Director’s Legend

Li Xiuxiu was pregnant, she didn't have the legendary violent temper, and she didn't have any adverse reactions. She could eat and sleep, and her stomach was bulging day by day, which also made Shao Shuaijun's expectations stronger day by day, wishing to see his son sooner. The hustle and bustle of the outside world could no longer attract Shao Shuaijun's attention. Apart from accompanying Li Xiuxiu, he was writing scripts in his study.

"Teddy Bear" and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" are in the past tense, and he now needs to plan another original shooting plan, "The Avengers", which is the highlight of the first part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe trio, and requires meticulous attention to detail. creation. He had been with Li Xiuxiu for a few months, and he happened to write this script by the way.

At the end of July, Summit Entertainment's general manager, Mitchell Bruce, and Marvel Comics' general manager, Kevin Feige, flew to Beijing. The IPO of Dream Chasing Game Company is a major event related to the group company. Executive, two people have to get involved.

Shao Shuaijun didn't care about the IPO, what he cared about was the good news Kevin brought.

"We have reached an agreement with Lionsgate on the copyright issue of the Punisher and the human body. Marvel Comics will take back all the copyrights of the Punisher and the human body. As compensation, we need to pay 30 million US dollars in cash and invest in Lionsgate. Ten mid-to-low-budget movies in the industry." Kevin said with a smile, "Now Summit Entertainment can't put it in their pockets after making money, Lionsgate has been shabby in recent years, and wants to take care of our pockets."

Lionsgate has not achieved outstanding results in movies over the past few years. "saw" almost failed, and other small-budget horror films did not lose money. Especially in DVD sales, Lionsgate is still very good. However, the subprime mortgage crisis has not slowed down, and the previous blind expansion plans are all asking for money. \u003cs. In 2008, he became a shareholder of the film production company Relativity Media. In 2009, he joined forces with MGM, which had been purchased by Sony, and Paramount Pictures, to establish a new pay TV movie channel, Epix.

These plans seem to be greatly expanded, but in fact they are all beyond their means. Especially at a time when movies have not been able to take the mainstream path. Lionsgate is in an embarrassing predicament.

"Liongate has a lot of appetite for money and investment. I remember they made two films of The Punisher?" Shao Shuaijun asked casually.

"It is indeed two. The first "The Punisher" in 2004 was not bad. The investment was less than 10 million. It got a box office of 53.6 million US dollars. The second is "The Punisher: War Zone" in 2008. 36 million U.S. dollars in investment, 8 million at the box office did not get. And "Human Body" was also turned into shit by them."

Shao Shuaijun shook his head: "Let them play superheroes, it's a waste of money. This time, are we taking the rights to two Punishers and a humanoid movie?"

"Of course we have to bring it over. The Marvel Cinematic Universe trio needs to be re-arranged. All the movies that have been filmed, we will try our best to get them." Kevin said domineeringly. With the financial support of Dream Chasing Entertainment, Manwei Wei Comics can finally show its strengths and reproduce the glory of the comic giants back then.

In the long decades of Marvel Comics, more than 8,000 comic characters have been created, and many superheroes have been shot into live-action movies.

The earliest "Captain America" ​​filmed by Republic Film Company in 1944, "The Punisher" filmed by New World Film Company in 1986, "Captain America" ​​filmed by Twentieth Century Film Company in 1990 and "Captain America" ​​filmed by New Vision Film Company in 1994 Fantastic Four". These four films are all old, and the copyright has already returned to Marvel Comics, and they have no commercial value.

There are currently a total of 22 real Marvel superhero movies, and the copyrights are scattered in the hands of major film companies.

Warner's New Line Films has "Blade Warrior" in 1998, "Blade Warrior 2" in 2002, and "Blade Warrior: Trinity" in 2004.

Twentieth Century Fox has 2000 "X-Men", 2003 "Daredevil", 2003 "X-Men 2", 2005 "Eleka" (Daredevil series), 2005 "Fantastic Four" ", "X-Men: The Last Stand" in 2006, "Fantastic Four: Silver Surfer" in 2007, and "X-Men: Wolverine" in 2009.

Universal Pictures has a 2003 "Hulk", which has been taken back by Marvel Comics.

Lionsgate has "The Punisher" in 2004, "Humanoid" in 2005, and "The Punisher: War Zone" in 2008.

Sony's Colombian films include "Spider-Man" in 2002, "Spider-Man 2" in 2004, "Ghost Rider" in 2007, and "Spider-Man 3" in 2007.

Marvel Comics, a subsidiary of Summit Entertainment, has produced three superhero movies: "Iron Man" in 2008, "The Incredible Hulk" in 2008, and "Iron Man 2" in 2010.

There are four more in production, Sony's "The Amazing Spider-Man", 20th Century Fox's "X-Men: First Class" and Marvel Comics' "Thor" and "Captain America".

