After Stephen Sommers finished speaking, David Giler nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Stephen, it's a great story, but if you're planning to start production right away, I can't help. I've already committed to overseeing Alien 4 for Fox; I just discussed it with Joe Roth. Besides, shouldn't you be preparing for The Mummy 2?"
Before he started the The Mummy series, Stephen Sommers was just an up-and-coming director without much bargaining power, which led him to sign a package deal for a trilogy. However, upon hearing David Giler's question, Sommers gave a slightly cunning smile. "If Daenerys favors Deep Rising, I'm sure Simon would agree to let me make this movie first."
This statement had a bit of subtext.
Those present understood to varying degrees. Gwyneth Paltrow glanced at her boyfriend, clearly confused by the knowing looks exchanged around her. Pitt pretended not to notice her question, choosing not to explain.
The reasoning was simple.
The Mummy series was only a collaborative project with Fox. If Daenerys favored Deep Rising and funded it independently, it would be like a "child of her own."
A direct investment would naturally take precedence.
In fact, the production of Mission: Impossible 2 served as a clear example.
The first Mission: Impossible had debuted in 1993, but despite Paramount having no other significant blockbusters to release, the sequel only hit theaters in the summer of 1996, three years later. Few doubted that Daenerys Entertainment had deliberately postponed it to make room for their other films.
After all, release schedules and resources are limited.
The concept of releasing Mission: Impossible sequels every three years versus every two years changes how much space and resources each installment consumes.
While Deep Rising differed in some ways, it followed a similar principle—Daenerys Entertainment's interests would be prioritized.
David Giler, a seasoned veteran, immediately understood and smiled. "In that case, Stephen, you should really just talk to Amy or Simon directly."
"The script isn't done yet," Sommers replied. "I'm planning to go to Hawaii next and finish it while on vacation."
"Then I wish you success. If you need any help, just let me know," David Giler said, shaking hands with Sommers before raising his glass to the others and stepping away.
As Giler left, Brad Pitt noticed that John Woo's side of the room seemed even more lively. He glanced back at Sommers, Val Kilmer, and the two British actresses, greeting them warmly and secretly interested in Deep Rising, which Sommers had just described.
After last year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where Pitt played Superman, his character would only reappear in Justice League a few years later, so he couldn't sit idle in the meantime.
Currently, his main focus was John Woo's upcoming project, Face/Off.
Though Linda Vargas had hinted he had a good chance, nothing was set in stone. If he didn't get that role, Sommers' Deep Rising seemed like a worthy alternative.
Pitt remembered hearing Sommers mention wanting Harrison Ford for the lead role. But in Hollywood, casting is fluid, and even if the film wraps, reshoots or replacements can still happen, so nothing is guaranteed until the release.
So he didn't rush over to John Woo and instead continued to chat amicably with Sommers, Kilmer, and the two British actresses.
As Sommers and Pitt chatted, Kate Beckinsale, who'd initially joined just to make an appearance, began losing interest and tugged on Rachel Weisz's arm. Although Rachel wanted to stay, she reluctantly left with Kate.
At events like this, casual encounters were common.
Yet, for some reason, the two British actresses seemed to exude an aura that deterred anyone from approaching them. Still, they managed to navigate through the party, eventually finding a few interesting people to chat with.
Rachel Weisz, for instance, stopped the newly arrived Robert De Niro for a brief conversation and even got his autograph. As an admirer of his work since her university days, this was a little dream come true for her.
After a bit of mingling, they arrived at the pool area.
Kate, visibly tired, slipped off her heels and sat by the pool, dipping her feet into the cold water and playfully splashing as she watched a few "mermaids" in the pool.
Rachel sat beside her, a bit more reserved, and smiled. "Do you feel like swimming?"
Kate raised her chin defiantly. "Absolutely not. I'm not just here to be a prop."
Several supermodels in bikinis floated around in the pool—familiar faces and clearly professional beauties. In such company, any other woman attempting a swim would only be asking for trouble. After all, few could compare to these perfectly toned women who rely on their faces and figures for a living.
