Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Why did you come back?"

Ronald was surprised to find Richard at his breakfast table again. He asked the single agent to go to Rome during Christmas to deal with Winona Ryder and the Godfather III crew on his behalf.

Richard always did his best to complete the tasks he asked him to do. Was it because he was too much to ask him to go on a business trip during Christmas this time? But Jews don't celebrate Christmas.

"I didn't go. Winona Ryder is already in Los Angeles." Richard picked up the coffee on the table and swallowed it with the barbecued pork bun. Although he didn't get on the plane, the commute from the airport to home also made Richard hungry. He ate voraciously, "Hi, Nick, good morning."

While he was eating, he saw a male actor coming to the other side of the living room. It was Coppola's nephew, Nicolas Cage, who also came to this breakfast meeting. He greeted him by the way.

"You've worked hard. Eat a little first... I'll talk to Nick about something." Ronald stood up and asked Cage to go to another room next door.

"Thank you for considering this movie, Nick..." Ronald thanked Nicolas Cage straight to the point.

"Hey, help me, I really want to work with you again, why don't you consider directing it yourself?"

"I can't direct it, this is an Army project, the Navy will be dissatisfied with me."

Ronald was talking about a script that Diane had taken a fancy to, "Firebird" in Disney's hands, and another name is more clear, called "Wings of the Apache".

This is a movie that the Army took the initiative to cooperate with Hollywood to reflect the Army's latest high-tech weapon - the Apache helicopter, because the Army saw the number of people who signed up for the Navy in "Top Gun".

Several helicopter pilots, under the command of the instructor, defeated the original ace helicopter pilots who resented America because of the Vietnam War, and finally destroyed the secret base of drug dealers abroad and protected national security.

Ronald originally asked Diane to choose this script, but it would take a long time for her to recover and film, and this script unexpectedly caught the favor of another government agency, hoping that Ronald would start filming as soon as possible.

This is the DEA of the United States. The script has a story about a former soldier who betrayed and transported goods for drug lords in Central America. This is consistent with the current White House's policy of cracking down on the southern border, ensuring security, and clearing the import routes of banned drugs.

The DEA also knows that the public does not have a very positive impression of them, so they want to shape the image of their department through a Hollywood movie.

In addition to providing a lot of filming conveniences, the DEA also solved some filming funds. Disney was very satisfied and urged Ronald to start filming as soon as possible.

This kind of project with two big sponsors often has problems. Which sponsor's heroic image should be highlighted in the script? Ronald felt it was a bit troublesome, so he decided not to direct it himself. After consulting Diane's opinion, he also gave up letting her play the heroine-a communications helicopter pilot.

In the end, Emil Adolino, a director who has been cooperating with Disney and was also trained by Daydream, just finished filming the sequel of "Three Male Fathers and One Baby", and simply paid a large sum of money to let him continue to shoot a Disney commercial film.

Being a director is actually a very hard job, but money is attractive. Seeing the salary several times higher than the previous film, Emil Adolino agreed immediately. He made a request that a famous male star should play the leading role.

After searching for a while, Ronald finally found Nicolas Cage. His value and popularity rose rapidly after filming Moonlight Temptation, but it was within the scope of Disney, which focused on small productions.

"Why don't you persuade Diane to work with me again? Last time, her role was taken away by Matt Dillon, but this time she can be with me..." Nicolas Cage squinted his eyes and made a face at Diane next to him.

Last time, they played boyfriend and girlfriend in "Fighting Fish" directed by Cage's uncle, Coppola. Of course, in the end, Diane's role returned to the arms of the brave and aggressive male protagonist, played by Matt Dillon.

"The DEA and Disney are urging to start filming..." Ronald explained to Nicolas Cage with a smile.

"Oh oh..." Cage just blew a kiss to Diane, and then pretended to fall to the ground in sadness.

"Hahaha..." Diane was amused by him and laughed.

"How is Christina now?" Ronald asked Cage. This is his current girlfriend.

"We are very compatible..." Cage smiled, and his expression was different from others when he mentioned this girlfriend.

"That's good, is your schedule okay? I'll ask director Emil Adolino to call your agent Limato and arrange a time for an audition."

