After getting out of the Mercedes, Miranda Kerr didn't immediately enter the hotel. Instead, she stood by the car, showing her round dimples and sweet smile, waving goodbye to the person in the car while the paparazzi took photos from a distance. She seemed quite pleased until the Mercedes gradually drove away, and only then did she turn and enter the hotel. As she walked towards the elevator, her dimples remained on her face.
Back at Horner Manor, two visitors were already waiting in the living room. This was one reason Matthew took Miranda Kerr back to the hotel. He had received a call from Johnny Depp in the afternoon.
"Hey, Depp." Matthew saw Johnny Depp and went over to hug him. "You finally decided to come back from France?"
Johnny Depp said jokingly, "Don't get too excited. I didn't come back just to see you." His doting gaze fell on the little girl who followed, "Lily insisted on coming to see her godfather."
Matthew noticed Lily-Rose Depp as well, squatting down to pick her up. "Wow, Lily has grown taller and heavier. She's a big girl now."
Lily-Rose Depp leaned back slightly, her round face wrinkling, "Godfather, are you saying I've gotten fat and not pretty anymore?"
"Of course not." Matthew laughed, "Lily is the prettiest."
Holding Lily, he walked towards the sofa, not needing to greet Depp as they were old friends.
Johnny Depp sat in a single chair, saying, "Lily thinks you're an irresponsible godfather who hasn't visited her in France."
"Is that true, Lily?" Matthew put Lily-Rose Depp on the sofa and sat beside her. "But France is too far. How about moving back to Los Angeles?"
"No..." Lily-Rose Depp shook her head immediately. "Mom doesn't like living in Los Angeles."
Matthew then asked, "What about your mom? She didn't come?"
Johnny Depp answered, "Vanessa is in France, very busy lately."
Lily-Rose Depp jumped off the sofa. "I'm going to play now, not talking to you anymore."
Matthew tilted his head at her. "Didn't you come specifically to see your godfather?"
"I saw you, didn't I?" Lily-Rose Depp retorted.
"Oh, fine." Matthew called a butler, instructing, "Take Lily to the entertainment room to play."
Before they left, he added, "Prepare dinner."
The butler, very competent, said, "I have already instructed the kitchen."
Matthew nodded. After the butler took Lily-Rose Depp to the entertainment room, he asked Johnny Depp, "What's wrong? You seem troubled."
"Nothing," Johnny Depp leaned back on the sofa. "Same old issues, argued with Vanessa. I want to return to Los Angeles, but she wants to stay in France."
He waved it off, "Let's not talk about that. I mainly came back for work."
At that moment, a maid brought two cups of tea. Johnny Depp thanked her and asked Matthew, "Has Disney not approached you for any projects?"
"No." Matthew sipped the hot tea. "As I mentioned in our last phone call, the sequel to 'National Treasure' has been indefinitely postponed due to a disagreement over pay. I have no other projects with Disney at the moment."
Then he caught the key point in Depp's words, "Did Disney approach you for the fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie?"
"Yes." Johnny Depp didn't keep it from Matthew. "Last week, Jerry Bruckheimer and a representative of Robert Iger came to France to ask about my interest in continuing as Jack Sparrow."
Matthew thought of the potential film, understanding, "So, they're planning to go with a single lead character."
Johnny Depp looked at Matthew, "They didn't contact you?"
"No, they probably won't use the three-lead format anymore." Matthew asked curiously, "When do they plan to start?"
"It's just in the planning stages. The release might be around 2010." Johnny Depp answered.
Matthew put down his tea cup, "With such a lucrative series, Disney won't give up on sequels."
Currently, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" had just about finished its global theatrical run, grossing $1.2168 billion worldwide. It wasn't only the top-grossing film of the year in North America but also globally.
Moreover, the film surpassed "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," becoming the second-highest-grossing film worldwide, only behind James Cameron's "Titanic."
Disney would never abandon such a profitable series.
Disney's strategy was clear: cut Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, keeping only the most popular Jack Sparrow to control costs and risks.
