Hollywood Hunter

"The biggest difficulty in the adaptation of "Batman" is how to show the power of Bruce Wayne. In the comics setting, the superhero’s intelligence and strength have reached the limit that humans can reach, and he is also strong. Backed by the financial resources and various high-tech equipment. If it is a manga, anime, or a TV series, these can of course be shown through the plot, but in a movie that usually only takes about two hours, it is very difficult to highlight these. , A little carelessness may make Batman very mediocre."

Inheriting the memories of more than a dozen people, Simon's mind has very detailed information about the various versions of the "Batman" movie.

Starting from Tim Bolton’s first "Batman", Bruce Wayne was almost habitually robbed of the limelight by the villain, and even in the later "Justice League", Batman, who was supposed to be the team leader, was completely reduced to The marginalized passerby character does not show any charm that this enduring superhero should have.

It has been half a century since Batman’s character was born in 1939. There were also live-action versions during the period, but they basically left no impression on the audience. This is actually the main reason for Warner’s worries about starting the movie version. . Superman can also show all kinds of superpowers from above. Batman is just a mortal after all. No one knows what styles and styles to use to bring this superhero onto the big screen.

Inside the restaurant.

Terry Semel listened to Simon's analysis and asked: "Simon, do you think you can solve these problems?"

Simon took a sip of the mineral water next to him, put down the cup, and said, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be interested in the film adaptation of "Batman"."

Terry Semel showed a curious expression: "Tell me carefully."

Simon's plan is to start the DC superhero universe ahead of time, linking Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other characters. Compared with the higher technical requirements for special effects of Marvel superheroes, it is not too difficult for the current technical conditions to meet the DC universe.

but.

These must not be told to Terry Semel and all, Simon also prepared another excuse in advance.

"In the half-century of comic creation, Batman has been endowed with too many skills. This must be a choice. Therefore, I intend to focus on showing Batman’s personal strength and the high-tech equipment he has, such as the Batmobile. , Bat Fighter, etc. Compared with Bruce Wayne’s wisdom and strategy, these elements are the easiest to surprise the audience. If Warner is willing to hand over this project to Daenerys Pictures, I will set up a special effects and technical team. solve these problems."

Terry Semel shook his head and said, "Simon, your narrative is too general."

Simon said: "As far as personal military performance is concerned, Terry, in my opinion, Hollywood basically does not have a commendable action movie. I intend to learn some experience from martial arts movies across the ocean. ,do you know?"

Terry Semel nodded and said, "Probably, I know some."

Simon smiled and said: "If you are interested, I can recommend a few movies to you. Eastern martial arts have a history of thousands of years. Their martial arts novels are similar to superhero comics, and they all tell some people. In order to protect the story of justice, punishment and evil, the impact of Oriental Kung Fu on the screen will be very shocking compared to boxing and fighting techniques that have almost no aesthetics."

Terry Semel said suddenly: "I remember, Bruce Lee."

"Yes, it's Bruce Lee's kung fu."

Terry Semel was a little hesitant: "I still have some impressions of Bruce Lee's movies, Simon, do you think his kind of action skills can be used on Batman."

Simon said: "According to the setting in the comics, Batman has more than one hundred fighting skills, a large part of which is Oriental Kung Fu. And, of course, I will not copy Oriental martial arts movies, I will be Bruce Wayne Tailor a set of action designs."

Terry Semel looked at Simon: "You?"

Simon lifted the tableware and flexibly held a knife in his hand. He smiled and said to Terry Semel: "Terry, I know some fighting skills. And, if necessary, I will hire some more professional Action guidance."

There are too many classic action scenes in my mind.

Simon's positioning of Batman's fighting style is straightforward. It is very easy to tailor a set of action designs for Bruce Wayne from the movies, TV and video games in his memory, without even having to specifically invite action directors.

In fact, Hollywood still has no professional action director at all. This profession only flourished in the late 1990s when filmmakers from across the ocean entered Hollywood, and Hollywood action movies only began to be interesting after that.

Right now, the action scenes in Hollywood movies are basically the level of street fights among drunks.

Terry Semel remembered that Simon had broken five young people's leg bones with an enemy five at the end of the previous year, and suddenly no longer doubted that this young man could design special action shots for Batman. However, he couldn't help feeling a little again in his heart, what could this little guy who suddenly broke into Hollywood couldn't do.

"Simon, if I understood correctly, what did you mean just now, you want to fully undertake the production of "Batman"?"

"Yes, I will write the script and direct the film myself. Terry, you know, I have always been used to taking full control of my projects. So far, several of my films have been very successful."

Terry Semel asked: "What about the movie you owe Disney?"

"I recently intend to redeem the director contract signed with Disney. If Disney disagrees, it will be ranked after "Batman". The contract does not stipulate that I must fulfill the contract with Disney before shooting other movies."

Because of the success of "Lola Run", the contract signed between Disney and Simon was very relaxed.

This is actually the treatment of many first-line directors in Hollywood. Just like Spielberg, the four-part contract he signed with Universal after Jaws has not yet been completed, but he has frequently cooperated with Paramount and Warner over the years.

"Since you already have so many ideas, Simon, what's your budget, how much do you plan to spend on this movie?"

Simon blurted out: "50 million dollars."

Terry Semel was obviously taken aback: "One?"

"of course."

Simon nodded, he also understood why Terry Semel would ask.

Ten years ago, the production budget for "Superman" was $55 million, setting a record for film production costs at the time.

But in fact, the first US$55 million investment in "Superman" was a one-time shot of the material for the trilogy, and even the original Marlon Brando was still used in "Superman Returns" in 2006. The shot taken.

Hollywood movie budgets have shown an explosive trend, but there are still very few with a budget of 50 million US dollars.

