ps. Here is today’s update. By the way, let’s vote for Qidian’s 515 Fan Festival. Everyone has 8 tickets. Voting will also give Qidian coins. I beg everyone to support and appreciate!
After the record-breaking US$100.6 million box office in the first three days of the weekend, the single-day box office of "Jurassic Park 2" fell to tens of millions on weekdays. Although compared with the weekend, the box office fell by 60%, but the film However, the box office in the first week of "Jurassic Park 2" will break through the historical high of 140 million U.S. dollars without any suspense, easily ascending to the first place in the box office list of films released in 1995, and most box office agencies predict that "Jurassic Park 2" has already Basically lock the throne of the annual box office champion.
Under the dazzling brilliance of "Jurassic Park 2", almost not many people noticed that a partial art film called "Forrest Gump" will be quietly released on June 9. Although "Forrest Gump" was unanimously praised by film critics during the early screening process, this kind of praise made the few media who paid attention to this film pessimistic about the film's box office. After all, the more film critics like The more artistic the film, the more dismal the box office is.
In addition, if there is any expectation for the box office of "Forrest Gump", Eric Williams will never let Huahua Pictures set the film's schedule on June 9. From the media's point of view, this is tantamount to putting a completely defenseless little beast under the feet of Tyrannosaurus rex, and the end result can only be smashed to pieces.
You know, in order to avoid the edge of "Jurassic Park 2", several other major film companies have coincidentally put the main films of this year's summer file at the end of June and July, and Time Warner even gave up the previous year. The release strategy of rushing to land in the summer file only lost a dismal box office "Fair Game" as cannon fodder.
After the box office of "Jurassic Park 2" was released on the first day. Eric devoted most of his energy to dealing with the company affairs accumulated during his time away from Los Angeles. but. Although the release of "Forrest Gump" has been on the sidelines. Let Drew and Amy Pascal handle it, but in this world, perhaps he is the only one who is full of confidence in the box office of "Forrest Gump".
Although the film has accumulated a lot of praise in the early promotion stage, Amy Pascal finally only prepared 1,500 yuan for the opening screen of "Forrest Gump". Eric has no objection to this. As long as "Forrest Gump" is as sensational as it was in the previous life, the box office is destined to go for a long time. The first week of the opening screen will be smaller, and it can even have the effect of hunger marketing just right.
Because the sense of presence is not strong. Although Drew pulled both Eric and Spielberg over for the premiere platform, the director of "Forrest Gump" Robert Zemeckis also produced "Back to the Future" and "Roger Rabbit" etc. A famous director with a blockbuster film, but "Forrest Gump" is still quietly started in a tepid atmosphere.
Fortunately, the leading actor Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis have accumulated a lot of word-of-mouth from excellent films, and the box office appeal is still very good.
Therefore, "Forrest Gump" achieved a good result of 6.7 million US dollars on the first day of its opening in 1,500 theaters in North America.
When reporting this number to Eric, Amy Pascal's tone was full of relief. With $6.7 million in the first day, there is no big problem for "Forrest Gump" to reach $25 million in the box office in the first week. With the excellent word-of-mouth of the film, take a long-term screening strategy. The movie is likely to gross close to $80 million before the final draw.
The total cost of the production and publicity of "Forrest Gump" was 70 million, and the North American box office can reach 80 million. Flower Pictures has already been able to recover most of the cost.
The film is positioned as an award-winning film. With the current reputation of film critics, it can even hit the Oscar for best picture. As long as it can win a few heavyweight Oscar statuettes, then the income from overseas distribution and video tape sales in the later period will be even greater. Rich, although the cycle of returning funds will be relatively long, Huahua Pictures can still recover well from this project.
Amy Pascal analyzes "Forrest Gump"'s earnings prospects with the tone of a budget-conscious housewife. The reason why she came up with this idea is not difficult to understand. Although Eric personally promoted the production of "Forrest Gump", although he has created a series of box office miracles, Hollywood executives' fear of film risks has been deeply instinctive. However, the total cost of "Forrest Gump" is 70 million US dollars, in the eyes of most people, it has far exceeded its commercial potential as an art film.
However, the dramatic development of the matter was far beyond most people's expectations.
After the large-scale release on the first day, most of the media who originally planned to introduce this new film with a short message were surprised to find that "Forrest Gump" far exceeded their expectations.
"The movie takes a fool with an IQ of only 75 as the perspective, and through amazing special effects, it perfectly shows the development of American society in the 30 years after the war."
