Hollywood: titanic director

Dunn had never paid much attention to Cameron's project. He hadn't even glanced at the script. But like Cameron, he was looking forward to their second collaboration. 

Especially now, with Disney constantly targeting him! 

Dunn took a deep breath, locking eyes with Cameron. "James, I can meet all your budget demands. But in return, I hope you'll agree to one condition of mine." 

Cameron sat up straight. "What's the condition?" 

Dunn's lips curled slightly, but instead of answering right away, he chuckled. "By the way, have you guys heard? Disney's investing in a big World War II film called Pearl Harbor. Jerry Bruckheimer's producing, and Michael Bay's directing." 

As Hollywood veterans, Cameron and Bill Mechanic were well aware of such major news. 

Cameron smirked with a hint of disdain. "You mean that film they're hyping up as a so-called epic to rival Titanic?" 

Bill Mechanic laughed heartily. "Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay are a golden duo, aren't they? They've churned out a string of box-office hits that critics love. A little ambition is only natural." 

Dunn's expression turned mocking. 

Why did Pearl Harbor bomb so spectacularly in North America? Because from the moment it was greenlit, through filming and promotion, it was constantly compared to Titanic. It was an ambitious film, no question. 

In many ways, it tried to mirror Titanic. 

Take the runtime—both films clocked in at over three hours. The plot? Both leaned heavily on romantic love stories. The special effects? Both aimed for an immersive, lifelike feel. 

But Michael Bay was no James Cameron! 

Pearl Harbor's romance was dull and outdated, and its war scenes lacked depth. Thirty minutes of planes bombing ships, relentless explosions, bodies strewn everywhere, and sheer panic—it was nothing but a horrifying slaughter. It failed to move or entertain audiences. 

No doubt about it, Pearl Harbor was Hollywood's biggest joke of 2001! 

Now, Dunn's arrival had changed history. Cameron, unable to take his Titanic profits and go explore the ocean depths, was back to making another film. 

Dunn didn't mind using Cameron's talent to teach the arrogant Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Bay, and their backer, Disney, a lesson! 

"Disney's investment in Pearl Harbor is more than double Titanic's budget, and they're banking on it big time. If all goes as planned, it'll hit theaters next May." 

Bill Mechanic seemed to catch Dunn's drift. "You're saying… we should go head-to-head with Pearl Harbor?" 

"Exactly!" Dunn snorted coldly. "I said earlier—Disney's films won't get a free pass from now on! James, didn't you just back me in standing up to Michael Eisner? So, are you in? Will you stand with me?" 

Cameron frowned, looking conflicted. 

"You're not willing?" 

"Huh? No, you've got it wrong." Cameron waved his hand dismissively. "I'm a director. Disney's clout doesn't scare me. It's just… the timeline feels too tight." 

Dunn couldn't help but laugh. "James, come on, that's a bit dramatic. It's only late June now. You've got nearly a year until next May!" 

Cameron grimaced. "This project—I've been planning it since '98, two full years of preparation. I don't want to rush it and end up with a film that's less than stellar." 

Dunn glanced at Bill Mechanic. "What's the production department's budget estimate?" 

Bill Mechanic replied, "120 million, but Jamie's been pushing for 150 million. He's come to me about it multiple times." 

Dunn waved his hand decisively. "James, do this for me, alright? I'll greenlight the budget—200 million dollars!" 

"How much?" 

Even James Cameron, no stranger to big projects, was stunned, his mouth agape. 

200 million dollars! 

That was, without question, the highest budget ever for a single Hollywood film! 

Before this, Titanic, which Dunn had taken over, cost 165 million, with a budget of 150 million. The Star Wars films? Around 120 million each. Even Pearl Harbor, which Disney was touting as a Titanic rival, had a budget of just 140 million. 

"Dunn!" Bill Mechanic sounded anxious. 

Dunn raised a hand. "Bill, trust me. And trust James. Let me make this clear one more time: this film must hit the May slot next year!" 

Cameron took a sharp breath. 

A bigger budget meant bigger pressure. 

Bill Mechanic knew Dunn's resolve and sighed, chuckling as he looked at Cameron. "Jamie, you gonna say no?" 

"I…" 

"Come on, Dunn's laid it all out. Turning him down now wouldn't be very friendly." Bill Mechanic reminisced slowly. "I remember when you made Titanic. Wrapped filming in late March and had it in theaters by mid-July, right?" 

