Chapter 975 Beauty and the Beast

"What can I do for you?" Ronan asked for two glasses of water, and handed one of them to Chris: "We've been friends for many years, let's be honest."

Chris didn't say it directly, but asked instead: "Ronan, how many years have we known each other?"

Although Ronan didn't quite understand what he meant, he still replied: "We met in 1998, when I was looking for a publisher for "The Purge", and in the end you bought out the international distribution of "The Purge" on behalf of Sony Entertainment." right."

Chris laughed: "Yeah, if you do the math, we've been friends for eight years."

Ronan picked up the water glass, took a sip, and said, "Chris, we're friends, so just speak up if you have something to say."

"I'm a little worried." Chris also picked up the water glass and said before drinking: "Jerry Katzenberg's DreamWorks Animation Studio left the first animated feature film of Relativity Entertainment, and it was so miserable. ..."

Ronan shook his head: "You think too much. DreamWorks took back the distribution rights of the animated feature film and got it back through a transaction."

Chris put down his water glass, and his eyes fell on Ronan. Although the other person's youthful appearance hadn't changed much compared to a few years ago, he knew that he couldn't judge the person sitting opposite him with his previous eyes.

"There is something that I would like to ask you as a personal friend." Chris said slowly.

Ronan understood: "You are worried that because of the competition between Sony Columbia Pictures and Relativity Entertainment, not only will I not help, but I will actively cheat you, right?"

These words reached Chris's heart, he smiled embarrassedly, and gestured: "I'm just a little worried, only a little bit."

Ronan asked back: "Chris, have I cheated on you before?"

"No." Chris said without hesitation, "You're a good friend. Even if you had conflicts with Sony Columbia Pictures over the "Spider-Man" issue, you didn't actually feel sorry for me."

He understood the meaning behind Ronan's words, so he let go of his worries and said directly: "The response of the new James Bond movie, that is, "007 vs. Casino Royale" in North America is a bit poor. GM bought out the rights and there was no way this successful franchise could go downhill, so after the opening weekend, I was in charge of the new James Bond movie."

Ronan raised his glass to Chris: "Congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Chris picked up the cup and touched Ronan, but there was no joy at all: "This is a heavy burden."

Ronan said lightly: "Don't say you have no ideas."

If there is no idea, Chris will not come here specifically to ask Ronan for advice as a personal friend: "I have some ideas, but it is more difficult. Director Martin Campbell was poached by Warner Bros. to direct the damn "Green Lantern" Yeah, what a beeping Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsuhara!"

Ronan had heard about these things, Martin Campbell had a wealth of experience, and Warner Bros. and DC Comics specifically chose him as the director of "Green Lantern", the beginning of DC's Justice League movie universe.

"The director was poached before I took over." Chris seemed to be complaining, and he seemed to be saying to Ronan specifically: "James Bond's style change seems to be not very successful. Many people say Bond became Bourne, not Bond anymore..."

Ronan was just listening and didn't interrupt, because Chris is an experienced and capable person,

These words are just saying.

Chris picked up the water glass, drank half of the glass of water in one breath, and said: "Everyone says that Bond's transformation has failed, but I don't think so. This brand new Bond is still very attractive. Many people are Miss Pierce Brosnan-style Bond, but they deliberately ignored, Brosnan's last two Bond films did not have a good box office and reputation! It's time for a Bond movie to change style."

He suddenly looked at Ronan: "I plan to invite Paul Greengrass to be the director of the next Bond movie. Ronan, do you think it's okay?"

If asked by someone else, Ronan would just say something perfunctory, but after all, Chris has known him for many years and can be considered a good friend. The personal relationship is here, and there is no conflict of interest between the two.

Therefore, Ronan thought for a while and said: "In my personal opinion, Paul Greenglass is a better choice than Martin Campbell."

Chris immediately said: "I will go to Paul Greengrass in person tomorrow."

Ronan smiled: "Paul is not the Paul he used to be. If you want to invite him, you need enough sincerity."

The huge success of the "Bourne Shadow" trilogy has made Paul Greengrass one of the first-line directors in Hollywood, and his worth and status have skyrocketed. It is impossible for Shahai Entertainment to come back and sign the trilogy at a relatively small price. contract.

After receiving Ronan's suggestion, Chris seemed to gain more confidence out of thin air. After chatting with Ronan for a while, he said goodbye and left, saying that he was preparing to meet Paul Greengrass tomorrow.

