Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1340 New Ideas for Film Production
"We are willing to do so. We are willing to pay for making a movie. As long as you are willing, we would be more than happy to do so..." Capcom's president Kenzo Tsujimoto loudly requested Ronald to make the game into a movie over the transatlantic phone call.

Capcom's reaction was unexpectedly strong. Their Street Fighter II sales were the most popular arcade game ever. Since the beginning of this year, more than 60,000 arcade machines have been sold worldwide, and pirated copies may be several times that number.

According to statistics, the amount of coins that were put into arcade machines has exceeded 300 million US dollars. In addition, there are sales on various platforms. Nintendo's latest home game console platform Super Nintendo has sold more than 3 million, and Sega's old 16-bit machine has sold more than 500,000. Add to that the floppy disks of various computer models, and this game is simply a money-making machine.

Ronald was very happy. As a shareholder, he didn't expect such a fighting game to make so much money. When the game was first released last year, it was not very popular. Later, after a magazine reported on the fighting method, it became very popular.

From this perspective, when Capcom releases its annual report at the end of the year, won’t its stocks be worth a lot of money?
"Okay, okay, how much are you willing to pay?" Ronald was easy to talk to when he heard that Capcom had helped him make so much money. If they paid 10 million US dollars, half of the production cost would be solved, right? Although no one in Hollywood was willing to do this, which allowed them to publish the rights for free and pay for the filming, it didn't hurt to ask, right? What if the other party didn't understand?
"We are willing to pay 2 billion yen..." Kenzo Tsujimoto gritted his teeth and said a number. In case Hollywood didn't like it, he would have to ask Ronaldson, the shareholder, for help. I heard that the Terminator , which was recently released in Japan, cost more than billion yen.

"Four billion yen..." Ronald calculated in his mind, close to 40 million US dollars... "Mr. Tsujimoto, if you have any request, just tell me..."

"Requests, what else can we ask for?" Kenzo Tsujimoto suddenly felt that he seemed to have misjudged his thoughts. "We only have two requests. The role of the American soldier Coulee must be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the role of the Japanese Ryu must be played by a Japanese actor..."

"Ah, Jean-Claude Van Damme is quite expensive. His salary is more than five million US dollars. Are you sure? What, he is very popular in Japan? Why? Because an American is good at karate? He is a Chinese. Never mind. If you insist, I will go and ask..."

Ronald also felt that he seemed to have misunderstood. There might not be enough talent in Japan to shoot commercial films, and their thinking was still limited to the model of 20 years ago.

In fact, these two requests were nothing compared to Hollywood producers. Ronald agreed immediately, and the two sides agreed to release the film in 1993, and let Capcom become one of the producers... Kenzo Tsujimoto immediately sent someone to Los Angeles to discuss the script and casting with Ronald.

"Isn't that the idea?" Ronald boasted to his daydreaming colleague, "Medium-scale production is risky, so let the Japanese invest..."

"Really..." The employees of Daydreaming were speechless when they saw that their boss could get a budget of 40 million US dollars with just one phone call. How could they do such a thing without Ronald's connections?
Ronald also thought that this was just a coincidence, but it was a revelation that there were indeed many markets that had not been thought of and were worth trying. For example, European production companies also wanted to use Hollywood's production capabilities to promote their own stars and make money in the American market.

We can invite Hollywood to invest. We can discuss any requirements. There is nothing that cannot be discussed...

All of a sudden, everyone started thinking about where to find a wealthy producer, or a wealthy person who could afford to pay an advance payment to raise money.

……

Having opened up a new production route, Ronald left the remaining details to Daydreamer and turned his attention to the "Sugar Coated Trap" project.

"Jerry, how are you thinking about your guest appearance?"

"Me, do you really think I can do it? I've never acted before."

Ronald saw Jerry Weintraub's role when he dreamed about the movie. Weintraub played a stupid rich man who did illegal business. He had a bit of gangster temperament. After all, he made his first fortune by touring with Elvis and Frank Sinatra. He couldn't do it without some gangster spirit.

Moreover, Weintraub has a temperament that is both disliked and kind to the American people, a combination of stupidity and innocence that is unique to the rich people who have made their own fortunes from the bottom. The lower class people are jealous of his wealth, but also think that this guy's temperament is similar to that of his friends around him.