Cameron gave a wry smile. "Yeah, thanks to you. You'd just joined Fox, eager for a big win, and pushed me to speed up post-production. I went over 70 hours without sleep at one point!" 

Bill Mechanic laughed, then sighed. "You know Dunn's temper. And you know Disney's been playing dirty behind the scenes. He needs to let off some steam. You'll help him, right?" 

Cameron glanced at Dunn, seeing the hope in his eyes. How could he say no? 

"James, it'll be tough, but do it for me, okay?" 

With Dunn putting it like that, Cameron couldn't refuse without looking ungrateful. He took a deep breath, a sharp determination flashing across his face. "Fine, let's move fast! I'll hold auditions within three days. Dunn, come help me out. I'll aim to start shooting by late July!" 

"Deal!" 

Dunn clapped his hands, brimming with excitement. 

Dunn finally flipped open the script for Cameron's new film. The title was intriguing—The Unnamed Maritime Rescue Project. 

The script was a whopping 210 pages! 

It rivaled Titanic in scope. 

In Hollywood, a standard rule of thumb is that one script page equals one minute of screen time. Even with some cuts in post-production, this film was looking at two and a half, maybe even three hours! 

Dunn settled in and read slowly, eager to see what kind of story Cameron had been crafting for over two years. 

It was based on a true event. 

In the winter of 1952, an oil tanker en route to Boston hit a massive storm, splitting the ship and threatening to sink it. The crew sent a distress call to the Massachusetts Coast Guard. 

The storm at sea was like a grim reaper, radiating terror. 

Forget Coast Guard boats—even naval warships couldn't safely set out! 

The Coast Guard debated fiercely. Many believed launching a rescue in those conditions was suicide. But a young man named Bernie Webber made a bold choice. He led four Coast Guard members in a wooden lifeboat with a faulty engine, bravely setting out. 

During the rescue, their unassuming 36-foot wooden motorboat faced towering waves, nearly capsizing twice. At one point, Bernie Webber closed eyes, leaving it to fate. 

Yet, a miracle happened. They broke through the waves and reached the tanker. 

But then came another challenge. 

The Coast Guard boat was designed to carry only 12 people, including the four crew members. 

The tanker had… 32 people. 

With the tanker moments from sinking and no second chances, Bernie Webber made a daring, heroic decision: take everyone aboard and head home together! 

If they lived, they'd live together. 

If they died, they'd die together. 

In the end, Bernie Webber and his team battled freezing, pitch-black seas and relentless waves, overcoming countless obstacles to reach safety. 

Bernie Webber and his four crew members were awarded the federal government's highest honor, the Gold Lifesaving Medal. 

It was a gripping, inspiring story. 

Even through the pages, Dunn could feel the peril, the obstacles, and the brush with death the rescuers faced. 

The string of miracles represented the beauty of humanity, the essence of courage, and the greatest advocacy for valor. 

This was a true story, and the personal heroism it showcased couldn't be praised enough. It was worlds apart from the action-hero antics of Bruce Willis in the Die Hard series. 

And… it was a disaster film. A shipwreck disaster film. 

Dunn suddenly thought of Titanic. 

To his surprise, he realized the two films shared a deeper connection. 

Titanic was a shipwreck tragedy, where hundreds of lives were lost, including the male lead, leaving behind a poignant, heartbreaking love story. 

It was moving but filled with regret that left countless audiences in tears. 

This new film was also about a shipwreck. Yet, after Bernie Webber faced countless trials, he achieved redemption, pulling off a miracle with a broken wooden Coast Guard boat when everyone thought it impossible. 

Titanic's director might have been Dunn in name, but its true soul was James Cameron. 

After the tragic shipwreck of Titanic, Cameron wanted to counter that sorrow with a miraculous rescue. 

Dunn suddenly understood Cameron's vision, his passion, and his heartfelt intent. 

And… next year was 2001. The year of 9/11. 

What kind of inspiration would a film like this bring to the American people? 

After reading the script, Dunn could already see the film's box-office potential soaring. 

As for the title, Dunn's lips curved into a slight smile. He'd already thought of the perfect name for Cameron. 

He picked up a pen, scratched out The Unnamed Maritime Rescue Project, and wrote a new title next to it—The Finest Hours! 

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