I’m in Hollywood Chapter 877: The cover is too strict
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Beverly Hills Manor Morton Restaurant.
Roland · Emmerich sat across from Columbia Film StudioCEOBill · Michanic, responding quietly to the steak in front of him, trying to let himself ignore the gaze of the guests around him from time to time. He even regretted why he chose this Hollywood film star to gather today Restaurant dining.
This is already the second week of the release of "Godzilla". It was criticized by the media for a week. The Box Office data of the first week of the morning movie was released. Roland · Emmerich did not feel any relief at all. In the afternoon, someone drove secretly to some cinemas in the Fernando Valley to see. Compared with the hot attendance last Friday, it was only a week. Most of the theaters showing "Godzilla" appeared empty, he I ca n’t even imagine how much the film ’s Box Office will drop this week, 60%, 70%, or worse?
There is no doubt that "Godzilla" will be the last time Waterloo of his career is very heavy.
After years of accumulation, Roland · Emmerich already has a net worth of tens of millions of USD. Even, based on the reward of Godzilla 20 million USD and the next Box Office, even if he chooses to retire now, he can guarantee a lifetime Worry-free.
But in Hollywood and Vanity Fair, whether one's success is far from confined to money, most people value career success and their status and influence in Hollywood, everyone wants to climb Higher position.
As long as Hollywood is a somewhat popular star, he basically has a net worth enough to support his own prosperity and even a luxurious life, but these people will still develop a variety of mental and physical problems under the pressure of the bumpy career. Because for most of the Hollywood celebrities, they were suddenly abandoned by Hollywood, without the follower of the spotlight, and without the high-profile pursuit, this sense of loss is definitely more unacceptable than the sudden loss of all money.
Although Roland · Emmerich knows that it is only a failure, it will definitely not cause a devastating blow to his career, but it also definitely means that in the next few years, unless he produces "Independence Day" and "Deep Impact" again Films of comparable quality, otherwise, he would never be able to enjoy the kind of generous treatment before the release of "Godzilla", strong control over film production, the industry's top 20 million USD Director remuneration, and so on.
Even if, before Godzilla, he did n’t have to appear here tonight with Bill · Michanik discusses follow-up contract issues, which previously only required him manager Things to come forward.
If you can do it again.
The idea rose, and Roland · Emmerich shook his head sneeringly.
Suddenly remembered the candidate of Director who just announced "The Day After Tomorrow" some time ago in Firefly. This project should have belonged to him. Firefly may not offer manager USD's Director remuneration, but in the case of continuous cooperation between "Deep Impact" and "Independence Day", Firefly cannot be too stingy. He believes that by fixing the remuneration and dividends, he will get the "Independence Day" The equivalent 30 million USD total income is not difficult.
The current "Godzilla" is based on the 20 million pay, and North America15% of the Box Office is divided. It may still guarantee that he will get 30 million USD, but due to the "Godzilla" word of mouth and the double defeat on Box Office, his lower film It is absolutely impossible to get such a generous reward, and the damage caused by Godzilla to his popularity is even more incalculable.
Compared with Roland · Emmerich's faint self-complaint, Bill · Michanic's mood is more irritable.
The project "Godzilla" was originally pushed down from top to bottom by Sony Film Industry. In principle, the project failed, and the responsibility should not be blamed on him anyway.
However, this obvious and reasonable inference obviously does not really happen to a Japanese group with a distinct management class such as Sony. If "Godzilla" is successful, all will be happy, and everyone will celebrate together. But now it has failed, and the group Chairman Idei Nobuyuki will naturally have no fault. The CEO of the Sony United States branch company, his immediate supervisor Howard · Stringer will also not stand up to take responsibility, and the layer will be laminated down. This pot can only be backed by the most direct Film Industry person in charge of Bill · Micnick.
Fortunately, Sony knows exactly what is going on and off. Although he needs to come back, there will be no substantial punishment. This is the only place that makes people feel better.
However, there is still another very difficult thing that fell on him right now, namely the contract between Sony Film Industry and Roland · Emmerich.
Because of the confidence of the company's top management, Sony signed a trilogy contract with Roland · Emmerich at one time.
The Box Office went down all the way in the first week of "Godzilla", and the next two sequels will definitely be impossible to talk about.
However, the contract between Sony and Roland · Emmerich cannot be automatically invalidated.
During the signing of the contract, the two parties discussed a solution once the sequel could not be started. The result of the negotiation was that if the Godzilla sequel could not be started, Roland · Emmerich has the right to choose two from other projects under Sony Film Industry The Ministry conducted.
Dongbao ’s special photo Godzilla series has taken 22 full shots in 40 years. No one can expect that after introducing Godzilla into Hollywood, it will be difficult to continue with just one shot. Therefore, no one paid any attention to this subsidiary clause.
