Chapter 623: 1 billion guaranteed?
Nolan established a production company with his wife Emma Thomas as early as 2001. After "Interstellar" was handed over to Nolan, the film was produced by the two's production company Syncopy.
Nolan and Emma Thomas naturally became one of the producers of "Interstellar".
Now that Nolan has nothing to do, Paramount found Wang Shu.
"Of course." Wang Shu responded politely.
Although he was indeed very interested in the film "Interstellar", he still had to maintain his Oscar director status and couldn't act too eagerly.
The more eager you are, the more you lose the initiative.
Not to mention, Paramount approached him a few months ago. Since he proposed that the script needs to be modified according to his ideas, Paramount has not followed up.
Now that I have found him again, it must be the two dramas "Life of Pi" and "Pacific Rim" that have had an effect.
In other words, Paramount was waiting for the two movies "Life of Pi" and "Pacific Rim" to be released before deciding whether to hand over the "Interstellar" project to Wang Shu.
Afternoon, a coffee shop in Los Angeles.
When Wang Shu arrived at the place, Linda Obst was already waiting there.
The two of them exchanged pleasantries first, and Linda Obst ordered another cup of coffee for Wang Shu, and then said with a slight smile: "Shu, both "Life of Pi" and "Pacific Rim" are very popular. Excellent.”
"As an art film, "Life of Pi" has great hopes of winning an Oscar."
"As for "Pacific Rim," I heard that it achieved amazing box office results in your country!"
"And here, if it hadn't been for Cameron's "Avatar", the box office would have been even better."
"Pacific Rim" is a movie with elements that are more Eastern than Western. There is no shame in losing to veteran Oscar-winning director Cameron as the beacon of the West.
This is something that many people can foresee.
When Wang Shu heard this, he pretended to be regretful and said: "After all, "Pacific Rim" cannot compare to "Avatar" directed by Cameron in terms of box office in North America."
Linda Obst smiled and said: "Shu, if you set the story of "Pacific Rim" in the United States, maybe the result will be different."
The meaning of this statement is to recognize the success of "Pacific Rim".
It’s just that the United States serves as a beacon and it is the United States that should save the world.
Only with elements like this will American audiences buy it.
In the original timeline, the investors of "Pacific Rim" believed that it would be difficult for "Pacific Rim" to achieve good box office results in North America for this reason, and immediately reduced their investment in it.
With one stroke, 40 million US dollars were lost.
Facts have proved that the investors of "Pacific Rim" are indeed very accurate.
After the film was released in North America, it only made $102 million.
Comparing the investment and just looking at the box office in North America, it's a huge hit.
Wang Shu smiled and did not answer the question.
Linda Obst then said: "Shu, regarding your previous proposal to modify the script of "Interstellar" according to your ideas, after our in-depth discussion, we think it is feasible."
"So I am contacting you this time to invite you to complete the movie "Interstellar" with us!"
Two days later.
Sister Shitou came to Wang Shu's apartment in Los Angeles and talked about their life ideals with each other.
"Shu, are you going back to China tomorrow?" Emma Stone asked, leaning in Wang Shu's arms.
"Yes, I'll be back tomorrow."
"When will you come to Los Angeles again?" Sister Shitou asked, raising her head.
"It should be about a month later." Wang Shu thought for a moment.
Next February will be the British Academy Film Awards ceremony. If "Life of Pi" is shortlisted, he will go there.
Come March, it’s the Academy Awards.
Sister Shitou had something to say, but she didn't say it.
She appeared in "The Wolf of Wall Street" before "Life of Pi".
"Life of Pi" really doesn't have a role suitable for her.
Since "Pacific Rim" is a Sino-US co-production, she also knew that it would be difficult for her to get a role.
In other words, Wang Shu's two films after "The Wolf of Wall Street" did not have roles suitable for her.
It's not that Wang Shu didn't give her a chance, but that there was no suitable role.
After listening to Wang Shu's words, she didn't say anything more, but silently crawled between Wang Shu's legs.
Opportunities are not only for those who are prepared, but also for those who have the courage to fight for them.
Sister Shitou is fighting for it in her own way.
December 30th.
Wang Shu returned to China.
As soon as he returned to China, he was dragged by Han Sanping to hold a celebration party for "Pacific Rim".
"Pacific Rim" was released on the 18th and has been in theaters for 11 or 2 days now. The cumulative box office in the mainland has exceeded 600 million yuan.
