Chapter Summaries

Aaron picked up Nicole Kidman after the premiere of “The Pelican Brief” and learned Warner Bros. planned to cast her in “Batman Forever.” As the Golden Globe nominations highlighted Dawn’s success, Jennifer Connelly warned Aaron that growing media conglomerates would intensify the pressure on his studio.

• Aaron picked up Nicole Kidman after the premiere, and they discussed her film and the upcoming “Batman Forever.”
• Nicole told Aaron that Joel Schumacher would direct “Batman Forever,” Val Kilmer would replace Michael Keaton, and Warner Bros. wanted her for the female lead.
• Aaron explained that Sony’s Columbia TriStar was suffering severe losses and predicted Peter Guber might return to produce the Batman series.
• The Golden Globe nominations included “The Piano,” “Farewell My Concubine,” and Ang Lee’s “The Wedding Banquet,” and Aaron arranged publicity for “Farewell My Concubine.”
• Aaron celebrated Jennifer Connelly’s birthday with roses and a candlelit dinner, and they discussed the success of “The Piano” and competition from Miramax’s “Three Colors: Blue.”
• Jennifer warned Aaron that Disney’s acquisition of Miramax and TBS’s acquisitions of New Line Cinema and Castle Rock would increase pressure on Dawn.

At a charity dinner, Aaron discussed MGM/UA’s plans to revive the James Bond series and pitched Tom Cruise an action film called Con Air. After a call from Joey Wong about Hong Kong properties, Aaron decided to travel to Hong Kong and possibly Japan, before Winona Ryder approached him.

• Aaron met MGM Film Group chairman Frank Mancuso and United Artists head John Calley, who discussed developing the next James Bond film after Timothy Dalton left the role.
• Aaron asked Tom Cruise about Mission: Impossible and pitched him Con Air, an action story about a released prisoner fighting criminals who seized a plane transporting dangerous inmates.
• Tom Cruise said he would review the script and discuss the project with his agent, Pat Kingsley.
• Joey Wong called Aaron from Hong Kong to tell him she had selected several properties for him to consider, and Aaron agreed to fly over to see them.
• Aaron considered visiting Japan to see Norika Fujiwara, then told Winona Ryder he had been thinking about her.

Aaron discussed Gwyneth Paltrow and her opportunities with Winona Ryder, then arranged for Paula Wagner to produce Con Air and pursued the Scream script for Twilight Pictures. The chapter left Dawn competing with Dimension Films to secure Kevin Williamson’s screenplay.

• Aaron celebrated Winona Ryder’s Golden Globe nomination and spent the evening with her.
• Winona told Aaron about Gwyneth Paltrow’s complaints about Harvey Weinstein, and Aaron described Gwyneth’s family connections and career advantages.
• Aaron invited Paula Wagner to produce Con Air, confirmed Renny Harlin as his choice for director, and discussed the film’s $60 million budget and planned release.
• Ethelind Beckett brought Aaron Kevin Williamson’s Scream script, which Aaron praised and assigned to Twilight Pictures to pursue.
• Aaron told Ethelind to keep raising Dawn’s offer as Dimension Films competed for the Scream screenplay.

Aaron learned that Twilight Pictures had acquired the script for "Scream" and discussed finding a replacement director for "Con Air" after Renny Harlin joined Carolco’s "Cutthroat Island." He reflected on Carolco’s financial troubles and checked on preparations for Jonathan Demme’s "The Silence of the Lambs Prequel: Red Dragon."

• Twilight Pictures paid $750,000 to acquire Kevin Williamson’s "Scream" script, beating Miramax’s Dimension Films.
• Ethelind Beckett told Aaron that Renny Harlin had committed to directing "Cutthroat Island" and could no longer direct "Con Air," so Aaron asked her to negotiate with backup directors.
• Aaron learned that Carolco was making "Cutthroat Island" with MGM distributing and Michael Douglas and Geena Davis attached, and he considered the risks of the company’s costly productions.
• Ethelind explained that Carolco had shelved "Terminator 3" and Paul Verhoeven’s "Crusade" before choosing "Cutthroat Island" as a less expensive project.
• Ethelind told Aaron that Nicolas Cage, Anthony Hopkins, and Ralph Fiennes were cast in Jonathan Demme’s "The Silence of the Lambs Prequel: Red Dragon," while the team selected supporting actors and locations.

