Hollywood Hunter

Chapter 106: Buy it

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After hearing what Eisner said, Simon did not rush to discuss the release conditions of "When Harry Met Sally", but said: "Michael, as far as I know, Disney does not pay attention to the animation department, and there were even rumors that you Plans to cancel animated film production. In that case, why not produce The Lion King for Daenerys Films?"

"Rumors are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head: "To be honest, I did consider closing the animation department. However, if I did, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me now. . Our animation department is run by Roy Disney. So, you understand?"

Simon thought for a moment, then nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Disney founder Walt Disney, and the Disney family still controls a large share of Disney Pictures.

After the death of Walt Disney, the overall quality of animated films produced by Disney has been far inferior to what it used to be. In recent years, Disney has only been able to maintain its brand image through more frequent re-releases of past classic animations.

However, animated films are the foundation of Disney's origins. It is obviously impossible for Disney executives to rashly close the animation department based on pure commercial interests. They must also take into account the feelings of the Disney family.

In order to save money, moving Disney's animation department to an abandoned warehouse in Glendale may be the limit of what the Disney family can tolerate. If Michael Eisner continues to push Disney's animation division to become a 'contract factory', it's hard to say whether the Disney family will rebound.

After thinking about this, Simon had no choice but to say: "In this case, Michael, forget about "The Lion King", I will find another way. I definitely can't sell the script to you."

Michael Eisner said: "Simon, you have to understand that you have no choice other than Disney."

"I remember that Universal just released "American Mouse" last year, which grossed more than $50 million at the box office, which was twice as much as Disney's "Mr.

"That movie," Michael Eisner smiled when he heard this and said, "Including director Don Bluth, several of the main animators are employees who have resigned from our Disney. And, Simon, if you If you want their team to help you produce "The Lion King", that's even more impossible."

Simon didn't quite understand the joints, but he just shrugged and said, "There are always other ways."

Michael Eisner tapped his fingers on his memo and said nonchalantly: "Well, I wish you good luck."

Although Simon's script is very popular in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's insistence and did not push too hard. Unlike live-action movies, the production cycle of animated movies usually takes two to three years, and the cost remains high.

Who knows what everything will be like in three years

Seeing that the matter of "The Lion King" could not be changed, Simon also turned the topic back to "When Harry Met Sally" and said: "Michael, regarding the two director film appointments you just mentioned, I'm sorry, I can't agree. One at most. , maybe this is also the last film contract I sign. After this time, I will only shoot movies for my own company."

When Michael Eisner heard what Simon said, he couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, and said: "Simon, Coppola probably thought the same thing after "The Godfather." But after the huge loss of "The Cotton Club," he then just I can honestly film "Peggy Sue is Getting Married" for TriStar Pictures."

Francis Ford Coppola's The Cotton Club, released three years earlier, was a complete disaster.

Due to disagreements between the director and the lead actor, repeated revisions of the script and other changes during the filming process, the budget skyrocketed from US$25 million to US$58 million, but the film ultimately only recovered US$25.92 million in North American box office. Peepshow Pictures, which Coppola ambitiously established after the success of the "Godfather" series, was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The distributor of "The Cotton Club" happens to be Orion Pictures.

Speaking of which, Simon did not consider Orion, who also had a good relationship with him, and directly sought cooperation with major film companies this time. The same reason is because Orion is currently in an ambitious state and cannot give "When Harry Met Sally" too much Good schedule.

Due to the box office success of several movies last year, Orion, which has loosened its finances, has now decided to personally invest in as many as nine movie projects. Coupled with the movies it represents for other independent producers, the company's distribution scale next year has completely matched the The top seven were tied.

However, Orion obviously does not have the background of the Seven Greats.

Simon looked at those movies that were basically one-sided, and he understood why Orion, which had frequently produced films with double box office awards, would be in trouble step by step in the next few years.

The success of a single movie cannot make up for the losses of multiple movies.

