. Especially in the recent period, his various capital operations are almost useless. Zhang Fa, angry with Motorola, sold all the stocks of the other party. After the attempt to acquire New World Entertainment was frustrated, he quickly gave up on his own initiative. There is also Daenerys Pictures, Westeros is completely spending money indiscriminately, we It is said that the young rich man has already approved eight films. If you count the recent "Batman" and "Superman", this is ten. I specially collected a list of films. According to public information, these films are basically all Not a lot of showmanship, but the budget is generally higher than the average level of Hollywood. It's like "Rain Man", have you heard?"

The male guest named Daniel just nodded and said: "I heard that a movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise was said to have been rejected by all major Hollywood film companies before, and, Danni Liz Films also seems to have signed a very unequal contract with MGM United Artists. However, I always feel that Westeros should think otherwise, if anyone thinks that a 20-year-old can earn more than one The young man with the billion dollar fortune is a fool. Then, don't doubt it, he is the fool himself."

"Hey, Daniel, are you talking about me?" The female guest retorted with a smile, and said, "But I do think that Simon Westeros' behavior during this period is completely reckless. If this continues, maybe In a few years, his net worth will shrink significantly."

"It's just your speculation, Katie. When Howard Hughes made "Hell's Angels", everyone thought he might go bankrupt, but it turned out that "Hell's Angels" had a box office of 800 million US dollars. In 1930, 800 It is definitely higher than the box office of "Star Wars" or "ET Aliens". Moreover, I think Simon Westeros' personal assets should be mainly concentrated in those technology stocks. Underweight Motorola After stocks, based on recent stock prices, Simon Westeros alone is worth more than $13 billion.”

"It should be more," the host sitting next to him said at this time: "According to the information we have received, after the failure of the acquisition of New World Entertainment, Westeros has recently been absorbing the stocks of some technology companies. For example, Silicon Map, it is said Simon Westero paid a special visit to this San Francisco graphics workstation production company last month. According to the latest filing data, Westero’s shareholding in Silicon Graphics has reached 11%. There is also Oracle, which holds shares The proportion is 9%. Next, several companies such as Microsoft and Intel have increased their shareholding ratio from the original 5% to more than 7%. Calculated, Simon Westeros has at least half of the Motorola stock obtained after cashing out Funds have been invested in the stocks of these companies. Many investment institutions on Wall Street have recently followed suit again, and have once again boosted the technology stock sector. Now, the value of Simon Westero’s stock assets should be close to 16 billion US dollars. "

After the host finished speaking, the male guest spread his hands towards the female guest and said, "Look, it's still 16 billion US dollars. Simon Westero's profit from the stock market crash last year was about 16 billion US dollars. Now, Katie, according to your It is said that Westeros has been reckless for a period of time, and his net worth has not decreased, but has increased again."

The female guest said: "But I still don't think that as long as Simon Westeros is a normal person, he can't always perform miracles."

The host suddenly said: "Katie, then, do you think Simon Westeros is normal?"

The male guest suddenly laughed.

The female guest also smiled and said: "Well, Westeros is indeed abnormal. But I mean, as long as he is not an alien, I don't think there should be such a possibility, then he will definitely face Fail. Like those Daenerys movies, Westeros may be able to guarantee one, two or three box office successes, but he can't guarantee all of them. There is no shortage of major Hollywood studios every year Big box office hits, but their financial reports are often in the red, and I know the Hollywood books, but I don't mean these, but the real losses. Why, because they are in those high-profile blockbuster movies And there's a long list of failed films."

The host waited for the female guest to finish speaking, then patted her hands lightly and said: "No matter what the future holds, today is Simon Westeros' 20th birthday. This young man who has risen suddenly for just over a year has already created too many Miracle, I believe everyone must be very curious about him, then, let's hand over the camera to the front reporter again."

Chapter 149

at dusk.

Outside a mansion in the middle of the mountain in Palisades, due to the crowding of too many media reporters, the narrow mountain road is almost impassable, and the dense flashing lights are continuously and frequently lit.

Before the party, many media offered sky-high prices to enter the venue to shoot, but they were all rejected.However, Simon's refusal attracted more reporters to join in the fun, and some TV stations even drove their live broadcast vehicles over.

Compared with the appreciation party at the end of June last year, the scale of this birthday party has also expanded a lot.

Many projects approved by Daenerys Films are in the preparatory stage. Out of obvious intentions, Simon’s agent, Jonathan Friedman, took 100 invitation letters softly, according to Counting two guests per invitation, the number of guests from WMA alone has reached the size of the last party.

Due to the change of identity, Simon's social circle has also expanded rapidly unconsciously in the past half a year. Many guests from New York, San Francisco and other places came to this party specially. Simon was not stingy, and specially rented two Business jets are responsible for pick-up and drop-off.

Coupled with many Hollywood natives, the total number of guests at the party exceeded 700, and the number of security personnel, waiters, bands and other service personnel at the party also reached [-] people.Thus, the originally spacious one-acre estate suddenly seemed crowded.