Aaron reunited with Christiana Yeri in Los Angeles, arranged a role for her in Red Dragon, then traveled to Japan to visit Norika Fujiwara and discuss Dawn’s opportunities in the Japanese market. He left Norika with advice about entertainment work and manga publishing before planning to continue to Hong Kong for Christmas.

• Aaron met Christiana Yeri at his Beverly Hills villa and offered her a role in Dawn’s Red Dragon.
• Aaron told Christiana Yeri he would help her succeed in Hollywood and compared her prospects with Sophie Marceau’s.
• Aaron flew to Tokyo and reunited with Norika Fujiwara at a hot spring in Hakone.
• Aaron discussed Japan’s recession and Norika Fujiwara’s modeling, commercial, and television work with her.
• Aaron explained Dawn’s Japanese box-office success and advised Norika Fujiwara to consider starting a manga publishing house.
• Aaron planned to spend Christmas in Hong Kong and check on his real estate holdings there.

Aaron met Joey Wong in Hong Kong, where she told him about the city’s changing film industry and its growing competition from Hollywood. They discussed upcoming films and Hong Kong stars, leaving Aaron focused on acquiring more action movies.

• Joey Wong told Aaron she had bought six detached villas for him in wealthy Hong Kong neighborhoods, and he said she could live in whichever one she liked.
• Joey Wong described Hollywood films topping Hong Kong’s box office and Taipei distributors pressuring Hong Kong film companies before securing looser import quotas for Hollywood movies.
• Aaron and Joey Wong discussed the rushed production practices, rising salaries, and declining quality that had weakened Hong Kong film.
• Joey Wong said Golden Harvest planned to release Rumble in the Bronx in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year, while Dawn would wait until the following August for its Hollywood release.
• Joey Wong told Aaron about Jet Li’s successful films and Jackie Chan’s Golden Horse Best Actor award, but Aaron said Hollywood mainly wanted exciting kung fu films and action comedies.

Aaron spent Christmas in Hong Kong with Joey Wong and discussed Hong Kong cinema and the prospects for Jackie Chan’s film “Rumble in the Bronx” with Raymond Chow. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson faced escalating child molestation allegations, canceled tour dates, and publicly insisted on his innocence, though his health had badly deteriorated.

• Joey Wong told Aaron she had invested in Hong Kong real estate and was no longer making films unless she liked the scripts.
• Aaron and Raymond Chow discussed John Woo’s “Hard Target,” agreeing that it had succeeded commercially but lacked strong characters and emotional impact.
• Aaron assured Raymond Chow that Dawn would give “Rumble in the Bronx” a wide North American release and a major promotional push.
• The Los Angeles police investigated Michael Jackson, searched Neverland Ranch, and found no valuable leads despite subjecting him to a humiliating examination.
• Michael Jackson’s sister publicly accused him of pedophilia, and he canceled the Australia and United States legs of his Dangerous World Tour.
• Michael Jackson gave a televised Christmas Eve statement denying the allegations and saying the accusations and media coverage had left him tormented.

Aaron spent Christmas in Hong Kong with Norika Fujiwara, discussed Michael Jackson’s scandal with Jack Wellstone, and later reunited with Joey Wong. Joey brought him a proposed film investment from King Hu, and Aaron agreed to meet the project’s representatives.

• Aaron spoke with Jack Wellstone about Michael Jackson’s child molestation case and the impact it had on his tour and Sony Music.
• Aaron discussed the case with Norika Fujiwara and said he believed Michael Jackson had been framed.
• After Joey Wong returned to Hong Kong, she told Aaron that Ms. Hsu Feng had asked her to find investors for a film project.
• Joey Wong gave Aaron the script for King Hu’s The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers, which already had half its funding from a European company.
• Aaron agreed to meet the people behind the project and consider investing in the film.

