Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Martial arts superstar (self-proclaimed)" Chuck Norris called back Weintraub and said he would not play a karate coach who did bad things and encouraged students to attack others. He hoped Ronald would change the script and change the character of Chris, the coach of Cobra Gym, into a person who focused on martial arts and ignored the psychological needs of those weak children.

Weintraub relayed to Ronald the response of Chuck Norris, who he favored, "He told me some truth. Just like the military operations of America in South Vietnam, you can't take the initiative to attack others, but in order to protect yourself and people with the same values, limited violence is necessary. He called it the philosophy of necessary violence."

"Why don't we change an actor? It's better to use an unknown actor as the villain." Ronald took the opportunity to express his thoughts. Chuck Norris has a paralyzed face. If he really lets him play the owner of Chris Gym, how can he get a close-up shot?

"Yeah, but Chuck Norris is very famous in 'Enter the Dragon'. Many kung fu movie fans know him. If he plays, it will increase the box office a lot." Weintraub's star collection habit came again. .

"Well... let's wait and see." Ronald did not directly oppose Weintraub's idea. Since he started preparing for the movie, he has understood the psychology of this Jewish man. If there is no authoritative person to endorse you, it is best not to oppose him directly, which can easily arouse his aggressive character and he will not give up until he achieves his goal.

"Night of the Comet" was officially released in theaters after twelve weeks of screening. Atlantic Company began to settle the first period of income for investors other than Ronald, except for dividends. Roger Corman, Menahan Golan's Cannon Pictures, and Ronald's friend Douglas Jr. all received the first check that doubled their investment.

The box office revenue of 27 million made everyone look forward to the next check containing box office dividends.

"Cheers" champagne was opened in the meeting room of Atlantic Company. Ronald came to sit down and collect the check for Douglas Jr. and then endorsed it to his friend. Roger Corman's new company doesn't produce many films now, so he came to pick up the check in person even though he was free. Minahan Golan was very busy and only sent an accountant to represent him.

"Why are you so sad? Is the new film not going well?" Roger Corman asked Ronald.

"I'm looking for an actor who knows martial arts and acting skills. If that doesn't work, someone who can perform martial arts will do. The producer wants Chuck Norris, and I really can't stand it."

"What's the big deal? I'll recommend two to you."

Roger Corman has made countless exploitation films and kung fu films. He recommended two actors, Martin Kove and David Carradine.

Martin Kove is a real black belt in martial arts and has practiced Taekwondo and Tiger Boxing. David Carradine was the protagonist of the hit TV series "Kung Fu" in the 1970s.

Both actors appeared in Roger Corman's movie "Death Race 2000" as two racers participating in the death race. Another racer is now more famous, that is Sylvester Stallone.

David Carradine is more famous. He sent two pages of shooting requirements through his agent, which were filled with the conditions he had to meet on the set. For example, there was a separate trailer, and the makeup artist was not allowed to enter the trailer without permission. Everyone had to remain calm when he wandered around the trailer naked...

Ronald immediately deleted Carradine from the list and made an appointment with Martin Kove. Roger Corman is still reliable. Martin Kove, who came from exploitation films, showed professionalism in every move. Ronald was particularly interested in his tiger boxing.

Chinese martial arts have tiger boxing and crane boxing that imitate animals. The philosophy of these two karate schools can be expressed in the moves of the final battle, which will be more popular with the audience.

Ronald asked Martin Kove to go back first, and wait until the time is right, and then formally audition and push him out to Weintraub. Then he told Martin Kove not to accept other auditions for the time being and wait for his good news.

Kove was very happy. He had not made a theatrical movie since Roger Corman sold the company.

Ronald returned home and took out the Sony Betaca camera, thinking whether to shoot a video of Kove again and then accidentally show it to Weintraub. However, after using the trick once, it may not be effective the second time.

I was thinking about how to make Weintraub give up the paralyzed Chuck Norris. The phone rang.

Without waiting for the answering machine to be transferred, Ronald picked up the phone, "Hello, this is Ronald. Who is it?"

"Ronnie, this is Minahan, why do you want to steal my contracted actor? If you like him, you can come to my place to be a director? I will always be waiting for you."

"What are you talking about? Why don't I understand? When did I steal your actor?"

"Ronald, we are old friends, I will just say some things directly. Chuck Norris..."

