The Best Entertainment Era

A black Lexus sedan drove away from the office building where Embassy Pictures was located.

In the car, Mel Gibson, who didn't look very good-looking, said to Charlemagne, I don't like Embassy Pictures.

Charlemagne has worked with Mel Gibson for many years and knows how to get along with him, saying in his words: I don't like Embassy Pictures either.

Mel Gibson's anger did not go down completely, and he said, Do we have any other options?

This is not the time to be impulsive, Charlemagne said quickly: Unless you are willing to hand over the film to a New Market company for distribution, they have no guarantee.

But the bid from Embassy Pictures... Mel Gibson frowned: $40 million is too low.

Charlemagne is also not optimistic about the commercial prospects of The Passion of the Christ, but he did not say it directly, but insinuated: We have invested a total of 30 million US dollars, so there is also a profit margin of 10 million US dollars.

Mel Gibson was silent. He could understand the meaning of these words. If they really wanted to split the distribution, would Aiken Pictures have a profit of 10 million U.S. dollars?

In fact, there is one aspect that Charlemagne didn't say, but he had a clear understanding in his heart. This Passion of the Christ is really too non-mainstream...

As the car drove out of Thirteenth Street in Burbank, Mel Gibson said slowly, Charlemagne, what's your suggestion?

Charlemagne said bluntly this time: We have run through all medium and large distribution companies, and Embassy Pictures is the only one willing... Seeing Mel Gibson's face turned gloomy, he quickly changed his words: The conditions offered by Embassy Pictures are The most generous, we don’t like Embassy Pictures, we don’t like that Garcia-Rodriguez, but this is a business, and we can’t mix too much personal likes and dislikes. We can’t give up the possible profits and choose the option of losing money. ?”

Mel Gibson's face was not very good-looking, after all, he didn't lose his temper again. After a while, he waved his hand and said, Let's deal with it according to your wishes.

Charlemagne nodded: Okay. He reminded again: Embassy Pictures still respects you very much, and all activities during the promotion will be centered on you.

Mel Gibson snorted: If not, I'd rather lose money than work with them.

Sitting in Charlemagne's position, he had to consider the company's operations. Charlemagne simply shut up to avoid saying something unpleasant, which would cause Mel Gibson to change his mind.

He could only sigh secretly: Serving such a boss,

It's not easy.

Three days later, Embassy Pictures and Aiken Pictures formally signed a buyout agreement to buy out the entire copyright of The Passion of the Christ at a high price of 40 million US dollars.

The Passion of the Christ has also become a veritable film of relativity entertainment.

Embassy Pictures also announced that The Passion of the Christ will be released in North America in late February 2004 next year.

Immediately after the buyout contract was signed, Ronan convened a release meeting on Passion of the Christ at the Embassy Films, asking the company to prepare for a large-scale release of the film.

The reason for the special meeting is also to remind everyone in the embassy film industry of the importance of this film in this way.

Another point is to determine Mel Gibson as the core point of publicity and promotion.

Mel Gibson is a first-line male star and has won an Oscar for Best Director.

In the conference room, David Villa said with a smile: Because of his personality and temper, there are many controversies surrounding him. This film may lack selling points, but Mel Gibson has a lot of selling points.

Ronan reminded: The controversy of the film is often the selling point.

Garcia-Rodriguez agrees with Ronan: Our past distribution experience has proved that a good movie may not be successful, but a controversial movie often has a higher chance of success than a good movie.

Ronan reminded again: Controversy is not a bad thing, but don't let the fire burn on us.

David Villa answered: Mel Gibson will always be at the forefront, he is the best shield.

During the negotiation, I had contact with Mel Gibson many times. Garcia-Rodriguez said simply: This person can't tolerate others saying that his movie is not good, his anger burns at a little bit, and he is a little too confident. , I believe he will be a qualified publicity hot spot.

David Villa said again: I will ask people to make several plans for Mel Gibson. We have worked on The Blair Witch before and have rich experience in this regard.

How to do the specific work, Ronan has long stopped participating, but said: Think about all kinds of issues comprehensively. If we can follow the direction we set, this film has the potential to explode.

With so many movies in succession, everyone from Shahai Entertainment to Embassy Pictures has inexplicable confidence in Ronan.

Garcia Rodriguez and David Villa are no exception. Since Ronan said that the film may explode, it will really explode in the future.

The explosion in the minds of the two has a minimum measurement standard, buying out the copyright for 40 million US dollars, and at least the North American box office must exceed 100 million.

