Chapter 442： Unaccustomed

In Santa Monica, Los Angeles, the headquarters of Lionsgate is located in this small coastal city.

In the meeting room, the company's regular meeting had just ended, and Frank Gusta, who presided over the meeting, left Navas.

Frank Gusta asked: "I heard that the "Hero" introduced by Embassy Pictures from the East has been expanded?"

"Yes." Navas said honestly: "Of the five films nominated for best foreign language film, "Hero" is the only one that has been expanded."

He looked at Frank Gusta, saw that he did not say anything, and continued: "But after the expansion of the show, the Embassy Pictures lost control of word-of-mouth. At present, the word-of-mouth polarization of "Hero" is extremely serious and it cannot be like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" hit the Oscar for best foreign language film. In other words, "City of God" lacks a strong competitor."

Frank Gusta nodded slowly, and said: "We have even purchased the copyright, together with publicity and public relations, and have invested nearly 20 million US dollars. We must ensure that "City of God" gets the best foreign language film. This is also the focus of Lionsgate’s work at this stage."

Navas is quite confident: "According to the response from all quarters, "City of God" is already one position ahead."

"Very good." Frank Gusta first complimented and then asked: "If "City of God" gets the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, can the North American box office be as high as "Hero"?"

Navas hesitated and didn't answer immediately. The movie "Hero" was too unexpected. In just two weeks after the expansion, the North American box office exceeded US$40 million. What was the final point? More than 60 million dollars, right?

Frank Gusta has been watching him, Navas dare not say nonsense, otherwise he will not be able to hold back at all: "It should...should not be as high as the box office of "Hero"."

Seeing the boss's face sinking, he said: "I think that the cost can be recovered through the box office, and offline can bring considerable profits."

"So, even if you get the best foreign language film, it's not as good as the oriental film?" Frank Gusta asked again.

For Relativity Entertainment, he always feels inexplicable that the other party seems to have robbed Lionsgate's development.

Navas can only tell the truth: "I made an estimate that the revenue of "City of God" in North America should reach half of "Hero"."

Looking at the box office trend of "Hero", the box office is the basis of all revenue. The revenue of "City of God" can be half of "Hero", which is the most optimistic estimate.

Frank Gusta didn’t blame his subordinates, he just said: “Ronan Anderson’s vision for watching the film is amazing. Navas, I remember you and Ronan Anderson are old friends, don’t you? Walk with Ronan Anderson. Learn from his strengths."

After reading the box office data of "Hero", Navas knew that he was really inferior to Ronan Anderson, and quickly said, "I understand."

The boss said a lot of walking around with Ronan Anderson, and a lot of learning from Ronan Anderson, obviously more than just walking and learning.

There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Buying films from overseas and distributing them is the one with the higher price.

Navas returned to the office and immediately called Ronan to congratulate "Hero" on the box office sales and express his admiration for his precision in watching the film.

In Burbank, in the office of Relativity Entertainment, Ronan put down the phone, feeling weird.

In the past, movies under the Relativity Entertainment Group were selling well. No one from Lionsgate has ever called to congratulate him. Why did Navas suddenly call this time?

It seems that he and Navas don't have such a good friendship, right?

Even, in some respects, Relativity Entertainment and Lionsgate are rivals, and "Hero" and "City of God" operated by Navas himself are in direct competition for the best foreign language film at the Oscars.

Ronan is not really in his twenties after all. He has rich social experience and has worked hard in the market for many years. Sometimes it is inevitable to think more.

Navas' phone call just left him to mind, but he didn't expect anything.

"I answered the phone, why didn't I stop talking?" Tom Cruise looked at Ronan curiously: "What? Is this broken up?"

Ronan came back to his senses and said, "I don't have a girlfriend, so where can the scorer not break up?"

Tom Cruise asked: "You didn't talk to the little Canadian pop star recently, what is your name..." He thought for a while before saying, "Yes, it's Avril. Didn't you have a hot fight with her?"

Ronan said directly: "The relationship between us is very pure, not what you think."

How could Tom Cruise not know Ronan: "I know, a purely physical relationship without feelings."

This made Ronan speechless, so he changed the subject and said: "Someone called just now to congratulate me on the box office sales of "Hero"."

"That's right." Tom Cruise said with a smile: "I haven't congratulated you yet, "Hero" has a global box office of over 100 million dollars, right?"

Ronan nodded: "The global box office has exceeded 100 million U.S. dollars. However, the box office in the Eastern market has nothing to do with the theory of relativity, it is the production of the producer.

