"Depp mentioned it to me by chance." Speaking of this, Heard's eyes dodged, revealing an obvious ambiguity.
"Depp?" Leon tilted his head, roughly guessing what was going on.
Johnny Depp, as one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood, is the object of competition among many film manufacturers.
Although the ambiguous relationship between him and Heard kept the public in the dark, still thinking his partner was French actress Vanessa who gave birth to two children for him.
In fact, this relationship had already gone into the grave.
Depp disregarded the eyes of his two children and often took Heard in and out of his mansion in Los Angeles.
"That's right, Depp is very familiar with the executives of Warner Bros., especially Jeff, they often party together." Heard said while shaking the wine glass: "Jeff has no way back; his relationship with Spielberg has completely frozen."
Such a result is not surprising. When two megalomaniacs collide, wrestling without giving in is the only result.
Jeff is a thorough megalomaniac, claiming all the credit for the success of The Dark Knight and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
In the decision-making of superhero movies, disregarding the opposition of a group of executives, he vetoed the proposal to shoot several second-tier superhero movies first to enrich the DC Universe worldview.
He advocated playing big from the start, using the king bomb combination of Justice League plus Superman to directly checkmate the Marvel camp.
Compared with him, although Spielberg is more restrained, the arrogance and hypocrisy of Jews still flow in his blood.
Although he publicly shouted many times that he didn't like the nickname "Emperor of Commercial Films," he had long put the crown on his own head.
"Well, as a fan of the novel Ready Player One, I regret this." Leon said hypocritically: "If Spielberg could take the helm, he would definitely perfectly restore the wonderful world in the novel."
When saying these words, he had eight hundred thoughts in his mind.
On the one hand, he didn't believe that Jeff would bow to him directly after his little trick failed; this was really unlike the other party's character.
On the other hand, the more at this time, the more he had to put on an ambiguous attitude and not show excessive greed.
Heard is a walking microphone; the content of tonight's chat will 100% flow into Jeff's ears.
"You should lie in the chicken coop holding the script; maybe in a hundred years this novel can lay a golden egg." Heard curved the corners of her mouth, and shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks. "It is said that Spielberg said so on the phone; Jeff was simply going to explode with anger."
Spielberg's words meant: Except for me, even in another hundred years, no one can make this movie.
Without any exaggeration, the IPs involved in the original Ready Player One are much more than in the Inspiration Refreshed movie.
Even Spielberg had to cut most of the IPs to make the project possible.
In the current film industry, the directors who can solve this problem can be counted on one hand.
Heard continued: "Jeff looked for many directors and investors, including Nolan and Michael Bay, but they all chose to refuse... He even found James Cameron, but unfortunately, Director Cameron has no interest in this."
"So, he can only let me take over this mess?" Leon raised his eyebrows and took a sip of red wine. "Although I am not a person who cares much about money and am always willing to pay for nostalgia, the fact that no one wants to invest in this project already explains the problem..."
Judging from Jeff's arrogant character, the more he fell out with Spielberg to this extent, the more he wanted to get this done and slap the other party hard in the face.
But for such a complex project, losing Spielberg's halo makes it difficult to attract investment.
The plan for full investment was also rejected by the Warner board of directors in seconds; this is Jeff's dilemma.
Heard raised her glass, light shining in her eyes. "You are the first choice now. Jeff is actively communicating with the board, trying to persuade them to join this project."
"You mean, Warner also wants to participate in this project?" Leon asked.
"As far as I know, yes." Heard spread her hands. "Jeff thinks that if Warner doesn't participate, it won't be a slap in the face."
"I understand."
Leon remained calm on the surface, but secretly rejoiced in his heart.
Although his pockets are full now, shooting such a big production full of special effects still seems lacking in confidence. One accidental move risks losing his shirt.
Pulling in Netflix at the beginning was also to circle a wave of investment. If Warner could personally enter the game, it would be even better.
After all, if a movie is only shown on streaming media, he really can't see any profit prospects.
More crucially, the movie involves a large number of IPs under Warner.
If this giant can enter the game, the IP problem will be half solved.
"Thank you for telling me this, Miss Heard." Leon shook the wine glass. "You seem to know more than Jeff's secretary."
Being secretly mocked, Heard dodged her eyes and lowered her head.
Depp once promised her that he would get her a weighty role in a big production.
And soon fulfilled half of this promise: playing Mera in the Warner DC Universe blockbuster Justice League.
However, because Warner had long formulated a strategy to restart the Superman series first and various other reasons, the start of filming for Justice League was indefinite.
Heard realized in time that this was just a big cake drawn for her by Depp.
