Chapter 282: Terrifying Revenue Numbers

"A common competitor?"

Even though he knew exactly what Michael Ovitz meant, Steven Spielberg's expression remained perfectly neutral. "Michael, we're old friends. If you have something to say, just say it."

"DreamWorks' Deep Impact is getting a wide release in North America on May 8, and Godzilla, which I packaged for Sony Columbia, is hitting theaters across North America on May 15."

Michael Ovitz had done his homework long before arriving, and he spoke with absolute authority. "We have a weekend between us. By the time Godzilla premieres, Deep Impact will have already passed its hottest phase. There won't be too much intense competition between us—unless Deep Impact has legs like Titanic."

Both men knew that was completely impossible. Deep Impact was just a simple summer season popcorn flick.

"DreamWorks has a lot of confidence in Deep Impact," Spielberg said flatly.

"I also have a lot of confidence in the films you produce," Michael Ovitz said, his expression gradually turning serious. "And I'm equally confident in the projects I produce myself. So, Steven, neither of us has ever intended to back down for anyone. You're a top-tier director and producer; you have no need to make way for anyone. I'm a top-tier packaging executive, and I've never thought about stepping aside for anyone, either."

His words brimmed with confidence, as if the once-omnipotent emperor of CAA had finally returned.

Spielberg gave a slight nod. He clearly agreed with Michael Ovitz's words—he was the world-famous Spielberg!

"But we can't deny that the competitor sandwiched between us is extremely powerful."

Having fought in Hollywood for so many years, Michael Ovitz possessed overwhelming self-confidence, but he would never underestimate anyone.

"Duke Rosenberg is returning to the summer season. His The Matrix deserves our full attention. Judging from the commercial and the trailer they've released, it should be more than competitive enough."

"No one can underestimate Duke." Spielberg delivered his most solemn sentence of the night. "Neither can I. Duke is one of Hollywood's top directors."

"Therefore, he will be our common competitor!"

Tapping the armrest of his chair, Michael Ovitz emphasized his tone. "The Matrix opens on Deep Impact's second weekend. It will inevitably affect your second-week box office. If The Matrix gets a good enough reception, it will also impact Godzilla, which releases the following week, to a certain extent."

He smiled. "Unless, of course, Duke Rosenberg misses the mark."

"It's possible."

Sighing, Spielberg said, "But I personally think the chances of Duke slipping up are no more than ten percent."

Michael Ovitz reined in his smile. "Steven, Duke's The Matrix is threatening both of us at the same time!"

This was an unchangeable fact, and Spielberg knew it well. Both of them were of Jewish descent, and they would stand united on certain issues—like the incidents involving Mel Gibson—but within Hollywood, competition was absolutely everywhere.

Furthermore, out of the films DreamWorks had previously produced, three had already underperformed. A massive production like Deep Impact couldn't afford to fail.

"Speak, Michael," Spielberg said, lowering his eyelids, unwilling to even look at Ovitz across from him. "What are you planning to do?"

It was only mid-March, still early for the films' release. According to DreamWorks' plan, the competition wouldn't reach a fever pitch until closer to May.

"I heard something."

Michael Ovitz ignored Spielberg's attitude completely. "Although the final cut of The Matrix isn't finished yet..."

"Michael, you should know where my bottom line is!" Spielberg warned.

At the level of status and prestige that he and Duke shared, certain tactics couldn't be used lightly. Otherwise, it would end in endless dogfights, or even mutual destruction.

Moreover, Hollywood's Jewish Club wouldn't just sit by and watch them engage in a bottomless, cutthroat rivalry.

"You misunderstand me, Steven." Michael Ovitz frowned and quickly clarified. "The Matrix isn't finished, but Warner Brothers has already started maneuvering within the MPAA. They want to secure a PG-13 Rating for the film."

Spielberg looked up, seemingly not quite grasping Ovitz's meaning.

Michael Ovitz explained, "The Matrix is a sci-fi film, so it will inevitably feature Duke's signature explosions. In fact, looking back, aside from Independence Day—which was relatively restrained because of its macro-scale approach—it's not hard to see that Duke's films have a lot of intense scenes. That even includes Chicago, which was rated PG-13 last year."

Hearing this, Spielberg already understood exactly what Ovitz wanted to do.

"With the full support of Warner Brothers, The Matrix definitely won't have any issues with promotion and distribution." Looking earnestly at Spielberg's face, Michael Ovitz continued, "But Warner Brothers is a new member of the MPAA, so their voice carries relatively less weight. The distributors and investors behind Godzilla have made it clear they will fully support me, but that isn't enough."

"DreamWorks doesn't have a seat in the MPAA," Spielberg reminded him.

