Todd Phillips also struggled on the opposite side for a while.
He was thinking about whether to tell the truth to Shen Huan.
So far, he has found no less than 20 producers and investment companies, including his good friend, the copyright holder and star of "The Hangover", the famous Hollywood producer and actor Bradley Cooper. , all refused to invest in this script.
The reason is that they don't think "Joker", a dark, satirical and depressing movie, will be successful.
Moreover, this also involves a copyright dispute with Warner Bros. No matter how you calculate it, you won't make much money. Even if you make money, it will be taken away by Warner.
People in Hollywood never do such thankless things. They just make movies for fame and fortune.
Nothing about feelings and friendships, etc., will work when it comes to serious film investment.
Todd Phillips was also desperate, so he tried his luck here and there like those street playwrights who sell their scripts everywhere.
Shen Huan was just one of the people he was trying his luck with. There was another person he needed to meet in the afternoon.
But now here at Shen Huan, Todd Phillips feels very good.
As an excellent director, Todd Phillips has a very sensitive intuition, and he thinks there is something going on this time.
So in the end, he finally chose to trust his intuition.
"That's it, Mr. Shen." Todd Phillips said while organizing his words: "You may also know that in Hollywood film production, the producer is usually responsible for the system.
Usually for our movies, famous producers from major companies come to find projects to raise funds, start shooting, and finally hand them over to film companies for distribution.
Therefore, in Hollywood, the most powerful people are the producers, who control all film production in Hollywood, including blockbusters, literary films, horror films, etc.
Many producers were not optimistic about the script of "Joker", so they refused to invest in the script and make various preparations. Therefore, if I want to do it, I must take on the responsibility of the producer myself.
As long as we are responsible for all the filming and production ourselves, then Warner will not have to pay anything and can make profits through copyright, dividends and distribution, and they will not embarrass us at all. "
Shen Huan nodded slightly: "What is your budget?"
Todd Phillips quickly said: "$50 million is enough! It does not require much large-scale fight production, mainly the cost of actors and shooting, as well as special effects processing for the clown task, etc."
Shen Huan smiled noncommittally and said, "I think what you mean is that you want me to provide all the production funds for this film?"
"If you are willing to give more, that's great. If it's not enough, I will find other investors." Todd Phillips said quickly.
"How many people are interested?" Shen Huan asked again.
Todd Phillips was silent for a moment and said with some shame: "If you are interested, you will be the first one."
Shen Huan smiled, this person was quite honest.
It is conceivable that if he agrees to invest, Todd Phillips will definitely use this to talk things over. With Shen Huan's reputation as a "genius boy", he will definitely be able to help him fool some people.
"What are the specific conditions on Warner's side? Do you understand this?" Shen Huan asked him.
"Basically, I talked with their supervisor. If we were responsible for all the funds and they were only responsible for promoting the distribution, they would probably ask for 10 million US dollars in royalties, 10% of the box office dividends, and 20% of the distribution and promotion. Fee." Todd Phillips said cautiously, "In addition, they also require a 30% interest in peripheral copyrights."
Shen Huan laughed angrily: "What? Before filming even started, did they treat Joker as a $500 million super hit movie
With the backdrop of the Marvel Universe, Disney's marketing, and "Deadpool" being a heroic figure in its own right, it only grossed US$783 million at the global box office!
Even if the Joker has always been ranked first on the list of villains, can such a single villain with such a simple plot sustain such a high box office? "
Todd Phillips had nothing to say.
Shen Huan was right, the price Warner asked was too high.
10% of the box office dividends and 20% of the distribution and promotion fees account for 30% of the box office.
This is not just box office profit dividends, it is calculated based on how much box office there is, and the costs are still included!
Todd Phillips just said that the budget of "Joker" is 50 million US dollars.
If you add the above 30% dividend and 10 million US dollars, if you want to make money at the box office, the North American box office must reach more than 400 million US dollars.
But even "Suicide Squad" didn't do that high at the U.S. box office, so overseas box office must be counted.
The share of overseas box office is generally 30%.
Therefore, based on this calculation, the global box office of US$500 million is a more reasonable figure.
Not to mention that they still have to poach 30% of the net profit from the peripheral copyright interests that may make money later.
This is the most important reason why producers and production companies are unwilling to take over.
Moreover, for an R-rated movie, the box office of 500 million U.S. dollars is too high and almost impossible.
I worked hard for a while, but in the end I ended up working for Warner Bros. Why
"Maybe we can make some money from the Chinese market..." Todd Phillips said with some anxiety.
"How many R-rated movies can be released in the Chinese market?" Shen Huan shook his head and said, "Even positive content like "Deadpool" is not allowed to be released in the Chinese market, let alone "Joker"... right now "Suicide Squad" is about to be released, isn't it also not allowed?"
Todd Phillips was silent.
His heart sank at this time, but he did not forget to give the final bargaining chip: "Mr. Shen, I can give up all rights and interests, as long as you let me be the producer and director, unless the movie finally makes a profit, otherwise I don't get a penny!
Even if it's a profit, I only get 5% of the box office profit! I don’t want any peripheral copyright interests either! The copyright of this movie is yours too! Believe me, I will definitely make a good movie! "
For a director at his level, it is a great sign of sincerity to not take any money without making a profit, and do not ask for peripheral derivative copyrights.
Even giving the copyright of this movie to Shen Huan is equivalent to completely giving up everything after that and giving the script to Shen Huan to make the decision.
But in the face of the box office pressure of US$500 million, these sincerities have little effect.
Todd Phillips is just doing his best and letting fate take its course.
"But I really like this story." After enough pressure, Shen Huan smiled and said, "It's not that I can't give you 50 million US dollars... but I need you to make some promises."
"Say it!" Todd Phillips was like a drowning man who suddenly climbed up a big log and his spirits were lifted. "As long as I can do it, there will be no problem!"
"I'm not very satisfied with Warner's share ratio." Shen Huan said, "Go and talk to them and increase the copyright fee as much as possible. I would rather give them more money at once than let them occupy too much. share of the box office.”
"You...are you optimistic about the box office?" Todd Phillips said in surprise.
"Whether you are optimistic about it or not, I think they should not be allowed to seize profits so unscrupulously." Shen Huan said sternly, "Keep the share ratio as low as possible, including the ratio of surrounding rights and interests. This is my first request to you! "
"As long as the funds are in place and they can see our sincerity, they will naturally have to discuss it." Todd Phillips said quickly, "The purpose of running a company is money. In the face of real money, I think they can make concessions. "
"good."
Shen Huan smiled, "Then second point, who are you going to find as the male protagonist?"
"I think Joaquin Phoenix is very suitable! His films such as "Gladiator", "The Master" and "You Were Never Really Here" are all full of artistry and his acting skills are very good." Todd Phillips reported without hesitation came up with this name.
"Where's the heroine?" Shen Huan said, "She's the single mother who goes out to attract bees and butterflies."
"Well… "
Todd Phillips was also smart and coughed slightly, "I am going to ask Miss Buyiyi to play the role, but the setting of this character can be slightly changed. Let her be confused by domestic violence and poverty, and suffer. Struggling single mom, what do you think?”
"Then I have nothing to find fault with for now."
Shen Huan was very satisfied with his knowledge and extended his hand, "I think we can have formal investment cooperation negotiations!"
"thanks, thanks!"
Todd Phillips held Shen Huan's hand excitedly and almost shed tears.