[Subscribe later]
Although Katzenberg, Frank Wells and other high-level executives have difficulty approving Eric's plan to sell "The Matrix", they also have to admit that in the current situation, getting rid of this project and choosing to cash out in advance is also a solution plan.
Now that the boss had made up his mind, Katzenberg began to discuss the best solution, saying: "Then, I will release the news tomorrow, at least to divert the attention of the media and the public."
Frank Wells also said: "It's not bad to deal with it this way. If it is dragged to the end and no buyer with a suitable bid can be found, it is best not to sell or not to sell."
Frank Wells was obviously still a little unwilling, and Eric didn't want to appear too stubborn, so he nodded in agreement.
Some details were discussed, and everyone ended the topic.
Katzenberg said again: "Eric, Cameron will be able to come up with the director's cut version of "Titanic" at the end of the month. I have seen some samples, and this version may last more than three hours. Me and Cameron Mellon talked about it, hoping he could compress the set to less than 150 minutes, but Cameron insisted that you see the dailies for yourself before deciding.”
Katzenberg's tone was full of helplessness. Obviously, the confrontation between the two was not as light as he said at this time.
Eric thought about it, and the shooting cycle of "Casino Royale" was five months in total. According to the schedule, the crew of the next stop will go to the Czech Republic, and the shooting time will be two weeks. The subsequent Italian shoot will last for a month. The crew will finally shoot for the last two months in the UK, and at the same time carry out some post-production work at the famous Pinewood Studios in London, UK.
After thinking about it for a moment, Eric turned his head and asked Kelly beside him, "What date is this year's Venice Film Festival?"
Kelly said, "August 28."
Eric nodded, and said to the conference phone: "I don't know if it's too late, if possible, let "Titanic" participate in this year's Venice Film Festival, it doesn't matter whether you participate in the competition or not, it's best to be successful. The opening film, besides, I happen to be in Italy next month, so I asked Jim to bring the sample to Europe in advance, so I can watch it first.”
Katzenberg said, "Well, Eric, we'll make it work."
The work efficiency of the Firefly Group is still very high. The next day, the "Los Angeles Times" reported that Firefly might sell the production rights of "The Matrix".
Later, Katzenberg, who was surrounded by reporters at the gate of the Firefly Group headquarters, personally confirmed the news.
For a while, everyone from the media down to the movie fans was in a state of confusion about what happened.
The other big names in Hollywood were even more astonished. They took a lot of small actions in this matter, just wanting to cause some troubles for Firefly in this project. However, no one thought that Firefly would drop the pick at the slightest disagreement.
Moreover, from the very beginning this time, Firefly has prepared a public relations plan.
But after the news was released, movie fans were immediately excited, and under the guidance of the media, they turned their attention to several other major Hollywood producers, and Warner Headquarters in Burbank, Universal Studios, etc. Immediately, the movie fans who had been squatting outside the headquarters of Firefly appeared, and asked the executives of the two film companies to ask them to buy the production rights of "The Matrix".
Of course, some media questioned that Firefly did this to divert attention, and some fans also suspected that Firefly was confusing the public and had no intention of giving up the right to make a sequel to The Matrix. After all, can you imagine Warners selling Batman or Universal selling The Mummy
It's just that these doubts are difficult to persist for too long under the public statements of Firefly's top management.
Although I was very surprised, the reaction speed of the other major Hollywood film companies was definitely much faster than the media and the public. On the day the news came out, countless calls were made to Firefly executives and Eric in the Bahamas.
In the Bahamas, the crew rested for three days, and part of the crew had begun to rush to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, ahead of schedule. Eric will also leave by plane with the last group of people this afternoon.
At this time, in the study room of the villa where Eric lived in Paradise Island, he was answering the phone call from Bill Gates, and he couldn't count how many calls this was in the past two days.
"Yes, Bill, of course this matter is true." Although there were various competitions in private, the two sides did not tear their faces after all, and maintained a superficial harmony. Eric's tone seemed very warm: "However, if Amberlin is interested in this project, you may want to talk to Jeffrey. I am too busy recently to take care of this matter."
There is no doubt that Bill Gates or Amberlin Studios, where Microsoft cooperates with Spielberg and others, has become interested in the "Matrix" project.
From the contract signed between Amberlin Pictures and Paramount a few months ago, everyone can roughly guess the other party's ambitions.
The film contract of eight films in three years is definitely not too much for a latecomer who aspires to become a major studio, but too little. Any major studio in Hollywood, including the now revived MGM, produces more than eight films a year.
Since Microsoft is ambitious, Amberlin Films must have produced more than eight films in three years. Then, these extra films must be used by Amberlin Films to expand its own distribution channels.
However, although Amblin Films has Spielberg as a master, it does not mean that every film he directs will be strongly sought after by theater dealers. What's more, Spielberg has been able to It is said that the production is relatively low. After taking over the operation of the brand-new Amberlin Films, it may be good to be able to direct a film in three years.
Under such circumstances, Amberlin Films desperately hopes for a film project that can have a strong appeal to theater chain operators. Taking advantage of the influence of such a project, Amberlin Films can also quickly cooperate with theater chain operators. Spread out the distribution network.
Therefore, the sequel to "The Matrix", a project with guaranteed box office and influence, is undoubtedly the dream of Amberlin Films.
Bill Gates on the other end of the phone said something more.
Eric just shook his head and said, "Bill, I really can't just give you an offer. It requires everyone to sit down and talk about it. However, you don't have to doubt it. As long as Amberlin's offer is right, we will definitely sell it." , um... 250 million, hehe, Bill, although I don’t want to talk about it now, but if you only offer such a price, I don’t think there is any need for us to continue talking.”
