“When he emerges, ready to do battle and seek justice, he’s a different actor. With a different face.”
Excitement poured through Wynn. He could already tell where Scarlett headed.
“I’ll pitch to Rylon execs that Wynn has gotten more expensive with each film and that’s under the structure of the current contract. They’re wanting to exercise options for future films, and he intends to demand an outrageous amount. Other Alpha Tharra actors, as the franchise increases in popularity, will automatically follow Wynn’s lead because audiences want their Alpha Tharra heroes. It gives the actors all the power, not the bosses. But what if they replaced him? Found a talented unknown and paid him a pittance of what Wynn’s earning. Rylon could sign that new actor to a three, four, or five picture deal at a substantially lower investment, saving millions on what they would have to pay out to Wynn.”
Scarlett reached for her water and took a long pull from the bottle.
“Not only would they save a tremendous amount on his salary, but if any future Alpha Tharra actor got a big head and wanted to play highway robber with them?”
“They could threaten to do what they did with Wynn. Replace them with a lower-salaried player through a change in the script,” Sydney said, interest sparking in her eyes.
“Exactly,” Scarlett confirmed. “It would give the studio leverage. What film company doesn’t want the upper hand regarding their actors? The screenwriters would have a field day. They could reinvent Carbon Man. Let him go through angst at being a different guy. Looking and feeling different. Being ostracized before being embraced. Maybe whatever event occurred could affect his superpowers. Take them away and he could discover new ones. They could even give him a different name. Whatever. The point is, Wynn would have the chance to walk away. Even better? Carbon Man merch would go through the roof.”
“That’s what happened when Elvis and Michael Jackson died,” Breck said. “Their estates were in trouble. Cash poor. After their deaths, the licensing for their images and all the items produced went through the roof, not to mention their song catalogues exploding. Even Prince, who was in decent financial shape before he passed, had skyrocketing sales that continued for months. Why do you think so many heirs came out of the woodwork to fight over his estate?”
“Wynn would still own his percentage of that merch,” Scarlett said. “It could wind up making him a fortune as fans snapped up anything with the original Carbon Man on it.”
Scarlett looked to the RCDS team. “That’s the short version of my pitch to the Rylon executives. What I need from you now is to help me find holes in my arguments. Any insight you can provide would be helpful.”
“You hit the nail on the head regarding salaries,” Rhett said. “Wynn is already expensive and will only grow more so as the franchise continues, especially when it’s time to renegotiate for future sequels. He balks? The whole series could be put on an indefinite hold, costing Rylon millions of dollars. No studio execs want that kind of power placed in an actor’s hands.”
“They would also be afraid of Wynn talking to the other superhero actors once contracts expire and extensions need to be put into place,” Sydney noted. “Everyone in town learned that lesson years ago when the cast of Friends banded together during negotiations. They said each one would be paid the same—one million per half-hour episode—or they all walked from a hit show. The only other TV cast that has been able to pull that off was The Big Bang Theory. And that was years later.”
“Having a new actor as Carbon Man—one they could pay peanuts to—would really appeal to them,” Breck said. “And they would be smart enough not to give him any points as they did Wynn.”
“As a writer, the idea of being able to develop a whole new character within an established character would appeal to me,” Cassie said. “That would fire my creativity to the max and lead to countless other storylines. If any of the Alpha Tharra screenwriters can sit in on your meeting, they would point that out.”
“Being a numbers guy, I still go back to the merch,” Dash said. “The boost from losing Wynn as Carbon Man would make items fly off the shelves. Yes, it puts money in Wynn’s pocket—but also in the studio’s, as well. And then they get to introduce an entire new line of Carbon Man goods with a new face so, in a way, they’re selling two lunchboxes for a single character. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“Except the poor sap who is an unknown and signs on for pennies just to get to be in Alpha Tharra movies,” Rhett said. He looked to Scarlett. “Keeping the other actors on a tight leash by having a way to cut them lose if their demands get out of line is also a strong point.” He grinned at his sister. “I don’t see any holes in your arguments, Scarlett. You don’t have only one point to entice them into letting Wynn go. You’re spreading breadcrumbs all around for them to nibble on.”
“Good.”
She slipped back into her seat next to Wynn who, along with those seated around the table, couldn’t think of a single weakness in her scheme to make him a free man.
“What do you think, Wynn?” she asked.
“I think you’re absolutely brilliant.”
“Good to know,” Scarlett replied. “Because you and I have a meeting with the head of Rylon Pictures at eleven tomorrow morning.”
◆◆◆
Scarlett led Wynn around the Lymon McGraw offices, introducing him to attorneys, paralegals, and assistants, as well as a few clients. He gamely shook hands and took pictures
