Hollywood Hunter

After listening to Eisner, Simon did not rush to discuss the release conditions of "When Harry Meets Sally", but said: "Michael, as far as I know, Disney does not pay much attention to the animation department, and even once you are rumored that you I intend to cancel the animation film production. In this case, why can't I make "The Lion King" for Daenerys?"

"Rumors are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head. "Seriously, I did consider shutting down the animation department. However, if I did, you would not sit here and talk to me now. . Our animation department is led by Roy Disney. So, do you understand?"

Simon thought a little and nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Walt Disney, the founder of Disney. The Disney family still holds a lot of shares in Disney Pictures.

After the death of Walt Disney, the overall quality of the animated movies produced by Disney has been far less than before. In recent years, the brand image can only be maintained by re-screening the classic animations more frequently.

However, as the root of Disney's starting of animation film, it is obviously impossible for Disney executives to rashly close the animation department based on the consideration of pure business interests, and it must also take into account the feelings of the Disney family.

To save money, relocating Disney’s animation department to Glendale’s derelict warehouse may already be the limit the Disney family can tolerate.If Michael Eisner continues to push the Disney animation department into a'foundry', it is difficult to say whether the Disney family will rebound.

With this in mind, Simon had no choice but to say, "Since this is the case, Michael, "Lion King" matters, I will think of another way. The script will definitely not be sold to you."

Michael Eisner said: "Simon, you have to understand that you have no other choice than Disney."

"I remember Universal just released an "American Rat Tan" last year, with a box office of more than 50 million US dollars, which is twice as high as Disney's "Magic Detective."

"That movie," Michael Eisner said, but smiled. "Including director Don Bruce, several major animators are employees who left our Disney. And, Simon, if you It’s even more impossible for their team to help you make “The Lion King”."

Simon didn't understand the joints too much, but he just shrugged and said, "There will always be other ways."

Michael Eisner's finger tapped on his memo, it doesn't matter: "So, good luck."

Although Simon's script is hot in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's attitude and insisted on it, and was not too demanding.Unlike live-action movies, the production cycle of animated movies is usually as long as two or three years, and the cost is high.

Who knows what will happen in three years?

Seeing that the Lion King couldn't turn things around, Simon also turned the topic back to "When Harry Meets Sally" and said, "Michael, about the two director films you just said, sorry, I can't agree. At most one , Maybe this is the last movie I checked out. After this time, I will only shoot movies for my company."

Michael Eisner listened to Simon’s words and couldn’t help but shake his head and smiled, saying: “Simon, Coppola probably thought the same way after The Godfather. But after the huge loss of The Cotton Club, he then only I can honestly shoot "Peggy Su to Marry" for Samsung Pictures."

The Cotton Club released by Francis Ford Coppola three years ago was a complete disaster.

Due to the disagreement between the director and the starring during the shooting process, the script's repeated revisions, etc., the budget has soared from 25 million US dollars to 58 million US dollars, but the film finally recovered only 25.92 million North American box office.Copola's ambitiously established Western Mirror Films was also on the verge of bankruptcy after the success of the "Godfather" series.

The publisher of "Cotton Club" happens to be Orion Pictures.

Speaking of this, Simon didn't consider the relationship this time Orion, which is also pretty good,

Due to the success of the box office of several movies last year, Orion, which has become financially relaxed, has now determined that as many as nine movie projects have been invested in person. Together with the agency of other independent film producers, this company’s distribution scale next year has been completely The seven majors were flat.

It's just that Orion obviously doesn't have the Seventh Party.

Simon looked at movies that were basically face-to-face, and he understood why Orion, which has frequently produced box-office awards' double-harvest films, will be in trouble in the next few years.

The big sale of a single movie certainly cannot make up for the loss of multiple movies.

"Maybe I will become the second Coppola," Simon thought to himself, and smiled as well, saying: "However, Michael, everyone should have a little dream, in case it is realized? So, only one unit."

Michael Eisner recalled Simon’s words, but insisted: “Simon, if this is the case, Disney can’t give you Easter schedule.”

Simon thought about it and said, "Michael, I can make some concessions on the commission, 18%, how do you feel?"

Michael Eisner still shook his head and said: "I have read the material of the last work "Heartfire" by the screenwriter of "When Harry Meets Sally". Both Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep A big star, the production cost is 25 million US dollars, and the box office is only 25 million US dollars. Simon, I don’t think this movie market can perform better than "Heart Fire", so 18% and 15% are not much different."

"Michael, I think you've made a mistake. That "Heartfire", because of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, the box office was only $25 million. I have now I don’t understand who is such a genius who would put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie, and the two of them would not have any chemical reaction on the screen at all. Now this "When Harry meets Sally", I believe its box office is definitely better than "Heartfire"."

"Simon, your confidence doesn't make any sense."

Simon thought for a while and said, "Or, how about Michael and Daenerys Pictures directly buying Disney's Easter schedule next year?"

Michael Eisner wondered: "What do you mean?"

Simon looked at Amy, who had been listening to the negotiation between the two, and said, "Will you give me the box office data report last week?"

Amy was also a little unclear, but she took out a page from the shoulder bag and handed it to Simon.

Simon took it, glanced at the data above, and handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table, saying: "Disney's Easter Replay is the 1970's "The Adventures of Cats", which will be released on April 10th. More than 1400 screens, the current box office is 13 million US dollars, and it will certainly be able to continue for a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate based on the total box office of 16 million US dollars, 50% of the box office is divided, the declared cost is calculated as 2 million, Disney You can make a profit of 6 million US dollars from it. Michael, Daenerys Pictures made 6 million US dollars, which is counted as a fixed distribution commission. Disney only needs to give us 1,000 screens next Easter. What do you think?"