She picked up the wine glass and took a quick sip. After calming down, she said: "With Jeff's character, this matter will soon have a result. As long as you can implement the funds and the candidate for the director..."
"I will try my best~" Leon spread his hands. "Some people evaluate me as a lucky guy, recklessly breaking into the film market but hitting the jackpot... I am always willing to pay for nostalgia."
When saying these words, he kept a straight face without blushing.
Nostalgia?
The value of nostalgia in his heart is not as good as a McDonald's meal.
But in the eyes of others, this is a fact. At the beginning, Straight Outta Compton flew the banner of commemorating the golden age of gangsta rap and spreading positive energy for the black community.
No one expected this movie to explode, sweeping in two hundred million dollars with almost no overseas box office.
Leon is also often called "Lucky Leon" by film critics because of this.
If he didn't have a cheat, he wouldn't invest in such a high-risk movie as Ready Player One no matter what.
But having the original film shot by Spielberg is another matter; this is equivalent to an open-book exam.
Except for Empire of the Sun in 1987, every movie he shot made money, with a success rate of over 95%.
Heard kept repeating the action of raising her glass, clinking glasses with Leon frequently, and flattering him in different ways.
Soon only half of the second bottle of red wine was left, and her state was still the same as at the beginning.
Facts proved that her state of being slightly tipsy after one drink at the beginning was completely fake!
"This chick wants to get me drunk..." Leon wanted to laugh a little in his heart.
Heard did show a good alcohol tolerance. If it were a director with average alcohol tolerance like James Wan, he might really be drunk.
Those women who tried to get Leon drunk seemed to end up lying on the hotel bed.
In a short while, Heard drank until her face was flushed.
This time it was not fake; her originally fair neck was also dyed red in large patches, extending to her ears.
"Mr. Leon, although we haven't known each other for long, I always feel a kind of intimacy with you." Heard held her chin, her eyes blurred. "I have always been your fan, and I even have your poster in my room..."
"I have the same feeling." Leon bit the hook along the line; he didn't believe a single letter of what this woman said.
Although Heard is just 25 years old, she has been struggling in the materialistic entertainment industry for almost ten years.
How could she still do such childish behavior as "sticking posters in the bedroom" like a middle school girl?
"Do you really think so?" Heard leaned her pretty face closer by half.
"Of course, any man would feel intimate seeing a beauty like you."
The table for two in the restaurant was not wide, and Leon could even smell the other party's breath.
Seeing that the fish was about to bite the hook, Heard accelerated the progress of pulling the rod.
She intentionally adjusted the neckline of her V-neck long dress, and the curve of the hemisphere was faintly visible. "I suddenly feel a little hot..."
"You drank too much..." Leon said so, but his right hand raised the glass again. "Cheers to our friendship."
He even had the idea of asking the waiter to turn off the air conditioner.
Heard hurriedly raised her glass. "Cheers."
After this glass of red wine, she was completely lost, licking her lips while staring straight at Leon:
"What role do you think I am suitable for in your movie?"
Having baited the nest for so long, it was time to lift the rod.
She just didn't know that her hook was completely straight in Leon's eyes, and getting hooked was entirely voluntary.
Leon did not answer directly but asked: "Have you read that novel?"
"Of course! I spent two days reading that book. I like the character Art3mis (Samantha) very much. She has all the beautiful qualities, brave, tough, independent..."
Although knowing clearly that the other party was fishing, Leon still seriously considered Heard's proposal.
More than 90% of the scenes in Ready Player One are computer-generated images. Virtual cameras were used to shoot and build scenes when creating the virtual world, but the actors' performances are equally important.
Whether it is the motion capture system or the facial capture system, sampling must be based on the actual performance of the actors.
Heard's beauty is top-level even in Hollywood, where beauties are like clouds.
The problem is that Leon feels her temperament is completely different from Art3mis in the original work.
Although only 25 years old this year, her whole body reveals a strong sense of a young married woman.
This temperament will not be reduced under the performance of CGI animation but is likely to be further amplified.
Leon did not refuse either, but gave an ambiguous answer: "Maybe you will be suitable for this role."
"I am confident in shaping this role well..." Heard's slender fingers slid on the table, approaching Leon.
Before the movie was even established, she had a strong hunger for the role.
Leon played hard to get, pretending to glance at his watch. "I think I'm a little drunk, Miss Heard; I should go back to the hotel."
"Wait." Heard showed a playful smile and suddenly grabbed Leon's wrist. "I want to thank you properly, in a special way..."
Leon pretended to be in a foggy drunken state, and the two left the club supporting each other with arms around shoulders.
Arriving at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, as soon as the door opened, the two entangled impatiently.
