Chapter 1424: Still "Kung Fu"
??The North American end-of-year schedule in 1998 started from Halloween when the Simons were in Asia.
??Annabelle 2, another new work of the Conjuring Film Universe, was released on October 30. After the first film was successful on Halloween in 1996, the cost of this series of derivative sequels rose from 15 million US dollars to 25 million US dollars. The investment is also 25 million, and the number of screens opened is 3103.
??With a comprehensive media score of 7.6, "Annabelle 2" earned $37.62 million in the first week and seven days, which is far less than the first week's $47.36 million. However, Daenerys, including Simon, is quite satisfied.
??The main reason is that the competition for this year's Halloween schedule is fierce.
??In addition to "Annabelle 2", there are three other films with high expectations released in the same period. Among them, Warner simply launched a blockbuster costing 60 million, and the box office of the three competitors is not bad.
?? Involve, no way.
??In any case, the first week was 37.62 million, and the box office average exceeded 10,000. According to the box office trend in the following weekends, it is more than enough for "Annabelle 2" to break 100 million in China. Even if it is definitely not as good as the first film's total domestic box office of 153 million US dollars, which is expected to exceed 100 million domestically, it is impossible to call it a failure anyway.
??Warner spent 60 million to attract Don Johnson and Sean Penn to shoot the prison break action thriller.
??Speaking of which, from the beginning of 1998 until now, Daenerys Entertainment has completely monopolized Hollywood's billion-dollar box office club.
??Other studios, even the most promising summer projects, whether it is Warner's "Lethal Weapon 4" or Fox's "X-Files Movie Version", or Sony's "2013 Ultimate God" completely crushed, all failed However, for the time being, there is still no movie with a box office of 100 million yuan.
??Hollywood is a big casino, film investment is gambling.
?? This is the usual cognition of many filmmakers.
??However, Daenerys Entertainment has completely changed everything in recent years. This company not only has a boss who can see through the cards, but its own strength has also formed an absolute crush on other competitors, so that it shows an unstoppable take-all Attitude is disappointing.
??Hollywood is a very realistic place.
??Simon arrived at the after-party for the premiere of "Clash of Heaven and Earth" at the top bar of the Sunset Tower Hotel, which was far more lively than other similar parties.
??Of course it’s not because of Simon’s attendance. The degree of secrecy of Simon’s personal schedule is not so low. The key is just because this is a party related to Daenerys’ entertainment. Attending such a party can be related to Daenerys’ Contact with high-level executives and popular filmmakers who are close to Daenerys may be able to get a good opportunity inadvertently.
?? And, if you can meet Simon Westeros, that's even better.
?? like today.
?? When Simon appeared, even though there was no chaos like a rush, the restlessness at the party scene was still visible to the naked eye. In fact, some experienced guests already had a premonition in advance when they came to the party tonight and found that the security measures were significantly strengthened.
?? "Although I didn't participate in the premiere with everyone, of course I have seen the finished film. This is another masterpiece that is not inferior to "Independence Day". Roland, congratulations."
??...
?? "Sandy, I didn't expect you to come here too. What are you up to lately... Oh, of course I haven't forgotten that you and Courteney were the first few friends I met after I came to Los Angeles."
??...
?? "How did you feel about the movie, Roger...Thanks, hope you have a good night."
??...
?? "We need to make it clear again, Ella, for a literary film, the box office hit is absolutely accidental. Under normal circumstances, even if it is a very good literary film, our box office expectation should be within 50 million. This is how to limit the cost. For "The Talented Ripley", I have read the original novel, which is a very wonderful story. The problem is, if it is Brian or David, I can give 50 million US dollars. But, for Ming Guerra, his personal style determines that this will be a very literary film, so the maximum is only 30 million... Whether it is Matt or Leonardo, it is the same, if they participate in the role for a reason, they can only sign a salary cut Sharing agreement, however, I suggest that you choose the leading role among the newcomers and further reduce the actor's budget, which will give Anthony more room to play."
??...
"Baby, you are beautiful again, and this dress suits you very well tonight... It's been busy, and I have seen you on the big screen many times in advance... Well, of course I remember you, Stein Carrie, have fun."
??...
"Yeah, Don, when I was watching the sample, I was still thinking, who is this elf that attracts attention, it turns out to be your Dakota... Yes, sweetheart, I did name you ...This, are you willing...well, when you grow up and fall in love in the future, if that boy dares to bully you, you can tell him that Simon Westeros is my godfather."
??...
