America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 77 Crazy is like gravity, all you have to do is give it a gentle push (please subscribe, please reward)

People with good looks are already at the starting line. Being handsome can do anything. This is a golden saying.

With his handsomeness that surpassed everyone present and his incomparable temperament, within two minutes of meeting, Eric was already chatting and laughing with Xinghui's people easily.

"Stephen, you are so humble. Your movies are great. I have watched "Shaolin Soccer". Although the culture is different, the scenes in the movie always make me laugh."

"In you, I see similar characteristics to Jim Carrey and Chaplin. You are both humorous comedy masters."

"So when I heard Judy say you were looking for investment, I thought I had to get it!"

Hearing this, Judy was speechless. If it was really like what you said, would you have made people wait for almost a day in vain?

If you are any big director in Hollywood, let's see if you can still speak as tough as you do now.

After everyone chatted for a while, we got down to business.

"Stephen, how much investment do you want for this movie?"

Stephen Chow held out three fingers: "$30 million, I think this is the minimum."

Eric frowned: "30 million U.S. dollars? I remember that Miramax bought out the overseas distribution rights of "Heroes", which was Jet Lee's movie. The scenes in this movie were spectacular, but the investment was only 3,000. Ten thousand U.S. dollars."

"30 million U.S. dollars, which is nearly 500 million when converted into RMB, and 400 million when converted into Hong Kong dollars. This is enough to film a top-notch production."

"Is your "Kung Fu" as grand as "Hero"?"

Stephen Chow shook his head slightly: "No, "Kung Fu" and "Hero" are completely different styles. Its scenes are not big, but in my conception, "Kung Fu" will use a lot of special effects."

"So is Xinghui Company planning to find a Hollywood special effects company? If it's from Hong Kong or South Korea, I don't think it will require so much money." Eric asked again.

Stephen Chow is not good at talking. Although Eric spoke with a smile, no matter the tone or context, it was obvious that he was exerting pressure. Money is not so easy to get.

Next to him, a man with gold-rimmed glasses named Ryan in English hurriedly expressed his opinion.

Eric had no impression of this person. He should be an executive of Xinghui Company, not an actor or screenwriter.

"Mr. Eric, I understand your thinking. Yes, "Kung Fu" is not a big show, and it will not invite Jack Chen or Jet Lee to star, but its selling point is completely different."

"If you only read the script, most people will not be able to understand how many special effects will be used in a movie, but from a director's perspective, Stephen has already constructed the general outline of "Kung Fu" in his mind."

"Stephen is a mature and capable director. He is one of the top directors in Asia. I think you also know this. This can be seen from "Shaolin Football"."

"So the $30 million investment he proposed is entirely based on the needs of the movie. Mr. Eric, you should understand that if the special effects are not enough, many movies will not be able to show the effect.

After hearing the other party chirping a lot, including explanations and explanations, Eric laughed and said: "Ryan, are you saying that I don't understand movies? Do you think I can't understand those shots, or do you think I don't understand them?" market price?"

The man with glasses waved his hands repeatedly: "No, that's not what I meant. I just want to make a good movie. We all think so, don't we? Only movies with excellent quality can earn more box office."

After taking a sip of coffee, Eric leaned back and assumed a boss posture, and his tone slowed down.

"Yes, everyone wants to make a good movie, and everyone wants more investment. After all, you can only make money if you make a good movie, but you can't treat investors as idiots."

"Ryan, I am not only the vice president of the company, but also a director. The movie I am directing is "Transformers". Do you think "Kung Fu" has more special effects than "Transformers"?"

"So special effects are no excuse. I read the entire script carefully and made a professional evaluation. I still have the outline of the movie in my mind."

"$30 million is too much. $22 million is the price MGM is willing to pay."

Upon hearing this price, the expressions of the three people at Xinghui Company changed, and they directly cut off US$8 million, which was lower than their psychological expectations.

After finishing the script of "Kung Fu", Stephen Chow planned to come to Hollywood to attract investment, because neither Hong Kong nor the mainland could afford to invest more than 200 million.

Even if I could afford it, I lost interest when I heard that Stephen Chow was directing and starring in it. Your box office appeal is not good.

Hero's investment was given out of Jet Li's favor, and Zhang Yimou was nothing in Hollywood.

Stephen Chow first approached Miramax, which was responsible for the overseas distribution of "Shaolin Soccer". He thought that the Weinstein brothers would be able to donate generously based on their last successful cooperation.

But it turned out that he was overthinking it, and Harvey Weinstein cut it in half and was only willing to invest $15 million.

