The ink on the Universal Pictures contract was barely dry, but Joshua could already feel the shift. The two-million-dollar sale of the first Saw had been a triumph, a proof of concept. This new deal, however, was a different beast entirely. This was where Resurrection Films, and Joshua Grant, started making real money.
Universal had bought the rights to the entire Saw franchise, starting with Saw II, for a staggering twenty-five million dollars.
It was a figure that made Maya, usually so composed, gasp when Joshua told her. Twenty-five million. Not just for one film, but for the potential of a whole series.
"And that's just the upfront payment," Joshua explained, a quiet satisfaction in his voice. "Plus, we negotiated a significant backend percentage on all future films, merchandising, and home video sales."
The profit waterfall for this deal was far less punishing. Universal was taking on the bulk of the marketing and distribution costs for the sequels. Resurrection Films, as the intellectual property owner and primary producer, was now in a much stronger position.
"After the sales agent's cut, and a few legal fees," Maya calculated, her fingers flying across her calculator, "Resurrection Films is looking at a net of over twenty million dollars from this deal alone. Before taxes, of course."
Twenty million. Joshua leaned back in his chair, a genuine, unburdened smile spreading across his face. This was the kind of money that changed everything. This was the kind of money that bought freedom, influence, and the power to truly shape Hollywood.
The small Burbank office suddenly felt too small. Too quiet.
"Alright," Joshua said, clapping his hands together. "Time to get to work on Saw II."
The transition to working with a major studio was, predictably, a mix of excitement and frustration. Universal had resources beyond anything Resurrection Films had ever dreamed of. Bigger sound stages, state-of-the-art equipment, a vast network of talent.
But also, more meetings. More layers of approval. More opinions.
"They want to know about the new traps," Marcus grumbled after a particularly long session with Universal executives. "And they're asking about a bigger name for the lead. Someone who can open the film wider."
Joshua nodded. He'd anticipated this. "We'll find the right balance, Marcus. We'll give them the star power they want, but we won't compromise the terror. And the traps? We'll make them even more inventive." He knew the future of the franchise, the evolution of Jigsaw's games.
They began the initial preparations for Saw II. The script, which Joshua had already outlined in his head, was now being fleshed out by a team of writers Universal had assigned, working under Marcus's creative guidance. Joshua oversaw everything, ensuring the core vision remained intact.
He found himself in meetings with Universal's marketing teams, discussing release dates years in advance, strategizing global campaigns. He spoke of future trends in horror, of audience demographics that wouldn't even be fully understood for another decade. They listened, sometimes with skepticism, but always with respect, because Saw had proven him right.
Resurrection Films was no longer just a scrappy indie company. It was a partner with a major studio, sitting on a goldmine of intellectual property. Joshua was no longer just a producer who got lucky. He was a visionary, a man who seemed to know what audiences wanted before they even knew it themselves.
The herbal store was a distant memory. The initial stock market gains, a mere pittance compared to this. Joshua Grant had arrived. And he was just getting started. The real money was flowing, and the future of horror, he knew, was firmly in his hands.
The twenty-five million dollars from Universal Pictures landed in Resurrection Films' accounts like a thunderclap. It was a staggering sum, far beyond anything Joshua had ever personally handled, even in his past life. This wasn't just profit; it was power. And Joshua knew exactly where it needed to go.
He called Mark, the young broker he'd used for his initial, much smaller, stock investments. Mark's voice on the phone was noticeably more deferential now. "Mr. Grant! To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"I have another investment for you, Mark," Joshua said, trying to keep his voice even. "A substantial one."
He met Mark in a private conference room at the brokerage firm. The atmosphere was different this time. No skepticism. Just eager anticipation. Joshua laid out his plan.
"I want to put twenty-five million dollars into two companies," Joshua stated, watching Mark's eyes widen. Twenty-five million was an enormous sum for an individual or even a small company to invest in the stock market in 1992.
"Which companies, Mr. Grant?" Mark asked, his pen poised.
"Microsoft," Joshua said, the name feeling like a whisper of the future. "And IBM."
Mark paused, his pen hovering. "Microsoft, I understand. They're doing well, Windows is gaining traction. But IBM? They're a bit… traditional. Not exactly a growth stock right now, with all the talk about personal computing."
Joshua just smiled. He knew IBM would have its struggles, but it would adapt, it would endure, and it would remain a titan. And Microsoft? It was about to explode. He knew the internet was coming, the digital revolution. These two companies, in different ways, would be at its forefront.
"Trust me, Mark," Joshua said, his voice firm. "These are the future. I want it all in. And I want to hold it. For a very, very long time."
Mark, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. The success of Saw had given Joshua an almost mythical aura. If this guy could turn a $1.2 million horror film into a global phenomenon, maybe he did know something about the stock market.
The paperwork was signed. The funds were transferred. Joshua watched the numbers on Mark's screen, the millions flowing into the digital ether. It was a strange feeling, committing such a vast sum based purely on memories of a future that hadn't happened yet. But his conviction was absolute.
He left the brokerage firm feeling a profound sense of accomplishment. The money from Saw wasn't just sitting in a bank account. It was working. It was growing. It was building the financial bedrock for Resurrection Films to become a true Hollywood powerhouse.
This wasn't about making a quick buck. This was about securing a legacy. This was about having the capital to fund any project he desired, to take risks no other studio would dare.
He knew the tech boom was just around the corner. He knew these investments would multiply, turning millions into hundreds of millions, then billions. The real wealth, the kind that bought true independence in Hollywood, was now firmly in play.
Joshua Grant, the average science graduate, was now a major investor, quietly shaping his financial destiny, one future-proof stock at a time. The game had just gotten a whole lot bigger.