But for the moment, the total investment of Godzilla is 220 million USD. According to the current situation, the film North America can withdraw 150 million is counted as extravagant hope, not to mention the original 300 million USD expectations. Judging from Japan's dismal Box Office performance, overseas markets are also not optimistic. This project has been determined to bring huge losses to Sony Film Industry. As the Producer and Director that directly led to the failure of the project, the Sony executives had the suffocation of Roland · Emmerich, so naturally they were not willing to fulfill that subsidiary clause.
The drudgery to solve this contract problem naturally fell on Bill Michanik.
There is no Director in Hollywood that has never failed. Even the Cameron that just created the Box Office miracle, the original "The Abyss" also caused Fox to lose his toothache. But no one is sure when these Director will come back, Hollywood mixed for decades, Bill · Michanike naturally understands this truth, so he does not want to tear his face with Roland · Emmerich.
It was n’t until the end of the dinner that Bill Micnick, who had been brewing a lot of rhetoric, talked about the topic: "Roland, I remember that there are at least five Firefly disaster film series," Deep Impact "and" Independence Day "directed by you Box Office are very good, Williams should hope you continue to cooperate with Firefly, right? "
Roland · Emmerich listened to Bill · Michanik's words and put him on the throne, but his mood didn't get any better. Of course, Eric said that he is welcome to come back at any time, but Roland · Emmerich also has his own self-esteem. He originally gave up the good cooperative relationship with Firefly for high pay, and the project has failed now. He naturally cannot put his face down and return to Firefly immediately. go with.
Roland · Emmerich is very clear about Bill · Michanik's appointment with him today. In fact, he did not mean to forcefully grasp the subsidiary clause and not let go. The two parties cannot cooperate willingly. The project he forcibly took over from Sony will certainly not work smoothly. This state will only affect the quality of the movie. The project failed again, and the wealthy Sony only lost some money, but after messing up two movies in a row, he estimated that he could really only retire early.
Put down the cutlery, wipe the corners of your mouth with a Roland · Emmerich napkin, and look up: "Bill, thank you for your dinner, so you can talk directly about Sony's ideas."
Roland · Emmerich's attitude let Bill · Michanik breathe a sigh of relief, saying: "This is the case, Roland, we are currently preparing a project, a story about the United States war of independence, called" Patriot ", Director The candidate has not yet been determined. If you are interested, you can direct this movie. "
"I have never been exposed to war-related movies," Roland · Emmerich said, suddenly realizing what, and asked keenly: "Is the protagonist of the movie determined?"
Bill · Michanik did not expect that Roland · Emmerich would react so fast, and after a pause, he said frankly: "We are in contact, there are two suitable candidates, Mel · Gibson and Kevin · Costner."
The atmosphere between the two sides fell silent again.
Mel · Gibson, Kevin · Costner, both of them are not only Hollywood's A-class superstar, but also won the Oscar best Director nominations for war type films such as "Braveheart" and "Dances with Wolves" Or awards.
No matter which of these two men is the leading actor of "Patriot", Roland · Emmerich as Director will be greatly weakened. Even without him, Director, the project will obviously proceed smoothly.
Roland · Emmerich can feel that Sony crams him into a genre film that he is not very good at as Director, more like letting him serve as a ‘vase’ that wo n’t have much impact on the whole film. This arrangement is an insult to his coffee shop at Hollywood.
Take a sip of red wine on the table and calm down. Roland · Emmerich asked: "So, what if we cancel the contract directly?"
"1 million USD," Bill · Micanić apparently has also considered this possibility, but, speaking of this somewhat perfunctory compensation amount, he could not hold it on his face, adding: "This is what I can call the shots If you want this, I can talk to Howard and maybe increase it. "
How much can it be improved anymore?
Thinking about Roland · Emmerich, I feel a bit tangled.
The solution given by Sony is already clear.
He came to serve as the Director of "Patriot", this film has Mel · Gibson or Kevin · Costner support field, the quality of the film and Box Office should be guaranteed, after the completion of the film, both parties can also follow the trend The ancillary terms are revealed. It is conceivable that if he accepts this job at Director, the salary he can get will not be too high. 20 million USD, Box Office, etc. must be divided into categories, even if it is to maintain his fixed 8 million USD before Godzilla Director pay is not too easy.
But if he wants to cancel the contract immediately, he can only get a symbolic compensation.
And, after losing this contract, in the case of "Godzilla" just failed, in the next one or two years, Hollywood and other Film Studio will certainly not cooperate with him easily, this is not because of his personal direction. The problem of ability, but the one-sided bad review of "Godzilla" will definitely have a very bad influence on the appeal of Box Office in his next movie. The first solution given by Sony is actually to use the influence of Mel · Gibson or Kevin · Costner to reduce this effect as much as possible.
Obviously, Sony definitely hopes that he can automatically choose to terminate the contract, but at the same time he is not willing to pay too much compensation, so he will come up with such a difficult solution.