Ronan left the charity reception after Chris, and when he drove back to Beverly Hills, he couldn't help but look forward to the Paul Greengrass version of the James Bond movie that might appear in the future.

When it comes to treating friends, Ronan dare not say how good he is, but at least he promises not to cheat his friends.

This point is a hundred times stronger than many people in the circle.

Chris has a friendship with Ronan and has helped him, so Ronan never thought of cheating Chris.

As for Sony Columbia Pictures, it is not in the plan of Relativity Entertainment for the time being.

Relativity Entertainment has many cooperations with Sony Electronics, and Sony Electronics is also one of the largest equipment suppliers in Hollywood.

For example, the crews of Relativity Entertainment such as "Avatar" and "Alice in Wonderland" basically use photographic equipment made by Sony Electronics.

In this regard, we must face up to the technological advantages of the islanders.

In addition, Sony Electronics is also a long-term partner of James Cameron.

Ronan also attaches great importance to the development and research of new technologies by James Cameron and Sony Electronics. The sequel of "Avatar" has become a series in his lifetime. It can't be all blamed on James Cameron's procrastination. How many technical issues matter.

Thinking of the crew of "Avatar" which is being filmed and produced in Wellington, New Zealand, Ronan is also thinking about how to urge James Cameron not to really become a series in the lifetime of movie fans.

When watching the first "Avatar", fans were still young, but when they finished watching the trilogy, they were already gray-haired...

How miserable that is.

Maybe the trilogy can't be finished, and James Cameron will be recruited by God?

Ronan felt that it was very necessary for James Cameron to complete the trilogy of the "Avatar" series within ten... no, even twelve years.

This is an extremely difficult task. Ronan feels that it is more difficult than Relativity Entertainment to win the copyright of those classic cartoons from Disney.

Back at the Future World Manor, Ronan asked the housekeeper Nikia to make a cup of tea and went straight to the study.

During the day, George Clint called him. The screenwriter department of Shahai Entertainment had completed the first draft of the live-action movie "Beauty and the Beast", and it had been sent to his work mailbox.

Ronan watched it carefully, and the screenwriting team completely followed his requirements. The script basically copied the plot of the classic animated feature film without making too many changes.

One of the main selling points of this kind of film is feelings and memories, and it is the most stupid to change hastily.

In addition, Relativity Entertainment also has the right to use any music and songs in the animated feature film, which can easily evoke the memory of the audience.

At this time, Nikia personally entered the study with a teacup, and Ronan asked casually, "Have you seen Disney's animated movie "Beauty and the Beast"?"

"I've seen it." Nikia replied softly, "I watched it in theaters first, and then I watched it in theaters again."

Ronan is not asking blindly, but a large proportion of the audience of "Beauty and the Beast" is female, and the opinions of women who have watched animated feature films are very valuable: "Nikia, what do you think of the existing young women in Hollywood? Among the actors, who is the most suitable to play Bell?"

Nikia thought for a while, and said, "Didn't Ms. Anne-Hathaway play the role of a Disney princess?"

Ronan shook his head: "She is not suitable, and she may not be willing to act."

Anne Hathaway finally got rid of the idol image of the princess, how could she easily reverse the car and come back to play the princess again?

"I am not particularly familiar with young actresses in Hollywood." Nikia still said a name: "I think Emma Watson may be good."

Ronan smiled: "Hermione?"

The live-action Bell, which appeared to be played by Emma Watson, was a huge success.

The current Emma Watson seems a little young, right?

There is no rush to make a decision in this regard, after all, among the post-Hollywood actresses, there are quite a few with outstanding looks.

But Ronan has some doubts about Emma Watson. Now Hermione Granger is too popular. Emma Watson plays Hermione Granger in everything.

In addition, Emma Watson's remuneration is also a problem. Given the current popularity of the "Harry Potter" series, if you want to invite Emma Watson to play the leading role, it is estimated that the remuneration will be tens of millions of dollars.

The price/performance ratio is not high at all.

As for the rumors of Emma Watson's arrogance and difficult to deal with, these are not within the scope of Ronan's consideration.

After reading the script, Ronan sent it back to Shahai Entertainment's screenwriting department, asking them to refine the script to meet the needs of future filming.

If all goes well, this project will start next year, and it will be released in the 2008 holiday file or the 2009 summer file.

Ronan also has a plan for the budget. In addition to the main emotional card of the film, the picture must be beautiful, just like a real fairy tale world, so the funds invested in special effects must be high.

Sandsea has set an initial production budget of $150 million for "Beauty and the Beast."

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