Director’s Legend

"Top Entertainment is going crazy this year!"

Whether it is the media, financial professionals, or movie fans, the same aspirations have emerged in their hearts. It was only then announced that it planned to acquire MGM for more than a month, D2 was acquired for more than a week, and Lucasfilm was to be acquired again. As early as four or five years ago, Summit Entertainment was just a small company that couldn't produce a movie a year, but now it wants to swallow the biggest special effects company!

This is definitely the most important news this year, following the news of the acquisition of MGM.

To say that Hollywood is a place of turbulence, the movie company has ebb and flow, the owner has changed from one to another, and the acquisition is not a great event.

News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox Films in 1985, Sony acquired Columbia Pictures for US$5 billion in 1989, merged Universal Studios and NBC Television Channel in 2004, and Sony acquired MGM Films for US$5 billion in 2005. Paramount Pictures acquired DreamWorks Film Studio (non-animation department). In 2005, the Weinstein brothers left Disney’s Miramax Films and made a new start. In 2006, Walt Disney acquired Pixar Animation Studios for US$7.4 billion, 2008 Warner Bros. Pictures merged with New Line Films.

Hollywood stories have never lacked ups and downs.

But the target is Summit Entertainment. Sony, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount are all big companies for decades, but Summit Entertainment is a small company that has only emerged in three or four years.

In people's impression, Hollywood did not have the name Pinnacle Entertainment a few years ago.

But it was this company that bought Marvel Comics for $4.1 billion in 2009 and became the North American and global box office champion in 2010. In 2011, it announced the acquisition of MGM, and now it is going to swallow Lucasfilm.

It's as if the waiter serving tea at the reception suddenly pulled off his apron and said that he was a tycoon, the contrast was too big.

Even if it goes back, the parent company of Summit Entertainment, Dream Entertainment Group, is only a company established in 2005, and the development time is too short.

And it is this contrast that attracts people's attention.

The attention is almost comparable to the presidential election.

Shao Shuaijun, who was preparing to finalize "The Night Watcher: Reflection" in the past few days, had to postpone the crew one day and rushed to Santa Monica to participate in this press conference. He is the leading *OSS behind Summit Entertainment. His attendance reflects the importance he attaches to George Lucas and Lucasfilm.

The conference was held at 10 o'clock in the 18-story building of Summit Entertainment. Originally, Shao Shuaijun thought that Lionsgate would be the first to move in, but he did not expect that it should be Lucas Pictures.

Shao Shuaijun arrived early and went to the lounge to meet George Lucas. As a legendary director, George Lucas single-handedly created the glory of "Star Wars", but since 2005, he announced his retirement, no longer directing movies, and turned to behind-the-scenes creation.

Because George Lucas does not often attend public events, Shao Shuaijun is also a low-key figure, and the two have not met on formal occasions yet.

"Mr. Lucas, it's nice to meet you. I grew up watching your movie "Star Wars". I am very excited to see you in person." Shao Shuaijun shook Lucas's hand and shook it vigorously. .

"Haha, I am also honored to be able to grow up with a great director." Lucas was still handsome when he was young, with a beard and charming. Now that he is old, his hair and beard are gray, his face is fatter, and he looks much kinder with glasses.

"I didn't expect to be able to work with you one day."

"Me too. I have been working with the old guys in Hollywood for a long time, and I have to face a decadent atmosphere all day long. I also want to change my taste." Lucas said tiredly.

This time, Summit Entertainment was able to successfully acquire Lucasfilm. In addition to sufficient money, it also allowed Lucas to invest in Summit Entertainment. The big reason is related to Lucas' intention to retire completely. After Lucas divorced his ex-wife in 1983, he has been living a single life. Because he has no children, he adopted two children.

And four years ago, after 30 years of single life, George Lucas finally met his true daughter, Melody Hobson, the chairman of DreamWorks Animation. In the spring of his later years, Lucas cherished this relationship very much, so he decided to give up the tedious business and focus on love.

After Summit Entertainment proposed the acquisition, Lucas simply agreed.

With respect to the legend, Shao Shuaijun and Lucas chatted about his proud work "Star Wars."

There are six movies in the "Star Wars" series, namely "Star Wars: A New Hope" in 1977, "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1983 and 1995 "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Crisis", 2002's "Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones" and 2005's "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith", and an animated film "The Clone Wars" ".

In addition to movies and animations, Lucasfilm also launched dozens of "Star Wars" series of games.

