The richest actor in Hollywood.

The things Matthew said earlier were meticulously prepared by Helen Herman, but he also knew that Helen was bluffing. Helen had mentioned to him that this series of novels was not only tacky but also had a ridiculous plot. It had everything: heroes, beauties, villains, money, cars, mansions, love, sci-fi, suspense—essentially, the story of a melancholic young woman meeting a forever young version of Leonardo DiCaprio.

Of course, these were things that couldn't be said aloud, as they would ruin the negotiations with Stephenie Meyer.

Romantic films were no longer the mainstream commercial production, but this series had the potential to make an average actress very popular, indicating there was something special about it.

Matthew summarized one thing: for a psychologically normal young girl, romance was a devil!

Perhaps the Stephenie Meyer across from him also longed for romance, but as a woman in her thirties and a mother of three, she undoubtedly had a very practical side.

So, after offering a romantic vision, he prepared some very practical terms.

"Ms. Meyer," Matthew still looked very sincere. "I really want to work with you. Besides being an actor, I'm also a producer."

He said this without a hint of guilt, as if he really were a qualified producer. "I have a film production studio, and I've had long-term close cooperation with Warner Bros., Walt Disney, and Universal Pictures. I have the capability and strength to adapt a novel into a film."

Christina suddenly interjected, "The project Matthew is currently producing and starring in has a budget of 120 million dollars, with 60 million coming from his studio."

Stephenie Meyer widened her eyes, unable to hide her reaction, as she was just an author and not an actor.

Matthew, however, gave a modest smile and said, "The key is that I can work with top Hollywood companies. Distribution and promotion won't be a problem."

He then mentioned the most practical content. "Ms. Meyer, I really believe in your series of novels. I plan to buy the film rights for 'Twilight,' 'New Moon,' and 'Eclipse,' which have already been published, as well as the fourth book you're currently working on, for no less than ten million dollars!"

"Ten million dollars!" Stephenie Meyer murmured.

This was more than double the offer from Summit Entertainment!

Matthew knew he was racing against time with Summit Entertainment. If they solved their funding issues, they would likely increase their offer, and he would have to pay even more.

"Ten million dollars is just the base price," Matthew continued. "Additionally, as the original author, you can receive a share of the film's profits."

He was talking about backend profit sharing, not a percentage of the initial revenue. Before coming here, he and Helen Herman had agreed that the share would not exceed ten percent, ideally kept below five percent, depending on further negotiations.

Hearing about the high transfer amount and profit sharing, it was hard for Stephenie Meyer not to be tempted.

Christina leaned in and whispered, "As far as I know, the profits from Matthew Horner's films are counted in the billions. Your agency can check this."

Stephenie Meyer became even more intrigued. The conditions were favorable, and they shared a similar vision...

Matthew then added another selling point, "Ms. Meyer, I can assure you one thing! If our collaboration works out, the production budget for the 'Twilight' film adaptation will not be less than... forty million dollars!"

Previously, under various realistic conditions, Stephenie Meyer had repeatedly lowered her expectations. Now, hearing the forty million dollar figure, she felt Matthew's sincerity was genuine.

"I'd like to ask..." she began, "when will the film start shooting?"

After more than half a year of negotiations, she had learned that Hollywood was much more complicated than she had imagined. Recently, she discovered that some Hollywood studios would acquire rights and delay production for a long time.

"Ms. Meyer, you can rest assured," Matthew, being the investor, also wanted to see results quickly. "As long as we finalize our cooperation, I will immediately push this project forward. I can guarantee that this film will be completed within two years."

Stephenie Meyer nodded lightly.

Matthew straightforwardly asked, "Any other questions?"

"Yes," Stephenie Meyer suddenly looked up, her eyes burning as she gazed at Matthew. "Can you play the male lead?"

Hearing this question, Matthew felt an urge to hold his head in his hands, feeling a sense of absurdity. This was like asking Jackie Chan and Jet Li to star in a Qiong Yao drama.

Matthew didn't refuse outright. Instead, he pointed to his face and said, "Ms. Meyer, I'm about to turn twenty-eight. I can't play a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy."

