HWI 41

Hollywood What If Chapter 41

"So what's next? The answer is simple, negotiate with Warner Bros and fight for better conditions. If they don't agree, contact the other companies. I'm sure 20th Fox Searchlight Pictures wants to cooperate with us again."

"I understand."

Kazir and Salvatore had a conversation after closing the deal. 

Lawyer Terrence Downey left after the negotiation, it seemed that he was busy these days. Kazir had known Terrence for years now. 

He was a good guy. When Cassandra filed for divorce, Terrence Downey wanted to defend Kazir. Unfortunately, Kazir was too infatuated with Cassandra in his past life and lost his property in the process. 

In this timeline, Terrence was disappointed as well because Kazir gave up his house again. 

Anyway, these depressing things ended after Kazir gained his first million!

Hell yeah! 

He got $2.3 million at the first round of negotiation with Fox Searchlight Pictures. 

Then he received another $25 million after selling the copyrights of Napoleon Dynamite! A big amount of money was in his bank right now!

Third was the upcoming box office share. He has the right to receive 5% of the North American box office. As of now, Napoleon Dynamite has 120 million dollars. 

Once Cassandra heard this news, she would definitely scream in madness for leaving a high-value man. 

"The Warner Bros contacted me yesterday. They say that they are ready to pay you $5 million to direct 'The Hangover'. "

Kazir's next movie was a comedy as well. The title of the movie was "The Hangover".

He gave the scripts to 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros first. These two companies studied the profitability of the script. In the end, they bought agreed that the movie has a strong chance of success. 

Warner Bros showed their interest first by inviting Kazir to direct the movie with a salary of $5 million.

For a new director, this amount was actually outrageous. Warner Bros was definitely cursing Kazir right now. 

Unfortunately, Salvatore, Kazir's agent, said that Kazir would only accept the deal if he has a box office share. 

God Damn Leech!

That was the best term for agents. 

These people have super thick faces. They will keep nagging for more money for their clients. 

Obviously, Salvatore Barlowe wanted Kazir to have a box office share as well.

The copyrights of Napoleon Dynamite were sold for $25 million. As Kazir's agent, Salvatore Barlowe has the right to receive 3% as a commission. 

This was the real reason why agents were crazy to have superstar clients. They would never be hungry with them. 

Salvatore Barlowe was so happy that his gamble was a victory!

750 thousand dollars! This amount was almost 10 times his annual salary. Salvatore Barlowe had a hard time sleeping knowing that his bank account was filled with money! 

"Salvatore, contact 20th Century Fox as well. I'm going to an accountant firm and settle the money."

"Don't worry Kazir, it's my job to make that you will receive good conditions. If Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox didn't agree with our conditions, then I will contact Universal Pictures and Paramount. They are festering me these days."

"Hm, I leave the negotiation to you."

Kazir stood up. 

Kazir hired an accounting firm to settle his money and tax. He felt hiring a personal accountant was a bad thing. He heard what happened to Nicholas Cage after getting scammed by his financial manager. 

Just like what was stated in the contract, Aaron was obligated to half of the income of Napoleon Dynamite. This kind of clause was actually bad for Kazir because he could not take all of the income. 

However, Kazir and Aaron were brothers. The last people whom he wanted to betray were his family. 

Half of the 25 million dollars was sent to Aaron's bank account. Kazir already contacted his brother about the money. Aaron was laughing hysterically when he received the money. 

'Let's not forget the 5% of the North American box office.'

Kazir already talked to Salvatore to urge Fox Searchlight Pictures to give their share. 

Kazir was confident that Fox Searchlight Pictures would not swindle him. 

'If they tried to do that to me, I will never cooperate with them ever again. Simple as that.'

There were six giant film companies in Hollywood. Besides, he could cooperate with DreamWorks and MGM as well. 

'I heard that Steven Spielberg founded DreamWorks with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen to break the monopoly of the big six.'

The company was founded last year and it didn't have any projects currently. 

A few days arrived and Napoleon Dynamite was released in different countries. Just like what was written in the contract, Ed Helms and the others were tasked to promote the movies outside America. 

As for Kazir, he talked to Fox Searchlight Pictures to let him stay in America. He wanted to polish his script. 

Fox Searchlight Pictures didn't want to make him mad because Kazir had a new project. Fox wanted to cooperate with him. 

On top of that, Kazir and his writing partners were writing the sequel of Napoleon Dynamite as well.

Both sides were walking on eggshells and nobody wanted to cut ties. At least not now. 

"What's the catch?"

After a week of talking with Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox, Salvatore's face was haggard. However, he was clearly excited. 

"The two sides want to cooperate with you."

"I know." Kazir nodded. 

In fact, Warner Bros and 20th. Century Fox contacted him so many times these days. 

"First of all, 20th Century Fox will pay you a salary of 8 million dollars."

"That's a great amount."

"Indeed."

This amount was really big. 

However, directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron could get 20+20 from film companies. 

20+20 was known as a $20 million salary plus a 20% box office share. 

This was the reason why Steven Spielberg earned more than 100 million after the success of 'Jurrasic Park'. 

In Hollywood, only a few people could negotiate 20+20 conditions.

'Unfortunately, 20th Century Fox didn't want to share the box office with me.'

"What about Warner Bros?"

"Well, they will pay you $3 million and 10% box office share. But the condition is the movie must surpass $150 million at the North American box office. If it didn't reach that amount, you will receive nothing except your salary."

"Wow, both of them are really trying to squeeze me." He laughed.