Director’s Legend

"Summit Entertainment is going crazy this year!"

Whether it's the media, financial professionals, or movie fans, the same voice emerged in their hearts. It has been more than a month since the announcement of the plan to acquire MGM, just over a week after the acquisition of D2, and the acquisition of Lucasfilm. As early as four or five years ago, Summit Entertainment was just a small company that couldn't produce a single movie a year, but now it wants to swallow the largest special effects company!

This is definitely the most important news this year, following the news of the MGM acquisition.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, the situation is always changing. Film companies ebb and flow, and owners change one after another. Acquisitions are not a big deal.

In 1985, News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox Film Company. In 1989, Sony Corporation acquired Columbia Pictures for US$5 billion. In 2004, Universal Pictures and NBC Television Channel merged. In 2005, Sony Corporation acquired MGM for US$5 billion. In 2005, Paramount Pictures acquired DreamWorks Film Studio (non-animation department). In 2005, the Weinstein Brothers left Disney’s Miramax Films to start anew. In 2006, Walt Disney acquired Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion. In 2008 Warner Bros. merged with New Line Cinema.

Hollywood stories are never short of ups and downs.

But it’s different when it comes to Summit Entertainment. Sony, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount are all big companies that have been around for decades, but Summit Entertainment is a small company that has only emerged in the past three or four years.

In people's minds, there was no such name as Summit Entertainment in Hollywood a few years ago.

But this is the company. In 2009, it acquired Marvel Comics for US$4.1 billion, and became the North American and global box office champion in 2010. In 2011, it announced the acquisition of MGM, and now it is going to swallow Lucasfilm.

It was as if the waiter serving tea and water at a reception suddenly tore off his apron and said that he was a certain tycoon, the contrast was too great.

Even going back in time, Summit Entertainment's parent company, Chasing Dream Entertainment Group, was only established in 2005, and its development time was too short.

And it is this contrast that attracts people's attention.

The level of attention is almost comparable to that of a presidential election.

Shao Shuaijun who is planning to wrap up "Night Watchman: Reflection" in the next few days. Also had to postpone the crew for another day. Rush to Santa Monica for this press conference. He is the behind-the-scenes Boss of Summit Entertainment, and his presence can reflect the importance he attaches to George Lucas and Lucasfilm.

The press conference was held at 10 o'clock in the 18th floor building of Summit Entertainment. Originally, Shao Shuaijun thought that Lionsgate would be the first to move in. I didn't expect that it might be Lucasfilm.

Shao Shuaijun arrived early. Went to the lounge to meet George Lucas. As a legendary director, George Lucas single-handedly created the glory of "Star Wars", but it started in 2005. He announced his retirement, stopped directing movies, and turned to behind-the-scenes creation.

Because George Lucas does not often attend public events, Shao Shuaijun is also a low-key figure, and the two have not met in official occasions so far.

"Mr. Lucas, nice to meet you. I grew up watching your movie "Star Wars". I am very excited to meet you in person." Shao Shuaijun shook Lucas's hand vigorously .

"Haha, I'm also very honored to be able to grow up with a great director." Lucas was still very handsome when he was young, with a beard and very attractive. Now that he is old, his hair and beard are gray, his face has become fatter, and he wears glasses, making him look a lot more amiable.

"I never imagined that one day I would be able to work with you."

"Me too. I've been working with the old guys in Hollywood for a long time, and I've been facing a decadent atmosphere all day long. I also want to change my taste." Lucas said a little tiredly.

This time Summit Entertainment was able to successfully acquire Lucasfilm, in addition to sufficient money and allowing Lucas to take a stake in Summit Entertainment. The big reason is that Lucas intends to retire completely. After Lucas divorced his ex-wife in 1983, he has been living a single life. Because he has no children, he adopted two children.

And four years ago, after thirty years of single life, George Lucas finally met his true destiny, Melody Hobson, chairman of the animation department of DreamWorks. With the late spring, Lucas cherished this relationship very much, so he decided to give up the tedious business and focus on love.

After Summit Entertainment proposed the acquisition, Lucas readily agreed.

With respect for legends, Shao Shuaijun chatted with Lucas about his favorite work "Star Wars".

The "Star Wars" series produced a total of six films, namely "Star Wars: A New Hope" in 1977, "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1983, and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1995. "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace", "Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones" in 2002 and "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith" in 2005, and an animated film "The Clone Wars" ".

In addition to movies and animation, Lucasfilm has launched dozens of "Star Wars" series of games.

