Two Hundred and Fifty-Six - He Is Almost Forcing Us to Sell Our Butts.

Just like Paul Knight thought, there are indeed people who are suffering right now and are in a dilemma.

Not far from the Warner Bros. Building, in another building in Burbank, the media capital, in an office on the seventh floor of Twentieth Century Fox, Townsend Rothman, director of the film and television production department, was reading the newspaper with the same frown.

"It seems you just saw it too."

Townsend-Rosman was so absorbed in watching the report that he didn't even notice that someone opened the door and walked in. When he heard voices, he looked up and saw the CEO sitting opposite.

"What do you think about this?" Jeff Giannobulos, CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, looked at him and pointed at the newspaper in his hand.

"It was released on the same day!" Townsend-Rossman shook his head, took out a cigar box from the drawer, took out one and lit it with a spray gun, and took a puff distractedly.

"To be honest, Jeff, if I had known he would be so successful, I would never have insisted on those harsh conditions and pushed this kid into the arms of Warner Brothers.

I originally thought that I was just returning a favor to old Ruben, and things would be over after that. Hey, who would have thought that that kid was not just lucky enough to succeed. He was indeed a genius. No, he was definitely more than just a genius. Now it can be said that He is a master now. "

This was his true feeling, and the more successful Wayne Greenberg became, the more complicated his feelings towards the young man became.

It can be said that he single-handedly created the success of "Happy Death Day", and because of his arrogance, he personally sent the son of an old friend into the arms of his competitor.

"It's not your fault, Townsend!" Jeff Giannobulos smiled and shook his head. "No one believed that a young man in his early twenties could achieve continuous success, and no one could have imagined that he would achieve such terrifying achievements in just a few years. However, I am very curious... "

"What are you curious about?"

The CEO of Twentieth Century Fox said with a smile: "I'm very curious, does that young man know that it was Shea from New Line who kicked his father out of the company, causing old Ruben to never see him again because of the betrayal of his best friend? I don’t want to step out of the farm!”

Many old people in the Hollywood circle know a little bit about those past events. After all, the pairing of Robert Shea and Ruben Greenberg are known as the other "Warner Brothers".

"Who knows, now they can be considered a parent company." Townsend-Rossman shrugged and blew out a big puff of smoke. "Okay, let's not mention those things. Now let's talk about the film schedule. What do you think about this matter?"

This year's top film from 20th Century Fox, "Die Hard 3", which cost $90 million to produce, will also be released on the second weekend of May. This is a schedule that was set a month ago.

And the most uncomfortable thing is that the film's release time has already been promoted through its TV network.

This is also a huge production with an investment of nearly 100 million U.S. dollars. It is a typical summer popcorn masterpiece. The promotion work must have started early. 20th Century Fox has invested millions in promotional funds for the early promotion of the film.

"We can't retreat, Townsend! We can only face the competition head-on. And no one knows what the final result will be. Don't worry, Bruce Wesley's box office appeal is good, and we are not without the capital to compete. .”

As for the CEO, Townsend-Rossman also agreed that the production investment of the two films is not much different, and when it comes to the movie stars alone, their films may be cheaper.

Coupled with the large amount of pre-publicity funds that have been invested, all that can be done now is competition.

The success of every major Hollywood production will inevitably be the result of fierce competition. No film can easily succeed during the prime time of the summer season.

"Pay attention to the news about "Batman Begins". After the production of the film is completed, Warner Bros. will definitely hold a preview screening. Then we will know what the quality of this film is." Jeff Giannobulos said.

Townsend-Rosman nodded. "I will tell you to go down and pay attention to this video at any time."

No one dares to underestimate Wayne Greenberg. If "Die Hard 3" had not been unable to make progress, no one knows how the CEO of 20th Century Fox would have handled this matter.

Although the two films are not much different in size and are not without competitive potential, the young director's past achievements are so dazzling that no one can deny this.

"In the past few years, Wayne Greenberg's films have been continuously generating revenue for theater companies. This is what I am most worried about!" Townsend Rothman put the cigar in his hand on the shelf. , setting his sights in the direction of the Warner Bros. Building.

