Chapter 292: Settling Depp

Wu Yuchen and Han Sanping were relatively familiar, so the two basically didn't use much politeness or beat around the bush. He asked directly: "Brother Han, is there anything?"

"Brother Wu, you have won the Oscar for Best Director this time. Such a big thing, we definitely can't ignore it. Our film system is going to hold a commendation meeting specifically for you, and some important leaders will come to express their condolences."

Listening to Han Sanping's words, Wu Yuchen understood in seconds. Actually, this commendation meeting wasn't urgent, but the key was that important leaders were coming. That naturally couldn't be dragged on for too long. Even if he had won the Oscar for Best Director now, there was no reason for the big leaders to keep waiting for him.

Wu Yuchen pondered for a while. To tell the truth, he really had quite a few things to deal with in Hollywood. He could push away many interview invitations after the Oscars, but the filming of *Spider-Man* and the preparation for the sequel to *Pirates of the Caribbean* were all things placed in front of him.

Actually, he didn't go back after winning the Oscar last year. However, the film he used to campaign for the Oscars last year was *A Beautiful Mind*, and the reaction within the domestic system wasn't very big. But this time was different. *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* was a Chinese-language film! Wu Yuchen directed it, Chinese actors, Chinese stories, absolutely one's own child! And it was also a film reflecting China's suffering history, which had rare significance for the Chinese nation.

Such a film had now brought back the Oscar for Best Director! It was also the first Chinese Oscar Best Director to break the ceiling!

Therefore, it was no surprise that these big leaders were interested in him and the film and wanted to come specifically to express their condolences and understand more about the situation.

Wu Yuchen thought about it and said to Han Sanping: "Brother Han, I have some things to deal with here. How about I rush back in 5 days?"

Han Sanping on the opposite side said with a smile: "Good! Brother Wu, then I will report the time!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen exhaled gently. It seemed he had to speed up some progress and solve some urgent matters first.

DreamWorks, Spielberg smiled and welcomed Wu Yuchen: "Wu, I thought you would take a good rest for a few days after the Oscars and go on a vacation to relax~"

Because *Pirates of the Caribbean 2* had the foundation and good reputation of the first part, it was bound to make money. Movie fans would all come to support it, so Depp and the others wanted to participate in the share, so they would get more.

Wu Yuchen heard this and thought about it, and understood what was going on.

Spielberg also shrugged: "No one will have trouble with money. Even if these actors have times when they are stupid, they still have their agents. These agents are much harder to deal with than the actors themselves!"

In the room, a fat man saw Wu Yuchen and took the initiative to send him a warm hug, while saying congratulations in his mouth.

For today's negotiation, Depp didn't show up, because this was to avoid conflict between Wu Yuchen and Depp. Negotiations would definitely cause conflict. If Wu Yuchen and Depp were both involved, one was the director and one was the male lead. If the emotions generated by the conflict and disputes during the negotiation were extended to the filming set, it would be very unfavorable for filming.

This time, he planned to film the second and third parts consecutively, so the salary was also negotiated together.

If Wu Yuchen were purely a director, he definitely wouldn't intervene in Depp's salary issue; this had nothing to do with him. But his Miracle Pictures itself was one of the producers of *Pirates of the Caribbean*, so now he had to negotiate with the other party in the dual capacity of producer and director.

Wu Yuchen frowned and asked: "Are both parts like this?"

"Wow, dear Wu Dao, congratulations! Oscar Best Director!"

Spielberg shook his head: "Everything else has been settled, only Depp is left. His agent insists on the 208 requirement."

After both were seated, Wu Yuchen asked about the business: "Steven, hasn't Depp's side been negotiated yet?"

"Thank you, Jack!" Wu Yuchen also returned a smile to Depp's agent.

Wu Yuchen said directly to Spielberg: "Steven, I don't want to waste any more time. Arrange for me to meet with Depp's agent. I will talk to them personally!"

Wu Yuchen sighed: "These first-tier actors in Hollywood are really not easy to deal with!"

"Mainly in the second part. For the third part, the other party's willingness to ask for box office share is not very strong."

So today's negotiation was between Wu Yuchen and his agent. Even if there was any conflict, it would only be limited to the two of them.

