Chapter 153 – A Sinister Idea
"What do you mean the North American distribution rights for The Crying Game have already been sold?"
In Manhattan, New York, inside Miramax's offices, Harvey Weinstein stared in disbelief.
He hadn't thought much of the Neil Jordan–written and directed drama at first. But after seeing the finished film, his opinion had changed completely.
Bob Weinstein shrugged.
"Dawnlight Pictures took the North American rights. Four million dollars."
"And they promised to actively campaign for the film during awards season—including the Oscars."
At the current exchange rate—roughly 1:1.8 pounds to dollars—The Crying Game had cost under £2.5 million to make, or about $4.5 million.
Dawnlight's $4 million upfront offer, combined with their awards push, simply couldn't be beaten.
Harvey slammed his palm against the desk.
"So Stephen Woolley and Neil Jordan just trust Dawn that much?"
Bob could only smile helplessly. Compared to Dawnlight's financial muscle—and their ownership stakes in landmark theater chains—Miramax simply wasn't in the same league.
---
Los Angeles, Wiltern Theatre.
At the premiere of Sleepless in Seattle, director Nora Ephron and stars Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman were busy taking questions from the press.
Backstage, Aaron turned to Don Steel.
"Jonathan Demme wants Tom Hanks for Philadelphia, right?"
Don nodded.
"Yes. We've talked preliminarily. Hanks is very interested."
"He's spent years doing comedies," she continued.
"He's eager to tackle something serious."
Aaron pursed his lips thoughtfully.
"He's also my pick for Forrest Gump."
"Go talk to Robert Zemeckis," Aaron added.
"Tell him Dawnlight wants him to develop Forrest Gump."
The novel still needed to be fully adapted into a workable script.
"Understood," Don replied.
"Oh—The Mask of Zorro script draft that Ridley Scott commissioned has been approved. He's already exchanged ideas with Kevin Costner."
"Good," Aaron said.
"We need Costner to play Zorro."
At this point, Kevin Costner was box-office gold.
Upon release, Sleepless in Seattle opened with $17.2 million, drawing glowing reviews.
The premise was simple:
A young boy acts as matchmaker between his widowed father and a woman rethinking her engagement.
Nora Ephron crafted a modern fairy-tale romance, heavily inspired by the 1950s classic An Affair to Remember. Some scenes were clear homages.
---
Inside Dawnlight Pictures' conference room, Aaron met with Jonathan Demme and the core creative team to finalize Philadelphia.
A $25 million budget was more than sufficient—especially with Demme now an Academy Award–winning director.
"Tom Hanks is locked," Demme said.
"But we still haven't cast the supporting male role—the defense attorney. It's a major part."
Aaron tapped his fingers against the table, then smiled.
"Since the lead is an AIDS patient, a gay man… why not cast a Black actor as the supporting lawyer?"
AIDS. Homosexuality. A Black lead supporting role.
The conversation alone would generate enormous attention.
After letting the room absorb the idea, Aaron continued:
"Denzel Washington would be perfect. He won Best Supporting Actor for Glory just two years ago."
Demme nodded thoughtfully.
"Denzel Washington… yes."
---
With its critical reception soaring, Sleepless in Seattle crossed $43 million in just ten days, against a production budget of only $20 million.
Meanwhile, Indecent Proposal reached $85 million, continuing its overseas rollout.
---
That night, inside a private lounge at a luxury club in West Hollywood, Aaron leaned back on the sofa, Monica Bellucci resting against him.
He kissed her lightly.
"You've read the Philadelphia script. I want you to play the wife."
"You'd be the first major supporting female role."
In Philadelphia, the emotional core centered on two male lawyers—but the wife's quiet strength and loyalty were equally vital.
Monica was genuinely thrilled.
This would be her first serious dramatic role in Hollywood—one that relied on emotion, not physical display.
Playing the wife of a gay man dying from AIDS was a challenge—and a turning point.
She smiled, eyes bright.
"Thank you, Aaron."
Monica wrapped her arms tightly around the man's neck and kissed him softly.
"I've submitted myself to so many auditions," she said quietly,
"but I haven't gotten a single callback."
"Back in Italy, it's always the same kind of scripts—
I'm there to be sexy, to take my clothes off."
Feeling the warmth and fullness of the woman in his arms, Aaron closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the softness against him.
"For now, just focus on building experience," he said calmly.
"Even small roles in Hollywood help you grow."
"One good script—just one—and your name will spread everywhere."
Monica nodded.
"I'll listen to you."
"I'm not picky about roles," she added softly.
"And I don't really mind showing my body. Europe is far more open about that than Hollywood."
Aaron lifted her chin with two fingers and smiled faintly.
"My woman doesn't need to take those kinds of explicit erotic roles.
Do you really want to become a symbol of nothing but sensuality?"
Even as he said it, Aaron couldn't help feeling a trace of irony.
Whether it was Sophie Marceau or Monica Bellucci, both had appeared in plenty of such films in Europe.
As for Nicole Kidman—she had revealed plenty during her early Australian career too.
But now? That was long behind her.
"It's because I don't really have a choice," Monica said honestly.
"Those scripts sell my body—that's their only selling point."
Aaron shook his head.
"Don't worry. You know me now."
"Helping you gain a foothold in Hollywood—that I can do."
He paused, then asked casually,
"Do you know Sophie Marceau?"
Monica shook her head.
"No. We've never crossed paths. My time in France was mostly for modeling and brand endorsements."
"Hmm," Aaron said, gently brushing her cheek, a spark lighting quietly in his thoughts.
"I'll introduce you someday."
And in that moment, a bold—and rather wicked—idea formed in his mind.
Two European goddesses.
Monica Bellucci. Sophie Marceau.