Aaron agreed to fund Terence Chang and King Hu’s film about Chinese laborers in the United States, while he and Raymond Chow discussed reforms and opportunities in China’s film market. Aaron then turned his attention to Wanyan’s new VCD player and asked Joey Wong about the company.

• Joey Wong introduced Aaron to producer Terence Chang, and Aaron agreed to have Crescent Moon Pictures invest $3 million in The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers.
• King Hu arrived in Hong Kong to prepare the film, with Joey Wong cast as its leading actress.
• Aaron met Raymond Chow, who described debate over importing foreign films to China through a box-office revenue-sharing model, and they discussed Hong Kong cinema’s need to reach the mainland market.
• Aaron asked Joey about Wanyan Company and learned that it was based in Hefei, where her ancestral home was located.
• Aaron considered the prospects for Chinese VCD brands after hearing that Wanyan had already made the first VCD player and sold its initial batch of 1,000 units.

Aaron discussed investing in VCD players with Joey Wong and urged her to prepare for business, then celebrated New Year’s Eve in Macau with Norika Fujiwara as Dawn expanded its international distribution network. In Los Angeles, Tom Rothman reviewed Dawn’s growing reach and a Chinese laborers film project while Philadelphia drew attention amid a real-life AIDS discrimination lawsuit.

• Aaron told Joey Wong to watch for new VCD player brands and said Haihua Investment would fund an advertising campaign, while she agreed to study business management.
• On the last day of 1993, Aaron took Norika Fujiwara to Macau for New Year’s Eve while Joey Wong returned to Taipei.
• Aaron told Tom Rothman that Dawn should expand distribution across Asia and Europe, including Taipei, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
• Tom Rothman reflected on Dawn’s international offices and reviewed a drama about Chinese laborers jointly funded by Crescent Moon Pictures.
• Philadelphia attracted public attention as former lawyer Scott Burr reached an undisclosed settlement with Baker & McKenzie Law Firm in Philadelphia over his dismissal after contracting AIDS.

Aaron vacationed with Joey Wong in Thailand before returning to the United States, where he backed George W. Bush’s Texas gubernatorial campaign, attended the Rockets’ arena groundbreaking, and joined preparations for awards promotion and Con Air. The chapter left Con Air in development with Jan de Bont agreeing to direct.

• Aaron and Joey Wong vacationed on Phuket Island, where they discussed her upcoming filming of The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers before separating to return to their respective homes.
• Philadelphia’s North American box office reached 30 million US dollars as Aaron visited George W. Bush in Dallas to support his campaign for Governor of Texas.
• Aaron attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Houston Rockets’ Dawn Center Arena and asked Jack Wells to build lakeside villas on his Brenham farm.
• Hsu Feng and Chen Kaige promoted Farewell My Concubine ahead of the Golden Globes and discussed its rivalry with Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet.
• Paula Wagner and Aaron discussed Con Air’s preparations with Jan de Bont, who agreed to direct after John McTiernan took the Die Hard with a Vengeance project.

Aaron oversaw Dawn Pictures’ film preparations and reconnected with Jennifer Aniston, who was filming the Friends pilot. He drove her home, where they kissed and began a sexual encounter.

• Aaron reassured Jan de Bont that Con Air would differ from Passenger 57 as preparations continued for Con Air and Bad Boys.
• Ethelind Beckett told Aaron that David Fincher was revising the Se7en script while preparing the crew and planned to film in summer.
• Aaron spotted Jennifer Aniston after work, gave her a ride, and learned that she was filming the Friends pilot for Dawn TV and NBC.
• Aaron and Jennifer stopped at the Viper Room, where they discussed River Phoenix’s death, then kissed and left together.
• Aaron drove Jennifer to her North Hollywood apartment, where they kissed their way to the bedroom and began having sex.

