[Chapter 471: Pirates of the Caribbean Begins]
In its second week of release, Tomorrow Never Dies earned $53.74 million in North America, with a two-week cumulative box office of $112 million, becoming the first film in North America to break the $100 million mark in 1998.
However, this week James Bond faced a strong competitor: the disaster movie Deep Impact, produced by Paramount Pictures, which earned $60.7 million across 3,156 theaters in its first week and was expected to surpass $100 million at the box office.
Other films released this week included the romantic comedy The Wedding Singer, a co-production between Guess Pictures and New Line Cinema.
The film tells the story of a wedding singer named Robbie who was left at the altar by his bride, and his plight was sympathized with by a waitress named Julia. The two gradually became friends as they got to know each other. Later, Julia was getting married and invited Robbie to help arrange the wedding. During this time, Robbie discovered that the groom was a playboy with other women on the side. To prevent Julia from marrying the wrong man, he decided to stand up and expose the groom.
The film starred Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler.
The production budget was $18 million.
It grossed $23.91 million in 2,812 theaters in its opening weekend.
The budget was recovered in the first week.
This also demonstrated the high quality of the film and its potential to become a blockbuster.
---
"Link, I heard an interesting piece of news; would you like to hear it?"
That morning, Link came to MGM Studios to check on the progress of the Pirates of the Caribbean props team. Chris Barnes approached with a smile.
"What news?"
Link picked up a few gun props on the table and examined them. Then he heard Chris laugh and say, "Have you been back to that old apartment? I went back to check it out last week. They converted the apartment you used to live in into a hotel. Now it costs $1,000 a night - even more expensive than the presidential suite at the Hilton."
"Using my name for publicity? Maybe I should ask for a cut."
"Haha, you're worth billions now; do you still care about some small money?"
"Of course! No matter how rich I get, I won't turn down extra cash."
Link put down the cannon prop and picked up the captain's tricorn hat.
"I heard you're going to be a father soon?"
"Haha, that's right, Maria is almost three months along, and I'll be a dad in seven months. Every time I think about it, I get excited."
Chris Barnes chuckled.
Chris's wife Maria, a Mexican immigrant three years younger than him, had married him early last year.
Link attended their wedding.
Now, Chris Barnes was considered a successful man with a family and a career.
"It's not easy for a woman to be pregnant. You should spend more time taking care of her at home."
"Got it. I'll make sure to pay attention."
Chris grinned and led him through the prop workshop, explaining how each prop was made and what it was used for.
...
"Hey, Link!"
Johnny Depp, the handsome British actor Orlando Bloom who played the young blacksmith Will Turner, and Geoffrey Rush, who played the first mate of the Black Pearl, walked in and greeted Link politely.
They had come to try on their costumes and familiarize themselves with their character props.
Link responded by holding up a knight's sword and said, "Try the weapon to see if it fits your hand. If you have any feedback, say it right away. The props team will improve it based on your requests."
"Okay!"
Under staff guidance, Depp and the others put on their costumes and practiced with their props.
Link watched and thought it looked pretty good - it would be even better once makeup was applied.
...
While taking some final shots of Depp and the others, Link received a call from the security company with preliminary results on the "stranger stalking" incident.
Last Wednesday, the logistics team intercepted four unidentified individuals and questioned them about their identities and intentions. The four insisted they were paparazzi, following Link to gather news.
The logistics team asked for the media outlets they worked for.
The four claimed to be freelance paparazzi who sold footage to the highest bidder, without long-term contracts with media companies.
However, when the logistics team reviewed their footage, it was poorly shot and of low quality, and no media had accepted their material.
Finding no evidence, the team had to release them.
The security consultant reminded Link to be cautious and pay attention to personal safety on set.
Link replied he didn't mind being followed, but it was troublesome and interfered with daily life and work. Sometimes, when dating girlfriends on location, he had to be very careful to avoid accidents.
Life wasn't as free as before.
But Link understood the downside of being a billionaire and public figure: his privacy rights were more limited.
Public figures, as a special social group with power and status, have their rights exercised with certain public interest restrictions.
