Heads Up Hollywood

By the time Tang En returned to Los Angeles, it was already June 23rd.

He missed the funeral of the legendary Hollywood actor Gregory Peck. However, he still sent a special person to represent himself as a tribute to the legend and comfort to the family.

At this time, Dunn was reading a box office briefing he got from his assistant Tosca Musk.

In addition to Pixar's "Finding Nemo" which was amazing at the box office, other major plays under New Universal's box office were not good enough.

"Daredevil: Beginning of War" has a North American box office of 180 million US dollars, an overseas box office of 160 million US dollars, and a global box office of 340 million US dollars;

"Fast and Furious 2" North American box office 110 million US dollars, overseas box office 93 million US dollars, global box office 200 million US dollars;

Released last weekend, "National Treasure" starring Nicolas Cage, in the first three days of the weekend, made $22.8 million, $26.38 million, and $19.76 million in the North American box office, and the North American box office was $69 million.

Compared with the summer blockbusters promoted by Tang En's film owners in the past few years, the box office achievements of over 100 million and 200 million US dollars in the first week are very different.

However, this is the normal market reaction.

In the past few years, Tang En participated in the production of several summer hit films, such as "Titanic", "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace", "Spider-Man", "Unsinkable", "Spider-Man 2", " The Pirate Alliance: The Curse of the Black Pearl"...almost had the blessings of various external conditions to achieve such a great success.

For example, "Unsinkable" adapted from real people, such as "Spider-Man 2" widely promoted by "Song of Marvel", such as the first imax movie "Pirate Alliance: The Curse of the Black Pearl"...

Now, films such as "National Treasure", "Daredevil", and "Fast and Furious 2" lack enough amazing marketing strategies and groundbreaking film formats, and it is only natural that the box office returns to normal.

Unless there is another shocking film, it is really not easy to think about breaking the $1 billion box office.

Fortunately, there are so many movies under New Universal this year!

In the past, Tang En Pictures only released one or two summer blockbusters every summer to grab the market.

But this year, from May to August, there are as many as seven or eight competitive commercial films under New Universal!

When quality is not dominant, quantity wins!

The cumulative effect of so many movies is enough to continue Tang En's dominance over the summer season over the past few years!

On this side, Tang En is looking at the relevant situation of the summer file, and on the other side, Tosca Musk is giving him a recent work report on the new global——

"The municipal government of Orlando has approved that the construction of the Harry Potter theme park can be officially started in August. The construction period is expected to be as long as 19 months and cost 730 million U.S. dollars."

"The transfer negotiations of Houghton Mifflin Publishing House are coming to an end, and Mr. Barry Diller has signed the bidding agreement. Houghton Mifflin Publishing House will be sold to Thomas at a price of 2.27 billion US dollars- Lee's Alliance and Bain Investment Company. It is said that the latter intends to rely on Mifflin Publishing Company to build a world-class publishing giant."

"Director Christopher Nolan, because of the poor box office of "Daredevil: Beginning War", has written three consecutive apologies, which are in the upper right corner of your desk."

"The European Union has approved our joint acquisition of EMI Records with Bertelsmann Records. Next, we will wait for the second resolution of EMI Records' board of directors to finally confirm the quotation of US$1.68 billion."

"The TV series "The Walking Dead" invested heavily has completed the first season. According to expectations, the TV series can be successfully launched on Starz TV at the end of October. In addition, director Frank Darabont has created a movie script, recently It’s quite popular in the industry, and he wants to have an interview with you.”

"oh?"

Tang En just looked up, a little surprised, "Movie script?"

Tosca Musk said: "Michael Mann, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, and director Martin Scorsese are all very interested in this script and have intended to take over the filming. "

"Huh?" Tang En was even more surprised, "Such a script can still be killed by the production department? What's the matter?"

Tosk Musk said helplessly: "In fact, this script was written as early as 2000. After going around in major film companies, no one is willing to take over. If the director is willing to shoot, he must have an investor? "

Frank Darabont's past few films have had a good reputation, but the income is really poor.

From "The Shawshank Redemption", to "The Green Mile" and "Movie Life", it is really disappointing.

He can write the best scripts and see no traction in the market.

Twain had checked through the sunglasses system a long time ago. Frank Darabont's screenwriting ability was "92", and the market judgment was only "54".

"What does he mean by looking for me?"

"Recently, DreamWorks intends to invest in this project. The prerequisite is to find a new screenwriter, rewrite the script, and then direct it by Michael Mann. Director Darabont is not reconciled, so I want to ask you what you mean."

Tang En frowned.

New Universal's film and television entertainment department not only has a production department, but also a market analysis department.

