Chapter 861: Enjoy More when You Are Young

At Disney Studios, producer David Barron hurried to the president's office.

Alan Horn accompanied him into the reception room and said, "I'm going to start more Disney live-action fairy tale movies."

David Barron was suddenly startled: "President, is this too fast? "Beauty and the Beast" is still being filmed and produced. Should we wait a while?"

Alan leaned back on the sofa and said, "Did the failure of "Into the Woods" make you lose confidence in this genre? The "Harry Potter" that you and David Heyman were responsible for was also a live-action fairy tale movie that was filmed so many times in a row and was very successful."

David Barron is an old subordinate of Alan Horn. As one of the producers, he participated in the production of the "Harry Potter" series of movies throughout the process, and when Kevin Tsujihara just became the CEO of Warner Bros., he jumped to Disney Studios in advance to explore the way for Alan Horn.

The two are deeply involved.

However, David Barron's luck was not good after he came to Disney Studios. The first major project he was responsible for, "Into the Woods", failed miserably in business.

This made him doubt about live-action fairy tale movies.

David Barron sincerely suggested: "To be on the safe side, I think it's better to wait until Beauty and the Beast is released..."

Allen's idea is completely different: "Someone suggested to me that more similar live-action film projects should be carried out simultaneously."

David Barron thought for a moment and asked, "Is it Martin Davis?"

He remembered clearly that Martin Davis played an important role in the launch of Beauty and the Beast.

"Yes, it's Martin." Alan Horn has extraordinary confidence in Martin: "John Wick 3 took only four days to earn more than $200 million at the North American box office. How much did it cost to make the film? Not even $100 million!"

He thought of the Terminator 2018 and said, "If even Martin Davis's vision is unreliable, what other projects in Hollywood can be trusted?"

David Barron came from Warner Bros. and had heard some rumors about Martin and Warner. He was worried that Alan would fall into a trap and asked, "President, will Martin Davis invest in these projects?"

Alan knew his concerns as soon as he heard them, but it's right to be vigilant about business matters. He immediately said, "Martin will be here soon. Let's first listen to what projects he recommends to promote. If his Davis Studio doesn't invest, we'll temporarily suppress the project."

This reassured David Barron a lot. The investment in live-action fairy tale movies is too high. Similar large investment projects, if placed in any of the six major companies, will raise budget funds through financing. Davis Studio is undoubtedly a suitable choice.

The two chatted for a while, and Martin rushed over.

David Barron is also an acquaintance, so Allen doesn't need to introduce him to Martin.

The three of them met today to discuss the next plan for Disney's fairy tale live-action movies.

Allen smiled and said, "Now people around the world who pay attention to movies are discussing "John Wick 3", and many people say that we live in a world belonging to Martin Davis. Even I think you are the protagonist of the world."

Martin shook his head: "Now the protagonist of the world is America, the great leader in Washington, and the owner of major financial groups. How much money can I make every year? I'm just a playboy who likes to enjoy."

"It's good to like to enjoy. You should enjoy more when you are young, but enjoyment requires money to support it." Allen followed Martin's words and asked, "Do you have a clear goal for the next money-making project?"

Martin didn't say it directly, but asked, "I guess Disney Pictures also has corresponding plans?"

Alan said, "Some are nothing more than filming Disney's classic cartoons into live-action movies, such as "Snow White", "Cinderella", "The Little Mermaid", "Pocahontas", and "Tarzan". "

Martin made preparations before coming and said, "Disney's classic fairy tale animated movies, It has a wide audience in the world and has formed a strong brand effect. I personally think that the first thing for live-action fairy tale movies is to establish a brand effect like animated movies. "

Allen has considered this: "The success of the first few films is very important. Once the business and word-of-mouth fail, it will have a huge negative impact on the subsequent films."

Martin agreed: "We must ensure the success of the first few films."

David Barron said: "Then we have to carefully select from a series of animated films."

Allen's eyes fell on Martin. The vision of a successful person is the most reassuring. He asked: "Which ones do you think are good?"

Martin took out a document, handed it to Allen, and said: "Classics never go out of style. I think the best next step is to choose "Cinderella", and don't make a big adaptation, and don't make Cinderella take the initiative to seduce the prince. Try to shoot it according to the most well-known version."

The current fairy tale live-action movies have been adapted to a particularly large extent, especially Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, all of whom have become scheming bitches.

Even Snow White is not as beautiful as the queen, and the magic mirror is lying with its eyes open.

David Barron thought of Into the Woods, which he produced. It was a live-action fairy tale movie with a particularly large adaptation. It also combined the four Grimm fairy tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk, and put on the veil of satire to make it a dark live-action fairy tale movie.

The result was a complete failure.

Allen asked: "It is very popular to make large-scale adaptations now."

Martin thought for a while and said: "The largest audience of fairy tale movies is family audiences. Parents with children choose this kind of movie on the premise that it must be a family movie. Adapting it into a dark satire type is equivalent to driving the largest audience group out of the theater."

He thought of Disney's tricks and gave a shot in advance: "Don't add too much things other than the movie, and return to the classic fairy tale movie."

David Barron nodded: "The classic fairy tale should be like a prince and a princess."

Cinderella is not really Cinderella. According to the traditional European name, she should be a princess.

Cinderella's father is a count, not a small nobleman.

Ordinary people can't attend the king's ball.

When it comes to movies, Allen trusts Martin's vision: "When the script comes out, you must review it. If you don't agree, Disney Pictures will not give the green light."

He asked again: "Disney has many classic animated films, besides "Cinderella"? "

Martin said directly: "In 1976, you made an animated film called "The Jungle Book", the story of the human boy Mowgli's survival in the forest. I think this one is very suitable for adaptation. Now the motion capture technology is very mature."

Alan Horn quickly wrote it down.