Leon exerted a little force to press Heard against the wall and quickly untied the restraints.
This move immediately invited resistance.
"Let me do it!"
"You do it?"
Before he could react to what was happening, the seemingly gentle and classical Heard suddenly exerted force.
She took off her top in an almost tearing way, raised her arm, and pushed him onto the bed.
White lace supported perfect hemispheres, and the skin on her thighs was as white and delicate as milk.
This scene made Leon feel a strong sense of contrast.
The other party clearly looked as beautiful as an angel, but at this moment, every move was aggressive like a devil.
Before he could savor this wonderful scene, Heard pounced like a leopard.
After a night of fierce battle, Leon had a deeper understanding of Hollywood women: Never judge any woman here by appearance!
Heard's performance last night was close to crazy. Drunkenness accounted for a large part of the reason, but it was not the decisive factor.
"Under this woman's mask lies a wild heart..." This was Leon's evaluation of her.
At nine in the morning, Leon was woken up by the telephone ring, rubbed his eye sockets, and sat up.
Glancing at the sleeping Heard, he answered the phone.
"Where are you, Leon?" Bonnie's tone was urgent. "Today is a big day! Everyone is waiting for you! Hurry up, we are going to be late!"
"I know..."
Leon shook his head and got up to dress. Although the battle was fierce last night, he didn't feel groggy at all; instead, he felt his body was exceptionally relaxed.
He walked quietly to the door and squatted on the ground to put on his shoes.
At this moment, Heard suddenly opened her eyes, staring dead at his back, curling her mouth into a smile, smiling somewhat horrifyingly.
But Leon didn't see this scene.
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is very close to the headquarters of Columbia Records, and he arrived here in only half an hour.
Bonnie was originally sitting in the reception area drinking coffee. As soon as she saw him appear, she hurriedly greeted him. "Oh my God... I almost thought you forgot what day it is today."
"How could I forget this?"
Just yesterday, Leon's contract with Roc Nation officially expired. Legally, he was no longer bound to any company and was a completely free agent.
Today is the day he officially signs with Columbia Records.
Previously, the two sides had discussed the contract details many times, so there were no controversial issues.
The process of signing the contract would be very fast, no different from going through the motions.
Signing Leon is a big event. Almost all executives of Columbia Records came to the large conference room.
Seeing Leon appear, a group of executives quickly stood up.
Stringer nodded in greeting while teasing: "Are you always this punctual?"
Leon glanced at his watch; 9:59, the timing was just right. "Fortunately, I wasn't late; you know how congested Manhattan is."
"It doesn't matter. Without you, no matter how early the people in this room arrived, it would be meaningless."
As soon as the voice fell, the staff quickly arranged for Leon to take his seat.
Phil, Bonnie, and Luca sat beside him, with a contract attachment in front of each person.
Just as expected beforehand, the signing process went very smoothly.
"No problem." Luca and Bonnie proofread the contract, ensuring that every clause was no different from the pre-established version.
Leon took the formal contract from Stringer, roughly scanned the main clauses such as record sharing and copyright issues.
Feeling no problem, he waved his pen and signed his name.
Stringer smiled and raised his coffee cup. "Welcome to Columbia, congratulations on your [escape] from JAY-Z's palace."
"And I'm still intact." Leon spread his hands and joked: "Coming here makes me feel very cordial. I always felt Roc Nation was like a Mafia organization; easy to sign in, but getting out... you know."
A few jokes made the executives present smile, and the distance between the two sides quickly narrowed.
"You are basically the Michael Corleone of the music world now." Stringer scanned around, and the executives nodded in agreement.
JAY-Z has always regarded himself as the Godfather of hip-hop in the East Coast music scene.
In the movie The Godfather, after the second-generation godfather Michael took over the scepter from the old godfather, he pushed the Corleone family to an unprecedented height.
From this metaphor, it can be seen that Columbia Records has high expectations for Leon's future.
After the two sides gradually became familiar, Stringer introduced the history of Columbia Records. "From the vinyl era when Mitch Miller controlled pop music, to Dylan and Bruce Springsteen changing the rules of the game, we have always been at the forefront."
He put down the coffee and tapped the table with his fingers. "Do you know what we are most proud of?"
Leon thought for two seconds and casually said: "Owning the oldest record brand in the world?"
Stringer laughed. "No, it's continuous evolution."
"In the 90s, we shaped the new pattern of pop music with Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey. After the millennium, with Beyoncé and Adele, Columbia Records defined the gold standard of modern pop music."
"Now, it's your turn."
Leon didn't react much; it seems every newcomer joining the job can't avoid this set of PUA from the boss.
Instead, Stringer's eyes shone with light, moving himself.