New York City, Time Warner headquarters in midtown Manhattan.
The time is December 16th.
In the conference room, the board of directors, core management and important shareholders of Time Warner Group gathered together, and the dispute had lasted all afternoon.
When Terry Semel objected to Gerald Levine's request to immediately take over Time Warner, Levine immediately pointed the finger at Semel.
"Concerning DC, Terry, this is the absolute biggest mistake the film department has ever made. We could have owned the entire DC Cinematic Universe, and because of your personal stupidity, the rights to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman were all taken away from Daenerys. Entertainment is in our hands, and we don’t even have the initiative to intervene in the production.”
Terry Semel is the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures and has no direct jurisdiction over DC Comics.
Seriously speaking, sharing the DC movie universe with Daenerys Entertainment, except for Superman, who was bought by the other party at a high price in advance, everything else was personally decided by Ross, the head of the group. However, it is impossible for Terry Semel to shift the responsibility to Steve Ross at this time. At this juncture, attacking Ross's prestige is tantamount to weakening the power of Ross's direct line executives to take over Time Warner. possibility.
"Jer, I completely disagree with your point of view. DC has been established for more than half a century. If the DC movie universe is so easy to create, why has no one come up with similar ideas in the past few decades? So, with Daenerys Entertainment, Collaborating on DC Cinematic Universe projects is one of the smartest decisions our film division has ever made, and it is by no means a mistake. In recent years, DC Cinematic Universe projects have contributed to nearly half of Warner Films’ profits.”
Gerald Levin did not back down, stared at Terry Semel and said: "But we could have gotten more, couldn't we?"
Terry Semel met Levin's gaze and said with a cold expression: "If you plan to mess around, I have nothing to say."
"Everyone should know whether I am messing around or not," Gerald Levin said. After scanning the whole week, his eyes turned to Semmel again and said: "If we lose the three superpowers of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, The copyright of the hero is still excusable, but what did you do next? If I remember correctly, in the original plan, the DC movie universe was supposed to have a production rhythm of two films a year, but now? It's completely Simon Veil. You do what Stroll says. Moreover, in order to cater to Daenerys Entertainment, you also deliberately suppress the development of other superhero movies. If I were to control the film department, I would never let this happen. Not only In this way, after the success of the DC movie universe, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Shazam, Martian Manhunter, etc., these projects can actually start preparations, and the copyrights are completely in our hands. As a result, you have done nothing about it."
After Gerald Levin's words, many people in the conference room couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Simon re-adjusted the development rhythm of the DC movie universe, delaying the development plan from two films a year to three films every two years or even one film a year. This originally made many senior executives within Time Warner feel dissatisfied, even the director of the DC Film Universe. Steve Ross himself didn't agree with it at the time.
However, because Daenerys Entertainment had too much initiative in the DC movie universe plan, coupled with Simon's own strength, the matter was finalized.
At this time, Gerald Levin suddenly brought up old matters again, and also talked about a large number of other DC projects whose copyrights were completely in the hands of Time Warner but could not be developed, which immediately aroused the resonance of the senior executives.
Terry Semel noticed the expressions of the people around him, his mind moved slightly, and he said to Gerald Levin: "I think you should understand that over-exploitation of copyrights will only lead to the audience becoming bored quickly, Ger. Moreover, the DC Cinematic Universe plan involves our contract with Daenerys Entertainment, and I don’t think your few words will make Simon Westeros back down.”
"We have the distribution rights for the five major superhero movies and four series that have been developed." Gerald Levin had obviously seriously considered this matter and immediately said: "If Daenerys Entertainment does not want these projects Being thrown into an unpopular period, if they want to get timely settlement of their share, they must make concessions."
Matters such as major studios delaying independent film companies' box office share are actually just like falsely reporting distribution costs. It is completely a long-standing Hollywood practice. This practice is often used as a 'weapon' for movie giants to suppress competitors.
The five major superhero movie series involved in the DC movie universe are Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Cyborg. Except for the "Wonder Woman" series, which is distributed by Daenerys Entertainment, other projects are distributed. Warner Bros. Pictures is in charge.
