HWI 42

Hollywood What If Chapter 42

The conditions of 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros were disadvantageous for Calix.

In this kind of situation, the best option was to contact the other film companies.

"Salvatore, contact Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures. I'm sure they are interested in working with us. Oh, contact Touchstone and Miramax as well."

"I understand."

Touchstone and Miramax were film companies under Walt Disney.

Walt Disney in the 90s was strongly led by Michael Eisner. The Disney family gradually lost their authority over the company. Michael Eisner held the throne of the company as the Chairman.

With his helm, he leads Walt Disney to focus on live-action movies. Michael Eisner felt that 2D animation movies would slowly lose their freshness once the next century arrived. He was right to be honest.

Because of this, he kicked Jeffrey Katzenberg out of Walt Disney.

Jeffrey Katzenberg was the head manager of 2D animation at that time. When he was kicked out, he joined Steven Spielberg's plan to start another company and founded DreamWorks.

Well, some part of this history might be unclear but Hollywood was known for faking their appearance to the outside world.

So right now, Walt Disney would prefer live-action movies compared to 2D animation which takes a year to complete one movie.

'Well, their position will change once they acquire Pixar from Steve Jobs.'

Pixar was the leading company in the computer animation industry.

"I will send the scripts to them and contact their managers or producers."

"Make sure that this news will be spread around."

"Okay."

The two nodded at each.

January of the year 1996. Napoleon Dynamite and Se7en became one of the movies that earned more than $100 million at the box office.

Napoleon Dynamite was released internationally in different countries last December after Kazir sold the copyrights. So far, the movie earned $59 million overseas.

Together with $132 million in North America, Napoleon Dynamite has $191 million globally. The casinos in Les Vegas believe that the movie would exceed 250 million dollars once it was dropped out of the cinema.

For a 500 thousand cost production, many film companies were drooling over these numbers.

In fact, many companies tried to contact Kazir these days. However, he maintained his solitude because he wanted to wait for Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox.

He has big respect for these companies after meeting their CEOs.

Unfortunately, the two didn't show enough sincerity.

"Well, if they changed their conditions, maybe I can think about it."

Kazir has the upper hand in this situation. Suddenly, his phone rang and he chuckled when he saw the caller's name.

"Reese? Oh, so you guys will return tomorrow? You have souvenirs from Australia?"

The actors of Napoleon Dynamite were signed to promote the movies in different countries.

Reese and the other actors went from different countries, they were tired but excited.

"Okay, I will meet you at the airport."

He smiled. After meeting Salvatore, Kazir went to the cinema to watch a movie.

As a director, learning more shooting styles was not bad.

As for his choice, he decided to go with Jumanji.

"A Great movie. Although the expenses are quite big."

The budget of Jumanji was 65 million dollars. He took a step into the theaters and spent almost two hours of his day watching the movie.

Ed Helms was just an unknown actor. He was currently 21 years old and he didn't have much in life. He wanted to become an actor.

However, with his appearance, he knew that it would be hard to become a superstar.

"Napoleon! Napoleon!"

When he took a step into a tv show, the audience was screaming his 'name'. It was amazing, he felt that he made it.

But he knew that this 'break' would be useless if he didn't star in another movie.

Kazir hired him as Napoleon Dynamite. And he wanted to invite him to another film.

Obviously, Ed Helms took it seriously. As the director who gave him fame, Ed Helms wanted to work with Kazir again.

Not only him, but even Pedro Pascal was thinking the same. As an actor with Chilean blood, he wanted to prove himself in Hollywood. He was given his first step, he might as well follow Kazir to his next movie.

To be honest, these two actors were nervous that Kazir's next movie would be a huge flop. But because they have read the script and laughed cackling, the two knew that Kazir's movie has potential.

So these two actors decided to get their roles. They started studying the script.

"Ed, I recommend you to read these scripts as well. The directors invited you to attend the audition."

John Harris, Ed Helms' agent put the scripts on the table. They were currently staying in a hotel suite in Australia.

The crew would return to the USA after this promotion. It was a tiring job, to be honest.

"I understand. However, if it will collide with the filming of 'The Hangover', then I have to pass."

"Don't worry, I made sure that will never happen."

John Harris was actually the person who talked to Carl Morin last time. They were co-workers, working under William Morris Agency.

'I can't believe that Carl dropped a talented director like Kazir Grey. If I were him, I will keep the director.'

He sighed. All he could say was that Carl Morin made the wrong judgment of kicking Kazir Grey.

"Okay. I have to eat more food."

Because his role in 'The Hangover' was a dentist with average weight, Ed Helms was eating more these days.

His role as Napoleon Dynamite was a thin guy, so have to gain more weight.

He was serious about his job.

"Ed, you have to make sure that you're doing it right. I will find a nutritionist once we're in the USA."

John Harris secretly sighed. He knew that there was a sequel to Napoleon Dynamite. Ed Helms's weight would have drastic changes in the next two years, probably.

"Hm."

Ed Helms nodded and stuffed another sandwich in his mouth.