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Chapter 53: The Strategic Kingpin of CAA
🕑 Added 2024-09-12 17:06:05 +0000 UTCIn Glendale, a city north of Los Angeles, Keanu Reeves resided. At that moment, his agent was passionately explaining, "Keanu, this script was personally delivered by the assistant of director Gilbert. They're inviting you to play the lead role—the lead role!"
Keanu Reeves didn't seem very interested, replying, "This type of project doesn't really appeal to me."
"For heaven's sake, Keanu, this is a mainstream commercial film! Do you know how many people dream of getting such an opportunity but can't? What did you come to Hollywood for? Is it just to stay in the independent film scene and never make it into the mainstream?" The agent implored earnestly.
"I need to talk to River and Johnny before I decide," Keanu Reeves said.
The agent rubbed his forehead, feeling desperate. But there was nothing he could do; Keanu trusted the opinions of his two best friends more than his own advice.
That evening, Keanu Reeves went to Johnny Depp's bar, where his close friends River Phoenix and Johnny Depp were already waiting. "Hey, Keanu, you made it…" River Phoenix greeted him, pulling out a small bag and waving it in front of Keanu's face. "Got some new stuff, want to try?"
"Of course," Keanu Reeves replied.
The three of them lit up, sprinkling cocaine powder on their cigarettes, and began to smoke.
All three were drug users with a history of substance abuse, and spending nights like this together, getting high, was nothing new for them.
After they had smoked enough and enjoyed the euphoric high, they began chatting about the latest Hollywood gossip.
"River, Johnny, I received a film offer, and I'm not sure if I should take it. I wanted to get your opinions," Keanu Reeves said, seeking advice from his close friends.
"What kind of film?" River Phoenix asked.
"Gilbert —you know him, right? He's inviting me to play the lead in his new project," Keanu Reeves explained.
"The lead? Then you should definitely take it. You've been playing supporting roles for so long; this is a chance to be the main character. You should seize it," River Phoenix said, patting Keanu on the back, happy for his friend.
"Wait," Johnny Depp interrupted. "Is this the director who made *The Shallows*?"
"That's him. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, it's a good opportunity. You should go for it," Johnny Depp replied, clearly not wanting to delve further.
Should he really tell his close friend that Gilbert had slept with his ex-fiancée, Winona Ryder? Although Johnny Depp wasn't overly concerned about being cheated on, the situation still made him uncomfortable.
With the support of his two close friends, Keanu Reeves quickly informed his agent that he had decided to attend the audition.
"You've finally come around, Keanu. I'll let them know right away," the agent responded, clearly pleased.
When Gilbert heard that Keanu Reeves would be auditioning, he was also pleased. He had been a fan of Keanu Reeves since the days of *The Matrix* and was especially fond of the *John Wick* series.
However, he also recalled that at this time, Keanu Reeves was still hanging out with River Phoenix, and both had substance abuse issues. If Keanu Reeves passed the audition, Gilbert would insist that he refrain from using drugs, including marijuana, during the filming. Gilbert had witnessed how people like Julia Roberts, after using drugs, could become completely unrecognizable—even lashing out at a Hollywood heavyweight like Spielberg.
Many Hollywood directors and stars had histories of drug addiction or at least experiences with marijuana, and some even used harder substances. Silver parties were not inherently dangerous, but the drugs that often accompanied them were.
Perhaps being in such a high-pressure industry led many to seek relief through drugs, gradually leading to addiction. Meanwhile, marijuana and similar substances were often used purely for recreational purposes.
But that was someone else's private life. Unless there was a close relationship, meddling in someone's personal choices would be overstepping.
Gilbert wasn't concerned with Keanu Reeves' habits as long as they didn't affect the production. After all, Keanu would eventually quit. His only concern was that, during the shoot, everyone adhered to the rules and avoided any unnecessary complications.
While Keanu Reeves still hesitated, Sandra Bullock quickly agreed to the offer. She was represented by CAA, and before her audition, her agent Rory Toledo even received a meeting with CAA President Michael Ovitz.
"Can you introduce package deals into Gilbert's production?" Although phrased as a question, Michael Ovitz's tone was firm.
Sandra Bullock's agent, Rory Toledo, hesitated. "But I've heard from Ms. Boone that Gilbert refused to sign with CAA specifically because he couldn't accept the package deal policy."
"Hmph!" Michael Ovitz snorted. "I used to think highly of Sheena Boone, but she's been a disappointment. Rory, I don't want you to be the next person who lets me down."
Feeling the pressure, Rory Toledo reluctantly agreed, "Rest assured, Mr. Ovitz, I will carry out your instructions."
"You'd better. Now, leave," Michael Ovitz waved dismissively, as if shooing away a chick, and Rory Toledo was out the door.
After Rory left, Michael Ovitz lit a fine Havana cigar and fell into deep thought.
This year, CAA had suffered a significant setback with *Alien 3*. As a product of package deals, its failure was bound to impact CAA's ability to continue pushing this policy.
Package deals were the foundation of CAA's existence in Hollywood's agency scene; they couldn't afford to fail.
After some consideration, Michael Ovitz, known for his keen eye, set his sights on Gilbert's project. He believed Gilbert's future was limitless, and if CAA's package deals could latch onto him, it would provide additional security.
Unfortunately, the agent he had once favored, Sheena Boone, had gone independent. Despite repeated attempts to bring Gilbert back to CAA, she had failed.
With that in mind, Michael Ovitz decided it was time to play hardball and forcefully insert CAA into Gilbert's production. He was certain that Gilbert wouldn't be able to refuse CAA.
It's worth noting that years of dominance in Hollywood had given Michael Ovitz a certain blind confidence.
But how could he be so sure that Gilbert would agree to CAA's demands?
This was precisely what worried Rory Toledo. He had maintained contact with Sheena Boone, even after she left CAA, and had learned from her that Gilbert Landrini, though young, was extremely assertive, with a strong sense of control and an even stronger personality.
If Sheena Boone, who enjoyed Gilbert's trust, had been turned down, what made Rory Toledo think he could convince Gilbert to let CAA interfere in his production?