Tom Cruise said: "You make a lot of money like this? I remember you mentioned last time that buying international copyrights cost 5 million U.S. dollars, and then invested several million U.S. dollars in public relations, plus release. The total investment will not exceed 15 million US dollars. Now the North American box office achievements are enough for you to recover the cost."

He suddenly said: "I want to go to the East to buy a martial arts movie now."

Ronan was very calm and said, "It is best not to have such an idea. "Hero" can sell well. A large part of the reason is that it borrowed the momentum of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Now this momentum is almost consumed. Another martial arts movie, I am afraid it will be difficult to get a higher box office. And with the big sales of "Hero", Hollywood should stop thinking about buying an oriental martial arts production at a low price."

"The analysis makes sense." Tom Cruise has always convinced Ronan in this regard, saying: "If you buy the copyright at a high price, the market potential will be consumed more than half. A little mistake will cause serious losses."

Ronan and Tom Cruise were not very polite, and said directly: "In recent years, I will not let Embassy Pictures introduce oriental martial arts films."

Tom Cruise said: "Some overseas films are good."

"I also bought a police movie from the East." Ronan said specifically: "It's called "Infernal Affairs". If you are interested, you can take time to watch it. It's good."

Tom Cruise is strange: "Why haven't I heard of it? Is it in theaters?"

Ronan replied: "It was released. When the scale of the show was the largest, it did not exceed 20. The box office results were too average, and the total box office was less than 160,000 US dollars."

"Unacceptable?" Tom Cruise asked.

"The film is very good." Ronan may have been preconceived and has always felt that the Hong Kong version is more flavorful: "But it is not suitable for the North American market."

There used to be too much debate about the Hong Kong version and the US version of "Infernal Affairs". For example, the US version was considered by the North American media to be one of Martin Scorsese's three best movies.

But this kind of argument has no results. After all, they have completely different tastes of gangster films, just like the argument about the sweet and salty taste of tofu.

Even when the sweet and salty controversy, the hot and sour taste will emerge.

Hearing Ronan's solemn recommendation, Tom Cruise took it seriously and asked: "Are there any CD or film copies?"

Ronan knew that Tom Cruise had a private theater at his home, and said directly, "I'll ask someone to send the copy to your home."

Tom Cruise nodded: "I will take the time to take a good look."

Ronan's script adaptation hasn't moved yet, so he won't be anxious to start this project for the time being. He turned to ask: "What's the situation with the agent?"

"I fired Pat Kinsley and paid her a full US$350,000 in liquidated damages." Tom Cruise did not conceal the meaning: "CAA has replaced my main agent again, but I I think there is still a problem. My sister is considering a brokerage certificate. After she gets the certificate, I plan to let her take charge of my brokerage business."

Ronan could roughly guess that Tom Cruise had been bitten by a snake and feared the rope for ten years.

Similar situations are not uncommon in Hollywood. Many celebrities’ agents are their relatives.

"Where is Pat Kingsley?" Ronan asked concerned.

Tom Cruise doesn't seem to care much: "The brokerage business was handed over very smoothly. Don't worry, Ronan, she's very safe now."

Ronan still reminded: "Since she dared to do something that would damage your interests, it means she is a bold agent. You'd better let someone stare at her. After all, your status and status are here. She really wants It will take some time to prepare for something that is not good for you."

Tom Cruise said seriously: "I will."

Even if it is a friend, some things have to be adequate, Ronan did not continue this topic.

In his opinion, Pat Kinsley, like most agents, will either do nothing after the contract is terminated; or he will lie dormant for a period of time to be fully prepared, and it will be a thunderous blow when launched.

It would be a good thing if Pat Kinsli hurriedly launched , with the resources that Tom Cruise superstars can gather, it will definitely make Pat Kinsli look for teeth.

Ronan changed the subject and asked, "Tom, it will be the Oscars ceremony soon, are you going to attend?"

"No." Tom Cruise shook his head: "Some people, I really don't want to see them again."

Ronan said, "Don't worry, it will be fine after a while."

Tom Cruise already understood: "I'm afraid I will be mentioned often." He said to Ronan very seriously: "It's still you right. Getting married is terrible. The ex-wife is simply the scariest existence in the world. ."

Ronan asked, "I will go to the awards ceremony. Is there anything I can help?"

Tom Cruise thought for a while and said, "If she can win the prize, congratulate me."

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