The media has the right to report on public figures to satisfy the public's right to know.
If Link wanted to change the situation, he'd have to give up being a director and become a recluse billionaire -- something impossible for him.
So, he accepted the situation and stayed cautious during filming and dating.
...
"Link, several film sets in the Caribbean are ready. When will you start shooting?" asked Mike Statham, executive producer for Pirates of the Caribbean, calling from Cuba.
"Got it. The props team is ready too. We'll head there next week."
Link hung up and called assistant director to notify the crew to fly to the Caribbean next Monday.
---
Before heading to the Caribbean set, Link visited Paris to see Sophie Marceau, Emmanuelle Beart, Julie Delpy, their two young children, and his new girlfriend Marion Cotillard.
After Paris, he flew to Seattle to visit more than a dozen girlfriends recovering in his villa, including Diana, Jennifer Connelly, Brooke Shields, Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, and others.
---
After a busy period caring for his girlfriends, Link took the crew to southern Florida, near the Caribbean Sea, to shoot Pirates of the Caribbean.
The film required many shots and scenes, and shooting was expected to last over three months.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is based on Caribbean folklore.
The Caribbean Sea, located in the western Atlantic Ocean between North and South America, was the main route for European merchant fleets in the 17th century, leading to rampant pirate activity.
Pirates attacked passing merchants and the British Royal Fleet, stealing wealth and leaving behind legends of dark pirates, underwater treasure, mysterious beaches, and the sea monster Kraken.
The story follows Captain Jack Sparrow, who became a lone commander after the pirate ship Black Pearl was stolen by First Mate Barbossa and Jack was imprisoned in a small port town.
After stealing the Black Pearl, Barbossa and his crew looted the Caribbean Sea and ruled as overlords. Barbossa's ambition to gain immortality led to a cursed gold coin.
The curse made Barbossa and his crew turn into skeletons every full moon night and doomed them to a lifeless existence.
Barbossa became more ruthless, attacking Port Royal and kidnapping the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann, because she had the cursed gold coin.
Will Turner, a blacksmith in the town who loved Elizabeth, rescued Captain Jack from prison. Together, Jack and Will chased the Black Pearl with the warship Interceptor.
After several fights, Jack, with Will and Elizabeth's help, defeated Barbossa and recaptured the Black Pearl.
The challenging parts of the movie involved creating unique props, finding suitable locations, and post-production special effects.
Otherwise, the filming was no harder than movies like Batman Forever or Saving Private Ryan.
...
"Cut!"
After finishing a scene, Link called over Johnny Depp to chat.
Captain Jack was the film's core character. Depp's performance could make or break the movie.
Perhaps due to insufficient character study, Depp's portrayal felt awkward and didn't match Link's vision.
Link guided Depp slowly, using words and actions to help him transform into the charming, crazy, and quirky Jack Sparrow.
"Link, is this okay? Will it make the character seem too feminine?"
Johnny Depp frowned, concerned.
Link replied, "Johnny, you're a seasoned actor. In your opinion, what makes a great role? Is it being the lead in a hit movie, winning an Oscar, or being remembered by millions? Tell me what you think."
Depp stroked his fake beard, pondering.
"A great character has a distinct personality and is memorable -- remembered by millions, like Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump."
"Exactly. Throughout film history, many actors have portrayed pirates: some cruel and evil, some brave and honorable.
But few have played a pirate as crazily strange, both good and bad, serious and funny. If you can do that with Jack Sparrow, he'll be the most charming and unforgettable pirate character ever.
Besides, you've had success in similar gothic roles in Tim Burton films. That's why I chose you."
Depp listened, nodded, but still had concerns.
His past roles were handsome, simple, or kind.
Now, playing a sassy and humorous role made him nervous.
Though he was famous and skilled, compared to truly talented actors, he was more an idol actor.
If the role failed or audiences rejected it, like Waterworld and Cutthroat Island, it could harm his career.
"Johnny, trust me and yourself. We can make an epic pirate movie."
Link reassured him.
Depp nodded; Link had directed 16 films in six years without failure, producing many classics successful in box office and reputation.
That gave Depp confidence in the film.
*****
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