"Schedule is okay, I'm not playing in Godfather III..." Nicolas Cage said.

"Huh?" Ronald heard that there was something wrong, "Don't you want to play it?"

"Actually, I learned that my uncle was going to shoot Godfather III, so I recommended myself..." Nicolas Cage's tone was a little resentful.

After all, this is the sequel to a movie that has been most loved by critics and fans in Hollywood for many years. Who doesn't want to play Vincent, the illegitimate son of Michael's eldest brother Sonny who cheated outside? It just so happens that Nicolas Cage's explosive power and Vincent's hot temper and instinctive character have a lot in common.

Ronald thought it was because Cage was aloof and unwilling to use Coppola's surname when he first debuted, so he specifically changed his stage name to Cage. The last time he starred in Coppola's "Peggy Sue is Getting Married" he didn't get good review.

I thought he didn't want to take advantage of the heat this time. Unexpectedly, Cage, who has been immersed in Hollywood for many years, has long since put aside all face issues and knows that he should use all available connections.

This time he really wanted to take advantage of the heat, but after revealing his intention, Coppola rejected him. We can only watch as Vincent, the outstanding role, fell to newcomer Andy Garcia.

Looking at Cage, who wanted to show Ronald his lines for Vincent, Ronald showed a smile. Cage seems not to have understood that this is not a problem with his acting skills, nor is it a problem with Coppola disregarding the friendship between uncle and nephew.

This is a simple budget issue. The Godfather Part III has become a money-making tool for Paramount and Coppola. Cage is currently a second-tier male star. How can he be cheaper than a newcomer? Besides, when movie fans come to watch the third film, how many of them come to see the ending of the elderly Michael played by Al Pacino? How many came to see the story about Sonny’s son?

It goes without saying that whether this role is outstanding or not will not have such a big impact on the box office.

"Who are you going to cast as the heroine?" Diane tilted her head and asked Ronald after Cage left.

"Don't worry, I'm already working on your script..." Ronald changed the subject and said what Diane liked to hear.

"Really..." Diane's eyes lit up when she heard that there was a good script.

…

"Tell me, what's going on?" After Ronald finished dealing with the "Firebird" matter, he came out to apologize to Richard, and everyone started talking about Winona Ryder again.

"I got the news at the airport that she disappeared from Rome. After waiting for a few hours, the news said that she had been found in Los Angeles..."

"Huh? Didn't her agent say that she was suffering from severe anxiety and was facing a mental breakdown?" Ronald frowned. What kind of trick was this?

"Her agent is not to blame for this. She was also deceived. It was Winona's boyfriend who instigated it..."

Richard drank coffee in small sips, and he told Ronald the ins and outs of the farce.

It turned out that the day before filming started, Winona Ryder came to the set to familiarize herself with the scene, and she was very cooperative and tried on various clothes on the set to get a feel for Mary.

But on the day of the start-up, she did not show up. Coppola made more than a dozen calls, but no one answered the phone at the hotel.

Just when everyone didn't know what was going on and was about to call the police, Winona Ryder's new boyfriend, Johnny Depp, called the crew and reported on behalf of his girlfriend that Winona was not feeling well and there was nothing she could do. get up.

Coppola and the crew's doctor went to Johnny Depp's room. The doctor went in alone to examine Winona Ryder. Based on her self-report, it was judged that she might have suffered from anxiety caused by filming two movies in a row without any time off in between.

Coppola has been around Hollywood long enough to know that this kind of thing does have precedent. It takes a lot of energy for an actor to concentrate on acting, especially a method actor like Winona Ryder.

However, he was experienced and did not have a good impression of Johnny Depp standing outside the door looking at him. He also has ex-girlfriend Sherlyn Fenn's name tattooed on his arm.

After reassuring Winona Ryder not to worry and to rest well, Coppola contacted a famous psychiatrist in Rome to give her an evaluation.

However, when they arrived at the hotel the next day, they found that the building was empty. Johnny Depp and his girlfriend Winona Ryder had already checked out and disappeared without saying hello.

But in Hollywood, how could two actors just disappear? Richard quickly found out through CAA's network that they had returned to Los Angeles overnight and were already resting in Depp's cozy nest.

