Chapter 284

Beverly Hills.

Simon is having lunch with Joe Ross, President of fox pictures, in a restaurant near Fox Studios.

It's Friday, August 11.

Denise entertainment signed a settlement agreement with WGA yesterday, and Simon invited Joe Ross to discuss the first of the 10 foreign film plans today.

Simon has been interested in more than one project. The reason why he started from fox is because of Murdoch. These days, Rupert Murdoch called Simon more than once in person, talking about the 10 films. Even when talking to Janet, the woman mentioned that Murdoch had said something to her old man.

Two years ago, fox worked with Simon on three films, butterfly effect, death and instinct, all of which were successful.

In addition, "Butterfly Effect" and "death is coming" also developed sequels last year, but because the success of the first song is due to the external factors of the public's curiosity about Simon, the box office of the second two series was far lower than that of the first one last year.

"Butterfly Effect 2" only took back more than 56 million US dollars at the box office, and "death comes 2" only took more than 38 million US dollars at the box office. In fact, such achievements are very profitable. However, fox has become cautious in developing the third film because of the deep decline compared with the first one.

This year, without the sequels of these two ace horror films, fox's performance immediately fell.

So far, the box office of fox's "boss on holiday" in July is only more than 22 million, without any splash. Last Friday's release of James Cameron's new work "the abyss" is a big hole. The budget of the film finally reached a staggering $69.5 million due to Cameron's repeated overspending.

Hollywood movies usually take an integer budget, such as 10 million and 20 million. Of course, the actual situation is not so coincident. Most of them are just an overall estimate.

Fox didn't round it up to $70 million on the abyss as usual, because studio executives didn't dare to do it again.

After all, although there are many Hollywood movies with a budget of US $50 million to US $60 million in recent years, the only one with a production cost of US $70 million is Who Framed Roger the rabbit. Even for this movie, Disney often pretends that the budget is not that high, but it is actually $45 million.

If you can burn money for a blockbuster like who framed roger rabbit, the result will be good. However, compared with the high production cost, "abyss" is really a box office dumbbell.

According to the statistics released this morning, the box office of the first seven days of "abyss" was only $17.53 million. In contrast, the box office of "the sixth sense of the supernatural" in the sixth week is still as high as US $20.37 million, ranking the top of the box office list.

According to the comprehensive media evaluation and audience feedback, fox's North American box office estimate for "abyss" is only $50 million, and this project is almost doomed to a loss. However, it is still Fox's best box office result of seven films released so far this year. For other films, the highest box office was last month's "boss on holiday" which had $22 million so far. The other six films did not break the box office threshold of $20 million.

In fact, Murdoch has always been less enthusiastic about the film business. He prefers newspapers and television. However, since we have bought fox pictures, we can't be so lukewarm. Therefore, we are eager to get a share of the 10 foreign film cooperation plans of danielis entertainment.

Since he has decided to run Australian capital as his backing, Simon naturally has no reason to refuse Murdoch's request. Moreover, News Corporation's huge global media network is of great benefit to Simon's personal business expansion in the world.

The Murdoch family is good, but not bad.

"Sleeping with the enemy"? Well I remember the story of the wife who couldn't stand her husband's abuse and feigned death. "In the dining room, Joe rose opened Simon's script folder and said," Simon, this story seems to have no selling point. It can only be made into a low-cost thriller. I think the death mark is better. Have you seen it? "

Sleeping with the enemy is actually a movie starring Julia Roberts in the original time and space. It tells the story of a wife trapped by a mentally disordered husband who pretends to drown because she can't bear to be tortured.

The story as a whole seems to have no bright spot, but it is a work that Simon remembers that the box office in North America exceeded 100 million.

Simon has just seen the film.

The success of sleeping with the enemy is not only due to Julia Roberts' participation in the film, but also to the tension of the audience's heart from the beginning to the end.

Therefore, compared with the script that really can't see too many highlights, the rhythm control, suspense setting, atmosphere building and theme music and other details of the film in the production process are very important.

At noon, Simon didn't have much free time to argue with Joe rose. He put down the tableware and looked up and said, "Joe, I'm not interested in death mark. If you like it, you can focus on this project yourself. Let's talk about sleeping with the enemy."Joe Ross laughed awkwardly and said, "so, Simon, what's next?"

Simon simply said, "I've had people evaluate it according to my vision, and the budget for this project is about $15 million. Now start the preparation. If everything goes well, it will be launched in October and released next summer. You can start looking for the right director and producer this afternoon, and I'll get people to contact the actors

Joe Ross thought about it and said, "it's a movie with a woman in charge. Simon, who are you going to make the heroine?"

"I saw a preview review on Hollywood Reporter. You're going to release a new film in October called Beck brothers?"

Joe Roth knew Fox's films like the back of his hand and blurted out: "Michelle Pfeiffer?"

Beck brothers is a musical and dance film co starred by the Briggs brothers and Michelle Pfeiffer. It has also been translated into a love affair. You can tell by the name that it is a very artistic film, and the story is really artistic. It's warm and evocative. It even has the feeling of an old Hong Kong film such as in the mood for love.

Simon nodded and said, "Michelle's acting skills have become more and more proficient in recent years. She is sure to support this film. In addition, if you can, have someone send me a copy. I want to see her performance in this film in advance. The film review said that Michelle's performance this time is enough to get the Oscar nomination, if it is true, it will be more helpful for our film. "

"The beauty of the wind and the moon" is in the process of shooting. Although it can be finished before October, Simon doesn't plan to let Julia continue to play "sleeping with the enemy". Cinderella in the romantic love movie jumps directly to the poor wife who is surrounded by her husband. The image contrast is a little big. Simon is not sure whether the audience can accept it.