After discussing The Passion of the Christ for a while, Garcia-Rodriguez turned to say: The Purge 3 was released from North America yesterday.

Ronan asked, How much is the box office?

García-Rodriguez reflected on it, and said, North America grossed $95.02 million, worldwide grossed $172.5 million.

Ronan smiled and said, We can continue planning the fourth part.

Since there is a market, an audience, and the investment in the film itself is not high, of course the sequel must be carried out to the end as always.

After leaving Embassy Pictures, Ronan received a call from Robert Lee, who contacted Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, through Random House.

The town of Astor in New Hampshire, like many satellite towns in the United States, is quiet and livable.

In a cafe near the middle school in the town, Robert Lee met Dan Brown and his wife and manager Bryce Newton.

It was an honor to meet you two.

Robert Lee shook hands with Dan Brown and his wife politely, and introduced himself: I am Robert Lee, Senior President of Hollywood Relativity Entertainment Group.

Invest in relativity entertainment for Pirates of the Caribbean? Contrary to Robert Lee's expectations, Dan Brown seems to be very familiar with Hollywood.

Thinking of Dan Brown's identity as a popular writer, Robert Lee was not too surprised. The ultimate goal of many popular writers is to turn their works from words in books into movies on the big screen.

Exactly. Robert Lee said with a smile, I'm here on behalf of Relativity Entertainment.

Dan Brown glanced at his wife Bryce Newton, and Bryce Newton asked directly: Mr. Li, are you and the Relativity Entertainment Group you represent here for my husband's work?

Robert Lee took out a copy of The Da Vinci Code from his briefcase, put it in front of Dan Brown and his wife, and said: We are very interested in Mr. Brown's latest book, and we want to adapt it. into a movie.

The couple did not answer immediately, but instead glanced at each other with a strange expression on their faces.

Robert Lee had been watching them and noticed it immediately, a little confused about what the two men meant.

Relativity Entertainment is very sincere. Robert Lee added: Mr. Brown's is also suitable for film adaptation.

Bryce Newton smiled, with a little embarrassment in his smile, and said: We are very grateful for your company's attention to The Da Vinci Code. It is an honor for Brown and me, but there is one thing you may not know, We have already sold the film adaptation copyright of The Da Vinci Code, and it is impossible to sell it a second time.

This was very unexpected, Robert Lee frowned slightly: Already sold?

Yes. Dan Brown has no need to lie about this kind of thing.

Bryce Newton simply explained: In the first week after the publication, Mr. Tom Hanks contacted me. On behalf of Pretone, he negotiated with us and bought Daphne. The film copyright of The Odd Code.

Robert Lee knew that Pratone was a film production company under the name of Tom Hanks, and the head of the company was Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks' wife.

This company has participated in the production of many films in recent years, the most famous of which is undoubtedly Xiao Boda's My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

The Da Vinci Code was preempted by Pretone!

In recent years, Robert Lee has been buying copyrights everywhere, and his targets are works that have not yet become famous. The progress has been very smooth, and now people have taken the lead, which is somewhat depressing.

Dan Brown is a very thoughtful writer who doesn't want to offend big Hollywood companies. He said at this time: Mr. Hanks promised us that the film will be released in North America within the next five years, and we cannot refuse.

Robert Lee has accepted this fact, thought for a while, and said, May I ask, how much copyright fee did Mr. Hanks' Preton Corporation pay for The Da Vinci Code?

Just as Dan Brown was about to speak, Bryce Newton thought of the signed agreement, so he quickly gave him a hand and said, Mr. Li, I'm very sorry, we have signed a non-disclosure agreement with Pratone, and we cannot disclose the content of the transaction to the outside world. .”

It's okay. Robert Lee has always been very polite: My question is too presumptuous.

Both Bryce Newton and Dan Brown returned polite smiles, impressed with Robert Lee.

The three chatted for a while, and Robert Li took the initiative to say goodbye, left the cafe, came to the small tree-lined park opposite, called Ronan's phone, and explained the general situation.

He briefly analyzed: Tom Hanks' Prattone company has just obtained the copyright, and The Da Vinci Code is not considered a well-known work at present. Can we go to Tom Hanks to talk about it? He got the copyright again?

Ronan glanced at the schedule and said: Charles Rowan invited me to participate in a 3D animation film segment of Warner Brothers. Tom Hanks is one of the main voice actors and will also participate. I happened to talk to him talk.

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