Eric was chatting with Bill Gates, the study door knocked a few times, Kelly pushed the door open, besides her, Miranda Kerr also appeared outside the door with a flattering little face.
Eric waved to the girl, and Miranda walked in, but Kelly didn't follow, but closed the study door again.
Seeing that Eric was on the phone with someone, Miranda felt a little more relaxed. She walked to the desk hesitantly, her eyes wandering from side to side, and looked at the sofa on the left, but she didn't dare to take the initiative to sit there. The little hand, like a primary school student who made a mistake, stood there obediently, looking at Eric pitifully.
Eric looked up at the girl, smiled, and while talking to Bill Gates with the phone in his hands, he pressed the mouse and operated the computer on the desktop a few times.
The printer next to it hummed quickly.
Miranda looked over carefully with squinted eyes, and only after the buzzing stopped did she roughly see the content on the A4 paper, which was a series of credit card payment receipts.
Obviously, it belonged to the Citigroup black card in his hand.
Shrinking her neck, she looked at Eric with some worry, but the energy of the past month could not help appearing in the girl's mind.
Back then when she coquettishly brought a black card from Eric, Miranda actually didn't have any other thoughts in her heart. She just happened to hear that this kind of credit card was of a high level and could even be used for unlimited investment, so she asked Eric out of curiosity. Rick begged. Miranda thought she was a very smart person. Even after checking the eight-figure balance on the credit card at the bank, the girl didn't show too much excitement, because she knew that the money was not her own, and she could neither Don't dare to squander it recklessly.
However, what happened next was still out of her imagination.
It turned out that such a Citi black card represented not only the balance of tens of millions of dollars in the account, but also a symbol of social power.
Because of this black card, her experience in the past month can almost be described as 'responsive'.
From the moment she was in the Bahamas, because of this black card, she has been enjoying the most meticulous care, the VIP lounge at the airport, the 24-hour luxury car and driver in Miami, the private butler of the top hotels in Orlando, and Chanel exclusive The personal service of the store manager.
Even when she was in Orlando, because she had a cold, she called out at midnight, and within half an hour, a medical helicopter took her to the top hospital in Orlando.
Ever since she was a child, even her own parents have never treated her so meticulously. Miranda felt for a moment that perhaps, even the life of a princess in a country was nothing more than this.
Although she is mature in mind, she is still just a little girl after all. The sense of vanity that makes people extremely satisfied quickly made her lost in it. After playing in Miami and Orlando, she still couldn't get enough. The girl flew again on the advice of the travel consultant. I went to New York and attended a sorority meeting of rich kids in the Upper East Side. Although I didn’t know her identity, because of that black card, those boys and girls in the Upper East Side who were originally proud were very attentive to her.
In the end, Miranda didn't dare to check that credit card statement anymore. She just occasionally felt that this kind of princess-like life, even for a month, would be enough.
So, just after a month passed, the joy turned into sorrow.
Waking up in the top suite of the Hilton Hotel in New York, the lobby manager handed her a non-stop ticket to the Bahamas.
Eric chatted with Bill Gates for more than ten minutes, and finally hung up the phone.
Putting down the microphone, Eric looked up at the girl who was bowing her head and tiptoeing, and pointed to the credit card statement on the printer next to her: "Bring it here, let me see."
Miranda walked over anxiously, sorted out a few pages, moved them slowly to Eric's side, and handed them to him. He pointed to where she had just stood.
"Ruined… "
With a sigh in her heart, Miranda stood back obediently, but she still took the initiative: "Eric, I, I'm sorry, I was wrong."
Eric looked at the long bill in his hand.
Luxury car rental, private driver, medical helicopter, Continental breakfast, Prada limited edition girly bag, Carlton Hotel, Dior dress...
Shaking his head from time to time, he sighed in admiration.
At the end of the day, the monthly bill came to $110,000.
With the income level of Americans, a middle-class family where both husband and wife are working may not necessarily have an annual income of 110,000 US dollars.
Eric looked up at the pitiful Miranda. Is this really just a Lolita? No matter how you look at it, it looks like an out-of-control Persian cat, which is still expensive.
Eric suddenly remembered what he saw in his previous life when he was immersed in the night. A cat owner installed a GPRS recorder on his pet, so in the next morning, he saw a series of jaw-dropping routes of his cat.
"Hey, what did I say?" Eric finally asked after a while.
"No, don't mess around, just go back to Los Angeles obediently after playing for a while," Miranda whispered in an extremely submissive voice.
Eric put down the bill in his hand: "What about now?"
"Eric, I was wrong, can you forgive me?"
Of course, Eric doesn't mind the money Miranda spent. With his current asset level, Miranda maintains the current speed of spending money, squandering it for a hundred years, and it is impossible to have much influence on him, but the girl's The performance is really a bit out of proportion.
Without saying anything, Eric held out his hand to the girl: "Bring it."
Eric suddenly remembered what he saw in his previous life when he was immersed in the night. A cat owner installed a GPRS recorder on his pet, so in the next morning, he saw a series of jaw-dropping routes of his cat.
"Hey, what did I say?" Eric finally asked after a while.
"No, don't mess around, just go back to Los Angeles obediently after playing for a while," Miranda whispered in an extremely submissive voice.
Eric put down the bill in his hand: "What about now?"
"Eric, I was wrong, can you forgive me?"
Of course, Eric doesn't mind the money Miranda spent. With his current asset level, Miranda maintains the current speed of spending money, squandering it for a hundred years, and it is impossible to have much influence on him, but the girl's The performance is really a bit out of proportion.
Without saying anything, Eric stretched out his hand to the girl: "Here." (To be continued.)