Chapter 589 Van Helsing
The car slowly drove through this heavily guarded manor. Although the scenery outside was beautiful, Lang Meyer was not interested at all.
The tumultuous Vivendi Global acquisition case has finally come to an end after more than a year of turmoil.
Global Entertainment, a high-quality asset, has finally fallen into the hands of Hongmeng, an Internet giant from China.
As the CEO of Universal Pictures, his knowledge of the new boss is limited to the media.
Young and rich, he has become a global super-rich like a comet in just over four years. His talents in finance and business operations, especially in the Internet industry, are unparalleled.
Sighed.
“I hope the new boss can be more at ease.”
In more than two years since Vivendi’s financial explosion, he has not had a good night’s sleep.
The car was parked in the square in front of the villa.
"Mr. Meyer, please come with me. The boss is already waiting for you inside."
After entering the new century, although Universal failed to sell several times, it was developing in full swing in the film industry.
“Hello, BOSS.”
“Lang, thank you for your hard work coming all the way from Hollywood.”
“You’re welcome.”
"Hello, Miss Lu."
"Mr. Meyer, welcome to Xu's Manor, I am Lu Hui."
Since the 1980s, Universal Pictures has been Under the leadership of the other party, he returned to the top ranks of Hollywood.
In Hollywood, although Ron Meyer is not as famous as Shirley Lansing, his business ability is much stronger than the latter.
Lon Meyer quickly held the other person's hand. He already knew the name of the personal assistant next to the big boss.
Having seen the photo a long time ago, Ron Meyer naturally knew who the person in front of him was.
Mainly through cooperation with powerful production companies such as Amblin and Morgan Creek, Universal has shot a large number of blockbuster films.
"Please take a seat."
After a brief polite conversation, the two sat down.
These include the "Jurassic Park", "Gladiator" and "The Mummy" series that Xu Liang is familiar with.
Climb up the stairs, pass through the huge living room, pass through a long corridor covered with oil paintings, and come to a small study.
Although the opponent's level and power are not as good as mine, no matter in the East or the West, no one around this BOSS can be offended.
The car door opened, and as he stepped out, a young woman wearing a cream-colored women's suit and short ear-length hair came up to him.
Looking at the gray-haired old man in front of him, Xu Liang smiled and poured him a cup of tea.
After knocking on the door and entering, a tall young man wearing a loose white long-sleeved T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and slippers came up to him.
"Trouble leads the way."
From 1999 to 2003, classic films such as "A Beautiful Mind", "Gladiator", "Never Compromise" and "The Pianist" were filmed.
The sales of DVDs produced by Universal such as "Red Dragon", "8 Mile", "Bean Agent", "The Incredible Hulk", etc. also rank first among all film companies.
In 2003, Universal Pictures' box office revenue ranked third in the United States, with nearly US$1.7 billion.
The scenery is endless.
With such an experienced and capable person managing Universal Pictures, Xu Liang would naturally not replace him.
"Lang, it will be 2004 soon. Does the company have any shooting plans for next year?"
Lon Meyer knew that he would be asked, so he was prepared in advance.
After waving, the accompanying secretary quickly handed over the briefcase in his hand.
After taking it, Ron Meyer took out a document from it.
"This is the list of movies that the company is preparing to shoot and release this year, a total of thirteen movies."
Xu Liang took it and took a look.
The information is very detailed. In addition to the name of the movie, it also includes the main actors and detailed investment shares.
If it is a sequel, there is also the box office of the previous film.
In this list, Xu Liang found several familiar names.
"Meet the Father-in-Law" and "The Bourne Supremacy" are both second installments.
""Van Helsing"?" "This is the company's S-category production this year, with a total investment of US$160 million. The director is Stephen Sommers, who has directed the "Mummy" series and "The Scorpion King."
Xu Liang frowned, "How far is the filming now?"
"After a year of filming, the filming has been completed and is currently being edited. It is scheduled to be officially released in April next year.”
Xu Liang sighed inwardly.
It’s too late.
"Van Helsing" is a famous bad movie in Hollywood and even around the world.
The production cost of US$160 million, including publicity and distribution, must be over US$200 million.
To recover the cost, the box office must exceed US$600 million.
Although Xu Liang doesn't remember how much the box office of "Van Helsing" was, it is definitely less than 600 million, or even far away.
Otherwise, if the peripherals can make money, there will be a second part with a high probability.
But he had never heard of it until he was reborn.
"Who is leading this film?"
Lon Meyer is not a fool. He knows that he is not optimistic about this movie just by looking at the look on The Big Boss.
"It's Lil Bannings, the company's vice president, written and directed by Stephen Sommers."
Xu Liang glanced at him, unable to comment.
He did not believe that Ron Meyer would not know about such a large investment.
But he said this, Xu Liang is not easy to have an attack, and the company has just been acquired, so the important thing is stability.
“Compress the publicity and distribution costs of this movie.”
Xu Liang thought for a while and did not specify a specific number.
He didn’t understand the rules of Hollywood, so he still let Ron Meyer figure it out.
"BOSS, you haven't seen the content of this movie yet..."
Meyer expressed dissatisfaction at the right time. How do you know it's not good if you haven't seen the movie?
Looking at the slightly stubborn old man in front of him, Xu Liang understood him very well.
If he were a successful person in the film industry, suddenly one day someone would come up to him and say that the film you were the main producer of would be shot, and he wouldn't be willing to do it.
"Lang, has there ever been a successful vampire movie in Hollywood or even the entire West?"
"Yes, Francis Ford Coppola spent $1 million to shoot "Vampire" in 1992. "Four Hundred Years of Love" finally earned a global box office of US$215 million."
Xu Liang: ...
He really didn’t remember such a movie.
And he also discovered that when it came to movies, he, a layman who was just scratching his head, was not as good as Ron Meyer, an insider.
So I am too lazy to argue anymore.
“I’m not optimistic about the prospects of this “Van Helsing”, but since it’s already been filmed, let’s go with your plan, but the publicity and distribution costs must be reduced.”
“ BOSS, "Van Helsing" is an S-level major production, and it is Universal's most important film in 2004. If such a film does not have more than 30 million US dollars in promotion, the theaters may have doubts and affect the film's scheduling. . ”
“So, I’ll let you decide.”
Xu Liangdao.
Looking at this stubborn old man, he had a headache.
You have to respect talented people.
If it were an ordinary person, if he objected to his opinions again and again, he would have told the other party to get out.
“Okay, I understand.”
Ron Meyer is not a fool, he also knows how to take care of the temper of the big boss.
Xu Liang did not continue this topic. "Van Helsing" has been filmed. The overall situation has been decided and no one can change it.
"Do you know Hasbro's "Transformers"?"
Lon Meyer nodded, "Do you plan to adapt it into a movie?"
" That's right. It has a huge influence around the world. I grew up watching the "Transformers" cartoon. If it is made into a movie, I believe it will make a lot of money at the box office."
He originally asked Lu Xiaobo to contact Hasbro, but MGM's acquisition has not been successful.
Without a reassuring film and television company, Hasbro is naturally reluctant to hand over its most valued Transformers copyright to Hongmeng for operation.
(End of this chapter)