Three Hundred and Sixty-Nine - Common Enemy

100 Plaza Avenue, Universal City, California, the only office with lights on at Universal Pictures, CEO Ron Meyer and "The Incredible Hulk" producer Brian Grazer, director Bill Beckby and others, silent Listen to the distribution executive describe his thoughts on the competition.

"Don't underestimate that advertising director. Even a pig who has been with Wayne Greenberg for three years will turn into a pig keen on success."

When the distribution director said this, he noticed that Bill Beckby curled his lips in disapproval, paused helplessly, and then continued: "Want to hear the positioning given by AMC's senior movie viewing expert? He thinks this is an A A commercial science fiction blockbuster, I got the film evaluation he submitted to the theater company after participating in the test screening."

Producer Brian Grazer, who had been silent all this time, raised his head and looked at the distribution executive with a hint of solemnity in his eyes.

The senior film-viewing experts at theater companies all have an astonishing acumen for the market. Their job seems to be watching movies, but in fact it is much more than that. In essence, they are doing market forecasts before the movies are released.

If you ask these people to evaluate an art film, you will usually get no results. If it is replaced by a commercial production, the forward-looking opinions they give will not normally deviate much. This is the so-called senior viewing of theaters. Film expert.

"Sanders believes that the fights, special effects, etc. in "The Matrix" are attractive enough. Because the script is written by Wayne Greenberg, it is far more rigorous than ordinary popcorn commercial films, and even He believes that this film will most likely be one of the biggest box office bombs this summer."

"ha!"

Bill Beckby's expression clearly revealed his dissatisfaction. In front of him, Justin almost praised his competitor as a flower, which made the director of "The Incredible Hulk" very uncomfortable.

In his heart, he has never regarded Zack Snyder, an advertising director, as a rival of the same level. It is just the first film directed by a novice director. No matter the investment scale or the production team, it cannot compare with "The Incredible Hulk". Comparable.

Since Universal Pictures brought back Bill Beckbee, he has positioned himself against Wayne Greenberg.

Since the other party has opened a way for superheroes, he believes that he can easily copy all the success of "Batman Begins". After all, he has successfully produced two "Hulk" films as early as 1989.

If there is anyone who knows superhero comic book movies best, he is one of the pioneers in Hollywood.

However, Bill Beckby ignored that the first person to achieve success in a superhero comic book movie was Tim Burton, the producer of "Batman Begins". He made two consecutive "Hulk" movies, and Compared to the two Batman films, they are a little transparent.

"I want to remind everyone." Bill Beckby knocked on the table, attracted a few people's attention, and said with great confidence: "No matter how the commercial director shoots it, the film will eventually enter the theater market and be tested by the public movie fans. Yes, "The Shawshank Redemption" was also well-received before its release, wasn't it?

You all seem to have overlooked that "The Matrix" is an original work, and the inherent disadvantages of non-adaptations and sequels will not change in any way just because the producer and screenwriter is Wayne Greenberg! Our "Hulk" is just the opposite. Hulk has always been very popular in North America and even around the world. "

The director's words are absolutely correct. Films that are not sequels or adaptations cannot be compared with "The Incredible Hulk" at least in their first weekend. Several people in the office nodded in unison, agreeing with this point of view.

If you compare Hulk with Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent, then of course he will be at an absolute disadvantage in terms of popularity and popularity. But now the benchmark is only an original film, which naturally leads the audience when it comes to movie viewing choices. More than one position.

"Bill, we will also be doing press screenings later."

Ron Meyer looked at the confident film director. "The company will try to invite as many film critics as possible. At least the pre-release promotion will not lag behind Warner Bros. You have to make preparations before the test screening."

Bill Baker nodded slightly reservedly. "I have enough confidence in the film that "The Incredible Hulk" will perform no worse than "Batman Begins."

"That's good……"

The meeting between several people ended quickly. After the film director and producer left, the distribution director Justin did not move until the two of them drove far away, and then he looked away from the window.

"I have seen the finished film of "The Incredible Hulk". Although Bill was reluctant during shooting and editing, in the end, under the supervision of Brian Grazer, he still adopted a dark style."

Ron Meyer, who was sitting behind his desk, smiled with relief after hearing this. From the very beginning of the project, the basic shooting tone of the film was set, and it had to be produced in a dark and realistic style.

