Li Mu's eyes turned red when he heard this.
Not only him, but also Senior Brother Liu next to him burst into tears, while Anne Hathaway didn't say a word, but her face was already filled with tears.
No one expected that a story Spielberg told casually would move a table of people so much.
With tears rolling down her big eyes, Anne Hathaway asked Spielberg with a choked sob: "Director Spielberg, is that lonely old lady in the last scene the American nurse in The Flying Tigers?"
Spielberg nodded slightly: "That's right."
Li Mu took a deep breath, raised his head and waited for a long time to stop the tears from flowing down. After finally holding back the tears, he solemnly asked Spielberg: "Steven, the budget for this movie is about how long?"
Spielberg said: "Except for the cast, based on China's labor costs, resource costs and price levels, I believe that the production cost of the movie should not exceed US$50 million, and probably US$35 million. It can be done very well, but there is a lot of room for fluctuation in the cost of actors, and it mainly depends on the casting."
Li Mu said without hesitation: "The first male lead must be Tom Hanks, and the third male lead must be Leonardo DiCaprio. I hope Annie will play the role of the female nurse in the Flying Tigers. Paired with some supporting actors with good enough Hollywood acting skills."
As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, Anne Hathaway, who had been crying sadly, waved her hands hurriedly and said in a panic: "Mr. Li, this role is too heavy and I can't handle it..."
Li Mu looked at her and asked: "Why can't you control it? You definitely can't control an old female nurse. This has to be left to the makeup artist, but there is no one more suitable for a young female nurse than you!"
Anne Hathaway subconsciously blurted out: "Mr. Li, I... I'm afraid that I can't play such a role well and will discredit the entire movie..."
"No." Li Mu said firmly: "Annie, I believe in my vision. In my opinion, this movie and this role are tailor-made for you!"
Spielberg couldn't help but nod at this time and said: "Annie, Mr. Li is right, this role is definitely yours!"
Anne Hathaway looked at Spielberg and then at Li Mu. Seeing that their eyes were particularly insistent and encouraging, she couldn't help but nodded with tears in her eyes, clenched her fists and said, "Then I will try my best to perform well." This character…”
"This is the attitude I want!" Li Mu gave a hint, nodded, and then asked Spielberg: "Steven, how much salary budget is needed for such a lineup?"
Spielberg hesitated for a moment and said: "If we go by Hollywood's external quotation, the actual salary of the two actors should add up to around 35 million US dollars. Annie's salary is relatively lower, but at least it must be within 35 million U.S. dollars." About 40 million.”
Li Mu nodded. Forty million dollars was expensive, but he couldn't afford it. It mainly depends on whether the story is good or not.
Li Mu personally approves of Spielberg's script concept. In his opinion, this script can definitely be regarded as a relatively large subject in war movies, both in terms of historical significance and war scenes. , and the elements of the story span the Eastern and Western hemispheres, the two races of China and the United States, span different cultures, different histories, and different values, and finally join hands to fight against Japan for freedom and liberation. This kind of story is unique in history It is a very rare material.
Most of the World War II movies in the Western world are adapted around the story of the entire European battlefield of World War II. Although Americans helped Britain and France fight against Germany, in the end, it was white people helping white people. The United States and Britain were of the same origin hundreds of years ago. From this point of view Judging from the above, the story of the Flying Tigers is more majestic and soul-stirring than the story of the Americans landing in Europe.
Moreover, the main theme of this movie is very respectful of history. No matter how high the international status of RB is, how high its recognition is, or how thorough its westernization is, people around the world should remember this history and the Chinese people's contribution to the world. The sacrifices made must also bear in mind the harm RB has done to the Chinese people and the people of the world!
For this story and for Westerners to understand the courage and perseverance of the Chinese nation, he was willing to spend this money!
So, Li Mu waved his hand and said without hesitation: "Steven, money is never a problem. This movie will be approved immediately. Please help me make an appointment with them. If possible, I hope to start preparations as soon as possible. As for Investment, today I promise to invest 100 million US dollars in production costs. If DreamWorks doesn’t want to invest, it doesn’t have to spend a penny. I will give you 10% of the profit share. If DreamWorks wants to invest, I will give you up to 20% more investment space. .”
The purpose of giving DreamWorks a share is to allow Spielberg and the DreamWorks team to go all out. It would be better if they are willing to invest. What Li Mu needs is not that they help him share the investment, but that they really invest in it.
Spielberg knows that Li Mu is not short of money. Tens of millions of dollars or even 100 million dollars are nothing to him. And the most important thing is that Li Mu has such strong appeal in China that even a small-budget romance film can do it. The box office exceeded 400 million and continues to rise. If such a large production is promoted more vigorously, it will definitely be able to obtain higher box office returns.
And his influence in Hollywood is not limited. Such a movie that combines Chinese and American elements will definitely attract the attention of American audiences, and if it is distributed overseas by a Hollywood company, it will not only be in North America, but also the box office in other countries. Can guarantee.