In Ronald's opinion, as long as Weintraub can let go and play this kind of role in her true self, there will be no problem at all.

So can Weintraub let go?
Of course he could. When he was pursuing the singer Jane Morgan, they met for the first time and her husband was still in a hotel, but he dared to call her down to propose to her.

"Don't look at the camera, Jerry, just pretend this big guy doesn't exist." Ronald asked Weintraub to come for an audition. He was a little nervous, so he didn't perform well the first time.

"You don't want to look at the camera?"

"Oh, yes, just talk to me, treat me as the fledgling director back then, and show your discerning eye for people. When you talk to me, look at me, and when you talk to Julia, look at her. Forget the camera, just talk the way you talk in real life."

Ronald knew the limitations of these amateur actors, but he also knew that they could be astonishingly realistic when playing themselves.

"Look, isn't it very stylish?"

Afterwards, Ronald and Weintraub watched the audition clip and talked to him about other collaborations.

"I didn't expect that I acted so well. Tell me, Ronald, do I have some acting talent?" Winterraub has recovered from the bankruptcy crisis, and now he has regained his previous confident state.

"You entered the industry too late. To be a professional actor requires a lot of training, and you don't have the time. But if you ask me, many Hollywood movies now need supporting roles of unscrupulous rich men. You must be very good at playing such roles. Some professional supporting actors, without your life experience and business experience, can't perform such vivid expressions."

"Hey, I'll put that in my resume as an actor." Weintraub had been in the business world for many years, so of course he could tell what Ronald meant by teasing him, and he responded with a joke. The two had become friends over the years, and Weintraub was very grateful to Ronald for helping him when he was in trouble...

"By the way, how are the preparations for your new The Karate Kid going?" Ronald remembered that Weintraub had said last time that he wanted to make a "new The Karate Kid" with a girl as the protagonist.

"I've found the script and the director. Are you interested in talking to him?" Weintraub smiled as if he had some other meaning.

"Okay, I'm quite interested." Ronald still has a lot of feelings for the movie he shot in his early years, and it would be a good thing if he could continue this series now.

"I asked them to come over..." Winterraub made a phone call happily, "You can come over now..." It turned out that he had asked the director to wait outside, and as long as Ronald agreed, he would let them come to meet him.

"This is Christopher Kane, and this is Ronald." Weintraub introduced his prospective director to Ronald. Christopher Kane actually entered the industry earlier than Ronald, and started directing in 1977.

However, he lacked the ability and none of the films he shot became box office hits until 1988, when he starred in "Young Guns" with many young male actors. The film had a production cost of 10 million and earned 50 million at the box office. Only then did he gain some fame.

However, in front of Ronald, Christopher Kane was still a small figure. He had a flattering smile on his face and really wanted Ronald to recognize him so that his family would be protected.

"If you don't mind, why don't you continue to direct the second episode of Young Guns?"

Ronald looked at the director who was much older than him. Young Guns was actually a copycat western film. It captured a certain market segment by starring only young male actors. Making a sequel to this kind of film was like making money.

If Christopher Kane was just a director, that would be fine, but when he introduced himself, he said he participated in the production of the movie, which made Ronald confused. He had the opportunity to pick up money but didn't take it. Is he crazy? Or did he exaggerate his role in the movie? That would be tantamount to a blatant lie...

Although bragging is not a big mistake in Hollywood, the fact that he could tell such an easily exposed lie to Ronald makes people worry about his IQ and moral standards.

"I don't want to say bad things about others, but many people in Hollywood know about this. In fact, several leading actors boycotted me and didn't allow me to direct the second film."

"Oh?" Ronald thought that made sense. The film stars old acquaintances, Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney and other young stars who play the great thieves of the Western era. Jack Palance, the last Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor, also plays an old villain in a Western movie.

It's no wonder. Emilio Estevez, who plays Billy the Kid, and Kiefer Sutherland, who plays Doc Schroeder, are both tough guys. They definitely want to take control of the second part.

If this had happened to a director who was not so strong and scheming, it would probably have been boycotted by a group of bad boys on and off the screen.

