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Chapter 32: Negotiations on Hold
🕑 Added 2024-09-04 15:39:09 +0000 UTCAfter the initial contact with Universal Pictures, Shina Boone headed to Melon Studio in Burbank.
"For now, it's unlikely that Universal Pictures will agree to our demands. I think they might make some concessions regarding the director's fee, but they won't agree to the investment or profit-sharing," Shina Boone explained, having grasped Universal Pictures' bottom line after the negotiation.
Gilbert sighed in disappointment, "So it seems getting a share of the profits isn't going to happen?"
"Indeed," Shina Boone nodded, "But Universal Pictures is very optimistic about your new project, so I don't think investment will be an issue."
"In that case," Gilbert tapped his fingers rhythmically, "we should also reach out to other studios. Universal Pictures isn't our only option."
Shina Boone understood, "Alright, I'll start contacting other studios."
Burbank, often referred to as the media capital, is home to influential organizations such as "Time" magazine and "The Los Angeles Times," one of the top three newspapers in the U.S. Of course, it's also where many Hollywood companies have their headquarters, including the famous Warner Bros.
At this moment, Warner Bros. CEO Jeff Robinov was discussing Gilbert's new project with Distribution Head Doug Walter.
"According to the latest reports, 'The Shallows' has grossed over $40 million in North America, with over $30 million overseas, and it's still climbing. The final box office might very well exceed $100 million. Gilbert has officially submitted his new script to Universal Pictures, and our sources indicate that Universal is very optimistic about this project," Doug Walter explained, leaving Jeff Robinov deep in thought.
"So, do you think we have a chance of taking this project from Universal?" Jeff Robinov asked.
"It's hard to say," Doug Walter was uncertain, "I heard that the first round of negotiations between Universal Pictures and Gilbert's agent ended in a stalemate, which might be an opportunity for us."
"Alright then," Jeff Robinov decided swiftly, "Let's actively pursue a collaboration with Gilbert."
A similar situation was unfolding between Robert Iger and Michael Eisner. Touchstone Pictures, a subsidiary of Walt Disney, handles live-action films, an area where Disney isn't as strong.
"We've learned from the Writers Guild that Gilbert has registered several scripts. He's a director in a prolific creative phase," Robert Iger informed Michael Eisner.
"Gilbert has immense potential, and our evaluation suggests that the chances of his next film failing are quite low," Robert Iger continued.
Michael Eisner made his decision, "Let's approach Gilbert. Our live-action film division lacks a leading figure. If Gilbert comes on board, we can negotiate any terms."
"I understand. I'll reach out to him immediately," Robert Iger agreed.
Similar scenarios were playing out at Paramount, MGM, Sony Columbia, and 20th Century Fox. However, apart from Touchstone Pictures and Warner Bros., which were genuinely interested in acquiring Gilbert's project, the other studios were more interested in seeing if there was an opportunity to benefit from the situation.
Nonetheless, this flurry of interest made Universal Pictures very anxious, as they were keen on continuing their collaboration with Gilbert.
Soon, under pressure from Universal Pictures, Shina Boone entered into a second round of negotiations with the studio.
"Ms. Boone, we're eager to work with Gilbert again. We're willing to increase the director's fee to $1.2 million, but we cannot agree to the investment or profit-sharing," said Levitt Gore.
"Gentlemen," Shina Boone widened her eyes in disbelief, "For a director whose film is about to gross over $100 million globally, your offer is outrageous.
Think about how much Universal Pictures has made on this project—probably tens of millions of dollars, right? And now, you're only offering $1.2 million?"
Shina Boone raised her voice at the end, sounding quite angry.
At this point, Lou Wassell tried to calm her down, "Ms. Boone, please, let's remain calm."
After she sat down, Lew Wasserman continued, "Ultimately, Gilbert does have potential, but he's only proven himself with one film. Universal Pictures is also taking a risk by choosing to believe in Gilbert again. We hope you can trust us and lay the groundwork for even better collaboration in the future."
The underlying message from Lew Wasserman was that Gilbert wasn't yet in a position to demand profit-sharing or investment stakes.
Shina Boone, of course, knew that Gilbert wasn't in that position yet. Her demands were just a starting point for negotiations.
Ideally, she hoped to secure a director's fee of $1.5 million, and if they could get profit-sharing, that would be even better. Thus, the second round of negotiations ended in another impasse, with no agreement reached.
Afterward, Lee Wasserman and Levitt Gold continued their discussion.
Levitt Gold suggested, "I think we should put the negotiations on hold for now, let them cool off for a bit."
"But what if Gilbert ends up working with another studio? What then?" Lee Wasserman was concerned.
"Don't worry. We'll leak a bit of Gilbert's demands to the other studios. I doubt they'll agree to his outrageous terms either," Levitt Gold confidently responded.
Lew Wasserman saw the logic, "Alright, let's do that."
This was indeed a sound strategy. When negotiations hit a deadlock, sometimes it's best to let things sit for a while. Gilbert wasn't Spielberg, and right now, he was the one who should be feeling anxious.
However, what neither of them expected was that a studio would actually agree to Gilbert's terms, catching Universal Pictures completely off guard.
At Robert Iger's invitation, Gilbert was a guest at Robert Iger's luxurious villa.
A small party was being held there, essentially in Gilbert's honor. Needing a date, Gilbert thought of Cameron Diaz and invited her to join him.
Cameron Diaz was thrilled by the invitation. She rented a special dress and waited for Gilbert to pick her up so they could go to Robert Iger's villa together.
"Wow, Michelle, you look stunning tonight!" Gilbert admired Cameron Diaz, who was wearing a blue cocktail dress.
Michelle was Cameron Diaz's middle name—Cameron Michelle Diaz.
Cameron Diaz shyly responded, "Really? Thank you for the compliment."
Seeing how captivated Gilbert was, Cameron Diaz knew she'd chosen the right dress; it was definitely man-catching.
December nights in Los Angeles can be chilly, so Gilbert took off his suit jacket and draped it over Cameron Diaz's shoulders.
"It's a bit cold tonight. Be careful not to catch a chill," Gilbert said.
Looking at the considerate man in front of her, Cameron Diaz admitted she felt a moment of affection.
"Please, my lady, fasten your seatbelt," Gilbert said, opening the car door.
Cameron Diaz giggled, "Thank you, kind sir."
She then sat in the passenger seat, pulling her long legs inside.
Gilbert closed the door, walked around to the driver's side, and they drove off toward Robert Iger's estate.
