"Ovitz means that if you want Steve to continue directing the sequel, you must participate in profit sharing. The other party's condition is 20%. I think the bottom line should be about 15%."
After the regular financial meeting, Simon discussed the sequel to "Jurassic Park" with Tom Pollack, head of Daenerys Films.
In the original plan, "Jurassic Park" was a trilogy plan.
Now that the film has been a huge success, preparations for a sequel will naturally be put on the agenda soon.
On the original timeline, "Jurassic Park" was definitely the most successful project produced by Spielberg since he started making movies. Relying on the omni-channel profit sharing contract signed with Universal Pictures, Spielberg only passed the first "Jurassic Park" "Jurassic Park" received an unprecedented salary of $250 million.
This time, Spielberg's salary plan is a 10% share of the North American box office with a basic salary of US$8 million.
Compared with profit sharing, which is very risky, this plan of obtaining a commission directly from the box office is undoubtedly very secure. So far, Daenerys Entertainment has only offered similar contracts to two people.
According to the box office data of "Jurassic Park", Spielberg will receive more than 40 million US dollars in remuneration through this project, which is also the top salary among Hollywood filmmakers.
However, if you compare the income of Daenerys Entertainment, Spielberg will definitely feel that he got a little less.
According to the original timeline, it is not difficult to guess that Spielberg's remuneration plan should be 20% of the net profit share of all channels. A "Jurassic Park" brought profits to Universal Pictures of more than 1 billion U.S. dollars through global box office, toy peripherals, video sales, TV broadcasts and other channels, and Spielberg's salary also reached 250 million U.S. dollars.
In the previous collaboration with Columbia Pictures on "Captain Hawke", Spielberg and the two leading actors Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman received a contract totaling 40% of the omni-channel net profit sharing. Spielberg himself gets 20% of the big deal.
It's a pity that "Captain Hawke" can only barely make back the money, and Spielberg's compensation is only the basic director's salary.
It is precisely because of this that Spielberg agreed to Daenerys Entertainment's seemingly very guaranteed revenue sharing terms on "Jurassic Park."
As a result, when the film was a box office hit and peripheral sales were catching up with the DC Cinematic Universe series, Oldston suddenly realized that he had made a not very cost-effective business.
According to the long-term contract signed by Universal Pictures and Spielberg, after "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's List", Spielberg still owed Universal one film contract.
In the original time and space, Spielberg, who always claimed that he did not like to repeat work, filmed the sequel to "Jurassic Park" "Jurassic Park: The Lost World".
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that "Jurassic Park: The Lost World" is just a very insincere play. Although the special effects are more sophisticated and the scenes are more grand, the core story and plot are just a simple copy of the first film. This also caused the second part's box office and reputation to drop significantly compared to the first part.
This time, Lao Si probably thought that since the first film was a hit at the box office and the two parties had another film contract, Daenerys Entertainment would definitely be inclined to let him continue to direct the sequel.
Traditional Hollywood studio executives certainly do.
Because everyone is just a professional manager and dare not take too many risks, it is undoubtedly the safest to continue to have Spielberg at the helm of the sequel.
Proposing a profit sharing plan is only in accordance with Spielberg's own practice.
However, Simon is not a person who likes to follow the rules.
After tapping the tabletop of his desk and combing it carefully for a moment, Simon said to Tom Pollack: "In this case, let's start looking for other directors."
Tom Pollack was stunned for a moment, as if he thought he heard wrongly.
After staying for two seconds, Pollack reacted, still a little unsure and said: "Simon, you mean, substitution?"
"That's right, substitution."
Tom Pollack didn't know what to say for a moment.
Judging from the current box office and peripheral sales data of "Jurassic Park", this is a super-hit project that will bring Daenerys Entertainment no less than $1 billion in profits in the next few years.
With such an amazing start, for a traditional Hollywood filmmaker like him, of course he has to cry and beg Spielberg to continue directing the sequel to ensure the overall quality of the series.
As long as a sequel can be guaranteed, the 15% net profit share is actually completely worth it.
What's more, for a filmmaker who can bring in $1 billion in revenue to a studio, taking $150 million is not excessive at all.
In fact, traditional Hollywood big names actually make more money than studios on many projects.
After hesitating for a moment, Tom Pollack finally said seriously: "Simon, I think this decision is a bit reckless. You have to know that with the current income of "Jurassic Park", Steven's price for the sequel is actually not high. .”
"Of course I understand, this is also a decision I made after careful consideration," Simon said in an equally serious tone: "Do you think this "Jurassic Park" is perfect?"
Tom Pollack was a little confused: "We can get about 350 million US dollars in box office in North America alone. Isn't it perfect enough?"
"Of course it's not perfect," Simon shook his head, but did not comment carefully and said, "So, I hope that the replacement is not because of the remuneration plan proposed by Steven. In fact, if the quality of the sequel can be ensured, I also think that Steven It would be reasonable for Tiven to take even 20% of the profits from the sequel."
Tom Pollack understood, but was a little confused, and said: "But in the entire Hollywood, Simon, besides you, do you think there is anyone more suitable to direct the sequel than Steven?"
"Well, Tom, first tell me, what is the most attractive part of "Jurassic Park" to audiences?"
Tom Pollack heard what Simon said, thought about it, and said: "Special effects."
"Yes, special effects," Simon continued: "It just so happens that the special effects team of "Jurassic Park" is completely in our hands, which is enough to ensure the quality of the sequel in terms of special effects. However, we want the audience to buy tickets for the sequel. Entering the scene, just special effects are definitely not enough. I hope that the film will have a breakthrough in plot and even connotation. At this point, do you think that Steven will spend a lot of energy to seriously do this project when the film is already so successful? Is that okay? It’s okay if Steven doesn’t want to put in the effort, we can definitely make suggestions, but do you think that given Steven’s character, will he accept our involvement in the creation of the film?”
