Chapter 866: On the Altar

It is difficult for Hollywood original movies to survive. Even for Nolan and Martin's original science fiction films, it is not easy to make huge gains in the market.

The midnight box office of "Interstellar" is only half of the hit movie sequel "John Wick 3".

Martin did not make any big moves because he knew that Nolan, a master of movie marketing, had already prepared it.

Nolan's Syncopation Films, in conjunction with Warner Pictures, Paramount, DreamWorks and AMC Theaters, jointly launched the $34.99 "Interstellar" unlimited viewing service.

In other words, fans can buy a $34.99 ticket and watch it unlimitedly at any time as long as the film is still in theaters.

This created a hot topic on social media and attracted the attention of many people.

The film company also hinted to fans and passers-by in this way that "Interstellar" is a movie worth watching repeatedly.

It doesn't matter if you don't understand it after watching it once, you can watch it several times.

In the promotional interview, Nolan repeatedly exaggerated the unlimited ticket: "This is a movie that will only get better every time you watch it."

In addition to boasting about himself, Nolan also mobilized his personal connections, and some big directors also spoke out for the film.

Spielberg, who invested in the film, publicly declared: "Can you let me say one thing? Interstellar is incredibly good!"

British director Edgar Wright said: "This film has a huge artistic impact and unparalleled filmmaking techniques. I must pay tribute to Nolan."

In fact, just like Martin, when a person continues to succeed, he is always surrounded by good people.

Martin has been working with Nolan. In addition to Nolan's undoubted directing ability, his ability in publicity, marketing and hype is also key.

Hollywood gods are never formed spontaneously.

Although the film reviews are average, the film's word-of-mouth marketing is very good.

On Friday, Interstellar was released in 4,180 theaters in North America. Under the influence of Nolan and Martin, the film's attendance rate increased, earning $26.75 million on the day.

Seeing such figures, Martin in the carving studio breathed a sigh of relief.

Lily saw him like this, put down the carving knife, changed her work clothes, and asked Martin: "Should I celebrate?"

Martin put down the figure statue in his hand and asked: "How do you want to celebrate?"

Lily looked at Elizabeth Olsen: "Liz, what do you think?"

Elizabeth thought for a while and said: "The hot pot you made last time tasted very good. Let's eat it again at noon?"

There are many Chinese people coming here in recent years. Hot pot restaurants are not uncommon in Los Angeles. Various improved hot pots are also popular here.

Martin said: "No problem, I'll call someone to send the ingredients over."

Lily looked at the stone powder on her body: "I'll take a shower first."

Martin called the butler.

The butler contacted the supplier, and a large number of fresh ingredients and sauces were delivered to Davis Manor before noon.

After Martin was ready, he looked at the time and said, "Wait for Old Bruce, he will be back soon."

Lily asked curiously, "What did Old Bruce do during his time in Europe?"

Martin simply said, "There are some business matters that need to be handled by him."

Lily understood and did not ask any more questions.

Elizabeth said, "Wait for Old Bruce to come back before having dinner."

Before noon, the bodyguard brought Bruce back from the airport.

After Old Bruce had a simple wash, the five of them had lunch together with Thomas who came to join in the fun.

After dinner, Thomas had work to do, so he said goodbye and left.

Martin and Bruce went to the study to talk.

Bruce stayed in Europe for more than ten days on this trip.

Martin asked directly, "Did the talks go well?"

"It's basically settled." Bruce told the details of what happened in Europe.

Martin said, "You are still responsible for the connection."

Bruce has already established a shell company and the corresponding preparations have begun, just waiting for the appointment.

Martin then went upstairs and spent the whole afternoon with Lily and Elizabeth. He didn't have to attend any activities for the next two days, as he would start promoting the film overseas next Monday.

The popularity of "Interstellar" on the Internet remains high.

Many of Martin's fans are also spreading the film through social media.

On Saturday, the attendance rate of "Interstellar" was still good, with a box office revenue of 27.87 million US dollars in one day.

