Chapter 318： Hire Heroes

In the past life, the superhero market in Hollywood was very chaotic, and there were "Marvel Universe", "DC Universe", "Spider-Man Universe", "X-Men Universe" and so on.

Among them, the "Marvel Universe" dominated by the Avengers and the "DC Universe" dominated by the Justice League are the most popular. One takes the humorous and relaxed route, and the other takes the dark, deep and tragic route.

In contrast, "Spider-Man Universe" and "X-Men Universe" are just money-sucking weapons and have not formed enough brand calls.

Now, the copyright of "Spider-Man" is firmly in the hands of Dunn, and Sony's "Spider-Man Universe" can't make trouble. Taking advantage of foresight, Dunn doesn't mind consolidating the witty and funny "Avengers". On the basis of this, a deep and tragic site of the "Justice League" was seized.

Start the Avengers hero mode with Spider-Man!

Turn on the antihero mode of the Dark Ages with Daredevil!

Of course, this is not Dunn's whimsy. There are more than 5,000 superheroes under Marvel, and there are many anti-heroes with tragic colors, such as Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Dark Night Werewolf...

Today's exchange seminar is to establish the future strategic direction of Marvel Pictures, which will be Dunn's biggest gold-absorbing trump card industry in the film market.

Veteran filmmaker Bill McNick pondered for a long time and said slowly: "I think this way of thinking is fine. Walking on two legs, one light and one dark, adjust the movie's release date to reconcile the audience's viewing tastes. It’s like a big meal, the more flavors and varieties, the more popular it is.”

Tang En said with a smile: "Actually, there are more than two legs, apart from light and darkness, is there no middle ground? This is a larger space for opening up, such as the 'Deadpool' of **** and fart, and the 'Doctor Strange' of the magic halo. , you can walk freely between the two forces."

Joe Quesada thoughtfully said: "Doctor Strange... Marvel's comics have had a wide range of discussions on the magical world. If this window can be opened, the market will be even bigger."

Nina Jacobson immediately rejected, "In a short period of time, it is not appropriate to expand the scope too much."

Kevin Feige laughed: "Maybe we create two alliance forces, one is the positive and sunny 'Avengers', and the other is the dark and ruthless 'Midnight Sons'."

Joe Quesada explained: "The Midnight Sons Alliance...consisting mainly of Blades, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Night werewolves, Morbius and Humanoids, they used supernatural powers to defend the darkness of Earth because of the sunlight. Where there will be shadows.”

Although Andrew O'Hair doesn't know much about comics, he has seen "Blade Runner" produced by New Line Cinema and said solemnly: "Darkness does not mean killing! We are discussing movies, and we must promote correct values! Plot It can be deep and even cruel, such as "Saving Private Ryan", but the value output must be positive."

Bill McNick echoed: "Large-scale killings may attract temporary attention and become the focus, but they are not suitable for series works, which will have a great negative impact on Marvel."

This is true.

In the previous life, the dark, deep, depressing and suffocating "Batman: The Dark Knight", the global box office exceeded 1 billion, just because the values ​​​​are lamentable and admirable.

The equally dark, but violently slaughtered "Blade Warrior", "The Punisher", "Erica" ​​and other comic-reformed movies have suffered box-office waterloos one after another, allowing Marvel to successfully recover the copyright without spending a penny.

Tang En said: "Deepness is not violence, I agree. Our definition of Daredevil is an epic hero image, and it is inappropriate for him to start the 'Midnight Sons Alliance'. Our purpose is not to oppose, but to complement each other. Except' The witty and light-hearted line of the Avengers' series remains the same, and we're going to make a variety of other genres at the same time to present diversity, rather than settling on the dark tone."

"I understand now." Alan Vann nodded and smiled slightly, "You can shoot the somber Daredevil, the comical Deadpool, the magical Doctor Strange. ", and the awe-inspiring devil spokesperson "Ghost Rider". Through the diversity of subject matter, to enhance fans' unpredictability of Marvel."

"It's better to form an alliance to integrate these independent style superheroes. Otherwise, they can't join the Avengers because of such a mess, and there will be a sense of chaos." Andrew O'Hare said hesitantly.

Kevin Feige suddenly thought of something and exclaimed: "Hire Heroes!"

Hire a team of heroes?

what?

Even Dunn was confused about this organization.

Stan Lee explained with a smile: "This is a superhero organization of Marvel, mainly in the form of a business, gathering a group of independent heroes who are separated from many forces, providing paid security and professional investigation services. Founding The people are Luke Cage and Iron Fist, they are both good friends of Daredevil, and they are members of the Defenders League, which was introduced by Daredevil, which is very good!"

