I'm in Hollywood

Chapter 261: Wrong Direction

In response to Laura Pena's question, Anniston glanced at Eric, her boyfriend, who indifferently blinked his eyes before approaching the microphone and saying, "I saw a preview of 'Home Alone 2' and this movie is even better than the first one. Macaulay Culkin's performance is still excellent, and Matthew is still so bad, and the other actors' performances are also excellent. So I think this movie should at least be able to achieve a box office of 200 million US dollars."

"Wow, 200 million US dollars, a surprising number, I hope Miss Anniston's words will bring good luck to this film," Laura Pena showed no intention of comparing this movie to last year's 'Home Alone', and then asked, "Oh, by the way, Miss Anniston, I heard that Mr. Matthew Perry, who plays the young stupid thief Marvin, was your former classmate, right?"

"I didn't expect there to be such an interesting anecdote," Laura Pena continued in a tone with a hint of ridicule and provocation, "So, Miss Anniston, you introduced Mr. Matthew Perry to Mr. Williams, aren't you afraid he'll be jealous?"

Anniston's eyes widened upon hearing this question, and she tightened her grip on Eric's arm and said, "How is that possible? If Eric was jealous, he wouldn't have chosen Matthew as Marvin's performer."

After a short interview, the two people walked through the red carpet and entered the movie theater.

After Xiao Niu finished speaking, she really ran away from Eric and deliberately walked towards Matthew Perry, even warmly hugging him.

Eric helplessly shrugged his shoulders and was just about to follow Xiao Niu when Donald Trump, who had previously guest starred, walked over with a smile on his face and greeted Eric from a distance. Donald was accompanied by a blond woman who looked under thirty and was holding a little girl, Ivanka.

"Hey, Eric, long time no see," Donald Trump walked over and warmly hugged Eric, then introduced, "Eric, this is my wife, and Ivanka. Ivanka, this is Eric Williams."

Eric politely shook hands with Ivanka Trump.

At this moment, a crisp little girl's voice sounded out: "Eric, do you remember me?"

"Of course, Ivanka," Eric laughed and reached out, wanting to pinch Ivanka's delicate face, but was met with strong protest from the little girl: "Hey, Eric, you're not allowed to casually pinch a girl's face."

Eric squatted down in front of the little girl and asked with interest, "Why can't I pinch it?"

Ivanka tilted her little head and thought for a while, but couldn't find a suitable reason, and then glared at him fiercely and said, "Anyway, you just can't pinch it."

Eric was just about to continue teasing Ivanka when Anniston walked back and, upon seeing Ivanka Trump, excitedly called out, "Wow, such a pretty little girl, like a doll." Without waiting for Ivanka to react in any way, Anniston reached out and pinched the little girl's face.

"Ah, ah, you adults are so annoying!"

In the midst of Ivanka's frenzied struggles, everyone laughed. Anniston saw that the strange little girl was reacting so intensely and quickly let go, apologetically saying to Ivanka's mother, "Sorry, did I do something wrong?"

"It's nothing, Miss Anniston, Ivanka is usually very well-behaved, she just resists unfamiliar people a bit," Ivana smiled and explained. "Friends" is now well-known and needs no introduction, Ivanka also knows Anniston.

Anniston still looked apologetic and looked at Eric. Eric quickly introduced her, and then the four of them ignored the angry little Lori and started chatting.

"Eric, the words you said at the premiere of "Island of Horror" at the beginning of the month were really domineering. I heard that this movie has already made more than 50 million in box office, and the cost was only 5 million, right?"

"Yes, although the production cost was only five million, the distribution cost is a bit higher."

Donald Trump knows a little about movie distribution and said, "Even so, Firefly is definitely going to make a lot of money. Eric, how much do you think this movie will make in total in box office?"

