Chapter Summaries

Aaron visited Golden Harvest in Hong Kong and discussed the state of the film industry with Raymond Chow. Raymond asked Dawn to help Jackie Chan break into Hollywood, and Aaron proposed developing a Hollywood film that would showcase Jackie Chan’s comedic action style.

• Aaron arrived at Golden Harvest and met with Raymond Chow, who welcomed him and discussed Hong Kong’s film industry.
• Raymond Chow described how rapid production, Taiwanese investment, and growing theater demand had increased the number of Hong Kong films while lowering their quality.
• Aaron and Raymond Chow discussed Golden Harvest’s efforts to bring Jackie Chan to Hollywood and the potential of the market for action films.
• Raymond Chow asked whether Dawn could prepare a Hollywood script starring Jackie Chan.
• Aaron suggested revising a Hong Kong-style script for a Hollywood production and emphasized that the film should highlight Jackie Chan’s comedic action rather than resemble The Protector.
• Raymond Chow became excited by Aaron’s proposal for a Hollywood film built around Jackie Chan’s distinctive style.

At a Golden Harvest banquet in Hong Kong, Aaron Anderson discussed Hollywood opportunities with Jackie Chan and met several film figures and actresses. He left the banquet having invited Joey Wong to consider working in Hollywood.

• Raymond Chow and Leonard Ho told Jackie Chan about Aaron's Hollywood success and explained that Aurora would partner with Golden Harvest on an action comedy.
• Aaron praised Farewell My Concubine to Hsu Feng and learned it was scheduled to open in Hong Kong on January 1.
• Raymond Chow introduced Jackie Chan to Aaron, who discussed buying several Jackie Chan films for US distribution and adapting them for American audiences.
• Aaron told Norika Fujiwara that he would discuss her possible Hong Kong film work later, then went to the restroom.
• Aaron met Joey Wong in the corridor, praised her performance in A Chinese Ghost Story III, and suggested she try developing her career in Hollywood.

Aaron returned to Los Angeles after investing in Hong Kong property and discussing Dawn’s film prospects, then spoke with Paula Wagner about her departure from CAA and her plans with Tom Cruise. He supported Neil Jordan directing Interview with the Vampire and considered expanding Dawn into television.

• Norika Fujiwara returned to Japan with $400,000 from Aaron, while Aaron considered buying a Repulse Bay villa for HK$55 million.
• Ethelind Beckett reported that Schindler’s List, The Crying Game, and Scent of a Woman had strong prospects for Oscar nominations, and Aaron prepared to return to Los Angeles.
• Aaron brought back Jackie Chan films and acquired North American distribution rights to two Jet Li films from the Once Upon a Time in China series.
• Paula Wagner told Aaron she was leaving CAA to form Cruise/Wagner Productions with Tom Cruise and sign a multi-picture agreement with Paramount, with Pat Kingsley taking over Cruise’s representation.
• Aaron discussed Tom Cruise’s casting in Interview with the Vampire and recommended Neil Jordan as director; Paula said Cruise would cooperate with him.

Aaron discussed a possible Spider-Man film and the studios’ box-office results with Paula Wagner before reuniting with Monica Bellucci in Los Angeles. After they returned to his Bel Air villa, Aaron considered meeting Les Wexner about Victoria’s Secret while Monica told him she would return to Italy around New Year’s for a Vogue shoot.

• Paula Wagner told Aaron that Dawn and Marvel had signed a Spider-Man licensing agreement, and Aaron said he was considering a live-action film through 21st Century Film Corporation.
• Aaron and Paula discussed Warner Bros.’ box-office results, including Batman Returns, and the strong performances of Dawn’s films and other studios’ releases.
• Monica Bellucci arrived at Chateau Marmont after filming in Philadelphia, and Aaron welcomed her to stay with him for Christmas.
• Aaron met Robert Downey Jr. and Deborah Falconer at the hotel, praised Downey’s performance in Chaplin, and left without pursuing his offer to work together.
• Aaron and Monica returned to his Bel Air villa, where Aaron thought about Franklin Templeton’s negotiations with Les Wexner over Victoria’s Secret.
• Monica told Aaron she planned to return to Italy around New Year’s to shoot a Vogue cover.

Aaron met with Charles Johnson to discuss Victoria’s Secret, pitching a plan to build the lingerie brand around a world-class runway show. In San Francisco, he spent time with Jennifer Connelly and planned a New Year’s trip to Las Vegas while discussing her future film roles.

