The whole awards season has been going on till now, everyone knows that "shameless bastard" won''t be the biggest hit of Oscar, but it is definitely one of the best films of last year.
Among the top ten films of 2008 selected by Hollywood Reporter, shameless bastard is also on the top ten list of Empire magazine. It is also one of Roger Albert''s top 20 films of the year, ranking sixth among the top ten most influential films of the year released by BBC.
If the box office of "shameless bastard" is now as high as $212.6 million in North America, and the cumulative global box office of $422.71 million represents the choice of a large number of audiences, that proves the professional reputation of the film.
Although "shameless bastard" didn''t get too many awards in the award season, it didn''t get nothing either. Christopher Waltz won the Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as captain hanslanda. At the just concluded Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, "shameless bastard" also won two awards: Best Director and best picture.
So although this film is not the most popular Oscar, it is also recognized as one of the most likely to appear in the nomination list.
In mid January 2009, the nominees luncheon of the 81st Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Regent Hotel, weisher street, Beverly Hills. Because of the threat of bullet letters, Murphy did not attend the nominees luncheon. Bill rosis, who attended instead of him, came with good news just at the end of the luncheon.
"Shameless bastard" won eight nominations for best director, best film, best supporting actor, best photography, best film editing, best original script, best sound effect and best sound editing.
However, Murphy is very clear that it is OK for this film to hit some awards that are not very important. However, due to the relationship between the theme, there is basically no hope to make a difference in the two awards of best picture and best director.
Slumdog Millionaire, which almost swept the award season, is the real hot one. It is said that the film has spent nearly 15 million dollars on public relations promotion in the award season. If the film fails to win the heavyweight award in the end, the producers and distributors will have to cry.
Sometimes, the Oscars are fair. How much input is how much output.
With the announcement of the Oscar nomination list, Murphy has achieved the goal of accumulating qualifications for himself. As there is little hope of getting the best director, he has temporarily put aside the Oscar and is ready to start negotiations with Leonardo DiCaprio, who has expressed his hope for cooperation.
Before the negotiation, Murphy had disclosed the project to Carla Firth. With his current reputation and achievements, there is no accident. After going through the routine procedures, 20th century fox will also be the investor and distributor.
Bill rosis and the agents of Leonardo DiCaprio have made several contacts at present. There are many differences between Murphy''s Stanton studio and the production company under the name of Leonardo DiCaprio, many of which can not be solved by the agents, and they need to negotiate with each other in person.
As Murphy knows, Leonardo DiCaprio''s production company has been investing in his films in recent years, including several projects he has worked with Martin Scorsese. To be exact, the directors of these projects are Leonardo DiCaprio''s tools for winning the best actor Oscar.
Of course, this kind of cooperation is beneficial to both sides. An excellent actor needs the same excellent director to improve, and an excellent director also needs the same excellent actor to help, but the director is more dominant, especially the director who has the final editing right.
No matter how well an actor performs in the shooting, if he is cut by the director in the late editing, the worst side of his performance may be presented in the end.
Leonardo DiCaprio, born as a child star, has been working in the circle for more than 20 years. He knows these things very well, so he always strives for the most power in his films.
This is one of the biggest differences between Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio. The other difference comes from the investment and future income distribution ratio of the two companies.
It can be said that this is relatively difficult to solve.
Therefore, the negotiation about Jordan Belfort''s autobiographical film finally falls to Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio.
"Murphy, no matter how much you calculate the production cost."
In a reception room at the Death Star building, Leonardo DiCaprio, a client of CAA, told Murphy, "I want to make 60 percent of my investment."
Murphy frowned slightly. This investment ratio means that in the future, Leonardo DiCaprio will be the only one. If five years ago, in order to cooperate with super-a stars like him, he would not hesitate to agree, but now he will give up the dominant position, unless Leonardo DiCaprio makes a huge concession in terms of income, Otherwise, it''s impossible.
