Chapter 684： Alumni

Regarding the preliminary planning of "Transformers", Shahai Entertainment is advancing steadily. According to Ronan's requirements, a production team has made production estimates. The production budget will roughly need about 160 million US dollars.

For this kind of film with special effects as its biggest selling point, large investment and large production are inevitable.

In addition, when Ronan met George Lucas at a banquet in Los Angeles, he also specifically talked to him about special effects cooperation.

"This is not the first time we have worked together." George Lucas and Ronan are also old acquaintances: "The big production projects of Relativity Entertainment are getting more and more."

Ronan said with a smile: "So, Relativity Entertainment has to cooperate with the world's best special effects company."

George Lucas asked: "Do you want to use 3D technology for "Transformers"?"

"No." Ronan does not intend to use 3D for the movies under Relativity Entertainment for the time being: "I plan to invest more money in special effects production, and use 2D to create a beautiful and shocking infinite approach. The 3D picture makes the audience feel as if they are in the movie picture."

George Lucas said: "It's difficult, but it's not a problem. Industrial Light & Magic has always been committed to creating the impossible."

Ronan believes in the strength of Industrial Light & Magic: "I hope we can cooperate for a long time."

George Lucas laughed: "Industrial Light and Magic is happy to cooperate with Relativity Entertainment."

Ronan knows very well that Industrial Light and Magic once profoundly changed the film industry around the world, proposing to promote and realize the concept of "technology in film".

Some people say that Industrial Light & Magic is a company that "you need to control the smoke, and he will give you a complete set of special effects for the smoke system." Others say that this company is full of smart people.

In fact, "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" was all shot in the studio, and all the backgrounds depend on special effects.

After talking about the movie, George Lucas talked about another thing: "Have you been back to USC recently?"

With the huge age difference between the two, the relationship is relatively harmonious. The alumni of the USC Film School is an important reason.

Ronan knew this very well, and said, "I went back once in the first half of the year and talked with the tutor for a while."

George Lucas said: "After a while, I have an event in USC. The date has not yet been determined. Do you have time to participate?"

Ronan’s picture is huge, and the status of USC’s alumni is very important. He just thought about it and said: “Notify me of the time in advance, and I will try to adjust the schedule.

George Lucas said: "I will call you then."

Ronan turned to ask: "Is the release time of "Vengeance of the Sith" confirmed? I don't want to run into the film of Relativity Entertainment head-on."

George Lucas replied: "I don't want to meet your movie on the third weekend of next summer."

The power of Relativity Entertainment’s big productions is also great, and no one wants to run into it head-on. As far as he knows, Relativity Entertainment’s major productions to be released next year include box office bombs like Bournemouth 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

Ronan smiled: "Don't worry, we won't run into it head-on."

George Lucas was also not polite with Ronan, and directly invited: "Remember to attend the premiere."

"This is the last Star Wars movie." Ronan looked very interested: "I will never miss it."

George Lucas said more than once that "Revenge of the Sith" is the end of the Star Wars movie series, and he will not make Star Wars movies in the future.

Of course, George Lucas made no mistakes.

When he retired, he chose to package and sell Lucasfilm. The following Star Wars movies had no direct relationship with him.

Ronan recalled that George Lucas seemed to have retired after 2010. I can't remember exactly when.

After "Revenge of the Sith" is released, when you encounter the right opportunity, you can use the side-by-side approach to see when George Lucas will retire.

"Star Wars" series, this is the world's well-deserved first IP.

Industrial Light & Magic is also the world's best TV and movie special effects production company.

In many aspects of Relativity Entertainment, it is impossible to start from scratch. Giants in this industry will not give Relativity Entertainment the time and opportunity to develop from scratch. Acquisition is almost the best choice.

Once Walt Disney, later firmly occupied the largest piece of the North American entertainment industry, it has never relied on self-development.

Of course, today's Walt Disney is still on its laurels.

Ronan hopes that Walt Disney will continue to eat his own money in the future, so Robert Iger is quietly contacting Roy Disney, and he himself takes the time to ask Coty Horn’s father, who is the new co-chair of Disney Pictures Allen Huo. Well play golf together.

Since Relativity Entertainment has been cooperating with Warner Bros., Allen Horne previously worked in Warner Bros. Pictures, and the two can also be regarded as old acquaintances.

Speaking of playing, Ronan and Alan Horne stayed in the lounge area to chat.

