A Stunning Debut

With the Cannes Film Festival drawing to a successful close, 26-year-old Steven Soderbergh became the youngest Palme d'Or winner in the festival's history for "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," earning the title of the Golden Boy of Directors.

Steven Soderbergh had truly burst onto the scene!

At the same time, Aaron took the opportunity to handle the distribution deals for "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and "Cinema Paradiso."

In particular, the hugely popular "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" sold its European rights to UIP for 4.5 million US Dollars, while its Japanese rights were sold to Daiei Film Co., Ltd. for 2.3 million US Dollars.

On Nice's seaside boulevard, Aaron and Nicole Kidman drove a sports car through the wind.

"When are we going back to the United States?" Nicole Kidman asked from beside him.

"We'll head back tomorrow. I need to report back to CAA," Aaron said with a smile, patting Nicole Kidman's thigh. "Have you had fun these past few days?"

"Mm, I've had a great time!"

By the time Aaron and Nicole returned to Los Angeles, it was already mid-May, and the fierce summer box office battle had begun.

Although "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" had won the Palme d'Or, Miramax did not have the capacity to release it during the summer season, so it was scheduled for August, after the summer season ended.

Because Aaron had closed another 6.8 million US Dollars' worth of deals at Cannes, CAA not only gained tangible profits but also further enhanced its reputation.

Naturally, CAA promptly gave Aaron the bonus he deserved—200,000 US Dollars—as well as a new Lotus sports car.

Aaron Anderson had truly made a name for himself in front of Michael Ovitz this time. However, Aaron had also learned that Lotus had just signed a sponsorship deal with the "Pretty Woman" production.

"Lotus, a British sports car brand that was just acquired by General Motors," Aaron said with a smile as he looked at Michael Ovitz. "Did Lamborghini and Ferrari all refuse to sponsor it?"

Michael Ovitz nodded. "They turned it down. They felt the protagonist's identity was unsuitable."

She was a prostitute, after all. It was perfectly normal for those brands not to want to be associated with that profession.

"Why haven't the male and female leads for 'Pretty Woman' been finalized yet?" Aaron asked. Wasn't it just a low-budget romantic comedy?

"Christopher Reeve turned it down. We approached Al Pacino, and for the female lead, we also invited Michelle Pfeiffer and Valeria Golino, but they both declined."

Michael Ovitz did not hide anything.

After all, Aaron Anderson had contributed to the development of "Pretty Woman."

Michelle Pfeiffer was one of Hollywood's sexiest actresses and had worked with Al Pacino in the new version of "Scarface."

Valeria Golino, meanwhile, had played Tom Cruise's girlfriend in "Rain Man," and was an Italian sex symbol.

"Rain Man," which had won Best Picture at this year's Oscars, had grossed 170 million US Dollars in North America and another 180 million overseas, for a worldwide total of 350 million US Dollars!

"Al Pacino..." Aaron remembered that he was not the eventual male lead, but that no longer mattered.

Now, auditions for new actresses to play the female lead in "Pretty Woman" had begun. As Aaron's girlfriend, Nicole Kidman only needed to go straight to the final callback.

There was naturally no need for her to attend the earlier auditions.

"Aaron, since you have quite an interest in selling films, you might be interested in the next assignment," Michael Ovitz said, smiling.

"What assignment?"

"A Hong Kong film company has invested in a live-action version of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' in Hollywood."

"It's a commercial film with a production budget of 13.5 million US Dollars. Their United States representative has asked CAA to help them find a North American distributor!"

Hearing Michael Ovitz's explanation, Aaron realized it was an adaptation funded by Golden Harvest Film Company.

"The Hong Kong film company that invested in the 'Cannonball Run' series?" Aaron knew Golden Harvest very well. They had previously invested in several Hollywood productions and wanted to push their top star Jackie Chan into Hollywood, but unfortunately, they had failed.

Michael Ovitz nodded. "That's the one. 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' is currently filming in Los Angeles. You can go speak with their United States representative!"

"No problem. I actually quite enjoy selling commercial films."

Aaron readily agreed. He remembered that Golden Harvest's live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" had been a blockbuster that grossed over 100 million US Dollars in North America!

Before that, though, Aaron needed to first learn about the development progress of "Pretty Woman."

And then there was the script he had been thinking about constantly, "Ghost." The most likely source of investment at the moment was still Japan, which was making a major push into Hollywood.

CAA's contracted producer Steven Reuther was leading "Pretty Woman" and coordinating with Disney executive producer Gary Goldstein.

The Disney executive keeping an eye on the film was Jeffrey Katzenberg, while Disney chairman Michael Eisner was focused on another CAA package project, "Dick Tracy"!

Whether for CAA or Disney, "Pretty Woman" was far less important than "Dick Tracy."

That evening, Aaron specifically invited Steven Reuther to a bar for drinks. "Has Al Pacino already signed a contract with the production?"

Steven Reuther shook his head. "Not yet. He has only taken part in reading scenes with the auditioning actresses."

"The problem now is that Warren Beatty's self-directed and self-starring 'Dick Tracy' also seems to want Al Pacino to join the cast!"

Aaron froze. "Doesn't it already have Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman? It already has Warren Beatty and Madonna, and now they want to add Al Pacino too?"

You could not just pile on stars like that, could you? Wouldn't the budget hit 50 million US Dollars?

Steven Reuther spread his hands. "People aren't very optimistic about 'Pretty Woman,' and the female lead auditions are nearly at the final round."

"Bring Nicole Kidman, whom you recommended, over to try out in the next few days. The opinions of director Garry Marshall and male lead Al Pacino are very important!"

Aaron nodded, but inwardly mocked Al Pacino. After "The Godfather" series, he had passed up far too many good roles.

In recent years, Al Pacino had been somewhat withdrawn, taking four years away from acting. However, acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola had agreed to help Paramount make "The Godfather Part III," bringing Al Pacino back into the public eye.

Before "The Godfather Part III," Al Pacino could shoot a new film this year to get back into form!

"Al Pacino—if he refuses, who's your backup choice?"

"A veteran leading man, Richard Gere!"

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