Chapter Summaries

Aaron found John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood script among Dawn Pictures’ submissions and agreed to finance the film on a budget of no more than $5 million. After scouting locations with Singleton, Aaron left the project moving toward production and said Sony Columbia was interested in distributing it.

• Aaron and Jennifer Connelly discussed Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise and the kinds of projects Dawn Pictures might support.
• Aaron discovered John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood script and asked Jennifer Connelly to invite Singleton to meet with him.
• Aaron agreed to buy Singleton’s script and requested a complete production plan before setting a budget.
• Aaron met Singleton, who explained that the film would shoot in South Los Angeles and that Ice Cube had agreed to play an important role.
• Aaron and Jack Wells scouted locations with Singleton, who said he was still auditioning young actors for the male lead.
• Aaron told Jack that Sony Columbia was interested in distributing Boyz n the Hood.

Aaron oversaw Ghost’s Chicago production while tracking Boyz n the Hood’s preparations in Los Angeles. After returning to Los Angeles, he reviewed John Singleton’s casting and rehearsal plans, then met with Michael Kuhn.

• Aaron accepted Columbia TriStar Pictures’ offer of $3.5 million for Boyz n the Hood’s international distribution rights, with a 15% commission on North American distribution.
• Aaron focused on Ghost as Edward Zwick, Kevin Costner, and Nicole Kidman began filming in Chicago, and he asked Jack Wells to monitor Boyz n the Hood’s preparations.
• Aaron told Nicole Kidman that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pretty Woman had earned strong box office returns, while Dick Tracy had opened to poor reviews and a $12 million weekend.
• Aaron returned to Los Angeles in late June and reviewed Cuba Gooding Jr.’s audition with John Singleton, who planned to begin filming Boyz n the Hood in August.
• Aaron urged John Singleton to assemble the crew carefully and hold more rehearsals, then met PolyGram Filmed Entertainment’s Michael Kuhn at a West Hollywood bar.

Aaron and Michael Kuhn discussed independent films and PolyGram’s interest in acquiring Dawn Pictures, which Aaron declined in favor of independence. At Disney, Michael Eisner urged Frank Wells to increase The Rocketeer’s budget for merchandise and toy potential, leaving Wells to reconcile Eisner’s wishes with Jeffrey Katzenberg’s authority.

• Aaron and Michael Kuhn discussed the rising costs of established directors and PolyGram’s investment in the Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink.
• Michael Kuhn revealed that PolyGram wanted to own a Hollywood production company and praised Dawn Pictures, but Aaron insisted Dawn Pictures would remain independent.
• Michael Eisner told Frank Wells that he cared more about Disney’s partnership with Amblin Entertainment than Hollywood Pictures’ upcoming Arachnophobia.
• Frank Wells reported that Dick Tracy was performing poorly and that Jeffrey Katzenberg was still considering a proposed budget increase for The Rocketeer.
• Michael Eisner told Frank Wells to approve more funding for The Rocketeer’s large-scale scenes and merchandise-focused designs, and Wells agreed to discuss it with Jeffrey Katzenberg.

At a Beverly Hills party, Aaron Anderson discussed Hollywood deals and casting with Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner. Paula said Quentin Tarantino’s screenplay for Natural Born Killers remained unsold, and Aaron realized Tarantino wanted him to pitch it actively.

• Aaron Anderson praised Tom Cruise’s performance in Born on the Fourth of July and agreed that Academy voters could be biased against handsome actors.
• Paula Wagner explained that Michael Ovitz, Steven Spielberg, and Mike Medavoy were working together to package Hook for TriStar Pictures, with Spielberg receiving a large share of the profits.
• Aaron and Paula discussed Sony’s growing film business and Aaron’s investment in a new director’s film about Black communities in Los Angeles.
• Paula told Aaron that Julia Roberts was now with ICM but could still suit the female lead in Hook.
• Aaron asked Paula about Natural Born Killers, and she said the screenplay was still in the archives; he clarified that Quentin Tarantino wanted him to pitch it.

Aaron met with Quentin Tarantino at a nightclub, promised Dawn Pictures would support his future directing ambitions, and then left as Magic Johnson arrived. He later discussed Boyz n the Hood’s social aims and R-rating requirements with John Singleton, who planned to finish the film in time for a Columbia Pictures release the following March.

