Natalie’s living with us again. She and Jake have had a falling out or they’re taking a break or…I’m not sure. But she’s back. She’s lived with us several times over the past few years but the three of us have a complex relationship and it tends to self destruct. We’ll see how it goes.
Tonight Mel’s dressing as Magdelena and I’m painting my noggin to look like a skull and we’re heading to the Lussiers’ for a costume party.
So on the day of my wife’s birth Patrick and I went in and pitched Mark Gordon. When we got there he was in a meeting with Katie Holmes. Wow is she tall. I always figured she was this tiny creature but she’s barking up six feet.
Near as I could tell, Mark loved the pitch. He love the story and the characters. But he was upfront. He couldn’t see how we could make this flick for less than 80 million. Yes, it’s a movie with a budget. And 80 should be a bargain in today’s market. Patrick was saying we could do it for 40 and perhaps that’s true but I’d rather we acknowledge the expense and never backpeddle. This is the movie and yes it is expensive so let’s go make it.
But the underwater stuff is going to be a problem wherever we go. We may have to hit Lightstorm or Bruckheimer or those we know won’t be frightened off by the water elements.
Josh was utterly bummed. He said he’d call, meet and talk to anyone we wanted to see this thing happen. He said he was in total support of us and I believed him.
And I gotta say, the fella’s got some cojones down there. He’s gone back to his boss with me numerous times. After Mark said “no” to my work once, most execs would keep me away but Josh believes in what he believes in. I admire that. He’s probably the most down to earth exec I’ve met out here.
Tonight, Mel, Natalie and I are hitting the Grove to celebrate her birthday.
Thought about Riddle this morning. It’s just sitting there waiting for Hensleigh to read it but he’s disappeared into “The Punisher” and I don’t expect him to resurface until it’s wrapped.
I’ve one more year on the option then Constintin can either pay me more cash or it reverts back to me. I think the cash is between 75 and 100 to renew the option. I’m thinking I’d sort of like it to come back to me. I think I could turn it into a killer TV series. But we’ll see what happens after Punisher wraps.
I’m a guy, what do you expect? Mel would have preferred I take her to Disney but I’d already said something to Sarah and Natalie. I just called and the hotel is sending chocolate covered straberries to Mel’s room tonight. Her birthday isn’t until next week so I’m sure we’ll do something just the two of us.
The pitch went great. Josh got it. Just like Past Tense. I like this guy cuz we think on the same page. He’s sending it to Mark to read for the weekend.
Mel and I got into one of our classic battles this evening. You get two scorpions in the same bowl they are bound to sting each other. To make amends I booked two nights at Disney’s Californian and confirmed that Sarah and Natalie could go. I’m giving Mel a girls’ weekend at Disney. No Todd involved.