If it wants to grab Daenerys Entertainment's neck, Warner can indeed take measures such as 'giving junk schedules', 'using Hollywood's ledgers to falsely report budgets', and 'delaying the settlement of revenue sharing from box office and other channels'.
But, can Simon Westeros compromise by doing this
Terry Semel was almost immediately reminded of the "Bodyguard" soundtrack incident from the previous two years.
Because Alistar Records, which was responsible for the release of the soundtrack of "The Bodyguard", tried to swallow up the record revenue, Daenerys Entertainment directly stopped the release of the soundtrack, completely ignoring the sudden removal of a record that was expected to sell tens of millions. potentially huge losses.
The interests involved in the DC Cinematic Universe certainly go far beyond the soundtrack of "Bodyguard". However, based on Terry Semel's understanding of Simon, he feels that if Warner dares to play tricks on the DC Cinematic Universe project, it is likely to remain the same. Daenerys Entertainment will usher in the toughest counterattack.
Terry Semel's new thought was to guide Gerald Levin to say what he just said.
Now that his goal was achieved, he was too lazy to talk too much nonsense with the other party.
Anyway, today's meeting is destined to have no results.
Gerald Levin saw that Terry Semel no longer refuted him, but he did not give up. He continued: "As long as everyone agrees for me to take care of this company, I will immediately start working with Daenerys Entertainment renegotiation. The film department may rely heavily on the DC movie universe, but Daenerys Entertainment actually does the same. Moreover, even if the worst outcome occurs and the two sides are temporarily in a stalemate, all we will lose are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Just a superhero. Without these three superheroes, DC can still develop superheroes such as The Flash, Cyborg, and Green Lantern."
In the conference room, Robert Daly, another Warner executive who was in the same camp as Terry Semel, couldn't stand it and mocked: "Gerald, you have no idea what losing the Big Three means to DC. What."
Gerald Levin was suddenly interrupted and said with some displeasure: "Of course I understand, I'm just saying that Time Warner can have more initiative in this matter and share more benefits, instead of being constantly subject to it. The constraints of a young boy in his twenties."
After a whole afternoon of fruitless quarreling among Time Warner executives in the conference room of the East Coast headquarters, today on the West Coast of the United States happened to be another blockbuster film "Jurassic Park" released by Daenerys Entertainment at the end of the year. 's premiere.
Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In the afternoon on the West Coast, a large number of movie fans gathered near the Chinese Theater. Daenerys Entertainment was not stingy in promoting "Jurassic Park", and a long red carpet was laid out outside the theater.
At six o'clock, guests began to appear one after another.
Movie fans on both sides of the road called out the names of stars such as Robert Redford, Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and so on.
As the time approached seven o'clock, Steven Spielberg, Sam Neill, Rene Russo and other main creators of "Jurassic Park" appeared, once again causing commotion and screams from movie fans.
The red carpet ceremony ended and the movie premiere officially began.
In addition to a large number of celebrity guests and media reporters, hundreds of lucky movie fans were invited to watch this special effects dinosaur blockbuster tonight.
While many people in this city spent an ordinary night as usual, the audience in the Chinese Theater experienced a wonderful visual journey that lasted two hours.
Even though the DC movie universe projects in recent years have made many viewers feel the great charm of movie CG special effects, however, when ancient creatures that could only exist in books or imagination appear on the big screen, everyone still feels the same. Very shocking.
The next day was Thursday. Out of confidence in "Jurassic Park", Daenerys Entertainment lifted the ban on media reviews the day before the film was released as usual.
"The Hollywood Reporter" praised "Jurassic Park" as "a 'monster' movie among monster movies. The film once again allows people to appreciate the powerful charm of film technology."
The Los Angeles Times also praised "Spielberg once again created a milestone in monster movies after "Jaws". The resurrected dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park" are shocking, awe-inspiring and exciting."
In addition to "The Hollywood Reporter" and "Los Angeles Times", other mainstream media such as "Variety", "New York Times", "Washington Post" and other mainstream media have almost all given unanimous praise to "Jurassic Park". Preliminary statistics of the film The comprehensive media score reached 9.3 points.