• Aaron visited Pixar’s headquarters and met Charles Johnson at Franklin Templeton Investments.
• Aaron told Charles Johnson he wanted to turn Victoria’s Secret into a major runway show featuring top models, and Charles urged him to acquire the brand and list it separately.
• Aaron and Jennifer Connelly checked into the Fairmont San Francisco, where they discussed Time Warner’s share sales and her upcoming graduation.
• Aaron invited Jennifer to celebrate New Year’s in Las Vegas and praised Dawn Pictures’ success.
• Aaron discussed Jennifer’s prospects in Speed and possible romantic comedies, including Runaway Bride and My Best Friend’s Wedding.

As Aaron Anderson and Jennifer Connelly vacationed in Las Vegas, Schindler's List earned growing praise for its portrayal of the Holocaust, its narrative and visual style, and its call for humanitarianism. The chapter ended with the film's reputation continuing to spread and its lasting significance emphasized.

• Aaron Anderson woke beside Jennifer Connelly at the Fairmont San Francisco, and they shared an intimate morning.
• Schindler's List gained rapid word of mouth as critics discussed its portrayal of the Holocaust and Schindler's transformation into a savior of Jewish people.
• Critics praised the film's interwoven narratives, stark visual style, and use of light and color to convey the horrors of the massacre.
• The Los Angeles Times argued that the film should inspire shared humanity rather than ethnic hatred.
• The Washington Post praised the film's acclaim and its role in helping the Jewish Holocaust Foundation collect and distribute survivors' testimonies.
• Aaron and Jennifer Connelly traveled to Las Vegas while Schindler's List continued to expand its fame.

Aaron celebrated the strong response to Schindler's List and planned marketing for Dawn Pictures' upcoming films, including Super Bowl ads for Speed and The Mask of Zorro. Meanwhile, Panasonic's leadership upheaval threatened MCA Universal's hopes for further investment, leaving Lew Wasserman and Sidney Sheinberg considering a trip to Japan.

• Ethelind Beckett reported that Schindler's List had earned widespread praise, and Aaron planned a wide release after the Golden Globe Awards.
• At a party, Aaron congratulated Steven Spielberg on Schindler's List and discussed Aladdin and Pixar's developing Toy Story with Jeffrey Katzenberg.
• Aaron left the party with Nicole Kidman, heard that Michael Jackson would perform at the Super Bowl, and told Ethelind Beckett to arrange advertising for Speed and The Mask of Zorro.
• Akio Tanii and Masahiko Hirata resigned from Panasonic, and the board appointed Yoichi Morishita to replace Akio Tanii.
• Lew Wasserman and Sidney Sheinberg discussed persuading Yoichi Morishita to keep investing in MCA and considered traveling to Japan.

Aaron discussed developing Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and other film projects with Dawn Steel, then left Los Angeles for New York while the Golden Globe Awards took place. After inviting Sophie Marceau to consider a role in Legends of the Fall, he learned that Christiana Yeri had arrived in New York and planned to take her to Washington D.C.

• Aaron showed Dawn Steel the Ace Ventura: Pet Detective script and proposed signing Jim Carrey to a three-film contract, including a future role in The Mask.
• Dawn Steel said Forrest Gump was set to begin filming in May, while Legends of the Fall still needed script revisions and Interview with the Vampire required monitoring.
• Aaron visited Les Wexner in New York and discussed the Golden Globe Awards with Sophie Marceau, who planned to meet with directors and producers about scripts.
• Aaron told Sophie Marceau she could audition for the female lead in Edward Zwick's Legends of the Fall and described the story to her.
• Aaron learned that Christiana Yeri had arrived at JFK International Airport and arranged to take her with him to Washington D.C.

Aaron attended Clinton’s inauguration and banquet with Christiana Yeri, where he met Clinton’s advisers and noticed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. He and Jack Wells discussed expanding Angel Security and building a Dawn production base, while Jack pointed out Rahm Emanuel at the banquet.

• Aaron brought Christiana Yeri to Clinton’s inauguration, then took her back to their hotel before they attended the inaugural banquet together.
• Jack Wells introduced Aaron to Clinton adviser Mark Middleton, who introduced him to members of Clinton’s team.
• Aaron noticed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell being introduced to Clinton and discussed their backgrounds with Jack Wells.
• Jack Wells described plans to establish a training ground for Angel Security and expand into security services, weapons sales, and other operations.
• Aaron discussed buying land in Burbank for Dawn’s headquarters and production facilities, and Jack told him that Rahm Emanuel had joined Clinton’s team.

Aaron returned to Los Angeles and discussed Hollywood’s Oscar race before meeting Jerry Buss to explore acquiring a stake in the Lakers. Jerry refused to sell the team but offered Aaron up to 25 percent if he could help build a new arena.

