Three Hundred and Sixty-One - The Matrix Vs. The Hulk

boss. "

In the post-production studio of Warner Bros. Studios, Nina covered her mobile phone microphone and shouted to the people who were discussing across the editing table. She faced Gilmour, Dwayne Scott, and Dwayne Scott, who all looked over with frowns. The four grown men, Ector Henry and Wayne, showed apologetic expressions and pointed at the microphone.

"Forget it, that's it for today."

He raised his arms and looked at the time. It was four fifty, and there were only a few minutes left before getting off work. Wayne shook his head and said to the three people around him: "Dawn, seal everything here. We will have a rest tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Come back on Monday. Keep going."

There is no need to rush in the post-production work of this film. Compared with the "The Matrix" next door, there are not so many special effects that need to be added, and there is no tedious special effects rendering work. The main post-production work of this film is around editing. .

"Call from Townsend Rothman."

When Wayne came over after giving instructions, Nina whispered. "He wants you to give a guarantee, preferably in a contract."

"give it to me."

Taking the phone from the assistant lady and putting it to his ear, Wayne said directly without any hesitation: "Twentieth Century Fox can rest assured to do it. My promise is the biggest guarantee. Fox can contact my agent Jimmy in a few days. Let’s talk about the contract.”

"Okay, your credibility is obvious to all in the industry. I'm not worried about that." Townsend Roseman's voice came over the phone. After speaking, he paused for a moment and asked, "There are never any secrets in this industry. How about yours?" Commitment is my biggest reason to convince the board, so..."

"No need to keep it a secret, there's nothing that can't be seen."

Even the six giants all hold small shares in each other, so there is no need to keep some things secret at all. As long as you want to check, there are naturally many channels to get the information.

After hanging up the phone, Wayne stood there and thought about it for a while, confirmed that there was no loophole, and showed a smile.

It’s not just 20th Century Fox that is busy tonight, the distribution department of Warner Bros. is also preparing for the media conference the next day. It has been delayed for long enough, and its summer production can finally start promoting it.

Wayne, who had been busy for a week, accompanied Naomi Watts to bed early. No one would know what he meant by making these arrangements.

In his mind, this is like a game with opaque information, using the information gap to attack the opponent, making people suffer big losses in an inexplicable state, and the comfort it brings to people is much higher than grinning and swearing. This will Tell some people that actions speak louder than words.

One fact will never change even if it takes a few decades. Losing the money that is about to be put into your pocket is more uncomfortable than killing the other person.

Friday night passed, and on this ordinary Saturday in mid-February, the news reported by the media aroused the emotions of many ordinary movie fans. Several large-scale summer movies announced their release dates at the same time.

"The distribution department of 20th Century Fox held a small media conference this morning and announced that it will be directed by Roland Emmerich and co-starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum. The sci-fi blockbuster "Independence Day" has a specific release date.

Contrary to what most fans had guessed, the film titled "Independence Day" will not be released on July 4th, the same day as Independence Day. Instead, it will be released a week in advance. Twentieth Century Fox's distribution department executive Terry said The reason is to allow movie fans to see this science fiction masterpiece earlier, so it is scheduled for June 28th..." --- "Los Angeles Times"

"fxxk, what the hell does 20th Century Fox want to do?!"

Before noon, Justin, the director of Universal Pictures' distribution department, knocked on the door of the CEO's office with a newspaper. After Ron Meyer read the newspaper, he couldn't help but spit out a curse word.

There seems to be nothing unusual about this matter. There are big productions being released every weekend in the summer season. If you can arrange a film into this hottest schedule in North America, you can't be afraid of competition.

However, anyone who cares knows that 20th Century Fox chose to release the film a week earlier than the Independence Day weekend, which is better. There is definitely something wrong with it. Just look at the name of the film and you will know what risks they will take by doing so.

"I have already sent someone to find out before I came here." Justin's face was also ugly. The big productions invested by the six major companies have always avoided vicious competition. Normally, such a deliberate arrangement will only cause confusion among movie fans. Diversion, both sides lose.

"It was Townsend Rothman who convinced the executives and the board of directors to change the film's original release date. By June of this year, 20th Century Fox CEO Jeff Giannobulos will step down and retire. Townsend Rothman He is the most vocal successor, so he has a strong say within Fox."

"Why take such a risk..."

Ron Meyer doesn't think the next six CEOs are fools who will risk hundreds of millions of dollars for no reason. There must be other problems.