So far, the "Star Wars" series has received 4.4 billion US dollars in box office, 3.8 billion US dollars in video and DVD and other post-theatre media income, and its derivative income has reached 20 billion US dollars, which can be said to have earned the limelight. Just the Star Wars brand is worth 1 billion US dollars!

In addition to the "Star Wars" series, Lucas has also produced four films in the "Indiana Jones" series and other movies.

"I think "Star Wars" has been silent for too long. Although there have been derivatives such as animations and games, it has been five years since the last movie. Is this series Mr. Lucas still going to do it? ?" Shao Shuaijun asked.

Lucas smiled: "Shao, call me George. I conceived the "Star Wars" follow-up, and I really hope to continue to launch it. I already have the idea and creativity for the new trilogy. After the acquisition, if you If I am willing, I can serve as an art consultant for the new trilogy."

"That's great, I personally like "Star Wars" very much, and I will actively promote the shooting of the new trilogy!"

As he was about to talk about the new trilogy, Mitchell personally came to inform the two that he was going to the press conference. The old and the young, then put the topic aside and walked towards the hall talking and laughing.

At the press conference, the crowd was really dense, and reporters from all over Hollywood came. Reporters from all over the world have also come, financial reporters from Wall Street have also come, and Chinese media have also arrived in a group. The scale is so large that it is rare in the world.

The conference was hosted by Mitchell personally, and it was nothing more than an introduction to Summit Entertainment’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, as well as the motives and future plans.

When the media asked questions, the reporters immediately started bombing questions: "Mr. Lucas, why did you agree to this acquisition plan?"

Lucas replied: "I wanted to retire a few years ago. I want to live a life away from the film industry and stop worrying about the company. I really want to put my company in a place that can protect it. Under such a large enterprise, Summit Entertainment is such an enterprise with a glorious future. I am relieved to entrust the company to them."

"Mr. Shao, why did Summit Entertainment acquire Lucasfilm? Is it the company's decision or your proposal?"

Shao Shuaijun replied: "It is the company's decision and my proposal. ILM is what Summit Entertainment aspires to. We want to create superhero movies. The special effects technology required is very complicated. With the support of ILM, it will be more calm. At the same time, I am in the United States. I can see the traces of Star Wars everywhere, so I thought, maybe we should buy it and let the movie legend of Star Wars continue!"

"Mr. Shao meant that the Star Wars series will be restarted?"

"Why not? I just talked about this with Mr. Lucas later. We all think that there are only six Star Wars movies, which are too few. We have seven, eight, or nine films to make Star Wars To be an enduring brand. Mr. Lucas has agreed to be the new trilogy art consultant."

Lucas said: "In the past 35 years, the thing that has made me most happy is to let generations of children enjoy "Star Wars". Now, I give Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers. I have always believed in "Star Wars." The series will surpass me and live forever. It is also very important to make this series change during my lifetime. I have full trust in Catherine Kennedy's leadership of Lucasfilm. With the new home of Summit Entertainment, "Star Wars" will continue to be full of vitality. And become more prosperous. The brilliant prospects of Summit Entertainment will give Lucasfilm more opportunities for development in the future, entering the United States, entering China, and entering the world."

Katherine Kennedy was the former co-chairman of Lucasfilm. George Lucas sold Lucasfilm. After he became a shareholder of Summit Entertainment, he would no longer hold any position. In terms of the acquisition request, Summit Entertainment agreed that Catherine Kennedy would be promoted to President of Lucasfilm and join the ranks of top executives.

In answering reporters, Mitchell Bruce said enthusiastically: "Lucasfilm has fully demonstrated George Lucas’ extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm and visual imagination. This transaction will bring world-class creative products, The greatest home entertainment series in history, under the vigorous and vigorous development of Summit Entertainment, across Asia and America on multiple platforms, maximize the value and effect of both!"

A reporter asked: "After the acquisition of Lucasfilm, does Summit Entertainment have any bigger plans?"

Mitchell replied: "We will do our best to tackle the MGM plan in the next step. Now we are in further discussions with Sony. We will work together to make MGM shine and reproduce the glory of the year!"

At the end of the press conference, standing in front of the huge Star Wars poster, Shao Shuaijun was centered, Lucas was on the left, Mitchell was on the right, and the three stood together.

Click! Click!

The flash faithfully recorded this historical moment and spread it all over the world.

"This is the "Star Wars" handover ceremony!" (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!)