"What? Chuck Norris is your actor?"

"Yes? Cannon has signed a contract with him, and we will work with him in three movies. But his agent told me that he might take over a teen action movie in Columbia. Guess who is the director who stole his love?"

"Isn't that me?" Ronald was excited, "Hey, Minahan. Do you want Chuck Norris so much? Why didn't you tell me earlier? My producer just recommended him to play a major supporting role."

"Come on, Chuck Norris is the leading movie star of Cannon, why do we rely on this kind of male star to sell box office?"

"Okay, I'll go to your office tomorrow and we'll talk in person."

Ronald was happy when he put down the phone. He happened to want to kick Norris, and someone immediately took over. Isn't it a coincidence? Gulu

The next day, Ronald came to Cannon's office. Minahan Golan was waiting for him.

"Ronald, please don't rob Chuck Norris from me."

Minahan pulled out a stack of posters, all of them pictures of Chuck Norris.

"You want to make so many movies for him?" Ronald took a look and saw that there were five or six movies in which Chuck Norris was holding a rocket launcher, a heavy machine gun, and a ninja dart. .

"Hahaha, of course not. These are all posters, and I didn't say I had to take them."

"No, why don't you take pictures of these posters?"

"They were all going to Cannes to deceive... no, to attract investment." Minahan took the poster back.

"Our film investment is no smaller than yours for 'Dragon Boy', but the production cycle is faster, so don't compete with me for Chuck Norris' time. He has a better future in Cannon."

"Why do you think so highly of him? I saw on the posters that he is the number one male." Ronald suppressed his laughter and asked seriously.

"He is a kung fu master who collaborated with Bruce Lee. If Bruce Lee hadn't passed away unfortunately, I would have let them make another ten or eight movies."

Minahan talks about why he signed a multi-film deal with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris once served at the base of the US Army in Korea and introduced the karate inheritance there. The Korean version of karate is called tangsoodo.

After getting acquainted with Bruce Lee, Norris added some of his own understanding of martial arts to Tang Hand Doo and created the "Chuck Norris Way", referred to as Chuck Doo (kukdo), which is pronounced like Bruce Lee. Lee's Jeet Kune Do is somewhat similar (jeetkunedo), taking some of the fame of the late kung fu giant.

Anyway, these American martial arts masters, after they become famous, will create their own martial arts sect, and give it a name with an East Asian pronunciation, ending in "do".

"You and Chuck Norris didn't sign an exclusive agreement, right? Which movie he chooses is completely his freedom. We just follow America's rules and compete freely." Ronald pretended to be serious I want Norris to appear in it.

"Then you can't compete with me."

"Really? What's your secret weapon?"

"I can't tell you. But as long as you can compete freely, I have no problem. We only make one bid, and it depends on Chuck's own choice. Then don't increase the price again, what do you think?"

That's fine with me, but it doesn't matter what I say, the producers are the ones writing the checks.

"As long as you agree. I know Weintraub, he is a Jew, and he will not bid repeatedly with me. As long as you don't suggest that it must be Chuck Norris."

"Then it's settled." Ronald shook hands with him, indicating that they had reached a gentleman's agreement.

"By the way, 'Night of the Comet' is now released and copies are available. How is your overseas distribution?"

"Hahaha", Minahan Golan smiled happily, "Ronald, your movie is very good. I enlarged the two beauties on the poster and added the comet. The pre-sales were very good in Cannes. . Even Japan, Korea, and Xiangjiang bought copies for screening.

Next year, next year you must go to Cannes with me. Only when you get there will you know what audiences around the world like about American movies. "

Soon, Chuck Norris updated his conditions, hoping that Weintraub and Minahan Golan would release their conditions and make a one-time bid. Whoever has better conditions will star in which movie.

Weintraub went to prepare a bid, and there was competition for Chuck Norris, making him feel like he had made the right choice.

Martin Koff called Ronald again. His agent found him another audition opportunity and asked Ronald when he could audition here.

Ronald reassured him of the opportunity, suggesting that if he came, the role would be his, and asked him to turn down other audition opportunities.

After Kove read the script, he also wanted the role of a karate instructor, which would allow him to fully utilize his martial arts skills. So he refused other auditions arranged by his agent and waited for Ronald's call.