During the filming of "Casino Royale", Eric took the time to read the scripts of the two sequels of "The Matrix" by the Wachowski Brothers for a week.
Although there are some differences between the new script and the original storyline, the confusing plot style remains unchanged.
In the original time and space, because of the success of the first film, the Wachowski brothers had enough production power in the production process of the sequel, so they tried their best to stuff private goods into the two sequels.
With its cool action design, innovative shooting techniques and profound philosophical connotation, the first part of "The Matrix" has aroused huge repercussions around the world and gathered a large number of fans. The subsequent second sequel, although the plot began to collapse, but with the accumulated box office appeal of the first film and the coolness supported by a large number of special effects shots, it still harvested more than 700 million US dollars in box office worldwide. However, the quality of the second part is far lower than that of the first part, which quickly consumed the popularity accumulated in this series, which directly led to the box office Waterloo of the third part.
Many people think that the reason why the third part of "The Matrix" has the lowest box office in the series is related to Time Warner's overly eager scheduling. The difference between the release time of the two sequels is less than half a year.
But in fact, from Time Warner's ten-year steady brand management of the "Harry Potter" series, it can be seen that they don't understand the truth that too close a series of releases will affect the box office. It's just that "The Matrix 3" was completely reduced to mediocrity and low quality, so that Time Warner didn't dare to procrastinate, so in line with the idea of getting back as much as it can, when the popularity of "The Matrix" has not completely cooled down, try to It is possible to arrange for the video to be uploaded earlier.
Facts also prove that Time Warner is correct in doing so. With the reputation of "The Matrix 3" being completely rotten, the release was delayed for one or two years, and the influence of the first two films has dissipated. At that time, the global box office can get 300 million. It is impossible to reach more than 400 million return lines.
Eric also hopes that the two sequels can be shot continuously, which can save a lot of costs.
However, in order to avoid the "Matrix" series from repeating the previous mistakes, Eric still dismissed this idea, rejected the continuous shooting plan in his reply to the Wachowski brothers, and asked the two brothers to rewrite the script.
Eric also made up his mind that if the script never satisfies him, the series will simply be shelved for a long time. Firefly has collected enough copyright resources in the past few years, and Marvel alone is enough to develop for 30 years. Therefore, the company does not rely heavily on these popular series, and has enough confidence to pursue excellence.
Los Angeles.
The release of the "Matrix" series has entered its third week. Because there are no strong new films released, the film's box office fell by only a weak 21% in the second week, and it once again received 61.97 million US dollars.
It happened to be Saturday, and Katzenberg did not rest. He received Eric's reply to the script of "The Matrix". In the morning, he specially invited the Wachowski brothers to have breakfast at Firefly Studios in Playa Vista. , and told Eric's decision.
"What Eric means is that you can add your own thinking, but the premise is that the sequel script must be a complete and smooth story. However, the script you gave is more like fragments. If there is no complete story, It will undoubtedly be even more of a disaster if the official shooting starts, so the script must be rewritten, and the specific opinions are all in the file," Katzenberg handed a folder to the two brothers sitting across from him, and continued : "In addition, Eric also vetoed the plan to shoot two episodes in succession, you can only do one episode at a time."
For Eric's request that they completely rewrite the script, the two brothers were obviously a little depressed, and even resentful. Both brothers felt that the current success of "The Matrix" should largely be attributed to their joining various ideas of his own.
But the copyright of "The Matrix" is firmly in the hands of Firefly, and even Firefly still maintains the power to remove the director. Although after the film hit the box office, the brothers naturally gained some bargaining power, and it was impossible for Firefly to change directors easily, but the initiative still rests with Firefly.
Andy Wachowski took the folder, opened it and looked at it. It was the script he left behind, but there were some more annotations on it.
After thinking about it, Andy Wachowski fought for it: "Jeffrey, if the script is completely rewritten, it may take a long time. Maybe it may not be done in a year or two. At that time, the film The heat has passed, so, I think, we can make revisions on the basis of this draft script."
