Simon heard Michael Ovitz's terms and replied, "Michael, Bob is indeed worth a million dollars. However, 'Pulp Fiction' is only a medium-budget production, so I can only offer a $500,000 salary, plus 5% of the net box office profit in North America. As for the profit-sharing model, I don't think I need to explain it again".
Everyone in Hollywood knew that Michael Ovitz was a terrifyingly meticulous person. Since he was so well-informed about the CAA clients that Daenerys Entertainment had been in contact with recently, he naturally couldn't be unaware of the net profit-sharing rules for 'Pulp Fiction'.
Michael Ovitz indeed didn't press further, merely saying, "Simon, if it were before today, Orion might have capped the production budget of 'Pulp Fiction' at $8 million. But now, they shouldn't mind adding more, right?"
Michael Ovitz apparently hadn't yet learned the details of Simon's contract with Orion.
The $500,000 base salary Simon proposed still came from the original $8 million budget, leaving him with only $1.5 million to select other actors.
As for the additional 5% net North American box office profit share, Simon had temporarily secured it from Orion that morning.
Traditional Hollywood filmmakers generally had a very strong reverence for superstars, and Robert Redford's participation in 'Pulp Fiction' was definitely something Orion eagerly sought. The second weekend box office of 'The Butterfly Effect' also filled Orion's executives with confidence in Simon once again.
Thus, Simon didn't have to expend much effort on this matter, and Mike Medavoy readily agreed.
Facing Ovitz's confusion, Simon didn't beat around the bush and shook his head, saying, "Michael, this involves contractual issues".
Although Simon and Orion's profit-sharing terms were confidential, the contract for 'Final Destination' was well-known, with Fox specifically publicizing the original profit-sharing terms as a gimmick.
Michael Ovitz showed a knowing expression upon hearing Simon's reply, but then said, "Simon, you want Bob to participate, but you're unwilling to pay a sufficient salary. This certainly won't do".
From his nominal executive producer role on 'Run Lola Run' to the later Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford had helped Simon a great deal.
Simon listened to Michael Ovitz's subtly sarcastic words without embarrassment, saying, "$500,000, plus 5% of the profit share, the value of this contract has a high probability of exceeding $1 million. I've already offered the highest price I can, which is enough to prove my sincerity. If Bob can't be satisfied, then I can only express my regret. However, film is film, Michael; it's one of the riskiest businesses in the world, and we can't act impulsively".
Michael Ovitz listened to Simon's words, gazing deeply at the young man in front of him, his expression seemingly hesitant, but he still said, "Simon, I will convey your terms to Bob. Also, let's talk about 'When Harry Met Sally'. Nora Ephron is also a CAA client, but unfortunately, you bought the script first. How about CAA fully representing this project? You set your terms, and we'll be responsible for contacting the studios".
Simon shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Michael, I've already received several calls about 'When Harry Met Sally' today, so Daenerys Entertainment doesn't need CAA's help right now".
"That's truly a shame," Michael Ovitz also shook his head slightly, then stood up and said, "In that case, Simon, perhaps I should leave".
Simon stood up with him, extended his hand to Michael Ovitz, and said, "Regardless, it was a pleasure to meet you, Michael; you're a Hollywood legend".
Michael Ovitz shook Simon's hand readily, but didn't turn around immediately, standing still and saying, "Simon, honestly, to get you to join CAA, I did a very detailed investigation before I came, and even prepared enough topics for us to chat about all afternoon".
Simon just smiled and said, "Then why leave so quickly?"
Michael Ovitz didn't hide it, saying, "Simon, before I came, I already realized that we might be the same type of person, but that didn't deter me. However, just now, I suddenly realized that we are destined to only become rivals".
The smile on Simon's face didn't diminish at all, and he said, "Honestly, Michael, I just had the same feeling, and it was very strong".
Michael Ovitz also smiled, and asked with interest, "When?"
"You just said: 'We always try our best to meet all of our clients' demands,'" Simon replied, then asked, "And you?"
"Film is film, and we can't act impulsively," Michael Ovitz repeated Simon's earlier words, but then immediately added, "However, Simon, your expectations might be difficult to achieve. Filmmakers are all very impulsive".
Simon retorted, "Not in the big studio era".
Michael Ovitz said, "The big studio era is already history".
