HWI 182

Hollywood What If Chapter 182

After signing a distribution contract with Sony-Columbia, the two sides had an understanding. Grey Pictures expressed their thoughts that the Bourne Identity would be released in late July or early August. 

Sony-Columbia didn't have a problem with that schedule and agreed. As long as they didn't have a movie that would be released on that schedule, they would distribute The Bourne Identity within that timeframe. 

With Kazir's fast filming style, the movie would be finished before in early June. There would be no problem with the filming schedule. 

In fact, as of the second week of May, they already filmed more than 2/3 of the movie. 

As for Taken 2, Grey Pictures intended to release the movie in September or November. It depends on Fremont Smith's capability to how fast he could film the movie. Of course, his crew members were responsible for the speed of the production as well. 

Unfortunately, unlike Kazir's efficient crew, Fremont's crew was just recently formed and they didn't have strong cooperation. They were still in the process of knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses. 

With the two movies that Grey Pictures would release, the company was expanding and the Big Six were alarmed by this. 

Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, and Paramount were three film companies that Kazir Grey cooperated with. Their relationship was good, at least from a business standpoint. 

The three major film companies earned money from his projects and Kazir Grey benefited as well. They were quite good at each other. 

However, it didn't change the fact that they were rivals as well. Knowing that Grey Pictures was getting better, the three film companies couldn't help but block its path. 

If there was a good thing, the three film companies were not so adamant about it. At least they were just in the process of making an alliance to prevent Grey Pictures from growing. 

Perhaps having no distribution channels was a good thing for Grey Pictures because once they expressed their intentions of acquiring a distribution channel, then not only the three film companies would cause a ruckus. All Big Six would tag teamed to eradicate Grey Pictures. They would attack it in different directions until the company collapsed. 

"I'm hearing rumors that Star Wars will be released in late July or early August. Not only that, Matrix that invested by Warner Bros will be released in September or November."

Kazir Grey said to Stella Willow. 

The woman nodded, realizing the intention of the three major film companies. 

She knew that once Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released on the same day as The Bourne Identity, the latter would immediately lose the box office. Not only that, the distribution of theaters would be against their favor as well. 

After all, there were only more than 11 thousand theaters in North America, and Star Wars Episode 1 might get the advantage. Star Wars is a huge IP and it's impossible to beat it. At least not now. Now that many Star Wars fans have been waiting for the movie for a decade. 

The last Star Wars movie was the Return Of The Jedi, which was released in 1983.

If Star Wars Episode 1 and The Bourne Identity had a battle, the outcome would be obvious. 

'However, I'm confused as to why Kazir is nervous about this so-called Matrix. I heard that this movie is Rated-R. Taken 2 can easily beat this movie if they are released at the same time.'

Taken 2 was a PG-13 movie and the expected box office of this movie was around $400 million at the least. Surely, this Matrix from Warner Bros would be kicked out of the theaters, right? 

Well, Stella Willow didn't know the future so she was confident that Taken 2 would not be bullied...

'The hardest enemy will be Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.'

Indeed, that was what she thought. 

As for Paramount, their stance was unknown. They didn't show any intention of joining the alliance but they were not against it either. 

Taken 2 would be distributed by them and they didn't want the movie to suffer. Of course, if things changed, Paramount would use their own means to sabotage Taken 2. 

Even though the two sides had signed a contract, Paramount had many ways to fuck up Taken 2. They could prolong the payment, they could make the number of theaters low, or they would provide a minimal investment regarding promotion. 

"The reason why I'm telling you this is because I want to hear your opinion. Once you return to the United States, you will be the official General Manager of Grey Pictures."

'So this is like the last test or something?'

Stella Willow nodded. 

"These are nothing but rumors and the three film companies didn't give any official news about the release of their movies. Meaning, they are still waiting. Waiting for your response."

Kazir agreed. He thought about it as well. 

"If you don't do something, the three film companies will go with the plan and sabotage The Bourne Identity and Taken 2."

"Based on my understanding. We have three things to think about." The woman nudged her golden-rimmed eyeglasses. 

"First, you can express your intention of cooperating with them. The scripts you've written showed positive results and the three film companies surely want to cooperate with you again."

"Second, be confident in your movies and let them collide with Star Wars Episode 1 and Matrix."

About this, Kazir didn't want to fight these movies because he knew that the outcome would be bad for him. 

"Third, we can stop all of our cooperation with Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, and Paramount Pictures. Instead, we will ally with Walt Disney, Universal Pictures, and Sony-Columbia and ask them to protect us. Of course, we have to prove to them that we can be useful."

Hearing the woman's thoughts, Kazir Grey knew that he hadn't made a mistake in choosing her.

"It's a good thing that we met."

"Yes, President."

"Ah, I'm really not used to being called President. I like to be called Director instead."

Kazir scratched his head and chuckled. 

"Hm, Director Grey."

"Then, I think the two of us know what's the best solution."

"That's right."

The two looked at each other and nodded. 

"Maintaining the relationship with the three film companies is important. As much as possible, I don't want to be their enemy."

"I understand."

Ah, the complicated life in Hollywood...