Everyone sat down in the reception area, and without much polite greeting, Simon handed the three documents to the three of them respectively.
Shirley Lansing glanced at the document title and her eyes widened slightly.
When brother and sister Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson received the documents in their hands, they looked at each other with worry.
There are a few words written on the cover of the document: Agent Cinematic Universe Plan.
Simon took the coffee brought in by Girl A, leaned on the sofa and said to the three of them: "This is just a draft. You can take a look at it first. There will definitely be additions and modifications in the future based on the specific situation."
The Broccoli brothers and sisters were able to meet Simon today, not because they came here to grind their teeth, but only got the opportunity to meet after the Broccoli family reached a compromise with MGM.
To put it simply, the Broccoli family has agreed to all the requests made by Simon two years ago and has basically lost control of the 007 series from now on.
The only thing Simon has not changed is the profit distribution model between the two parties, which is also the main reason why the Broccoli family agreed to compromise.
The contents of the document in hand are simple and clear.
Simon plans to use MGM as the leader and the 007 series as the core to create an agent movie universe similar to the DC movie universe and the Conjuring movie universe.
Secret agent movies have always been a big genre in Hollywood.
However, except for the long-lasting 007 series, other spy movies have rarely been able to develop into a successful long-term series, let alone connect a movie universe with each other.
In fact, the concept of 'movie universe' has only begun to emerge in recent years.
Now, the 'DC Cinematic Universe' is at its peak with the sales of "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises", and the horror film series "The Conjuring Cinematic Universe" launched by Daenerys Entertainment has also had a good start in the summer season. , and then it is completely logical to build an 'Agent Movie Universe' based on Hollywood's popular agent themes.
After quickly flipping through the pages of the draft plan in her hand, Shirley Lansing looked up at Simon and asked: "Simon, I didn't see the names of other projects from this document. Since we want to create a movie universe plan, , surely it can’t just be 007, right?”
Seeing that the three of them had read the information, Simon put down his coffee cup and said, "In addition to the 007 series, there is another project that has been temporarily confirmed. You should remember the popular TV series "Charlie's Angels" in the 1970s, right?"
Shirley Lansing thought for a while and nodded: "If this series is adapted into a movie, it is indeed very suitable to be linked with 007. The handsome guy and the beautiful girl will be loved by the audience."
Simon said: "I plan to develop the "Charlie's Angels" series based on this TV series. There is also "Mission: Impossible" co-produced by Daenerys and Paramount. Because this series has been very successful, coupled with copyright reasons , it is not easy to link up with MGM. However, if the Agent Movie Universe can be launched in the future, the two parties can conduct a small amount of cooperation to achieve the purpose of promoting each other's popularity."
Shirley Lansing felt a little regretful when she heard the name "Mission: Impossible."
Neither Daenerys nor Paramount will let go of the rights to the agent series, which is already developing a sequel, and MGM is destined to be unable to get involved. However, she quickly came up with her own idea: "Cage's salary will only get higher and higher in the future. I remember that the supporting roles in the "Mission: Impossible" series are quite outstanding. In the future, he may appear in "007" or "007"." "Charlie's Angels"."
Simon said: “We’ll talk about this later. As long as the Agent Cinematic Universe plan is successful enough, any possibility will happen.”
Shirley Lansing was not satisfied: "So, Simon, besides '007,' 'Charlie's Angels,' and 'Mission: Impossible,' is there anything else?"
Simon smiled and said: "Of course, what Hollywood is most in need of is agent-type scripts. However, just like the DC movie universe, the Big Three model is the most stable development plan. If there are less, it will not be a movie universe, and if there are too many, it will easily distract the audience. Attention and cost will also increase significantly.”
Shirley Lansing said: "But, you just said that "Mission: Impossible" can only have a small amount of interaction and cannot be considered a linkage."
"That's true," Simon thought for a moment and said, "There is another project that I got a few years ago, Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' series of novels. Do you know about this?"
Before joining MGM, Shirley Lansing was a very successful film producer in Hollywood. She had basically heard about, if not fully understood, the copyrights of various popular best-selling novels. Nodding, Shirley Lansing said: "However, I seem to remember that the copyright of the 'Bourne' series of novels was originally bought by Warner."
