HWI 69

Hollywood What If Chapter 69(Noice)

June 28, 1996. Friday. 

Film companies usually released their movies on Thursday around midnight so it was basically part of Friday. 

When the movies were released and the midnight results showed, film companies would start to plan how they would continue the publicity. After all, publicity was the biggest part of a successful movie. 

Even the Blair Witch Project had very good publicity despite the horrible production. Perhaps one of a kind. Every people in the advertising department took the Blair Witch Project as a well-created public stunt. Almost no one could replicate it. 

However, that was not the topic. Warner Bros decided to follow Kazir's plan to use his scandal to hype up The Hangover.

Because of it, many people showed up to watch the premiere night and it caused huge results. 

7.86 million dollars was a huge amount, especially when it was just the premiere night. 

Even the other companies heard the news. 

In the office of Universal Pictures, Ronald Meyer was waiting for the results of The Nutty Professor. 

The Nutty Professor was one of their movies this year and it had a huge investment. It had a $55 million production cost. 

Of course, being the CEO of Universal Pictures, Ronald Meyer had to take the importance of the movie.

That was the reason why he didn't hesitate to collaborate with Disney to smear Kazir's reputation. It was always because of money. 

Just like The Hangover, The Nutty Professor was released around midnight. 

"Sir, this is the result." The secretary showed up. 

Ronald Meyer accepted the papers and read the statistics. He knew that these numbers were just the basis and this amount could change. 

"... 4.23 million."

"Congratulations, sir."

He sighed a relief. This amount was already good for the midnight result. To be honest, he was expecting lower. 

"What about The Hangover?"

Of course Ronald Meyer didn't forget about the movie that he smeared on. 

"Sir... This is the result of The Hangover. Please, excuse me."

Knowing that Ronald Meyer might berate him, the secretary left the office.

Ronald Meyer touched the documents. He was stunned when he read the numbers. 

"Is this even possible? 7.86 million dollars!?"

He almost stood up because of shock. He was not a stranger to the plot of The Hangover because Salvatore Barlowe sent Universal Pictures a copy of the script. 

"This kind of vulgar comedy that has profanities has 7.86 million dollars? You got to be kidding me?"

However, the reality was often disappointing. The truth about The Hangover was just getting started. 

Ronald Meyer massaged his forehead. He felt like everything he did to destroy Kazir's career was useless. 

"... I heard he wants to sell his script."

Ronald Meyer called his secretary.

"Give me the copy of Teddy Bear."

Ronald Meyer was not interested in the script because he knew that he had to find a teddy bear company to solve patent issues. Unless Universal Pictures was interested in making a teddy bear stuff toys and making their own teddy bear.

"Yes sir." Despite being late at night, the secretary decided to call the workers in the script library. 

Ronald Meyer was not interested. However, if the profit was much bigger than the expenses, Ronald Meyer would not hesitate. 

.........

......

...

Just like Universal Pictures, the other film companies were shocked when they learned the result of The Hangover.

"Sigh, it will probably collide with Independence Day next week."

Tom sighed and leaned against his chair. As the CEO of 20th Century Fox, he was looking over Kazir's situation with utmost seriousness. 

Kazir Grey was the director of Napoleon Dynamite and Tom Rothman was eager to cooperate with him again. Regarding the scandal, with the help of News Corporation, he was confident in resolving it. 

"I should have agreed to his conditions."

He weakly muttered. This was the exact feeling he had when he realized that Se7en was successful, he regretted the fact that he didn't cooperate with Kazir. Still, there was always a second chance. Especially now that Kazir's name was cleansed. 

"If he doesn't like filming sequels, maybe we can cooperate with other projects."

.........

......

...

After the midnight results of The Hangover showed up, the next day arrived. 

June 28, 1996. Friday. The Hangover grossed $16.73 million. 

June 29, 1996. Saturday. It made another $15.05 million. 

June 30, 1996. Sunday. The Hangover earned $13.18 million. 

Combined, the movie earned $44.97 million in just three days. 

This was the power of hyping a topic to gain attraction. Many people would be interested to watch the movie. Especially if the movie was funny and entertaining. 

As for The Nutty Professor that Universal Pictures released, it earned $25.41 million in its first three days. It was a very successful movie. But because of The Hangover, it only got second place for the week. 

Obviously, the box office champion of the week was The Hangover. 

"Congratulations, Kazir."

While attending the party for Twister, many actors and actresses greeted Kazir on their own accord. 

These past few days, almost nobody wanted to talk to him because he was a "wife-beater". But the success of The Hangover erased that stigma. 

Now, almost all of the actors and actresses wanted to talk to him. Especially small-time actresses, who wanted to "talk" to him to deepen their friendship. 

'... Is that Angelina Jolie? Even Julia Roberts is here. Oh, and Halle Berry too.'

Kazir found some famous actresses at the party. Some of them were still unknown but their careers would blossom in the next decade.

"Who are you looking at?"

Reese Witherspoon was next to him and asked. 

"Nothing. I'm just wondering that the special effects of Twister probably cost a lot."

He replied. 

He knew when to be honest and not. As much as possible, he wanted less trouble. 

"By the way... When can you help me act for my audition?"

"How about later?"

"Fufu, okay. Let's have some fun at the party first."

Reese giggled and hugged his arm.