"The three main characters in the film are like the incarnation of the three mainstream American spiritual trends twenty years ago. Forrest Gump represents the root of the American spirit, simple, hardworking, sincere, and persistent. Jenny represents the rebellious generation in the 1960s. They Trying to break the stereotypes and pursue the self, in fact, it is leading to the abyss of loss. Captain Dan belongs to the group of people who have doubts about the society. They have their own persistence, but they are still confused and cannot find the value of persistence. In the film, the displaced Jenny finally chose to return to the family, and Captain Dan also chose to follow in the footsteps of Forrest Gump, allowing us to see the three American spirits merge into one again and return to the original."
"Admittedly, this is an 'anti-intellectual movie' that seems ridiculous at first glance, but after watching the movie for two hours and 20 minutes, the author fell into an inexplicably moved emotion. I couldn't help but think, this The strength of the country is recovering, the economy is developing, and science and technology are advancing at a rapid pace, but we are self-proclaimed smart people, but we are becoming more and more addicted to the great abundance of materials, completely ignoring the persistence that we should have on the spiritual level.”
"The thing that touched me the most in "Forrest Gump" was that on that rainy night, Jenny brought the silly Forrest Gump back to her dormitory. She talked about her dream of becoming a celebrity with a longing face. Then she asked him. You What kind of person do you dream of becoming in the future? A-Gump replied with a puzzled expression, why should I be someone else, can I not be myself in the future? In the end, Jenny’s dream was broken and she left this world in regret. But Forrest Gump, who insisted on being himself, has gained everything that ordinary people dream of."
"..."
"..."
After the turmoil of the sixties and the free-spirited seventies, from the eighties onwards. American conservatism began to return and reached its peak in the 1990s.
At the same time, the extreme development of material also makes people's spiritual level become empty, and the situation of moral corruption and indifferent human relationship is getting more and more serious. Therefore, the image of American conservatism represented by Forrest Gump and his own kind, sincere and simple Personality fully caters to the spiritual life yearning of more and more Americans.
With the overwhelming spontaneous publicity of the media, more and more people began to pay attention to this film and walked into the cinema because of it.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what the next one will taste like.
This classic line, destined to be recorded in the history of world cinema, quickly spread among the crowd.
In fact, most people don't know the profound meaning of this sentence. They just felt inexplicably moved and satisfied after watching the movie. Repeat this sentence several times in the bottom of my heart, and then silently memorize it, and it will never be forgotten.
The explosive attention of "Forrest Gump" is most intuitively reflected in the box office.
After earning US$6.7 million on the first day, the box office in the following two days saw a sharp increase of more than 20% in a single day. Finally, the box office of the film reached US$22.9 million in the first three days of the weekend.
Compared with "Jurassic Park 2", this box office figure seems not worth mentioning, but as a literary film, this kind of box office data that represents the imminent explosion of the box office makes everyone excited. After all, it was produced two weeks ago The cost of "Fair Game" is comparable to that of "Forrest Gump", and the three-day box office in the first weekend was only a poor 6.8 million US dollars.
Entering the working day, the box office momentum of "Forrest Gump" has not decreased at all. Compared with Sunday, it has slipped and remained at around US$6 million in a single day.
In the end, "Forrest Gump"'s box office data of more than 47 million U.S. dollars in the first week once again aroused the exclamation of the media, which was almost double or even triple what most media had expected for the film's weekly box office. However, after being emotional, many people couldn't help but feel that this box office figure seems so natural when "Forrest Gump" has almost become an American cultural symbol.
venice beach.
In an Italian seafood restaurant, Amy Pascal smiled and looked at Drew, who was tired of whispering on Eric, holding a coffee cup in his hand and taking a sip from time to time.
After the box office and word-of-mouth of "Forrest Gump" both broke out, Amy has been in a kind of uncontrollable excitement for the past few days. She is finally 100% sure that it was right to give up the position of Vice President of Columbia and jump to the small workshop of Flower Pictures. If the next meeting goes well, she will also become the second female head of the seven major Hollywood film companies after Shirley Lansing.
I don't know what Drew said, Eric stretched out his hand and pinched her little ear, pushed the girl away in a coquettish voice, and said to Amy with a smile: "By the way, you guys deal with Peter Jackson's matter how's it going?"
Amy said: "Although he has no experience in directing big-budget movies, his talent in movies is unquestionable. Moreover, we have seen in detail his complete conception plan for the "Lord of the Rings" series, including scripts, storyboards, and character design." As well as the local filming location he found in New Zealand, it can be said that it is absolutely impossible for us to find a second director in Hollywood who has devoted so much affection to the "Lord of the Rings" series. It is very suitable for him to direct this magical epic series. Eric, do you want to talk to him again sometime?"