Hollywood movies, unless they completely become a cultural phenomenon like "Star Wars", will still have a large number of diehard fans after more than ten years of reboot. Otherwise, the production interval of the sequel will be between two and three years. If it is too long, most of the popularity accumulated by the previous work may have disappeared, and the box office risk of the sequel will also rise sharply.
Although the Wachowski brothers have not been in Hollywood for too long, they have already understood this truth, so they said these words with a slight threat: If the script is completely overthrown, the two brothers will not guarantee that the film will be released in the next few years. able to boot.
Of course, Katzenberg understood what the brothers said, and said: "Eric just mentioned this point. If the script is still unsatisfactory, Firefly will shelve this series for a long time."
Larry Wachowski said abruptly: "If the project is on hold for a long time, what about the agreement we signed with Firefly?"
At the beginning, as a condition for getting the directing rights of "The Matrix", both Wachowski brothers signed three film option contracts with Firefly, that is to say, before they cooperated with Firefly to complete the three films, the two brothers It is impossible to cooperate with other film companies, otherwise it will be regarded as a breach of contract.
In order to ensure that the "Matrix" trilogy can be completed in full, the original "Shocking Flower" was not counted in this contract, that is to say, the brothers still owe Firefly two film contracts at this time.
When Katzenberg heard Larry Wachowski's question, he shrugged slightly and said, "So, I suggest that you still concentrate on finishing the script of the sequel."
Andy Wachowski probed: "If the script doesn't get finished for a long time, can we make other films, or work with... other studios first?"
"Other films, as long as the project is good enough, maybe it can," Katzenberg replied ambiguously: "However, with other film companies, unless you complete the contract, otherwise this is impossible. The reason you are popular is not for you to use your fame to make money for other film companies, the whole of Hollywood has no such reason."
Katzenberg's increasingly tough tone made the brothers unhappy, but they also knew, frustratingly, that it would be difficult to get out of the contract.
Here, the two sides do not have much to exchange.
Andy Wachowski put away the folder in front of him expressionlessly, got up and said: "We know these things, if there is nothing else, we will leave first."
Katzenberg got up and politely extended his hand to the brothers: "Then, goodbye."
He personally sent the Wachowski brothers out of the restaurant, Katzenberg returned to his seat, Frank Wells had already sat down, he had already arrived at the restaurant just now, but he did not disturb Katzenberg and the Wachowski brothers exchange.
After Katzenberg sat down, Frank Wells said, "Jeffrey, you don't have to be so harsh with the two of them, you can be more gentle."
"It's your job to reassure people, not mine," Katzenberg joked with a smile.
He has seen "Fantasy Flowers" filmed by the Wachowski Brothers, coupled with the haunting script of the recent "Matrix" sequel, with so many years of experience in Hollywood production, Kasenberg Grid felt in his heart that apart from "The Matrix", the two brothers would not achieve much in Hollywood.
Both of them are too obsessed with their own video world. This strong personal style may give them a chance to win an Oscar, but it is difficult to make a difference at the box office.
As for the Oscars, Katzenberg is also not very interested. He feels that the most fundamental purpose of a film company is to pursue profits, and honors are just icing on the cake. When he was in charge of Disney animation, whenever animators wanted to increase the "artistic quality" of the animation, Katzenberg would satirize the other party "Do you want to win an Oscar?" This sentence even became his mantra for a time
"Well, when you need me to help you calm down, just say it," Frank Wells also joked.
Frank Wells has been the company's known moderate since his Disney days. In the 1980s, Disney's board of directors originally planned to let him and Eisner co-CEO of Disney. deadlock. In the era of fireflies, because of the appearance of Eric, Frank Wells escaped the air crash that he should have encountered in the original time and space, Katzenberg took over, and Frank Wells still conscientiously played the role of the second in command of the Firefly Group , His mellow and indisputable character also makes most of the company's management respect him, even Katzenberg is no exception.