As they spoke, one of the "mermaids" swam over, casually climbed out of the pool, shook out her hair, and smiled at Rachel. "Hello, Ms. Weisz. I just watched The Mummy, and you were stunning. Even more so in person."
"Thank you," Rachel replied politely, shaking the woman's hand. Noticing her glance at Kate, she introduced them. "This is Kate Beckinsale, one of the leads in Charlie's Angels. The film releases at the end of the year."
"I'll make sure to catch it," the woman said, extending her hand to Kate. "I'm Fernanda Lima."
Rachel smiled, "I know, you're a Victoria's Secret Angel. Honestly, your figure is envy-inducing."
"Oh, thank you."
Listening to their mutual admiration, Kate rolled her eyes and, with a hint of sarcasm, asked, "Lima, why are you staying in the pool all evening? Aren't you going to join the rest of the party?"
Unfazed, Fernanda smiled back. "Because we're the mermaids tonight, Kate. Mermaids belong in the water. Care to join?"
"No thanks. I could never pull off a mermaid look."
Perhaps sensing the friendly vibe, other women in the pool swam over. Six in total, they all lined up along the side opposite Kate, leaving Fernanda next to her.
Suddenly the center of six pairs of curious eyes, Kate felt slightly self-conscious and withdrew her feet, sitting beside Rachel in a similar posture.
Fernanda began introducing each model: "Eva, Daniella, Tricia, Heidi, Melania, and little Angela."
Angela Lindvall, at the end of the line, pouted playfully but couldn't hide her pride. "Fern, you're just jealous. Simon clearly said I'm the 'Little Fox,' not 'Little Angela.'"
Fernanda laughed. "Well, little all the same, aren't you?"
The "Little Fox," Angela, signaled to a server who brought over a stack of bathrobes. Moments later, the six "mermaids" emerged from the water, taking their robes and walking off to the villa, laughing as they went.
Kate and Rachel were left exchanging puzzled glances.
Mermaids? Weren't they supposed to stay in the water?
Watching the group make their way into the villa unimpeded, Kate frowned and turned to Rachel, annoyed. "How many women does he have?"
Rachel blinked, defensively replying, "How should I know?"
She had no association with Simon's infamous entourage.
Kate shot her an intense look as if searching for clues, then scanned the crowd. "Rachel, why isn't he here yet?"
How could he not be?
Rachel didn't answer, but her gaze drifted toward where the women had gone—the main villa.
Kate caught on immediately. Putting her shoes back on, she took Rachel by the arm and headed for the villa. Since the host had led them here upon arrival, Kate assumed that if Simon had come, he would be somewhere in the crowd. She hadn't considered the possibility of him staying in the villa, also brightly lit.
They entered the villa's main hall, which was bustling with people.
Kate didn't linger on the first floor, instead leading a hesitant Rachel toward the staircase to the quieter second floor.
Scanning the area, they noticed two guards on the east side of the hallway and none on the west.
Without hesitation, they approached the east, where the guards stopped them. Unfazed, Kate asked, "Is Simon here? Could you let him know that Kate Beckinsale and Rachel Weisz are here?"
One guard responded, "Miss, please wait a moment."
One of the guards stepped away, knocked on a door, and soon gestured for them to approach.
Found you.
Kate felt a rush of excitement, and, gripping Rachel's sweaty hand, eagerly stepped forward. But as she peeked inside, her excitement faded into regret.
Simon was indeed there.
But he wasn't alone. Also in the room were Robert De Niro, Ira Deutschman, president of High Gate Films, WMA's head Jonathan Friedman, former Disney chairman Michael Eisner, and others. All in all, a gathering of industry heavyweights.
With so many men staring at them, Kate felt it was too late to retreat, so she bravely walked in, dragging a similarly tense Rachel with her. She forced a rather awkward smile. "Simon, everyone, we just… wanted to say hello."
A refined-looking middle-aged man, sensing their discomfort, kindly offered, "The women are in the next room."