So far, the "Star Wars" series has earned $4.4 billion in box office, $3.8 billion in DVD and other post-theatre media revenue, and its derivatives revenue has reached a huge $20 billion, which can be said to have earned the limelight. The Star Wars brand alone is worth $1 billion!

In addition to the "Star Wars" series, Lucas also produced four films in the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" series and other films.

"I think "Star Wars" has been silent for too long. Although there have been animations, games and other derivative products, it has been five years since the last movie. Is Mr. Lucas planning to continue this series? ?” Shao Shuaijun asked.

Lucas smiled: "Shao, call me George. I have conceived the follow-up of "Star Wars", and I really hope to continue to launch it. I already have ideas and ideas for the new trilogy. After the acquisition, if you want to , I can serve as the art consultant for the new trilogy."

"That would be great, I like Star Wars very much myself, and I will actively promote the shooting of the new trilogy!"

Just about to have a chat about the new trilogy, Mitchell personally came over to inform the two that they were going to a press conference. One old and one young, they put the topic aside and walked towards the hall talking and laughing.

When we arrived at the press conference, there were really dense crowds of people, all the reporters from Hollywood came. Journalists from all over the world also came, financial reporters from Wall Street also came, and Chinese media also came like a group. The scale is so large that it is rare in the world.

The press conference was hosted by Mitchell himself, and it was nothing more than an introduction to the specific situation of Summit Entertainment's acquisition of Lucasfilm, as well as its motivation and future plans.

When it came time to ask questions from the media, the reporters immediately started bombarding them with questions: "Mr. Lucas, what made you agree to this acquisition plan?"

Lucas replied: "I wanted to retire a few years ago, and I wanted to live a life out of the film industry and not have to worry about the company anymore. I really wanted to put my company in a place that would protect it. Summit Entertainment is such a company with a bright future, and I am very relieved to hand over the company to them."

"Mr. Shao, why did Summit Entertainment acquire Lucasfilm? Is it the company's decision, or your proposal?"

Shao Shuaijun replied: "It's the company's decision, and it's also my proposal. ILM is what Summit Entertainment is looking forward to. We want to create superhero movies, and the special effects technology we need is very complicated. With the support of ILM, we will be more relaxed. At the same time, I am in the United States. Everywhere I went, I saw traces of Star Wars, so I thought, maybe we should buy it and let the movie legend of Star Wars continue!"

"Mr. Shao, you mean that the Star Wars series will be restarted?"

"Why not, I just talked about this with Mr. Lucas in the back, we both think that there are only six Star Wars movies, which is really too few, and we have to release seven, eight, nine movies to make Star Wars To make an enduring brand. Mr. Lucas has agreed to serve as artistic advisor for the new trilogy."

Lucas said: "In the past 35 years, the thing that makes me most happy is to let generations of children appreciate "Star Wars." Now, I will hand over Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers. I have always believed in "Star Wars." The franchise will live on beyond me, and it will be important to transform the franchise in my lifetime. I have full faith in Kathleen Kennedy to lead Lucasfilm. With Summit Entertainment in its new home, Star Wars will continue to thrive And more prosperous. Summit Entertainment's brilliant prospects will give Lucasfilm more opportunities for development in the future, entering the United States, entering China, and entering the world."

Katherine Kennedy was the former co-chairman of Lucasfilm. George Lucas sold Lucasfilm and became a shareholder of Summit Entertainment. He will no longer hold any position. Regarding the acquisition request, Summit Entertainment agreed that Katherine Kennedy would be promoted to the president of Lucasfilm and join the ranks of top executives.

When answering the reporter, Mitchell Bruce said enthusiastically: "Lucasfilm has fully demonstrated George Lucas's extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm and visual imagination. This transaction will bring world-class creative products, The greatest family entertainment series in history, under Summit Entertainment's vibrant and thriving multiple platforms across Asia and America, the value and effect of both will be maximized!"

A reporter asked: "After acquiring Lucasfilm, does Summit Entertainment have any bigger plans?"

Mitchell replied: "Our next step will be to tackle the MGM plan with all our strength. Now we are negotiating further with Sony Corporation. We will work together to make MGM shine and regain the glory of the year!"

At the end of the press conference, standing in front of the huge Star Wars poster, Shao Shuaijun was in the center, Lucas was on the left, Mitchell was on the right, and the three stood together.

Click click click!

The flash faithfully recorded this historical moment and spread it to all parts of the world.

"This is the "Star Wars" handover ceremony!" (To be continued...)