"Not for the time being, let him direct one or two films first, and get familiar with the operating rules of Hollywood. When the time is right, you can start the production of this series."
Amy nodded, and she also knew when Eric said the time was right, so she was not in a hurry. Blossom's current project has kept her and Drew busy for a long time.
After the two finished speaking, Drew said enthusiastically again: "Eric, in those photos taken by Jackson, New Zealand is so beautiful, shall we take some time to go there for vacation?"
"Okay, then buy another big farm. Keep some horses."
"Hehe. I don't believe you are interested in raising horses." Drew said with a smile: "Maybe you can exile some little models you don't like there and put them on the farm as pets."
Drew didn't mention it, Eric almost forgot about it, and he hasn't heard any news about Heidi Klum in the past six months, so he scratched the girl's ribs to prevent her from messing up again Instead, he asked, "How's the production going for the films 'Mean Girls' and 'Scream'?"
Drew said: "The filming has already started. That guy Wes Craven doesn't want to go to Canada. "Scream" was selected in Santa Rosa High School in the back of California. I will also start filming in a few days That part of the scene. Also, the crew of "Mean Girls" went to Vancouver, and filming in Canada can save more than 1 million budget, so Tina also followed."
When Eric left Los Angeles last time, the two films were still in preparation. Although it had been more than a month, Eric still felt a little rushed.
Amy seemed to be aware of Eric's thoughts, and took the initiative to explain: "Eric, these two movies involve a lot of campus scenes. These scenes are all filmed before the end of the summer vacation, so we will The schedule is so tight."
Been away from campus for too long. Eric's concept of student holidays has become very vague. Although he has a very clear concept of summer holidays in his mind, this concept is more inclined to commercial terms. Therefore, after hearing Amy's explanation, Eric suddenly realized that at this point. If you don’t shoot in time for the summer vacation, it will be very troublesome to shoot school scenes after the students start school.
The three of them were chatting, and the waiter led a middle-aged man in his fifties over. It was Frank Macasso, the current eo of MGM.
"Sorry, Eric, I'm late," Frank Macasso held out his hand to Eric somewhat apologetically.
Eric got up and shook hands with the other party, and said with a smile: "Of course not, Frank, it's just that we arrived early. These two probably don't need my introduction."
"Of course," Frank Macasso shook hands with Drew and Amy respectively, and complimented, "I recently went to watch "Forrest Gump". It's really an excellent movie with endless aftertaste."
"Thank you for your approval, Mr. Macasso," Amy nodded with a smile.
Frank Macasso sat down on the chair opened by the waiter, and did not forget to add: "Just call me Frank, Amy, we are also acquaintances, aren't we?"
Amy nodded and said, "Of course."
"Let's order first, Frank, I have had lunch here a few times, the pan-fried sea bass here is good, you can try it," Eric took the menu from the waiter, and recommended it to Frank Macasso, thinking But he remembered the first time he ate here two years ago, that time he was with Nicole, and there was a young waitress whose eyes made him feel furious.
After ordering and waiting for the waiter to leave, Eric asked straight to the point: "So, Frank, did Kerkorian make an offer to MGM?"
Frank Macasso nodded, and said: "1.5 billion dollars, and Kerkorian seems to be very eager, and even wants to complete the transaction before July, but Lyon Credit did not give a reply, and they also I will make plans after the release of "GoldenEye" and "Night at the Museum" in July, and I heard that France's Vivendi Group has also contacted Lyon Credit, but I don't know about their offer."
Although Crédit Lyonnais is a universal bank in France, it has no intention of getting involved in the entertainment industry from beginning to end. A few years ago, he became the major shareholder of MGM by mistake because of the financial fraud of the Italian consortium. MGM's shares were confiscated by the court and used to pay off the huge debt owed by the Italian consortium.
Because of the bubble-like expansion that began in the late 1980s, although Lyon Credit once became the largest bank in Europe, in recent years, after the burst of the financial bubble brought about by crazy expansion, Lyon Credit has continuously caused a huge amount of tens of billions of dollars in bad debts. losses, and even reached the brink of bankruptcy.
Under pressure from the French government and shareholders, although MGM's situation has begun to improve, Credit Lyonnais is eager to cash out its MGM shares in exchange for cash to make up for its cash shortage.
Eric guessed that the price of 1.5 billion US dollars should be higher than the price that Kerkorian bought MGM back in his previous life, but this price is still reasonable.
