Chapter 194: Internal Discussions at Fox

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Internal Discussions at Fox

After Legally Blonde was released, many thought she was just lucky. Only Adelaide reached out to her, expressing confidence in her storytelling.

Later, when she was preparing Mean Girls, it was Adelaide who pushed through the opposition within Fox to actively recruit her and bring her onto her side.

Even for a project like Pirates of the Caribbean, which wasn’t well-received at the time, Adelaide supported her without hesitation, helping her secure sufficient budget and resources.

"It’s just mutual success," Adelaide said, her tone turning serious.

"Business first. Will extending the production break to a month affect the filming schedule of Pirates of the Caribbean? Are the set construction at Port Royal Bay, equipment storage, and the actors’ schedules all okay?"

"Don’t worry, everything is arranged," Irene reassured her.

"The set at Port Royal Bay has dedicated security, and the equipment is properly stored. I’ve communicated with the actors. Everyone is understanding, and their schedules can be coordinated. Although there’s a delay, it gives us time to polish the post-production script. Once filming restarts, things will actually go more smoothly."

"That’s good," Adelaide sighed in relief. "I have high hopes for this film. The company just changed leadership, and many eyes are on us, so nothing can go wrong. But I’ve always trusted your way of doing things."

After chatting a bit more about the crew’s current status, Irene shifted the topic. "By the way, Adelaide, I have another project, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The film has been ready for a while, but I haven’t found the right distribution company. Since you’ve just taken office, would you consider it?"

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Adelaide paused, then remembered. "Is that the light comedy you mentioned before, the one you’re developing with Tom Hanks about a Greek family?"

"Exactly," Irene nodded. "The story is simple. An ordinary Greek girl struggling between her family’s expectations and her own pursuits, eventually finding love and family understanding. The style is light and warm. In the current environment, audiences might need a film like this to relax and feel the warmth of family."

"The theme is indeed good," Adelaide said, her interest piqued. "There’s too much heavy content on the market right now. A light comedy has an advantage. And your choice of themes is clever. Family, love, cultural differences. These elements easily resonate."

She paused. "How about this: send me the full script and project plan, and I’ll have the team evaluate it tomorrow. If there are no issues, Fox can handle the distribution. I’ll do my best to coordinate resources and push it forward quickly."

"Great, I’ll send the materials tonight," Irene said happily. "To be honest, I hadn’t thought of working with anyone else. I feel you understand my vision best. But you’ll have to give me a lower fee. This is an independent film with a very low budget, and it won’t have a wide release even when it’s out."

"Of course," Adelaide’s voice regained some of its vigor. "At Fox, I can give you more support from now on. You just focus on creating and filming. Leave the distribution and resource coordination to me."

After hanging up, Irene leaned back in her chair, a smile spreading across her face. She had been worried that the change in CEO would affect the progress of Pirates of the Caribbean, but now it seemed like another opportunity had opened up.

Adelaide was an old acquaintance and her most supportive partner. With her at the helm of Fox, not only would Pirates of the Caribbean proceed smoothly, but My Big Fat Greek Wedding also had a home.

The next morning, just as the Fox Pictures office building was returning to its usual bustle, Adelaide walked into the CEO’s office at the stroke of nine.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the Los Angeles skyline, but she wasn’t in the mood to admire it. As soon as she sat down, she opened her computer and forwarded the script and project plan for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which Irene had sent overnight, to the head of the Marketing Department with a brief instruction:

"Give me a preliminary evaluation report by the end of the day. Focus on analyzing the audience fit and distribution feasibility in the current market environment."

After sending the email, she rubbed her temples. She had only been in office for a few days, and the files on her desk were piled higher than when she was the distribution head. The gossip within the company hadn’t stopped either.

In the break room, several veteran employees were chatting in low voices.

"Honestly, Beard didn’t leave unfairly. That wife of his is nothing but trouble."

Linda, from the finance department, curled her lip.

"Think about how chaotic it was on 9/11. A Black police officer was kind enough to escort her, and she had the nerve to call him a ’Black bastard.’ After that hit the papers, my relatives back home were asking me, ’Are the families of your company’s executives all like that?’"

Mark, a colleague from the Planning Department, nodded.

"Exactly. Right now, all of America is calling for unity, yet she goes and practices racial discrimination. She practically walked right into the line of fire.

Beard already made some bad decisions that cost the company a lot, so everyone was already frustrated. Now, his wife has completely trashed the company’s reputation. A few Black artists we work with have already asked privately about terminating their contracts."

"Luckily, we switched to Adelaide," Linda sighed in relief. "You could tell from when she pushed for Legally Blonde. She has a sharp eye and is a decent person. At least she won’t tolerate such ridiculous behavior."

These snippets of conversation reached Adelaide’s ears. She didn’t say much, only asking her assistant to quietly gather and organize the relevant discussions.

After reporting on the internal public opinion, the assistant hesitantly mentioned, "Boss, I noticed that Irene’s Echo Pictures has already donated a sum of money to the families of the 9/11 victims through the Red Cross and made the details public.

Not only that, but her company also donated a batch of much-needed supplies. The online reviews are quite good. Should we follow suit? The company’s reputation is currently affected. A donation might win back some public goodwill."

Adelaide tapped her fingers on the desk, lost in thought.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered this approach, but she had too many concerns.

"Echo Pictures is small. Doing something like this is seen as a heartfelt gesture at most, and no one will over-analyze it. But Fox is different.

Right now, all of Hollywood and all of America are watching us. After all, we just changed CEOs and we’re an industry giant. If we donate now, will people say we’re marketing off a disaster?"

She paused and continued her analysis. "And notice that the other Hollywood studios, like Disney and Warner Bros., haven’t made a move yet.

Everyone is waiting to see, afraid that one wrong step will draw fire. If we’re the first to stand up and donate, it’ll be too conspicuous. If our competitors interpret it as an attempt to whitewash the company, it could backfire."