"The biggest difficulty in adapting "Batman" is how to show the power of Bruce Wayne. In the comic book settings, this superhero's intelligence and strength have reached the peak that a human can reach, and he also has strong physical strength. Backed by financial resources and various high-tech equipment, if necessary, it can even compete with super heroes such as Superman and Green Lantern. If it is a comic, animation or TV series, of course these can be shown bit by bit through the plot, but in In a movie that's usually only about two hours long, it's difficult to highlight that, and if you're not careful, it can make Batman feel very mediocre."
Having inherited the memories of more than a dozen people, Simon has very detailed information about each version of the "Batman" movie.
Since Tim Burton's first "Batman", Bruce Wayne has been almost habitually upstaged by villains. Even in the later "Justice League", Batman, who was supposed to be the leader of the team, was completely reduced to The marginalized passer-by character simply does not show any of the charm that this enduring superhero should have.
It has been half a century since the character of Batman was born in 1939. There have been some live-action versions during this period, but they have basically failed to leave any impression on the audience. This is actually the main reason why Warner has many concerns about launching a movie version. . Superman can also go to heaven and earth to display various superpowers. After all, Batman is just a mortal. No one knows what techniques and styles to use to bring this superhero to the big screen.
Inside the restaurant.
Terry Semel listened to Simon's analysis and asked: "Simon, do you think you can solve these problems?"
Simon took a sip from the mineral water next to him, put down the cup, and said, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be interested in the movie adaptation of "Batman."
Terry Semel showed a curious expression: "Tell me carefully."
Simon's inner plan is actually to launch the DC superhero universe in advance, linking characters such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to produce a series of superhero movies. Compared with the higher special effects technical requirements of Marvel superheroes, it is not too difficult for the current technical conditions to meet the DC universe.
but.
These definitely cannot be told in full to Terry Semel, and Simon also prepared another explanation in advance.
"In half a century of comics creation, Batman has been given too many skills, and there are definitely trade-offs. Therefore, I plan to focus on showing Batman's personal force value and the high-tech equipment he owns, such as the Batmobile. , Bat Fighter, etc. Compared to Bruce Wayne’s wisdom and strategy, these elements are most likely to surprise the audience. If Warner is willing to hand over this project to Daenerys Pictures, I will set up a dedicated special effects and technical team to solve these problems.”
Terry Semel shook his head and said: "Simon, your narrative is too general."
Simon said: "This cannot be explained clearly in one or two sentences. It involves too many things. Take the display of personal force as an example, Terry, in my opinion, there is basically no film worthy of praise in Hollywood. Action movies, I’m going to draw some lessons from the martial arts movies across the ocean, martial arts movies, you know?”
Terry Semel nodded and said, "Probably, I know a little bit."
Simon smiled and said: "If you are interested, I can recommend a few movies to you. Oriental martial arts have a history of thousands of years. Their martial arts novels are similar to superhero comics, and they all tell the story of some people. A story about punishing rape and eradicating evil in order to uphold justice. Moreover, compared to techniques such as boxing and fighting that have almost no aesthetics, the impact of Eastern Kung Fu shown on the screen will be very shocking."
Terry Semel suddenly said: "I remember, Bruce Lee."
"Yes, it's Bruce Lee's kind of Kung Fu."
Terry Semel was hesitant: "I still have some impressions of Bruce Lee's movies. Simon, do you think his action skills can be used on Batman?"
Simon said: "According to the settings in the comics, Batman masters more than a hundred fighting skills, most of which are Eastern Kung Fu. And of course I will not copy Eastern martial arts movies. I will do it for Bruce Wayne." Tailor-made a set of action designs.”
Terry Semel looked at Simon: "You?"
Simon lifted the tableware and flexibly held a knife in his hand. He smiled and said to Terry Semel: "Terry, I probably know some fighting skills. And if necessary, I will also hire some more professional people." action guidance."
There are too many classic action scenes in Simon's mind. His positioning of Batman's fighting style is crisp and sharp. He wants to create a complete action design for Bruce Wayne from the movies, TV shows and video games in his memory. It's so easy, you don't even need to specifically invite an action director.