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head: "Steven, I want to, but it's a pity that I seem to be a hard-working life by nature~"

And *Pirates of the Caribbean 3* might not be certain. What if *Pirates of the Caribbean 2* flops? This risk became much greater, so for the salary of *Pirates of the Caribbean 3*, the other party was more willing to choose the cash in hand.

For the 20 million requirement, Wu Yuchen didn't care, but the key was the 8% box office share. He definitely wasn't willing to give this piece.

Spielberg smiled and flattered: "That's because you are really important, and everyone can't leave you~"

After both were in place, Wu Yuchen went straight to the point: "Jack, let's not beat around the bush. Your requirements are too high!"

The fat agent immediately said: "Oh no no, Wu, why do you think Depp's salary is high? He is one of the best actors in Hollywood. He is worth this price! He needs to be respected!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "We have given Depp enough respect. You know Depp's previous salary was only 8 million, and now he will step into the 20 million club. We have already satisfied your requirements. You shouldn't ask for an 8% box office share again."

Subsequently, the fat agent shook his finger: "Wu, Depp is different. He is irreplaceable!"

Obviously, the other party also knew that an actor of Depp's type was a rare commodity even in Hollywood. Depp's Jack Sparrow had a unique charm, and the audience liked him very much. This was the other party's reliance.

Wu Yuchen smiled lightly, and then said in a calm tone:

"In Hollywood, no one is irreplaceable. Tobey Maguire thought his Spider-Man was irreplaceable, but in the end, he still recognized reality."

Obviously, Wu Yuchen was using the example of *Spider-Man 2* and Tobey Maguire to remind the other party not to do useless work, otherwise, it would be ugly for everyone.

Jack's smile faded, his face tightened, and his momentum was compelling:

"Wu, how could that guy Maguire be compared with Depp? Spider-Man and Sparrow are also different. Spider-Man wears a mask half the time. You can even find a stunt actor to play Spider-Man.

But can Sparrow? Without Depp's Sparrow, how many movie fans do you think the *Pirates of the Caribbean* sequel will lose?"

Jack raised his finger again and emphasized loudly: "No one can replace Depp!"

But Wu Yuchen was not affected by the other party at all, still maintaining a calm and composed posture, and then said to Jack: "Do you know? Jack, *Pirates of the Caribbean* is my project!"

Then he also raised his finger and shook it: "Remember, *Pirates of the Caribbean* is not Depp's; it is mine! In this project, there is only one person who cannot be replaced, and that is me!"

Jack revealed a cold smile, fearless, and asked back in a mocking tone: "Is that so? Great Wu Dao, then who do you want to find to play Captain Jack Sparrow?"

Wu Yuchen also curled his mouth and sneered: "Why must there be a Jack Sparrow?"

"What did you say?" Jack was a bit stunned by Wu Yuchen's question for a while, obviously not understanding his meaning.

"I said, the sequel to *Pirates of the Caribbean* can also have no Jack Sparrow." Wu Yuchen said again in a steady tone.

Jack understood this time, but also revealed an unbelievable look, and couldn't help but roar loudly: "Are you crazy? Don't you know? Jack Sparrow is the character all the audience likes the most in *Pirates of the Caribbean*! Without Jack Sparrow, how do you explain it to those movie fans? They will go crazy!"

Subsequently, Jack laughed again: "Hehe, Wu, you don't have to bluff me. I know you have already created a trilogy for the *Pirates of the Caribbean* series, and the subsequent two parts are both starring Jack Sparrow! You can't overturn all your plans now, and you don't have to use this kind of trick to bluff me! I wasn't scared!"

Wu Yuchen smiled, and then said to fat Jack: "Jack, listen, *Pirates of the Caribbean* is my project. I have built a complete world for it. Yes, I created a trilogy around Jack Sparrow, but he is by no means irreplaceable!"

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen pointed to his brain: "Here, there are still many interesting pirates, and when I chose Jack Sparrow, it was just because he was lucky enough to be picked by me.

If I am willing, I can immediately change the male lead of the subsequent two sequels of *Pirates of the Caribbean*, a brand new, interesting pirate, and I will design a brand new adventure story for him. You know I have this ability!"

Jack suddenly clapped his hands on the table and stared at Wu Yuchen with wide eyes: "You!"

At this time, he was finally anxious.

If it were someone else, he really wouldn't necessarily believe it. But Wu Yuchen was now a famous creative master in Hollywood. He had created many high-quality scripts. No one knew how his brain grew.