• Aaron returned to Los Angeles with Christiana Yeri and later dined with Catherine Zeta-Jones, who said she planned to focus on her Hollywood career after The Mayflower ended.
• Aaron declined Samuel Goldwyn Jr.’s invitation at the Much Ado About Nothing party, while Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and Tom Rothman discussed the film’s Oscar prospects and Dawn Pictures’ growing strength.
• Aaron met Jerry Buss in West Hollywood and argued that the Lakers needed a newer arena, while Jerry said the team would not be sold.
• Aaron proposed funding a new arena privately, and Jerry offered him up to 25 percent of the Lakers if he could arrange it.
• Aaron asked whether Jerry truly would not sell, but Jerry firmly refused.

Aaron discussed buying a sports team with Catherine Zeta-Jones, then attended the Super Bowl with Jennifer Connelly and predicted Michael Jackson’s halftime performance would transform the event. After the Dallas Cowboys won, Aaron and Jennifer celebrated at the Viper Room and talked about Winona Ryder and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

• Aaron told Catherine Zeta-Jones that he would consider buying a team in another city after Jerry Buss offered only a minority stake in the Lakers.
• Aaron took Jennifer Connelly to the Super Bowl and said he had bet $30,000 on the Dallas Cowboys.
• Aaron watched Michael Jackson’s halftime performance and predicted that celebrity performances would become a Super Bowl tradition.
• The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills 52–17, and Aaron invited Jennifer to celebrate at the Viper Room.
• Jennifer and Aaron discussed Winona Ryder and the box office performance and profits of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Aaron arranged Dawn Pictures’ upcoming productions, pursued television projects, and attended a Holocaust memorial event where he pledged support for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He left with Steven Spielberg’s help securing Michael Crichton’s emergency-room series concept for Dawn Television.

• Aaron told Dawn Steel to start The Mask after Ace Ventura: Pet Detective finished filming, and he added Salma Hayek to the cast of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
• Aaron asked Dawn Steel to send him television scripts, then welcomed Christiana Yeri as his assistant and brought her to a Holocaust memorial event at the Bradbury Building.
• Aaron offered to donate $3 million and the original print of Schindler's List to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Steven Spielberg thanked him for supporting the Jewish community.
• Aaron asked Steven Spielberg to help Dawn develop Michael Crichton's emergency-room series concept, and Spielberg agreed to approach Crichton.

Aaron monitored Disney’s interest in acquiring Miramax while Dawn expanded into television and prepared Interview with the Vampire. The film’s production moved toward a summer start, and Tom Cruise discussed his ambitions as a producer and his doubts about Neil Jordan.

• Aaron told Ethelind Beckett to keep watching Disney’s plans to acquire Miramax, then spent time with Christiana Yeri.
• Aaron explained to Christiana Yeri that Sophie Marceau spent most of her time in New York working on independent films.
• Dawn reached an agreement with Michael Crichton to develop the medical drama ER for Dawn TV, with Crichton as screenwriter.
• Aaron, David Geffen, Neil Jordan, and Tom Cruise discussed Interview with the Vampire, whose script was nearly finished and whose filming was expected to begin in summer.
• Tom Cruise told Aaron he wanted to take an active role in production through Cruise/Wagner Productions, despite its exclusive agreement with Paramount.
• Tom Cruise questioned whether Neil Jordan could direct Interview with the Vampire, and Aaron urged him to trust Jordan’s ability.

Aaron attended a party with Salma Hayek, discussed a possible Victoria’s Secret purchase and his new yacht and jet, then checked on Winona Ryder in New York. After a news report revealed the World Trade Center bombing, he hurried into the bathroom to join Winona.

• Salma Hayek told Aaron she had landed a substantial role in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and they left the party together.
• Aaron negotiated with Charles Johnson over buying Victoria’s Secret, setting his acceptable price at 120 million dollars.
• Aaron showed Christiana Yeri the specifications for his new yacht and told her he had ordered a Gulfstream IV.
• Winona Ryder told Aaron she was having trouble sleeping while preparing for Reality Bites, though its test-screening feedback had been good.
• Aaron and Winona saw a report that a bombing in the World Trade Center garage had killed six people and injured more than 1,000.
• Aaron joined Winona in the bathroom, saying he wanted to wash with her.

Aaron planned to adapt Thomas Harris's Red Dragon as a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, bringing back director Jonathan Demme, screenwriter Ted Tally, and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. He left Ethelind Beckett to pursue the rights and arrange talks with Hopkins while Harris considered writing a Hannibal-centered sequel.

• Aaron warned Winona Ryder about the World Trade Center bombing, then the two resumed their passionate encounter.
• Ethelind Beckett brought Jonathan Demme and Thomas Harris to meet Aaron, who proposed adapting Red Dragon as a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs.
• Jonathan Demme agreed to consider directing if Ted Tally's screenplay met his requirements, and Aaron planned to invite Anthony Hopkins to reprise Hannibal Lecter.
• Aaron asked Thomas Harris about writing a sequel novel focused on Hannibal after his escape, and Harris said he had been considering one.
• After Demme and Harris left, Aaron told Ethelind Beckett to have Dawn Steel pursue the rights from Dino De Laurentiis and arrange talks with Anthony Hopkins.

