Best Movie Star

Just after the New Year's holiday, Matthew walked into the office building of Burbank Skydance Films, and David Ellison asked him to discuss things about the "Fast and Furious" series.

"The marketing department of Skydance Pictures and the professional research agency I commissioned conducted market research specifically on the "Fast and Furious" series." David Ellison saw Matthew without any nonsense, and cut to the point directly. "Car racing movies do have a wider audience in North America."

Sitting on a European-style sofa, Matthew withdrew his gaze from the luxuriously decorated reception room and asked, "David, are you making up your mind?"

David Ellison suddenly turned to Matthew and said deliberately, "I trust your vision."

Of course, this is just to say, and he added a sentence later, "We each contributed half of the money to jointly purchase the copyright of the "Fast and Furious" series."

His purpose is simple, so that Matthew is tied to the Fast and the Furious franchise, sharing the risk with him.

David Ellison does regard Matthew as a friend, but he understands a truth. The position of friendship in business operations should be pushed back, and friendship is far less secure than common interests.

If he bought the copyright of this series with sole proprietorship, what should Matthew do if the situation is bad?

Matthew considered it for a few seconds, and said firmly, "Yes, as long as Universal Pictures doesn't ask too much, I guess I can scrape together the money."

"Good!" David Ellison said.

As long as he can drag Matthew to invest, he is not worried that Matthew will not do his best. If he fails, Sky Dance Pictures can afford to lose such a sum of money, and Matthew will probably vomit blood.

It is not difficult for Matthew to see what David Ellison is thinking, but he feels normal. It involves an investment of tens of millions of dollars. Even if Larry Ellison comes over, he will also consider risks and benefits.

"David..." He repeated his old words, "What if Universal Pictures doesn't let it go?"

"I have seriously considered your suggestion." David Ellison had a substantive investigation consultation. "Leonidas died in the battle at Hot Springs Pass. You can't appear in the sequel, right?"

Matthew nodded lightly, "The sequel to the "Three Hundred Spartans" series will no longer have anything to do with me."

David Ellison sighed, visibly determined, and said, "Well, Matthew, we're in two steps."

Matthew didn't speak, waiting for David Ellison to continue.

"We first try to buy out the rights to the sequel to the "Fast and the Furious" series from Universal Pictures." David Ellison said seriously, "The ideal situation is for Universal Pictures to directly sell the rights to the sequel to us."

He went on to say, "It is not easy to impress Universal Pictures. If the first step fails, we will use the copyright of the sequel to "Three Hundred Spartans" as a weight."

Matthew answered at this time, "Last time you said that Universal Pictures is interested in the copyright of the sequel, now you confirm it?"

David Ellison nodded slowly, "I have specifically checked, "Sin City" and "Three Hundred Spartans" have been successful in succession, and the industry is quite confident in the film adaptation of Frank Milan's illustrated novel. , I told you last time that a lot of companies are eyeing a comic book sequel to Frank Milan's 300 Spartans, and Universal is one of them."

He was still somewhat reluctant, "If the first step works, we won't start the second step."

"Yes." Matthew agreed, "I also hope to get the rights to the sequel to the "Fast and the Furious" series with funds alone."

That being said, he reckons that this may not be very big.

David Ellison said, "I then put people in substantial contact with Universal."

Matthew thought for a while, and then said, "You can ask Helen to talk to you later. Since it is a joint venture acquisition, we will reach an agreement first."

David Ellison couldn't help laughing, "That way I'm relieved."

Matthew didn't say much. Since it is a business cooperation, it is better to put the agreement on paper.

Afterwards, the two discussed more details, and Matthew stayed in Sky Dance Films for nearly a day before leaving.

From the next day, Helen Herman and David Ellison's representatives made contact, the two sides quickly reached an agreement, and signed a formal contract.

At the same time, Robert Reston, the bald CEO of Skydance Pictures, also submitted an intention to acquire the production rights of the sequel to "Fast and the Furious" to Universal Pictures, with an offer of up to $30 million.

As expected by Matthew, Universal Pictures did not give much consideration at all, and directly rejected Sky Dance Pictures.

However, there is one thing that makes Matthew and David Ellison more gratified. After Sky Dance Pictures saw the price increase to 40 million US dollars, Universal Pictures did not completely close the door to negotiation, and it is still maintaining its relationship with Sky Dance Pictures. s contact.

According to Matthew and Helen-Hellman's speculation, Universal Pictures seems to have plans for Skydance.

