A Deal Is Struck

On the third day after the test screening, Irene's father summoned her to a meeting at Zoetrope Studios. The main purpose was to choose a distributor for Legally Blonde.

"Quite a few companies have contacted me. After weighing our options, we've narrowed it down to either MGM or 20th Century Fox." Francis handed Irene documents outlining the size and current state of the two companies.

"What about Paramount?" Irene took the papers and read them carefully, her eyes widening in surprise. She seemed to remember that the Paramount representative had been very interested in the film at the screening.

"Paramount has a new Julia Roberts film coming out at the end of July, so they probably won't have time for us," Shelly explained first. Julia Roberts was also an important CAA client, though not one of his. CAA had helped with that film, too.

"That explains it. I haven't heard back from them, either. What do you think, Irene? MGM or 20th Century Fox—which would you choose?" Francis left the decision to her.

"MGM." In her previous life, MGM had distributed Legally Blonde, and it had done well at the box office. MGM also had a huge asset like James Bond, so they should be very experienced at promoting a movie with broad appeal like theirs.

"Then MGM it is. We'll send someone over to discuss the details." For them, there wasn't much difference between MGM and 20th Century Fox. Both charged fees within the industry norm.

Meanwhile, MGM's staff were holding a meeting about the film.

MGM hadn't been doing well in recent years. Apart from milking the old James Bond franchise, they'd produced few outstanding films.

Several senior executives from the production and marketing departments sat around the conference table, solemnly leafing through the documents before them.

Acquisitions executive Joyce Jackson sat to one side, lightly tapping a finger on the script titled Legally Blonde. Her eyes burned with enthusiasm.

"Finished reading?" Department head Robert Smith finally broke the silence, lifting his gaze from a report. "This is the project Joyce has been pushing hard. The script has a lot of energy, but the problem is the director." He tapped a thin file on the table, his tone hesitant.

It was a file on the director, Irene Coppola. There were only a few pages, and its contents were quickly exhausted.

"Irene Coppola. Seventeen years old." When Robert read those words aloud, someone in the meeting room let out a nearly inaudible gasp. "Yes, you heard me right. Seventeen, fresh out of high school. This is even her graduation project. She has no experience directing a feature film. Her only experience filming anything is a music video for a singer who just debuted.

"But she comes from a powerful family. She's Francis Coppola's youngest daughter, and Francis is fully financing and backing this film. Joyce, you're proposing that the company put real money into a project and hand it to a child?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Joyce. She took a deep breath and answered calmly.

"I understand your concerns. Yes, this is her first feature film. And she's extremely young—unbelievably young. But please believe me: I've watched the rough cut three times. What I saw wasn't 'a lack of experience.' I saw 'an abundance of talent.'"

She looked around the room and continued, "Every shot in this film is bursting with astonishing energy—the pure sincerity and humor of young people, something our company is sorely lacking right now. It isn't contrived or clichéd.

"Irene Coppola has perfectly captured the confidence and charm of young women today: their desire to improve themselves and their courage to do it in their own way. She understands what young people want to watch and hear, and what makes them laugh. That's instinct, a precious instinct many veteran directors have lost."

A vice president from the marketing department frowned. "The risk is too high, Joyce. We can't wager a multimillion-dollar budget and the company's reputation on the 'instinct' of an underage girl."

"We're not gambling!" Joyce raised her voice. "We're investing in the future! Gentlemen, look at our slate. We're still reminiscing about past glories, but the market has changed. We need fresh blood, new perspectives, voices that can truly speak to a new generation of viewers! Irene Coppola is exactly that kind of voice!"

She picked up the script. "Legally Blonde is the perfect vehicle! It's funny, smart, and uplifting, and it has everything it needs to become a hit. We wouldn't just be signing one film. We'd be signing a potential trendsetter of a talent.

"This is a necessary risk, and an exceptional strategic investment. We can build a long-term, mutually trusting relationship with her before she truly shines. I'm certain that passing on her would become one of our greatest regrets."

The room fell silent again. But this time, the silence held more than doubt; there was a measure of consideration and reflection. Robert's gaze shifted between Joyce's resolute face and the thin file. At last, he spoke slowly.

"Joyce, your passion has convinced me. Perhaps it's time we listened to the younger generation. Contact this director Coppola and arrange a meeting."

At last, a weight lifted from Joyce Jackson's heart. She knew the company was finally going to change.

Both companies were interested in working together, so things moved quickly from there.

In less than a week, MGM and Zoetrope Studios had finalized the distribution agreement.

MGM became the North American distributor for Legally Blonde. It would take 12% of the North American box office and 12% of the revenue from North American television and video rights as its distribution fee, and would have priority for overseas distribution. The promotional and marketing costs it advanced, along with the cost of making prints, would be recouped from the box office first after the film's North American theatrical run ended.

They also settled on a release date: mid-July. There were no major investments set for the weeks immediately before or after, and the films Irene knew of were far from their release date.

The only possible competition was Julia Roberts's Runaway Bride, coming out two weeks later. But since the releases were two weeks apart, everyone felt the films wouldn't have much impact on each other. Irene didn't say anything more.

By the time everything was settled, it was already April, leaving only three months before the release. MGM began a major publicity campaign. They put up plenty of posters offline, and, at Irene's suggestion, started promoting the film online, too. It was probably the precursor to astroturfing.

They even slapped an ad for Legally Blonde onto the end of a trailer for their hit James Bond film. They were leaving no stone unturned.

At the same time, the music video Irene had arranged to shoot for Britney began getting promoted.

The publicity could only benefit both her and Britney. They were represented by the same agent, after all, so drumming up excitement for each other came naturally.