Los Angeles, somewhere.
"What?"
"You're saying you represent the production team of 'Tomb Raider' from Paramount Pictures and Page Entertainment, and you're inviting me to be the lead actress?"
"Is that true?!"
Angelina Jolie looked at Kyle with a surprised expression.
The lead actress in an $80 million blockbuster!
Even though Angelina Jolie had been in Hollywood for many years, had played lead roles before, and had worked with many big-name stars, this was absolutely her first time starring as the lead in a film approaching $100 million.
Most importantly, "Tomb Raider" was a commercial film!
In 1997, 1998, and 1999, for three consecutive years, besides starring in Page Entertainment's "The Sixth Sense," Angelina Jolie appeared in "George Wallace" and "Gia," both of which were low-budget biographical films.
Other than that, her only regular film was "Girl, Interrupted," in which she played a supporting role.
"Are you really letting me play Lara, the lead role in 'Tomb Raider'?" Angelina Jolie pressed.
Kyle sat on the sofa, spreading his hands: "Of course it's true. Otherwise, why would I come all this way just to joke with you?"
"Thank you, Kyle!"
Angelina Jolie excitedly pounced on Kyle and gave him a kiss. At this moment, she was indeed incredibly thrilled. She knew all too well the help the role of Lara could bring her.
Winning awards for acting in art-house films was great.
But without the halo of commercial films, an actress's value would never rise.
"Will Paramount make things difficult for me to be the lead actress?" Angelina Jolie worried again.
"Haha!"
Kyle laughed: "Don't worry, I'll handle that."
Kyle was naturally confident he could handle Paramount!
Speaking of this collaboration with Paramount,
From travel, hotels, dining, meetings... in every aspect, Kyle experienced Paramount's meticulous care.
In just a few days, Paramount arranged the best for Kyle in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, providing high treatment to the best of their ability.
Not only that, Sumner Redstone, the owner of Viacom Group and Paramount Pictures, came every day to chat with Kyle.
"Tsk tsk tsk ~"
Kyle couldn't help but sigh: "They're both Hollywood's Big Six, so why is the difference so great?"
With Disney, Kyle saw oppression;
But in the process of cooperating with Paramount, Kyle saw full sincerity;
That night.
Kyle didn't go home but stayed at Angelina Jolie's place.
"I heard you're getting married soon?" Kyle asked afterward.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to know that." Jolie smiled.
Kyle laughed: "Of course I know, Billy Bob Thornton, right? You two probably met on the set of 'Pushing Tin' and fell in love. I've also seen reports about you two recently."
Jolie showed an interested expression and said, "You even have time to read gossip."
Kyle immediately gave a wry smile.
What's wrong with a billionaire reading gossip?
It's human nature!
Speaking of which, Jolie was about to get married, and it would be her second marriage.
In 1996, at the age of 21, Jolie married Johnny Lee Miller, an actor who was already somewhat famous at the time. However... later, Angelina Jolie became too immersed in filming "Gia" and developed a lesbian relationship, beginning to separate from Johnny Lee Miller and divorcing in 1999.
Kyle knew all this.
At the same time, as a transmigrator, Kyle also knew that her relationship with Billy Bob Thornton wouldn't last long either.
The famous Brad Pitt was only Jolie's third husband.
Of course, the two later divorced too.
"Tsk tsk tsk ~"
Kyle thought to himself: "Your circle is truly chaotic."
... The next day.
After washing up, Kyle left Jolie's house and headed to Golden Dawn Entertainment Group.
"Boss, why are you back so soon?" CEO Victor asked, puzzled.
Kyle waved his hand and smiled: "What would I do if I didn't come back? After all, 'Tomb Raider' is still in the preparation phase, and filming is estimated to start in June or July, so there's no rush now. However... Paramount's service attitude is truly impeccable, so good that I almost didn't want to come back."
"I know." Victor also smiled.
Kyle serving as the producer for the "Tomb Raider" project and collaborating with Paramount Pictures was quite a significant piece of news.
Previously, Kyle's meeting with Redstone had caused a sensation and attracted attention, with numerous media outlets across the US reporting on it. Now that Kyle was confirmed as the producer for "Tomb Raider," the media naturally wouldn't miss out.
In the past few days, there had been quite a lot of news reports about Kyle.
Several days later.
People from Paramount arrived.
"Mr. Page, this is our revised script. Please review it again, and if there are any issues, we'll revise them promptly," executive producer Tom Harris said respectfully.
Look!
Look at their attitude!
Disney was far behind in comparison ~
Kyle smiled: "Tom, please sit. I'll take a look at the revised script now."
Hollywood very cleverly attributed all killings to a clash of civilizations, rather than to the people who started the wars. To brand invading other countries as being on the side of justice... such a robber's logic, only the Hollywood could pull off.
The "Tomb Raider" movie was the same.
It was clearly a tomb-raiding film, but because the production team set up a background for the heroine Lara where she raided tombs "for her father's wish," everything became grand and righteous.
"Digging graves and still trying to maintain a good reputation, that's truly brilliant!" Kyle smacked his lips.
Kyle was quite satisfied with the script.
After all, Kyle had watched the movie "Tomb Raider" many times before he transmigrated, and his memories were as fresh as ever.
Kyle put down the script and asked, "Have you considered a director?"
"Yes!" Tom Harris said solemnly: "Stephen Sommers, we believe he is the most suitable candidate."
Stephen Sommers, a well-known Hollywood director, the "Mummy" series of films came from his hand.
"He's not suitable," Kyle blurted out.
"Huh?" Tom was surprised.
Kyle explained: "I admit Stephen Sommers is an excellent director, but don't forget, our 'Tomb Raider' is a fantasy action film. You know how bad Stephen Sommers is at action films. Just look at the action scenes in 'The Mummy' and you'll know."
In 2002, Stephen Sommers directed the film "Van Helsing," starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, with an investment of up to $160 million.
However... this ambitious work ended in a box office disaster!
Universal Pictures, the producer, suffered heavy losses and even wanted to kill the director.
The action scenes in "Van Helsing" were also widely criticized on screen.
How could Kyle agree to let Stephen Sommers direct "Tomb Raider"?
"Mr. Page, who do you suggest should direct?"
Tom Harris's suggestion was rejected, but he wasn't annoyed at all. Instead, he looked at Kyle with gratitude, and his words were incredibly respectful.
Oh, this attitude made Kyle feel very pleased.
Paramount was too good at dealing with people. Where could they find such talent?
"Simon West!"
Kyle said.
Simon West was a relatively new director in Hollywood.
In 1997, his directorial debut, "Con Air," grossed $220 million worldwide, earning a large sum for the Disney Group.
"Tomb Raider," "The Expendables 2," "The Mechanic"... and other films are his representative works.
He is a director who is very good at creating tough guys on screen, and the action scenes under his lens repeatedly make people's hormones surge.
When suggesting this new director, Kyle originally thought he would have to put in a lot of effort to persuade Tom Harris and Paramount Pictures, but who knew... they agreed with Kyle's suggestion in just two days.
To quote Jordan: "We trust you, Kyle, and we believe in your professionalism."
Look!
Take a good look!
This collaboration with Paramount made Kyle feel extremely happy. Even when his own Page Entertainment produced films, Kyle had never felt such smoothness.