[Chapter 301: Good Will Hunting]
Since the producers had been hired, it was ti to launch the company's new project. However, Linton hadn't expected that on the very next day at work, before he had even finished the coffee his assistant made, the assistant ca in to report that Matt Damon was asking to see him at the front desk.
"Let him in," Linton said. He considered Matt Damon sowhat of an acquaintance; Matt had once sought his advice on scriptwriting.
Soon the assistant brought Matt Damon in. After the success of Happy Death Day, Matt had beco a popular young star in Hollywood, considered a rising second-tier celebrity.
As the saying goes, fa nurtures people, and it was true -- Matt was no longer the fresh-faced kid he once was but a confident and talented young man.
"Mr. Anderson, hello," Matt greeted respectfully upon seeing Linton.
"Matt, hello, long ti no see."
"Yes, mostly because you've been so busy. The last ti I saw you was on the set of Happy Death Day."
"Yes, the company is large, so it keeps busy, but I always make ti to et with friends. You're welco to co by more often."
After so small talk, Matt pulled a script from his bag and handed it to Linton.
"Mr. Anderson, inspired by your guidance, I adapted a short story I wrote while at Harvard University into a screenplay. Would you be interested in making it into a film?"
"You went to Harvard?" Linton admitted he hadn't paid much attention to Matt's resu and was surprised that Matt attended Harvard, uncommon among Hollywood stars.
"Yes, I was majoring in English literature but didn't graduate. At the ti, I was influenced by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and thought studying in school was a waste of ti. I should get out and hustle earlier. In my junior year, on a whim, I withdrew with my friend Ben Affleck and ca to Hollywood hoping to break into the entertainnt industry."
"No wonder I've always felt you were different from other actors -- more intelligent and sharp."
"You flatter , sir. You are the role model we all learn from."
"Enough flattery. So you wrote this short story back in college?"
"Yes, in my sophomore year, I wrote a story called The Growing Up of Will Hunting, which was serialized in the campus newspaper and later published as a book -- though sales weren't great. When I was working on the film Step Up, I learned you wrote the script, and I thought maybe I could write a good screenplay too. That reminded that my story could be adapted."
[T/N: Consider this A/U for the Good Will Hunting. Matt Damon played the boyfriend to the female lead in Step Up.]
"So you've been looking for an opportunity to discuss scriptwriting."
"Yes, just learning from you."
"Good. Hollywood needs talented people like you to bring great films to audiences worldwide."
"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Anderson. Could you take a look at my script?"
"Sure, have so coffee, and I'll give it a read."
...
Opening the script, the title caught Linton's eye: Good Will Hunting. The synopsis went like this:
A mathematics professor at MIT posted a particularly difficult problem on the departnt bulletin board, hoping his top students could solve it, but no one could. Then a young janitor nad Will discovered and effortlessly solved the problem while cleaning after class.
Will was extraordinarily intelligent but rebellious, often getting into fights, and was sentenced to a juvenile detention center. The math professor wanted to ntor this unruly genius, having him pursue math studies regularly and undergo counseling.
Will had no trouble with math problems but resisted therapy until he t Dr. Sean Maguire, a psychologist who wasn't having much career success. Through Sean's efforts, the two went from confrontation to mutual inspiration, leading Will to open his heart, overco loneliness, and achieve self-realization.
This was the very film that elevated Matt Damon's fa, earning him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and a Best Actor nomination.
The movie won several Oscars and was comrcially successful -- a rare artistic and box office triumph.
...
Just as Matt anxiously awaited Linton's response, he heard a voice like heaven's music.
"Matt, this script is excellent. Do you have any requests?"
"That's great, Mr. Anderson. Besides the script fee, I have two requests."
"What are they?"
"First, I want the film to start shooting as soon as possible."
"No problem. We can begin production in the second half of this year."
"Second, I want to star as the genius teenager Will. Also, my good buddy Ben Affleck would like to play a supporting role."
"I just read the script. The lead character really resembles you. So did you base it on yourself?"
"When I wrote the story in my sophomore year, I was young and brash, thinking I was pretty great. Sorry if it sounds conceited."
"Don't be modest. The script is very good, and you have talent. Here's the deal: you'll play the lead, but Ben has to audition. Of course, he'd have priority if everything else is equal. Is that okay?"
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson. What about the script fee?"
"Have your agent co to the company and discuss the details with Robert so there are no misunderstandings."
"Thanks. I'll take my leave now."
...
Exiting Linton Films, Matt pumped his fist in excitent and imdiately called his agent. "Axel, it's done..."
In fact, Matt had finished the script four months earlier. Since Linton had been away, he'd pitched the script to many studios, including the seven major Hollywood studios.
Few showed interest, and those who did had no concrete shooting plans -- mostly just wanting to add scripts to their libraries, not letting him star.
So he was overjoyed that Linton agreed to everything.
...
After three days of talks, Robert, the new producer Nacho Misi, and Matt Damon's agent reached an agreent.
Linton Films bought the Good Will Hunting script for $250,000 and committed to start filming by the end of the year.
Matt Damon was signed for $2.5 million to play the lead.
After signing, Linton imdiately announced the launch of the Good Will Hunting film project, with a budget of $13 million.
Nacho was the producer, and Jonathan Glazer was the director.
Jonathan was thrilled to have a chance to direct solo after recently serving as an assistant director on The Man from Nowhere.
Because Nacho and Jonathan were newcors, Robert and others insisted that Linton act as co-producer.
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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