"What's your name, and which newspaper is it from?"
"My name is George North...Linde, and I'm a reporter for Hollywood Online." George Northon hurriedly made up a pseudonym for himself in the middle of speaking.
Eric didn't realize that George Northam was lying, nodded, and asked: "You just said that it was a very stupid choice for "Small Island Cry" to be released on November 1, so what is your reason? ?”
George Northam replied confidently: "It's very simple. Although November 1st is Halloween and many horror movies will be released during this period, it's actually not considered a popular schedule, even a good schedule." No, the box office totals for these few weeks are no different from the low season of movies. Since Disney and Firefly have high hopes for this movie, it is not stupid to release it on November 1st, or what else, you guys In fact, I didn’t have much confidence in "Small Island", so I left this movie in such a schedule like a cannon fodder graveyard?"
After listening to George Northam's words, Eric couldn't help but look at him a few more times. This middle-aged man dressed as a paparazzi is much better than those who only know how to ask celebrities about their privacy: "Since you can speak clearly and logically, Then you should also know that there are always a few movies in the top ten box office in Hollywood every year. Their +, release time is neither summer nor Christmas, but they still rely on their own excellent quality. on the leaderboard."
"Mr. Williams, I understand what you said, just like the "Flying Childhood" released a few weeks ago, Samsung Films was very unfavorable about this movie, so it put this movie in the unpopular October. But the box office hit that cost a few million dollars is now close to $60 million. It might even be a competitor to Island Cry. But Mr. Williams, you don't To answer my question, those dark horse movies you mentioned were put in the off-season because they weren't well received beforehand. But "Island Cry" is obviously a movie that Disney and Firefly have high hopes for, and it's still in Venice Films Won the Silver Lion Award at the festival."
Eric smiled slightly, and said confidently: "I have already answered you just now, as long as the quality of the film is excellent. Sometimes the schedule can be ignored."
Ignore the schedule? !
George Northam's eyes widened in surprise, and some of the more professional reporters in the crowd also showed surprise expressions.
It was a little too arrogant for Eric to say such a thing.
In Hollywood, no director or producer has dared to say such words with confidence. Most of them have sharpened their heads and want to put their films in the summer or New Year's file. Because everyone knows that a high-quality movie schedule means higher box office revenue, but Eric in front of him not only did the opposite, but also arrogantly shouted the slogan of "ignoring the schedule".
Many paparazzi are keenly aware that this will be a very explosive topic. Involuntarily, he squeezed forward, and at the same time stretched the recorder in his hand harder to Eric.
George Northam also knew it would be a controversial topic. He even has a preliminary draft in his mind, and I believe that tomorrow many people will see the arrogant side of Eric Williams, and if "Small Island Cry" does not achieve unexpected results, then, Eric Williams will be disgraced, and it will even have a big impact on the box office results of his next few films during the New Year.
However, despite thinking this way in his heart, George Northon approached the tape recorder closer to Eric with a harmless face, and asked: "Mr. Williams, did you really mean the movie "Small Island Cry" just now?" Can you completely ignore the schedule restrictions and get a high box office?"
Eric shrugged, nodded and said, "Since I put the movie on November 1st, I must have such confidence in my heart."
The group of reporters outside the cordon once again let out a faint uproar.
After Eric finished speaking, he ignored everyone and pulled Virginia up to walk into the theater.
"Hello, Mr. Williams, can you explain in detail?"
"Mr. Williams, why do you have such confidence in this movie?"
"Mr. Williams..."
Amidst the frantic yelling of the reporters behind him, Eric took Virginia up the steps of the cinema without looking back.
Because the premiere will start at seven o'clock, the two of them did not go directly to the screening hall, but went to the pre-prepared lounge under the guidance of the staff, where all the celebrities and guests who came to join us were waiting.
Walking in the VIP passage, Virginia asked softly: "Eric, is there something wrong with what you just said?"
"Even you don't have confidence in me?" Eric asked with a smile.
