Chapter 189： Buyout

"Fifty percent of the distribution commission? The distribution fee has to be calculated separately?" Xu Ligong understood the Hollywood distribution rules and said: "Mr. Anderson, this movie is released in North America. I remember that the North American distribution commission is not the norm Is it about 30%?"

Ronan’s complexion is white, but his heart is dark: “Yes, a Hollywood movie is released in North America, usually with a distribution commission of about 30%. But! Director Li, Mr. Xu, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" It's not a Hollywood movie, it's a foreign language power source! You are the local distribution in Zhongguo, and now we are talking about the overseas market distribution copyright of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"!"

Li An and Xu Ligong looked at each other and found that the other party was so reasonable, and they felt speechless in an instant.

But Xu Ligong, a businessman, immediately put aside this remark and said: "The distribution cost is too high. Director Li is a well-known Hollywood director. He has a wide reputation in North America. This alone can attract a large audience."

Since discussing business and determined that his side has a favorable position, Ronan's words are sharp: "Two people, with all due respect. The two previous films directed by Li, "Ice Storm" invested nearly 20 million U.S. dollars, and the North American box office was only 8 million. US dollars."

He glanced at Li An and said, "Sorry, Director Li. I'm just telling the truth."

There was only a cramped smile on Li An's face.

Ronan's words are not over yet: "The film "Riding with the Devil" released last year cost as much as 35 million U.S. dollars, and the North American box office was only ...... 630,000 U.S. dollars. The overseas copyrights are still in the hands of Universal Pictures and cannot be sold. ."

These are all available data, and Li Ang and Xu Ligong cannot refute it at all.

"Because of these two films." Ronan said directly: "Director Li has been blacklisted by many companies in Hollywood. Isn't it fake?"

Now that he has seen this film, Ronan will definitely make full preparations: "Director Li failed in the first two films. This "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has a distinctive author style, and the publisher is very risky. It's impossible for the two of us to take the risk alone, right?"

Xu Ligong's head turned quickly, and he said: "Mr. Anderson, let's not discuss other things. You are proficient in Eastern culture, and you must understand that there are a large number of Chinese in North America. Among them, there are countless fans of martial arts movies, and their thinking has long been Westernized. Potential audience."

Ronan smiled and said: "As a martial arts film, the form of expression in this movie is not good enough, and the martial arts action settings are too romantic. It completely emphasizes the elegant and light scenes, which always makes people seem not happy enough. I feel that although sword and spirit are indeed respected in the history of Chinese martial arts, the concept of martial arts is far more than light and elegant, right?"

"I was sitting in the middle of the general audience for the premiere. Do you know how they rate this film?" Ronan didn't need to answer, and said directly: "Many audiences at the scene said this is a science fiction film!"

Hearing the word science fiction movie, Xu Ligong and Li Ang's faces turned black.

Regardless of this, Ronan continued: “Don’t talk to me about ideas or other metaphysical things. I’m a publisher. I only talk about the market and business. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s subversive martial arts form and content treats traditional martial arts films. Fans are not friendly. In the eyes of ordinary Western audiences, such films flying around are simply science fiction films."

He looked at Li Ang and Xu Ligong: "Don't forget, this is still a foreign language film! How much risk does the distributor have to bear for such a film with inherent defects?"

Ang Lee seemed to be hit a little bit, without saying a word, the original defeat of "Riding with the Devil" damaged his confidence. At this time, he couldn't help but wonder if the shooting of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was wrong.

But after all, he was a more determined person, and soon stabilized his mind.

For a moment, Xu Ligong wanted to give up the negotiation and simply sold the film to Miramax for US$6 million.

After all, the businessmen are only looking for profit. If they can make more opportunities, they will not let it go easily. Xu Ligong said with a black face, "The 50% of the total revenue is too high for the release. This film is a financing shot. I have such conditions. Unable to explain to the partner."

Ronan frowned and seemed very embarrassed. After a while, he said, "Director Li, Mr. Xu, I like the oriental martial arts culture. The great man is for the country and the people. I was touched by it. I also think. Recommend things that I like to more people, but I also have to be responsible to the company and employees, and cannot do business at a loss."

These words are full of emotions, fully showing a person's struggle and hesitation between preferences and business.

Ronan always believes that the person with the best acting skills in the world has never been an Oscar winner or performance award winner of the three major European film festivals, but a businessman and a politician.

"For the things I like, I can take a step back." Ronan said.

Xu Ligong was overjoyed. Does this old man really like martial arts?