In Simon’s plan, he intends to use the next half a year to perfect all aspects of "Batman" technical issues. Daenerys Pictures will set up its own special effects studio just like Lucas did when he made "Star Wars." These all require huge investment.

On the other hand, Simon quoted a budget of $50 million in order to force Warner to withdraw from the project as much as possible.

In the original time and space, Tim Burton’s "Batman" production budget was only 35 million U.S. dollars, and it was also the result of Warner's co-investment by the British recording giant Polygram, which also led to the success of the first "Batman" , For many of the next sequels, Warner has to continue to take the investor who shares the pie with PolyGram.

Even, in order to save the budget, Warner also signed an omni-channel profit-sharing contract with Jack Nicholson, who played the role of the clown, in Hollywood history.

After the success of "Batman", Jack Nicholson received more than 50 million US dollars from film box office, video tape sales, peripheral products and other channels. This record of remuneration was not broken until 2000.

After the success of the film, Batman IP became a big gold mine, and it is difficult for outsiders to understand why Warner made such a series of stupid decisions. But the reason is actually very simple. In the final analysis, Warner now has no confidence in the "Batman" movie.

In all fairness, Simon actually feels that Tim Burton’s version of "Batman" does not have many highlights at all, or even very bad. Bruce Wayne, played by Michael Keaton, does not have any Batman temperament at all. The heroine Kim Basinger's acting skills are dropped all the way, even if it is a commendable clown, it is only Jack Nicholson's average level. More mean, the reason why Jack Nicholson's clown is so good is that the protagonist is too bad to bring out.

So why is Bolton's "Batman" so successful?

The reason is actually very simple.

As a superhero character that has lasted for half a century, the popularity of "Batman" in the hearts of Americans is very similar to that of "Journey to the West" on the other side of the ocean. Everyone knows that Bruce Wayne embarked on the road of punishment and evil because he witnessed his parents being killed by gangsters as a child, just as people on the other side of the ocean knew that a certain monkey had jumped out of a stone.

then.

This superhero, who has existed in the hearts of several generations in the United States, was put on the big screen in a high-budget live-action film for the first time in a serious manner. Even if many people are not interested in comics at all, it is just because they have heard so many times since childhood. The name of Batman is likely to enter the movie theater. Not to mention the fans who grew up with comics.

Therefore, it is the first time to put "Batman" on the big screen. As long as the film is not too bad, it is destined to sell well.

Tim Bolton’s movies always have a very strange naivety, and they are not suitable for superhero movies. "Batman" was able to succeed, completely just at the right time.

Later facts also proved this. Bolton continued to direct the sequel "Batman Returns", the budget cost more than doubled, but the box office fell sharply compared to the first one. Later, several continued Bolton style "Batman" "The sequel was even worse than one, and it eventually rotted after "Batman and Robin". The Batman IP was not resurrected by Nolan until many years later, and then, without any accident, DC was taken by Nolan to another big pit.

at this time.

In a restaurant near Warner Studios in Burbank, it was confirmed that Simon was planning to invest a huge sum of US$50 million to shoot "Batman". Terry Semel really showed a hesitant look. Simon noticed Terry Semel. He didn't show too much eagerness, and the two began to eat quietly.

After two or three minutes, Terry Semel said again: "Simon, Warner is looking forward to your coming to direct "Batman", but we do not plan to completely let go of this project. At least, we must participate in a part of the investment. In this case, the $50 million production budget would be too high."

Simon shook his head and said: "Terry, for a superhero movie like "Batman", we can only get the audience's approval if we are willing to invest more. Just like "Superman", the production budget for the first "Superman" was $55 million. , The global box office reached 300 million. Last year’s "Superman 4", Canon Pictures cut the budget cost to $17 million, and the North American box office immediately dropped to a little over 15 million. There was no splash overseas."

Terry Semel apparently knows these situations better than Simon, and he was silent for a while, and said: "So, Simon, it's better to write the script first. Let's evaluate it together. Maybe it doesn't need 50 million US dollars."

"According to my plan, 50 million US dollars will only be higher, never lower," Simon shook his head and said: "Terry, I know that Warner cannot bear the investment risk of 50 million US dollars, so I decided to do it myself. Give me "Batman", maybe I can make another annual box office champion like "Rora Run". Of course, the distribution rights must be Warner's. This is a win-win thing."

Terry Semel thought about it for a moment again and said, "Simon, if you plan to make "Batman" alone, you can, but Warner will only grant Daenerys Pictures the right to shoot, and the copyright remains to us."

Simon asked, "It's like "Superman 4" with Canon Pictures and Sarkind?"

Last summer’s "Superman 4", Canon Pictures only got the right to shoot Superman, and the copyright is still in the hands of British producer Alexander Salkind.

Terry Semel nodded and said, "That's right."

Simon shook his head: "Terry, it's impossible for me to make the movie and be kicked away by Warner."

Terry Semel denied: "We definitely won't do this."

Simon said: "Why don't we sign a five-year license agreement, Daenerys Pictures failed to start a sequel within five years, and the copyright returned to DC."

Terry Semel thought for a while and said: "Five years is too long, up to three years, and Warner needs to retain the investment rights for the sequel."

Simon insisted: "Three years is too short. It must be five years. Moreover, if Warner wants to invest in the sequel, Daenerys Pictures must retain certain distribution rights."

The two people bargained for more than ten minutes, and finally concluded a cooperation plan.

Daenerys Pictures obtained the copyright of "Batman", the usual five-year copyright term. Daenerys Films was unable to start a sequel within five years, and the copyright automatically returned to DC.

However, Simon and Terry Semel have not yet negotiated a specific agreement on the sequel investment rights and distribution rights, as well as the future profit distribution of peripheral products and many other details. More detailed negotiations between the two parties are required, but the results have been Simon was overjoyed.