"I know." Michael Ovitz was certainly aware of that. "So, Steven, what I want to secure is your personal support. You have a close relationship with Universal Pictures and have always been on good terms with Paramount Pictures. As long as you can influence them, The Matrix will ultimately be R-rated!"

"At the same time, Godzilla and Deep Impact will fight tooth and nail for a PG-13 Rating!" Ovitz looked up, brimming with confidence. "How hard is it for one R-Rated Film to go up against two PG-13 films? The natural disadvantage in audience demographics alone will make it impossible for Duke Rosenberg to turn the tables!"

Spielberg fell silent, and Michael Ovitz said no more. Ovitz was also of Jewish descent; he knew that the competition among them was just as fierce. He also knew that while Spielberg was a director when he picked up a camera, he was a textbook businessman the moment he set it down. Otherwise, Ovitz wouldn't have bothered coming to him!

After about ten seconds, Spielberg slowly spoke. "I will call Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures."

Michael Ovitz laughed. A film's rating could often determine its life or death!

Dark clouds gathered thickly in the sky. The normally arid Greater Los Angeles area was experiencing a rare morning drizzle. Duke closed the window, went to the bathroom to wash up, and got dressed. He stood by the window for a while, staring blankly at a palm tree through the misty rain, mentally going over his work schedule for the day. Only then did he leave the room, step into the living room, and follow the sound of movement toward the kitchen.

Charlize Theron stood in a corner of the kitchen, busy with a spatula in hand. She was clearly preparing breakfast.

She likely heard Duke's footsteps and turned her head to flash him a smile. "Darling, you can head to the dining room. Breakfast will be ready in a minute."

After speaking, she glanced at Duke. Seeing him leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, just watching her, she couldn't help but issue a playful protest. "Darling, could you go to the dining room? If you keep looking at me like that, I won't be able to control myself."

Duke tilted his head. "The kitchen isn't bad. We tried the balcony last night; now we can give the kitchen a try."

"Good God, haven't you gone crazy enough?" Charlize immediately put on a begging expression. "Darling, let me off the hook. I still have to make your breakfast."

"Then I'll go wait for you in the dining room," Duke said.

"Your clothes are wrinkled." Charlize pointed toward the living room. "There are clothes I laid out for you in the closet."

"Thanks."

Duke turned and walked toward the living room. When he suddenly glanced back, Charlize Theron was still wearing a radiant smile.

Returning to the living room, he casually pulled a brand-new shirt from the closet and slipped it on. It fit perfectly. Charlize Theron was a thoughtful woman, indeed.

He retrieved the socks and shoes he had tossed aside the night before, put them on, and went back to the bathroom to wash his hands. By the time he walked into the dining room, Charlize Theron had already set out his breakfast: a serving of toast with fried eggs and a bowl of oatmeal.

For herself, there was only a glass of skim milk and some fruit—the necessary price all actresses had to pay if they wanted to look perfect on camera.

Charlize took small sips of her milk, her eyes constantly circling Duke as if she were pondering something.

"Can I ask you a question, Duke?" she said, setting her glass down and looking straight at him.

Duke glanced up at her and gave a slight nod. Charlize immediately asked, "How does a young, beautiful actress achieve a breakthrough in her acting skills, or rather, how does she earn critical acclaim from professionals?"

Swallowing his mouthful of toast, Duke took a sip of oatmeal and rested his clasped hands on the table. It was indeed impossible for him and Charlize Theron to end up together. Both he and the woman sitting across from him actually knew this very well. However, just like Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron was very pleasant to be around. They had fun together, and the mood was always good...

"Sally..."

In a few years, Charlize would probably figure this out on her own anyway, so Duke decided to just give it to her straight. "Once you have enough seniority, go find a role that lets you be ugly..."

"Ugly?" Charlize paused, taken aback.

"Become a total eyesore!" Duke tapped his forehead. "Preferably a character with a few loose screws up here."

Roles that involved self-mutilation, hideous appearances, and mental instability had always been the surefire path to winning the Oscar for Best Actress. Trying to win Best Actress through a normal female role usually required years of grueling dues-paying.

After finishing breakfast, Duke left Charlize Theron's villa and drove into Burbank City. However, he didn't head straight to Duke Studio near Warner Studios. Instead, he made a detour to the Warner Building to meet with Warner Brothers' distribution head, Doug Walter, to discuss the release plans for The Matrix. Only after that did he return to the studio to continue his post-production work.

Meanwhile, Doug Walter left the Warner Building and drove toward a pre-arranged meeting spot with the executives from Sony Columbia Pictures. Their next agenda: discussing exactly how to suppress DreamWorks!