Aaron and Jennifer Aniston survived the Northridge earthquake, and the disaster’s aftermath unfolded as Hollywood held the Golden Globes and California organized relief. At a charity dinner, Aaron and Jack Wells discussed backing Pete Wilson and Dianne Feinstein while continuing to invest in George W. Bush.

• A 6.6 earthquake struck Northridge before dawn, and Aaron and Jennifer Aniston wrapped themselves in a blanket and took shelter until the shaking stopped.
• Aaron learned that the earthquake had caused extensive damage and casualties, while The Piano, Philadelphia, and Farewell My Concubine won major awards at the 1994 Golden Globes.
• Aaron and Christiana Yeri discussed the earthquake’s death toll, injuries, destruction, and heavy insurance losses.
• At a Los Angeles charity dinner, Aaron and Jack Wells discussed supporting Pete Wilson’s reelection and Dianne Feinstein’s Senate campaign.
• Aaron explained that backing Pete Wilson in California and George W. Bush in Texas allowed them to invest in both parties and pursue future political influence.

After the Michael Jackson case ended in an out-of-court settlement, Aaron attended a Hollywood party and discussed Dawn’s films and future plans with Monica Bellucci, John Woo, and Otis Chandler. The chapter left Dawn focused on commercial expansion rather than relying on Oscar prestige.

• The Michael Jackson case ended when he paid the Chandler family and Larry Feldman $22 million, and Jordan Chandler and his father gave up testifying in the criminal proceedings.
• At a Roosevelt Hotel party, Monica Bellucci praised Philadelphia, and Aaron told her that Garage Horror was planned for a Halloween release.
• Aaron spoke with John Woo about The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers and promised that Dawn would offer him a chance to direct a film with genuine creative control.
• Otis Chandler told Aaron that The Piano had strong Oscar momentum, and Aaron questioned whether Academy voters would honor a female director with major awards.
• Otis Chandler observed that Dawn no longer needed Oscar prestige as much as independent studios did, while its headquarters project and acquisitions showed its commercial ambitions.

As Ace Ventura: Pet Detective opened strongly, Aaron spent time with Monica Bellucci and Nicole Kidman while Dawn considered its future projects. The chapter ended with Jim Carrey signing on for Ace Ventura 2, though he would film Dumb and Dumber first.

• Monica Bellucci asked Aaron whether Dawn was shifting its focus toward Asia after seeing him speak with a Chinese director.
• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective opened in North America and earned 24 million US dollars in its first ten days, while critics praised Jim Carrey's comic performance and Salma Hayek drew attention in the female lead.
• Aaron met Nicole Kidman, who asked for help finding independent films that could earn her critical recognition; they planned a trip to Australia later in February.
• Peter Guber resigned as Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO and became involved with Batman Forever again.
• After The Mask wrapped, Jim Carrey signed with Dawn to make Ace Ventura 2, which remained in script preparation while he prepared to shoot Dumb and Dumber.

Aaron agreed that Dawn Pictures would buy the Good Will Hunting screenplay for $1 million and let Matt Damon and Ben Affleck act in it, then directed Dawn Steel to pursue the rights to The Bourne trilogy. The chapter ended with Mario Kassar proposing that Carolco join Dawn's Spider-Man adaptation with James Cameron directing, and Aaron asking how much Carolco could fund.

• Dawn Steel told Aaron that Castle Rock Entertainment was selling the Good Will Hunting screenplay and had given Matt Damon and Ben Affleck thirty days to find a buyer willing to let them star.
• Aaron approved Dawn Pictures paying Castle Rock Entertainment $1 million for the screenplay and agreed to let Matt Damon and Ben Affleck work on the film as screenwriters and actors.
• Aaron told Dawn Steel to begin pre-production on Good Will Hunting and negotiate with Robert Ludlum to buy the adaptation rights to The Bourne trilogy.
• Mario Kassar asked Aaron about Carolco joining Dawn's Spider-Man adaptation and said he wanted James Cameron to write and direct it.
• Aaron asked Mario Kassar how much funding Carolco could provide, noting that a film directed by James Cameron would need at least $120 million.