Michelle Pfeiffer has just turned 30 this year, and her acting skills are beginning to reach their peak. If she can win the Oscar nomination with Beck brothers next year, her fame will be even higher, and her role in sleeping with the enemy is just right.

If someone else asks for a copy, even if he won't refuse, at least he has to pinch it. However, he readily agreed: "I'll have the copy sent to Denise entertainment headquarters in the afternoon."

Simon nodded with satisfaction and said, "one more thing, about James Cameron, I heard that he has finished the script of Terminator 2. Fox can buy the copyright of terminator and shoot the film, which can be used as the second project of danielis entertainment and fox."

When Joe Ross heard this, his face became bitter and he said, "Simon, because of the abyss, even if I'm willing to continue working with James, the board of directors of the company won't approve it."

"I've just said that this is the second project that danielis entertainment is working with Fox," Simon said, adding, "besides, you just need to take the copyright of terminator and Cameron's script. We don't have to let him be the director."

Joe rose immediately understood, but he was a little confused.

If Simon is optimistic about this project, why don't Denise entertainment take it personally.

Simon saw Joe Ross's doubts and explained with a smile: "I've had people contact with the copyright owners of terminator before, but it didn't work. Now, when you come to the door, you must be beaten hard. "

Terminator 2 was the North American box office champion of the year in 1991. The global box office exceeded 500 million US dollars. Simon naturally wanted to monopolize this project.

However, since the plan of 10 films has been put forward, if there are no big hit films from the beginning to the end, other Hollywood studios will definitely not be so enthusiastic in the future.

After all, the reason why Hollywood is excited about these 10 projects this time is that it looks forward to such a surprise as the sixth sense. Otherwise, with 10% of the distribution Commission of various channels, other studios will only have 60% of the profits in these projects.

In this way, the $100 million North American box office movie is only equivalent to $60 million.

Of course, the $60 million box office in North America is definitely not low in this era.

Not counting last year's box office boom, another year or two ago, the $60 million North American box office was enough to make it into the top 10 of the annual list. Even in the next few years, there will only be about 20 Hollywood films with an annual box office of more than 60 million US dollars. Even if all the films go to the seven major studios, there will be less than 3 films per studio on average.

What's more, Simon didn't plan to choose 100 million yuan projects this time, which requires several big movies to support the performance of the project.

The main reason for giving up Terminator 2 is that the "cost performance" of this project is relatively low.

The original version of Terminator 2 is the first Hollywood movie with a production cost of more than 100 million US dollars. Now, even if Cameron is kicked out and another director is changed according to Simon's plan, the producer is no longer karock film, which is famous for its profligacy in the circle, and the budget of the film will never be much lower. It's just right to take it out.

After the talk, lunch will be over soon.Simon and Joe Ross had just walked out of the restaurant when some reporters gathered around them.

"Mr. westlow, are you discussing the film partnership with Joe Roth?"

"Joe, can you tell me what it's about?"

"Simon, are you really psychic? “

“……”

“……”

"The sixth sense" box office in North America is about to break through the $200 million mark, which can be called overwhelming.

Due to the general concern from all walks of life, Denise Entertainment's 10 foreign film cooperation plan has become the focus of recent media pursuit. In the two weeks since the plan was made public, daenerys entertainment has not made any real action, which has aroused strong curiosity from the media and the public.

Simon's bodyguard came up quickly to block the reporter and escort him to the car by the side of the road.

Although Joe Ross enjoyed being chased by reporters, he didn't rush to reveal anything. He just let reporters around him pay attention to Fox's announcement, and then hurried back to Fox Studios.

Santa Monica.

As soon as Simon got back to Denise's entertainment headquarters office, Jennifer came in.

"Forbes magazine will release the new year's Forbes 400 list next month. They contacted us in the morning to see if we could offer some materials. If you can, they also want you to have an exclusive interview. "

Simon shook his head without hesitation and said, "we don't cooperate with or hinder this matter. Let them figure it out for themselves."

"Well, it's not very good to put it on the bedside table in the bedroom," she said

Simon took a look at the check he had signed to Linda Carter on Monday.

I think it was discovered by Jennifer during her routine cleaning of the villa this morning.

Simon hasn't been to palisade since last Sunday. He thought the woman would take the check away, but the other party still kept it.

Pretending to put it aside unintentionally.

"Uncle buck" is on today. John Hughes has come to Los Angeles from Chicago in recent days to cooperate with the film promotion. Simon made an appointment at 1 pm to discuss the second film in the contract. Of course, Simon's real purpose is to confirm "the kid is home".

The time will come soon.

Look opposite.

The female assistant is still standing in the same place, head down, seems to be very seriously reading the documents in her hands, did not mean to leave.

After a little confrontation for a moment, Simon had to take the initiative to explain: "well, I'm a very suspicious boss. Of course, I have to test whether the cleaners can steal. The result is not bad."

Jennifer glanced over slightly, with a smile on her lips, like a curious baby who wanted to continue to listen to the story.

Simon had no choice but to straighten up his face and put on the boss's airs and said, "John is coming soon. First, make a pot of coffee and wait for me to deduct your salary!"

As she turns around, she does not forget to repeat a little habitual threat: "I'll tell Jennie."