Chapter 44: Action Movie Plan

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Action Movie Plan

"Mrs. Walker..." Irene started to raise her glass.

"Just Ella, no need to be formal. Let me introduce you. This is someone from 20th Century Fox..."

"Hello, Ms. Griffin."

"Oh," Ella Walker raised an eyebrow. "You two already know each other?"

"Yes, we met once before." The brown-haired woman was Adelaide Griffin, head of distribution at 20th Century Fox, who had met Irene privately.

At that time, she praised Irene and hoped to work together, but Irene was committed to MGM then. Circumstances changed, and now she was with Fox.

"Hey, Irene, I said last time, call me Adelaide. You’ve been working hard. Take a break. We still need you for post-production." Adelaide clinked glasses with Irene, her manner modest, treating her like an established director.

Ella Walker looked surprised.

Honestly, she came to the wrap party because she was in Toronto on business, Shelly invited her, and she had time.

But to say she valued Irene highly would be overstating it.

She represented major stars like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, and Will Smith, and had Steven Spielberg on her roster. To her, Irene’s success might be luck.

But seeing Fox’s attitude, maybe Miss Coppola had more than luck—actual ability?

"Thank you, Adelaide. We’ll finish post before the New Year. I suggest a summer release. Our main audience is students." Irene took the chance to suggest. Her plan was popcorn films for the next few years, and summer was the key slot.

"We’ll support that. Theaters saw what you did, and there will be room for you next summer." Adelaide sounded certain, as if it needed no further discussion.

She’d already discussed it internally. They’d reviewed Irene’s footage, and overall it was strong.

The style kept the relaxed tone of the previous film, still attractive leads, still witty.

The teen market response should be solid. Beating Legally Blonde was uncertain, but it wouldn’t fall far short.

"Perhaps our genius Irene has plans after this film?" Ella Walker spoke up, not wanting to be left out, raising a topic of mutual interest.

Irene did have a plan.

Originally, she wanted one more romance with a higher budget to complete her debut trilogy, then move to action films to enter the major director tier.

But after Hawaii, she added Pirates of the Caribbean to her list.

Pirates of the Caribbean released July 2003. Assuming one year from planning to post, a large effects film needed more prep, so greenlighting had to happen by early 2002.

To lead, she needed the script and key crew set by 2001.

But at her current level, even with a proposal, investors wouldn’t commit, nor could she secure "Captain Jack."

So before Pirates, she needed a result that built investor confidence. She had to show she could handle a large project.

"I do have a new plan, Ms. Walker. I want to do an action film next." Irene kept her voice low, as if confidential.

Adelaide’s voice dropped too.

"An action film? I thought, Irene, even if you moved from campus comedy, it’d be romance or similar. That’s a big shift..."

Seeing no immediate rejection, Irene sensed an opening.

"It’s just a plan. You know, action films test market strength. Staying with campus comedies isn’t challenging enough."

That fit her young, ambitious image.

"Can we hear the story?" Ella Walker asked, as Adelaide stayed quiet.

"Of course. It’s about a group of thieves teaming up for revenge and executing a gold heist in Los Angeles. It’s based on the 1969 British film The Italian Job. I want to do an adaptation."

A non-original story made the challenge more manageable.

"When will the script be ready?" Hearing it was an adaptation, Adelaide relaxed slightly. Action films were popular, but only if excellent.

Many failed action films died in theaters each year. Irene was the young director she backed most. MGM had dropped her for no clear reason, and Adelaide wanted to secure her.

"After post on this film, I’ll start the new script. It shouldn’t take long."

"Then we’ll discuss when the script is ready." Adelaide raised her glass to Irene.

"No problem." Irene smiled and clinked glasses.

"Don’t forget me," Ella Walker said. Even a standard action film needed far more crew than Mean Girls. She wouldn’t miss out.

"Of course, Ms. Walker. This is my first action film, and I’ll need CAA’s help with action choreography and more." For now, she still needed CAA, and their packages were convenient.

"We’re happy to help with anything." Ella raised her glass, and Irene and Adelaide echoed: "Praise CAA."

After Ella and Adelaide left, Irene exhaled and found a corner to eat.

Seeing Irene sit, Edward came over with a plate.

Irene looked. Escargot au gratin and pre-cut charcoal pork ribs—her favorites. He’d saved them for her.

"Figured you hadn’t eaten, so I grabbed your favorites."

"Thanks." They knew each other well enough to skip formalities.

"What were you talking about for so long?" Edward asked.

"A new movie. What else would they expect from me?" Irene forked some meat and ate.

Her plans were secret to outsiders, but public to friends.

Edward had limited screen time in Mean Girls, and she’d told him early to work on fitness, so he wasn’t surprised.