Chapter 242 – MGM's Trump Card
In the quiet of the early morning hotel room, Aaron was jolted awake by a sudden sensation. Instinctively, his hand found its way into Jennifer Connelly's hair beneath the covers.
Some time later, after a few muffled breaths from Jennifer, Aaron exhaled deeply.
"Aaron… did you like it?" Jennifer Connelly emerged from under the blanket, cheeks flushed, resting against his chest.
He stroked her gently. "That was incredible."
---
With Christmas approaching, Los Angeles was wrapped in festive cheer. At the same time, Hollywood's awards season was in full swing — glamorous stars drifting from one gala and cocktail party to another.
At a charity dinner held at The Peninsula in Beverly Hills, Aaron crossed paths with Frank Mancuso, chairman of MGM, and John Calley, head of United Artists.
"I hear MGM/UA is preparing to launch a new generation of James Bond?" Aaron asked with a smile.
It had been several years since the sixteenth 007 film, Licence to Kill, hit theaters in 1989. The franchise had gone quiet since.
John Calley nodded. "You know the situation. Licence to Kill underperformed, partly due to rights disputes. And Timothy Dalton has decided not to continue as Bond. So we're essentially starting fresh."
The 007 film rights were split: the production rights belonged to Eon Productions, founded by Albert R. Broccoli, while distribution rested with United Artists — and by extension, MGM after its acquisition of UA. It was a structure not unlike Aaron's arrangement with The Hobbit, where Dawnlight held certain rights while MGM retained distribution.
"Aren't Mr. Broccoli's health issues part of the delay?" Aaron asked.
Calley nodded again. Albert R. Broccoli, the longtime steward of the Bond franchise, had indeed stepped back due to illness.
"But Eon is now run by his stepson, Michael G. Wilson, and his daughter, Barbara Broccoli," Calley explained. "They've both been deeply involved in the series for years. We believe the seventeenth Bond film will meet audiences soon."
Behind the scenes, Calley was actively collaborating with Wilson and Barbara Broccoli on reviving the franchise. The shortlist for the next James Bond reportedly included Pierce Brosnan — long considered a frontrunner — along with other contenders such as Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson, Sam Neill, Hugh Grant, and Lambert Wilson.
Aaron took a sip of his drink.
At the moment, MGM/UA didn't have many major franchises firing on all cylinders. Reviving James Bond was clearly their ace in the hole — the one true trump card capable of restoring their box office clout.
After chatting with John Calley for a while, Aaron ran into Tom Cruise. Cruise/Wagner Productions had officially been formed, and Paula Wagner had left CAA, transitioning from agent to producer to manage and operate the new company.
"The film adaptation of Mission: Impossible hasn't started prepping yet?" Aaron asked.
Tom Cruise shook his head. "The script's still being revised. It's not moving that fast."
"Do you have any scripts you're particularly interested in right now?"
"Not at the moment. Why? Do you have something good?"
Aaron nodded. "I've got an action concept. Not sure if you'd be interested."
"Action? Of course," Cruise said, extending his hand. "Let's sit down and talk."
The two quickly moved to a sofa in the lounge area.
"A young military officer," Aaron began, "accidentally kills a criminal while trying to protect his pregnant wife. He's sentenced to eight years in prison."
"On the day he's finally released, he's desperate to get home to see his daughter. With special permission from the warden, he boards a transport plane — one carrying the most dangerous criminals in the United States."
Cruise raised an eyebrow. "A plane full of the country's worst felons?"
Aaron nodded. "Exactly. It's a high-security prisoner transfer flight. Midway through, the inmates kill the escorting officers and seize control of the plane."
"The hero teams up with the remaining guards — and even some of the inmates — in a life-or-death battle in the sky. The title: Con Air."
Tom Cruise's eyes lit up. "Is there a finished script?"
"There is. I'll get it to you," Aaron replied.
Privately, Aaron had originally envisioned Kevin Costner as the lead. But after collaborating on The Mask of Zorro, Costner's schedule had become packed.
As for Nicolas Cage, he was still primarily known for art-house roles and hadn't yet achieved the Oscar-winning fame that would elevate his commercial appeal.
Con Air needed a true A-list star to carry it.
Actors like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger leaned more toward the muscular, traditional action-hero archetype — not quite the tone Aaron envisioned for this new style of action film.
And Bruce Willis was already tied up with projects like Die Hard with a Vengeance and 12 Monkeys.
If Cruise ultimately passed, Aaron still had a backup in mind: Keanu Reeves.
Cruise smiled. "My agent now is Pat Kingsley. I'll discuss it with her."
---
After wrapping up the conversation, Aaron received an overseas call from Joey Wong in Hong Kong.
It was 9 p.m. in Los Angeles. With the 16-hour time difference during winter, it was already 1 p.m. the next day in Hong Kong.
"Oh? You've picked out several properties?"
Aaron had previously asked her to scout investment properties there. It seemed she had finalized some options.
"You want me to come take a look personally?"
"Alright. I'll fly over soon and check them out myself. Wait for me."
After hanging up, Aaron leaned back in thought. It had been a while since he'd seen Joey Wong. A trip to Hong Kong made sense.
He could even stop by Japan afterward — perhaps relax in a hot spring with Norika Fujiwara.
"What are you thinking about, Aaron?"
He turned his head. It was Winona Ryder approaching.
He smiled faintly. "I was thinking about you."