Martin continued: "There is also "The Lion King", which is the most successful animated film in Disney's history and has a very wide audience."

David Barron frowned slightly: "There are too many animals in it..."

Martin said: "This project can wait for a few years, until CG technology is more mature and it can be produced in full CG."

Alan's heart moved. The top figures at the production level in the industry have had a lot of exchanges, and even reached a tacit understanding in some aspects. With the development of computer digital technology, real actors will no longer be a must for TV or movies in the future.

The six major Hollywood companies compete and cooperate, and their interests in this regard are consistent.

Afterwards, the three focused on discussing the specific operations of the three projects, "Cinderella", "The Jungle Book" and "The Lion King".

The order of launching the projects will also follow Martin's plan, and "The Lion King" will be placed at the end.

Together with "Beauty and the Beast", it will take at least five years to shoot, produce and release all four live-action fairy tale movies.

By then, Robert Iger's term will also be over, and the salary of this Disney boss will become an astronomical figure, and Disney's shareholders will definitely change the CEO.

The era of Disney, where all the magic dances, will also begin.

Even Alan Horn can't stop it and may leave Disney Pictures.

The distribution contract between Davis Studio and Disney Pictures was signed until 2019.

After discussing these, Martin left the Disney building and went to the studio area behind.

The post-production of "The Shallows" has begun, and it is currently divided into two parts.

The editing team is doing the initial editing, striving to cut more than 2,500 minutes of material into about 200 minutes.

The special effects team used computer CG technology to replace the background of the studio shots with the scenery of the bay.

Martin met with Louise and asked about the crew's situation. The first cut would not be completed until August.

In the producer's office, Louise said to Martin: "Don't worry, the progress is going smoothly, just do your thing."

Martin had a feeling and said it directly: "It seems that it doesn't matter whether I am in the post-production or not."

Louise couldn't help laughing: "Although I don't want to say it, the truth is that I know what kind of movie you want, and there is a team of editors who are good enough. It is not difficult for me to produce a qualified thriller."

Martin sighed: "You have been in the industry for more than 20 years, and you are a well-known gold medal producer. I have to admit that the post-production is the same with or without me."

Louise hit Martin appropriately, highlighting her own importance and comforting: "Okay, okay, the final editing right is in your hands. This is what we agreed before. What the final film looks like is still up to you."

Martin nodded slightly: "I will come back to participate in post-production after I finish the publicity notices for "John Wick 3" and "Interstellar."

"Interstellar" was released in July. Now various publicity has started, and Martin has also participated in two publicity activities.

However, the current focus is still on the post-screening promotion of "John Wick 3".

The development trend of this action movie is that it is likely to exceed $500 million in North America and may also reach $500 million in overseas box office.

In the first week of June, Martin joined the main creative staff of the crew and started the overseas promotion journey.

The first stop was Hollywood's backyard, South Korea.

In the promotional notice in Seoul, in addition to Martin firmly occupying the C position, Clara was pushed to the position of the heroine.

The Korean media was very encouraged and spontaneously praised the film without any promotion.

In their mouths, Clara has become an international superstar!

"John Wick 3" is very popular in South Korea.

Although the Korean media did not make up the trick that Martin Davis is Korean, they took photos of Clara and Martin getting along intimately, and immediately pushed Clara to the position of Martin's official girlfriend.

There are even media that swear that Martin and Clara are engaged and will get married soon.

In addition to promoting the movie, as the spokesperson for Samsung mobile phones, Martin also participated in several activities held by Samsung.

This is also the last year of Martin's endorsement contract with Samsung.

Samsung has pulled a large number of female stars to hold a party again. Martin brought the crew to attend, but like last time, he did not mess around.

Of course, if anyone wants to develop in Los Angeles, you can go to him.

After the trip to South Korea, the crew headed south to Hong Kong.

Because of the nature of the film and the R-rating, the John Wick trilogy has never been screened in the world's second largest film market.

The crew naturally won't go there for promotion.

Starting from Hong Kong, Martin and the crew went south and west, basically changing a city every two days.

John Wick 3 also landed in the overseas market on the first weekend of June.

The accumulation of the previous two films, the global network meme "Give me back my dog's life", and Martin's own strong market appeal have also caused a wave of movie watching overseas.

After the first week of overseas release, John Wick 3 earned $145 million in box office in more than 50 countries and regions.

Later, the film will appear in theaters in more overseas markets.

In recent years, Disney's film distribution capabilities have made great progress. Before the release of John Wick 3, it had signed distribution contracts with more than 100 countries and regions, and the market covered six continents.

At the same time, "John Wick 3" ushered in its second weekend of screening in North America. Thanks to the good reputation of the film and the market effect brought by various hot topics, the North American box office trend was quite stable, and it collected another 73.81 million US dollars in the second weekend.

In just ten days, the North American box office of this film exceeded 300 million US dollars.

Although its hot screening momentum has slowed down, it has not experienced a cliff-like landslide. According to the estimates of Disney Pictures and Davis Studio, the final North American box office must exceed 500 million US dollars.

Disney will certainly not let go of these heats. Not only has the second version of the story that Thanos and Jonathan have to tell been released, but also "Guardians of the Galaxy" to be released in the second half of the year has been advertised in the opening of "John Wick 3".

Marvel superhero movies can't invite Martin, and don't want to pay Martin an astronomical salary, but through Disney's relationship, they are crazy about Martin's popularity.

Not only that, Marvel Comics took the initiative to find Davis Studio to obtain the comic copyright of the "John Wick" series.

Dark Horse Comics then joined the competition.

There are also several game companies that want to obtain the game licenses of the series and produce serialized mobile and computer games.

These represent huge offline revenues, and Martin certainly won't refuse. He just lets Jessica talk to them slowly.