Dunn is just a major shareholder of Legendary Pictures. Apart from strategic decisions, which he discusses with Michael Ovitz, the management and execution of Legendary Pictures are entirely in Ovitz's hands.
At this point, the framework for a collaboration between Dunn Pictures and Warner Bros. has already been established, so Dunn doesn't need to get involved anymore. He's not even planning to show up for the signing ceremony.
His schedule is packed—he's way too busy!
In the morning, he's attending a project seminar for Pirate League. By noon, he'll head to the airport and fly to Boston to continue filming A Beautiful Mind.
The world-building for Pirate League is mostly complete. There are still some details to iron out, but they won't affect the script for Pirate League: Curse of the Black Pearl. According to the production team's advice, pre-production for Curse of the Black Pearl can now begin. The pirate ship "Black Pearl" itself needs to be built, and the budget for it is a whopping $8 million!
The filming location for the sea scenes has also been pretty much decided: the coast near Rosarito, just north of Mexico City. There's a studio there, originally built by James Cameron for Titanic. Now, he's using it again for Never Sinking. In three months, once Never Sinking wraps up, Pirate League: Curse of the Black Pearl can take over.
Dunn Pictures' production department is already very experienced, and with Bill Mechanic and Tim Burton overseeing the project, Dunn feels completely at ease. So, he's boldly stepping back, even though this version of Curse of the Black Pearl differs quite a bit from the Pirates of the Caribbean he remembers from his past life.
After the seminar, Dunn called in his assistant, Isla Fisher, to check on the status of his new book, Gone Girl. The first draft is finished, and the feedback has been positive. Through some connections, Dunn found a few critics who offered suggestions for improvement. Isla will tweak some details and wording accordingly. If all goes well, the manuscript can be sent to the publisher by November and hit shelves for readers by February next year.
Maybe it's in her genes, but Isla Fisher's writing skills are genuinely impressive. When Dunn read the draft, he could feel the same thrilling, suspenseful, feminist vibe as the original. Right now, Dunn is cozying up to feminist groups, and once Gone Girl is published, it's sure to win over those organizations even more. This is a powerful force in the modern era! If he could, Dunn would happily carry the "feminist" label for life—it's politically correct and comes with the backing of a major alliance. It's a win-win.
But when Isla Fisher stepped into his office, she didn't immediately bring up Gone Girl. Instead, she hesitated before saying, "Dunn, there's someone who wants to see you. She's an actress."
Dunn raised an eyebrow.
Tons of actresses want to meet him! His public email gets hundreds, sometimes thousands, of messages from "actresses" every day. Beyond the usual flattery and admiration, some even include scandalous, over-the-top photos. Even Isla, who manages his inbox and is a woman herself, blushes at how wild they can get. It's opened her eyes to a whole new side of the entertainment industry. These actresses will stop at nothing to climb the ladder—some of their tactics are completely shameless. Photos like that are hard evidence, far riskier than just sleeping with Dunn.
"Is it important?" he asked.
Dunn's policy is to turn down actresses who throw themselves at him. It's too risky—who knows if it's a setup? With his fame and increasingly sensitive position, he has to be cautious and make sure there's no trap. Actresses introduced through legit agencies are safer, more reliable, and usually more famous.
Isla replied, "It's Anne Hathaway!"
"Who?" Dunn blinked, caught off guard.
Isla misunderstood his reaction, thinking he wasn't interested in a small-time actress. She quickly explained, "She's set to star in Disney's new movie The Princess Diaries. Back in April, when we were under investigation by the DOJ, she publicly criticized you."
Dunn couldn't help but chuckle. "What's she doing here?"
He remembered Anne Hathaway's little outburst, of course. But he wasn't petty enough to hold a grudge against an actress who wasn't exactly overflowing with emotional or intellectual depth—especially a pretty one.
"Sounds like she's here to apologize," Isla said, lowering her voice. "She's got a good attitude. Seems like… it was an order from Disney execs."