"The theater chain alliance, led by the three major theater chains including Imperial Cinemas, will definitely give "Batman Begins" an unprecedented opening. Whether it is the film schedule or the number of screening screens, our "Die Hard" "Dragon Power 3" is probably incomparable..."

This is an objective situation, and even if they put pressure on the theater companies, they can't change it. Cinemas also need to make a profit, especially Wayne's box office performance in the past few years, which will deeply affect the cinema manager's film schedule.

You must know that the theater manager’s specific film scheduling time and film scheduling rate are the factors that most influence the choice of movie fans in the first-hand market. Even if the film schedule is the same, if one film is shown in the morning when there are few people, and the other is shown in the evening during prime time, the effect can be said to be completely different.

"I will personally call the theater company!" Jeff Giannobulos raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, saying with a huge headache: "The minimum fairness should be achieved, and at least the first weekend filming schedule can be guaranteed. The follow-up will depend on the results of the film.”

In a year at most, he will be ready to step down as CEO of 20th Century Fox. He does not expect "Die Hard 3" to beat the other party at the box office. As long as the film can withstand the pressure and achieve the expected box office figures, Well, after all, the beginning of the summer season is the most enthusiastic time for movie fans.

As long as they can avoid being squeezed out on the first weekend, there will be almost no serious competitors throughout the May period. For nearly twenty days, the theater market will be dominated by these two films.

After next year, he won't have to worry about these things. In the future, this movie giant will probably still have Townsend Rothman to take over.

"Okay, let's leave it like this for now. The specific situation will be arranged after the trial screening." Townsend-Rosman shook his head, remembering something that made him even more helpless.

"James Cameron is clamoring for more investment again, damn it! He is about to force the company executives to sell their butts! Paramount is also having a headache, and now this big ship has simply become a Bottomless pit!”

This project, jointly invested by 20th Century Fox and Paramount, has been in preparation for a long time, but James Cameron has been preparing for two years. The two companies have successively invested 100 million US dollars, but the film has not been officially released yet. Start shooting.

Now this studio tyrant has spent all his money again and is once again chasing after the two companies, demanding additional project funding.

"I heard that he built an equally big ship?" Jeff Giannobulos asked curiously.

"That's right, not only that big piece of shit ship, but also the props needed in the film were all luxuriously customized from the original factory based on the data!"

It’s not that Townsend-Rossman doesn’t want to continue investing money, 20th Century Fox’s capital chain is also very tight, and with the current preparation progress, even if hundreds of millions of dollars are invested, the release of the film is still far away.

According to what he learned from the producer, two years have passed and James Cameron has not even made any preparations for filming. He has been tinkering with various props and special effects for the film.

"I'm wondering if I should just replace him!" A look of extreme impatience appeared on his face. "I will call Shirley Lansing in a moment. The truck driver must be given sufficient restrictions. Otherwise, another director will be found to take his place. This movie has been delayed for too long and the company has invested too much. There is a lot of money, but there is no hope of profit.”

Now this project has become an inside joke. It is like a quagmire that has trapped the two companies together.

While all the production companies, distribution companies and movie fans were discussing the release date released by Warner Bros., far away at the door of a studio in New York, a group of reporters were also surrounding "Batman Begins" producer interview.

These reporters had a keen sense of smell and rushed to New York immediately. Wayne Greenberg returned to the summer schedule. This stunt is definitely big enough.

But the director never liked giving interviews, so they went directly to the producer.

"This will be a Greenberg-style super-blockbuster!" Facing the chaotic questions from a group of reporters, Tim Burton stretched out his hands to make a downward gesture. When the scene became quiet, he did not wait to ask questions. said:

"I remember in the first few years there were people who were worried that my Batman would be too dark. Believe me, compared to the version of Wayne that's being filmed, 8 and Coming, it's a light romp!

"Batman Begins" is full of dark and serious themes throughout. It will definitely exceed the expectations of fans and the media. It is like a dark epic, with too many reflections and representative meanings in the film. .

In a few months, you will see that Wayne will start the dark age of comics! "

After speaking, he did not give reporters a chance to ask questions, waved his hand to call the security personnel, turned around and walked back to the filming site.

If any DC fans have seen the set, they will definitely be very familiar with the name here. It is called Arkham Asylum, and it is a place where Wayne said "a lot of talent comes out".