For these real-life superhero movies, it is best to get back the copyright of New Line’s Blade Warrior trilogy, because the shooting of new movies has not been started for a long time, the copyright is about to expire, and New Line has no intention of starting a new movie, wait until At the end of the year, Blade Warrior will automatically rejoin the team, and the only thing to talk about is to buy the ownership of the three movies.

Lionsgate has also negotiated that The Punisher and Humanoids will return. Universal's Hulk was brought back before Marvel was acquired. Daredevil (Super Daredevil) and Fantastic Four under Twentieth Century Fox are also under further discussion, and they can get it back at a small price.

The hard part is Sony's Spider-Man and 20th Century Fox's X-Men, for those two sequences. The two companies have no intention of negotiating at all. But no matter how difficult it is, Shao Shuaijun will try his best to get it back. Nothing is difficult in the world, as long as you have money!

"By the way, Kevin, Lionsgate is having a hard time this year?"

"Of course it's hard, why ask this?"

Shao Shuaijun smiled treacherously: "Since they are having a hard time, shouldn't we help out? Tell me, how about we buy their shares?"

"Acquire Lionsgate?" Kevin asked in surprise.

"Well. Wait for Mitchell to come over. Let's sum it up. It's not necessarily the acquisition of Lionsgate, and the same is true for equity participation. If Summit Entertainment wants to develop, it can't be typed. We are now doing teen-themed movies. And comedies Yes. But horror films are rarely involved, and they can complement Lionsgate. Besides, Lionsgate’s channel is also very important, isn’t it? We can also take the copyright of "Kick-Ass". The publishing rights have also been taken back." Shao Shuaijun said ambitiously.

"Kick-A-Bian" is a comic adaptation of a publisher under Marvel Comics. It was released this year and received good reviews and box office. It is not considered an orthodox superhero, but it is not bad to join the trio of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As for the copyright of the animated film, Shao Shuaijun didn't attach much importance to it, and it wasn't part of the trio's plan.

It was only in 2006 that Marvel Comics and Lionsgate Pictures reached a cooperation. The animated films and videos produced by Marvel were handed over to Lionsgate Pictures for distribution. Lionsgate's distribution channels are indeed very strong, coupled with a strong film library, this is what Shao Shuaijun covets.

Now he has sketched a rough plan in his mind.

Japan's Sony can dominate Hollywood, why can't he allow Summit Entertainment to dominate in North America? With a solid background in Dream Chasing Entertainment, it is not difficult to turn things upside down in Hollywood.

After Mitchell came over, the three discussed the acquisition of Lionsgate. Lionsgate Films is also a large-scale film company. If it really wants to acquire it, it will not be worth more than ten or two billion US dollars. However, we can try to start negotiations to see if the shareholders of Lionsgate have the intention of selling their shares.

After talking about Lionsgate, Mitchell talked about the movie again: "Shao, how much do you estimate the box office of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"? Can it surpass "Teddy Bear"?"

Although "Teddy Bear" garnered a lot of attention with $612 million, and even though the trailer for "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was wonderful, and the audience was clamoring to watch it sooner, the expectations in the media were not great. After all, this is a rigorous sci-fi film, but it is the work of Shao Shuaijun.

The investment is only less than 90 million US dollars. Such a careless and money-free sci-fi film, coupled with the shocking ending of the previous work, is very difficult to surpass, and it is difficult for the media to have much expectations for its box office.

"Didn't you read it, why, no confidence?" Shao Shuaijun asked while eating grapes.

Mitchell rubbed his hands: "How should I put it, I have always had full confidence in you, and you have almost never missed your eyes. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is also shocking. I am just afraid that the audience will not buy it. The movie Will it be too deep?"

"Don't worry, 400 million dollars is the bottom line. Now you just need to do a good job of publicity, and then find someone to write the sequel script."

"You already have a sequel planned?"

"No, I seldom shoot sequels, but "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is a movie that can be a sequel, you guys look at the arrangement."

Mitchell nodded and didn't say anything else. Shao Shuaijun's words reassured him. Mitchell and Kevin came and left quickly. They each have cumbersome affairs, and it is impossible to stay in China for a long time. This time we met to discuss the core issues of IPO, and we can discuss it later, and we can completely use the method of online conference.

So Shao Shuaijun started writing scripts and spending time with his wife again.

August 6th will arrive soon, and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" will start to land globally. On this day, Shao Shuaijun planned to take Li Xiuxiu to the cinema to watch a movie. For Xiao Shao's safety, Li Xiuxiu stayed at home all day, no matter whether it was office work or anything else, she was bored.

I asked the doctor that pregnant women who are five months pregnant can go to the movies, so the two decided to watch the imax version of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". Now Dream Chasing Golden Harvest Cinemas are blooming all over China. When they go to the cinema, they can watch it in the best area and arrange bodyguards to protect them.

On the way to the cinema, Shao Shuaijun received an unexpected call. It turned out to be from Li An. He is currently in the capital and wants to invite Shao Shuaijun to have dinner together tomorrow. (to be continued..)