Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 405 The Stallone Brothers

   "Hey, so much money", Ronald sighed and signed his name on the check.

   I have to pay taxes next month. I have made a lot of money in the past year, but there are not many items to avoid tax. I have to take out a large amount of cash and turn it over to the IRS. Ronald's cash is starting to be tight.

   Fortunately, the lyricist of "Famous in the World" and the new issue of royalties for "Words Stars for Dummies" have already arrived, so you can wait for a while, otherwise you will have to sell stocks.

   After checking taxes with accountant Lawrence Wang and signing the check, Ronald went to CAA to talk to Nisita about the new project. The income of the film and television industry is relatively high, but it is also unstable.

   "Good news, Stallone wants you to write the script. He's going to develop a sequel to 'First Blood'."

   "Oh? Didn't he like my script?" Ronald was a little unexpected when he heard that it was Stallone's invitation.

   "He is still satisfied with your script, otherwise he would not modify it based on yours, he just likes to highlight his star status."

   "Okay, what's that movie called? Second Blood?"

   "It's funny," Nisita said with a funny mouth, no smile on his face, and he knew that Ronald was not satisfied with Stallone's revision of his "Flying Phoenix" script.

"Stallone's bid is okay, $100,000 plus a second signature. I also came to you after seeing the job you wanted to take on the script recently. You know that my Italian fellow Sly is not very good at talking. Mr. Ovitz's project proposal was also rejected. He refuted it, if you are not happy, say it earlier, and I will find someone else."

   "Okay, okay, I'm just complaining in front of you." Ronald took the outline of the story in Nisita's hand and read it. .

"Rambo: First Blood Part 2" Ronald read the name, it turned out to be the way of Indiana Jones, after the first part started, the second part directly added the name of the protagonist Indiana Jones to become series of movies.

  The story written by Stallone is very simple. Rambo was imprisoned in prison. Later, America and Vietnam ended the war. Some prisoners of war were not released. His old boss, Colonel, came to ask him to secretly rescue his comrades.

"Oh, this is completely different from the first part." Ronald was delighted. The exposure of the scars of the Vietnam War and the indifference of the society to the Vietnam veterans in the first drop of blood were all abandoned and replaced. Take the hero Rambo to the tiger's den alone and rescue the veteran prisoner of war abandoned by the state.

"You know, after the commander took office, he was very tough on the outside world, and he visited China again, continuing the grand strategy of Lianhua to fight the Soviet Union. So the people's hearts gradually began to have a good impression of tough heroes. Sly thinks that it can develop in that direction, Besides, the producer is a conservative like the party."

  "OK", Ronald accepted the story outline, this time I will write a little slower, and the film release has to be dealt with.

   "No problem, Stallone gave you three months, of course you better write faster."

Nisita handed over this document again, "This is the idea of ​​the studio Caroco Pictures, they want Stallone and John Travolta to partner, this time it's a two-hero story, Rambo is in charge of the fight, and Travolta plays the partner. Responsible for high-tech weapons, write the battle scenes beautifully, don't be afraid of insufficient budget, this time raised more than 25 million."

"Of course." Ronald knew in his heart that if the "Dragon Flying Phoenix" directed by Stallone and starring Travolta was a big hit at the box office, then they would cooperate again and appear on the camera at the same time. Of course, Rocco Films doesn't want to give up such a golden partner, and big productions are also deserved.

   "In addition, your visit to the 'Dragon Flying Phoenix Dance' class has also been arranged, just as their filming is nearly completed, and there are reporters to interview, just in time for you to get some attention."

   "Thank you, I really don't know what to do without you." Ronald thought, if he didn't answer, wouldn't he have this chance?

"You should go back to the mainstream film industry as soon as possible. At that time, there will be professionals who will spend a lot of money to help you solve these matters." Nisita also thinks that this time Ronald's film has a good return on investment, then Many people will come to invite.

   Two consecutive films with different themes, different budgets, and different production modes have made money, so Ronald can be said to be a wizard worthy of long-term investment.

The big studios will give him one or two mid-level productions to train his hands on. If he can control the big scene or get the performance of the big star, then he can safely give him a big production of more than 15 million and make him into a big one. Hollywood's money-sucking machine.

   "Ronald, you're welcome." Stallone on the Long Feifeng Dance studio stopped the filming and saw Ronald, who was visiting the class, and stretched out his arms to hug him.

  The staffing of the big production is also the best. Stallone handed the guide tube to the first assistant director, and has his own professional personnel to direct the lighting and positioning of the next scene. He is only responsible for directing the performance part.

   "This is my brother Frank, this is Cynthia Rhodes." Stallone introduced Ronald to several of the lead actors on the set.

