HWI 245

Hollywood What If Chapter 245

After the real estate agent left the house, the couple decided to bless the house with their bodily fluids. 

Angelina was very exhausted and cuddled with her man on the sofa. Most of the furniture was gone but the beds, tables, and other stuff were left behind by the previous owner. 

"I heard people are getting crazy because of you."

"What are you saying?"

"Humph, don't tease me. Stop touching my-- you pervert, I tell you I'm serious right now. Staph~~"

Kazir just chuckled. 

"I don't know why but Disney is desperate right now. They are asking me to direct a movie based on a novel."

"What novel? Perhaps I read it."

"It's Barsoom series, by Edgar Rice Burroughs."

"Really? You're freaking joking, tell me you're joking!?" Angelina was relatively shocked. 

Edgar Rice Burroughs was a famous author. His most notable works were the Tarzan and Barsoom series. 

His works were famous in the early 1910s and even now his works are appreciated. Angelina knew about the Tarzan and Barsoom series. She didn't expect Walt Disney to acquire the movie copyrights of the Barsoom series. 

"Walt Disney wants a movie adaptation of the Barsoom series and they hope that I can be the director... They want to name the movie John Carter, based on the protagonist of the Barsoom series."

"What do you think? I think it's a great deal. I believe Disney expressed a desirable contract to you."

"They contacted my agent and they said that they are ready to open a 20+20 contract with me. It's negotiable."

"Wow, I'm so proud of you." The woman showered him with kisses. 

"They keep pestering Salvatore to accept the invitation."

"Then what are you waiting for? I think the novel will turn out great if you're the one who's going to direct it. You're an amazing person."

"Thanks, babe."

The reason why Kazir was hesitant to accept the deal was because of the knowledge he had about the future. He was actually surprised that Disney wanted to film John Carter very early compared to the original timeline. Well, he knew that one way or another, the reason was because of his interference with the timeline. 

'John Carter was a box office flop. Walt Disney tried to promote it in foreign countries to recoup their loss but it was useless. In the end, they put down the project with no intention of making a sequel.'

Another reason was because...

"Warner Brothers contacted me as well. They want me to direct Harry Potter. It's a children's book."

"Haven't heard of it. You know that I'm busy."

Angelina replied, curling the man's hair. 

"They said that they will give me preferential treatment, a 20+20 contract, and a 5% videotape/DVD profit share for five years."

The first five years of a movie in the videotape/DVD market had the best profit performance. After that, the sales would slow down. 

In his estimate, Kazir would earn around $30-50 million on the videotape/DVD profit share alone. That was a huge cut that Warner Bros was ready to step into. 

"I'm speechless."

Indeed, Angelina didn't know what to say. She was quite famous and her net worth was above 7 figures, but she didn't expect that her boyfriend could earn ten times her annual salary. She was so proud of him. 

"Then I guess you're going to choose this Harry Potter then."

"You're not afraid that I will fail?"

"As if. We are talking about you here, the talented director Kazir Grey. Of course you are going to be alright. I believe in you."

Kazir smiled and snuggled. 

"Actually, I got an offer from Sony-Columbia as well."

"Let me guess, their offer is more enticing than Walt Disney and Warner Brothers. You know what, I think 20th Century Fox contacted you, right?"

"How did you know?"

"I just guessed, based on our conversation."

Indeed, but to be precise, the one who contacted Kazir was actually LucasFilm. George Lucas personally called him, congratulating Kazir. Then George Lucas asked Kazir if he was interested in directing the Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones. 

After their first meeting a few months ago, the two met a few times and talked about their daily lives. One time, George Lucas invited Steven Spielberg and the three people had a good time. 

Steven Spielberg said that he was happy that someone like Kazir was going to take the banner now that most Jewish directors were getting old. Kazir just accepted that and didn't bother to explain himself. 

"So what about Sony-Columbia? What do they want from you?"

"You know Spiderman?"

"That comic superhero? I read a few editions."

"Sony-Columbia hopes that I'll be the director of that project. Well, it's actually complicated. Even Marvel is trying to talk to me."

Grey Pictures bought a lot of superhero movie copyrights from Marvel and the company was hoping to meet Kazir. 

Kazir had an idea why they wanted to talk to him. Marvel was in their deepest down this time, they were in a downward spiral. Defeated by their rival, DC Comics. 

Perhaps they were trying to find a solution to get back to their feet. They believe that Kazir had the answer to their questions. 

The people from Marvel were not idiots. When they learned that Kazir intended to make a Cinematic Universe about hitmen, assassins, agents, and ninjas, Marvel understood the reason why Grey Pictures bought their not-so-famous superheroes.

Grey Pictures wanted to make a Cinematic Universe about superheroes!

'Erm, actually not. In the first place, I bought the superheroes because Marvel might become my enemy later. So I just cut their wings before they can fly... However, if we have an agreement, I've no intention of avoiding money.'

Especially now that Sony-Columbia wanted Kazir Grey to direct Spiderman, he would definitely meet the higher-ups of Marvel Comics. 

He felt like he would reach the point where he had to decide his future. Because honestly, he was interested in DCEU as well. 

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[Now that I know Spiderman won the poll, I decided to cook.]