Hollywood legendary director

"Director Phillips?"

In the office, Lehmann quickly saw this visitor—about 1.8 meters tall, with a well-groomed beard, and a gentle temperament. With a smile on his face, he was very confident. It's not stiff, because for Todd, this is a normal contact and negotiation. If the cooperation is not successful, he is not without a home. With so many production companies in the United States, for him, there is no small choice.

After a few words of courtesy between the two, Todd Phillips made it clear that Lehman was unambiguous, and then said, "Since I have brought the script, can I take a look at it first?"

Todd nodded, and after passing the script from the briefcase, he sat calmly on the sofa.

This look finally gave Lehman some memory of the other party.

At that time, Todd was a director who only made comedy themes with a little bit of nasty interest. The innovation index was not high, and the story was not new. In any case, he was a comedy director who was stereotyped, and his status in the circle was not high.

However, when Lehman read the script, he remembered that this product could still produce results. Although it is now "unheard", the talent is not as scarce as people think. After all, who would have thought that this guy would transform suddenly and shoot. The 19-year-old independent work "Joker"?

Although the success factor of "Joker" has a lot of off-site interference, it is undeniable that Todd's director talent is not bad, but this guy hasn't found his way yet, and he "does not want to make progress."

For example, in order to get the right to adapt to the clown, this guy asked Warner for more than a year before he was approved. It can also be seen that Warner did not trust a director who only made "mainstream" comedies, because after that , This guy just likes to make bad comedies, such as the script at this time, a creative idea of ​​a man standing on the threshold of marriage, "The Hangover".

This kind of routine is in the bad streets of Hollywood. The success of "Hangover" is more because of the good chemistry of the main creator, because according to the lead actor-now cooperating with the firefly "The Cock Man", the actor Bradley who finished the first season at home -When Cooper was interviewing, he complained about the film and was on the set, often everyone gathered around to discuss, add and modify the scene, add jokes.

Similar creative modes are not common in Hollywood, but Hong Kong Island in the 1980s and 1990s like it when the brain is hot to shoot, Hollywood still uses rigor in the majority, not to mention always changing the script, even filming all parts of the day It needs to be determined in advance and given to the management or producer for approval.

So when Lehman watched this script, there was no surprise at all, because it was filmed completely according to the script, and many classic scenes of "The Hangover" were not written in the script. In other words, Todd's own funny skills are indeed clichéd. Can't afford the market polish.

Take a look at the "Hangover" series that made him famous. Even if he achieves such a result, it is completely small and the return rate is far above average. Todd Phillips is still not recognized by the major studios. A first-line director knows that the management is not blind.

Because in addition to "The Hangover", whether it was the previous films such as "Gigrant King" and "The Two Heroes of the Police", or the subsequent "Preliminary Date" and "The Arms Dealer", the results were not impressive, which can also prove "The Hangover" It is really for the main creative purpose, not the director himself.

After all, if he was really good, he would have been offered as a treasure by the studio a long time ago, and he could still be mixed into the present, without the studio being able to take care of him or not?

Maybe he can still improve, because the director is very experienced, but now Todd Phillips is indeed an inferior instrumental director with no special features.

Furthermore, Lyman, the adaptation right of the Joker, is also thinking about it, and can't wait for Phillips to exert his strength. Given the relationship between Firefly and Warner at this time, this matter is very promising...

The idea came to the fore in a flash and then temporarily put it behind him. "The Dark Knight" gave Warner's confidence so much that he had never encountered a big pit, and it was not the time to plan.

Moreover, the project "The Hangover" is of course good, provided that the chemical reaction can still be like the original team, otherwise it is likely that the copyright value will be greatly reduced, and it has become Todd's usual profitable but profitable situation. .

After all, strictly speaking, it seems difficult for a low-cost comedy to really want to lose money. Universal has filmed at least 5 or 6 comedy themes a year, and there is no loss, which means that the audience market for comedy has always been regional. Features.

In other words, people all over the world like to watch comedy based on regional culture. It will not be bad if it can entertain the audience at the box office, but once you go abroad, it will be a little tasteless, typical of the theme of regional barriers.

As for Todd Phillips?

This product has a sense of businessmen. In addition to the film industry, this product has been the most popular for 11 years. At a celebration party with the "rich girl" Paris-Hilton, they kissed mouth to mouth and officially revealed the two Love affair...

Therefore, if Firefly wants to win this project, they have to discuss the salary conditions with Todd. The reason why he wants to find a next home is also because Warner thinks this project is very ordinary, and there is no expectation. As a result, Warner did not expect it and the production team was not tough. , But got a surprise, which is also outrageous...

After Lehman asked Todd's agent to directly negotiate the contract with the company's legal team, the meeting ended.

Two days later, Joseph came over and began the reporting process.

"What did he mention?"

"Very trivial, look at it." Joseph took out the contract and handed it over.

"4 million + 8% of North America's box office profit?" Lehman skipped a lot of guarantees about the right to speak on the set, and turned to the salary column. "Does he still want to be a producer?"

"A director will make similar demands to fight for filming rights. Anyway, it is a part-time job, which does not have any burden on his own job." Joseph shrugged, "Hollywood is a producer-centric system, and the production union has the heaviest weight."

"Well, he is no longer a newcomer, he is qualified, but what does the film copyright say?"

"We invest and we are responsible for the distribution. Of course, we have all of them, but we may not be able to leave him alone in this series. Even if it is not a director, it has to be a producer. He has already positioned himself and is very smart."

"It seems very planned." Lyman smiled.

"Do you want to establish a project? If you continue to push down...I find it difficult."

"OK." Lehman waved his hand. "He can comment on the casting, but we must get our consent. If we agree to this, he is the producer and director of this project. In addition, Bradley Cooper Call, if the schedule changes, talk to Fox TV and postpone the shooting of the second season of "Men's Cock".

"Okay." Joseph nodded in response.