Then they approached New Line, Lionsgate, Disney, etc., but they either turned down the investment or the investment amount did not meet their psychological expectations.

I went to Sony Colombia to lobby a few days ago. Colombia was willing to invest, but it was holding back $20 million and would not invest any more.

Finally, I came to MGM. I almost went to all major Hollywood companies, Starlight, and my experience was similar to the Olsen sisters' investment in "New York Hours".

Stephen Chow's face was solemn: "Eric, I think"

Eric interrupted directly: "Stephen, 22 million US dollars is already the highest price. I think you will be hard-pressed to find a more generous company in Hollywood than MGM."

"After all, you don't have Jack Chen and Jet Lee in your movie. Without them, it's hard for Chinese movies to be popular."

"Maybe my words sound a little harsh, but this is the truth. You should understand it and I hope you understand it."

Seeing Eric's attitude, Stephen Chow knew that it was useless to say anything. In business, liking your movie and being willing to invest in you are two different things.

It's like falling in love. You don't need to spend money to have a secret love. If you really pursue it, you will have to pay real money.

Don’t have money but still want to fall in love? You think you are Brother Hao!

After thinking for a moment, Stephen Chow asked: "Eric, if Xinghui accepts investment from MGM, what are you going to take away? How much will I have to pay?"

Eric had a smile on his face. Colombia could offer up to 20 million US dollars, and he had 2 million more than it.

In my opinion, 2 million may be just a drop in the bucket, but it is just the money of one movie for AK Film and Television.

But in Stephen Chow's view, it was not US dollars, but 16 million Hong Kong dollars. Everyone was in a completely different environment.

What's more, he has never cooperated with Colombia before. They are both strangers, so of course, whoever gives the most will listen to whoever gives them.

"Stephen, I am an investor. The copyright belongs to MGM first, and then distribution. MGM has distribution rights all over the world, except for those specific places where it will be difficult."

"Are you talking about markets such as the Middle East and mainland China?"

"Yes, in fact, MGM is planning to open a branch in China. I have a feeling that the market there will explode in a few years."

"This is a good idea. Taking advantage of this opportunity of "Kung Fu", you can set up a branch in Hong Kong."

Eric shook his head slightly: "Forget it about Xiangjiang, its market is shrinking, I prefer Yanjing."

Regarding this matter, Stephen Chow did not express any further opinions because he knew very well that the market in Hong Kong has indeed shrunk severely, otherwise co-production films would not be popular now.

After chatting for a while, Stephen Chow said that he would carefully consider the investment matter, declined MGM's dinner invitation, and left with Xinghui's people.

A week after it was released again, it was time for "Saw" to be released on a large scale.

Now only the more remote small towns are still being screened. Since the premiere time in these places is later than that in big cities, it will be postponed for another week or so, but it is just a mosquito leg.

In the last week, the box office of "Saw" in North America was US$6.1 million. This is the result of large-scale screenings. It has spread to every cinema. Profits have bottomed out, and it is time to make way for new films.

Overseas box office revenue this week was 20.69 million U.S. dollars. After another week of screening, it is time to draw the film. The global box office is currently 3.7 billion U.S. dollars.

During this week, movies such as "Cat and Mouse" and "Chicago" were also downloaded on a large scale.

"Cat and Mouse" has a North American box office of approximately US$600 million and a global box office of approximately US$500 million, making it worthy of Spielberg's reputation.

"Chicago" was miserable. It was first hit by "Sharknado". As soon as the shark swam away, the chainsaw came to chop off the feet again.

Even with the support of Oscar nominations, the North American box office was still not as good as expected. Analysts gave a prediction of US$500 million in North America, but in the end it only received more than 85 million.

The situation was the same in overseas markets, and the global box office finally reached US$4.5 billion.

Compared with its production cost of 45 million U.S. dollars and the considerable publicity and distribution costs, it is unlikely that this box office result will make a lot of money.

Miramax can only be considered unlucky. After the Oscars, the Weinstein Brothers will find ways to slowly earn back the money from copyrighted DVDs.

The investment in "Kung Fu" went very smoothly, surprisingly smoothly.

Just two days later, Stephen Chow came to visit again, and the two parties signed a contract directly, and the law came into effect.

What Eric didn't know was that in the past two days, Stephen Chow had made another offer to Sony Columbia, hoping to get an investment of US$25 million.

But Colombia's offer was $20 million, and it was impossible to get even one more point, even if it dropped to $23 million.

Then there is no choice. Hollywood's road has come to an end, and MGM is indeed the best solution.

The contract is lengthy, but there are only a few key clauses.