This result once again shocked people inside and outside the industry.
Especially Hong Kong Island and Taiwan, through the movie "Pacific Rim", they have a deeper understanding of the huge market potential of the mainland.
The film and television companies on the two islands were all unable to sit still, and they all reaffirmed their strategy of going north.
At the celebration banquet, Han Sanping, Ye Lin, Wang Changtian, Chen Long, Mei Ting, Zhang Hanyu and others were present. In addition to the film’s investors and creative team, there were also many insiders including actors.
"Director Wang, do you still remember me?"
As the little princess of Wanda, Jing Tian attended the celebration banquet with Ye Lin.
She saw Wang Shu coming back from the bathroom alone from a distance, so she quickly leaned over and asked with a smile.
"Jing Tian, right?" Of course Wang Shu knew the other person, but he just pretended not to be impressed.
A smile spread across Jing Tian's pretty face, and she responded sweetly: "Yes!"
Wang Shu smiled and said, "Did you come with Ye Lin?"
These words were not alluding to Jing Tian's celebration banquet tonight, but rather flattering him.
Who doesn’t know Wanda’s strength?
Jing Tian came with Ye Lin, and Ye Lin was very polite to her.
Who doesn't understand that this young girl has a lot of background?
"Yes, Uncle Ye brought me here." Jing Tian answered sweetly.
Even though it was just a short sentence, it also showed her upbringing.
With Jingtian's status as Wanda's little princess, there is absolutely no need to address Ye Lin as uncle.
However, people in front of Jingtian and behind him were calling Uncle Ye one after another.
"How do you feel? Are you bored?" Wang Shu and Jing Tian are the same age, joking with a smile.
Jing Tian didn't hide anything, and responded truthfully: "It's really boring, especially since I'm not an actor in "Pacific Rim" and I feel like an outsider."
This statement does not make sense to the world, but it also suits Jing Tian.
Youdao means that the speaker has no intention, but the listener has the intention.
Jing Tian's words actually revealed some of her inner thoughts.
Wang Shu saw through it and didn't say anything. After all, there were many actors who wanted to star in the movie he directed, including Jing Tian.
Then he smiled and said: "Haha, it's over with patience."
He didn't say that since he was bored, he shouldn't come. Jing Tian heard this and smiled back.
The two chatted for a while, and Wang Shu had some entertainment, so he walked away as Jing Tian watched.
Jing Tian was really watching, not wanting to look away until Wang Shu was far away.
At the celebration banquet, Han Sanping swept away the haze of being bombarded by Zhang Weiping before. Not only did he speak louder, but he also became more arrogant.
"Pacific Rim" has exceeded 600 million in box office in just ten days, and it really has the capital to pretend to be better.
"Breaking 600 million in ten days, Mr. Ye, how much box office do you think it will get by the time it is released?" Han Sanping drank some wine and asked Ye Lin with excitement on his face.
Ye Lin is also a person who doesn't let his words fall to the ground. He responded without thinking: "One billion! You can get 1 billion at the box office by saying less!"
In fact, everyone knows that it made 600 million box office in the eleventh and second days.
However, the first two weeks with the highest box office trends are about to end, and the next two weeks will, according to common sense, plummet.
Even if it can be released for two weeks, it may not be able to get half of the 600 million box office.
So currently it's 600 million.
It is very likely that when it is released, it will only have 800 million or 900 million copies.
Although many people know this in their hearts, they also have extravagant hopes.
Han Sanping then looked at Wang Changtian and asked, "Mr. Wang, what do you think?"
Wang Changtian drank wine, his face turned a little red, and he said rather superiorly: "One billion, Mr. Ye and I have the same view, at least we can have 1 billion."
After saying that, he added: "The day after tomorrow is New Year's Day."
"During the New Year's Day holiday, the box office should be able to see another wave of growth."
“So, the minimum guarantee is 1 billion!”
This analysis is reasonable and well-founded, and the extravagant hopes of many people suddenly became clearer.
Han Sanping laughed and said: "I won't ask Director Wang. When we were preparing for this movie, I asked him how much box office he expected."
"He said 1 billion yuan domestically and 500 million US dollars globally."
"I didn't believe it at all at the time, I just thought he was talking nonsense."
"It seems now that after working together so many times, it was my limited vision that led me to underestimate Director Wang."