?? "Maggie, why are you here... ok ok, my fault, you should be welcome, Maggie... come to audition for "Chicago"... stop, your beauty trick is useless to me, Come on, let's keep a foot apart, let me see... Haha, at least wait until I find time to watch your audition samples, just came back from Asia, haven't had time to pay attention
This project...speaking of it, I suddenly found that you can sing and dance without any problem, so I have great hopes... Of course, this is not the final decision, the problem is obvious, this is a movie with two heroines, which requires the tacit cooperation of the two heroines, The problem is that everyone knows that you are too difficult to work with, and it is difficult to work with you. If you mess up my tens of millions of projects, I can't help strangling you... 1.8 trillion is also 10 million and 11 million. If it comes out, the capitalists have to plan carefully. "
??...
?? After socializing for more than half an hour, Simon came to a booth in the bar.
?? Stephen Zhou, who had arrived a few days earlier, was chatting with Danny Morris, the president of New World Pictures. Seeing Simon approaching, several people here got up one after another.
?? A few simple greetings, everyone sat down, although there was an interpreter, Simon still switched to Chinese, but probably lived in a Western environment for a long time, so he subconsciously asked a Western question: "Zhou, how do you feel tonight? "
?? Stephen Zhou did not expect Simon to speak Chinese. He was a little startled, but he quickly followed up. It was completely different from the release on the screen, with a bit of slowness: "The movie I just watched shocked me. I I look forward to being able to participate in a film like this one day.”
?? Danny Morris next to him saw the two talking in Chinese, and could only understand the content through the translator next to him.
?? "As the most outstanding filmmaker in Asia, there will definitely be such opportunities."
??"Thanks."
??Simon smiled, knowing that this is not a person who is good at pleasantries, so he didn't continue, and directly turned to the topic: "I have read the memo of the previous meeting between you and Danny, "Kung Fu", a very good idea, In this case, we will directly decide on the project, but I have some ideas of my own on the details."
?? Kung Fu, or Kung Fu.
??Simon thought of Master Xing at the beginning, and the idea of not wanting to introduce Asian filmmakers in Hollywood was all related to kung fu. However, the reality is that if you want to break into Hollywood, kung fu is undoubtedly the best stepping stone.
?? That being the case, Simon does not intend to buck the trend.
??In addition, this invitation was obviously a bit of a surprise to Stephen Zhou, and he obviously attached great importance to it, so he came up with his most final idea.
?? Master Xing is a kung fu fan, and his idol is Bruce Lee, which is well known.
?? In the past, "Kung Fu" was produced in 2004, but the relevant ideas were generated much earlier, similar to the kind of kung fu dream that every martial arts fan has.
?? Now that it's ahead of schedule, there's nothing wrong with it.
??Simon saw the idea that there are still gangsters, there are still hidden masters, and there are still martial arts wizards who meet once in a century. The general idea is the same as before, but the details are quite different. For example, the characters of the charterer and the charterer did not appear, the time setting is modern Hong Kong, not the slums of the Republic of China, and so on.
?? In the following time, the discussion between Simon and Stephen Zhou was mainly about reversing.
??Turn the time setting and role setting to the familiar direction in memory as much as possible, including the slightly spoofed Condor Heroes, etc. Simon also brought them up, and drew some samples on the spot, the main one is chartered The classic picture of the mother-in-law chasing the hero.
??The two sides discussed for more than half an hour, and the matter was basically settled.
??In order to keep improving, Simon directly paid 25 million US dollars in production costs, which was a bit higher than the 20 million US dollars that Columbia had been chasing to reduce expenses. However, given that Hollywood is still in a state of kung fu fever, as long as it can reach the previous level, coupled with Daenerys' publicity ability, the global box office will only be higher than before.
?? In addition, Stephen Chow's remuneration is 2.5 million US dollars, including two expenses for director and starring.
?? Stephen Zhou has acted as a director in many of his own films in recent years, directing films is not a problem. At first, I was a little hesitant, but it was Simon who proposed it on his own initiative. The main reason is that Simon couldn't think of any other director in Hong Kong who was suitable to direct this project, so he simply let Master Xing do it himself.
??Of course, the US$2.5 million remuneration, which is equivalent to a contract of 20 million Hong Kong dollars, is enough for a one-off payment, so there must be no need to discuss the share.
??Speaking of which, Jeter Lee's starting salary in Hollywood was also 2.5 million US dollars, but the difference is that Jeter Lee received this salary after "Black Man" hit the blockbuster, and Star Master has not yet proved that he is in The box office appeal in the United States, given 2.5 million, Simon is already quite kind.
?? There is the shooting location.
??Pigpen Walled City must be built in Jinshu Film and Television City in Suzhou. When the movie becomes popular, it will be another long-flowing check-in attraction.
??Finally, about the special effects, Simon plans to let Suzhou's Jinshu special effects be responsible.
?? Mainly out of cost considerations.
??Moreover, Jinshu Special Effects has the software and technical authorization from Daenerys Special Effects, and has been honed for more than a year through local projects such as "Legend of Sword and Fairy" and outsourced shots provided by Hollywood. "This project, the problem will not be too big.
?? If it doesn't work, Hollywood can also provide necessary technical support.