Chapter 610 James Cameron’s Dilemma
"I see that everyone's reaction is very enthusiastic, it's like the excitement of watching a movie."
Gilbert Jr. said: "Everyone must know that Marvel will realize a grand plan and use one movie to connect them and form an Avengers Alliance to deal with unprecedented crises."
At this time, some viewers couldn't help but ask: "Well, director Gilbert, what is the next work of Marvel Studios?"
The popular "Spider-Man" is in the hands of Sony Columbia Pictures, "X-Men" is in the hands of 20th Century Fox, and "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" released this year is also considered a success.
So there are not many choices left for Marvel, namely "The Incredible Hulk" and "Captain America."
Gilbert Jr. also discussed this issue with Marvel executives, so he replied: "Next we will tell the story of Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner, which is the story that connects the entire Avengers."
Regarding the production of "Captain America", Marvel has made plans very early on, intending to use Natasha Romanoff's perspective to review the story of Captain America during World War II.
Captain America is arguably the first superhero ever, and to be honest, it's a bit dated. So if we want this hero to integrate into the modern rhythm and join S.H.I.E.L.D., then Black Widow is an important role.
According to the setting, Black Widow once fought side by side with Captain America, so the beginning of the script starts with Black Widow's memories to tell a past event.
The biggest problem with "Captain America" is that it is relatively old, but as the commander of the Avengers, his origin must be explained clearly.
Otherwise, if a commander suddenly appears, fans will not be able to figure out who is who.
In contrast, the Hulk is a very difficult point to adapt. Ang Lee's "The Incredible Hulk" failed miserably, although because of Ang Lee's literary attributes, the film did not look like a commercial film.
But the more reason is that the Hulk, a superhero with great destructive power and unable to control himself, looks okay in the comics.
Once it is shown in a live-action movie, it is estimated that not many viewers will like such a brutal superhero.
But as the most powerful superhero in the early days of the Avengers, Marvel could not give up on it, so it had to make a "Hulk" movie to connect it to the Marvel Universe.
Therefore, although Marvel Studios analyzes that "The Incredible Hulk" is likely to lose money, considering the overall situation, it still plans to make a "Hulk" movie.
Because Ang Lee's version of "The Incredible Hulk" suffered heavy losses, Universal Pictures let it go, and the copyright has returned to Marvel Studios.
Gilbert Jr. has clearly instructed Marvel to sign a long-term contract to play the Hulk. A literary young man like Edward Norton was unstoppable when he broke out, and he was immediately abandoned if he had all kinds of weird problems.
Currently entering the final selection stage is Mark Ruffalo, recommended by Gilbert Jr. His problem is that he is not a first-line actor and has not starred in many commercial blockbusters.
Robert Downey Jr. is different from him in this regard. Robert Downey Jr. finally touched the threshold in the 1990s.
As for the casting of Steve Rogers, it is much simpler. Chris Evans immediately entered the attention of Marvel Studios, and the two parties are currently negotiating.
After the movie viewing session, there was also a media interview session, but little Gilbert did not participate in this part. He and James Cameron walked into the VIP lounge, and Ivanka asked a few bodyguards to guard the door to prevent anyone from disturbing them.
"In May of this year, I submitted the script for "Avatar" to the senior management of 20th Century Fox, but the senior management of Fox was not satisfied." James Cameron looked a little worried.
"So you want me to help you convince Fox executives?" Little Gilbert said with a smile:
"Francis, I don't think they actually have doubts about the script, but they are afraid that "Avatar" will be like "Titanic", a bottomless pit for investment.
I have seen the 37-second demo you provided. To be honest, such a demo will burn 10 million US dollars, and any investor will have doubts. "But I am actually verifying the technology, as you can see." ” James Cameron defended himself.
"Definitely," agreed little Gilbert: "Motion capture has improved again since Gollum in The Lord of the Rings."
Little Gilbert visited the digital realm last year. The digital realm has revolutionized today's motion capture performance methods, and the methods used can be called black technology.
The digital realm allows motion-filling actors to wear motion capture suits and a head stand equipped with a camera, which is then filmed through a virtual camera.
In this way, what is seen in the viewfinder of this camera is not the actor, but the object played by the motion capture actor.
The most important thing is that in post-production, the actor's performance can be replayed and shot at any angle without having to find the actor again.
After that, the digital field used this technology for three months to complete a 37-second sample. This is what "Avatar" originally looked like.
The final 37-second demo was handed over to 20th Century Fox. After watching it, the executives were full of praise for the effect of the demo. But once they heard that a 37-second sample would take three months, executives questioned it.
It took three months to make a feature film. How long does it take to make a feature film? Most importantly, how much will it cost you?
20th Century Fox executives asked James Cameron to continue to refine the script until the first version of the script was handed over in May this year.
It was precisely after seeing the hesitation of the senior management that James Cameron came to Gilbert Jr. to find a solution.
This is indeed a problem. James Cameron and 20th Century Fox have worked together for many years, and both parties are quite happy.
When investing in "Avatar" this time, Little Gilbert made the investment through the Fruit Company, which was independent from Disney and Warner, so he could make some extra money.
So little Gilbert suggested: "Francis, I suggest you take the script to Bob, and he will definitely agree to invest."
"You want me to switch to Disney?"
"No, no, no, I don't want Disney to have another ace director besides me." Little Gilbert shook his finger and said: "You go contact Disney and spread the word at the same time,
Given what you accomplished with Titanic, Fox executives weren't going to let you run away. ”
"Hahahaha," James Cameron laughed after hearing this: "That's a good idea, little Gilbert, it's settled."
"Don't forget my investment share, fifty million dollars." Little Gilbert held out five fingers.
James Cameron stretched out Gilbert's other five fingers: "Man, this is not enough. I need at least 100 million dollars from you."
"OK," there is such a good thing, of course little Gilbert agreed: "Then $100 million."
James Cameron believed that Gilbert Jr. was very knowledgeable, and both of them were confident that the film would be a success. But when outsiders see this scene, they will only think that both of them are fools, even if they have the gems from "Titanic" in front of them.
During the years when James Cameron was playing with underwater photography and 3D technology, Gilbert Jr. basically had sponsorships, and a series of patents had his name on them.
In the future, Gilbert Jr. may also use it in his own movies, although Gilbert Jr. is considered a conservative director compared to James Cameron, a radically technologically innovative director.
(End of chapter)