**Bill Mechanic was furious!**
Last year, the movie he championed, *Die Hard 3*, was the box office champion. This year, the movie he promoted, *Independence Day*, was also the box office champion. Who could guarantee that *Titanic* wouldn't surprise the world in 1997?
Bill Mechanic was obsessed with power. He didn't like the feeling of being checked by his subordinates!
*James Cameron cannot be replaced!*
"I still insist..." Bill Mechanic began, but then a sudden flash of inspiration struck him, and for some inexplicable reason, his resolve wavered.
"Bill, are you still insisting on using James?" Tom Rothman asked mockingly.
Bill Mechanic took a deep breath and shook his head. "No, what I mean is... we must maintain our full support for the *Titanic* project."
Tom Rothman's face showed a hint of disbelief. "Bill, do you mean... you agree to change the director?"
Bill Mechanic sighed. "James is too disappointing. Fortunately, the film is just beginning to shoot, so there's still time to fix things."
The people present looked at each other with strange expressions.
Since when did this guy become so agreeable?
Right now, all of America is treating *Titanic* as a joke, but the massive investment has forced Fox Studios to push forward.
There was a one percent chance of betting on James Cameron's success.
Unexpectedly, Bill Mechanic backed down.
"Alright, since everyone agrees to replace the director, let's discuss who would be the best fit to take over *Titanic*?" Tom Rothman seized the opportunity to take control of the meeting.
"I think Spielberg..."
"No, Steve is busy with the sequel to *Jurassic Park*, so he doesn't have time." Jim Gianopulos shook his head. "I think Roland Emmerich is more suitable. *Independence Day*, released this year, grossed $800 million. He has the ability to direct *Titanic*."
"Michael Bay is also good. *The Rock* was well-received."
"Jan de Bont might be more suitable. *Twister* did well at the box office, and it's also a disaster film, which aligns with the theme of *Titanic*."
"Enough!"
Bill Mechanic's face darkened as he shouted. He hated meetings that got out of hand.
He was the CEO of Fox Studios. He was in charge!
"Grant, you mentioned that James fired a set assistant today?"
For some reason, Bill Mechanic's mind was in chaos, as if everything was out of control. He hated this feeling and wanted to reassert his authority as CEO!
"Yes, his name is Dunn Walker. Apparently, he had a little conflict with Kate." Grant Hill was a very diligent producer with a deep understanding of the set.
"Dunn Walker..." Bill Mechanic mused for a moment, then suddenly, an astonishing idea struck him. "I think Dunn Walker is the only person suitable to direct *Titanic*!"
"What?"
Everyone was shocked.
Complete silence!
Grant Hill had his own plans. As long as James lost Bill Mechanic's support, he could control the *Titanic* set.
Jim Gianopulos didn't speak.
Two years ago, he had advocated purchasing the film rights to *X-Men*, *Fantastic Four*, and *Deadpool* from Marvel. He was now raising funds and preparing projects to bring *X-Men* to the big screen.
If the project succeeded and the series of films continued, it would be a huge achievement, enough to advance his career further, especially if Jim Gianopulos made a mistake...
Tom Rothman had been waiting for Jim Gianopulos to make a mistake. He had long been fed up with Bill Mechanic's dictatorship and tyranny. Now that he finally had the chance, why would he help correct it?
As for COO Jack Howard, he was cautious and didn't want to cross Bill Mechanic.
Seeing everyone's silence, Bill Mechanic made the decision. "Since no one objects, it's settled. Send someone to inform James immediately! Also, have Dunn come in tomorrow morning to sign the contract!"
...
Dunn Walker found himself back at Fox Studios, feeling a bit dizzy.
This time, he wasn't going to the studio but to the CEO's office in the headquarters building.
Hearing that it was to sign a contract, Dunn immediately thought of the miraculous vision he had after putting on sunglasses the day before.
"Could this really be true? Could those sunglasses really have a system that cheats in Hollywood?" Dunn felt like his worldview was collapsing, finding it hard to believe.
It wasn't until he entered the CEO's office and saw Bill Mechanic smiling warmly, Grant Hill forcing a smile, and James Cameron with a face as dark as coal that Dunn finally realized everything was real!
"Are you Dunn?"
As soon as Dunn appeared, Cameron questioned him angrily.
Dunn smiled slightly. "Hello, James."
