The film Wrong Turn, strictly speaking, wasn't anything special. It was just a story about a bunch of young people recklessly getting themselves killed by forest-dwelling cannibals.
Films like this all fell into the horror gore genre. The fact that Wrong Turn went on to spawn nearly ten installments was enough to show that it had an audience in America, and even around the world—especially in the DVD and video markets.
On set, when Adriana Lima, one of the future top ten supermodels in the world, took off her top and shorts beside a creek in the wilderness, leaving only her bikini, the entire crew was filled with the sound of people swallowing hard.
What a body!
Come on, she was going to be a supermodel. How could she not have a great figure?
"Ahem. Assistant director, tell them all to watch themselves. This is a film set," Zucker said quietly to the assistant director.
The assistant director immediately nodded in agreement.
Zucker continued, "Also, tell them not to bother Lima while we're on set. It could lead to trouble. You know what I mean."
"Don't worry, I understand." The assistant director gave Zucker a look that said it all.
"Good. You have a bright future," Zucker praised him.
How could a seasoned assistant director not understand what Zucker was thinking?
Or rather, any normal man would get ideas when he saw a sexy beauty, let alone a young, wealthy man like Zucker. It was perfectly normal to want a piece of her!
When filming wrapped that day, Zucker took the initiative to chat with Lima for quite a while. They even exchanged phone numbers.
That's right, Zucker had bought a mobile phone!
It was an old-fashioned model with very limited features, but in 1996, it was considered quite advanced and lightweight—the kind you could slip into your pocket.
Over the next several days, Zucker kept up a very warm stream of conversation with Lima.
He was practically showering her with attention!
"Lima, you look beautiful today!"
"You did a fantastic job!"
"My God! Forget that damn modeling dream. You belong in Hollywood!"
"Darling, you've got me all wrong. I'm a good man, an exceptionally good one!"
Anyone with eyes could see that Zucker was interested in Lima.
However, he never crossed the line while they were on set!
Good heavens!
Adriana Lima was only sixteen that year. She was underage. If Zucker had tried to force himself on her, he might have landed in serious trouble!
The kind of trouble that could mean at least three years in prison.
Of course, Lima had a very curvaceous figure and didn't look sixteen at all! Well, women in the West generally matured early.
Zucker hadn't married in his previous life, but he had dated a few times. He wasn't exactly a ladies' man, but he was certainly no novice.
He treated her to dinner, took her to the movies, went shopping with her, and bought her things. Under the onslaught of Zucker's money, romance, and occasional little surprises, Lima finally fell for him!
"Zucker, I'm your girlfriend now, but you'd better not lie to me. If you do..."
Before Lima could finish, Zucker interrupted her. "My God, don't you know what kind of person I am? I'm a respectable man. If you don't believe me, ask anyone at Wald Pictures. Have I ever had a girlfriend? Have I ever gone wild in bars or places like that?"
"Hmph! At least you're honest."
Lima pretended to be annoyed, then happily kissed Zucker.
Actually, Lima had made a few inquiries about whether Zucker had ever gotten up to anything.
Since arriving in this world, Zucker truly hadn't been much of a playboy. He hardly had any female friends at all. The only pretty female friend he had was Charlize Theron, but they were just ordinary friends. Of course, if Charlize's preference for "boyfriends who were like fathers" hadn't disgusted Zucker, he might have already ended up in bed with her.
Ended up in bed!
Well, it was practically an obsession of Zucker's since he'd arrived in this world!
I've been lifting weights so much I'm about to start shooting sparks! Zucker grumbled inwardly.
The laws varied from state to state in America, but there were clear protections for underage girls. Still, plenty of underage boys and girls gave in to their hormones and had sex while they were in school. As long as it didn't go to court, it generally wasn't a problem.
Lima was youthful and beautiful, with a stunning figure, and didn't look at all like an underage sixteen-year-old. If someone said she was twenty, no one would doubt it. Zucker had been lusting after her for more than just a day or two.
But...
Zucker didn't dare!
Maybe it was the caution that came with being a transmigrator.
June 15.
On that day, Run Lola Run officially left North American theaters. It had earned a total of $16.82 million at the box office. After deducting the theaters' share, print costs, and other expenses, Wald Pictures received $7.2 million in box office revenue.
Of course, because no other distributor had been involved in releasing Run Lola Run in America, there was no need to give a share—or a very large share—to a distributor.
The $7.2 million in box office revenue, plus DVD and video sales and licensing fees for merchandise, brought in $4.5 million in profit. Selling the overseas rights to Paramount earned another $2 million. After deducting the $800,000 production cost and $500,000 in promotional expenses...
Wald Pictures had made a total profit of $12.4 million from Run Lola Run alone!
Making movies really did make money!
It was no exaggeration to say that, thanks to the profits from Run Lola Run alone, Wald Pictures' financial report for the year would outperform those of a large number of small Hollywood companies.
"Not bad," Zucker said with a smile as he looked at the figures.
Ring, ring!
Just then, the phone on Zucker's desk rang.
"Hello, this is Zucker Wald."
"Mr. Wald, this is Jordan from Paramount."
That's right, the caller was none other than the Paramount executive who had negotiated with Zucker over the overseas rights to Run Lola Run. His name was Jordan.
Of course, he wasn't the basketball player Jordan. He was Jordan Dervelman.
"Mr. Wald, I'm calling to tell you that the opening-weekend box office figures for Run Lola Run overseas are in. My God, I can hardly believe it!" Jordan's voice came through, cracking with excitement.
"How much?" Zucker pressed.
"Nineteen million dollars! And that's just the opening weekend, without even a wide overseas release. Do you know what, Zucker? Paramount has decided to go all out with the overseas promotion. We're going to push Run Lola Run's box office even higher!"
Jordan's excited, nonstop chatter practically made Zucker's kidneys ache.
Damn!
Those bloodsucking vampires at Paramount!
He'd only sold them the overseas rights to Run Lola Run for $2 million! Even if it went on to earn more than $100 million overseas, just like it had in the original timeline, none of that money would have anything to do with Zucker. But damn, it still made his kidneys ache.
Zucker hadn't wanted to sell Run Lola Run so cheaply in the first place.
But his company had no overseas distribution capabilities! The reason the Big Six Hollywood Studios were called giants was their formidable global distribution networks!
Was Spielberg's DreamWorks impressive?
Of course it was!
But in front of the Big Six Hollywood Studios, it didn't stand a chance!
"Jordan, Paramount made a killing off me this time. The next time you distribute one of our films, you'll have to give us a better deal!" Zucker shouted into the phone.
"Haha, no problem, Zucker. You know that if a film is good enough, we'll definitely pay more."
Zucker and Jordan chatted for a while after that.
Run Lola Run had nothing to do with Zucker anymore, but that didn't stop him from building a closer relationship with Paramount. There would be plenty of time for that later.
Distribution!
Distribution!
Distribution!
It had practically become another obsession of Zucker!
Before you continue