[Chapter 4: The Toughness of Twentieth Century Fox]
The cast, crew, and producers all had high hopes for the film. They intended to use this premiere to ignite anticipation among movie fans ahead of its full release. However, all that was thrown off by an unexpected fiasco.
During the screening, Will Smith, director Roland Emmerich, and the distributors were visibly uneasy. Nobody could focus on the movie itself. Benjamin, the distribution manager at Twentieth Century Fox, tried several times to get in touch with Will, but the actor was overwhelmed dealing with his girlfriend Jada.
So Benjamin quietly discussed the issue with Dean Devlin, the producer of Independence Day. Devlin was even more anxious than Benjamin. "I'm sorry, but it seems we had a casting problem. Hopefully it won't hurt the box office," he said. Benjamin frowned. "Independence Day isn't just any movie. If its lead actor gets embroiled in a scandal, it could seriously damage the film's performance. Will and Jada's relationship has been widely publicized before."
Devlin understood the implications. This was a patriotic movie celebrating America, with many stakeholders and also some who wished it to fail. "During filming, there was no news. We have contracts ensuring Will is different from any ordinary African American actor," Devlin said thoughtfully.
Benjamin was displeased with that excuse. "Now's not the time to assign blame. We need solutions! I'll contact William McCarny to get News Corporation involved to suppress the scandal as much as possible. Luckily, we still have time - the nationwide release is July 2."
"Right," Devlin breathed a sigh of relief.
If Charlie were there, he would have been glad to tell Benjamin that he had intentionally left plenty of time to manage the fallout. He just wanted to stir up a little publicity, not to kill Independence Day outright.
As distribution manager, Benjamin was used to dealing with all kinds of people and vaguely sensed Charlie's "generosity". When the screening ended, he abruptly canceled the rest of the premiere events and seriously rushed the principal creatives over to the Fox building in Century City.
...
"Will, you signed contracts hundreds of pages long! Now, I need to know exactly what happened at the premiere! Listen, I don't want you hiding anything," demanded William McCarny, president of Fox Film Entertainment, slamming his hands on the conference table.
Will grimaced and admitted, "I met that woman at a party -- an accidental drunken encounter. Uh, we saw each other a few more times later. I didn't realize she had a camera."
Jada immediately burst out, "You lying bastard! You said you only met her once!"
McCarny waved his hand impatiently. "I'm not interested in your domestic drama. Will, focus! Did you ever say anything discriminatory about your own people?"
Will frowned, eyes shifty, thinking hard. "I--I don't know."
Seeing Jada's fury and the executives' looks, Will quickly tried to explain, "Maybe I got a little carried away once. After I got famous, some annoying people I didn't even know showed up, making outrageous demands."
Jada glared daggers at him.
The Fox executives looked indifferent. Given the existence of intimate photos, they assumed the rising Black star had said such things and had it documented. He came from a well-off background, more like a white middle-class kid, so it wasn't surprising psychologically.
But as the Black representative in Independence Day's all-American story, such a scandal was unacceptable. The memory of the Los Angeles riots four years ago was still fresh. This was supposed to be a unifying film, not one that fueled division. That would be a massive joke.
The box office was one thing, but more importantly, it would affect the parent company News Corporation itself.
Charlie had unintentionally hit a nerve. He didn't know the complex backstory and had grabbed them by the throat. But it also meant the storm was about to rage harder.
...
McCarny, fully aware of the complexities, had started an investigation the moment he heard the news.
The conference room door opened and a female assistant came in with some documents. McCarny waved her over to distribute the files to the executives while he quickly skimmed them.
The information was concise and comprehensive, covering Charlie, Alicia, and others' basic histories. The power of the large conglomerate was obvious.
Soon, Benjamin looked up. "Sir, preliminary assessment suggests there's probably no powerful adversary behind this scandal."
The chubby production manager scoffed, "Just a call girl and a street thug with a family gang background tied to mafia and other groups. They're bold but only causing minor trouble."
The room's dark cloud lifted; the mood lightened.
McCarny smiled cautiously, "Maybe it's not that simple. That reckless, shameless punk might be releasing a book. Seems like he wants more than just money."