Sony also expects that he will not take drastic measures such as litigation to resolve this matter. After all, he just messed up a big production of others, and in turn sued others, who would dare to cooperate with you again in the future.
In the end, Roland · Emmerich said: "Bill, give me some time, I think about it."
Roland · Emmerich didn't mention the termination of the contract again. Bill · Michanic just knows has decided to accept the position of Director of "Patriot", but he can't put it down for a while and immediately agreed. Bill · Micanić did not urge it. He was able to get this thing done. There was no obvious unpleasantness on both sides, and he was already very satisfied.
Neither of them continued to talk about anything. Bill · Micanić was about to beckon for the waiter to check out. There was some disturbance on the other side of the restaurant. A man and two women came out from the nearby seat. , Aroused the greet of other guests.
Roland · Emmerich heard the movements behind, and then turned his head to look over, just in front of Eric.
There are only two weeks left before the release of "Casino Royale". The early publicity work Eric can be lazy, but at this last moment, as Director, he must still properly participate in the promotion of the film. Today I took a girl to dine with Amy · Pascal, mainly to discuss this matter.
Politely responding to the greetings of the people around, Eric is taking the girl to go out with Amy · Pascal, but I did not expect to meet Roland · Emmerich, and the pace could not help but pause.
In recent days, Eric should definitely be one of the people who Roland · Emmerich does not want to meet.
It was the two films "Deep Impact" and "Independence Day" that cooperated with Firefly that pushed him to the ranks of the super-large Director, which also prompted Sony to open the huge pay contract in order to win him over.
At the beginning, I abandon the cooperation with Firefly for the generous rewards of Sony Film Industry. Roland · Emmerich was a bit overwhelming. At this time, the word of mouth of Godzilla and Box Office were bleak. In the face of Eric, Roland · Emmerich felt even more embarrassed. .
"Good evening, Eric," Roland · Emmerich took the initiative to say hello to Eric, though he felt uncomfortable. It was only a moment of hesitation. I wondered whether I should get up.
"Evening, Roland, Oh, and Bill."
Eric can also see his current state of mind from the expressions of Roland · Emmerich. There are many people in the Hollywood circle around him. If he stops at this time, then Hollywood will definitely have a new paragraph tomorrow. Don't want to make Roland · Emmerich too embarrassing, Eric just nodded softly with the two of them, and both sides passed by.
Roland · Emmerich's reaction to Eric was both relaxed and a bit blocked. He glanced at Bill · Micanić and neither of them had the idea of checking out immediately. At this time, they left and met in the parking lot again. By that time, I really don't know what to say.
The parking lot outside the restaurant, the girl still hangs on Eric and smiles to Amy · Pascal: "Oh, Amy, did you notice the expression of Roland just now, it is so interesting."
Amy · Pascal just smiled and did n’t echo the girl ’s words.
"Okay, don't be gloating," Eric knocked on the door of her mind, and said to Amy · Pascal: "About E! Entertainment's acquisition plan, you will talk about it as soon as possible, preferably before the end of the month. Come up with the results. "
"Eric, Warner over the cable sees us suddenly take the initiative again on this transaction, it seems that they are no longer in a hurry to sell the shares. They may guess that you are interested in E! Entertainment."
The twins drove the girl ’s Land Rover over. Eric did n’t rush to get in the car, leaning on the side of the car and saying: "I recently read some information. Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of Basic Cable, also seems to have the meaning of selling. They contacted, BravoTV Station in the hands of Rainbow Media is similar in nature to E! Entertainment. "
"I also noticed this," Amy · Pascal nodded and said: "However, the basic cable company should not sell too many shares, and General Electric is also interested in Rainbow Media, they have been expanding these years Your own cable TV business. "
"Basic cable companies definitely know where to cooperate with more potential, if possible, we do not need to seek too many shares at once, just need to get the right to operate. And, your main energy is still to Put it on E! Entertainment, with Rainbow Media as an alternative, "after thinking about it, Eric said:" However, I guess after the release of "Batman and Robin" next week, Warner should be very willing to drop E! Entertainment as soon as possible. Equity burden. Time Warner's losses will continue to expand this year, and the CEO position of Terry · Semel may be replaced. "
Amy · Pascal immediately realized the meaning in the Eric words and asked: "Eric, do n’t you like" Batman and Robin "?"
"I have n’t watched the film" Batman and Robin ", and I ’m not too sure. However, if you pay a little attention, you should find that Warner has covered" Batman and Robin "too tightly, until now. In addition to the trailer, there is little pitiful news related to the content of the film, and there is no public preview movie review. "
Amy · Pascal combed the information in his mind and found that it was indeed the case.
Warner tightly seals the content of the film before it is released, perhaps to maintain the mystery of the film, but there is another possibility that they have no confidence in the quality of the film, worrying that the word of mouth leaked in advance, which will affect the film ’s Start drawing Box Office. (To be continued.)