Johnny Depp didn't know what he said to Winona Ryder, which made the girl willingly give up this very good opportunity of The Godfather Part 3, causing a situation that was out of control.

As for the poor agent, he didn’t even know the situation. After learning that Winona Ryder was faking illness, he was notified by phone that the contract with him was terminated...

Hollywood producers hate this kind of "actress saboteur". This is also an important reason why it is difficult for female stars to appear.

"Winona is a female star with good opportunities, a bright future, and great performance potential. She was suddenly abducted by this little gangster... If in old Hollywood, there was only one way to deal with such people, break their legs. , left on the roadside to beg..."

The speaker was new Paramount executive Sidney Ganis. This ridiculous farce had already alerted him to come forward personally. Depp doesn't know what's wrong with him, but he actually thinks that such a little cleverness can succeed...

Holding his responsibility to Winona Ryder, Ronald went with Sidney Ganis to have a showdown with the two lovebirds.

"I heard some news that Winona Ryder was approached by 20th Century Fox to be the lead in a movie 'Edward Scissorhands' directed by Tim Burton, the director of the recent hit Batman Yes. Winona Ryder was originally one of the candidates for the heroine, and it was only for the third part of The Godfather..."

Sidney Ganis gave Ronald a very grateful look, picked up the car phone and called his subordinates.

"Uh-huh... Damn it, I'm going to break his legs!"

Sidney Ganis suddenly became furious. His subordinates told him that Johnny Depp was also one of the candidates for the male lead of this movie. His advantage is undoubtedly the chemistry between them if the female lead is Winona.

Now if Winona Ryder joins the Godfather III, then Coppola, who has always been meticulous, will definitely have a long production cycle, so it will definitely not be able to catch up with the filming of Edward Scissorhands.

This must be Johnny Depp instigating Winona Ryder to star in a movie with her...

Sidney Ganis had just complained to Ronald about this heart-stealing thief and little hooligan when the phone rang again. He grabbed the phone, "Hello, oh, it's your..."

"Hello? Paula? What's going on?" Ronald picked up the phone and heard Paula Wagner's voice.

"Well, well... I understand. I won't influence Tom's decision. He can just follow his own heart. I'm just doing my duty as a recommender..."

"Hey, there aren't many old-school Hollywood gentlemen like you. I'll talk to Tom." Paula Wagner hung up the phone. It's good that this matter won't affect the relationship between Tom and Ronald.

Paramount President Sidney Ganis looked at Ronald, waiting for him to speak eagerly.

Ronald also found it funny to see a president of the Big Seven being played by a little gangster actor. He stopped keeping it a secret, "Tom Cruise was also approached for the film Edward Scissorhands. Now director Burton prefers Cruise, but Tom hopes to change the tragic ending..."

"Shxt!" Sidney Ganis heard that Tom Cruise and director Tim Burton failed to reach an agreement, and knew that it would be a bad time to meet Winona Ryder today.

…

"Winona, I promise you that we will improve the local conditions for filming. You can ask for any conditions you want..." Sidney Ganis, a big CEO, now also lowered his status and pitifully promised Winona Ryder.

After all, changing the role at the last minute would be a huge loss for Paramount. Coppola is also a famous procrastinator. Once this domino falls, I don't know how long this sequel will be delayed.

"But my doctor said that I can't participate in such a stressful activity as filming in the near future..." Winona Ryder has black hair and a very distinctive and pitiful appearance.

"Bitch..." Sidney Ganis cursed in his heart and turned back to look at Ronald.

"Winona, shall we talk privately?" Ronald asked Sidney Ganis to leave first, and then Johnny Depp looked at Ronald with a gangster-like look, with a strong sense of attack and warning. But Ronald's insistence, tall stature, and the temperament of practicing martial arts for many years still made him withdraw.

But the footsteps stopped at the door, which was ajar and swaying slightly.

"Bang!"

"Ouch..."

Ronald closed the door and ignored the scream from behind. He looked at Winona Ryder and said:

"If you still want to maintain a good reputation in Hollywood, I can guarantee that no one will mention this episode again, and Director Coppola will be the same as before... no, give you better conditions and more patient guidance than before.

