Jas Wan had never imagined that the person Leigh Whannell invited over would be the Chief Operating Officer of Dinsion Films, though he certainly knew his friend had good intentions. The two were both friends and partners, equally frustrated by the empty promises from Lionsgate. It was Wan who had proposed the idea, and Whannell who had written the script.
As for Steven Stabler, the man standing before him, Jas Wan had seen plenty of n just like him over the years.
He knew that the initial flicker of condescension on the man's face was due to his appearance and ethnicity; Hollywood had never spared him that kind of unfair treatnt. Compared to that, the arrogance laced in Stabler's words was of little consequence.
After all, the chasm in status between them was undeniable. In Stabler's eyes, he was just a minor director.
Leigh Whannell glanced at Jas, puzzled by his best friend's sudden silence. This was the kind of opportunity they had been waiting for. After breaking away from Lionsgate, establishing a stable, long-term relationship with Dinsion Films would undoubtedly make their path forward much smoother.
Steven Stabler cast a glance at Jas. From the mont he'd agreed to this eting, it had never occurred to him that the other party might refuse. The two sides simply weren't on the sa level.
Dinsion Films was extending a lifeline at a critical mont. Weren't they supposed to grasp it eagerly?
After all, Saw had been a genuine success, and while Dead Silence had been t with a diocre reception, why not give Jas Wan another chance? There were good reasons for it. The project's production budget was only $1.5 million, and more importantly, a major figure behind Dinsion Films had seen it and expressed interest. Otherwise, why would he, the COO of Dinsion Films, personally et with two small-ti creators like Jas and Leigh?
Jas Wan didn't hesitate for long.
Had this been before his eting with Matthew Horner, he would have accepted Dinsion Films' offer in a heartbeat.
A man willing to treat him as an equal, to delegate authority without hesitation and invest money freely, was a far more suitable partner than an arrogant man with thinly veiled prejudice.
Besides, Matthew Horner's reputation in the industry was well-known—far better than that of the overbearing Dinsion Films and the Weinsteins who stood behind it.
Given Dinsion Films' track record, who was to say they wouldn't turn into another Lionsgate, full of nothing but empty promises?
With these thoughts in mind, Jas Wan no longer hesitated. He looked at Steven with a serious expression and said, "It's an honor to receive an invitation from Dinsion Films."
At his words, Steven smiled, assuming Jas had already agreed.
But Leigh knew better. He had worked with Jas for years and was all too familiar with his friend's polite but firm way of delivering a refusal.
He's turning him down.
Realizing this, Leigh Whannell started to open his mouth to intervene, but Jas Wan gave him a subtle gesture to stay quiet.
Leigh Whannell held his tongue, trusting his friend's judgnt.
Jas Wan offered a polite smile. "I would also be very hopeful for a collaboration with Dinsion Films, but..." He lowered his voice slightly. "I've already found an investor and have committed to working with another party."
Steven's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure you've thought this through, Jas?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "An opportunity to work with Dinsion Films doesn't co along every day."
"I appreciate Dinsion Films' sincerity," Jas Wan replied, his voice firm. "But I have to honor my commitnt."
Steven frowned. "Your project would be financed and produced by Dinsion Films, and then handed over..." He leaned in, emphasizing his next words. "To the Weinsteins for distribution. Do you have any idea how rare an opportunity that is?"
Jas knew, of course. The Weinstein Company was a titan in the world of independent film, possessing incredibly powerful distribution channels and operational capabilities.
But that was no longer enough to sway him.
Leigh Whannell stared at Jas in astonishnt, unable to comprehend his reasoning. The Weinstein Company was far more powerful than Lionsgate, and the benefits of collaborating with them would be imnse. How could Jas so decisively turn down such a lucrative partnership?
Strictly speaking, he and Jas Wan were players in the independent film scene. But they weren't making arthouse dramas; they made low-budget horror films. For them, a company like Weinstein was practically the highest they could aim.
If they turned down a company like that, could Jas really have found a partner from one of the "Big Six" studios?
Leigh believed that might have been possible before Dead Silence, but that film's poor market performance had changed things...