Anyway, these data are analyzed in full detail in the newspapers, and Eric didn't feel that there was any need for secrecy. He replied, "Conservatively, I'd estimate around 150 million USD in North America. It's hard to say for overseas, but the main overseas box office market is in Europe. With the Venice Golden Lion award and the quality of the film itself, I think overseas might be higher."

Hearing this, Donald Trump's eyes lit up even more. Based on Eric's words, this small-budget film with a production cost of only five million USD is estimated to bring in a profit of around 70-80 million USD for Firefly. This doesn't even include later sales of DVDs and other peripherals. And the upcoming "Home Alone 2" is sure to bring in even more profit. Without even considering Firefly's other upcoming films, just these two films alone will bring Eric at least 200 million USD in cash. Donald Trump is practically going crazy just thinking about cash right now.

Eric noticed that Donald Trump's eyes changed and he sighed inwardly. Although he had not known him for long, Eric had a good impression of the real estate tycoon. However, as a very mature man, Eric knew that he could not allow his personal feelings to influence his actions and he believed that even if Trump was his best friend, he would only be able to offer limited help and not invest a large amount of money into a real estate project that Trump might collapse at any time. In order to prevent Trump from having unrealistic expectations, Eric thought it would be better to be clear. At this time, the staff notified the guests of the premiere that they could enter the screening room. Eric said to Annie, "Annie, can you go to the screening room with Mrs. Trump first? I need to talk to Donald." He did not avoid mentioning the Trumps.

Donald nodded at his wife, and Ivanka was about to take little Ivanka and leave with Anniston when Ivanka broke away from her mother's hand and said seriously, "Mom, you guys go first. I have something to discuss with Eric."

Ivanka sensed that her husband and Eric had something important to talk about, so she pulled on her daughter and said, "Ivanka, don't be naughty. Go with Mommy, and we'll go watch Kevin."

"I'm not interested in that little brat," Ivanka suddenly broke free from her mother's grip and hugged her father's leg tightly, not letting go no matter how her mother tried to pull her away.

In the end, Eric spoke up, "Mrs. Turnbull, let Ivanka stay here. I don't have anything important to say."

Perhaps realizing something, Donald picked up his daughter and nodded at his wife.

Almost everyone had left the rest area when Eric and Donald sat down on a sofa together. The little girl didn't rush to speak either, she blinked her big beautiful eyes and looked between her father and Eric.

Eric organized his words before speaking, "Donald, I have looked into some of the information about your company."

Donald smiled awkwardly and jokingly said, "A mess, right?"

Eric shook his head honestly, "Of course not, according to the normal progress, the few projects you are working on can be completed by next year. Although the real estate industry is not booming, I believe that with your ability, you can definitely make a profit. This is not flattery, I have seen your information. In the late 60s when you were still in college, you operated an apartment project in Cincinnati, Ohio, and earned one million dollars in one year, and also the Hyatt Hotel on 42nd Street in Manhattan, and the skating rink in Central Park."

Donald Trump heard Eric mention some of his past accomplishments with a trace of pride on his face, but quickly remembered his current situation and couldn't help but sigh.

Eric didn't wait for Donald. Trump to speak, and continued: "But, Donald, just like you need money to develop your own business, I also need a lot of money to expand my film company, and even if there is extra money, it is of no use compared to the needs of your several real estate projects."

Donald Trump knew that Eric was telling the truth, nodded his head in acceptance, and smiled: "I understand."

The two of them fell silent for a moment, and Eric suddenly asked again: "Donald, you must have been thinking of ways to raise money during this period of time, right?"

"Well, the bank group that loaned me money has refused to provide me with more funds, so I can only try to find financing from other places. I have already reached out to all the investors I can access during this period, and I even went to Japan with a friend's introduction. Unfortunately, the Japanese have too high an appetite and want to take over the whole project at a very low price, which is not enough for me to repay my debt, so of course I won't agree."

Eric thought for a moment and said, "Donald, perhaps you have been focusing in the wrong direction from the start."