When Sandra Bullock arrived, the party hadn't officially started yet, and the manor was already full of people.After searching the crowd for a while, she found Simon. He was talking with Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Terry Semel, and the atmosphere seemed to be not very harmonious.

"Terry, I didn't mean to catch Warner off guard. I wanted to do Batman, and I also liked Superman. It's as simple as that."

"When you were negotiating "Batman" with us, you must have started contacting Salkind. Simon, Warner only learned of the news at the last moment."

"You should understand why I do this, Terry, I am interested in anything now, and its value will suddenly jump a lot. , Although I got the copyright of "Superman", the terms in the contract will not change, and Warner still enjoys the rights you should have."

"Simon, I know you want to buy DC, and I'm sure you have other ideas. But in any case, I hope that both of us can maintain communication very calmly, so that we can win-win," Terry Semel looked at After Simon finished speaking, he slowed down his tone, reached out to him, and said, "Also, happy birthday."

Simon and Semel shook hands and said, "Thank you, Terry, have fun tonight."

Sandra Bullock waited patiently for Terry Semel to leave before walking forward. Simon had already turned around, hugged her, and said, "Sandy, you are so beautiful tonight."

"Thank you," Sandra and Simon separated, took a small step back and looked at him, and said, "Happy birthday."

Simon said, "So, what about the gift?"

Sandra took out a box from her handbag and handed it over: "Here."

Simon took the exquisitely packaged mini box less than two centimeters square, looked it up in the palm of his hand, pretended to be dissatisfied and said, "So small?"

Sandra said: "You like big words, I'm preparing them for you next time."

Simon looked at Sandra and nodded solemnly: "The bigger the better."

Sandra was a little embarrassed by Simon: "Can you stop staring at me when you talk like that."

Simon smiled and said, "I have no other meaning."

Sandra gave Simon a blank look, and said, "How dare you have other meanings, coward."

"Too provocative?"

Sandra repeated without hesitation: "Coward."

Simon was immediately defeated: "Okay, I'm a coward."

Sandra made a really spineless expression of contempt, glanced casually at the crowd around her, then continued to stand beside Simon and asked, "Your company has approved so many projects, this time there must be one suitable for me. I still have half a year before the filming of "Back to the Future" begins."

Simon said, "Are you going to act in 'Scream'?"

Sandra immediately shook her head and refused with a smile: "No acting, such a silly script."

Simon asked again: "Where is Catherine's "Thunderbolt Blue Angel"?"

Sandra thought of the ambiguous relationship between Simon and Catherine, felt weird, and shook her head again: "I, I still don't think it's appropriate."

"These two are movies where the heroine plays the leading role. If you don't want to act, there is no suitable one for the time being." Simon shrugged and said, "You should have seen the other projects, these are commercial movies, no Maybe let you play a supporting role."

Sandra went back carefully, and then glared at Simon: "It's all your fault, I can't even find a suitable role now. Last time Tom Cruise's "Cocktail", Paramount had already agreed Let me play the female lead, and then changed my mind inexplicably. According to Jonathan, Cruise thought I was too famous."

"Cruise is like this, what does it have to do with me." Simon said innocently: "Besides, the "A Fish Named Wanda" I recommended to you is also very good. If there is not enough funds, the script will definitely be snatched up."

After the box office success of "Run Lola Run", although two "Back to the Future" series were signed, the filming of this film will only start in the second half of this year. Naturally, it is impossible for Sandra to be idle and start looking for other projects.

There was no suitable role for her in "Pulp Fiction". After several times of picking and choosing, finally, under Simon's recommendation, Sandra took on a very interesting black comedy, "A Fish Named Wanda".

In Simon's memory, "A Fish Named Wanda" tells the story of four stupid thieves stealing a diamond worth millions of dollars through expression techniques full of absurdity and coincidence, as well as cold humor of various Anglo-American cultural conflicts. The film was not only a big success at the box office, but also won many awards including Oscars.

When Sandra heard Simon mentioning the movie, she complained half-truthfully, "What's more, for a low-budget movie, $100 million plus 10% of the net profit share, I don't know if I can get the share." , I took your advice. If you mess up, you have to make it up to me. "

After Sandra confirmed her participation, the production cost of "A Fish Named Wanda" was only $800 million.Because of the success of "Run Lola Run", the package price for Sandra to take on the two "Back to the Future" series is 500 million US dollars. If she participates in a commercial film alone, the salary must be higher. started.

Jonathan was not very willing for Sandra to take over the film at the beginning. He hoped that the girl could participate in Cruise's new film "Cocktail". After "Cocktail" fell through, coupled with Sandra's insistence, Jonathan and the producer MGM Pictures negotiated a self-decreasing film-sharing contract.

In Simon's memory, the North American box office of "A Fish Named Wanda" exceeded 6000 million U.S. dollars, but the net profit share in this area can exceed Sandra's worth, not to mention that she signed an omni-channel Profit Sharing Contract.