"History always repeats itself. That's why people like to use 'the wheel of history' to describe the passage of time".
"That's a very interesting point of view," Michael Ovitz smiled and nodded, saying, "Perhaps we can become friends in private".
"Of course, and also rivals".
"You have to understand, Simon, you are still very weak compared to CAA".
"If a lion wants to change history, it certainly needs to find a bigger target. It can't just pick an ant as an opponent".
"Speaking of changing history, Ron and I also thought that way back then. Then, CAA had just been founded, and the name of our small company attracted a lawsuit. A very profound lesson".
"This isn't a threat, is it?"
"Of course not. In terms of position, we are actually salespeople, and you are consumers. For a salesperson to threaten a consumer, that's absolutely a very foolish thing to do".
As Simon and Ovitz chatted, they unknowingly felt a sense of camaraderie.
However, both were actually very busy, so they didn't sit down again, and Michael Ovitz soon bid farewell and left. After seeing Michael Ovitz out of the company headquarters, Simon returned to his office, and Susan told Simon that Amy Pascal was already on the line.
Simon originally intended for Amy to handle this meeting, so that even if they couldn't reach an agreement, neither party would be too embarrassed with an agent in between. However, Michael Ovitz wanted to talk to Simon personally, which is why he and Amy temporarily swapped their schedules.
Last Saturday, a secret drug test was conducted to confirm that Meg Ryan hadn't touched anything too irredeemable, and Simon then signed a film contract with her. It was a $300,000 salary, also with an option contract, meaning Meg Ryan had to star in another Daenerys Entertainment film after 'When Harry Met Sally'.
Billy Crystal was Jonathan's client, and the contract had been finalized even earlier. As a household name in American television, Billy Crystal's first big-screen film, 'Throw Momma from the Train', which he starred in last year, had excellent box office performance, so his salary was set at $3 million.
Next up was the director.
Rob Reiner.
He was the original director of 'When Harry Met Sally'. The original film's details in all aspects were perfect, and Simon did not intend to replace him. The script had already been handed over to him, and after several contacts, Rob Reiner was also interested in directing. Amy was going to discuss the contract with his agent today.
Simon connected with Amy on the phone, chatted for over ten minutes, and after hanging up, leaned back in the leather chair behind his desk.
Rob Reiner was still a CAA client, and the director's fee he requested didn't surprise Simon.
It was $5 million.
Additionally, he also requested to serve as a producer and insisted on a certain degree of final cut authority.
After some negotiation, the salary remained unchanged, and Amy successfully rejected his demand for final cut authority, but whether to agree to him serving as a producer still required Simon's personal approval.
Rob Reiner's films in recent years had all been very successful. Last year's 'Stand by Me' even grossed over $50 million at the North American box office, so Simon had no objection to the salary. After a discussion with Amy, he also agreed to his request to serve as a producer.
Now, the salaries for Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal alone amounted to $8 million. Although Meg Ryan was getting a newcomer's rate, if they wanted to invite Carrie Fisher, the original 'Princess Leia,' to play the supporting female role, it would definitely not be possible without one or two million dollars.
The above-the-line fees for the main creative team alone had already reached tens of millions, and with this calibre, the below-the-line fees would definitely also have to be kept around $5 million.
Thus, the budget for 'When Harry Met Sally' directly reached $15 million.
As far as he remembered, the North American box office for 'When Harry Met Sally' was around $90 million, which, relative to its production cost, was definitely a project that could bring substantial profits to a film company.
Before today, Simon had always been hesitant about whether or not to personally invest in 'When Harry Met Sally'.
The money in Simon's hands wouldn't be available until November.
In November, New York would already be in winter.
In the original film, the series of beautiful autumn scenes with colourful leaves when Harry and Sally were together were simply enchanting, and this was definitely a major highlight of the film.
But if he waited until November, New York's first snow might have already fallen, and it would definitely no longer be possible to recreate those breathtaking shots. Without those shots, 'When Harry Met Sally' would definitely lose too much of its charm.
Simon also couldn't wait until next year.
Not to mention the contract with Nora Ephron, there would definitely be things to do next year.
Now, with the release of 'The Butterfly Effect's second weekend box office data, the previously stagnant situation instantly came alive.
Simon also had a very clear plan for 'When Harry Met Sally'.