Virginia shook her head quickly: "No, of course I have confidence in you, but anything can go wrong, just in case... in case... then you will definitely be laughed at."
Eric squeezed the girl's little hand reassuringly: "Don't worry, nothing happens."
Virginia opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but Eric dragged her into the lounge.
I greeted many stars who came to support and cheer one by one, and about ten minutes later, Disney's CEO Michael Eisner also came to the scene.
"Eric, I heard what you said on the red carpet just now." Michael Eisner said this to Eric as soon as we met.
Eric raised his eyebrows: "Mr. Eisner, don't you think my words are very inappropriate?"
Michael Eisner shook his head: "I just think it's too risky for you to say that. In fact, even I am curious about why you insist on releasing this movie on November 1st. Now I will follow what you said If you do, you should tell me why."
"Let's talk over there," Eric pointed to a sofa not far away against the wall.
Michael Eisner nodded, and walked over with Eric. Although the people in the lounge wanted to strike up a conversation with Eric and Michael Eisner, they saw that they had something to do The appearance of the discussion was also very sensible and did not come closer.
"Actually, I already had this idea a long time ago, before "Dark War" was released." Eric said, glanced at Michael Eisner, and said: "At that time I I thought, since at the end of this year, five movies related to me will be released one after another, why not create a beautiful grand slam miracle in this schedule?"
"Grand Slam, a miracle?" Michael Eisner repeated the two key words in Eric's words, but he didn't want to understand what the word "Grand Slam" has to do with movies, and it's not a ball game.
Eric didn't make a fool of himself, and quickly said: "Mr. Eisner, "Small Island Cry" will be released on November 1. After we have put in a lot of effort to promote it, it will definitely be no problem to win the box office champion for two weeks. Next , "Home Alone 2" will be released on November 17. Last year, this movie won the weekly box office champion for 10 weeks. I have seen only "Lethal Weapon 2" and "Back to the Future 2" in the same period. It can compete with "Home Alone 2", but the crowds of those two films are obviously not enough to compare with the popularity of "Home Alone 2". Even if the box office of this sequel will decrease to a certain extent, then it will win the box office champion for five weeks It must be fine. Finally, on Christmas, "Sleepless in Seattle" continues to take over the top box office of the week. I have seen it, and there is no blockbuster movie this Christmas. No strong movies coming out, so maybe I can keep it going until February. And as long as we get the hype out there, several movies in this 'relay race' will get more attention at the same time , This has also played a mutual role in promoting the box office of several films."
When Michael Eisner heard Eric's plan, he was extremely shocked. The young people around him obviously wanted to occupy the entire New Year's file!
A film that tops the box office for the week can at least take 30% of the box office for the week, and if you add in the box office of the film that doesn’t top the list, this number will rise to at least 40%, based on the total box office of 600 million US dollars at the end of the year. Those films will take in a combined $240 million, which doesn't seem like much, not even matching the total of last year's "Home Alone" debut. But don't forget, after the new year, these movies still have at least one to three months of box office harvesting period, and the total box office won will certainly not be much less than the figure of 240 million US dollars.
On average, each of the five films grossed at least $100 million.
If this is the case, among the top ten box office rankings this year, Firefly must occupy at least five positions. This is obviously a matter of embarrassment for the seven major film companies.
Even if Disney is the beneficiary of this matter, Michael Eisner doesn't feel any excitement when he thinks about it now.
Maybe, it's time to do something.
Such an idea popped up in Michael Eisner's mind inexplicably.
After taking a few glances at the still smug young man beside him, Michael Eisner pursed his lips, patted Eric on the shoulder for a few words of encouragement, then got up and left.
Eric sat on the sofa for a while, because he seemed to see something different in Michael Eisner's eyes just now, but he didn't want to understand what it was, and told Michael Eisner After his ambitious plan, Eric himself was a little excited, so he didn't analyze in detail the profound meaning contained in Michael Eisner's fleeting eyes. (To be continued..)