Quentin Tarantino brought Aaron the first draft of Pulp Fiction, and Aaron approved it for production after revisions. Aaron also discussed arranging a role for Christiana Yeri and supporting her in creating a modeling agency to recruit Latin American models for a planned Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

• Christiana Yeri told Aaron that Quentin Tarantino was waiting to see him, and Aaron invited the director in.
• Quentin Tarantino presented his handwritten Pulp Fiction draft and described its three interwoven Los Angeles crime stories.
• Aaron approved Pulp Fiction and told Quentin Tarantino to have the script organized and polished before production began.
• Aaron told Christiana Yeri he could arrange a role for her in Pulp Fiction and urged her to improve her English.
• Aaron proposed that Christiana Yeri establish a Brazilian modeling agency to recruit and train models for events connected to Victoria’s Secret.

After Schindler's List and The Crying Game earned major Oscar nominations, Aaron discussed Miramax with Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and met Madonna Ciccone, who sought a film role with Dawn. Aaron offered her a chance to try out for Quentin Tarantino's new script, Pulp Fiction.

• Schindler's List received twelve Oscar nominations, while The Crying Game received five.
• Aaron told Samuel Goldwyn Jr. that Spielberg deserved the credit for Schindler's List and dismissed Miramax's prospects.
• Aaron ran into Madonna Ciccone, who congratulated him and expressed interest in working with Dawn.
• Aaron advised Madonna Ciccone to consider screen projects adapted from stage works and musicals.
• Madonna Ciccone asked about Quentin Tarantino's next project, and Aaron said she could try for a role in Pulp Fiction.

Aaron visited Nicole Kidman, who told him she had won a role in The Pelican Brief, then discussed plans for a vacation together. At Dawn Pictures, he reviewed Golden Harvest’s Rumble in the Bronx script and agreed on a joint production before attending the Reality Bites premiere.

• Aaron left the Bel-Air Hotel and went to Nicole Kidman’s villa, where they discussed her role in The Pelican Brief and spent the night together.
• Nicole Kidman told Aaron that The Pelican Brief would film in Washington D.C. and New Orleans for three months, and they discussed visiting Australia together.
• Thomas Gray brought Aaron the Rumble in the Bronx script, and Aaron proposed strengthening its dramatic scenes and grounding the supermarket conflict in reality.
• Aaron agreed that Dawn Pictures would revise the script and film Rumble in the Bronx in Canada, with Golden Harvest and Dawn sharing production and regional distribution rights.
• Aaron attended the Reality Bites premiere in West Hollywood with director Ben Stiller and the film’s cast.

Aaron celebrated Dawn Pictures’ success at the Oscars while promoting Four Weddings and a Funeral with Sophie Marceau. After Franklin Templeton acquired Victoria’s Secret, Aaron prepared to begin his plan and travel to New York, with Cannes and the film’s European promotions ahead.

• Aaron discussed Jennifer Connelly’s role in My Best Friend’s Wedding and suggested casting a less-famous actress opposite her.
• Aaron brought Sophie Marceau to the Academy Awards, where Dawn’s Schindler’s List won seven awards and the company’s films earned major box-office success.
• Aaron kissed Winona Ryder backstage before rejoining Sophie, who had congratulated Catherine Deneuve on Indochine’s award.
• Franklin Templeton told Aaron it had acquired Victoria’s Secret for $1.15 billion, giving Aaron an approximately 5.2 percent stake.
• Aaron planned a trip to New York to begin his Victoria’s Secret plan and agreed to meet Sophie in Cannes after her promotional tour.

Aaron advanced plans for Victoria’s Secret, including a November fashion show, while preparing Dawn Pictures’ major productions. He approved Pulp Fiction’s cast, budget, and filming plans as Quentin Tarantino moved toward production.

• Aaron and Charles Johnson discussed separating Victoria’s Secret from Limited Brands and building the fashion show’s reputation before pursuing a television broadcast.
• Aaron asked Christiana Yeri to eventually acquire a modeling agency with business in Brazil or South America and discussed Dawn’s upcoming films.
• Aaron, Dawn Steel, and Quentin Tarantino confirmed key Pulp Fiction casting, including John Travolta as Vincent and Uma Thurman as Mia, within an 8-million-dollar budget.
• Quentin chose a bar in Burbank as a filming location, and Aaron explained that Dawn’s planned construction would not immediately affect it.
• Aaron told Quentin to begin filming Pulp Fiction as soon as possible.