I’m in Hollywood Chapter 796: I have no such obligation

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The shoots "Casino Royale" gap, Eric took the time to take a week to read Wachowski Brothers's script about the two sequels of "The Matrix".

Although the storylines of the new script and original are somewhat different, the story style that makes people feel puzzled remains unchanged.

In the original time and space, Wachowski Brothers, because of the success of first part, had enough production power in the sequel production process, so he squeezed private goods in the two sequels.

"The Matrix" first part, with its cool action design, innovative shoots technique and profound philosophical connotation, caused a huge response in the range of global and gathered a large number of fans. The subsequent second part sequel, although the plot began to collapse, but with the first part accumulation of Box Office appeal and the coolness of a large number of special effects shots, the 700 million and USD Box Office were still harvested within the scope of global. However, the overall quality of second part is much lower than that of first part, quickly consuming the accumulated popularity of this series, directly leading to the third part of Box Office Waterloo.

Many people think that the reason why the third part of "The Matrix" Box Office will become the lowest in the series is related to the eager schedule of Time Warner. The difference between the two sequels is less than half a year.

But in fact, from Time Warner's brand management of the "Harry Potter" series for ten years, it can be seen that they are not ignorant of the reason why the series is too close to affect the Box Office. It's just that "The Matrix3" is completely reduced to mediocre low quality, so Time Warner dare not drag on, so in the spirit of recovering as much as possible, when the heat of "The Matrix" has not completely cooled down, arrange as early as possible. The video is up.

Facts also prove the correctness of Time Warner in doing so. With the reputation of "The Matrix3" completely rotten, it was released one or two years later. The influence of the first two parts has dissipated. At that time, global Box Office was able to get 300 million. It is impossible to achieve more than 400 million back to the original line.

Eric also hopes that the two sequels can be shot continuously, which can save a lot of costs.

It's just that in order to avoid repeating the mistakes in the "The Matrix" series, Eric still dismissed this idea. In his reply to Wachowski Brothers, he rejected the continuous shooting plan and asked the brothers to rewrite script.

Eric also made up his mind. If script has never satisfied him, this series will simply be put on hold for a long time. Firefly has collected enough copyright resources in recent years. Only Marvel is enough to develop 30 years. Therefore, the company's dependence on these hot selling series is not strong, and it has enough energy to pursue excellence.

Los Angeles.

The release of the "The Matrix" series has entered the third week, because there is no strong new film on the file, the second week of the film Box Office fell only a slight 21%, and again received 61.97 million USD, the cumulative Box Office reached 140 million in two weeks.

It happened that Saturday, Katzenberg did not have a rest, received Eric's reply to "The Matrix" script, in the morning he specially invited Wachowski Brothers to have breakfast at Playa Vista Firefly Studios, and passed on the decision of Eric.

"Eric means that you can add your own thinking, but the premise is that the sequel script must be a complete and smooth story. And the script you give is more like some fragments, if there is not even a complete story The official launch of shoots will undoubtedly be a disaster, so script must be rewritten, and the specific opinions are in the file, "Katzenberg handed a folder to the brothers sitting opposite, and continued:" In addition, Eric also rejected the two-sequence continuous shooting plan, you can only come one by one. "

As for Eric ’s request to completely rewrite script, the two brothers were obviously a little depressed, or even not angry. Both brothers felt that the reason why The Matrix achieved its current success is largely due to their joining. I have various ideas.

But copyright of "The Matrix" is firmly in the hands of Firefly. Even, Firefly still maintains the power to replace Director. Although after the explosion of the film Box Office, the brothers naturally got some bargaining power, Firefly could not easily change Director, but the initiative is still in the hands of Firefly.

Andy · Wachowski took the folder and opened it. It was the script that he left behind, but there were some more comments.