"Kody was a little headstrong, and she ran to you again." Alan Horn took off her sunglasses and said, "Thank you for your tolerance."

Ronan shook his head slightly: "Ellen, don't you understand? Corty is one of the most sensible girls I have ever seen."

Alan Horn laughed and said, "Thank you."

Ronan waved his hand: "It's not a trouble in itself. Anyone can change those roles."

Alan Horn sighed: "I ran into some trouble with Warner Bros. some time ago. Now I just arrived at Disney. Some facts are not good for Curty."

Ronan said: "Warner Bros. has ill-considered this matter. Kevin Tesuhara has done too much."

"Actually, I don't blame anyone else." Irene Horn took a drink, took a sip, and said, "After all, I didn't do well enough, and I got the handle."

This kind of company power internal struggle, where there is any right or wrong and too much at all, if it fails, it is defeated.

If it was him, if he caught Kevin Tesuhara's painful foot, he would not let it go.

Ronan asked at this time: "Is it smooth to transfer to Disney?"

"It's a mess, worse than I thought." Alan Horn shook his head straight: "Disney's live-action film production, I don't know how to describe it."

He didn't say much, but just mentioned it vaguely.

Ronan smiled and said, "Always get back on track."

Alan Horne smiled bitterly: "I also hope to be back to formality this morning, but I need an excellent film project." He deliberately said: "Ronan, you have the best in the industry in terms of film projects. If you have the opportunity , Help me introduce a few projects."

Ronan knew that he was joking, so he said in a joking tone, "No problem."

The sun gradually turned to the west, and a breeze blew in. The weather was much cooler, and it was a good time to play.

Ronan asked the caddy to fetch the club bag and greeted, "Allen, let's go play a hole."

Alan Horn nodded: "Okay, hit another hole."

In the rest of the time, Ronan didn't talk about Disney and work, only talked about anecdotes that happened recently in Los Angeles.

For example, the wildfire that burned again in Malibu.

Mountain forests near Los Angeles, especially near Malibu, basically burned several times a year.

Good luck this year. There were no wildfires until August. The residents were naturally happy, but some were frustrated.

Because there are no wildfires, some firefighters are facing the crisis of layoffs and salary cuts. In order to keep their jobs and get high bonuses, a firefighter in Malibu, seeing that the wildfires are not burning, he simply let go. .

This fire saved a large number of firefighters who were about to be laid off in the Los Angeles area.

It can only be said that there are wonderful flowers every year, especially this year.

This is not the first firefighter in Los Angeles to set fire, nor will it be the last.

Alan Horne also talked to Ronan about the ban on guns. This is a very firm supporter of gun bans.

The reason for talking about this topic is that the United States recently had another vicious shooting incident with heavy casualties.

Why do you want to say it again?

Alan Horne staying in the position of co-chairman of Disney Pictures, Ronan thinks it is a good thing, maybe some time, there will be a chemical reaction with Relativity Entertainment.

In September, many film and television projects of Shahai Entertainment have been steadily advancing in preparation or shooting. After the North American box office of "Dawn of the Living Dead" exceeded 60 million US dollars, it slowed down the rate of money collection, but the zombie movie showed on the market. With full vitality, coupled with overseas box office gains, the global box office of this film has exceeded the 100 million US dollar mark.

"Batman: Hour of War" released in mid-July, the North American box office totaled $242.1 million, and the global box office totaled $422.74 million.

Christopher Nolan temporarily left the Batman project and officially began preparations for "Fatal Magic".

Unlike the previous movie, "The Hour of War", "Deadly Magic" is completely operated by Relativity Entertainment from investment to production to publicity.

Another film crew The actor and actress Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of "Smiths" finished their special training and officially entered the crew. The film will soon be transferred to the shooting stage.

Some time ago, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were buying handcuffs at the confession store, and nothing special seemed to happen.

This film has been confirmed to be released in the summer of next year. In terms of the timeliness of publicity, there is no need for violent forecasts.

Maybe Brad Pitt will be true to his own words and marriage.

After receiving financial support from Sandsea Entertainment, George Romero is forming a crew. The filming of "Land of the Living Dead", known as the ten-year script plan, will definitely start before Christmas this year.

The film will also be released next year.

In the latest release plan passed to Ronan from Embassy Pictures, there are currently twelve films confirmed to be released in 2005.

Of course, most of them are small and medium-scale productions and sequels.