The male and female protagonists of the original "Stealing the Sky" are Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones respectively. Although the male protagonist of CAA’s packaging this time is still Sean Connery, the female protagonist is another famous actress under CAA. Too big an actress named Angie Everhart.
Although Angie Everhart in the data is very beautiful, Eric naturally feels that it is better to use the original heroine Catherine Zeta-Jones. Because Catherine Zeta-Jones' temperament is really suitable for partnering with old men.
Bill Michanik nodded to write it down, and Eric continued: "Also, why did the project "The Girl Who Moved Soul" get a budget of 40 million dollars?"
"The Soul-shifting Girl" tells the story of a girl suffering from "borderline personality disorder" who is sent to a mental hospital for recuperation. The script is adapted from a real-life biography.
Eric has seen this movie before. The two protagonists are Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. Winona Ryder's performance in the film is quite satisfactory, but Angelina Jolie's The anti-social character in the film won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Eric just didn't expect that the budget of this film could reach 40 million US dollars.
Although the script in hand and the film in memory are excellent, but with a budget of more than 40 million US dollars, unless it can win several heavyweight Oscars, otherwise, it is basically impossible for this fringe film to recover its cost .
Bill Michanik had obviously prepared and explained: "This is a script that Miss Winona Ryder likes very much. The director James Mangold danced it herself. Howard also attaches great importance to the impact of this film. Austrian prospects, that's why the budget is relatively loose."
Eric twitched the corner of his mouth, Howard Stringer is really a layman.
The biopics favored by Oscars either tell about a period of redemption, such as "Schindler's List", or show some spirit, such as "My Left Foot". Generally speaking, the content of these biopics should be positive and in line with orthodox values.
For a film like "The Girl Who Moved Soul" with a negative theme and a dark ending, it is not easy to get nominated for an Oscar, let alone an Oscar.
For such a movie to be an Olympic film, the only thing Sony Pictures can expect is that Winona Ryder, who has already been nominated for two Oscars, can hit the crown of actress. But in fact, even if there is no memory of the previous life, just based on the script, Eric can see that Winona Ryder's role has limited room to play, and there is no hope of getting Oscar.
After thinking about it for a moment, Eric said: "All the original plans for this project have been overturned, and the budget has been reduced to less than 20 million US dollars. If Winona Ryder and the others feel that 20 million can't be shot, then the project will be cut off. In addition , you send a copy of the script to Charlize Theron."
As a veteran Hollywood executive, Bill Michanik also knew that the film's $20 million budget was more than enough.
Just as he was about to nod and say yes, when he heard Eric's last words, Bill Michanik was pleasantly surprised: "Charlize Theron, Eric, you mean, the role of Lisa?"
The trio of "Girls in the Thunderbolt" is definitely the most popular new generation of Hollywood actresses in recent years. If Charlize Theron can join "Soul Girl", the shortcomings of having no box office appeal will be immediately eliminated. made up.
Eric nodded. Last time, he promised Charlize to pay attention to the script that could improve his acting skills. The role that once belonged to Angelina Jolie was just right. As for Angelina Jolie, it was naturally not Eric's concern. within range.
Bill Michanik got Eric's confirmation, but hesitated: "But, Miss Theron's salary? Also, will she agree to play such a role with anti-social personality? You know, she is in "Charlie's Angels" The image in the series has always been very positive, and even if she herself agreed, I think her agent would dissuade it."
"The pay is fine. Charlize must know what kind of quotation to make. As for the image problem, there is no need to worry about it. We adults may feel that such a character with anti-social personality is very inappropriate, but to For teenagers, they are at the age of publicity and rebellion, such a character, not only will they not be disgusted, but they will find it cool."
Bill Michanik was relieved, but thinking of Eric's $20 million budget, he began to struggle again.
Winona Ryder's personal salary is 7 million U.S. dollars. If she is the only Oscar-level actress participating, the production cost of 20 million U.S. dollars is definitely no problem.
But if you add an actress with strong box office appeal like Charlize Theron, even if the other party is willing to lower her salary to play the role, he feels that at least 30 million US dollars is needed to be worthy of the duo.
After all, although Charlize Theron does not have an Oscar, her salary should be higher than that of Winona Ryder. Even if the other party is willing to lower her salary to play, she still needs $5 million. The two heroines accounted for a production budget of 12 million US dollars, and the remaining 8 million US dollars were used for supporting roles and film production, which was obviously a bit stretched.
After talking about his own analysis, Bill Michanik suggested: "Eric, can you sign two sharing contracts, or increase the budget to 30 million US dollars?"
Eric considered for a moment, and said: "Reduce Winona's salary to 5 million US dollars, and Theron will give her 3 million US dollars. In addition, the two will each share 10% of the North American box office, leaving 12 million US dollars. Should be enough."
Bill Michanik also began to think about it. Although Eric's fixed salary was very low, it was actually the norm for unpopular films.
As for the 10% North American box office share here, it must refer to the 10% of the box office share that Columbia gets from theaters.
In this way, as long as the North American box office of "The Soul-moving Girl" can sell 50 million US dollars, the income of the two heroines from the share plus the fixed salary will be similar to the figure I just imagined. In terms of box office figures, the production cost can also be roughly recovered.
If the box office goes higher, the two heroines will earn more, but at the same time, Columbia will start to make a profit. If it's under $50 million, there's not much to say.