Matthew could see through this and joked, "Depp, take this chance and make sure to squeeze Disney."
"Absolutely!" Johnny Depp laughed heartily. "I've prepared a sky-high contract for Disney and Bruckheimer Films."
Matthew didn't ask for specific numbers but could guess. The total compensation was likely no less than $50 million.
Captain Jack Sparrow was deeply ingrained in the audience's mind. Unless Disney abandoned the series, they would have to accept Depp's sky-high pay.
Johnny Depp then changed the topic, "I mainly returned to discuss a project with Warner Bros."
Matthew was puzzled, "Warner Bros.?"
"The 'Batman' series." Johnny Depp said directly, "A Warner Bros. producer and the director of 'Batman Begins,' Christopher Nolan, are interested in casting me in an important role in the new Batman film."
"Not Bruce Wayne, I suppose?" Matthew asked jokingly.
Johnny Depp clarified, "No, it's Bruce Wayne's nemesis."
Matthew immediately thought of a pale face with a red grin. "The Joker?" Seeing Depp nod, he asked, "Did you agree?"
Johnny Depp waved his hand, "No, they're only offering $12 million, which is too low. I can't take a pay cut for such a role."
"Exactly." Matthew agreed with Depp. "I wouldn't lower my pay either."
For a pure commercial film with a villain role, a top star taking a pay cut could negatively impact future contract negotiations.
Such roles are best suited for second-tier actors with good acting skills.
Johnny Depp took a big sip of tea and said, "My agent mentioned that a Warner Bros. executive recommended you to the production team and director."
"Me?" Matthew was surprised. "Why would they think of me?"
Johnny Depp changed his tone, "Because Matthew Horner is a box office guarantee."
Matthew pointed at Depp, laughing, "Not for $12 million. No way." He asked, "Is this confirmed?"
Johnny Depp nodded lightly, "Pretty sure. They might contact Helen Herman soon."
"I doubt it." Matthew flexed his arm, showing off his muscles. "Who's ever seen a Joker more muscular than Batman?"
Warner Bros. executives were notorious for meddling with their film productions, known throughout Hollywood. They probably suggested Matthew to the Batman team for his box office appeal, but Christopher Nolan might not take their advice.
He had heard from Akiva Goldsman that the primary concern when working with Warner Bros. was not funding but the random interference from their executives.
However, with Akiva Goldsman as a strong producer, Matthew wasn't too worried about "I Am Legend" and "Hancock."
"I Am Legend" was currently on hold. Due to Guillermo del Toro's illness, the planned post-New Year shoot had to be postponed. The restart depended on del Toro's recovery.
"Hancock's" script and plan were with Helen Herman. Both sides were in early contact, with real negotiations yet to start.
Negotiations could take a long time. With the massive success of "300," Matthew's pay hike was inevitable.
Currently, "300" had grossed $300 million in North America and $600 million worldwide in just over a month.
For a film with a production cost of $85 million, this was a massive hit.
And it wasn't the end. With two to three more months in theaters worldwide, the box office would continue to rise.
However, Matthew knew the film's popularity would wane, and future box office gains wouldn't be much. Warner Bros. estimated the final North American box office at around $350 million, with global earnings possibly surpassing $700 million.
Moreover, to date, Sky Dance Films had sold 17 "300" merchandise licenses, totaling over $100 million in revenue.
These revenues were closer to pure profit compared to the high-cost movie ticket sales.
These earnings not only allowed David Ellison to recoup costs but also achieved substantial profits.
"David..."
In the office, a bald white man spoke to David Ellison, "The situation is clear. Matthew Horner has strong box office appeal. With Leonidas dead at Thermopylae, the '300' sequel can hardly leverage his draw."
"I understand." David Ellison paced back and forth. "Has the investigative report come out?"
"It will be on your desk tomorrow morning."
Sky Dance Films was a small company with limited successful projects, primarily "300." Most staff were recruited by David Ellison from within the industry, making loyalty a relative term.
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