Compared with the popular adapted films or sequels, this result is only mediocre relative to the investment of 180 million US dollars.

But for an original film that tends to be hard science fiction, it is really good.

"Avatar" only took in more than 70 million US dollars on its opening weekend.

After three days of the weekend, "Interstellar" won a box office of 78.65 million US dollars in North America under the massive publicity and marketing, suppressing "Transformers 4" released during the Independence Day holiday and topping the North American box office rankings.

At the beginning of the new week, Martin joined the crew and went straight to Rio de Janeiro to start overseas promotion.

Movies with hot box office in North America, especially big productions of science fiction, will not be bad at the overseas box office.

Especially the combination of Nolan and Martin, which is popular in itself.

Emma Thomas stayed in Los Angeles. She found Daniel on behalf of Nolan to discuss the cooperation between Nolan's new film and Warner Pictures.

Daniel had read the plan and script outline of Nolan's new project "Dunkirk" and said, "Isn't science fiction the genre that Chris is best at? He has been shooting and producing science fiction films in recent years, and the market response is also very good."

Emma Thomas said directly: "It is difficult for science fiction films to win Oscars."

Daniel had talked to Martin before and knew that Nolan now had money and fame, and his goal was Oscar: "But science fiction films are easier to make money."

"Chris has been working with Warner since more than a decade ago." Emma Thomas suddenly changed the subject: "Although we have had twists and turns over the years, the results have always been good."

Daniel understood as soon as he heard it, and hurriedly said: "Warner will of course continue to cooperate with Chris."

"Interstellar" has just been a big hit at the box office, and Nolan is like a god among his fans. Warner Pictures will certainly not give up this great god.

Daniel knows very well that as long as Warner announces that it will no longer cooperate with Nolan, the other five companies will come to him on the same day.

Even Nolan has been poached.

"We also plan to continue to cooperate with Warner." Emma Thomas said this, enough.

Daniel must promote the establishment of "Dunkirk", but this kind of project has a large investment, low market returns, and too high risks. He also has an idea: "Chris and Martin have been a golden partner for many years, why not continue to cooperate with Martin."

Without Martin, he is not confident and always feels that the profit may drop.

Emma Thomas also wants to invite Martin to continue cooperation, and sighs helplessly: "This is a group play without an absolute male lead. How can Martin be invited? This is no longer a question of pay."

Daniel is still not giving up. He thinks that Martin and Nolan together will not only be successful, but also detonate the market: "Can't the crew and the role be adjusted? Write a male lead specifically for Martin..."

"It's impossible to adjust." Emma Thomas shook her head: "This play is not about highlighting a certain role."

Daniel understood that since the project is preparing to impact the Oscars, the first highlight is naturally Nolan.

Martin is too dazzling, and he has unique insights in the Oscar race. The Best Actor may divert votes for the Best Director.

Emma Thomas said: "I hope Warner Pictures can promote this project as soon as possible."

It is not uncommon in Hollywood for top directors or stars to force production companies. Daniel could only respond: "I will push for the review as soon as possible. With Chris's fame and appeal, it is inevitable that he will get the green light from Warner Pictures."

Emma Thomas was quite satisfied with this.

Then, she left the Warner Building and went to the Disney Studios in Burbank, and came to the crew of "The Continental Hotel New York" to wait for Mene.

This person has been avoiding her recently, and Emma Thomas is unhappy, so she came to block him.

She wants to see how Mene explains it!

…………

Just when the crew of "Interstellar" went to Brazil and Argentina to select publicity, Davis Film Studio held a press conference and announced a news.

After a month and a half of screenings, the North American box office of "John Wick 3" exceeded 500 million US dollars, and the global box office reached 1 billion US dollars!

This is also the first time that Davis Studio has had a movie that grossed $1 billion since its establishment.

Stimulated by this good news, the box office of "John Wick: Chapter 3" rebounded slightly that weekend, earning another $6.24 million in North America and nearly $10 million overseas.