Universal Studios is on the top floor of the office area of ​​Universal Studios. Ron Mayer paced back and forth in his spacious office. A department director behind him didn't say anything, just waited quietly.

"How likely do you think the Fast and Furious franchise is to win back into the market?" Ron Mayer stopped and looked back at the director. "Can it be more than fifty percent?"

The director faced the building with a wry smile, "Fifty percent? Ron, that's impossible." He explained in detail, "The first North American box office of The Fast and the Furious had $140 million, and the second 1 $20 million, and the third installment is less than $50 million."

He took a coffee cup, took a sip, and said, "Like the declining box office, the trilogy's reputation is getting worse and worse, and the third "Tokyo Drift" is already recognized as a bad movie. On the contrary, , the investment is getting higher and higher, so we just terminated the follow-up plan.”

Ron Mayer turned around, pulled out his chair and sat down, asking, "Does this sequel mean to us?"

"It's almost pointless," the director said honestly, "The rights to the trilogy are in our hands now, and like those old movies that no one cares about, they can only benefit from long TV broadcasts and disc rentals. ."

Ron Mayer rested his chin with one hand and seemed to be thinking carefully about something.

The director added, "Actually, if the price is right, we can consider a deal with Sky Dance Pictures."

"Tell me about it." Ron Mayer nodded.

"In the beginning, Sky Dance Pictures wanted the full copyright of the "Fast and Furious" series, including the copyright of the trilogy in our hands." The director said in detail, "but after we directly refused, Skydance Studios adjusted their strategy, they only asked for the production rights of the sequel to the "Fast and the Furious" series, not the rights to the trilogy."

He smiled, "If the deal is reached, we can keep the copyright of the trilogy, and the copyright operation and income of the trilogy will not be affected in any way, just sell the production rights of the sequel of the series to Sky Dance Pictures, They're now bidding up to $40 million, which is a net profit for the company."

How to calculate Universal Pictures is more cost-effective.

But Ron Mayer did not say anything. The six major Hollywood companies are very cautious in selling the copyright of any of their films and even the copyright of the sequel, and they will not consider it if they do not have enough attractive prices.

Universal Pictures is not without a precedent for remaking a dead series and making it a big success, the most typical of which is the "Mummy" series.

I think that there were other companies or producers who asked Universal Pictures for the sequel rights of "The Mummy" and other monster movies. If the production rights of the sequels were sold at that time, there would not be "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns". .

It is not impossible to sell the production rights of the sequel, but there must be enough income.

"Ron, what do you think?" the director asked at this time.

"Let people talk to Skydance Pictures." Ron Mayer said casually, "I met Frank Miller in New York some time ago, and he is already working on the sequel to "Three Hundred Spartans" I have already made a comic for "Rise of Empires", but according to the previous contract, the right to purchase the film adaptation of the sequel is in the hands of Sky Dance Pictures..."

The director immediately understood what Ron Mayer meant. "You mean Skydance and David Ellison to exchange the rights to the sequel to The Three Hundred Spartans?"

Ron Meyer nodded ~www.readwn.com~ and said, "I have confirmed from Frank Miller that if Sky Dance Pictures does not give up, they have the copyright of the sequel for ten years. Of course, if If it is not adapted within five years, it will be regarded as giving up automatically.”

But Universal Pictures can't wait five years, and with the success of the two adaptations of "Sin City" and "Spartan 300", Frank Miller's work is hot, even after the expiration, Universal Pictures To face the fierce competition from other companies, it is better to grab the sequel rights directly from Sky Dance Pictures.

The sequel to such a super-smashing movie is far less risky and more valuable than the sequel to the "Fast and the Furious" series.

"There is one more thing to pay attention to." Ron-Mayer specifically urged, "This negotiation should be strictly confidential to prevent the information from leaking out and attracting other companies."

The director nodded and understood Ron Mayer's intention. After all, "Spartan 300" was too successful.

Ron Mayer discussed with the director for a while and determined his own bottom line. Sky Dance Films must exchange the copyright for the sequel copyright of "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors" in exchange for "Fast and Furious". sequel copyright.

After all, Sky Dance Pictures has obtained the right to purchase the sequel to "Three Hundred Spartans", and has not started negotiations with Frank Miller on the copyright fee for the sequel. If Universal Pictures can get it, it is impossible to do it on its own. pay this fee.

Matthew and David Ellison want to plot the rights to a sequel to the "Fast and the Furious" series held by Universal Pictures, and Universal Pictures wants to get the right to buy a sequel to "Three Hundred Spartans."

The two sides seem to be able to find the basis for an agreement, but things are not as smooth as they seem.