Spielberg is a man with a strong desire for control, and the whole of Hollywood knows this.
After relying on the rise of "Jaws", Spielberg's Amblin Pictures not only produces projects directed by Spielberg himself, but also produces a large number of other films every year with the film star personally serving as a producer. . These projects are basically firmly in the hands of Spielberg. Other film creators must produce them completely according to Spielberg's own will, otherwise they may be fired.
There is nothing wrong with this one-word production mechanism.
If there are always different voices on a movie project, and there are always various people pointing fingers, the result may be catastrophic. The most typical case in Simon's memory is the DC movie universe series where Warner's good cards were beaten to pieces. .
Daenerys Entertainment, again, is largely dictated by Simon himself.
Now, "Jurassic Park" has had a very amazing start. If Spielberg can ensure that the quality of the sequel is even higher, or even maintain the level of the first one, Simon will be inclined to let him continue to control the series. .
Although it is somewhat unfair to apply what happened in the past life to the current Spielberg, taking into account various factors, Simon feels that it is almost impossible to continue to let Spielberg control this series and follow the previous sequel level. kind of inevitable.
If Spielberg was a person willing to accept other people's opinions, this might not be such a problem.
As it happens, this is another person who is very controlling and will not allow the film company to dictate his project. Especially when the first part was so successful.
Therefore, Simon wants to change the director of the "Jurassic Park" series not because the salary conditions offered by Olds are too high, but because he wants to fundamentally take back the creative control of the "Jurassic Park" series.
After listening to Simon's words, Tom Pollack quickly understood his boss's intention.
But, this is really risky.
Knowing that the young man in front of him had made up his mind, Tom Pollack thought for a while and did not try to persuade him again. Instead, he talked about another issue: "If this is the case, Steven's side and the media will be in trouble."
"Jurassic Park" is still being released, and overseas box office is also showing a trend of explosion.
Having just produced such a successful project for Daenerys Entertainment, he was fired directly without much discussion about the sequel. This is very damaging to the face of a legendary Hollywood director.
If the media knew the news, it would definitely be more lively.
Cross the river and tear down the bridge, go up to the house to take out the ladder, the rabbit will die and the dog will be cooked, and the bird will hide with its bow.
Well, the West does not have such a rich vocabulary of idioms, but when the time comes, media public opinion will definitely be more 'colorful' than this bunch of idioms.
More seriously, if Daenerys Entertainment does this, it may also make other Hollywood filmmakers dissatisfied.
This was something Simon hadn't thought of just now, but as soon as Pollack reminded him, Simon quickly sorted out an idea.
Daenerys Entertainment really must take this issue seriously.
After tapping his fingers on the table and thinking for a moment, Simon said: "In this way, the preparations for the sequel should not be too big for the time being. You continue to talk to them and don't let go. Well... wait until Steven completes "Schindler's List". The company broke up on the grounds that the two parties could not agree on salary and creativity."
Obviously this is the only way.
If it takes more than half a year, the popularity of "Jurassic Park" will also cool down.
As long as the reasons are right, both parties will be able to step down easily.
In any case, the consequences would be much smaller than directly announcing Spielberg's dismissal now.
After finalizing the matter, Tom Pollack was about to get up and leave. Simon suddenly called out to him again, stared into the eyes of this veteran Hollywood executive, and said: "Tom, there is one thing you have to understand. You are now Dani." Executive of Liz Entertainment, you work for me. So, I definitely don’t want our conversation today to be known to people who shouldn’t know in advance, do you understand?”
Tom Pollack paused. He was not dissatisfied with Simon's sudden questioning, but was frightened into a cold sweat.
He did have some thoughts just now.
As a professional manager who has been in Hollywood for many years, he instinctively has some affinity for established celebrities such as Spielberg, and he is more inclined to think that they are his 'ones'.
In comparison, Simon's rise is too fast, and for Hollywood natives, he still looks like an outsider.
Without Simon's sudden reminder, Tom Pollack would have been hard-pressed not to reveal something to Spielberg in advance. Although it might not necessarily be the entire content of today's conversation between the two, it would be enough to let Spielberg know the general outline. Insider.
As for the results.
I had just filmed a super hit movie, and before the movie was released, I was fired. Anyone with a temper will definitely feel resentful towards the person who fired them.
It's easy to see from the childish clause of including someone who has rejected him in every movie contract that Spielberg is definitely not a broad-minded person.
Facing Simon's gaze, Tom Pollack did not quibble or express his dissatisfaction, but said: "I understand, Simon, I will definitely not do this."
Simon nodded with satisfaction and said, "Also, discuss this matter with Amy in private and come up with a detailed plan."
Tom Pollack nodded again, confirmed that Simon had no other instructions, and finally stood up and left.
After walking out of Simon's office and walking through the breezy corridors of the office building, feeling the chill on his body and gradually calming down, Tom Pollack couldn't help but think of another thing.
A certain young man sitting in that office seemed to have a too thorough understanding of many things in Hollywood.
If I remember correctly, my little boss will only turn 25 next month.
Even a 25-year-old young man from a Hollywood family is unlikely to know so many twists and turns.
However, when he thought about all the miracles the other party had created since his debut, Tom Pollack quickly realized that his boss was a weird existence.
Perhaps, he might actually be able to channel spirits.
Tom Pollack left, and it was almost time to get off work.
As usual, Simon had no intention of getting off work on time. Instead, according to his work schedule, he rushed to the post-production center to check the recent footage samples of "Seven Deadly Sins" that had already started shooting.