Other styles may not necessarily fail, but since Wayne Greenberg has created a successful template, in accordance with the most appropriate laws of Hollywood, of course, he must choose the safest production method and copy the successful path taken by the successful.

The CEO of Universal Pictures looked out the dark window, tapping his fingers rhythmically on his desk, and suddenly asked: "In that movie "The Matrix," I heard that the lead actor is Chinese?"

"That's right."

After Justin answered subconsciously, he immediately understood what the other party meant. The two looked at each other for a few seconds, and the corners of their mouths slowly raised together, revealing a smile.

"No, that's not enough." Ron Meyer muttered softly while shaking his head with a smile. "Since Warner Bros. is going to fight one against four this time, I hope they have made all the preparations. This little trick is not enough."

After speaking, he waved his hand, indicating that Justin should go back from get off work first without waiting for him.

When he was the only one left in the office, he raised his head and glanced at the time, took out a phone book from the drawer, opened it, grabbed the phone on the desk, and dialed the number on the book.

"Good evening, Roy, I'm Ron Meyer."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while before a voice came. "Hello, Ron, if you have any questions about cooperation between Universal Pictures and Disney, you should go to Michael Eisner."

"No, no, no, I understand that Disney is in some chaos right now, but you will definitely put the interests of the company first, right?"

He was sure that Roy Disney was different from other executives just because of his last name. Perhaps others were busy trying to shake up the rule of Disney Emperor Michael Eisner, perhaps taking advantage of the chaotic period of the animation giant. , crazy struggle for power.

But the executive on the other side of the phone is completely different. This circle has always been so big, and there are almost no secrets among the executives of the six giants.

"Okay, so as not to disturb your rest, I'll tell you straight away." The other end of the phone remained silent, and Ron Meyer didn't care. He understood that the other party was waiting for him to reveal his purpose. "We have a common enemy, don't we?"

Although he knew what the CEO of Universal Pictures was talking about, Roy Disney remained calm and his voice on the phone remained calm. "Ron, we are old friends. Just tell me what you need me to do."

"The Island" released by Buena Vista International will be officially released on a large scale in North America in early June. "Ransom" will be officially released on a large scale in mid-June along with Wayne Greenberg's new film "The Departed" on the same weekend. , and our "Hulk" will also open on a large scale on the same weekend as "The Matrix" in mid-May!

Warner Bros. is preparing to squeeze out all our projects with two films within a month! There are at least two weekends between us. When "The Incredible Island" was released, "The Incredible Hulk" also passed its hottest stage, unless "The Incredible Hulk" has "Forrest Gump" or "Joker" Such a strong trend! "

The two people on both sides of the phone knew that it was impossible. Whether it was "The Incredible Hulk" or "The Island", they were just summer popcorn movies.

"Disney is very confident in both "Ransom" and "The Island"." Roy Disney's casual voice came over the phone.

"fxxkyou! This old fox..." Ron Meyer cursed silently in his mind across the phone, and then continued directly: "No one can underestimate Wayne Greenberg, whether he is a producer The person is still the director! He is one of the top filmmakers in Hollywood since the 1990s!"

"I understand that Warner Bros. and him are our common enemies."

That's right, the CEO of Universal Pictures relaxed his body and leaned back on his office chair. "The Departed" and "The Ransom" were released on the same weekend. With only its Oscar-winning name and Wayne Greenberg's terrifying fan base, it will inevitably greatly squeeze the box office of "The Ransom", even if "The Departed" The performance of "The Matrix" is beautiful enough, and it will also influence "The Island"."

At this point, he suddenly laughed and joked into the microphone. "Unless we all pray that Wayne Greenberg misses."

"Unlikely!" Roy Disney didn't care about the tone of his words, but agreed with his previous analysis. "Disney has all of Wayne's files from college to now, and I think the chance of him slipping up is almost zero."

The young Jewish director is in his creative prime. This is the consensus in the industry. Otherwise, everyone would not have come together to throw dirty water on him in the media, just because they wanted to shake his fan base. Otherwise, No one knows how many years his success will last.

"Go ahead, Ron." The voice on the phone paused, then continued. "How do you need Disney to cooperate with Universal Pictures?"

"It's not just Disney and us. Warner Bros. wants to mess up the summer season. It's not just our two families that have to face it..."