Ronan calmly put out the real condition: "Embassy Pictures bought out the North American copyright of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, taking the risk!" He gritted his teeth and said: "5 million US dollars, a one-time buyout! "

Hearing this number, Xu Ligong was dissatisfied, but the other party finally made a concession, indicating that there was some talk.

Selling off the North American distribution copyright is not a solution, and it can guarantee stable returns for the producer, and all risks are grafted on to the distribution company.

"The price is too low!" Xu Ligong didn't notice at all. He was already following Ronan's rhythm. He also dragged Miramax out as a negotiation condition: "Harvey Weinstein of Miramax and I I've been in contact and want to buy out the North American copyright of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for...7 million US dollars."

Ronan moved in his heart, but there was no expression on his face, and said: "You really want to work with Miramax, presumably Director Lee has heard of Harvey Weinstein."

Ang Lee did not speak.

Ronan thought of the Harvey-Weinstein buyout case he had seen in his previous life and asked: "Miramax wants to buy out the copyright in one go. Do they want to pay in full?"

Xu Ligong immediately heard that there was a problem.

"Isn't it?" Ronan immediately guessed: "Could it be in installments?"

He said directly: "As far as I know, Harvey Weinstein used installment payments to deceive the producer more than once. He initially bid $6 million. When others saw this, he would not rob him. He gave The deposit of US$2 million will be paid after the film gets the income, and then it will be delayed indefinitely. The contract is signed overseas, and the prosecution is very cumbersome..."

Ang Li looked at Xu Ligong, Xu Ligong understood what he meant, and quietly tapped his chin.

Ronan never hesitated when it was time to step on a competitor: "The contradiction between Miramax and its parent company, Walt Disney, is extremely sharp, and the contradiction between the Weinstein brothers and Michael Eisner cannot be reconciled. Michael -Eisner has been working hard to recover Miramax's independent management rights in recent years. In that case, the Weinstein brothers can only step down from Miramax, and then they will have to pay in installments, which will increase the difficulty exponentially. "

This time, Xu Ligong, who didn't know the inside story of Hollywood very well, looked at Li Ang, and Li Ang nodded.

Xu Ligong oozes cold sweat on his forehead, and the situation is confirmed. What does this mean? He was almost cheated by Harvey Weinstein!

At that time, even if it takes a few years to get the money back, how is the time cost calculated? What about the costs incurred in case of litigation in the law?

This Miramax is a pit!

Ronan said: "I can guarantee that the Embassy Pictures will pay the buyout fee in one lump sum." He timely raised the condition: "8 million U.S. dollars, paid in one lump sum. No matter how high it is, I can only say sorry."

Xu Ligong quickly calculated that the public production cost of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was US$17 million, but actually only US$15 million. North America alone can recover more than half of the cost...

Martial arts films eventually belong to the minority in North America.

Xu Ligong sighed secretly and looked at Ronan again. Ronan didn't mean to speak any more, just waiting for his reply.

"I need to think about it for a while." Xu Ligong is very cautious: "Mr. Anderson, I will give you a reply in a while."

Ronan nodded and said, "Yes. But don't let me wait too long. I stayed in Cannes not long, and left before the closing ceremony."

Xu Ligong said: "There is one week before the closing ceremony, and I will give you an answer within five days."

Ronan couldn't force Xu Ligong to respond immediately and said, "Yes."

When it comes to this, there is basically nothing to say. Ronan shook hands with Li An and Xu Ligong and left the coffee shop.

In the next few days, Ronan continued to watch movies at the Cannes Film Festival, looking for other impressive films, but to no avail.

Many of the art films he remembers were sold for millions of dollars in North American copyrights. Even if they were bought and released in North America, there was not much profit at all.

In addition, Ronan also saw Sophie Marceau himself at a premiere, and he also exchanged a few words in the past.

Whether it is Aunt Su or the Aunt Mo we met before, these two screen goddesses who take off their clothes in the movie are as common as drinking water and eating, and they can make people obviously feel the sorrow of the beauty's twilight.

Fortunately, these two have left countless masterpieces of art with both scale and depth on the screen!

Thinking about it carefully, the world doesn't know how many small lives died in front of their artistically beautiful lens.

Perhaps they have also made outstanding contributions to limiting the unlimited increase in the global population.

Ronan remembered that the marriage of these two people was unfortunate. Didn't Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci never find out? The two of them are a natural pair!

These two great gods get together, thinking about it makes me feel.

If Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci appear together in real masterpieces of art, such as romantic action movies, they will definitely be sold out.

Four days before the end of the Cannes Film Festival, Ronan received a call from Xu Ligong, and Zongheng International Pictures agreed to hand over "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to Embassy Pictures for distribution.