Kate nodded and almost stepped back instinctively but glanced at Simon.
Simon, amused yet resigned, pointed to the speaker—Robert Iger—and said, "You two go on. Have fun and don't come back."
"Alright… goodbye, then
."
Kate obediently pulled Rachel out, shutting the door behind her, exhaling deeply.
That was terrifying.
As they started toward the stairs, Kate couldn't resist glancing at the other door, a curiosity compelling her to step closer. But a sudden chill made her grab Rachel and hurry away.
Those people were so awful.
When they said "the women are in the next room," who else could they mean?
Bumping into a bunch of men was just awkward.
But bumping into Janet Westeros? Who knew if they'd make it out in one piece.
The men in the room burst into laughter after watching the two girls' hasty retreat.
After the mirth subsided, they resumed their previous conversation. Robert Iger, the one who almost led the girls into trouble, spoke first. "Simon, even if you manage to solve controlled nuclear fusion, I doubt it will change humanity's future much. I know your goal is to create nearly limitless productivity, ensuring complete social welfare even if most people don't work. But… did you know… around 1968, an animal behaviorist named John Calhoun conducted the 'mouse utopia' experiment? He provided a colony of mice with abundant food and water, letting them live without worries or limitations, but the utopia still collapsed."
"I know about that experiment," said Mark Belford, Daenerys Entertainment's Global Operations Vice President. "I took a sociology elective in college, and our professor used it as a case study. He argued that human survival might actually require conflict. Simon, you appreciate Chinese culture, right? My professor used it as an example of a country shaped by constant northern invasions. Instead of perishing, China endured. Meanwhile, ancient civilizations in secure environments eventually disappeared."
Michael Eisner, lounging comfortably, said, "I think you're all too pessimistic. The mouse utopia failed because the mice only acted on instinct. China as an example? Not my area of expertise. But what Simon's doing offers us a chance—a way to improve."
Simon nodded, "Exactly."
Iger said, "But as long as social classes exist, increased productivity could deepen the divide between classes. If the gap becomes too vast, society could grow more unstable."
Simon couldn't help asking, "Bob, have you read Ghost in the Shell?"
"What?"
"A Japanese manga. It touches on ideas similar to what you're describing."
Jonathan Friedman chimed in, "I've read it. My son bought a copy, and I ended up reading it cover to cover. It's quite thought-provoking, Simon. You should consider adapting it for film."
Simon took a sip of red wine, "I'll consider it."
Slightly out of place among the group was Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman of Seagram Company.
The Canadian magnate, who controlled Paramount and Orion Pictures, had flown in from Toronto primarily to urge the prompt production of Mission: Impossible 3, hoping to avoid another three-year delay like the last installment. Seagram couldn't afford that.
But here he was, listening to these Hollywood bigwigs discussing humanity's future—a seemingly trivial subject.
Oh well.
Just as Edgar was about to cut in, a knock on the door caught everyone's attention. Amy Pascal appeared, arm-in-arm with another man.
Seeing her, everyone rose, but Amy gestured for them to sit, introducing her companion, "This is Bernard. Janet and the others are in the next room, right? I'll head over. You all chat."
With that, Amy left her companion and headed for the next room, a hint of bashfulness in her step.
Everyone understood why.
This man was Amy's fiancé, Bernard Weinraub. Since Amy was pregnant, the two planned to marry over the Independence Day holiday. Due to the busy summer season, however, they were keeping the wedding low-key and postponing their honeymoon until September.
Bernard Weinraub was a critic, playwright, and a contributing journalist on the entertainment industry for The New York Times. They had met through his work, quickly formed a connection, and eventually became engaged. Perhaps more surprising to some was that Bernard was 21 years older than Amy.
In such an age-gap relationship, especially one in which the woman was far more professionally established, it was fair to say this was genuine love.
While Bernard's status didn't quite match those in the room, everyone showed him respect. After some small talk, Simon even offered him a seat on the sofa nearby before they resumed their conversation.
As for the next room, Janet, leading a group of familiar women, wasn't quite as polite as the men had been.
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