"Maybe I will become the second Coppola," Simon thought to himself, and also smiled and said: "But, Michael, everyone should have some dreams, what if they come true? So, there is only one department."

Michael Eisner thought about what Simon had just said, but insisted: "Simon, if this is the case, Disney will not be able to give you an Easter schedule."

Simon thought for a while and said: "Michael, I can make some concessions on the commission, 18%, what do you think?"

Michael Eisner still shook his head and said: "I have read the information on the previous work "Heartfire" by the screenwriter of "When Harry Met Sally". Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep both starred. Starring a big-name star, the production cost was US$25 million, and the box office was only US$25 million. Simon, I don’t think the market performance of this movie can be better than "Heartfire" at the moment, so there is not much difference between 18% and 15%."

"Michael, I think you made a mistake. That movie "Heartfire" only made $25 million at the box office precisely because it starred Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. I still don't understand I don’t understand who is so talented that he would put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie. The two of them have no chemistry at all on the screen. Now this movie "When Harry Met Sally," I believe its box office performance will be much better than "Heartfire."

"Simon, your confidence makes no sense."

Simon thought for a moment and said, "Or, Michael, how about Daenerys Pictures directly buying Disney's Easter schedule next year?"

Michael Eisner wondered: "What do you mean?"

Simon looked at Amy, who had been listening to the negotiation between the two, and said, "Can you give me the box office data report last week?"

Amy was also a little confused, but she took out a page of reports from her bag and handed it to Simon.

Simon took it and glanced at the data above, then handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table and said: "What Disney is re-releasing this Easter is 1970's "The Adventures of Cat", which will be released on April 10. With more than 1,400 screens, the current box office is 13 million U.S. dollars, and it will definitely last a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate based on the total box office of 16 million U.S. dollars, a 50% box office share, and the publicity cost will be 2 million. Disney We can get a profit of 6 million US dollars from it. Michael, Daenerys Pictures will provide 6 million US dollars, which will be counted as a fixed distribution commission, and Disney only needs to give us 1,000 screens next Easter. What do you think?"

Michael Eisner took the box office report, looked down at the data above, and began to think about Simon's novel cooperation plan in his mind.

With a fixed commission of US$6 million, based on a distribution commission ratio of 15%, the young man in front of him is equivalent to calculating the North American box office price of "When Harry Met Sally" at US$40 million.

If "When Harry Met Sally" can get 40 million US dollars at the North American box office, including subsequent distribution income, this will definitely be a big profit project.

Thinking of this, Michael Eisner quickly said: "Simon, that's not how things work out. In addition to the box office of "The Adventures of Cat", the re-release of this animated film can also stimulate its video and From the derivatives sales, Disney gained more than $6 million."

Simon nodded and said: "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to the $6 million, Disney can also buy out the distribution rights of "When Harry Met Sally" through other channels. Orion obtained "Run Lola Run" The North American video tape and television broadcast distribution rights will also bring them huge profits in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get a directorial contract from me."

Michael Eisner said: "Two."

Simon shook his head: "There's only one, Michael. If you insist on two, then I can only say it's a pity."

Michael Eisner was holding the box office report in his hand, weighing it for a moment again, and said: "Simon, if the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" is within US$40 million, Daenerys Pictures will pay $600." A fixed commission of 10,000 US dollars. If it exceeds 40 million US dollars, Disney will take an 18% commission. If you agree to this, I agree to your other conditions."

When Amy heard what Michael Eisner said, she couldn't help but glance at Simon, worried that he would agree.

For projects below US$40 million, based on a fixed commission of US$6 million, Daenerys Pictures has already taken enough risks. There is no reason why Disney should take higher distribution commissions if the box office is better.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon stood up directly after hearing this, stretched out his hand to Michael Eisner and said: "Deal."

Michael Eisner didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward. Seeing the young man across from him extending his hand to him with a smile, he had no choice but to stand up and shake hands with the other person, but he felt that something might have been bypassed in his heart.

right.

Two films scheduled.

Before this meeting, he was more concerned about signing Simon's next two directorial contracts.