This market analysis department is all talents with special vision recruited by Tang En using the sunglasses system!

Most of their "market judgment" ability is above "90"!

If these people are not optimistic about the script, it can almost be concluded that there will be no market returns.

Dreamworks wanted to find a screenwriter to rewrite the script according to the mainstream aesthetics of the market. In Twain's view, this was almost the only way to save the script.

What did Frank Darabont mean when he came to your door?

I have been practicing art for decades, so I don’t even have this bit of self-knowledge?

Tang En pondered for a long time, "Do you have a script?"

"There is one."

"Bring it to me." Dunn paused, then suddenly said, "Also, check to see if Nolan is in Los Angeles, let him come over!"

Three minutes later, on Tang En's desk, there was an additional movie script - "Murder with a Borrowing Knife".

...

Christopher Nolan is 33 years old this year. With Tang En's help, he has reached a height that many directors can't reach in their lifetime.

He completed the filming of a $120 million commercial blockbuster!

Not only that, the film has been released for two months, and the global box office has reached 340 million US dollars!

The box office market alone is enough to pay back.

This is a huge achievement!

At that time, John Wu became a god with "Face Changing" and became one of only five major directors in Hollywood who had the final editing rights.

What is the achievement of "Face Changing"?

With an investment of 80 million US dollars, the global box office is 245 million US dollars.

In terms of achievements, Nolan is no less than John Wu!

However, John Wu is backed by Paramount, and Nolan is backed by Marvel Pictures, which is completely different.

The income from "Changing Face" is enough for John Wu to walk sideways in Paramount.

The box office of "Daredevil: Beginning of War" made Christopher Nolan ashamed to lift his head in New Universal.

The same goes for Marvel's superhero movies.

"Spider-Man" has a global box office of 1.26 billion US dollars, and "Spider-Man 2" has a global box office of 1.29 billion US dollars.

But now "Daredevil", the North American box office is only 180 million US dollars, and the global box office is only 340 million US dollars.

In comparison, it is really shabby!

Even if the film still has at least 3 months to go, the box office of $200 million in North America and $400 million worldwide is probably over.

"Twain, I have let you down."

Nolan sighed and lowered his head, not daring to look into Tang En's eyes.

Tang En stepped out of the desk, invited Nolan to sit down in the living room, and said with a smile, "What? Are you discouraged?"

"Why."

Nolan shook his head and sighed again.

Tang En said: "It's normal to be under a lot of pressure when directing a comic book movie, and you don't have to worry. Have you forgotten my hit theory? 'Daredevil' and 'Spiderman' are not superheroes of the same level at all. The brand value is completely different. To be honest, my box office estimate for "Daredevil: Beginning War" is only 350 million US dollars. The current results are already impressive enough."

"real?"

Nolan couldn't believe it.

Tang En smiled, "The "Spiderman" series is a cheerful and entertaining comedy, while the "Daredevil" series is a serious and dark epic. It's not fair to compare them together. Besides, if "Daredevil" series : If you are not satisfied with such an excellent box office of "Beginning of War", what should you do with the following "Ant-Man" and "Ghost Rider"? In any case, your movie has made money for the company, and that is enough. "

Nolan bit his lip and said nothing.

Tang En pretended to be stern and said: "This is the first song, it's a foreshadowing, but the next movie will have to explode."

Nolan took a deep breath, "I know!"

Tang En patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Don't put too much pressure on you, you just need to know that I will always stand behind you, and that's enough."

"Thank you, Twain." Nolan said solemnly.

Tang En waved his hand, "By the way, I heard you have a new movie plan?"

Nolan said: "Well, my younger brother Jonathan rewrote a script, which was adapted from the novel of the same name "The Prestige", which is also a dark theme. I plan to shoot it to accumulate experience in this area, and continue to cast Christian Bale as the leading role. Form a tacit understanding and prepare for the filming of "Daredevil: The Dark King"."

"Okay!" Tang En clapped his hands and said with a smile, "It's good to have a plan. This movie should be shot as soon as possible. Don't forget, the second part of "Daredevil" will start filming next year."

"By the way, when Jonathan was writing the script, he created a character based on Miss Johnson."

"Scarlett?"

Tang En was a little amused, and said calmly: "No problem, you can contact her. However, her acting skills still need more guidance from you. In addition, Tang En Pictures has an unwritten rule that only invests in blockbuster films with a cost of more than 100 million U.S. dollars , your movie...is affiliated with Universal Pictures."

"Fatal Prestige", the production department's budget cost is 40 million US dollars, starring "Daredevil" Christian Bale and "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman.