Chapter 33: Preparation for the New Movie

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Preparation for the New Movie

Over the next three days, she and Henry explored the Granvireya Hotel.

From surfing to diving, from the hotel’s "waterway network" to the spa, from air to sea, the days were active and pleasant.

Life felt uncomplicated, each day full and easy.

Just as Irene was returning later each evening, sensing that things with Henry might progress, Shelly Ovitz arrived.

When Shelly saw Irene come in, he said, "Hawaii agrees with you. You’ve only been here a few days and you look well."

Britney, nearby, laughed. "I don’t think the ocean does that." She winked at Irene.

They had crossed paths outside several times, but hadn’t acknowledged each other to maintain discretion.

Britney, of course, had been following them out of curiosity about Irene’s dates.

Irene ignored the teasing and asked Shelly why he came.

"I think you two have been enjoying yourselves and forgot I said I’d join you for vacation in a few days."

"Oh? Then why are you only here now?"

"Because you two left me a mess to clean up. I just finished." Shelly’s tone carried mock grievance, aimed at Irene and Britney.

"Then I appreciate your work, agent."

"It’s my job. You’ve had enough time off. It’s time to refocus. I’m here for two things, one for Irene, one for Britney. Fair."

Shelly’s business tone shifted the mood. Irene grew serious and pulled Britney to sit across from him.

"I’ll start with Britney. Jive is planning your second album and collecting songs. If you don’t want them deciding everything, you should return and plan your music. Also, interview requests are piling up. Go back, review them, and get to work."

Hearing about her second album, Britney got excited. She grabbed Edward’s hand and shook it, ready to fly back to Los Angeles immediately.

"As for Irene, the task you gave me is done. The company is established, registered in Delaware." As Shelly finished, Britney asked,

"Irene, why did you suddenly register a company?"

Before Irene answered, Edward chimed in:

"Boss, does your company need funding?"

She smiled at Britney. "Because I want to invest in my own films," then turned to Edward.

"Not at the moment. If there’s a shortfall, how much could you contribute?"

Edward seemed to calculate, taking a minute before answering.

"If you need cash now, within 20 million USD. If it’s not urgent, I could arrange 50 million."

Irene was surprised. She thought Legally Blonde might earn her seven figures, well ahead of peers, but she couldn’t match second-generation wealth.

"Alright, if I need it, I’ll ask you."

"What does CAA say?" Irene asked.

"That’s partly why I’m late. The company evaluated your new film, and the boss wants us to package it."

"Mr. Walker is involved?" Irene feigned surprise.

"Yes. Because we missed investing in Legally Blonde, the boss criticized me. But signing you and Britney helped. For this new film, he said I must secure it."

"What can you do for me?" Irene raised an eyebrow. Letting CAA package wasn’t a problem; it could save time. But CAA’s fee was 2%–5% of total revenue.

"I told them you want to invest. The boss said he can talk to 20th Century Fox. Their funds are still tied up from Titanic, so they might accept your investment, but only for short-term returns."

"Box office, video, and TV rights shares are enough for now. I’m not at my father’s level yet, so I don’t have leverage for more."

Irene understood her position. One hit made her known, but many still doubted her.

Some tabloids claimed Francis Coppola was the real director of Legally Blonde, and Irene was a figurehead.

So companies remained cautious.

"Then what are your terms?"

"For the female lead, Katie Heron... the company hopes Reese Witherspoon can continue in the role."

Irene’s fingers tapped the table.

The original lead of Mean Girls was Lindsay Lohan. She captured Katie’s arc from naive to lost to self-aware, balancing comedy and emotion, and benefited greatly.

The role moved her past the child-star phase into mainstream popularity. Without later issues, she might have reached top-tier status. Britney’s trajectory was similar.

But the current Lindsay Lohan had only done The Parent Trap and was too young to carry this role.

Seeing Irene hesitate, Shelly offered more.

"You might want to hear MGM’s response."

"Tell me." Irene paused her thinking to hear about MGM. She was satisfied with their first collaboration and, all else equal, preferred not to switch to Fox.

"Their new marketing director rejected your investment proposal and said distribution fees for the new movie need to be 6 points higher than *Legally Blonde*—meaning 18% of North American box office and 18% of North American TV and video rights." Shelly stayed neutral.

"Are they serious?" Irene looked at Shelly, disbelieving, checking if he might be exaggerating.