Dunn hesitated. Could this be a honey trap cooked up by Michael Eisner? Still, Anne Hathaway's name stirred something in him. Young, gorgeous, a total knockout! "Fine, I won't touch her. Let's see what she's got up her sleeve." Unable to resist his curiosity, he waved a hand. "Tell her to come in."
Soon, Isla led Anne Hathaway into Dunn's office. As she left, Isla paused, then hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Despite her boss's confident words, she knew his personality too well—he might not stick to his guns.
Anne Hathaway was dressed in a white chiffon blouse tied with a blue belt that perfectly accentuated her slim, graceful waist. More striking was the black lingerie underneath, its bold, tempting outline clearly visible through the sheer fabric. She'd put effort into her look: her walk was poised, her hips swaying slightly, revealing a hint of sheer stockings that hugged her shapely calves. Paired with dazzling red heels, she exuded elegance and allure—like she was born to captivate. Isla had seen plenty of women like this as Dunn's assistant, and their intentions were always crystal clear.
Inside the office, Dunn was indeed taking his time admiring Anne Hathaway's beauty. Her large, expressive eyes were stunning yet not overly sultry. Her brows were refined but carried a hint of strength. Her nose was slightly prominent but well-proportioned, leading gracefully into her forehead. That forehead was full and striking—many actresses couldn't compare, even with enhancements. Her lips were a standout: slightly thick, but not as bold as Angelina Jolie's, with a touch of softness that let her shift effortlessly between sexy and innocent. It was a versatility that promised a wide range of roles.
Having worked on countless films and met plenty of actresses, Dunn had an eye for talent. Anne Hathaway's face screamed high-class. Her features might not make her a textbook beauty, but on the big screen, they'd pop—stealing every scene. Compared to Kate Winslet or Natalie Portman, she'd draw more eyes. She was on par with Nicole Kidman, while Jessica Alba and Liv Tyler fell a tier below. Even if critics or fans in the U.S. and UK turned against her, that face would still win over big directors. With some acting chops, she could easily claim a top spot in Hollywood.
Dunn studied her closely, his gaze full of appreciation. But Anne? She was a nervous wreck. Though she'd been in the industry for a bit, this was her first time in a situation like this—especially with Dunn Walker, the guy she'd once trashed. His eyes roamed over her face and body with an intensity that felt almost predatory. Thinking about Disney's warning, she was on the verge of tears. If she couldn't get Dunn's forgiveness, The Princess Diaries would drop her. Offending both Dunn Pictures and Disney would tank her career for good, no matter how talented she was.
Taking a few deep breaths, Anne tried to steady herself. "Others can do this—why can't I?" she thought, gritting her teeth. "He's not some old geezer. Just treat it like a normal date." Still jittery, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, she made up her mind. If Dunn was checking her out, she wouldn't hide. She moved her hands behind her back, squared her shoulders, and let him take in her figure, standing there boldly like an actress auditioning for an adult film.
Her face stayed calm, but her heart was racing—this was a whole new level of nerves. Dunn watched her, amused by her almost heroic resolve. "You seem scared of me," he said with a laugh.
"Huh?" Anne flinched, her defenses crumbling as the tension snapped. Panicking, she turned to bolt from the room.
"Anne," Dunn called, grinning, "am I that terrifying?"
She took a shaky breath and turned back, her face flushed. "M-Mr. Walker, I… I need to apologize."
"Apologize?" Dunn waved it off casually, smiling. "It was just a joke. No need to take it seriously. You're not Bruce Willis."
"Bruce Willis?" Her mind raced, picturing his current downfall, and a chill ran through her. Dunn wasn't exactly known for mercy. Was he hinting at something—suggesting she'd end up like Willis?
The more she thought, the more terrified she got, tears welling up. Finally, she threw caution to the wind. Like a defiant teenager, she kept her head down, silently rounded his desk, and dropped to her knees in front of him, her hands reaching for his belt.