Simon shrugged slightly, without explaining too much, and said: "The Bourne series is not suitable for being shot into an orthodox individual heroic spy movie. Instead, it is more like a terminal madman like Dr. Jimbo in "The Fugitive". This is exactly what a spy movie can be." The diversity of the universe. If they are all superheroes carved from the same template, there is no need to form a movie universe. As long as the three core series of "007", "Charlie's Angels" and "The Bourne Supremacy" can succeed and realize Through linkage, we will be able to develop other series in the future."
Shirley Lansing also realized at this time that compared to the draft plan she had just seen, Simon already had a fairly clear idea in her mind. Just as she was about to continue what she said, Barbara Bullock, who had been left standing next to her, Li finally couldn't help but interject, with obvious resentment in his tone: "Simon, I believe that Bond itself is enough to support a very successful movie universe, and there is no need to link up with other series."
Simon glanced at the heir to the Broccoli family in front of him, who was somewhat similar to the Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore, and said: "With the increasing number of blockbuster movies that focus on special effects, the Bond series will remain the same if no changes are made. Keeping the past style will only gradually lose its appeal to the audience.”
"But," Barbara Broccoli hesitated, then said: "If you want to link the 007 series with other movies, shouldn't you get our consent first? Don't forget, the Broccoli family is still Own half the copyright.”
Barbara Broccoli's tone was a bit aggressive, and Simon also lowered his face and said: "If I remember correctly, in the agreement reached between the Broccoli family and MGM, the subsequent development of the 007 series will be entirely managed by MGM. May leads. If the Broccoli family has objections to the project, you have the right to withdraw."
In the new agreement reached by the two parties, if the Broccoli family has objections to the project and is no longer willing to participate in the production of the sequel, they will only be able to take away 10% of the net profit share based on half of the copyright they hold. The money kind.
Of course, given the special accounting system in which Hollywood has never been very profitable, whether it wants to give the Broccoli family this 10% net profit share, or how much it can actually give, depends on MGM's intentions.
On the other hand, if the Broccoli family continues to run this series full-time, they will be able to get up to 25% of the gross profit share.
The production funding and distribution of the 007 series have always been borne by MGM. The Broccoli family used to be like chefs, preparing a big dish after the owner has prepared all the ingredients. In the case of just labor, the 25% gross profit after deducting only the most basic production and distribution costs is already very impressive.
What's more, according to the contract, members of the Broccoli family who serve as producers will also receive a generous producer remuneration that guarantees income regardless of drought or flood.
Discovering that Simon's expression had changed, Barbara Broccoli realized that she was a little impulsive. The Broccoli family had no room for bargaining in front of Simon. They regarded the 007 series as their treasure. The most powerful young man in Hollywood at the moment, But I don’t mind having this series permanently refrigerated.
The confrontation over the past two years has proven this.
After a moment of silence, Barbara Broccoli said in a significantly softened tone: "But if a joint project is produced, how will the benefits be distributed? Mr. Westeros, we did not reach an agreement in advance, and you seem to have no power. Good at making opinions."
Simon said: "As long as Bond participates in the joint project, the Broccoli family can take away 10% of the gross profit."
Barbara Broccoli was obviously very shrewd and immediately shook her head and said: "In this case, Mr. Westeros, if MGM allows other project characters to make cameos in the Bond series at will, our share will increase from 25% Do you think it’s appropriate to drop it to 10%?”
Simon looked at the other person: "Do you think I like to play this kind of word game?"
Barbara Broccoli subconsciously avoided looking at Simon and said harshly: "Maybe you won't do this, but this is Hollywood."
Simon asked: "Are you biased against Hollywood?"
Barbara Broccoli said: "Mr. Westeros, you should know better than us what Hollywood is like."
Simon looked at the woman in front of him who looked at him again and then looked away again. There was a slight smile on his face, but there was no doubt in his tone: "I don't care what Hollywood was like before, but I don't care what Hollywood will be like in the future." It has the final say. Miss Broccoli, as long as your family does its best to take care of the 007 series, I have no intention of squeezing you out. In fact, as long as you can cooperate, the Broccoli family will only get more from me. .So, don’t play tricks with me.”