• Quentin Tarantino told Aaron that Boyz n the Hood was his priority and asked him to honor his promise of support for Tarantino’s future directing career.
• Aaron noticed Magic Johnson at the nightclub, told Quentin Tarantino to focus on the coming shoot, and left.
• John Singleton explained to Aaron how gang violence and social problems shaped the South Central Los Angeles communities depicted in Boyz n the Hood.
• Aaron told John Singleton to avoid excessive violence and secure an R rating, explaining that Henry & June had prompted the MPAA to introduce the NC–17 rating.
• John Singleton said he would not glorify violence and wanted the film to reach audiences and encourage concern for Black teenagers.
• Aaron said Columbia Pictures planned to release Boyz n the Hood the following March, and John Singleton estimated filming and editing would each take about two months.

Aaron discussed box-office results and the proposed Bugsy film with Sidney Ganis while Ghost continued filming in Los Angeles. He then caught up with Jennifer Connelly about The Rocketeer's larger budget and her upcoming schedule, leaving her set to begin filming while Everybody's Fine awaited its North American release.

• Aaron ran into Sidney Ganis, who discussed Pretty Woman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Die Hard 2, and other films' box-office results.
• Sidney asked Aaron for his opinion on CAA's Bugsy project, and Aaron criticized the idea of casting Warren Beatty as Benjamin Siegel.
• Aaron and Nicole Kidman left Sony Studios and talked about Ghost nearing completion and Boyz n the Hood starting production the following month.
• Jennifer Connelly told Aaron that The Rocketeer's budget had increased by $10 million for character designs, props, and merchandise-related production needs.
• Jennifer said she had arranged her school schedule around The Rocketeer's fourteen-to-sixteen-week shoot, and Aaron told her Everybody's Fine would open in North America as an art-house import in October.

After Loel demanded $200,000 to stop disrupting the Boyz n the Hood shoot, Aaron sent Jack Wells to deal with him. Jack and John Levin killed Loel and two others at their hideout, then left a Crips marker behind.

• Loel demanded $200,000 from John Singleton and threatened more trouble despite the crew’s agreement with Juan.
• Jack Wells told Aaron about Loel’s demands, and Aaron ordered him to find Loel and stop the disruptions.
• Jack Wells tracked Loel to an apartment on 75th Street and recruited John Levin to help.
• Jack Wells and John Levin broke into the apartment and killed two men before finding Loel.
• Loel pointed them to a drawer with a few hundred dollars and jewelry, and Jack killed him before they fled, leaving a Crips marker behind.

John Levin and Jack Wells covered up Loel’s killing, while Jack took charge of security on the “Boyz n the Hood” set. Aaron learned about Orion Pictures’ troubled “The Silence of the Lambs” and told Nancy Josephson that Dawn wanted its rights, though he had no cash available.

• John Levin and Jack Wells burned their belongings and disposed of the gun parts after framing the Crips for Loel’s death.
• Jack Wells joined John Singleton’s crew as producer and security lead while the crew filmed a real Bloods-Crips fight for “Boyz n the Hood.”
• Aaron discussed the shortened cut of “Dances with Wolves” with Kevin Costner on the “Ghost” set.
• Aaron met Nancy Josephson and asked about Orion Pictures’ “The Silence of the Lambs,” its rights, and the studio’s plans for the film.
• Nancy Josephson explained that the adaptation and North American distribution rights remained available, and Aaron said Dawn wanted them but he had no cash on hand.

Aaron considered trying to acquire the North American rights to Orion Pictures’ The Silence of the Lambs, but lacked the money and a distribution company. After declining an invitation from Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, he met Al Pacino, Garry Marshall, and Michelle Pfeiffer, who invited him to produce Frankie and Johnny, and he turned them down.

• Aaron discussed The Silence of the Lambs’ potential value with Nancy Josephson and admitted Dawn Pictures lacked the funds and distribution infrastructure to acquire it.
• Nancy asked Aaron about CAA’s role in Panasonic’s acquisition of MCA, and he said he knew only that CAA had been fully authorized to represent Panasonic.
• Aaron ran into Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, declined their invitation to join them for drinks, and left the Wilshire Hotel.
• Winona remarked that Aaron had advanced quickly, and Johnny said his agent Tracey thought highly of him.
• Aaron met Al Pacino, Garry Marshall, and Michelle Pfeiffer, who invited him to produce Frankie and Johnny.
• Aaron declined the offer, citing his work on Ghost and Boyz n the Hood.

Aaron partnered with Jack Wells to buy and renovate the Blues Brothers Theater, then met Disney chief Michael Eisner, who proposed a three-film distribution deal with Dawn Pictures. Aaron declined to negotiate until his upcoming films were released, saying his partnership with Sony had been pleasant.