Aaron discussed Carolco’s interest in James Cameron and learned that Sophie Marceau was being considered for Braveheart. At the Oscar nomination dinner, he congratulated Winona Ryder on her Best Supporting Actress nomination for The Age of Innocence.

• Mario Kassar left after Aaron questioned Carolco Pictures’ plans for James Cameron to develop Spider-Man.
• Dawn Steel bought the Good Will Hunting script from Castle Rock Entertainment, surprising Rob Reiner.
• Sophie Marceau told Aaron she would attend the BAFTA Awards with the Four Weddings and a Funeral crew and had received an offer to play the French princess in Braveheart.
• Aaron discussed Mel Gibson’s plans to direct and star in Braveheart and reassured Sophie Marceau that Gibson’s fame would help the film.
• The Piano received eight Oscar nominations, and Tom Hanks was nominated for Best Actor for Philadelphia.
• Aaron congratulated Winona Ryder at the Oscar nomination dinner on her Best Supporting Actress nomination for The Age of Innocence.

Aaron spent time with Winona Ryder after her Little Women shoot, then discussed Waterworld while vacationing in Sydney with Nicole Kidman. The chapter left Waterworld poised to begin filming with a massive budget and major production risks ahead.

• Aaron and Winona Ryder discussed her Little Women shoot and Amy Pascal's role in getting the film made.
• Dawn's Philadelphia passed $50 million at the North American box office, while Ace Ventura: Pet Detective passed $40 million.
• Aaron and Nicole Kidman vacationed in Sydney and read that Kevin Costner and Kevin Reynolds were scouting locations for Waterworld.
• Aaron explained that Universal had budgeted $150 million for Waterworld and predicted the production could face costly weather problems during filming.

Aaron returned to Los Angeles after vacationing with Nicole Kidman, while Hollywood saw corporate maneuvering and Pierce Brosnan’s announcement as the new James Bond. At a West Hollywood club, Aaron noticed Leonardo DiCaprio and remarked that he was handsome.

• Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone prepared to sell MSG Group to reduce the company’s debt, drawing interest from CVC and ITT.
• MGM/United Artists and Eon Productions announced Pierce Brosnan as the new James Bond after Timothy Dalton withdrew.
• Nicole Kidman told Aaron she would return to Sydney to promote The Pelican Brief, and Aaron said he would head back to the United States.
• Aaron returned to Los Angeles as The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers neared production and Rumble in the Bronx performed strongly across Asian markets.
• Jack Wells described the NBA All-Star Game to Aaron, who said he had paid little attention to basketball.
• Aaron spotted Leonardo DiCaprio at a West Hollywood club, and Jack Wells explained DiCaprio’s recent roles and Oscar nomination.

Aaron helped California Governor Pete Wilson secure federal reconstruction funds for Los Angeles and offered Clinton’s adviser Mark Middleton help with the Paula Jones lawsuit. Later, Aaron discussed film releases with Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson before reconnecting with Elizabeth Hurley, who talked about her acting ambitions and interest in producing.

• Aaron agreed to help Pete Wilson lobby for the federal reconstruction subsidies, and Mark Middleton told Aaron the funds would reach Los Angeles within a week.
• Mark Middleton asked Aaron about Paula Jones’s lawsuit against Clinton, and Aaron offered to connect them with a Hollywood lawyer.
• Aaron discussed Dawn’s release plans for Bad Boys with Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, who said the film could be released as early as Christmas.
• Aaron met Elizabeth Hurley at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel, where she told him she had been invited to become a Bond Girl and described two roles she had failed to land.
• Elizabeth Hurley compared herself with Sharon Stone and told Aaron she was interested in becoming a producer, while Aaron advised her to focus on acting and gain experience.