Chapter 796： I have no such obligation

In the filming of "Royal Casino", Eric took a week to take a look at the Wachowski brothers' scripts about the two sequels of "The Matrix." ?

Although the new script and the original storyline have some differences, the style of the story that makes people feel puzzled is still unchanged.

In the original time and space, the Wachowski brothers had enough production rights in the sequel production process because of the success of the first part, so they made a sequel to the two sequels.

The first part of "The Matrix", with its cool action design, innovative shooting techniques and profound philosophical connotations, has caused great repercussions on a global scale and has gathered a large number of fans. Subsequent second sequel, although the plot began to collapse, but with the first accumulated box office appeal, and the coolness of a large number of special effects shots, still harvest more than 700 million US dollars at the box office. However, the second part was much lower than the quality of the first part as a whole, and quickly consumed the accumulated popularity of this series, which directly led to the third part of the box office Waterloo.

Many people think that the reason why the third box office of "The Matrix" will become the lowest in the series is related to Time Warner's schedule is too eager. The difference between the two sequels is less than half a year.

But in fact, from Time Warner's brand management of the "Harry Potter" series for ten years, it can be seen that they do not understand the reason that the series will be too close to affect the box office. It’s just that the low quality of "Matrix 3" completely reduced to mediocrity makes Time Warner dare not drag it down, so how much it can be recovered in terms of how much it can be recovered, when the heat of "The Matrix" has not cooled down completely, It may be possible to arrange the film up early.

The facts also prove that Time Warner is doing this correctly. With the reputation of "The Matrix 3" completely ruined, it will be released after one or two years. The influence of the first two parts 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 will be able to shoot continuously, which will save a lot of cost.

However, in order to avoid the "Matrix" series repeating the mistakes, Eric dismissed the idea, refused the continuous shooting plan in response to the Wachowski brothers, and asked the brothers to rewrite the script.

Eric also made up his mind. If the script can't satisfy him, the series will be put on hold for a long time. Fireflies have collected enough copyright resources in recent years. It is only enough for Marvel to open for 30 years. Therefore, the company's dependence on these hot-selling series is not strong, and there is enough confidence to pursue excellence.

Los Angeles.

The release of the "Matrix" series has entered the third week. Because there is no strong new film, the film's box office decline in the second week is only a weak 21%, and once again, it will receive a total of 61.97 million US dollars, and the total box office in the two weeks will reach 140 million.

It happened that Saturday, Kasenberg had not rested, and received Eric’s reply to the "Matrix" script. In the morning, he specially invited the Wachowski brothers to have breakfast in the Praia Vista Firefly Studios. And informed Eric’s decision.

"Eric means that you can add your own thoughts, but only if the sequel script must be a complete and smooth story. The scripts you give are more like fragments. If you don't even have a complete story, The official shooting will definitely be a disaster, so the script must be rewritten, and the specific comments are in the file," Kasenberger handed a folder to the brothers sitting opposite, and continued. "In addition, Eric also vetoed the plan for two episodes of continuous shooting. You can only come one by one."

For Eric’s request that they completely rewrite the script, the two brothers are obviously depressed and even uncomfortable. Both brothers feel that the success of The Matrix has largely been attributed to their participation. I have a variety of ideas.

But the copyright of "The Matrix" is firmly in the hands of the fireflies, and even the fireflies maintain the power to replace the director. Although the film box office burst, the brothers naturally got some bargaining power, fireflies can not easily change the director, but the initiative is still in the firefly.

Andy Wachowski took the folder and looked at it. It was the script that he left behind, but with a few more comments.

After thinking about it, Andy Wachowski was fighting for: "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 changes based on this script."

Hollywood films, unless completely a cultural phenomenon like Star Wars, there are still a large number of diehard fans after a lapse of more than a decade. Otherwise, the production interval of the sequel will be between two and three years. If it is too long, the popularity of the previous work may have disappeared, and the box office risk of the sequel will rise.

Although the Wachowski brothers did not enter Hollywood for a long time, but they have already understood this truth, so they said this faint with a few threats: If the script is completely overthrown, our brothers can not guarantee the film in the next few years. Ability to boot.

Of course, Kasenberger understood the words of the two brothers. "Eric just mentioned this. If the script has been unsatisfactory, the fireflies will put this series on hold for a long time."

Larry Wachowski suddenly said: "If the project is put on hold for a long time, what about our agreement with Fireflies?"

At the beginning, as a condition for obtaining the "Matrix" command, the Wachowski brothers signed a three-option option contract with Fireflies, that is, before the three movies were co-operated with Fireflies, the two brothers It is impossible to cooperate with other film companies, otherwise it will be a breach of contract.

In order to ensure that the "Matrix" trilogy can be completed, the original "Amazing Flower" was not counted in this contract, that is to say, the brothers still owe two copies of the firefly.

Kasenberger heard Larry Wachowski's question and shrugged his shoulders. "So, I suggest that you still do your best to make the sequel's script work."

Andy Wachowski tested: "If the script can't be completed for a long time, can we take other films, or, first, cooperate with other film companies?"

"Other films, as long as the project is good enough, maybe you can," Kasenberg replied ambiguously: "However, in cooperation with other film companies, unless you complete the contract, this is impossible. Fireflies use "The Matrix" You are red, but it is not for you to use these fame to make money for other film companies. There is no such thing in Hollywood."

Kasenberg's increasingly tough tone made the brothers very uncomfortable, but frustratingly, they also knew that it was difficult to get rid of the contract.

There is not much communication between the two sides.

Andy Wachowski picked up the folder in front of her face with a blank expression and got up and said: "We know about these things. If there is nothing else, we will leave."