   Ronald said hello to his younger brother Frank Stallone, Cynthia was an old acquaintance of his "Lightning Dance" crew, and he introduced Stallone to audition here, but he didn't expect to get the female lead.

   "Hi, hello Ronald, I heard Cynthia always talk about you." Frank Stallone put his arm around Cynthia and said to Ronald.

   "I hope it's not my scandal in Pittsburgh." Ronald hit haha.

  Cynthia leaned slightly to the side and left Frank's arm a little bit. After she got the female lead, she realized that it was the director's brother who had a crush on him.

  Frank Stallone was originally from the music industry, he did some soundtrack work for his brother's "Rocky", and also released a single, but it didn't get much response.

This time my brother became the director and immediately called him in. Not only did he take charge of the episodes and soundtracks of all the movies, but he also gave him a supporting actor, Jackie played by Cynthia, who was hurt by Tony Manero played by Travolta. After that, find his character to be a spare-wheel boyfriend.

   "No, she said that you take good care of their group performances, and you have to find a way to thank you." Frank Stallone looks a bit like his brother Sylvester, but he doesn't have the feeling of his brother's burst of testosterone.

   "I'm here to introduce you, this is Ronald Lee, who also participated in the screenwriting work of this film and is my good friend." Brother Stallone put his arms around Ronald and introduced to the reporter who came to interview.

   Then he whispered in Ronald's ear, "smile," and pressed Ronald's shoulder down hard.

  Ronald squatted down slightly to make the height difference less obvious. Then he tilted his head back slightly, and asked Stallone to make the famous Rocky punch himself, posing as if he was hit by the heavyweight champion Rocky in the chin, and asked reporters to take pictures.

  This famous action star, on the set, has to show who is the master here.

   "Hey", Ronald, who was in a daze, was stabbed by Stallone.

   Stallone rolled up his sleeves again, put his fists under his chin, and made a biceps pose.

  Ronald understood and squatted down, imitating that posture and doing the same thing.

  "Good boy", Stallone finished posing, dismissed the reporter, and patted Ronald, "You look very Italian, do you have Italian blood?"

   "I'm an orphan, may or may not be."

   "There must be, or Nisita won't sign you." Stallone was in high spirits, pulling Ronald to the trailer, asking him for a drink, and talking about the power of Italians in Hollywood along the way.

  Ronald was sullen when he heard it. The star was obviously a bit overconfident, but with the two super-selling male protagonists in hand, no one could say anything, so he had to deal with it.

   "Come on, Frank, we're friends, but..."

When    was embarrassed, a female voice came from the trailer next to him, Ronald and Stallone looked back, Cynthia Rhodes came out of his brother Frank's trailer.

   "Frank!" Stallone stopped his younger brother who was entangled with Cynthia.

   "I, Sly, Cynthia she..."

   "Italians don't need to force girls like this, understand?" Stallone star was dissatisfied with his younger brother's performance.

   "Cynthia, my brother said you were his girlfriend?" Stallone's facial muscles were half-movable, so when he spoke seriously, he had a lot of power.

   "I, I..." Cynthia Rhodes was a little scared and couldn't speak clearly. Of course, she felt what Frank Stallone meant to her, but this was just a girl's normal response to her pursuit, and she didn't agree to use herself as an exchange for a role.

   "Cynthia, did you promise Frank something before you got the role?" Ronald stepped forward and stood beside her, "Don't be in a hurry and speak slowly."

"I...I was just recommended by you to audition for the group, this movie has a lot of dance roles. The audition director told me to go back and prepare for the dancer after the cabaret line, but the next day he called and said, let me audition Try Jackie. I just got called back to audition for Jackie, and there's a video of it, you can watch it."

   "Frank?" Stallone looked at this ineffective younger brother. This kind of thing is either discussed clearly, or you have the ability to pursue it yourself, what is it today? "

"A misunderstanding, Cynthia. I think Frank probably drank a little bit just now, got a little drunk, and moved a little more." Ronald saw the mystery, probably Frank Stallone took a fancy to Cynthia Rhodes and let her enter audition for the protagonist.

   The two of them did not mention this favor during the filming. Frank may want to pursue Cynthia with his own charm, but the filming was almost over and it was not successful, so it is a bit too much to be brave today.

   "I'm sorry. Cynthia." Frank whispered.

   Stallone was very uncomfortable. As soon as he was interrupted by Ronald, his younger brother admitted that he was wrong. This kind of weak behavior is not like an Italian. Being fascinated by a woman and helping her get a role is also a bit of a shame for the surname Stallone.

   "Ronald, you're fine."

   Stallone patted Ronald on the shoulder, then said to Cynthia Rhodes:

   "Before you do something that will shame your parents in the south, quit the movie circle now."

   "Me?" Cynthia said threateningly in Stallone's language, and couldn't help but burst into tears.

   (end of this chapter)