In fact, there are currently no professional action directors in Hollywood. This profession only gradually flourished in the late 1990s when filmmakers from across the ocean entered Hollywood. It was only after that that Hollywood action films began to become popular. .
Nowadays, action scenes in Hollywood movies are basically the level of drunken street fights.
Terry Semel looked at the movements of Simon's hands, but he remembered that at the end of the year before last, he broke the leg bones of five young people with one against five, and he immediately no longer doubted that this young man could design a special weapon for Batman. Action shots. However, he inevitably felt a little emotional again in his heart, wondering what else this young man who suddenly broke into Hollywood didn't know how to do.
"Simon, if I understand you correctly, what you just meant is that you want to fully undertake the production of "Batman"?"
"Yes, I will write the script and direct the film myself. Terry, you know, I've always been in the habit of being in complete control of my own projects. The few films I've made so far have been very successful."
Terry Semel asked: "What about that movie deal you owe Disney?"
"I recently planned to redeem the director contract I signed with Disney. If Disney doesn't agree, it will be ranked after "Batman." The contract does not stipulate that I must fulfill my contract with Disney before I can shoot other movies."
Due to the success of "Run Lola Run", Disney and Simon signed a very loose contract.
This is actually the treatment of many first-line directors in Hollywood. Just like Spielberg, the four film contracts he signed with Universal after "Jaws" have not yet been completed, but he has frequently cooperated with Paramount and Warner in recent years.
"Now that you've got all these ideas, Simon, where's the budget, how much are you going to spend on making this movie?"
Simon said: "$50 million."
Terry Semel was obviously taken aback: "One?"
"certainly."
Simon nodded, and he also understood why Terry Semel asked this.
Ten years ago, the production budget of "Superman" was $55 million, setting a record for film production costs at the time.
But in fact, the investment of US$55 million in the first "Superman" was to film the material of the trilogy in one go. Even until the 2006 "Superman Returns" in the original time and space, the original Marlon Brando was still used. Shots taken.
Hollywood movie budgets have shown an explosive trend, but there are still only a few with budgets reaching US$50 million.
In Simon's plan, he plans to use the next half year to improve all aspects of the technical issues of "Batman". Daenerys Pictures will also set up its own special effects studio just like Lucas did when he produced "Star Wars". These require huge investments.
On the other hand, Simon's reported budget of US$50 million was actually to force Warner out of the project as much as possible.
In the original time and space, the production budget of Tim Burton's "Batman" was only US$35 million, and it was the result of Warner bringing in British record giant PolyGram as a co-investor. This also led to the success of the first "Batman" , for many subsequent sequels, Warner had to continue to bring PolyGram as an investor.
Even, in order to save budget, Warner also signed an omni-channel profit sharing contract with Jack Nicholson, who plays the Joker, which is the biggest enemy in Hollywood history.
After the success of "Batman", Jack Nicholson received more than $50 million in income from the film's box office, video sales, peripheral products and other channels. This salary record was not broken until 2000.
On the other hand, Warner also ignored the issue of sequels and therefore did not sign a long-term film contract with the main creator. This also caused the protagonists of several "Batman" movies in the 1990s to constantly change, which greatly affected the The film's box office performance.
After the success of the movie, "Batman" became a big gold mine, and it was difficult for outsiders to understand why Warner made such a series of stupid decisions. But the reason is actually very simple. In the final analysis, Warner now has no confidence in the "Batman" live-action movie project.
To be fair, Simon actually felt that Tim Burton's version of "Batman" didn't have many highlights, and was even very bad.
Bruce Wayne, played by Michael Keaton, is more ordinary than Ben many years later. He does not show the personality charm that Batman should have at all. The heroine Kim Basinger's acting skills are completely off, even if he is praised by others. The Joker is only at the average level of Jack Nicholson. To put it more harshly, the reason why Jack Nicholson's Joker is so great is simply because the protagonist is terrible.
So, why is Burton's "Batman" so successful
The reason is actually very simple.
As a superhero character that has lasted for half a century, the popularity of "Batman" in the hearts of Americans is very similar to that of "Journey to the West" on the other side of the ocean. Everyone knows that Bruce Wayne embarked on the path of punishing rape and eliminating evil because he witnessed his parents being killed by gangsters as a child, just like people on the other side of the ocean know that a certain monkey jumped out of a stone.
then.