• Aaron reassured Al Pacino that Warren Beatty would need to find a distributor for Bugsy before he could cause trouble.
• Aaron offered Jack Wells an equal share in buying the Blues Brothers Theater and laid out plans for its renovation.
• Aaron and Jack agreed that Jack would manage the theater after Boyz n the Hood finished filming.
• Pretty Woman earned $450 million worldwide, and Julia Roberts became famous as America's Sweetheart.
• Michael Eisner proposed a three-year distribution agreement covering three Dawn Pictures films, but Aaron said he would rather discuss it after their release.

Michael Eisner rejected Aaron Anderson’s approach and focused on Disney’s competition with Sony, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s contract dispute, and unrest among Disney executives. Aaron chose to pursue independent distribution, while CAA dealt with setbacks involving Panasonic, Warren Beatty, and Julia Roberts.

• After Aaron Anderson left Disney, Michael Eisner and Frank Wells discussed Sony’s growing Hollywood influence and the difficulty of renewing Jeffrey Katzenberg’s contract, which hinged on Katzenberg’s disputed two percent film-profit share.
• Michael Eisner refused Katzenberg’s demand for compensation equal to seventy-five percent of his own and emphasized that Euro Disney’s opening and challenges to his authority remained priorities.
• Aaron Anderson told Jennifer Connelly that Disney wanted to bring him under its wing, but he planned to handle distribution himself and wait for the right opportunity.
• At CAA headquarters, Michael Ovitz learned that Panasonic’s acquisition of MCA had encountered difficulties and that TriStar Pictures would fund Barry Levinson’s “Bugsy” only if Warren Beatty did not play the lead.
• Michael Ovitz said Disney had been angered by Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy,” described how CAA had placated Eisner with “Billy Bathgate,” and learned that Mike Medavoy wanted Julia Roberts for “Hook” despite CAA’s objections.

Warren Beatty lost the Bugsy lead to Al Pacino and blamed Aaron Anderson for his setbacks. Aaron addressed Boyz n the Hood’s delays and budget concerns, while Jack Wells negotiated the purchase of the Blues Brothers Theater.

• Barry Levinson told Warren Beatty that TriStar Pictures and CAA favored Al Pacino for Bugsy, and Beatty blamed Aaron for his declining prospects.
• Jack Wells warned Aaron that Boyz n the Hood was behind schedule and might run short of money for post-production.
• Aaron told Jack to protect John Singleton’s authority and keep the film on schedule and within its fixed budget.
• John Singleton warned the cast about the slow filming and threatened to replace Cuba Gooding Jr.; Cuba promised to stop going out at night.
• Aaron agreed to buy the Blues Brothers Theater for $920,000.

After Ghost wrapped, Aaron Anderson discussed post-production and pursued the remake rights to Scent of a Woman while Warren Beatty publicly insulted him. Nicole Kidman told Aaron she would audition for Disney’s Billy Bathgate, and Aaron warned her to be cautious around Dustin Hoffman.

• Edward Zwick announced that Ghost had finished filming, and Aaron Anderson joined the crew’s wrap party at the Culver Hotel.
• Aaron discussed Ghost’s post-production with Edward Zwick and David Fincher, then told Ethelind Beckett to pursue the remake rights to Scent of a Woman.
• Warren Beatty called Aaron an opportunistic, lucky newcomer in an Entertainment Weekly interview and faced pointed questions about his relationships and scandals.
• Nicole Kidman told Aaron that Disney was arranging an audition for her in Billy Bathgate, which would star Dustin Hoffman.
• Aaron warned Nicole to be careful around Dustin Hoffman and to call him if anything went wrong at the audition.

Aaron visited the sets of "Boyz n the Hood" and "Jungle Fever," then joined both crews for a night out in Hollywood. He left Halle Berry trying to introduce herself to him after seeing her with Wesley Snipes.

• Aaron checked on Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance, and John Singleton said filming would wrap in about a week.
• Aaron added $500,000 to the "Boyz n the Hood" budget and told John Singleton to finish the film and its post-production.
• Aaron visited Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" set, where Spike Lee discussed the challenges facing John Singleton's production.
• Aaron brought Jack Wells, John Singleton, and Quentin Tarantino to a nightclub with Spike Lee and Wesley Snipes.
• Aaron saw Wesley Snipes dancing with Halle Berry, then encountered Halle Berry after she introduced herself to him outside the restroom.

As Boyz n the Hood entered post-production, Aaron discussed Dawn Pictures’ finances and theater renovation with Jack Wells. Nicole Kidman rejected a coercive request to undress at her Billy Bathgate audition, told Aaron what happened, and they returned to West Hollywood after dinner.