"The distributor of this project is 20th century fox, and they are also interested in investing in this film." Murphy''s words are more euphemistic, "60% of the investment ratio is impossible."Leonardo DiCaprio thought for a moment and said, "50 percent, that''s the bottom line I can take."
"Yes," Murphy agreed unexpectedly. Leonardo DiCaprio''s face brightened, but before he could smile, Murphy added, "this 50% investment income includes your film payment."
Murphy''s meaning is very clear, even if Leonardo DiCaprio takes part in the film, what he gets is the income as an investor, not the remuneration as a Hollywood superstar.
"It''s impossible," Leonardo DiCaprio said. "How can he accept this kind of self depreciating condition and watch Murphy not give in." of course, my pay has to be calculated separately. "
Murphy frowned deeper. Leonardo DiCaprio is a very professional investor at the moment. He didn''t consider the friendship between them at all.
In other words, he did not consider these when he proposed the conditions just now.
"What''s your pay?" Murphy asked directly. "The number your agent told bill?"
"That''s right." Leonardo DiCaprio nodded and said, "2 + 2 is my bottom line."
Leonardo DiCaprio, without any concession, has gradually given up Murphy''s idea of cooperating with the superstar. The 2 + 2 film payment is not $4, but $20 million of basic film payment, plus 20% of the global box office share.
This also means that if the project takes shape, the vast majority of future income will fall into the pocket of Leonardo DiCaprio. If he is more lucky, it is not impossible for him to get the best actor nomination of OSK, which can be described as both fame and fortune.
Murphy can only sigh, Xiao Li is not only a superstar, but also a successful businessman!
Seeing that Leonardo DiCaprio refuses to give in, Murphy is no longer reluctant. He really wants to cooperate with superstars, but if the conditions are not suitable, it doesn''t matter whether he cooperates or not.
After a few more words, Murphy said timely, "that''s it for the time being, Leo. I need time to think about it."
Leonardo DiCaprio nodded his head and said with a smile, "I hope I can wait for your good news."
Murphy smiles, shakes hands with Leonardo DiCaprio and leaves the reception room first.
Seeing Murphy''s figure disappear at the door, Leonardo DiCaprio can see that Murphy is very repellent to his conditions, but he is not ready to give in, especially in terms of film pay. A concession may bring chain reaction, which may lead to lower film pay in the future.
Out of the reception room, Murphy did not leave the Death Star building, but went to bill Rossi''s office.
"How''s the conversation going?" Bill rosis saw Murphy come in and asked with concern, "how''s the conversation with Leonardo DiCaprio?"
Murphy went to bill Rossi''s desk, opened his chair, sat down, shook his head and said, "the result is not ideal. From my point of view, the negotiation has broken down. "
" how could this happen? " Bill rosis was a little surprised.
In fact, he and Leonardo DiCaprio''s agent want to promote this cooperation, CAA also want to promote the cooperation of its two largest customers.
"Leo''s conditions are too harsh." Murphy also knows CAA''s unspoken ideas, "I can''t accept them."
He added, "20th century fox, as the distributor, is not acceptable."
In any case, Murphy can''t accept Leonardo DiCaprio''s terms. No matter what the investment is, the high pay alone makes him quit.
Although he really wants to promote the cooperation between Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill rosis knows that even if he gathers the strength of the whole CAA, he can''t force the current Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio. They can only make a match in the middle. If they really want to force their class a customers, the consequences will be very serious.
At their level, brokerage companies will become real service providers.
Bill rosis asked again, "can''t we talk about it any more?"
Murphy shook his head without hesitation. "There''s no need."
"What about the actors?" Bill rosis asked with concern, "is there a suitable person?"
"Don''t worry, my script and plan are not ready yet." He looked at the watch, stood up and said, "I have to go back to prepare the script for the new project. If you have something, please call me."
Leaving CAA''s office area, two bodyguards immediately followed and escorted Murphy to the Stanton studio in Century City. (to be continued). )