For the first time, this superhero who has existed in the hearts of generations of Americans has been brought to the big screen in a high-budget live-action film. Many people are not interested in comics at all, just because they have heard it too many times since they were young. Batman's name is likely to enter movie theaters. Not to mention fans who grew up with the comics.
Therefore, it is the first time that "Batman" is put on the big screen. As long as the film is not too bad, it is destined to be a hit.
Tim Burton's film style has always had a very weird naiveté that's simply not suitable for a superhero movie. The success of "Batman" was entirely due to the right timing.
Later facts also proved this. The budget cost of the sequel "Batman Returns" that Burton continued to direct more than doubled, but the box office dropped sharply compared to the first film. Several subsequent "Batman Returns" continued Burton's style. "The sequels were even worse than the last, and ultimately completely sucked after 1997's "Batman and Robin."
The Batman IP was not revived by Nolan until many years later, and then, DC was undoubtedly led into another big pit by Nolan.
at this time.
In a restaurant near Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, it was confirmed that Simon planned to invest $50 million in filming "Batman." Terry Semel showed hesitation as expected. Simon noticed that Terry Semel Their expressions did not appear too eager, and the two of them began to eat quietly.
After two or three minutes of this, Terry Semel said again: "Simon, Warner is very much looking forward to you directing "Batman", but we don't plan to completely let go of this project. At least, we will definitely participate in part of the investment. , in which case the production budget of $50 million would be too high."
Simon shook his head and said: "Terry, for superhero movies like "Batman," we can only gain recognition from the audience if we are willing to invest more. Just like "Superman," the production budget of the first "Superman" was US$55 million. , the global box office exceeded 300 million US dollars. For last year's "Superman 4", Canon Pictures cut the budget to 17 million US dollars, and the North American box office immediately fell to just over 15 million, and there was no splash overseas. If we just care about it blindly The cost will only lead to failure.”
Terry Semel obviously knew these situations better than Simon. He was silent for a while and said: "Simon, why don't you write the script first and let's evaluate it together. Maybe 50 million US dollars is not needed."
"According to my plan, US$50 million will only be higher, never lower," Simon shook his head and said, "Terry, I know Warner cannot bear the investment risk of US$50 million, so I plan to do it myself. Leave "Batman" to me, and maybe I can make another annual box office champion like "Lola Run". Of course, the distribution rights will definitely belong to Warner, which is a win-win thing."
Terry Semel thought for a moment again and said: "Simon, if you plan to produce "Batman" alone, you can, but Warner will only grant Daenerys the filming rights to the film, and the copyright will still belong to us."
Simon asked: "Is it like Cannon Pictures and Salkind working on Superman 4?"
For last summer's "Superman 4", Canon Pictures only obtained the authorization to shoot Superman, and the copyright is still in the hands of British producer Alexander Salkind.
Terry Semel nodded and said, "That's right."
Simon shook his head: "Terry, there's no way I can make a movie and then get kicked out by Warner Bros."
Terry Semel denied: "We certainly wouldn't do that."
Simon said: "How about this. We sign a five-year licensing contract. Within five years, Daenerys Pictures fails to launch a sequel, and the copyright returns to DC."
Terry Semel thought for a while and said: "At most three years. In addition, Warner needs to retain the investment rights for the sequel."
Simon insisted: "Three years is too short for a big-budget series. It has to be five years. And if Warner wants to invest in the sequel, Daenerys Films must also retain certain distribution rights."
The two of them bargained back and forth for more than ten minutes, and finally finalized a preliminary cooperation plan.
Daenerys Pictures obtained the copyright term for "Batman" for five years. After the project was launched, Daenerys Pictures was unable to produce a sequel within five years, and the copyright automatically returned to DC.
However, Simon and Terry Semel have not yet reached a specific agreement on many details such as the investment and distribution rights for the sequel, as well as the distribution of profits from future peripheral products, and more detailed negotiations between the two parties are required. However, during this lunch The result has already made Simon overjoyed.