Kasenberg got up and politely reached out to the brothers: "So, goodbye."

I personally sent the Wachowski brothers out of the restaurant, Kasenberg returned to his seat, Frank Wells had already sat down, he had just arrived at the restaurant, but did not bother Kasenberg and Wachowski Communication.

When Carlsenberg sat down, Frank Wells said: "Jeffrey, you don't have to be so **** both of them, it can be more gentle."

"It's your job to calm people's minds, I don't have this obligation," Kasenberg smiled and made a joke.

He has seen the "Amazing Flower" by the Wachowski brothers, plus the recent "The Matrix" sequel to the sequel of the clouds, with the experience of making so many years in Hollywood, Kasenberg In my heart, I feel that in addition to "The Matrix", the brothers' achievements in Hollywood will not be too great.

Both of them are too attached to their own image world. This strong personal style may give them a chance to win an Oscar, but it is hard to make a difference at the box office.

As for Oscar, Kasenberg is also not very interested. He thinks that the most fundamental purpose of a film company is to pursue profits. Honor is only a icing on the cake. At the beginning of the Disney animation period, whenever animators wanted to increase the ‘artistic’ of cartoons, Kasenberg would ridicule each other’s ‘Are you thinking of Oscar?’, which even became his mantra.

"Well, when do I need to help you appease people, say," Frank Wells also made a joke.

From the Disney era, Frank Wells was the company's famous moderate. In the 1980s, the Disney board originally intended to let him and Eisner jointly serve as executives of Disney's joint seats. The forces of the various parties were arguing over this, or Frank Wells offered to be the deputy of Eisner. deadlock. In the era of fireflies, because of the emergence of Eric, Frank Wells escaped the air disaster that should have been encountered in the original time and space. Kasenberg was in the upper position, and Frank Wells still worked diligently as the second-in-command of the Firefly Group. His own unconventional personality also makes most of the management of the company respect him, even Kasenberg is no exception.

The two chatted, and after a cup of coffee, Frank Wells did not hesitate to hand over a box office data to Kasenberg, saying: "Our box office situation this week seems to be a little bad."

According to Hollywood's box office statistics cycle, yesterday was the first day of the new week. Kasenberg had not had time to check the box office data report on Friday, and took the a4 that Frank Wells handed over. Kasenberger Look at the data form.

At first glance, Kasenberger frowned slightly.

The first place in the new week's single-day box office was not the "Dragonfly Island" launched by Fireflies this week, but a black comedy called "Fatty Professor" at Universal Pictures.

"This... seems to be a new film from Eddie Murphy?"

As the leader of the fireflies, Kasenberg is well aware of the heavyweight newcomers of the summer gear competitors, but before that, he did not pay special attention to the black comedy starring Eddie Murphy, so the tone was somewhat doubtful.

Since the "Beverly Hills Detective 3" box office, Eddie Murphy has been quiet for a few years. In other words, many people, including Kasenberg, feel that with the strong momentum of fireflies, "The Brave Island" will almost certainly take the position of the day and week box office champions.

But the result is that the "Fatty Professor" day box office of 79 million US dollars, "Dragonfly Island" box office is more than 74 million, although similar, and may even be reversed on Saturday and Sunday, but on the release day "Don't kill the island" is lost after all.

When the unexpected box office data came out, Frank Wells called and didn't contact Kasenberg, and he hurriedly found it.

"Yes," Frank Wells nodded, his voice a little worried. "I don't think this is a good sign. You know, and the "Titanic" that Cameron is making..."

Although Kasenberg also felt that something was wrong, he still calmed down: "We will wait for Brian of the department to call them up for a meeting. Let's discuss it first. But Frank, this is only the first day's data. But, not to mention, we have nothing to worry about, even if we really encounter one or two box office losses, the firefly's share price will not fall by 1%, because we simply did not go public, haha." Kasenberg smiled Laugh, continue: "Not to mention, you also saw the recent TV advertising bidding income."

"I just think that Eric’s strategy of making movies in the past few years is a bit too risky, either a newcomer or a big-level production. Although, well, Michael Bay, David Finch and the Wachowski brothers. They all proved their strength, but our good fortune may not last forever. I think we need to communicate with Eric well. He shouldn't be like this anymore."

Kasenberg can feel the sincerity in Frank Wells's tone, he is really thinking about fireflies.

In fact, Kasenberg has the same feeling. However, although he knows that Eric is definitely not the kind of person who is self-contained, so far, Eric’s film has a box office, but overall, But none of them suffered a very bad failure, which is almost a miracle in Hollywood.

For someone who has not experienced failure, you ran out to tell him that your method is wrong, the rules are not like this, you should be like this, it should be like that...

Kasenberg thinks that this scene is a bit weird. There is only one rule in Hollywood, and it is a defeat. Your movie can get a high box office and investors can make a huge profit, then you are the hero of Hollywood.

"I agree with you," Kasenberg considered. "Just, the timing is wrong. We should probably wait until the end of the year. Well, by that time, Eric will obviously be more accepting our opinions." ”

Obviously, Kasenberg is also very optimistic about the box office prospects of the Titanic.

Frank Wells heard the words immediately and nodded. "Okay, then I will say it later. Yes, on the ffm side, Weinstein suggested that I want to buy Brad Gray's production company. Have you received the report?"

"Well, Harvey wants to build the production department of ffm, Brad Gray is just his former deputy, but it is not necessary to buy Brad Gray's production company, except Eric personally picks In the TV series, Brad Gray’s production company has some investment rights, and I don’t think it has any value.”

The two talked about ffm, and the topic just was unconsciously being transferred... (to be continued.) 8