Compared to "When Harry Met Sally", which was not very good-looking at all, the two film contracts of the young man in front of him seemed more valuable to him. After all, the profound film skills shown by the other party in "Run Lola Run" are difficult to match even many big directors who have been famous in Hollywood for a long time.

Now.

There is only one left.

It has to be said that Michael Eisner did guess Simon's mind. Although he did not intend to compromise on the number of film contracts, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner's attention.

Signing an additional film contract is already the limit that Simon can bear. He does not want to be tied to several major studios like Spielberg.

In fact, if the buyout price of Columbia Pictures, which has no additional conditions, can be higher and the schedule can be negotiated, Simon would even be more inclined to cooperate with the other party. However, the buyout price of US$3 million was too far from Simon's psychological expectations.

As for cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological upper limit was to even increase the distribution commission to 20%. Now, although you need to pay US$6 million for less than US$40 million, but for more than US$40 million, the commission rate is only 18%, which does not exceed Simon's quotation limit.

Regardless, if "When Harry Met Sally" doesn't do as well at the box office as it once did, then it's a failure, and Simon can afford another failure. But if this movie is as successful as the original version, although the distribution commission is higher, it is only at the North American box office, and Daenerys Pictures is still very hopeful that it can recover the US$15 million in production costs.

As the head of a major film company, Michael Eisner would not go back on his words to a young man now that he had spoken out. However, after shaking hands with Simon, he added: "In this case, Simon, Daenerys Pictures must pay a commission of US$6 million in advance after signing the contract."

Cash is very scarce for any film company.

By convention, distributors usually only formally settle distribution commissions after the movie is released, but if it can get $6 million in advance, Disney can even produce an additional movie.

However, Simon shook his head directly and said: "Sorry, Michael, Daenerys Pictures has no money."

Michael Eisner listened to the young man who was decisive and shrewd just now and suddenly started to act rogue. He reminded helplessly: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have received the proceeds from the sale of "Lola Run" recently, which is huge. A sum of money."

Simon shook his head again and said: "Michael, you must also know that because of the uneven distribution of benefits, I am preparing a lawsuit with my girlfriend, and the money cannot be moved for the time being."

Although Amy was a little depressed about Simon's decision just now, Amy almost laughed out loud when she heard his nonsense.

Michael Eisner's expression became even more helpless as he said, "Simon, didn't you realize that you exposed a big flaw? You just used the title 'girlfriend'."

Simon corrected calmly: "Oh, sorry, it's my ex-girlfriend."

Michael Eisner finally laughed, shook his head and said, "Well, for the sake of this not-so-funny joke."

After the basic contract framework was determined, the three continued to discuss some details.

Although he always heard many people around him talk about it, when they met for the first time, Michael Eisner was so impressed by Simon's shrewdness and decisiveness that far exceeded his age that he even stayed with the two to have lunch together at noon.

After negotiating with Disney, Simon will naturally not consider MGM again.

Compared to the aggressive Disney under Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, MGM was almost reduced to a mere franchise after it was bought by casino tycoon Kirk Kerkorian in the 1970s. Real estate and hotel companies.

Over the years, studios have been transferred, hotels have been built, and a large number of precious props retained from MGM's golden era have been auctioned. Perhaps feeling that the company's profits have been drained, Kerkorian sold MGM in March this year. May passed on to CNN boss Ted Turner.

Ted Turner is still raising funds to pay Kerkorian's $1.5 billion offer.

However, in Simon's memory, Ted Turner did not come up with the money in the end. What this media boss only valued was the thousands of movie copyrights that MGM had accumulated for more than half a century.

Turner Broadcasting Company is preparing to build a new basic cable station, which requires a large number of content resources.

In the end, it succeeded in retaining the most precious films in MGM's library. After some troubles, MGM returned to Kerkorian's hands.

In the next few years, the casino tycoons began to use MGM for capital operations.

All in all, the once most powerful film company in Hollywood is probably the least interested in doing movies now.