Chapter 16: Variables
"Let's get down to business," Catheryn said, no longer smiling.
"Okay, so I want to film part 2 for Alien now."
"Well, didn't we already discuss this? We still have time on the contract, a few years in fact."
"Yes, but I want to film part 2 soon. I don't really want to wait that long. Sigourney is going to be 34 or 37 if we wait too long. She wants to do a part 2 as well."
"Right, that's well and good, but we aren't ready. I don't see any reason to let you film our movie with another studio."
"I'm not saying you should be cheated out of the contract we signed. I just would like to get started as soon as possible. And not soon as in a few years, if you would allow me."
"I think the answer is going to be no. Right now we have work and maybe the answer will change in a year, ask again then."
"I really am not trying to hold you guys to a fire. I thought that this would be beneficial to all parties involved. It's obvious you guys are going to be busy for the next few years. Why not just let us film, you guys can continue to rake in money doing these bigger projects AND you can earn some passive income just by being producers. You don't have to do a thing and still earn something, as opposed to waiting 4 years, when the hype has died down a bit. Even in 4 years, Dubois is still going to be busy, so this decision is going to have to be made eventually, you might as well make it now."
"Right, right right. I understand what you are saying, but this is good insurance for us as well. It helps to know that we have a movie on standby that we can do. Just in case these studios decide not to give us any more work."
"Oh, c'mon, you guys aren't going to run out of work any time soon. If you let us film, it's just going to be extra money in your pockets, there would be little downside. You guys also choose how much to invest, remember? You still are going to profit."
"Right, but we don't exactly need money right now-"
"-Well, you don't exactly need more work right now, either, right?"
"That's true, but I don't know."
"Well, there isn't much to figure out, I just need to know if we have your permission, so we can put it into writing."
"I'll talk to my father."
"Okay, hopefully, we get a good answer then in the coming weeks."
"Ciao," Catheryn said, getting up and kissing James on the cheek, before leaving the meeting room.
When she left, James sat down again, still thinking.
These meetings can get stressful for James. He wants to participate in them so he can me more used to them, in the future, especially if he plans to run an IP empire.
But, still, he gets stressed at having to talk so much. James was never much of a talker in his past life, just editing movies, discussing with the director, and moving along.
James needs to think about what is going to happen next. Maybe they decide to say no. James would have to find another studio to make his next movie. Then he has to find think of a different IP to do. One that is feasible to be made into a movie and that would match the current market.
That's why it would be much easier if Dubois just lets him use Alien again. He can make a sequel. The sequel would be familiar and straightforward. He wouldn't have to explain the visual effects or overall aesthetic much because there is already a movie to use as a reference.
Working on this project would also give him credibility to his level of artistry. He would have made 3 successful movies in 3 1/2 years, one being a franchise. His value and potential to make good movies would be enough to get him through.
Using these methods of gradually increasing his reputation, he would be able to get to the point of establishing a studio of his own. His studio would give him the hope to branch out by buying out different IPs to make even more movies, to own Marvel. His future ambitions would include owning his empire, much like Disney.
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As soon as James got home, he began to jot down every movie that he could pull off here in the 80s.
In the 80s, he remembers Back to the Future, Top Gun, E.T., Ghostbusters, Star Wars, and Batman.
These movies were all feasible, except for Star Wars because the franchise had already started. James even had ideas on how to improve all of them. The only one other than Star Wars that he wouldn't consider doing is Batman. This is because if he works on Batman, it might have some future effect on the comic book industry. He doesn't want to take the risk that it increases the value of Marvel in some way.
But James was sure that Stephen Spielberg had already been working on E.T.'s production. James didn't want to be accused of stealing or plagiarism, that would ruin everything.
Ghostbusters and Back to the Future seemed like the best options. BttF, though, if he remembered correctly, was going to take a lot of effort to do. James found it remarkable that they were able to include so many sets and designs with such few resources. James also wasn't sure if Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis had already conceived the project, so it might be difficult to acquire this IP.
Decisions, decisions.
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