The production cost of "Independence Day" for external publicity is US$75 million, which is a relatively reliable figure. Coupled with the publicity funds that need to be invested before the release, it is conservatively estimated to be half of the production cost, which will not be less than 40 million US dollars.

Are you kidding about hundreds of millions of dollars? I'm afraid that no matter how high Townsend-Rosman's reputation is, he will not be able to convince the board of directors and executives.

"and this."

While the CEO of Universal Pictures was thinking, Justin turned over the newspaper on the table and placed it in front of him.

"What?"

"...The distribution department of Warner Bros. announced this morning the release date of "The Matrix", a project produced, written and initiated by Wayne Greenberg. The film will be released with the majority of movie fans in mid-May when the summer season begins. Meet.

The director of this major science fiction production, Zack Snyder, comes from the core team behind Wayne Greenberg. This is his first independent directorial work. The reason why it can..."

"call."

Ron Meyer didn't continue reading and threw the newspaper directly on the table. Now it was very obvious that Warner Bros. deliberately put this film on the opening weekend of "The Incredible Hulk".

"Warner Bros. is too superstitious about Wayne Greenberg!" The Universal Pictures CEO said with a sneer on his face. In addition to gloating, there was also anger in his eyes. The other party clearly did not take Universal Pictures seriously.

"Come on, let me see what a novice director can do. Zack Snyder? Is there a profile of this person in the company?"

"There are some records." Justin's expression was solemn, far less optimistic than his boss's performance. "Zack Snyder, a New York advertising director, joined Wayne Greenberg's behind-the-scenes team in 1992 and has been serving as an assistant director. It is said that Wayne Greenberg trusts him very much. This is why Warner Bros. The hiring of this new guy is all because of Wayne Greenberg's recommendation. And..."

Speaking of this, he looked at his boss and hesitated, not knowing whether he should tell his guess.

"what else?"

Ron Meyer waved his hand impatiently. He had never regarded "The Matrix" as a rival. In his opinion, this was the beginning of Warner Bros.'s superstition of Wayne Greenberg, which was definitely a good thing.

What gives him a headache is Twentieth Century Fox's "Independence Day," which is also a major science fiction production. The appeal of Roland Emmerich and Garvey Smith is now the number one threat.

"There have been rumors in the circle that the reason why Wayne Greenberg has developed so fast is inseparable from Fox, which helped him release his first work, and the person who promoted him in the first place was Townsend Rothman! There are rumors Their relationship broke down due to negotiations on the "Get Out" project, and there are also rumors that their relationship has always been very good..."

"You mean?"

"That's right." Justin nodded and pointed to the first page of the Los Angeles Times. "The reason why "Independence Day" is willing to adjust its schedule and release it a week earlier to compete with "The Fat Professor" is that there is a high probability that Wayne Greenberg is involved."

His words made Ron Meyer think deeply, wondering what 20th Century Fox had gotten, so that it was willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to accompany that young man to go crazy.

"Jingle Bell"

The phone rang for a while, and the CEO of Universal Pictures frowned, reached for the phone on the table and put it to his ear.

"Hello, this is Ron Meyer."

In just ten seconds, the phone was placed on the table again, and the room fell into an eerie silence.

"It's Wayne Greenberg. 20th Century Fox was willing to do this because of the promise of the X-Men series. Shit, this dark maniac!"

Justin showed a true expression and strongly agreed with his boss's evaluation of the young man.

A normal person would never do such a thing that harms others and does not benefit oneself. Even if the income of his two films is really reduced, what benefits will he get? Only a lunatic would do this, which is completely inconsistent with the rules of capitalist behavior.

"We have already invested millions of publicity funds in the early promotion of our two major productions." Looking at Ron Meyer across the desk, he said with an unlucky look: "It is impossible to change the schedule now, otherwise we will invest in the early stage." It will all be in vain, as other weekends in the summer are just as crowded.”

What he wants to express is very clear. Since the release time cannot be changed, the film will inevitably face fierce competition. Most of the time, this kind of competition is a lose-lose situation, and most movie fans will be diverted by their respective promotions. Basically, it is just a matter of the size of the loss.

Ron Meyer tapped the newspaper on the table with one finger, making a "ta, da" sound. "Universal Pictures has never been afraid of competition! The promotional funds for "The Incredible Hulk" will be increased by another 10 million. There are still about three months to go. Keep an eye on Bill Beckby's post-production work and don't have any surprises."