At that mont, Jas Wan politely reiterated, "I'm sorry, Mr. Stabler. I already have a partner."
"Very well, then." Stabler maintained his composure, seeing no point in wasting any more ti on this minor-league director. "I wish you the best of luck," he said flatly.
Without another word, he stood up and turned to leave.
Dinsion Films was a highly influential mid-tier studio in Hollywood with a packed schedule year-round. Since a collaboration wasn't happening, Steven Stabler had no reason to waste any more ti or energy on two nobodies.
"Jas!"
The mont Stabler was gone, Leigh Whannell couldn't hold back any longer. "What were you thinking? Turning down Dinsion Films! Where are we going to find an opportunity that good again?"
He was clearly disappointed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Do you realize what you just did? We just threw away the best chance we had!"
"Leigh, calm down," Jas said quickly. "Just listen to
first, alright?"
"I'm listening!" Leigh Whannell took a deep breath, managing to suppress so of his agitation.
"I've already found an investor and a production company," Jas said. Seeing Leigh's expression, he dropped any pretense and spoke quickly, "This afternoon, I went to the Disney lot to et with Matthew Horner about our new project. Matthew Horner's Production Company No. 13 is going to finance and produce it."
Hearing this, Leigh cald down a little, but then asked, "Production Company No. 13? A small-ti operation? They don't have any distribution capabilities, do they?"
Just to shoot the movie, the two of them could probably scrape together one and a half million dollars on their own. But making a film was never that simple, unless they wanted to release it themselves.
Jas Wan knew what Leigh was worried about and added, "Matthew Horner personally promised
that he would give my crew maximum creative freedom and wouldn't interfere at all with filming or production. What's more, he's going to push for distribution at the level of the Big Six."
He deepened his tone for emphasis. "The Big Six! Can Dinsion Films even compare to that kind of distribution power?"
Leigh's eyes widened. "Did Matthew Horner really say that?"
"He did." Jas Wan nodded. "Matthew Horner has an excellent reputation."
"I know that," Leigh Whannell said, still hesitant. "But for independent films, Dinsion is the most..."
Jas Wan couldn't help but laugh. "Leigh, you're thinking too small." He leaned back in his chair. "Matthew Horner has deep and established partnerships with companies like Disney and Warner Bros. The films his studio makes can easily be pushed through their distribution channels. Since we have a shot at getting distributed by one of the Big Six, why should we hamstring ourselves by releasing it as a niche indie film instead of a comrcial one?"
Leigh considered this, and he had to admit, Jas had a point.
Jas Wan continued, "You think Production Company No. 13 is just a new, small-scale operation. But have you ever considered how successful Twilight was, which they released last year? Now look at Dinsion... no, even if you include the Weinstein Company and the Weinstein brothers behind it, what's the highest North Arican box office for a film they've ever produced and distributed?"
"I think it was Chicago," Leigh Whannell said after a mont's thought. "The North Arican box office was probably around $170 million."
"And what about Twilight?" Jas Wan didn't wait for an answer, pressing his point. "It's ti for us to break out of the narrow confines of independent film."
Leigh Whannell nodded slowly. When a better future was within reach, who would want to stay confined in such a small circle?
Jas Wan wasn't a fool. He had a clear vision for making the most advantageous choice. "Leigh, look at Matthew Horner—the connections, the resources, the fa, the status, and the financial power he holds. How can they even compare? He's so far above them!"
"Alright!" Leigh made up his mind. "Let's work with Matthew Horner. And as for Dinsion Films, that bunch of arrogant pricks, to hell with them!"
***
anwhile, Steve Stabler settled into his car. After telling the driver to go, he imdiately made a phone call to report on the situation.
"The director of the Saw franchise doesn't want to work with us?"
Hearing the question, Steve Stabler quickly replied, "Boss, Jas Wan has found a new partner."
"Who is it?"
Steve Stabler hesitated. "I didn't ask."
"You didn't ask..." The voice on the other end was clearly displeased, but quickly added, "No matter. I'll find an opportunity to speak with Jas Wan myself later."
"Understood." Stabler said a few more words before quickly hanging up.
It seed his own big boss had taken a particular interest in Jas Wan and his horror film project.
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