Chapter 110: Forced to Leave
Burbank — The Walt Disney Studios Headquarters
Inside Jeffrey Katzenberg's office.
"Dawnlight bought Pixar?"
Katzenberg's surprise was genuine. Pixar was, after all, a studio known more for its losses than its profits. What on earth would Dawnlight want with a money-burning animation house?
His assistant nodded quickly.
"Aaron Anderson moved fast — the deal cost around forty million dollars. From what I've heard, Steve Jobs was… well, pushed out."
Katzenberg frowned, thoughtful.
"So Anderson's planning to move into animated features?"
The assistant shrugged helplessly.
"I'm not sure, but Pixar's already canceled their deal with us. Maybe Dawnlight really does plan to produce its own animated films."
Katzenberg leaned back, shaking his head slowly.
"Producing an animated feature isn't like live-action. The planning, the rendering, the postwork — it takes years. Pixar might have talent, but making their first feature-length film? That's going to be a long, painful road."
He stared out the window toward the studio lot.
"They have no idea what they're getting into…"
---
New York City — The Pierre Hotel, Manhattan.
Aaron Anderson sat across from producer Gary Foster and director Nora Ephron, the table between them scattered with script pages.
They were deep in discussion over a new romantic comedy: Sleepless in Seattle.
"Tom Hanks?" Nora raised an eyebrow at the mention, thinking it over. "He's definitely in the romantic comedy lane, but…"
Gary Foster jumped in.
"Last year, he and Meg Ryan did a romance — barely anyone noticed. And his dramatic turn in The Bonfire of the Vanities? Total disaster."
Aaron chuckled.
"Exactly my point. Who in their right mind thought Tom Hanks could play a villain? Bonfire was doomed from the casting alone."
He leaned forward, speaking with conviction.
"Since Pretty Woman, everyone's been trying to cash in on the romance boom — but most of these scripts are garbage. Lazy, formulaic patchwork jobs."
He tapped the pages lightly.
"This one's different. It has sincerity — real heart. Nora, send the script to Tom Hanks. I want him to read it personally."
Nora nodded. "Of course. I'll reach out tomorrow."
Aaron turned to Gary.
"Since the script's ready, let's move straight into pre-production. Don't worry about the money — funding will be in place soon."
Gary nodded, reassured.
Sleepless in Seattle would be distributed by TriStar Pictures (a Sony subsidiary), but Aaron still needed to sit down with Mike Medavoy to finalize the revenue split. That, however, would have to wait until Ghost premiered.
---
That evening, back at the hotel, Nicole Kidman returned from an ABC Television promotional shoot for Ghost.
Curled up against Aaron on the bed, her tone was animated and warm.
"Sony's really pushing Ghost. They're giving it prime coverage — interviews, TV spots, everything!"
Aaron smiled, tracing a hand down her back.
"How could they not? Kevin Costner's the lead — that alone guarantees attention."
He exhaled softly, his expression calm but confident.
"And besides, all that positive buzz from Cannes? It's the perfect setup. Once this film hits theaters, everyone will be watching us."
Nicole tilted her head, grinning.
"Us?"
Aaron smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
"You, me, and Dawnlight. The industry just doesn't know it yet — but our real game is only beginning."
Nicole Kidman propped her chin on Aaron's chest, her golden hair brushing his skin.
"So… Sleepless in Seattle starts filming soon?"
Aaron smiled faintly.
"If everything goes as planned, yes. I'm locking in Tom Hanks for the lead — you remember him from Penny Marshall's Big?"
He gave her a look that was half serious, half teasing.
"It's a romantic comedy — lighter tone, a lot of humor. Not quite the same as Ghost. When we start production, you'll need to adjust your performance a bit."
He wasn't wrong. Ghostwas a dramatic fantasy romance; Sleepless in Seattle was breezier, more whimsical.
At this stage, Nicole Kidman was still a Hollywood newcomer — talented and flexible, but without a fixed image yet. In a few years, she'd be the very definition of elegant drama; no one would ever think to cast her in a straight-up comedy.
Nicole grinned playfully.
"Hmm? But you just said I'm versatile. That I'm dedicated. That I work harder than anyone you've met."
Aaron chuckled, eyes closing as he pulled her closer.
"I did say that. But it's late. Sleep now."
Because honestly, after what had just happened between them, his mind wasn't capable of much else.
Nicole giggled.
"It's the weekend. We don't have to get up early."
Aaron sighed, running a hand down her bare back.
"Young people — always thinking about one thing. You should rest. You'll need energy for the real work ahead. The promo tour's going to wear you out."
Ghost was only a week from release, and the upcoming wave of press events would be relentless.
Then, in a teasing whisper, she leaned close to his ear.
"Aaron… do you think I should get a boob job?"
Aaron froze.
"What? Why would you even think that?"
She shrugged.
"I don't know… everyone in L.A. talks about it."
He shook his head, amused and exasperated.
"Forget it. It's bad for your health — and you don't need it. Trust me."
---
The next morning, New York City erupted in noise and color.
A massive parade rolled through Broadway, celebrating America's victory in the Gulf War.
Troops fresh from Iraq marched proudly down the avenue as crowds waved flags, tossed confetti, and cheered from both sides of the street.
"Wow," Nicole breathed, eyes wide. "It's huge!"
Aaron, standing beside her near Times Square, stroked his chin.
"Two days ago, it was in D.C. Now it's here. Biggest parade since World War II."
Nicole blinked in awe.
"No wonder they said nearly three million people showed up."
Aaron snorted softly.
"They think this means prosperity. As if a foreign war fixes the economy."
He shook his head, watching the confetti flutter down.
"They're cheering now — but wait until they see the defense budget drain their paychecks. Then we'll see how loud they sing."
He glanced at Nicole.
"Come on. The country's broke and they're throwing a parade. What a joke."
He couldn't help but laugh inwardly — already imagining the protests that would follow once layoffs and inflation hit.
---
Back in Los Angeles, the final numbers were in:
Boyz n the Hood had wrapped its North American box office run at $57 million.
Columbia Pictures owed Dawnlight around $2.3 million in residual payments — not a huge sum, but Aaron never shorted his people.
He kept half a million for studio operations and distributed the remaining $1.8 million as bonuses:
Director John Singleton
Producer Quentin Tarantino
Jack Wells
Actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube
The film's production budget had been only $5.5 million, plus another $7 million for marketing — a total cost of roughly $12.5 million.
The profit margin was beautiful — especially when factoring in home video and TV licensing rights.
Lying in the bathtub later that evening, Aaron stared up at the ceiling, smiling faintly.
"Next month, Silence of the Lambs will finish its run too. The final payout should come in soon…"
He exhaled, imagining the numbers stacking up — cash flow, influence, expansion. Dawnlight was no longer just an indie studio; it was becoming a player.
Then—
"Aaron!"
Nicole's voice rang from the doorway. He turned his head — just in time to see her step into the bathroom, completely unclothed, the soft glow of light tracing her silhouette.
Aaron blinked.
"…You really don't waste time, do you?"
Nicole smirked.
"Didn't you say young people should get some rest?"
He laughed, pulling her toward him.
"You're impossible."