As soon as he said this, everyone laughed.
Han Sanping, who was on top, then raised his wine glass and said to Wang Shu, "Director Wang, it's my eyesight that's not good enough. I respect you for this glass!"
Chen Long and others were also there, and they were all extremely surprised when they saw Han Sanping being so polite to Wang Shu.
Han Sanping is the chairman of China Film Group Corporation and is in charge of internal entertainment.
As long as he is in this position, who among the filmmakers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the three places will not sell their films?
Today, Han Sanping's gesture is truly incredible.
"Haha, Mr. Han is so polite." Wang Shu didn't show any confidence and quickly raised a glass in return.
With Han Sanping taking the lead, Ye Lin, Wang Changtian, Chen Long and others toasted to Wang Shu. Even though Wang Shu didn't like drinking, he couldn't escape from such an occasion.
Fortunately, he just doesn't like to drink, not that he is a drinker.
Wang Changtian glanced at Han Sanping for a moment, then looked at Wang Shu and asked: "Director Wang, the drama "Pacific Rim" is so successful, do you have any ideas about making another blockbuster?"
He knew in his heart that if Han Sanping was allowed to talk to Wang Shu about this matter in private, Guang Guang would most likely not be able to participate.
In this case, it’s better to take advantage of today’s occasion and bring it up directly.
As a result, Han Sanping would not want other film and television companies to participate in investment in front of everyone.
Although the movie is produced by Wang Shu's Yishu company, Wang Shu has the final say whether to invest in it or not.
But Wang Changtian knows that Wang Shu will not be alone when making movies.
Usually One Tree Company owns a part of the share, and the remaining share is cooperated with other film and television companies.
But not just any film and television company can get a share to participate.
For example, China Film and Shanghai Film, which Wang Shu has collaborated with, are both large state-owned enterprises with distribution channels.
Another example is Wanda, which owns theater chains.
Only his light has no foundation.
It's an existence that can be kicked out.
Wang Changtian knew this and immediately struck first to gain advantage.
When Han Sanping heard this, he glanced at Wang Changtian calmly.
Just as Wang Changtian thought, Han Sanping really felt that there was no need for Wang Shu to bring in the light.
Because neither China Film nor Wanda is short of money, there is no need to allocate useless light shares.
Wang Shu gave Wanda an investment share and established a good relationship with Wanda.
After all, Wanda has a theater chain, which is really needed.
What does light have in comparison?
We don’t have the distribution capabilities, and neither do the theaters!
Completely redundant.
At the same time, Ye Lin, Chen Long and others also looked at Wang Shu, waiting for Wang Shu's answer.
In fact, Chen Long's attendance at the celebration banquet this time had a mission.
Boss Yang asked him to help with a message and set a table to invite Wang Shu to have a private chat.
As for the purpose of the chat, he was clear about it.
Wang Shu's movie is so profitable that even he wants to participate in it.
Seeing everyone looking over, Wang Shu said calmly: "Not yet."
Wang Changtian was a little embarrassed when he heard this, thinking that Wang Shu was rejecting him politely.
Then I heard Wang Shu say again, "Paramount has contacted me before, and I will collaborate on a movie with Paramount next."
"This movie is more troublesome to make, so I will focus on this movie next time."
When Ye Lin heard this, he thought for a moment and suddenly remembered: "It seems that someone from Paramount came to China to talk to you about this matter a few months ago, right?"
Hearing what Ye Lin said, Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Chen Long and others all remembered.
This did happen a few months ago, but nothing happened after that.
Wang Shu nodded and responded: "Yes, they talked to me about the script before."
"It's just that after I read the script, I proposed to modify it according to my ideas, and Paramount went back to have a meeting to discuss it."
"Now that we have discussed it, we agree to follow my ideas."
"And I was really interested in their script, so we agreed to cooperate."
Chen Long listened on the side, grinning from ear to ear in surprise, and asked in astonishment: "You said Paramount agreed to modify the script according to your ideas?"
He was really surprised when he heard this.
As an international superstar who has been in Hollywood for many years, he clearly knows that not just any director can modify the scripts of major Hollywood film and television companies.
For the scripts produced by these companies, either the director followed the script and filmed it, or they did not cooperate.
Few directors have the right to change the script!
Wang Shu's words don't sound like changes, but modifications according to his ideas!
(End of chapter)