Barbara Broccoli hesitated for a moment and insisted: "10% is too little, at least half, 12.5%. Mr. Westeros, compared to your movies that have not yet appeared on the big screen, Bond is worth this Price tag.”
Simon nodded readily this time: "No problem."
Barbara Broccoli was stunned.
Simon leaned on the sofa in a leisurely manner and asked with a smile: "Do you feel that you are missing something?"
Barbara Broccoli obviously didn't have much confidence, but she still tentatively added: "15%."
Simon shook his head: "I am never stingy with the people who work for me, and you should all be able to see this. However, the premise is that you must prove your worth. Since you want 12.5%, I will give it to you, but in the future In the development of the 007 series and subsequent linkage projects, the Broccoli family must also make corresponding efforts. If I think you are not worth so much in the future, let alone 12.5%, you will not even get 10%."
Barbara Broccoli was obviously not used to Simon's strength: "Mr. Westeros, are you going to break the contract?"
Simon smiled playfully: "You just said, this is Hollywood."
With that said, Simon raised his wrist and looked at his watch, interrupting Barbara Broccoli who wanted to continue: "Okay, you and Shirley will discuss the specific details of the contract. Let's talk about Bond's next step. development matters. As I just said, if the Bond series continues with the previous model, it will only lead to a dead end. Therefore, in the future, in addition to the linkage of the Agent Cinematic Universe series, the Bond story itself also needs a certain degree of continuity, and cannot be repeated every time. Each one is an independent story that has no connection. MGM has taken back the copyright of Spectre. Next, series such as Bond, Charlie's Angels, Bourne, etc., in the first phase of the Agent movie universe, there will be about 10 movies. The movie will have a common enemy, Spectre. According to this idea, the first thing MGM needs to do is to set up a dedicated creative team to make suggestions for the entire series."
It wasn't until after six o'clock that the Broccoli brothers left Daenerys Studios with complicated emotions.
Thinking about the glory of the DC movie universe series, according to the plan of a certain young man, once the Agent movie universe plan is successful, the Broccoli family will indeed have the opportunity to move to the next level.
Of course, it is also possible to be completely marginalized.
The key lies in whether Simon Westeros' will can be carried out.
This feeling is not good, but it is the reality that the Broccoli family has to face.
Shirley Lansing was quite excited.
Although Simon mentioned that the "Charlie's Angels" and "The Bourne Supremacy" series will be developed in cooperation with Daenerys Entertainment like the DC movie universe project, but only half of the interests will be. Just think about it and you will know how huge it will be.
As long as the Agent Movie Universe is successful, MGM will completely get rid of its current state of decline at the bottom of Hollywood.
After inviting the Broccoli brothers and sisters to have dinner together, I remembered that there was a cocktail party at WMA CEO Jonathan Friedman's house tonight. After leaving the restaurant, I mentioned that the Broccoli brothers and sisters expected to have more interactions with Hollywood in the future. Naturally, they agreed, and the three of them rushed to the Bel Air community where Jonathan Friedman lived.
Arriving at the destination, the reception has already begun.
Because it is a working day, the reception tonight will not be large, but those who can attend are basically WMA's big names and senior executives of major Hollywood studios.
As a native of Hollywood, Shirley Lansing enthusiastically introduced the guests to the Broccoli brothers and sisters. After socializing in the courtyard and entering the villa, the sharp-eyed Barbara Broccoli saw a certain person not long ago at a glance. The figure of the young man they just met.
Simon Westeros was sitting on the sofa in a corner of the living room of the villa, holding a tall and sexy young girl in his arms. He was chatting with tonight's host, Jonathan Friedman. There was also Friedman next to him. There was another white male star sitting there, and Barbara Broccoli quickly recognized it. It was Jim Carrey, who had become famous in Hollywood in the first half of the year with "Planet".
Because she has always stayed away from the Hollywood circle, Barbara Broccoli was not aware of the entanglement between Jim Carrey and Daenerys Entertainment. She just looked at each other, then turned her eyes back to the man, then turned slightly and landed on the man. On the girl in my arms.