The first is that the film copyright is completely owned by MGM, and MGM is solely responsible for the announcement except for mainland China.

The second is that because Xinghui has completely given up the copyright, Stephen Chow's dividend must be increased by 3 percentage points. The screenwriter, director, and starring roles are combined into one, and a total of 12% of the gross box office profit can be shared.

As for the fixed remuneration of his screenwriter, director and actors, this is part of the film cost, which is included in the $20 million expenditure.

The third is the cost issue. MGM will send producers to supervise the work on site, but after all, it is filmed in China, and MGM cannot control it so leniently.

Therefore, if the film costs overrun, the overrun will be made up by Xinghui, and Xinghui cannot make other demands on this basis.

The main purpose of doing this is to prevent Stephen Chow from offering himself sky-high remuneration, or teaming up with other actors to offer sky-high remuneration.

The last item is the issue of distribution in Mainland China. Xinghui is responsible for the details and how to deal with it. Eric doesn’t know why Stephen Chow insists on adding this item. It is most likely because of kickbacks or private channels.

It's just an undeveloped market. It doesn't matter to MGM, which earns dollars, as long as it wants to give it to him.

According to the terms of the contract, the "Kung Fu" crew must start filming by May 10 this year at the latest, and MGM will send someone to participate.

The two wine glasses clinked together, and Eric smiled.

"Stephen, I wish our cooperation well!"

"Smooth cooperation!"

Eric took a sip of the red liquid: "By the way, there is one more thing I want to trouble you with. Do you have anyone familiar with you in China? I want to complete the establishment of a branch as soon as possible."

MGM gave a favor to Xinghui on the mainland distribution issue, and Stephen Chow naturally wanted to reciprocate the favor.

"I have a good relationship with Han Sanping of China Film Group. If MGM needs it, I can be an intermediary for introduction."

Hearing Han Sanping's name, Eric nodded secretly. If he remembered correctly, although this man has not yet taken the position of chairman of Huaying, he is also the vice chairman.

Moreover, he has a strong say in the company, is in charge of production, and Huaying controls the introduction of overseas films, so he is a person worthy of friendship.

Eric smiled: "Okay, I have also heard of Han Sanping. Let's say hello to Director Han when you go back."

"Help me find out what's going on. If he welcomes it, MGM will send someone there as soon as possible."

"I think Director Han has no reason not to welcome him. Eric, just wait for the good news."

After seeing Xinghui away, the Olsen sisters came to the door.

Double Star Entertainment is also in Los Angeles. The two parties are actually not far apart. If the traffic conditions are good, it can be reached in half an hour by car.

Seeing the sisters, the young receptionist was so surprised that she ran to ask for an autograph and a photo.

In the words of this little girl, I grew up watching your dramas, and you are my childhood idols.

The Olsen sisters were originally very happy to meet fans, but when they heard the word "childhood", they suddenly felt disappointed.

If they don't think of a way, their popularity will really disappear, and by then I'm afraid they won't even be able to keep their childhood fans.

"Ashley, Mary, welcome."

I hugged the two sisters respectively. One smelled faintly of roses, but Eric couldn't smell the other.

"I haven't seen you for over a week. How have you been?"

Sister Mary Olson smiled bitterly: "This is a difficult time. We also found a professional script doctor, hoping to modify and improve "New York Hours", but the effect is still not good."

"Eric, maybe it's like you said, if you want to get this script done well, you have to tear it down and start over."

"Alas! You are still thinking about "The New York Hour". With all due respect, that is rubbish. It is really not worth wasting time on such a thing."

The Olsen sisters looked a little embarrassed, but they still said helplessly: "You are right, we even asked top screenwriters to re-evaluate, but it is really a piece of garbage."

"So what else is there to consider? You must transform, and it is urgent. "Adele's Life" is undoubtedly the best opportunity."

Sister Ashley said: "Eric, Mary and I have been discussing your suggestion for a long time. We discuss it almost every day."

"But we are sisters after all. This is difficult. We don't know what the consequences will be, good or bad?"

"Really? But I don't think that's the case. You have been in the industry for many years. Don't you understand that every movie is a gamble, a gamble on money and a gamble on reputation. If you can't let go of anything, maybe child stars are the most suitable for you. path of."

It's really incredible that biological sisters play lesbians.

But the word child star once again pierced the hearts of the two sisters like a knife. Now that they are here today, they already have a tendency in their hearts, but they lack the final push.

And Eric was the hand they found for themselves.

As the saying goes: Madness is like gravity, all you have to do is give it a little push.