Although MGM is now showing signs of recovery, anyone with a discerning eye can see it. Except for the 007 series. Other blockbusters include Charlie's Angels, Resident Evil, and the upcoming Night at the Museum. None of the control is in the hands of MGM. Moreover, in the past two years, although MGM's operating conditions have stabilized, the huge debt that Kerkorian left for the company has not decreased much.
"Frank, you can contact the relevant person in charge of CLSA when you go back. Our offer is also 1.5 billion US dollars. Let them send someone to negotiate. I know that CLSA is in urgent need of funds, and we can pay off all acquisitions in a short period of time. payment."
Frank Macasso looked at Amy and Drew. Said: "Eric, is it a firefly?"
Eric shook his head and said with a smile: "No, it's Huahua Pictures, and Firefly will not have equity disputes with MGM."
Eric's simple sentence made Frank Macasso secretly startled. Eric did not want Firefly to have an equity dispute with MGM. His intention was easy to guess. shareholding and encountered monopoly obstacles.
According to the current scale of Huahua Pictures and MGM, if they want to reach the level of monopoly, under normal circumstances. It is impossible to develop rapidly without ten or eight years, but there is no shortage of miracles in this world. At the beginning, the little 'firefly' developed into the present giant. It only took seven years.
After considering the wording, Frank Macasso asked: "So, Eric, how will Flower Pictures plan to operate after it acquires MGM?"
Eric gestured to Amy.
Amy smiled. She knew that Frank Macasso was concerned about the arrangements for the original management after Huahua Pictures merged with MGM, and said: "Frank, after the merger, I hope you can continue to stay. North American and global distribution of the company's films."
Frank Macasso is now mainly responsible for the distribution of movies, because apart from 007, MGM has not produced any decent movies in recent years, and he does not expect to be able to replace Amy as the eo of the new company. This arrangement is quite satisfactory, nodded, and said to Eric: "Eric, although the offer of 1.5 billion US dollars is not low, but if Vivendi and Kerkorian join the competition, I think , the final price may be raised to US$1.8 billion. In principle, Credit Lyon will definitely sell MGM to the highest bidder.”
Eric shook his head with a smile, and said, "Frank, I don't think Lyon Credit has any principles to speak of. They don't have any cards and can only choose to accept or not. If they insist on selling MGM to others, I It will immediately cut off all cooperation between Huahua Pictures and DreamWorks and MGM. Without the distribution rights of "Charlie's Angels", "Resident Evil", "Night at the Museum" and other films, MGM will immediately become a few years ago. At that time, I don't believe that anyone will make an offer of US$1.5 billion to them."
Just imagining this scene in his mind, Frank Macasso felt a strong sense of powerlessness. He is very clear that this situation is definitely not something Lyon Credit can bear. While MGM has distribution deals with DreamWorks and Blossom Pictures, Firefly has countless ways to get her way in Hollywood without 'breaking' the contract.
Frank Macasso absolutely doesn't like Kerkorian's control of MGM again. The casino tycoon is just a vampire. He has no idea of making a movie. Like Erman, when MGM’s business situation improved on the surface, it issued a large number of bonds for financing, and then changed the way to put the funds into its own private pockets. When MGM was on the verge of bankruptcy again, it sold it again without hesitation. to the next family. The heavy debt that MGM is currently burdening is the mess left by Kerkorian's repeated operations in the 1980s. The huge debt is just the interest that makes MGM overwhelmed.
Right now, he doesn't know the status of the French Vivendi Group that is interested in MGM, but he knows that choosing to cooperate with Firefly should be the only way out for MGM. Once it merges with Huahua Pictures, he believes that Eric will definitely put DreamWorks into the new company. With a slew of lucrative blockbuster franchises such as "007," MGM will soon recover and become a powerful film company again.
Thinking of being able to personally participate in the recovery of MGM, Frank Macasso was slightly excited, and said to Eric: "Eric, I will bring your words to Lyon Credit."
Eric nodded with satisfaction, and then it was time for a pleasant meal.
An hour later, Frank Macasso left the restaurant, but Eric, Amy, and Drew did not leave, but chatted about Eric's detailed arrangements for the future of Flower Pictures.
Time unknowingly chatted all afternoon, the beach in the distance has been dyed red by the sunset, Eric was about to take the two to leave, when the mobile phone that had been on the table rang.
"I'm Williams," Eric picked up the phone, chatted with the other party, and nodded from time to time. After a while, Eric looked at Amy and De, who were sitting opposite, with a strange smile on his face Lu said, "Do you know Godzilla?"
[515 is coming soon, I hope to continue to hit the 515 red envelope list, and on May 15th, the red envelope rain can give back to readers and promote works. One piece is also love, it must be better!](To be continued.)
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