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 attach importance to the animation department, and there were even rumors about you. Planning to cancel the animation film production. In that case, why can't you make "The Lion King" for Daenerys Pictures?"

"The rumors are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head. "Seriously, I did consider closing the animation department. But if I did, you wouldn't be sitting here and talking to me now. . Roy Disney is in charge of our animation department. So, do you understand?"

Simon thought a little, then nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Walt Disney, the founder of Disney, and the Disney family still holds a large number of shares in Disney Pictures.

After Walt Disney’s death, the overall quality of Disney’s animated films has been far worse than before. In recent years, it has even been possible to maintain Disney’s brand image by re-screening classic animations more frequently.

However, as the foundation of Disney's start, the animation film industry obviously cannot close the animation department rashly based on pure commercial interest considerations. The feelings of the Disney family must also be taken into consideration.

In order to save money, the relocation of Disney's animation department to the abandoned warehouse in Glendale may have been the limit that the Disney family can tolerate. If Michael Eisner continues to promote the Disney animation department as a ‘foundry’, it’s hard to say whether the Disney family will rebound.

After thinking about this, Simon had no choice but to say: "In this case, Michael, forget about the "Lion King" thing, I will find another way. The script is definitely not sold to you."

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

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

"That movie," Michael Eisner smiled when he heard the words, and said: "Including director Don Bruce, several major animators are all employees who have resigned from Disney. And, Simon, if you It’s even more impossible to want 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 tapped his finger on his memo and said, "Then, good luck."

Although Simon's script is very popular in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's attitude and insisted, but he did not insist on it. Unlike live-action movies, the production cycle of animated movies usually lasts two to three years, and the cost remains high.

Who knows what will happen after three years?

Seeing that the "Lion King" matter could not be changed, Simon also turned the topic back to "When Harry Meets Sally", saying: "Michael, regarding the two directorial appointments you just said, I'm sorry, I can't agree. At most one. , Maybe this is the last movie I signed out. After this time, I will only shoot movies for my company."

When Michael Eisner heard Simon say this, he couldn't help but shook his head and smiled, saying: "Simon, Coppola probably thought about the same after "The Godfather". But after the huge loss of "Cotton Club", he just I can honestly shoot "Peggy Su's Getting Married" for Samsung Pictures."

Francis Ford Coppola's "Cotton Club" released three years ago was a disaster.

Due to the discord between the director and the lead actor during the filming process, repeated changes in the script, etc., the budget soared from 25 million US dollars to 58 million US dollars, but the film eventually recovered only 25.92 million US dollars in the North American box office. After the success of the "Godfather" series, Coppola's ambitious establishment of Diorama Pictures was also on the verge of bankruptcy.

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

Speaking of it, Simon did not consider Orion, whose relationship is also fairly good this time, and directly sought to cooperate with major film companies. It is also because Orion is currently in an ambitious state and cannot give "When Harry Meets Sally" too much. Good schedule.

Due to the box office success of several films last year, the financially relaxed Orion has now determined that it has invested in as many as nine film projects in person. Together with the agency of other independent producers, the company’s distribution scale next year has been completely the same. The Big Seven are flat.

However, Orion obviously does not have the seven foundations.

Simon looked at the movies that were basically all face-to-face, and he understood why Orion, who frequently produced double-harvest box office awards, would get into trouble in the next few years.

The big sales of a single movie certainly cannot make up for the losses of multiple movies.

"Maybe I will become the second Coppola too," Simon thought to himself, and smiled as well. "But, Michael, people should have a dream. What if it comes true? So, there is only one. unit."

Michael Eisner recalled what Simon had just said, but insisted: "Simon, if this is the case, Disney will not be able to give you Easter time."

Simon thought for a while and said, "Michael, I can make some more concessions on the commission, 18%, what do you think?"

Michael Eisner still shook his head and said: "I have seen the information about the last work "Heartfire" by the screenwriter of "When Harry Meets Sally", Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep both A big-name starring 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 can perform better than "Heartfire" at the moment, so there is not much difference between 18% and 15%."

"Michael, I think you made a mistake. That "Fire of Heart", because of the appearance of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, only had a box office of $25 million. I still have I don’t understand, who is such a genius who would put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie. The two of them can't produce any chemical reaction on the screen. Now this movie "When Harry Meets Sally", I believe its box office must be much better than "Heartfire"."

"Simon, your confidence is meaningless."

Simon thought for a moment and said, "Or, Michael, how about 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 negotiations between the two, and said, "Will you give me the box office data report last week?"

Amy was also a little unsure, but took out a page of report from her bag and handed it to Simon.

Simon took it and glanced at the data above, and handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table, saying: "This Easter rescreening of Disney is "The Adventures of the Cat" in 1970, which was released on April 10. More than 1,400 screens, the current box office is 13 million U.S. dollars, and it will definitely be maintained for a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate according to the total box office of 16 million U.S. dollars, 50% of the box office share, and the announcement cost will be counted as 2 million. Disney It can make a profit of $6 million from it. Michael, Daenerys Pictures paid $6 million, 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, looked down at the data above, but began to think about Simon's novel cooperation plan in his mind.