Cameron was furious and shouted, "Bill, what are you doing? You're letting this kid replace me? Do you know this will ruin *Titanic*?"
Bill Mechanic frowned slightly, displeased. "James, calm down! Do you even know what you've been doing as the director of *Titanic*?"
Cameron was well aware of Fox Studios' situation, so he was grateful to Bill Mechanic and prepared to leave at any moment. However, he couldn't bear the thought of being replaced by an inexperienced 18-year-old!
"Bill, I know you've been under a lot of pressure because of me, and I'm grateful. I'm also willing to step down as director. But... we can't destroy this movie!"
Cameron had poured his heart into this film. He began writing the script in 1991 and started preparing the project in 1994. It took two years of preparation before filming officially began.
He loved this project more than anyone, and he didn't want his years of hard work to go to waste.
Bill Mechanic made several downward gestures and sighed. "Calm down, James, calm down. Young Dunn may be a bit young, but I believe he can handle the job."
Dunn seized the opportunity and loudly declared, "Of course! *Titanic* is a great project, and I will do my best to write a great legend for this great project!"
Grant Hill praised, "Well said, young Dunn!"
Bill Mechanic also smiled. "Young man, you have a talent for speechmaking."
Cameron sneered. "No matter how eloquent he is, it won't hide his mediocrity and incompetence as a director!"
Dunn had always respected Cameron, but he couldn't stand his constant provocations. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Mr. Cameron, you say I'm mediocre and incompetent, but tell me, if you continue directing, can you guarantee the project's success?"
The film industry is high-reward but high-risk. Who can guarantee a profit?
"You can't guarantee it, but I can!" Dunn thumped his chest and confidently proclaimed.
Cameron sneered. "You guarantee it? What do you have to guarantee it with? Do you know how big the investment in this project is? To break even, the global box office needs to be at least $500 million!"
At that time, Cameron was only a near-A-list director. Even *True Lies* grossed just over $300 million, so $500 million was still an astronomical figure for him.
"$500 million? Haha!" Dunn laughed dismissively and coldly said, "A mere $500 million? What's that?"
"Kid, you're arrogant!" Cameron shouted.
Bill Mechanic also glanced at him with displeasure and kindly advised, "Young man, it's good to have confidence, but don't boast. It's not good for you."
Dunn didn't care. He was a reborn person. Didn't he even have the capital to brag and act grandiose?
"Mr. Mechanic, you misunderstand. $500 million at the box office... is just a conservative estimate of North American box office alone in my view!" Dunn puffed out his chest, instantly becoming the focus of the office.
"$500 million at the North American box office? What are you talking about?" Cameron was so furious that he laughed. "Who do you think you are? Spielberg? Even Spielberg couldn't reach that number!"
"Spielberg?" Dunn shook his head calmly. "Mr. Cameron, your perspective is too narrow! Is Spielberg a god? Can't he be surpassed?"
"Bill, do you really think this arrogant kid can make *Titanic* a success?" Cameron asked angrily.
Bill Mechanic furrowed his brow, squinting as he stared at Dunn for a long time before finally asking in a deep voice, "You claim the North American box office could reach $500 million, so in your opinion, what could the global box office reach?"
"$1.5 billion is the minimum; $2 billion is the target!"
Dunn's words were powerful, like thunder!
"Good!" Bill Mechanic praised. "I haven't seen such an ambitious young man in many years. The last time I did... it was Steven Spielberg before he made *E.T.*."
Cameron felt a growing sense of foreboding, his face darkening.
"Grant, prepare the contract. There's no time to waste; we'll sign with Mr. Dunn Walker right now!"
"Bill..."
"Enough!" Bill Mechanic waved his hand. "James, this is my decision!"
The decision of the CEO was not to be questioned!
Dunn secretly wiped away a bead of sweat, let out a sigh of relief, and smiled with satisfaction.
He had done it!
He had actually done it!
Magical sunglasses, cheating in Hollywood!
This was going to be huge!
...
According to California's Talent Agencies Act, actors must have an agent present when signing a contract. Directors, who often also serve as producers, are exempt from this rule.
Dunn had usurped James Cameron's directing contract, so his salary would naturally follow Cameron's standards.
A base salary of $5 million, plus 10% of the global box office!
"*Titanic*, here I come."
"Hollywood, I'm here!"
Dunn clumsily signed his name on the contract, his heart shouting with excitement and ambition.
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