In this way, Li Mu is responsible for the release and box office in China, and DreamWorks is responsible for the release and box office in North America and other countries. As long as everyone performs their duties, they can at least guarantee a global box office of more than 300 million US dollars.
And more importantly, Li Mu’s YY has become a global super Internet product. The number of users, influence, and information delivery capabilities on a global scale are amazingly powerful. With its support, the global box office will be able to get more success. Further improvement, so even if this movie really needs to spend a total budget of 100 million US dollars, it will definitely make a profit without losing money.
Spielberg is thinking about money, but Li Mu is thinking about the image of the country and the nation in the world.
He knew that if he invested tens of millions of dollars and hired a Hollywood team to film a domestic war of resistance against Japan, as long as the budget was in place, he would be able to film those classic battles vividly, and he would also be able to film the Chinese people's fight against the RB* The heroic and tragic Japanese invasion, and such a movie may not be worse than "Saving Private Ryan", "The Battle of Stalingrad", "Tiger" or "Hacksaw Ridge".
But the most critical question is: Li Mu’s fundamental goal is to make some commercial films about the Chinese Anti-Japanese War that the whole world can accept and like. The key point is that they must be accepted by the whole world and must be absolutely commercial. At present, in the global film industry, only Hollywood can be accepted by the whole world, so the film Li Mu wants to make must incorporate Hollywood elements.
It is also from a business perspective that Spielberg chose such a story with actual American participation. Otherwise, if it were all Chinese stories, the Hollywood elements would not be intuitively highlighted, and there would still be no way to break through. world.
Moreover, the commercialization of Hollywood is indeed unparalleled. This can be seen from Spielberg. He deliberately set the characters in the script of this movie to be so distinct and contrasting. In fact, it was just for commercialization. Think about it, whether it is the background selection, plot and character design, or love story, it is very commercial and full of Hollywood characteristics.
If this movie is made, first of all, for Westerners, they will never reject it. For Americans, this is a story about Americans helping people in other countries gain freedom and liberation overseas, and it can cater to them. The world police mentality, and there are so many Hollywood stars and famous directors, will definitely have a strong influence;
Not to mention the Chinese people. No one would have dared to imagine a Chinese Anti-Japanese War movie with a budget of US$100 million in 2020. Li Mu has realized it, which will probably make the people of the country excited;
For people in other countries, except for RB, the people of the remaining countries don’t have to think about it that much. Hollywood + Spielberg + Tom Hanks + Leonardo DiCaprio + 100 million US dollars The production budget is enough to support them to enter the cinema.
Film and television works have a strong ability to instill values, and are the ultimate means to truly moisten things without making a sound. If this film achieves commercial success around the world, it will surely achieve deeper success.
Li Mu wants to let the world know the real Chinese history, the real Chinese people, and the Chinese culture and spirit through this movie.
Spielberg also didn't expect that Li Mu would be so straightforward. He could make a decision of 100 million US dollars in less than a meal. Even if he is a well-known director, he has never encountered such a generous investor who does not hesitate to pay any cost. For him, this is a great opportunity that he has been dreaming of. Because the budget is sufficient, he can make the film as perfect as possible and realize all his ambitions as much as possible.
So Spielberg also said excitedly: "Mr. Li, please come up with a name for this movie!"
Li Mu shook his head and smiled: "The best Chinese name I can think of is Top Gun, but it has already been taken up by your "Top-Gun", although I think this movie is more suitable for Top Gun than "Top-Gun" These four words, but I don’t want to collide with that kind of idol blockbuster. If you have no objection, I suggest using the simplest name Flying Tigers. As for the English name, use the literal translation name: Flying-Tigers!”
Spielberg immediately said: "No problem! Just use this name! Flying-Tigers!"
Li Mu smiled cheerfully and said: "Steven, please come up with a script and detailed plan as soon as possible. We need to get this movie moving as soon as possible!"
Spielberg was also very excited, nodded and said: "Don't worry, I will do it as soon as possible!"
Brother Liu on the side promised 100 million US dollars as soon as Li Mu opened his mouth. He couldn't help but remind him in a low voice: "Li Mu, the story is indeed a good story, but you still have to think carefully about the story directed by Spielberg." , mainly revolves around the American Flying Tigers and the Chinese Flying Tigers, but the Chinese Flying Tigers back then were completely a team of the GM Party. The story structure of this movie does not include the plot of our party fighting the Japanese army. Will it be influenced by some A kind of resistance?"
Li Mu shook his head and said seriously: "Senior Brother Liu, you are judging a gentleman with a villain's heart."
Senior Brother Liu's eyes widened with confusion on his face.
Li Mu said: "Have you seen "The Bloody Battle of TEZ"? It is one of the most classic war movies in China. It was filmed in 1985, but it tells the story of the GM Party army fighting the Japanese army in TEZ. This is national history, and it is all It is a historical fact that the Chinese people resisted the RB invaders."
Senior Brother Liu blushed instantly and said with great embarrassment: "When you said that, I remembered it. I have watched "Blood Battle TEZ" many times, and the filming is really good... Blame me, blame me..."
(End of chapter)