With a fixed commission of $6 million, based on a 15% distribution commission ratio, the young man in front of him is equivalent to calculating the North American box office of "When Harry Meets Sally" at $40 million.

If "When Harry Meets Sally" can get 40 million US dollars in the North American box office, including the subsequent release proceeds, this is definitely a big profit project.

Thinking about this, Michael Eisner quickly said: "Simon, things don’t count like that. In addition to the box office of "The Adventures of Cats", the re-screening of this animated film can also stimulate its video tapes and Disney’s revenue from derivative sales is more than $6 million."

Simon nodded and said, "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to $6 million, Disney can also first buy out the distribution rights of other channels for "When Harry Meets Sally". "Lola Run" won by Orion The distribution rights of North American video tapes and television broadcasts will also bring them very generous profits in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get a director film of mine."

Michael Eisner said: "Two."

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

Michael Eisner looked at the box office report still in his hand, weighed it again for a moment, and said: "Simon, "When Harry Meets Sally"’s North American box office is less than US$40 million, Daenerys Pictures pays 600 Ten thousand US dollars fixed commission. Over 40 million US dollars, Disney takes 18% of the commission. You agree to this, and I agree to your other terms."

When Amy heard Michael Eisner say this, she couldn't help but glance at Simon, worried that he immediately agreed.

Based on a fixed commission of 6 million US dollars below 40 million US dollars, Daenerys Pictures has taken enough risks. There is no reason why the box office is better, but Disney wants to take higher commissions.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon stood up directly after hearing the words, and reached out to Michael Eisner: "Deal."

Michael Eisner didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward. Seeing the young man on the opposite side stretched out his hand towards him with a smile, he had to stand up and shook his hand with him, but he felt that he might be bypassed by something.

Correct.

Two films about.

Before this meeting, he cared more about signing Simon's next two directorial contracts.

Compared to "When Harry Meets Sally", which is not so good-looking, the two appointments of young people in front of him seem more valuable to him. After all, the other party's profound film skills in "Lola Run" can't be matched by many big directors who have long been famous in Hollywood.

right now.

Only one is left.

It has to be said that Michael Eisner did guess Simon’s intentions. Although he did not intend to make any concessions in terms of the number of films, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner’s attention.

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

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

As for the cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological limit even increased the issuance commission to 20%. Now, although you need to pay 6 million US dollars for less than 40 million US dollars, the commission rate is only 18% for more than 40 million US dollars, which does not exceed Simon's upper limit of quotation.

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

As the head of a large film company, Michael Eisner wouldn't turn against a young man if he said it. However, after shaking hands with Simon, he added: "In this case, Simon, Daenerys Pictures must pay a commission of $6 million in advance after signing the contract."

Cash is very scarce for any film company.

By convention, the distributor usually settles the distribution commission after the movie is down, but if it can get $6 million in advance, Disney can even make an additional movie.

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

When Michael Eisner listened to the decisive and savvy young man, he began to play rascals in a blink of an eye, and reluctantly reminded: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have recently received the sale of "Lola Run". One stroke."

Simon shook his head again and said, "Michael, then you must know that because of the uneven distribution of benefits, I am preparing for a lawsuit with my girlfriend, and the money is temporarily unavailable."

Although a little depressed about Simon's decision just now, Amy almost laughed when he heard his nonsense.

Michael Eisner's expression became even more helpless, and said, "Simon, haven't you noticed that you have a big flaw? You just used the name "girlfriend"."

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

Michael Eisner finally laughed and shook his head: "Well, for the sake of this not very funny joke."

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

Although I always hear many people around him talk about it, Michael Eisner was really impressed by Simon's shrewdness and decisiveness when he met for the first time. At noon he left the two for lunch together.

Having negotiated with Disney, Simon will naturally not consider MGM again.

Compared with the aggressive Disney under the leadership of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, MGM was almost reduced to a family after it was bought by the casino tycoon Kirk Cokerian in the 1970s. Real estate and hotel companies.

Over the years, the studio has been transferred, the hotel has been built, and a large number of precious props retained by MGM’s golden age have been auctioned. Perhaps it feels that the company’s profits have been squeezed out. Kerkorian sold MGM in March May changed hands to CNN boss Ted Turner.

Ted Turner is currently raising funds to pay for the $1.5 billion offer made by Kirkrian.

However, in Simon's memory, Ted Turner did not finally come up with the money. The media magnate actually valued the rights to thousands of films accumulated by MGM for more than half a century.

Turner Broadcasting Company is preparing to establish a new basic cable station, which requires a lot of content resources.

In the end, it succeeded in retaining the most precious batch of film resources in the MGM film library. After some tossing, MGM returned to Kokkrian again.

In the next few years, the casino tycoon began to use MGM to play capital operations.

All in all, the once the most powerful film company in Hollywood, now it has the least thought to do, it is probably movies.