The two were chatting, and after drinking a cup of coffee, Frank Wells calmly handed Katzenberg a copy of the box office data, saying: "Our box office situation this week seems to be a little bit bad."
According to Hollywood's box office statistics cycle, yesterday was the first day of a new week. Before Katzenberg had time to check Friday's box office data report, he took the A4 handed over by Frank Wells. Look at the data table.
Just at the first glance, Katzenberg frowned slightly.
The number one single-day box office in the new week is not Firefly's "Into the Deadly Island" this week, but a black comedy called "Professor Fatty" by Universal Pictures.
"This... seems to be Eddie Murphy's new movie?"
As the leader of Firefly, Katzenberg is well aware of the blockbuster new film of the summer competitor, but before that, he did not pay special attention to this black comedy starring Eddie Murphy, so his tone was a bit puzzled.
Since "Beverly Hills Cop 3" failed at the box office, Eddie Murphy has been quiet in recent years. In other words, many people, including Katzenberg, feel that with the strong momentum shown by Firefly, it is almost a matter of course that "Into the Deadly Island" will win the box office champion position on the first day and the first week.
But the result was that "Professor Fatty" had a box office of 7.9 million US dollars on the first day, while "Into the Deadly Island" had a box office of more than 7.4 million on the first day. On the first day of its release, "Into the Deadly Island" lost after all.
When the unexpected box office data came out, Frank Wells called Katzenberg and found it in a hurry.
"Yes," Frank Wells nodded, with a worried tone, and said, "I don't think this is a good sign, you know, and the "Titanic" that Cameron is working on..."
Although Katzenberg also felt that something was wrong, he still comforted him: "Let's call Brian from the distribution department for a meeting and discuss it first. But, Frank, this is only the first day's data That’s all, what’s more, we have nothing to worry about, even if one or two films fail at the box office, the share price of Firefly will not drop by 10%, because we are not listed at all, haha.” Katzenberg laughed Laughing, he continued: "What's more, you also saw the revenue from the recent TV advertisement bidding."
"I just think that Eric's strategy of making films in recent years has been a bit too risky, either newcomers, or super big productions. Although, well, Michael Bay, David Fincher and the Wachowski Brothers They have all proved their strength, but our good luck may not last forever, I think we need to communicate with Eric, he should not be so... self-willed anymore."
Katzenberg could feel the sincerity in Frank Wells' tone, he was really thinking about the fireflies.
In fact, Katzenberg also feels the same way, but although he knows that Eric is definitely not the kind of headstrong person, so far, although the films led by Eric have not been satisfactory at the box office, in general, But none of them have encountered a very tragic failure, which is almost a miracle in Hollywood.
For a person who has not experienced failure, you run out and tell him that your method is wrong, the rules are not like this, you should do this, you should do that...
When Katzenberg thought about it, he felt that this kind of scene was a bit weird. There has always been only one rule in Hollywood, winner and loser. If your movie can achieve a high box office and make investors a huge profit, then you are a hero in Hollywood.
"I agree with your point of view," Katzenberg thought for a while, and said, "It's just that the timing is not right now. We, perhaps, should wait until the end of the year. Well, by then, Eric will obviously be more receptive to our opinions. "
Obviously, Katzenberg is also very pessimistic about the box office prospects of "Titanic".
Frank Wells immediately understood when he heard the words, nodded and said: "Okay, then we will talk about it later. By the way, FFM, Weinstein suggested that he wants to buy Brad Gray's production company , have you received a report?"
"Well, Harvey wants to build FFM's production department. Brad Gray happens to be his former deputy. However, it is unnecessary to buy Brad Gray's production company, except that Eric personally chooses the production department. Brad Gray's production company has a part of the investment rights in the TV series in the movie, and I don't think there is any value in it."
When the two talked about FFM, the topic just now was unknowingly diverted... (To be continued.)