Michael Eisner took the box office report and looked down at the data above, but began to think about Simon's novel cooperation plan.

With a fixed commission of 6 million US dollars, according to the 15% commission rate for the issue, the young people in front of him are equivalent to calculating the North American box office of "When Harry Meets Sally" as 40 million US dollars.

If "When Harry Meets Sally" can get the $40 million North American box office, and count the subsequent release proceeds, this is definitely a big earning project.

Thinking about this, Michael Eisner quickly said: "Simon, things are not so calculated. In addition to the box office of "The Adventures of Cats", the replay of this animated film can also stimulate its video tapes and Derivative sales, Disney’s gains are more than $6 million."

Simon nodded: "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to $6 million, Disney can also give priority to buying out other channels of the distribution of "When Harry Meets Sally". "Laura Run" obtained by Orion The distribution rights for North American videotapes and television broadcasts will also bring them great benefits in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get one of my directorial films."

Michael Eisner said: "Two."

Simon shook his head: "There is only one, Michael. If you insist on two, then I can only say sorry."

Michael Esnamore weighed the box office report that he still had in his hand and weighed again for a moment, saying: "Simon, "When Harry Meets Sally" North American box office is less than 40 million US dollars, Daenerys Pictures pays 600 $10,000 fixed commission. Over $40 million, Disney takes an 18% bonus. You agree with this and I agree with your other terms."

Amy listened to Michael Eisner's words and couldn't help but glance at Simon, worried that he would agree immediately.

Under the $40 million fixed commission calculation, Daenerys Pictures has taken sufficient risks.There is no reason why the better the box office, Disney will have to take away the higher commission.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon heard the words and got up directly, reaching out to Michael Eisner: "The deal."

Michael Eisner didn't expect Simon to be so simple. He watched the young man across from him with a smile on his hand. He had to stand up and shook his hand, but he felt that he might have been bypassed.

Correct.

Two films about.

Before this meeting, he cares more about signing Simon's next two director films.

Compared with "When Harry Meets Sally", which is not very good-looking, the two films of the young man in front of him are more valuable to him.After all, the other party's profound film skills demonstrated in "Rola Run", even many big directors who have long been famous in Hollywood, are difficult to match.

right now.

There is only one left.

I have to say that Michael Eisner did guess Simon’s intention. Although he did not intend to make concessions in terms of the number of movies, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner’s attention.

Signing an additional film contract is already the limit Simon can bear. He does not want to be tied between several major studios like Spielberg.

In fact, if the purchase price of Columbia Pictures without additional conditions can be higher, and the schedule can be negotiated, Simon even prefers to cooperate with each other.However, the buyout price of $3 million is too far from Simon's psychological expectations.

As for the cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological limit even increased the commission for issuance to 20%.At present, although it is necessary to pay 6 million US dollars under 40 million U.S. dollars, but over 40 million U.S. dollars, the commission ratio is only 18%, which does not exceed Simon's quotation limit.

In any case, if the box office of "When Harry Meets Sally" is not as good as it used to be, then the failure will fail, and Simon can afford a failure.But if this movie is not as successful as the original, although the distribution commission is higher, but only at the North American box office, Daenerys Films still hopes to be able to recover the production cost of 15 million US dollars.

As the head of a large film company, since the words are spoken, Michael Eisner will not turn against a young man.However, after shaking hands with Simon, he added: "Since this, Simon, Daenerys Pictures must pay a commission of $6 million in advance after signing the contract."

Cash is very scarce for any film company.

According to the usual practice, the distributor usually only officially settles the distribution commission after the movie is down, but if it can get 6 million dollars in advance, Disney can even make an additional movie.

However, Simon shook his head and said, "Sorry, Michael, Daenerys has no money."

Michael Eisner listened to the young man who was just resolute and shrewd, and began to play rogue, reluctantly reminded: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have recently received the sales proceeds of "Laura Run". A stroke."

Simon shook his head again and said: "Michael, then you must know that because of the uneven distribution of benefits, I am preparing a lawsuit battle with my girlfriend, and the money cannot be moved temporarily."

Although a bit depressed about Simon's decision, Amy almost laughed when she heard him talk like that.

Michael Eisner's expression was even more helpless, saying: "Simon, didn't you notice that you showed a big flaw? You just used the term'girlfriend'."

Simon corrected calmly: "Oh, sorry, it's an ex-girlfriend."

Michael Eisner finally laughed and shook his head: "Well, it's for this joke that is not so funny."

The basic contract framework was determined, and the three of them continued to discuss some details.

Although I always heard a lot of people talking about it, the first time I met, Michael Eisner was really impressed by Simon’s savvy over age, and he specifically left the two together for lunch at noon.

Negotiations with Disney, Simon will naturally no longer consider MGM.

Compared to the aggressive Disney under Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Kasenberg, MGM has almost become a family after it was bought by casino tycoon Kirk Kokrian in the 1970s Real estate and hotel companies.

In these years, the studio has been transferred, the hotel has been built, and a lot of precious props retained by MGM’s Golden Age have been auctioned. Perhaps it is because the company’s profits have been squeezed out. May changed hands to CNN boss Ted Turner.

Ted Turner is currently raising funds to pay for the $1.5 billion quotation from Kerkorian.

However, in Simon's memory, Ted Turner didn't pay the money in the end. This media tycoon really only valued MGM's thousands of movie copyrights accumulated over half a century.

Turner Broadcasting is preparing to build a brand new basic cable station that requires a lot of content resources.

In the end, it successfully retained the most precious film resources in the MGM film library. After some toss, MGM returned to Kokrian again.

In the next few years, casino tycoons have begun to use MGM to play capital operations.

All in all, this Hollywood's once the most powerful film company, now the least thoughtful thing to do, is probably the movie.