Thinking for a while, Andy · Wachowski strives for: "Jeffrey, if script is completely rewritten, it may take a long time. Perhaps, it may not be able to get it all year or two. It ’s past, so, I think we can modify it on the basis of this draft script. "

Hollywood movies, unless it is completely a cultural phenomenon like 《Star Wars》, there are still a large number of diehard fans after a restart for more than ten years. Otherwise, the production interval of the sequel is between two and three years. If it is too long, the popularity accumulated in the previous work may have disappeared by half, and the risk of the sequel's Box Office will also rise linearly.

Although it is not too long for Wachowski Brothers to break into Hollywood, it also understands this truth, so it is said that this vaguely carries a little threat: if script is completely overthrown, our brothers ca n’t guarantee that the film will be able to be in the next few years. Turn on.

Of course, Katzenberg understood the words of the brothers and said: "This point Eric also happened to mention, if script has been unsatisfactory, Firefly will shelve this series for a long time."

Larry · Wachowski suddenly said: "If the project is put on hold for a long time, what should we do with the agreement signed with Firefly?"

In the beginning, as a condition for getting the right to direct "The Matrix", both Wachowski Brothers and Firefly signed an option contract for three films. That is to say, before the three films were completed in cooperation with Firefly, the brothers could not Cooperation with other Film Studio, otherwise it is considered a breach of contract.

In order to ensure that the "The Matrix" trilogy can be completed, the original "Bound" was not included in this contract, that is to say, the brothers still owe two Firefly contracts at this time.

Katzenberg heard Larry · Wachowski question, shrugged slightly, and said: "So, I suggest you still make the sequel script well."

Andy · Wachowski tentatively said: "If script can not be completed for a long time, can we make other films, or, first cooperate with ... other Film Studio?"

"Other films, as long as the project is good enough, maybe it can be," Katzenberg answered ambiguously: "However, in cooperation with other Film Studio, unless you complete the contract, otherwise this is impossible, Firefly use" The Matrix " Red, but it is not for you to use these fame to make money for other Film Studio. The whole Hollywood has no such reason. "

The increasingly tough tone of Katzenberg makes the brothers very unhappy, but it is frustrating that they also know that it is difficult for them to get rid of this contract.

Here we are talking, there is not much communication between the two sides.

Andy · Wachowski put away the folder in front without expression and stood up and said: "We know these things, if there is nothing else, we will say goodbye first."

Katzenberg got up and politely reached out to the brothers: "So, goodbye."

Send Wachowski Brothers to leave the restaurant in person, Katzenberg returned to his seat, Frank · Wells had already come over, he had just arrived at the restaurant just now, but did not disturb the communication between Katzenberg and Wachowski Brothers.

After Katzenberg sits down, Frank · Wells said: "Jeffrey, you don't have to be so blunt to the two of them, it can be more moderate."

"It's your job to appease people's hearts, but I have no such obligation," Katzenberg smiled and joked.

He has watched Wachowski Brothers shoots's "Bound", plus the recent "The Matrix" sequel script that makes people haunted by clouds and mountains. With so many years of production experience in Hollywood, Katzenberg thinks in addition to "The Matrix" The achievements of the two brothers in Hollywood will not be too great.

Both are too attached to their own image world. This strong personal style may give them the opportunity to obtain Oscar, but it is difficult to make a difference on Box Office.

As for Oscar, Katzenberg is also not very interested. He feels that the most fundamental purpose of a Film Studio is to pursue profits, and honor is only the icing on the cake. At the time of controlling the Disney animation period, whenever the animators hope to increase the "artistic" of the animation, Katzenberg will satire the other party "Do you want Oscar", this sentence even became his mantra

"Okay, when do you need me to help you calm down and say something," Frank · Wells also made a joke.

Frank · Wells has been the company's famous moderate since the Disney era. In the 1980s, Disney Board of Directors originally planned to let him and Eisner co-CEO of Disney. All parties could not dispute this, or it was Frank · Wells who offered to be his deputy to Eisner to resolve the deadlock. In the era of Firefly, because of the emergence of Eric, Frank · Wells escaped the air crash that should have been encountered in the original time and space. The upper position of Katzenberg, Frank · Wells is still conscientiously acting as the second-in-command of Firefly Group. Most of the company's management respect him, even Katzenberg is no exception.

