'Conan the Barbarian's' $70 Million Guy: How Avi Lerner Is Creating a Play for that Major Leagues

Avi Lerner, once consigned towards the minor leagues with B movies like Bug Guy and Cyborg Cop, hit the in a major way this past year using the Expendables. Within the latest cover story from the Hollywood Reporter, which hits newsstands Thursday, executive editor, features, Stephen Galloway sitting lower with producer-financier Avi Lerner to discuss his $70 million gamble about the new Conan the Barbarian film, his crushing split with longtime partner Danny Dimbort and also the A-list stars -- from Katherine Heigl to Nicole Kidman -- who're now on his payroll. One of the facts in THR's in-depth profile: LERNER IS STAKING A Lot More Than $70 MILLION IN CONAN THE BARBARIAN The film, a reboot from the eighties film franchise starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, could mark a level for Lerner. It's among his greatest gambles yet, including a payment of $2.5 million for that privileges alone along with a budget well north of $70 million. He also offers decided to pay $2.5 million for that underlying privileges for just about any follow up. (Lerner rejected to discuss the budgets and salaries associated with the flicks he's focusing on.) Lerner is wishing Conan crosses the $20 million mark in the first weekend, but he's nervous concerning the opening, saying it will likely be "an excellent disappointment" when the movie fails. THE MOGUL IS Having to pay SYLVESTER STALLONE $15 MILLION TO STAR IN EXPENDABLES 2 When Lerner created of joining a mature action star like Stallone with a few youthful alternatives, then increased the ensemble with the addition of Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis towards the mix, Hollywood thought he was nuts. These guys were ancient history. Who on the planet would pay to determine them? However the $80 million-allocated film wound up surprising negative people out there towards the tune of $274.5 million. KATHERINE HEIGL Gets Millions Of DOLLARS Per Week TO STAR Within The Large WEDDING The actress has been compensated $3 million-$4 million to star within the movie, which is dependant on a French film. That can be a's a pittance in comparison to her usual salary as high as $14 million, the film has been shot inside a lightning-fast 32 days. The film's A-list cast includes Robert P Niro, Robin Williams, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Topher Sophistication and Amanda Seyfried. LERNER iS Joining WITH LEE DANIELS ON PAPERBOY -- By Having An ALL-STAR CAST Which Includes NICOLE KIDMAN, ZAC EFRON, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY AND JOHN CUSACK -- For Just $12.5 MILLION The Paperboy, which marks the very first film to become directed by Oscar nominee Daniels since Precious, informs the storyline of the reporter coming back to his Florida home and looking into a dying-row inmate. It had been initially created as Pedro Almodovar's British-language debut, and that he maintained privileges into it for a long time prior to the project was grabbed up by Daniels. It's many years taken off the type of B-material Lerner used to be connected with. And regardless of its A-list cast, the project continues to be cobbled together on the no-extras budget of $15 million, before a tax refund. LERNER Confesses TO BEING CRUSHED BY HIS SPLIT WITH LONGTIME PARTNER DANNY DIMBORT When Lerner separated ways together with his closest friend, longtime partner and purchasers maestro -- introduced to much fanfare in Cannes -- the move sent shock waves with the tight-knit indie world. The split is among the couple of subjects that cracks Lerner's armor open. "I talk to Danny 30, 40 occasions and that i still don't realise why he really wants to leave," he states. Dimbort consequently states he just really wants to try different things. Adds Lerner: "Am I disappointed? Very disappointed." EX-WARNER INDEPENDENT Photos Leader MARK GILL TO Mind PRODUCTION AT LERNER'S MILLENNIUM FILMS The move, which comes among Dimbort's impending exit, puts Lerner capable of fill Hollywood's mid-budget gap and change into new, bigger ground. The large question now becomes, can he accomplish it? ON HIS EXPERIENCE AS PARATROOPER Within The SIX-DAY WAR AND KILLING PEOPLE IN Fight Lerner, born within the Israeli town of Haifa in 1947 to some Polish mother and German father, became a member of the military at 18 and finally grew to become a paratrooper. "Like a youthful guy, I thought how important it had been to battle for the country," he states. "I fought against within the Six-Day War, completely. I did previously sit inside a truck and shoot the enemy. Many people during my unit got wiped out within the same truck." As they confesses you will find occasions he was "very scared" -- such as the time when among the top commanders was shot within the mind when Lerner was with him -- he learned to pay attention to doing on his job the very best he could and move ahead. DESPITE BEING Uniform, The Easy-LIVING LERNER HAS HOUSE IN MIDDLE-CLASS LAUREL CANYON The cigar-smoking mogul is wealthy enough to possess houses around the globe, if you'd don't know it from his modest lifestyle, having a La home off Laurel Canyon's Mount Olympus -- hardly the playground from the wealthy and famous. Luxury, fame and also the trappings of energy mean absolutely nothing to him. The offer is everything -- and that he's an expert from it. "The most crucial factor to settlement may be the possible ways to refuse and leave,Inch he states. "Should you don't have that, they are able to have fun with you around you would like. You have to also have the credit card of saying no thanks.Inch THE WELL-KNOWN LADIES Guy Confesses To Some 'COMPLICATED' PERSONAL Existence After departing the military, among Lerner's jobs incorporated working in a drive-in theater. That's where he met his wife, Daphne, whose father would be a partner from the owner. They've two kids together and therefore are effectively separated (she lives working in london) but remain friendly. He also offers a young child with producer Heidi Jo Markel. Browse the full THR cover story now. Related Subjects Conan the Barbarian