"I hope we can cooperate happily in the future, Eric," Robert Shea stood up with a smile on his face after signing the thick contract.
Eric also stood up and held Robert Shea's hand: "That's for sure, Robert."
On the last day of August, after nearly a month of negotiations between the two parties, Firefly Films owned by Eric finally acquired New Line, an established Hollywood film company, with a 15% stake and $60 million in cash. The scale of the two companies is far smaller than the Hollywood giant Columbia Pictures that Sony wants to acquire, and it does not involve too many interests and games like Columbia. In addition, both parties have a relatively strong willingness to cooperate. Therefore, in terms of price After the negotiation, everything became logical.
As Hollywood's upstarts and established second-tier film companies, the merger of Firefly and New Line has attracted a lot of media attention. After the signing ceremony, the two sides also complied with the media's request and held a brief press conference. Of course it was a celebration party again.
Although Eric does not want to participate in similar entertainment, he prefers to stay quietly in the study. However, since he lives in such a country, things like parties are always unavoidable. If it is not for rejecting a large number of invitations, With his current ∈ status, it can be said that he can receive invitations to various receptions and parties almost every day.
"Eric, I heard that the "Small Island" test film you wrote was very popular, right?"
"Yeah, but you already know that. I've already signed a distribution deal with Disney. Isle of Cry and Steel Magnolia together. Disney made a very high cut offer. It's hard to refuse. .” Eric nodded, and briefly explained the situation to Robert.
He thought that Robert Shea was thinking about the distribution rights of "Small Island Cry", so he patiently explained to him. Now that the contract has been signed, Robert Shea is now considered one of his own. He will serve as the CEO of the brand new Firefly Film Company, and together with Jeffrey, who has been re-elected as the president, will be responsible for the next few months. The businesses of the two companies will be fully integrated.
"No. I think you misunderstood me," Robert Shea shook his head and said, "I don't want the distribution rights of "Small Island Cry". Then I think you must be good at writing horror scripts, so I wonder if you can write the next "Nightmare on Elm Street" script yourself. What do you think?"
Hear Robert's request. Eric remembered the information about "Nightmare on Elm Street" from New Line that he had seen before. As a series of horror films that are very important to New Line, during the negotiation process, Firefly collected more detailed data, which was mixed in Eric's mind than before. Unclear memories are much more accurate. Although the first part of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" only had a box office of 25 million, because the cost was very low, New Line also made a fortune at that time. Although the production and distribution costs of the next three films gradually increased, they eventually made money.
But the latest "A Nightmare on Elm Street 5" is not optimistic. This new work was released on August 11. In the past three weeks, it has only received a box office of more than 16 million U.S. dollars, and the final box office is only about 22 million U.S. dollars. Production and distribution costs, the new line is equivalent to not making much money.
Recalling it carefully, Eric said: "Robert, the horror style of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" has been fixed, and I certainly can't write any new plots. In my opinion, according to the latest "A Nightmare on Elm Street" The box office data of "Street", I think this series can be temporarily stopped. Since the audience is tired of watching the plot of Freddie's murder in his dream, then we will forcefully make a sequel, which will not be worth the loss. If it is kept in storage for a few years, we will wait for the new generation It’s the most appropriate choice to start the series after the younger audience has grown up and the older generation has nostalgia.”
When Robert Shea heard Eric's words, his expression changed slightly. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is New Line's family-watching horror film series. Although intellectually speaking, he understands what Eric just said is very reasonable, but he still feels very uncomfortable. Just after signing the contract with Firefly, Eric He planned to cut off the sequel of "A Nightmare on Elm Street", which reminded him of the king who annexed another country in ancient times to cleanse the forces in the new territory and erase the original mark of the other party.
After all, Eric is a man of two lives, so when he noticed the change in Robert Shea's expression, Eric quickly understood the other party's thoughts. He didn't want to plant a crack in the cooperation between the two parties because of this low-cost horror film , So he hurriedly remedied: "However, Robert, these are just some of my personal opinions. You know that I am still a newcomer in Hollywood, and I must not have considered many things so clearly. So if you think it is necessary, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" The sequel can continue to be produced, as far as I know, both the third and fourth films have received more than 40 million box office, maybe this time it was just an accidental mistake."
Robert Shea's expression softened a little, and he also realized that Eric was compromising to himself. Now that the other party has made a concession, he certainly won't hold back: "Then, Eric, let's do what you said, but I don't think it's good to end it right away, next year we will make another final chapter... Well, it's called "A Nightmare on Elm Street: Ultimate Nightmare", and I'm temporarily ending this series. I believe that if the gimmick of the ending is put here, it will definitely get a good box office."
"This is indeed a good idea." Eric also admired Robert Shea's wit, so he made a small promise: "Perhaps, I can help with the last script."
"Really?" Robert Shea couldn't help but confirm it again. He thought that what Eric said just now was a clear rejection. The value of Eric's script was recognized in Hollywood.
"certainly!"
Eric nodded decisively, and at the same time added in his heart that of course he would not participate in the signature. He didn't care about the fame and interests of the screenwriter of "A Nightmare on Elm Street". But in case the last movie has a bad reputation after being signed, it is certain that he will be scolded, and among a large group of main creators, even if he is just a screenwriter, he must be the most conspicuous one, and he will definitely become the focus of fans' firepower.
Although it is said that standing by the river often does not get your shoes wet, Eric does not want to be involved in bad movies after only a year or two near the river. If one or two bad movies that have little to do with him reduce the weight of this important bargaining chip, it is definitely not worth the candle.
At the same time, this is also the reason why Eric just plagiarized and copied the classic movies in his mind for the time being, instead of shooting his own movies according to his own wishes. Maybe after a few years, when everything is settled and his position in Hollywood is completely unshakable, then he will definitely make a few films that he didn't have in his previous life and that he is very interested in. (To be continued..)