The two were chatting and drinking a cup of coffee before Frank · Wells handed over a copy of Box Office data to Katzenberg and said, "Our Box Office situation this week seems a little bit unpleasant."

According to the Box Office statistical cycle of Hollywood, yesterday is only the first day of the new week. Katzenberg has not had time to view the Box Office data report on Friday. Take A4 from Frank · Wells and take it. Katzenberg looks at the data table.

On the first glance, Katzenberg frowned slightly.

The first place in the new week's single-day Box Office is not the "The Rock" released by Firefly this week, but a black comedy called "Professor Fatty" by Universal Pictures.

"This ... seems to be a new film by Eddie Murphy?"

As the leader of Firefly, Katzenberg is well aware of the blockbuster new films of summer competitors, but before that, he did not pay special attention to the black comedy starring Eddie Murphy, so the tone is a bit doubtful.

Eddie Murphy has been a little quiet in the past few years since the Box Office of Beverly Hills Cop 3. In other words, including Katzenberg, many people feel that with the strong momentum shown by Firefly, "The Rock" will almost certainly get the position of Box Office champion on the first day and the first week.

But the result is that the first day of "Professor Fatty" Box Office7.9 million USD, the first day of "The Rock" Box Office is more than 7.4 million, although similar, it may even be reversed on Saturday and Sunday, but the premiere Japan, "The Rock" lost after all.

After the unexpected Box Office data was released, Frank · Wells did not contact Katzenberg by phone and found here in a hurry.

"Yes," Frank · Wells nodded, his tone worried, and said: "I think this is not a good sign, you know, there is" Titanic "being produced by Cameron ..."

Although Katzenberg also feels a bit inappropriate, he still placated: "We will hold the meeting of Brian from the distribution department for a meeting and discuss it first. However, Frank, this is just the first day's data But, not to mention, we have nothing to worry about. Even if one or two Box Office losses are really encountered, the share price of Firefly will not fall by 10%, because we are not listed at all, haha. "Katzenberg smiled and continued Tao: "Not to mention, you have also seen the revenue from recent TV commercial bidding."

“I just think that the Eric ’s strategy of making movies in recent years has been too risky, either newcomers or super-large productions. Although, well, Michael · Bei, David · Fincher and Wachowski Brothers, they all proved Our own strength, but our good luck may not last forever. I think we need to communicate with Eric. He should n’t be so ... willful. "

Katzenberg can feel the sincerity in the tone of Frank · Wells, he is really thinking about Firefly.

Actually, Katzenberg also feels the same way, except that although he knows that Eric is definitely not the kind of stunned person, but so far, although the Eric-led film also has occasions when Box Office is unsatisfactory, overall, there is no One suffered a very tragic failure, which is almost a miracle in Hollywood.

For a person who has not experienced failure, you ran out and told him that your method is wrong, the rules are not like this, you should be like this, it should be like ...

Thinking about Katzenberg, I feel that this kind of scene is a little weird. There is always only one rule for Hollywood. Your movie can achieve a high Box Office, allowing investors to obtain a huge profit, then you are the hero of Hollywood.

"I agree with you," Katzenberg thought about it and said, "It's just that the timing is wrong. We should probably wait until the end of the year. Well, by then, Eric will obviously accept our opinion more easily."

Obviously, Katzenberg is also very pessimistic about the prospect of "Titanic" Box Office.

Frank · Wells heard it immediately and nodded, "Well, then I will say it later. By the way, Weinstein suggested that you want to buy Brad · Gray's production company. Did you arrive at the report? "

"Well, Harvey wants to build the production department of FFM. Brad · Gray happens to be his deputy, but it is not necessary to buy the production company of Brad · Gray, except for the one selected by Eric himself. TV series, Brad Gray's production company has some investment rights, I don't think it has any valuable value. "

When the two talked about FFM, the topic just now was unknowingly diverted ... (to be continued.)