Chapter 314: The Last Cooperation

Cao Yang definitely didn't want to encounter trouble from the rear when shooting a film, so the matter of cooperating with Tang Mu Rothman was probably difficult to complete.

"Tang Mu, we are good friends, so I'll just say it directly. How can you guarantee that everything will still proceed smoothly after you go to Sony Pictures?"

Cao Yang didn't fob off Tang Mu Rothman and stated his concerns directly.

Tang Mu Rothman was taken aback; he didn't expect Cao Yang to be worried about this.

He deliberated and said:

"Cao, have I ever told you that my status as executive director at Columbia still has more than ten months to go before it expires? During this period, the board of directors will not remove me from this status; I just won't be serving as the vice president of Columbia anymore."

Cao Yang was silent. Why didn't you say so earlier?

"Tang Mu, let's talk about the cooperation matter."

Cao Yang changed the subject and said: "But I'm very sorry, Tang Mu, we probably won't be able to cooperate on *2012*. I have other projects in hand, so I can't cooperate on *2012* for the time being."

Your status as executive director at Columbia only has ten months left, and you don't have the status of vice president anymore. To put it bluntly, an executive director without specific duties, what's the difference between that and an ordinary director?

*2012* is a big project, with an investment of 200 million USD as a base, requiring at least more than a year.

Such a big project must ensure that everything goes smoothly; it cannot tolerate the slightest mistake or buck-passing.

Cao Yang didn't want to mess up such a big project, so he definitely couldn't cooperate with Tang Mu Rothman on *2012*.

Tang Mu Rothman frowned, "You have other projects in hand?"

Cao Yang spread his hands in the manner of a foreigner and explained: "Tang Mu, we are friends, so I don't need to deceive you. Before I returned from Los Angeles, my team was already negotiating with the other party."

He didn't say that they hadn't reached an agreement yet.

Tang Mu Rothman thought they had already reached an agreement.

"Then what you said about cooperation just now?"

Tang Mu Rothman didn't think Cao Yang would play him. His originally disappointed mood had a little expectation again.

"We can change the way of cooperation. For example, I write a script and serve as the producer and executive producer, and Columbia is responsible for investment and production."

Cao Yang explained.

As long as it's a film with low investment, with Tang Mu Rothman still serving as executive director, plus his connections, it shouldn't be a problem.

"Just like *Zhu Nuo* that you cooperated with Fox Searchlight on?"

Cao Yang nodded, "Yes, just like *Zhu Nuo*."

Tang Mu Rothman thought about it; such cooperation is also fine. *Zhu Nuo* is something that many Hollywood production companies envy—a typical case of small investment and big harvest.

Such projects with low risk and controllability are what they like the most.

"How about *The Hunger Games*?"

Tang Mu Rothman asked.

Cao Yang glanced at Tang Mu Rothman. Your vision is not bad. You valued this series two years ago. Even before cooperating on *District 9*, you wanted to adapt this.

Over the past two years, the best-selling book in *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey* is *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey 2*, which contains *The Hunger Games*.

The fan base for this novel is very large.

To tell the truth, if it weren't for the fact that Tang Mu Rothman is about to be transferred to Sony Pictures, Cao Yang wouldn't mind cooperating with Columbia on this series of films.

But in the current situation, it's definitely impossible to cooperate on this series of films.

"Tang Mu, you know, this novel is the best-selling one among all my series of novels, and it has become more and more popular over the past two years, so I don't want to adapt it into a film so early. I want to accumulate a fan base for a few more years."

Cao Yang tactfully refused Tang Mu Rothman.

Tang Mu Rothman also had expectations. He specifically conducted research on *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey* recently and knew that many teenagers bought the books specifically for *The Hunger Games*.

Therefore, he agreed with Cao Yang's statement.

A novel that is still in such a strong growth momentum definitely shouldn't be adapted into a film too early; that would be too much of a loss.

"Tang Mu, I think you've fallen into a misunderstanding."

Looking at Tang Mu Rothman, who was still thinking, Cao Yang reminded him:

"You are about to go to Sony Pictures. Do you think it's better to leave behind a film with a decent box office, or a film that can both get box office and win awards?"

Tang Mu Rothman's eyes lit up, "Just like Fox Searchlight?"

"That's right, just like Fox Searchlight."

Cao Yang explained: "I don't know if you've noticed, but I have another film of a similar type to *Zhu Nuo*, except one is about an unwed pregnancy, and the other is about the love of cancer patients."

Tang Mu Rothman thought about it and asked tentatively: "You mean that *The Fault in Our Stars*?"

"That's right, it's this one."

At this moment, Cao Yang finally believed that Tang Mu Rothman really understands his novels.

The film adapted from this novel, *The Fault in Our Stars*, doesn't have too many scenes, doesn't have big scenes and special effects, the preparation period is short, and the shooting cycle is not long.

As long as Tang Mu Rothman starts preparing after he goes back, I believe it won't be difficult for the film to be released before he steps down as executive director of Columbia.

Furthermore, this film had a very good box office without winning any Oscar awards. If there were an Oscar bonus, the box office could be improved quite a bit.

If you want an Oscar nomination or award, the current Tang Mu Rothman is the best choice. He has the ability to lobby for awards for this film; at least getting a few Oscar nominations won't be difficult.

"The cost of adapting this novel into a film is very low, and as long as it's shot well, while Mr. Sid Ganis is still the Oscar chairman, Columbia naturally has an advantage. Getting nominations or even winning awards isn't too difficult."

Before Sid Ganis successfully ran for Oscar chairman, he worked at Columbia for many years and was a senior executive for many years.

His relationship with Tang Mu Rothman must also be very good. When Cao Yang was shooting *District 9*, Tang Mu Rothman appointed Sid Ganis as the executive producer.

One could even say that Sid Ganis was Tang Mu Rothman's confidant when he was at Columbia.

That's why Cao Yang said that it would definitely be very easy for Tang Mu Rothman to get nominations. Winning an award has higher uncertainty, but it's still much easier than ordinary films.

Tang Mu Rothman didn't deny it. He thought about it; the love between two teenagers suffering from cancer is indeed full of gimmicks. Winning an award might take some effort, but getting a nomination is very easy.

"Okay, then let's cooperate one more time. I believe *The Fault in Our Stars* is a good choice."

Tang Mu Rothman stood up, reached out to shake hands with Cao Yang, and said with a smile.

"Happy cooperation, Tang Mu."

Next was to talk about the specific matters of cooperation. Cao Yang hoped that Tang Mu Rothman could also be generous.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 315 =====