Sure enough, in the second part, the two leading actors not only boycotted the director, but also squeezed out Estevez's brother Charlie Sheen and another leading actor Dermot Mulroney. They replaced them with a New Zealand director who rewrote the script according to their ideas.

But the result was not very good. Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland's control of the film was still exaggerated. With the production cost increased significantly, the box office was not as good as the first one. A well-made series of films had to be cut short.

Next, Ronald listened to director Christopher Kane talk about his preparations for the "New Karate Kid", how the female Karate Kid and Master Miyagi could create conflicts different from Daniel's back then, how to show a female student getting rid of bullying and psychological fear by learning karate, etc.

Ronald nodded repeatedly. This understanding showed that Christopher Kane was still quite capable. At least he was qualified to shoot a sequel to a commercial film like this. Besides, he didn't seem to have a strong personality, and with Weintraub watching over him, it would be easier to work with him in the future.

"Jerry said you are the most suitable candidate. I didn't believe it before talking to you, but your insights fully prove that Jerry knows how to appoint the right people... If you have any questions during the preparation, just contact Jerry. I will be shooting my own movie next, so I will be quite busy. But if there is anything that cannot be solved, you can also call my agent."

Ronald's words indicated that he, as the owner of the copyright of the Karate Kid series, agreed to the project. Jerry Weintraub was the happiest.

"Ronald, when I chose a genius like you to direct The Karate Kid, doesn't that prove that I have good taste? Is there any doubt about that? Christopher is definitely a perfect fit as well. I see that you both understand and are familiar with Eastern culture. You will definitely be able to make a good sequel."

"Hahaha..." Ronald liked to hear people praise his genius and nodded repeatedly. His love for oriental culture was indeed very helpful for filming such oriental-themed movies.

"I...I actually have something right now and I want to get your permission." Christopher Kane looked like an honest man, stammering, not knowing what he wanted to say.

With the permission of Ronald and Weintraub, he mentioned that he had two children and also wanted to play a cameo role in the movie.

"What's the big deal? As long as they can look good on camera, it's not a problem. It doesn't matter who you choose for the kids... Look, Jerry can also make a cameo appearance, right?" Ronald smiled. He was indeed a very honest director.

"Hahahaha" Weintraub laughed again.

"No, they are all adults..."

Christopher Kane repeatedly explained that his second son, Dean, was already 26 years old. He was a college football player and was drafted by the NFL Buffalo Bills. However, he unfortunately injured his knee during pre-game training and his career was ruined, so he entered Hollywood to try his luck.

His daughter Crisinda Kane is not yet twenty years old and does not have the potential to be a star, but she also wants to enter the film and television industry, perhaps as a supporting role.

"Huh?" Ronald was a little suspicious. You look to be in your forties, so how come you have a second son who is only 26?
"I adopted him. He is my wife's child from a previous marriage..." Christopher Kane is used to this. People often have such questions. His wife Sharon Thomas is an actress. The father of the first two children is the child of Japanese-American soldier Tanaka. Many people have doubts about the appearance of the two sons.

"Ah... that's fine, let Jerry make the decision on the casting then..." Ronald winked at Weintraub, suggesting that if it was an unimportant supporting role, it would be okay for him to bring his family into the industry.

This guy not only helps others raise children, but also his wife is probably the one who brought up his children because he is interested in Eastern culture. He is really a very sincere person.

"They are nearby. I'll call them and ask them to come and see you..." Christopher Kane also knew how to do this and asked his two children to wait nearby in advance.

"Hello, this is my daughter Crisinda, this is my son Dean. This is the great director, Ronald..."

His daughter Crisinda was very excited and greeted Ronald, but his son Dean was a little cold and looked at him with a bit of hostility.

"What do you think, Jerry?" Ronald took one look at their looks and had to say that their mother's genes were still very strong. They both looked very good, especially Dean, who looked like a Hollywood star.

"I think it's good, especially Dean. He can play a major villain. With his football player background, he will definitely have no problem with action scenes..."

Ronald nodded in satisfaction. Indeed, Weintraub was similar to himself, and liked to take advantage. This Director Kane could buy one and get two for free, which was a bargain.

It's his son Dean. He always looks at him strangely, as if he had stolen his girlfriend.

(End of this chapter)