Considering these, Bill Michanik also has to admire Eric for making just the right adjustments to the film budget in just a few minutes, and at the same time very precisely allowing the two heroines to share the risk of film investment. In the remuneration model, it is impossible for actors to get the remuneration that Jack Nicholson left in "Batman", but as long as the film's box office is good enough, the protagonists can also get enough income.
Of course, Bill Michanik also knows that in recent years, while a large amount of hot money has poured in to make Hollywood studios spend a lot of money, at the same time, stars have higher and higher requirements for remuneration. Shared 'risk'.
This ideal salary model can actually be achieved by most Hollywood producers, but whether it can be accepted by stars is another matter.
Eric can also see Bill Michanik's thoughts, and said: "Bill, since you have joined the Firefly system, you should be firm on one thing, we are the masters of Hollywood. Stars want unreasonably high salaries Of course we can't stop them, but they definitely don't want to get these from the Firefly system. If Hollywood stars are unwilling to participate in the films of the Firefly system, then we will make our own stars just like the era of big studios. Firefly, M With GM, Fox, and now Columbia, the four major film companies together, we can not only create rules, but also punish those who break the rules.”
Although Hollywood studios have gradually increased their control over film projects since the beginning of the big-budget era, in front of Hollywood stars with box office appeal, film companies are still trying to please them from top to bottom.
At this time, hearing Eric's words, Bill Michanik felt a feeling of turning over and singing as a serf, and even felt a little excited.
Yeah, people like myself are the masters of Hollywood.
After all, stars are piled up by film companies through film after film, and they control the four major film companies. Relying on Hollywood's powerful film industry, stars of any level are enough to create.
After a moment of emotional agitation, Bill Michanik remembered the business and said, "Didn't you say three projects, and what else?"
"The last one is the "Final Fantasy" animation movie co-operated by Samsung Pictures and Square Enix of Japan," Eric said: "Cut it off, we don't invest in it, and we don't want distribution rights. The Japanese can find whomever they want." , we are not involved in this project."
From the list of Columbia projects given by Bill Michanik, Eric discovered the super pit of "Final Fantasy: Deep in the Soul".
In my memory, this animated film with an investment of over 100 million failed miserably at the box office in North America, which directly caused Square Enix, which had produced eight classic "Final Fantasy" series games, to be on the verge of bankruptcy. . Sony Pictures, which participated in the production and distribution, also suffered heavy losses.
Bill Michanik didn't expect that Eric would suddenly focus on "Final Fantasy: Deep in the Soul". In recent years, 3D animation movies have become more and more popular in the market, and Sony Pictures will naturally not let this go. piece of cake. "Final Fantasy" is a popular game at the national level in RB, and the executives of Sony Pictures are still full of expectations for this game adaptation animation project.
However, this time Bill Michanik didn't ask much, and nodded in agreement.
After all, if we talk about 3D animation movies, in Hollywood, Firefly claims to be second, and no one dares to jump out and take the first position.
In Hollywood, only Firefly Group has two successful 3D animation film studios. No matter what purpose Eric made such a decision, Bill Michanik didn't feel the need to question Eric's judgment.
After confirming this, Bill Michanik said again: "Eric, regarding the script of "Pirates of the Caribbean", what should we do next?"
Bill Michanik's tone of voice when he asked about this matter was a little guilty. Recalling everything that happened during this period, he felt that this script was probably just another bait thrown by Eric. Sony bites and loses its movie division.
"Let's put it on hold for a while and wait for Columbia to recover for a few years before starting this movie."
Now that Columbia Films has been won, Eric does not plan to bring "Pirates of the Caribbean" back to Firefly, and Columbia also needs a work that supports the facade.
As for Firefly, the original time and space project was originally created to promote the Pirates of the Caribbean project at Disneyland in Los Angeles. But at this time, there are no Pirates of the Caribbean tours in Disneyland. Eric discovered the idea of this tour project from a construction plan for Disneyland Adventure Park in California. However, as the Firefly Studios Park for adults began to be built, the Disney Adventure Park project for adults was also cancelled. up.
Eric has also submitted the planning of the Pirates of the Caribbean tour project to the design team of Firefly Studios Park. This project is obviously more suitable for the adult-oriented Firefly Studios Park, which is separated from the Disney brand and fully integrated.
Hearing Eric's answer, Bill Michanik knew that he wanted to cross, so he nodded and asked again: "Also, Eric, "Men in Black 3" and Will Smith et al. Should salary negotiations also be shelved?"
"This can continue, but in terms of salary, we will not make any concessions. In addition, after completing "Public Enemy", unless the two parties reach an agreement on "Men in Black 3", otherwise, Firefly will no longer cooperate with Will Smith and Will Smith. Tommy Lee Jones to collaborate."
The project of "Public Enemy" needed to meet the schedule, so Eric gave Will Smith the leading role. But after this film, the Firefly system should also show its absolute strength.
Bill Michanik couldn't help but stretch the scene Eric described.
If Will Smith and others do not make compromises, they can only cooperate with other film companies outside the Firefly system. Similarly, the Firefly system will definitely maintain a consistent attitude towards other first-line superstars. It is conceivable that if these stars who insist on high salaries all turn to Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and Paramount, the other three may be gloating in the short term, but over time, whether the three can continue to pay high salaries is another matter. The resources they have are not enough for all the first-line stars to share. At that time, there must be some stars who have not been able to get film contracts for a long time, and have to make compromises with Firefly in the face of the threat of declining popularity.
As far as the Firefly system is concerned, to be honest, whether it is an animated movie or a blockbuster with special effects, the reliance on superstars is very low. What's more, combining the resources of the four companies, it is easy to rebuild a group of obedient stars.