The film's global box office totaled $1.034 billion.

At the same time, "Interstellar" entered its second weekend in North American theaters.

The film is still very popular, but its reputation has declined.

Martin's fans are okay. Under the guidance of Davis Studio's deification action, they are not too fanatical.

After all, if we really talk about the charm of the male protagonist of this film, he is far less charming than the Joker and Jonathan.

Nolan's fanatical fans are completely different. They really want to put Nolan on the altar.

But too crazy fans often have ten haters.

If anyone on the Internet says that "Interstellar" is average, they will be attacked by these people immediately. Words like "lack of IQ" are considered good.

So, Nolan's fans scold those who don't give the film a good review as mentally retarded, and others scold these people as Nolan's boast.

Fortunately, Nolan's previous films laid a solid foundation, and with the support of Martin, the superstar, the box office trend of "Interstellar" is relatively stable.

There was no significant decline in North America in the second weekend, and the film earned another 40.37 million US dollars. Together with the revenue from the first four working days, the North American box office accumulated 148 million US dollars.

In addition, the film grossed $51.27 million in more than 30 countries and regions that opened overseas this week.

The crew's overseas promotional tour lasted until August.

When Martin returned to Los Angeles from his daily life, Interstellar's North American box office had exceeded $250 million, and its global box office reached $462 million.

According to estimates by Warner Bros. and several market institutions, the final box office of this film may be around $800 million.

As soon as the crew returned to Los Angeles, Nolan struck while the iron was hot and held a press conference with Warner Bros. to announce the cooperation on the next project.

As in the past, Nolan, who is well versed in publicity and marketing, did not announce the details of the project, and took out the name of a child as the code name for the new project.

Is this kind of thing useful? Can it be hidden from the entertainment media? Of course not.

Just like the real tidbits of the film, Nolan can play with flowers in this regard and drive media opinion to follow his rhythm.

Martin's cooperation with Nolan has come to an end for the time being.

The two may really become rivals at the Oscars in the future.

Martin took a two-day break, received a call from Louise, and came to the studio of Disney Studios.

Assistant Director Steve Downton was ready for the screening in the film room.

After Martin came, he went directly into the film room to watch the first version of the movie directed by Louise and edited by Joel Negron.

This version is more than 200 minutes long, and many shots have not yet been added with post-production special effects.

But all the shots in the film were directed by Martin, and the corresponding pictures of each shot were quite clear in his mind.

If you watch this unfinished version of more than 200 minutes shot by others, it will be very boring.

Martin watched his own film with relish.

It was easy to get into the perspective of the producer, such as which part can be deleted, which shots can be adjusted, and which plot can be more concise and clear.

Martin took notes in his notebook while watching.

From time to time, Martin would stop the playback and exchange opinions with Louise and Joel Negron.

As a new director, sometimes his views may not be correct. After being reminded by Louise, the gold medal producer, and Joel Negron, the experienced editor, Martin will correct his mistakes in time.

Martin is very confident about his ability as a director.

Among the many assistant directors, only Steve Downton can express his opinions.

Others can only act as light switch managers or projectionists in the screening room.

Robert Eggers, with a full beard, served as a temporary projectionist. Whenever Martin called for a stop, he would always press the pause button in time.

Martin and the three people around him kept discussing, resulting in constant interruptions in the screening and the screening time was constantly extended.

Robert Eggers has been working in the crew for so long and is relatively familiar with Martin. He knows that this person is not as bad as the rumors outside, but has a gentle personality in daily work.

He has never forgotten the purpose of coming to this crew. Before today's screening meeting, he made corresponding preparations and just waited until the screening meeting was over.

Because the film session was intermittent and was not completed in the morning, Martin still called Louise and Joel Negron to discuss it during lunch.

The film session lasted until nearly four o'clock in the afternoon.

Everyone who attended the meeting was exhausted.

Martin was energetic and in good spirits. When he left the film session room, Robert Eggers hurriedly chased him from behind.