He had never taken the teen idol route, and playing such a role would mean moving backward in his career.

Stephenie Meyer glanced at Matthew and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, that was my oversight."

"No problem," Matthew was very responsible for his investment. "If possible, I could make a cameo in a suitable role."

He chuckled, and Stephenie Meyer laughed too.

Christina nodded slightly. As long as the two of them reached a basic agreement, the rest of the negotiations would be much easier.

After that, Matthew discussed more cooperation details with Stephenie Meyer, showing a lot of sincerity.

They talked for most of the afternoon before ending the meeting.

"Mr. Horner, your proposals are very sincere."

As they said goodbye, Stephenie Meyer shook hands with Matthew and said, "I need some time to think it over and discuss it with my agency. Can you wait for a few days?"

Matthew nodded, "No problem."

The transfer of such significant rights was no small matter, and Stephenie Meyer couldn't make an immediate decision, especially since she had an agency behind her.

Afterward, Stephenie Meyer left the café first. Matthew expressed his gratitude to the publisher's representative, Christina, and then left the café, getting into a nearby car.

"To the hotel," he said to the driver, Brown Williams.

Since Stephenie Meyer was still negotiating with Summit Entertainment, everything had to be done quickly, so the conditions offered were inevitably a bit high, but still within his budget.

The value of the novel's film rights would only increase in the future.

Back at the hotel, Helen Herman was already waiting in the lobby. They immediately went to the lounge to exchange information.

While Matthew was meeting with Stephenie Meyer, Helen Herman was busy contacting Stephenie Meyer's agent.

"It's going relatively well," Matthew said as he sat down, "Stephenie Meyer has expressed interest in working with us."

He looked at Helen Herman across from him. "How about your side?"

Helen Herman said simply, "Overall, it's good. Stephenie Meyer's agency operates mainly in Phoenix and surrounding cities, and has been suppressed in negotiations with Summit Entertainment. They're very tempted by our offer."

Matthew sighed with relief and nodded, "That's good."

"One thing I should remind you of," Helen Herman said directly, "the profits from 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' won't be available until March or April next year. You need to watch your cash flow."

"I know," Matthew was well aware of this.

Helen Herman asked, "You're not planning to sell your Apple stock, are you?"

Matthew spread his hands, "Do you think I'm that stupid?"

Selling off part of his appreciating Apple stock to invest in the riskier film industry would be foolish.

In fact, in the past two years, he had not stopped investing in the stock market, constantly instructing his broker to buy as much Apple stock and Marvel Comics stock as possible.

The former was now very difficult to buy in large quantities, but the latter was still manageable, as the stock price remained depressed with 'Iron Man' yet to be released.

He planned to hold onto these stocks long-term and had no intention of selling.

"Didn't you suggest cross-holding shares with David Ellison before?" Matthew asked. "If we collaborate, we can probably raise the funds."

Helen Herman nodded, "Working with David Ellison will be beneficial for you."

Many things couldn't be simply calculated based on visible circumstances.

Matthew had already discussed with Helen Herman and Amanda the idea of cross-holding shares between Thirteen Studio and Skydance Productions. This would at least strengthen their cooperation, and David Ellison could help relieve his financial pressure.

David Ellison wouldn't get thirty-five percent of Thirteen Studio for free; he would exchange it for a corresponding share in Skydance Productions.

Given their current partnership, it wouldn't be difficult to bring David Ellison into the 'Twilight' project.

Perhaps the conditions were indeed attractive, as Matthew received a call from Stephenie Meyer the next day. They met again, each bringing their agents, and began formal negotiations.

Matthew also called David Ellison, who quickly sent someone to Phoenix to join the negotiations for the 'Twilight' series.

Negotiations involved many aspects and would take time. Matthew didn't stay in Phoenix any longer, informing Stephenie Meyer that Helen Herman would handle everything and returning to Los Angeles.

Since the rights negotiations were going well, he needed to start considering finding a suitable director for the project.

_________________________

[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] 

[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]

[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]