"Luke Cage and Iron Fist?" Dunn raised his brows, "These two characters have little development value."

Kevin Feige waved his hand and said with a smile: "Then ignore it, anyway, the movie can be adapted properly. The second-generation hired hero group was formed by the fog knight, and it is a black heroine, uh... The value is lower, We could have a different creator, like... Erica, Daredevil's girlfriend."

"It's better to be concise, it's too confusing and will confuse fans." Tang En frowned, a little uncertain.

Kevin Feige's brain is very flexible and quickly integrates several clues-

"The script setting of the first part of Daredevil must revolve around the villain Jin Bing, and also cannot avoid Daredevil's girlfriend Erica, who happens to be loyal to Jin Bing. It can be done like this. Writing, Daredevil gave up love for justice, offended Erica, defeated Kim and saved New York. The discussion here involves love, freedom and justice, which is deep and philosophical enough."

"There is no Spider-Man among the founders of 'Avengers', little spider... It can only be regarded as Iron Man's little nephew, he is not eligible to join. But the first "Avengers", Spider-Man must appear, borrow him Its popularity attracted the box office. After Spider-Man failed to join the 'Avengers', he was invited by his good friend Daredevil to join the 'Heroes for Hire' founded by Erica, who had returned to justice."

"Oh, by the way, I want to say that the 'hired hero group' in the comics includes Spider-Man, Black Widow, Erica, Namor, Falcon, Deadpool, Ghost Rider, Punisher, Moonlight Knight, Gargoyle and other superheroes are powerful. So in movies such as Daredevil, Ghost Rider, and Spider-Man, you can leave foreshadowing and set up easter eggs.”

Nina Jacobson was very satisfied with the assistant and said with a smile: "The Avengers can assemble, hire heroes... Of course they can assemble!"

Kevin Feige said a little excitedly: "That's what it means! These are two powerful hero organizations in two different directions. When encountering a powerful enemy, the Avengers can work together to fight, and of course the hired hero group also The goal can be unified. If you encounter a more powerful enemy, even the Avengers can't compete... At that time, maybe the two organizations can join hands and fight together!"

Dunn suddenly thought of the scene in "Avengers 3", where superheroes from all over the universe are assembled to fight against the tyrant Thanos.

Kevin Feige continued: "Because they live in New York, Spider-Man and Black Widow are both affiliated with the Avengers and the Hire Heroes, which can just be used as a lubricant, balancing the forces and relationships between the two sides, for the future. A united front, foreshadowing against a more powerful enemy."

Dunn really did not expect.

This was originally a discussion meeting for the Daredevil movie project, and it would eventually turn into a sci-fi fantasy meeting.

But I have to admit that Kevin Feige is indeed clear-headed and has ideas!

In his previous life, he was able to lead Marvel to integrate comics and adapt and create a series of big-selling films in the "Avengers" series despite the serious lack of copyright, which is indeed unique. UU reading

It's just that this "hired hero group" never appeared in the previous life, and Tang En was not completely sure.

"It's a good idea." Dunn applauded first, and then said, "But don't worry, you can release a few movies like Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Moonlight Knight first, and have a look. The market reacts. If the market reacts strongly, there is an urgent need to build an organization on par with the 'Avengers', and it's not too late to combine these heroes."

Nina Jacobson said: "Yes, according to our estimates, the first assembly of the Avengers will be at least until 2006. We still have sufficient time to demonstrate and conceive, so we don't have to rush to conclusions. Right now... The project of Daredevil is to be finalized first, and it must be foolproof!"

Dunn waved his hand in a grand manner, "There is no limit to the budget! Well, just like "Spider-Man", the budget cost is 150 million US dollars! Chris, I hope you can show all your strength and prove my vision !"

"$150 million..."

Even though Christopher Nolan was mentally prepared and knew that Dunn would definitely reuse himself, he took a breath of surprise when he heard this number.

The last film, "Memento," cost only $5 million, and received $25 million at the box office, far less than "Chainsaw," which grossed $78 million in North America and $65 million overseas.

But the result?

Zack Snyder only got a "Resident Evil" with a budget of $35 million, and he has already taken over "Daredevil" with a budget of $150 million.

Through such a fiercely confrontational seminar, Christopher Nolan has become more aware of the importance of Daredevil to Marvel Studios.

This is trust and responsibility!

(Sanqi Chinese)