Benjamin said, "The key is the call girl. Handle her and it's all over."
"Exactly," McCarny said hopeful, standing up, "Draw up a plan. I'll report to Mr. Murdoch immediately."
...
In his office, William McCarny made a brief call, "That's the situation. It doesn't look like a hard case to fix."
"Good, take care of that nuisance quickly," Murdoch replied without even asking Charlie's name. To Murdoch, small players weren't worth his precious energy.
Before hanging up, McCarny caught words like "congressman" but didn't care much, hurrying back to discuss with his team. Everyone thought it was all settled.
No one believed small fry could stir a real storm.
The mighty Hollywood giant Twentieth Century Fox, backed by News Corporation, easily and temporarily suppressed the story.
...
Early next morning, as expected, not a word appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, or even The Hollywood Reporter. Nationwide cable and broadcast TV channels stayed silent.
Only some low-tier tabloids ran the story -- in particular, the daily from the Beverly Star Weekly group, where Etto worked, featured a large photo on its front page. But those rags had little influence or credibility, mostly gossip fodder.
In Lamont's South LA home, Etto rushed in with heaps of newspapers, venting, "Fuck, the media's all controlled by Fox -- damn capitalists!"
"Right, a bunch of bloodthirsty vultures only care about their interests," Lamont agreed.
Alicia nervously phoned, "What do we do? Will they be ruthless? We have no leverage. I regret trusting the media's sense of justice. What's Charlie's plan?"
Clearly, she was discouraged and wanted to retreat at the first setback.
Etto reassured her, "Don't worry, the news won't be suppressed forever. Fox can't keep it down. Charlie's working on it."
...
Judy, who somehow got the scoop, and Locke, who kept following the case, both messaged Charlie.
"Son, you're picking a fight with Hollywood's giants. If you want to make it here, that's not smart."
"Charlie, you must be very disappointed. Those big companies are tough. I suggest you cut your losses. I really admire you. When the publisher's done with Raymond's book, we might slowly try promoting you."
Nobody expected Charlie to win a battle with Fox.
Even the scolded literary agent called, sounding influenced by Fox. "Charlie, we had misunderstandings yesterday. Look, just give up..."
"Go to hell!" Charlie snapped harshly, then saw activity across the street and hurried back inside.
...
Etto pointed to the phone and said Alicia was emotionally unstable.
Charlie grabbed the phone and threatened and coaxed, "Calm down, honey. I see Fox has sent people downstairs. They might try to bribe you or promise you a movie, but it's all lies. I'm the one who really wants what's best for you -- I'll make you a star! Don't trust them or sign anything. Remember, we have another important card to play. Do you trust me? If you betray me, you know what I'm capable of!"
"I... I know. I think I trust you," Alicia said shakily.
...
After hanging up, Charlie grabbed his bag and a newspaper, ready to head out. "Lamont, go watch her closely across the street. Etto, take your camera and cause them trouble."
"Yes, Godfather!"
They showed no hesitation.
Lamont, restless and eager, saluted and said, "Boss, should we get Ophir? I heard Jada's tight with Tupac."
Charlie paused. He'd vaguely remembered that name -- some big-time gangsta rapper. He shook his head. "No. He's a hassle; I don't think he'd back Jada. Don't worry about my safety. I'm not bringing Mord to follow me to fight. Just follow my orders."
...
The group left the building and bumped into Benjamin and his Fox entourage still at the entrance.
"Charlie Corleone?" Benjamin blocked his path, eyeing the big guy. "I know what you're trying to do. Listen, this is Fox's one-time goodwill offer: $20,000 and I want a nondisclosure agreement signed ASAP."
Charlie laughed loudly, shaking his finger, "Sorry, don't know you. Get back to work!"
Watching him drive away, Benjamin and his team were grim.
...
"Who are these guys?" Lamont grimaced.
A young man stepped forward, suppressing disgust. "Hello, I'm Mr. Smith's agent, delivering a subpoena related to your sister's defamation case."
The threat didn't phase Lamont, who didn't understand legal talk and remained hostile. "Come with me upstairs."
*****
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