• Aaron complained that Dawn Pictures had only three million dollars left, and Jack Wells discussed the Angel Theater renovation and its planned seating.
• Nicole Kidman auditioned for Billy Bathgate, performed a scene, and was pressured by Dustin Hoffman and the others to undress.
• Nicole Kidman refused and left the audition, accepting that she had lost the chance at the role.
• Nicole Kidman told Aaron Anderson about the audition over dinner, and Aaron expressed anger at Dustin Hoffman.
• Aaron and Nicole drove into an alley, spent more than half an hour there, and then continued toward West Hollywood.

Aaron pursued an oil futures trade after learning that prices were rising amid the crisis in Kuwait, then encountered Heidi Fleiss and asked Jack Wells to investigate Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman. Jack agreed to find private investigators to follow them.

• Aaron discussed the rising price of oil with Jennifer Connelly and decided to try trading oil futures.
• Aaron opened a long position with twentyfold leverage, investing $2 million and keeping $700,000 in reserve.
• Aaron met Heidi Fleiss at the hotel after seeing her with Charlie Sheen and asked whether she knew anything about Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman.
• Aaron called Jack Wells, who said Heidi Fleiss would not disclose client information and suggested hiring private investigators instead.
• Aaron asked Jack Wells to find two trustworthy investigators to follow Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman.

Aaron discussed Jennifer Connelly’s acting and career choices, then watched Boiling Point with her and criticized its reliance on sex appeal. At Sony Studios, he talked with Edward Zwick about Kevin Costner and Dances with Wolves before meeting producer and actress Demi Moore.

• Aaron encouraged Jennifer Connelly to continue studying acting and took her to see Boiling Point, which she had turned down.
• Aaron and Jennifer watched Boiling Point and discussed Virginia Madsen and Uma Thurman’s roles.
• At Sony Studios, Aaron told Edward Zwick he thought Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves would become a sensation and discussed its cut length.
• Edward Zwick introduced Aaron to Demi Moore, who was producing Mortal Thoughts.

After Jack Wells lost $12,000 buying a fraudulent penny stock, he went to New York to confront the brokerage while Aaron focused on the Angel Theater and sold his oil futures for a huge profit. Jack found the firm’s shabby office and beat its employees, including its boss, Jordan Belfort.

• Demi Moore told Edward Zwick that creative differences and a director change had delayed Mortal Thoughts, and Aaron noted it would compete with Boyz n the Hood.
• Jack Wells told Aaron that Stratton Oakmont had talked him into buying shares of Aerotyne International, and Aaron warned him against investing in fields he did not understand.
• Jack decided to go to New York to confront the brokerage, and Aaron gave him two $10,000 checks before staying in Los Angeles to oversee the Angel Theater renovations.
• Aaron invested his remaining $700,000 in oil futures, then sold all his holdings when oil reached $42 per barrel, turning his $2.7 million investment into $14.8 million after taxes and commissions.
• Jack and two friends found Stratton Oakmont in an abandoned garage on Long Island and smashed up the office and its employees.
• Jack kicked the firm’s boss and demanded his name, and the man identified himself as Jordan Belfort.

Aaron used Dawn Pictures’ cash to buy the North American rights to The Silence of the Lambs from Orion Pictures and planned to find a theatrical distributor. He then learned that Jack Wells had helped expose Jordan Belfort’s penny-stock fraud, leaving Jordan headed for prison.

• Aaron offered ICM a $10 million cashier’s check to negotiate for Dawn Pictures to acquire The Silence of the Lambs.
• Nancy Josephson persuaded John Kluge to sell the film’s rights for $14 million in cash, and Orion Pictures completed the deal with Dawn Pictures.
• Aaron received the contract and master tape, then said he would meet the production team and find a distributor to get the film into theaters.
• Jack Wells told Aaron that Jordan Belfort had defrauded hundreds of people through a penny-stock company and was facing prison.
• Aaron recognized Jordan as the future inspiration for The Wolf of Wall Street and realized his fraud case might prevent that future.

Aaron acquired The Silence of the Lambs and planned to find a distributor for the film while encouraging Quentin Tarantino to make his first feature. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Parretti took over MGM/UA with financing from Crédit Lyonnais, raising suspicions about the deal.

• Aaron and Nicole Kidman discussed his purchase of The Silence of the Lambs and the film Billy Bathgate.
• After screening The Silence of the Lambs, Aaron praised Jonathan Demme’s film and planned to approach TriStar Pictures about distribution.
• At a Sunset Boulevard bar, Jack Wells celebrated Jodie Foster’s role in the film, and Quentin Tarantino told Aaron that Oliver Stone was interested in his Natural Born Killers script.
• Aaron offered to invest in Quentin Tarantino’s first feature film, and he paid for the group’s drinks.
• Giancarlo Parretti acquired MGM/UA for $1.34 billion with Crédit Lyonnais financing, and people began questioning his rapid rise in the film industry.