*Spider-Man* trilogy, *Pirates of the Caribbean* trilogy, I heard that Warner was also attracted by his *Batman* trilogy and wanted to cooperate with him.

So, now that Wu Yuchen said that the subsequent two episodes of *Pirates of the Caribbean* would change the male lead, and a brand new pirate character and a brand new adventure story would appear, in the eyes of outsiders, he could really do what he said!

Wu Yuchen looked at fat Jack with a calm and composed posture. The reason why Depp's side had been difficult to negotiate was because they were fearless, thinking they were irreplaceable, and relied on this to raise requirements.

And now, Wu Yuchen was here to break their confidence and break the other party's reliance. In this way, it wouldn't be a situation where the producer was begging Depp, which would make the negotiation much easier.

And he threw out these words, just to see if the other party dared to bet. But obviously, fat Jack didn't dare to bet that Wu Yuchen was lying. The character of Jack Sparrow was too important to Depp; it was the biggest guarantee of Depp's commercial value.

Fat Jack gritted his teeth, staring at Wu Yuchen with an ugly face: "Wu, do you really want to make it to this situation?"

Wu Yuchen chuckled: "Of course not. I am actually a person who misses old feelings. We worked together to create the success of the first *Pirates of the Caribbean*. I want to make this series a good story. If it is not necessary, I am very unwilling to do such a thing. However, you can't be too greedy, unhuh?"

Fat Jack stared at Wu Yuchen without blinking, wanting to see any flaws, and at the same time, he was making a choice in his heart. However, thinking of the other party's past achievements, and thinking that the other party had just won the Oscar for Best Director and was at the most confident moment of his life, if he continued to top it, maybe the other party would really change the male lead in a rage!

Fat Jack sighed in his heart. He really didn't dare to bet!

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen saw that fat Jack's face had changed, revealing a kind smile:

"Wu Dao, I think what you said is very reasonable. We created the success of *Pirates of the Caribbean* together, so we should continue to join hands to write its myth. Depp actually really hopes to cooperate with you. You are the Oscar Best Director~"

Hearing the other party's soft words, Wu Yuchen knew that today's negotiation was basically done.

However, Wu Yuchen wouldn't continue to be aggressive. After all, they still had to cooperate in filming later.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Jack, I like your attitude. You made the right choice, so I won't treat Depp badly. Want to hear the treatment I give Depp?"

Fat Jack raised his hand: "Please say."

"You want 20 million and 8% share. There will be no share, but I will give Depp a salary of 30 million in the second part. How about it?"

Fat Jack was surprised in his heart after hearing this. He thought the other party would press the price very low, such as only giving 20 million. But he didn't expect it to reach 30 million. Even in today's Hollywood, this was quite rare, and only a few people like Tom Cruise could get it.

Fat Jack pondered for a while. Although the 8% share was gone, there was 10 million more. He felt it was acceptable. However, he asked again: "Then what about the third part?"

Seeing that the other party didn't raise any objections, Wu Yuchen knew that the other party accepted this plan for the second part and continued to say with a smile: "I heard that you don't want box office share for the third part, so 45 million salary, OK?"

The convention in Hollywood is that the treatment of the next part is generally better than the previous one.

Fat Jack was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the other party would propose a strategy of low cash plus high share for the third part, which could effectively reduce risk. But he didn't expect it to be 45 million, such a high number!

In the past history of Hollywood, most series films had already flopped at the box office by the third part. Even if there was a share, they might not get much money. This number of 45 million could even be seen as a treatment better than 2010!

Actually, this was mainly because fat Jack's reliance on confidence was broken by Wu Yuchen, so he subconsciously lowered his expectations. So when he heard Wu Yuchen's offer again, he felt that the other party seemed to be very sincere.

Wu Yuchen saw that the other party didn't answer and couldn't help but ask: "Why? Not satisfied?"

Fat Jack immediately waved his hand, then laughed loudly, stood up, and reached out to Wu Yuchen: "Wu, you are really a good director and producer. We can't wait to cooperate with you again!"

Wu Yuchen also smiled and shook hands with the other party. He gave such high cash mainly to let Depp cooperate well when participating. In fact, it was only 75 million in total. If he gave Depp a share according to the development of the previous life, just one *Pirates of the Caribbean 3* would have to give this guy over 100 million. Wouldn't that hurt to death!