All conditions can be improved, and we will pretend that nothing has happened..."

"I..." Winona Ryder looked at Ronald, and she couldn't lie to this noble man who helped her. Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, she thought of how he helped her debut Heather Sisters to participate in the film festival, and came to the set to inform her of the opportunity of The Godfather III. He was really like a big cousin in the family...

Winona's heart was warm, and she was about to agree.

"Winona, are you okay? Do you feel flustered? I'm worried about you..." Johnny Depp's voice came from outside the door.

"I'm sorry, Ronald, Mr. Li, my physical condition..."

"Okay, you go and apologize to Mr. Coppola yourself..." Ronald thought that this was fate. He knew that there was no way to persuade a woman in love, so he had to turn around and open the door to leave.

"Hmph..." Seeing the smile on the little gangster's face at the door, a man as well-mannered as Ronald couldn't help but express his anger.

"I really should break her legs..." Ronald thought to himself, this method is destructive to the reputation of this young actress. More importantly, if she succeeds, it will give her a wrong experience when she just entered the entertainment industry, that she can get what she wants just by being clever.

...

"Ronald", that night, Coppola also returned to Hollywood and was the first to visit Ronald.

"Nicita has already told me what you meant. Julia Roberts agreed to act, but her schedule conflicts and she has to wait four weeks. You have to convince Paramount..."

"I am already very grateful... I have made only a few real friends in Hollywood for so many years. George (Lucas) is now only concentrating on his special effects. Now you are the only one who can speak for me in Hollywood.

We Italians value family. My whole family is involved in my movies, such as Talia (Coppola's sister, who plays the Godfather's daughter) and my father (who composed the music for the Godfather). You are like a member of my family. I will never forget this friendship..."

Coppola talked a lot about how it was not easy to work hard in Hollywood with only the support of his family. He might have said more, but Paramount's Sidney Ganis was here too.

Ronald has done everything he should do, and he is ready to leave, leaving the two parties here to talk about things.

"Ronald... don't leave!" Both of them called to Ronald. In order to avoid a quarrel, they still had to act as a middleman.

"Julia's schedule cannot be shortened, we can't afford to wait, Frances..."

Sidney Ganis's meaning is very clear. Now The Godfather III is waiting for the rice to be cooked, and there can be no further delay. Otherwise, the shooting budget will exceed 50 million, and the next Heaven's Gate will be their turn.

"But we need stars like Julia..." Coppola said the producer's line instead.

"Don't you like these actresses?" Sidney Ganis brought some audition photos of several actresses, some of whom were eliminated before and some who were added later.

"If it weren't for young acting representatives like Julia and Winona, we would have to find a real Italian actor, otherwise ordinary actresses wouldn't be able to play Mary..."

Coppola took one look and sternly refused. Mary and the protagonist Vincent have an evil relationship, which is a taboo between cousins. Only a sensitive and delicate actress like Winona Ryder can handle such a scene well. It turns out that the casting choice was right.

But Julia Roberts... Ronald touched his chin. It was sensitive enough, but delicate... She really couldn't tell. What was Coppola's plan? Is Julia Roberts destined for fame after "Steel Magnolias"?

"Italians, there are some here too..." Sidney Ganis couldn't stand it anymore, Master Coppola, just choose one.

"Well, how are her acting skills? There is something special about the role of Mary..." Coppola was still finding fault.

"This man has also photographed beautiful women that Ronald participated in. Look at it..." Sidney Ganis handed over the photo.

Ronald took a look and saw that it was Laura San Giacomo who played the character Kitty, Julia Roberts's companion and the one she stood with on the street in Pretty Woman.

This role is a bit difficult to play, but the performance is not bad. Moreover, Laura San Giacomo’s face looks Italian at first glance, which seems to be very suitable for the role of Mary.

"Her acting skills...are passable..."

"So, can I audition?" Coppola looked at Ronald.

Ronald saw some fatigue and helplessness in Coppola's eyes, as if to say, has the sequel to The Godfather now reached the point of being picked on? However, his eyes were very complicated and seemed to have some unclear meaning.

"You can audition..." Ronald told the truth...