[Chapter 71: The Anxious Future Director]
Peter Jackson, 35 years old this year, looked more mature than his age with his thick beard. He finished speaking all at once, his face flushed as he stood still, his chest rising and falling with excitement.
The room went quiet. The Miramax staff exchanged glances, stunned for a moment before hurriedly apologizing, "Sorry sir, we didn't stop him."
Harvey's face showed an uncontrollable smile as he waved them off gently.
Peter was slender and not tall. Though angry, his tone made him sound like a hurt little bird. Harvey looked him over and chuckled quietly to himself. Peter stepped forward a few paces, slammed the table heavily, and said, "I've already signed a contract with the copyright holders. What's going on now? I need an explanation!" He was clearly in a bad mood and added, "Hollywood's full of liars."
Harvey's expression turned cold immediately. "Peter, this has nothing to do with me. You better calm down. You should talk to Charlie."
"I can't reach him at all!" Peter was angry and full of worry. "His manager, Whitesell, keeps stalling with excuses. I can't keep waiting. I'm a director; I need to organize my schedule."
Harvey examined him and suddenly brightened. As a similarly cunning scoundrel, he sensed Charlie's thinking. This was probably the little bastard's strategy, picking a partner because of lacking clout? Could it be that Charlie really believed in this New Zealand director? Harvey was skeptical.
Peter Jackson had been directing feature films in New Zealand since '87. But so far, only one film, Heavenly Creatures, had earned some recognition, winning the Silver Lion at Venice in '94. That film launched the then 19-year-old Kate Winslet and barely broke even combining box office and distribution revenues. The North American distributor was Miramax.
Recalling the negotiation strategy, Harvey thought of the "First-look deal," a kind of exclusive preemptive right for a period of time. He had trapped many producers worldwide with similar tactics. He felt no shame, rather rewarded in a strange way by looking at Peter. Was this guy's anger partly aimed at him? If The Lord of the Rings really succeeded, Peter would become a top Hollywood director. Should he improve their relations early?
Harvey shook his head, not placing much faith in Peter. He spread his hands ambiguously, "Peter, this is between you guys. I don't know the details. So far, Charlie hasn't met with you but also hasn't officially fired you, right?"
Peter's expression was unsettled. There weren't many directors in New Zealand, so being a leading figure had its advantages. Peter once worked carving wood for a newspaper and filmed his first movie over several years. Later, he got support from the New Zealand Film Commission. After Heavenly Creatures, he gained some industry attention.
He and his wife Frances Walsh wrote a script called The Frighteners and took it to Hollywood. Robert Zemeckis, a major player behind Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, liked it. But The Frighteners failed, crushed by Independence Day, and Peter's career momentum quickly declined. He also clashed with the New Zealand Film Commission, putting him in a low point.
Of course, Peter wasn't short of projects, but any ambitious director wouldn't give up on a production worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In the world of fame and fortune, everyone was easily tempted!
The Lord of the Rings was Peter's only major shot. The project had been through ups and downs, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. Harvey didn't want to comfort Peter on Charlie's behalf and drank water with an attitude showing he wanted them to leave.
Unexpectedly, Peter softened, resting his pleading hands on the black office desk. "Harvey, we've worked together. Heavenly Creatures made you money. For that, can you tell me what Corleone really thinks?"
Harvey was silent for a moment. "I really don't know."
Damn it! Peter nearly spat with anger, took a deep breath, and nodded firmly. "Okay then, at least tell me what kind of person Charlie Corleone is? He's only 19, man, God's really unfair. I beg you, tell me what his decisions are about The Lord of the Rings project. Harvey, please!"
Seeing the young director's attitude, Harvey froze briefly, frowning. If Charlie planned to use force or lowball negotiation to dominate Peter, the situation was already perfect for that. The cunning little bastard knew that. So... he must have bigger ambitions!
Harvey changed posture, leaned on the desk, and softened his tone, "Actually Peter, I want to help you. But The Lord of the Rings is entirely handled by Corleone Studios, and I don't know their decisions. What I can tell you is Charlie's hot-tempered, arrogant, and very controlling. As for his abilities..." he shrugged. "A 19-year-old kid from the streets who's gained all this in a few months? It's obvious. I only know he cares a lot about The Lord of the Rings. But you, your past record doesn't really inspire confidence for producers. If you don't mind, you could direct some of my projects. I've always admired you."
"Thanks!" Peter sighed deeply, full of worry. He politely declined Harvey's offer and left.
...
Harvey watched his back quietly for a long time, then shook his head and stopped digging into Charlie's motives. He picked up the phone. "Hey man, good news. United Artists and Saul Zaentz are done. One asked for $3 million, the other $100,000. I worked hard to convince Saul, I covered that hundred grand for you! Better news: you got invited to a fundraising gala on the 9th."
"Oh, really?" Charlie sipped coffee casually in the Burbank Haas Building. "Thanks, buddy. I've got news too. Corleone Studios plans to buy shares in a record company. According to the contract, Miramax will share the acquisition costs, $3.5 million. When can you transfer the money?"
"What the fuck?" Harvey jumped up. "Where did you find a record company? Are you serious? What's the company's name?"
"Death Row Records!"
"Damn it, Charlie, what are you trying to do? You're crazy. Don't you think you're already sitting on a powder keg? And you want to dig for more trouble?" Harvey was stunned.
*****
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