Chapter 409

In September 2006, after Jim Carrey left the United Talent Agency (UTA), where he had collaborated for 15 years, he refused the solicitation of CAA and did not sign with any new agency.

However, he retained his long-term agents Jimmy Miller and Eric Gold, still letting the two agents from UTA be responsible for his business management.

This actually counts as a new cooperation model with UTA, no longer letting UTA be responsible for everything about him, and no longer letting UTA "bundle sell" him with other UTA actors or directors and other staff.

Because during this period, in the business model of Hollywood agencies, "bundle selling" and "packaging" services were rampant—staff, actors, funds, filming locations, etc., a series of nested "services."

Among these people, the main personnel were either a big star or a popular well-known director; as long as you wanted to use this big star or director, you had to accept other bundled "set" personnel.

In Hollywood, the first person to fight for advance total box office share for directors and actors was CAA founder Michael Ovitz, and he was also the first to start "packaging" services.

The original intention of this packaging service was good, aimed at reducing the trouble for studios or producers to invite other staff and speeding up the rapid advancement time of projects.

Moreover, because these "packaged" staff were all from the same agency, they were relatively familiar with each other, which could also improve work efficiency.

Therefore, when this service first appeared, it was not resisted by studios.

At that time, agencies also carefully arranged and combined to launch their own "packaging" groups, truly doing things.

However, as time passed, this service changed its flavor.

Agencies might stuff a not-so-suitable newcomer into a "packaging" group led by a big star or well-known director, or stuff an outdated actor in, or stuff an actor with some special hobbies in, and so on.

It wasn't just actors; other staff were also operated in the same way.

Slowly, this led to not only studios being dissatisfied, but even the big stars or big directors leading the "packaging" started to be dissatisfied with "packaging" services.

In '04, Leonardo DiCaprio no longer renewed his contract with his agency, choosing to only let the agency UTA represent his acting business, and only acting affairs, not allowing so-called "packaging" business.

In '05, the then-emerging director Christopher Nolan took his agent and transferred to CAA, and there was a special agreement in the negotiations with CAA that he could accept "packaging," but the candidates for "packaging" must be decided by himself.

After Jim Carrey's contract expired in '06, he made the same choice, no longer renewing his contract with UTA, only letting his former agents be responsible for acting affairs, and no longer accepting "packaging" business.

It is worth mentioning that Depp also signed with UTA.

It's just that ever since he collaborated with Cao Yang, the first film they collaborated on, "Milk," won an Oscar Best Actor, and several subsequent films were also collaborations with Cao Yang.

He was a famous weirdo before, always taking roles based on his mood; such actors are very difficult to "package" for service.

UTA hadn't even had time to "package" in the films he collaborated on with Cao Yang before he became a two-time consecutive Oscar Best Actor and also became the most popular big star in Hollywood.

Plus Cao Yang's influence, as well as his "golden combination" with Depp.

Even if UTA wanted to intervene in "packaging" now, it wouldn't be realistic—this guy Depp is different from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jim Carrey; he won't "endure" until the contract expires; he is truly capable of pulling off the stunt of paying out of his own pocket to terminate the contract.

Whether it's an agency or an agent, dealing with "weirdos" is quite a headache.

"Jimmy, what do you think about this?"

Jim Carrey asked Jimmy Miller, the UTA agent who was still representing his acting affairs.

"I don't think this is a question that needs choosing. You have to know that is Cao Yang, that is the director who let Depp win Oscar Best Actor for two consecutive years, that is the director who let Depp have two consecutive films with box office breaking 900 million US dollars."

Jimmy Miller shrugged his shoulders and continued: "That is also the person who won Oscar Best Director, and as a producer, he also won three Oscar Best Pictures."

"But this is a comic book adaptation film, and it's not the most popular Batman, but just an inconspicuous Joker."

Another agent, Eric Gold, retorted: "Don't forget, at the end of the year, we already talked almost enough with the 'Yes Man' crew, and this film is a traditional comedy that fits Jim the best; the probability of success is the greatest."

After a moment of silence, Eric Gold reminded: "Jimmy, I think you should know Jim's predicament; he cannot fail again, even if the film's box office earns less, it won't work."

Subsequently, Eric Gold turned his head to look at Jim Carrey.

"Jim, I know you really want to challenge yourself, but don't forget, this is an art film, a fucking art film adapted from a superhero comic; this is the most ridiculous part."

Then, he knocked on the table heavily and asked Jimmy Miller:

"Jimmy, when have you ever seen a comic adaptation film win an Oscar? When have you ever seen a superhero comic adapted into an art film? Not to mention winning awards; it's simply a huge joke."

Eric Gold is a very senior agent; not long after Jim Carrey entered UTA, he became Jim Carrey's agent, and it can be said he watched Jim Carrey become famous step by step.

As Jim Carrey's long-term agent, he can also be considered one of the behind-the-scenes pushers of Jim Carrey's rise.

And Jimmy Miller is different.

When he became Jim Carrey's agent, Jim Carrey had already become a hot big star in Hollywood; because business increased and the agency team needed to expand, he became one of Jim Carrey's agents.

The reason Jim Carrey chose these two UTA agents after not renewing his contract with UTA was mainly because Eric Gold was mature and prudent, doing things steadily.

Jimmy Miller was younger and had more adventurous spirit.

"Eric, I admit that superhero comics adapted into art films are rare, especially for a superhero like 'Batman,' and I have never seen such a superhero comic adaptation film win a major Oscar award."

Speaking of this, Jimmy Miller smiled, and he continued softly:

"However, have you ever seen a person who has won Oscar Best Director, and also won three Oscar Best Pictures? And also won two Oscar Best Adapted Screenplays and one Oscar Best Original Screenplay?

He also cultivated a person who won Oscar Best Actor for two consecutive years, and also cultivated an Oscar Best Supporting Actor.

He also won two Venice Golden Lions and one Cannes Golden Palm, and he also became the first person in history to win the Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European film festivals.

He also cultivated four Best Actresses at the three major European film festivals and one Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival.

The two Hollywood films he directed recently both broke 900 million US dollars in global box office, and he might even become the third director to have a single film break 1 billion US dollars."

Jimmy Miller spread his hands, turned his head to look at Eric Gold, and asked in a low voice:

"Have you ever seen such a comprehensive super big director? So, what you think is impossible, what you think is a joke, for a genius big director like Cao Yang, it's really not necessarily so."

Eric Gold opened his mouth to retort, but didn't say anything.

"If I can reach an agreement with Director Cao Yang, what about 'Yes Man'?" Jim Carrey asked from the side.

Jimmy Miller's words not only left Eric Gold with no way to retort, but Jim Carrey also felt his heart surging.

His requirements actually weren't high; if he couldn't break through at the box office, then winning a Best Actor at the three major European film festivals would also be good.

If he could get a nomination for Oscar Best Actor, it would be even better.

He hadn't even received an Oscar Best Actor nomination yet.

Why did he want to transform and film several different types of films in recent years?

Because he had already proven himself at the box office.

After a big star has proven himself at the box office, what is the thing he wants to do most?

Of course, it's to have a breakthrough in awards, especially the Oscars or the three major European film festivals.

Forget about the Golden Globes; they aren't authoritative, at least for a big star of Jim Carrey's level, the Golden Globes are a bit of a chicken rib.

"This is not much of a problem."

Somewhat unexpectedly, the one who answered this question wasn't Jimmy Miller, but Eric Gold, who had been holding an opposing opinion.

"If they know you are going to collaborate with Director Cao Yang, they would wish you would film Director Cao Yang's film first."