After several months of intensive promotion by Daenerys Entertainment, word-of-mouth is now confirmed and the audience's expectations for "Jurassic Park" are at their highest.
On the same day, along with a lot of news about "Jurassic Park" in the media, another piece of news appeared in the "New York Times" that attracted close attention in Hollywood.
The news headline is "Time Warner may renegotiate DC movie universe contract with Daenerys."
The article begins with the usual 'inside source' revelation, telling that Time Warner Vice Chairman Gerald Levin said strongly at yesterday's high-level meeting that Time Warner is cooperating with Daenerys on the DC movie universe. He has been too passive in the past. After taking over the company, Levin will renegotiate the DC movie universe cooperation with Daenerys Entertainment.
Moreover, if Daenerys Entertainment does not agree to make sufficient concessions, Time Warner would rather shelve the development of the three giant projects of "Superman", "Batman" and "Wonder Woman", get rid of Daenerys Entertainment, and use its There are superhero copyrights to create a DC movie universe exclusive to Time Warner.
As of the summer release of "Wonder Woman," the DC movie universe has only released four films, but these four films have already generated a total revenue of more than 10 billion US dollars in box office, video tapes, peripheral products and other channels. It is conceivable that if the entire plan is fully implemented, it will bring huge benefits to the two companies.
Therefore, the article in the "New York Times" almost immediately set off public opinion. A large number of media reporters called the top executives of the two companies to find out more inside information. Countless fans of the DC movie universe also responded immediately through phone calls, letters and emerging Internet platforms. We are deeply concerned about this incident.
Faced with the sudden article in the New York Times and the influx of inquiries from the media, as well as the subsequent downward fluctuations in Time Warner's stock price after the market opened that day, Gerald Levin could only try his best to explain that he was not stranded. The intention of the Big Three project and accused the New York Times of misinterpreting his remarks.
However, this is tantamount to admitting the fact that the other party intends to renegotiate with Daenerys Entertainment.
On the other hand, the Igret portal published a personal response from Daenerys Entertainment CEO Amy Pascal on the headlines that morning. Pascal said that she did not know the details of the matter. However, Daenerys Entertainment We regret that Gerald Levine's remarks attempted to undermine the good working relationship between the two companies.
However, under this very official response on the Ygritte portal, there is also another piece of news right next to it, about the latest video sales data of the "Spider-Man" animated movie in the first half of the year.
This 2D superhero animated film was released during Easter in April. As of December, global video tape sales have exceeded 8 million boxes. In the next few years, it is only a matter of time before it achieves sales of tens of millions through long-tail sales.
As long as you are not a fool, you will realize Daenerys’ entertainment attitude after seeing these two pieces of news.
Daenerys Entertainment isn't afraid of a fight with Time Warner.
Without the DC Cinematic Universe, Daenerys Entertainment can develop the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the blink of an eye.
However, if the DC superheroes lose the three giants of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, can the DC movie universe still be called the DC movie universe
Because of the sudden article in the New York Times, this day is destined to be very lively.
After the Yigret portal responded, some other online media on the same online platform also expressed their opinions on the matter.
Many media outlets feel that Daenerys Entertainment is more likely to be bluffing.
Just looking at the huge profits from the previous DC cinematic universe projects that have been released, as long as Simon Westeros has a little sense, he should not fall out with Warner.
The DC Cinematic Universe is very important to Warner Bros., as is Daenerys Entertainment.
After all, who can guarantee that starting the Marvel Cinematic Universe will achieve the success of the DC Cinematic Universe
Moreover, the DC movie universe is undoubtedly the long-term series with the lowest risk and the most stable return under Daenerys Entertainment. Apart from this plan, Daenerys Entertainment has no other similar heavyweight super blockbusters.
There are only two kinds of movies in Hollywood, DC movie universe movies and other movies. This statement is not just talk.
Although Daenerys Entertainment has not lacked blockbuster movies in recent years, none of them have the revenue volume to reach the DC movie universe project. Even the "Home Alone" series is far from enough to compete with the DC Cinematic Universe films.
Amid the heated discussions from the outside world, on Friday, December 18, "Jurassic Park" officially launched in North American theaters with an opening of 3,153 screens.