Box office, videotapes, and TV airings combined, although it will take several years to recoup the various revenues, cumulatively, the total revenue may even exceed $1000 million.

In the 80s, the actresses whose salaries reached tens of millions of dollars could definitely count on one hand.

When Sandra signed the film contract, "Run Lola Run" had exceeded 2 million US dollars, and it was almost a sure thing to lock in the annual crown. She was like supporting a North American box office champion of the year by herself.Therefore, MGM is now attaching great importance to the film that Sandra participated in after "Run Lola Run", and has also set the schedule for the next popular summer file. It is absolutely easy to succeed again.

It is naturally impossible for Simon to say this to Sandra now. Hearing the girl's complaints, he just smiled and said: "Well, it really failed, and I will make it up to you."

Sandra looked at Simon's unpredictable smile, and couldn't help but said, "Then, make it up to me."

Simon's expression immediately became serious: "Do you want it cooked? Jenny will definitely cook me."

Sandra burst out laughing, noticing that many people around her were looking at her, she quickly restrained her expression, nodded 'viciously' and said, "Yes."

Chapter 150 The Mermaid

At eight o'clock in the evening, the manor in Palisades was already full of guests.

On the terrace by the cliff, accompanied by psychedelic lights and music, David Copperfield, who has become more and more famous in recent years, after a series of dazzling magic performances, transformed from under the silk cloth as tall as a man. The birthday cake with candles was lit, and the singing of blessings sounded along with the gorgeous fireworks that exploded in the sky not far away.

The fireworks feast lasted for half an hour, and the atmosphere of the party reached its peak after the birthday song.

After rebirth, almost all the parties that Simon experienced had various purposes, whether it was celebration, or communication, or business, or public relations, only this time it was a very pure carnival, a carnival of luxury and luxury.

Endless drinks, delicious food, brilliant fireworks, wonderful performances, dynamic music, hot girls...

There seemed to be a flashy aura of drunkenness and dreams floating in the air.

The party was prepared by Janet. Simon didn't get involved in anything. He just signed a $1000 million check in advance. In 1988, the $1000 million that could buy a top luxury house on Fifth Avenue in New York was spent on At this party.

At some point, wandering among the crowd, Simon occasionally thought of Gatsby, the great Gatsby.

However, he clearly knew that he was not Gatsby.

Gatsby's dream has been disillusioned.

The ambitions of Westeros have only just begun.

After ten o'clock in the middle of the night, people who were older or who had to work tomorrow began to gradually leave. There were still hundreds of men and women staying in the manor, and the party would continue all night.

In the front yard of the mansion, Simon and Janet sent Disney Pictures CEO Michael Eisner and his wife away together.Noticing the frequent flashing lights outside the wall, Simon beckoned to a waiter and said, "Have someone send some food outside, and don't want the wine, so we can read a few more good words in the newspaper tomorrow."

The waiter smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Janet waved her hand to stop her and said, "You stay here, I'll get someone to prepare it myself."

The two returned to the villa, and Janet rushed to the kitchen, where a team of chefs provided food for the party non-stop.

Simon walked through the crowd in the villa and came to the still noisy backyard again.

The swimming pool facing the back door of the villa was sparkling with colorful ripples under the light. Simon chatted with the people who came up to him, and came to the pool without knowing it.

Seeing Simon standing by the pool, there was no one else around him for a while, and several tall girls nearby came over to say hello.

Simon looked at the familiar face with a mole on the corner of his mouth. Before they introduced themselves, he smiled and pointed to the swimming pool: "Want to swim?"

The girls were taken aback.

The girl with the mole on the corner of her mouth was the first to react, and asked back, "Simon, do you want to come with us?"

Simon shook his head: "I watch you swim."

"Hehe, then we won't go down."

"So," Simon said, "if I can call out your names, go swim and show me."

The girls were stunned again, looking at each other, not knowing whether to nod for a while.

Simon had already opened his mouth with a smile, pointing to the girl with a mole on the corner of her mouth: "You are Cindy Crawford."

The girls immediately showed surprised expressions, and one of them said: "You must have recognized it in advance, Simon, Cindy's looks are so recognizable."

Simon looked at the blue-eyed girl who was speaking, and said, "You are Helena Christensen, from Denmark."

The girls were surprised again, but Simon stopped pausing and pointed to the other two girls: "You are Stephanie Seymour, and, you, Paulina Pryskova, have to Say, you really look like Audrey Hepburn. If my guess is correct, you should all be contracted models of John Casablanca's Elite agency."

Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Paulina Priskova and Helena Christensen are all well-known supermodels in the 90s, although they are not as big as they were later Simon recognized all of them with ease.

Cindy Crawford heard Simon name several of them, with surprise and a touch of excitement on her face, but said: "Simon, you must have seen us in some magazine. And , we didn’t promise you anything just now.”

Simon looked at the other three girls and said, "Cindy is going to cheat, how about you?"