Chapter 957： The most difficult work to adapt to a movie

Since he started planning the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Peter Jackson's first identity was first a director, and only then did industry insiders pay attention to him as the boss of a special effects company.

Before the filming of "The Lord of the Rings", Weta Studios said it was a special effects workshop, but Weta seized the golden opportunity of Peter Jackson as the director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and quickly broke through. , Become a special effects studio following Industrial Light & Magic.

Ronan was standing in Peter Jackson’s office, carefully examining some of the objects on the walls and cabinets. From his eyes, he could see that these props were all over the filming of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

For example, the golden ring locked in the cabinet is clearly the Supreme Lord of the Rings.

Peter Jackson brought coffee and tentatively asked: "Mr. Anderson is very interested in "The Lord of the Rings"?"

Ronan retracted his eyes and said, "Peter, call me Ronan, you are welcome."

Peter Jackson responded with a smile.

Ronan said again: "Can I say...I am a crazy "Lord of the Rings" fan?"

Hearing this, Peter Jackson was quite surprised and said: "This is... my honor."

Ronan said directly: "I like the three movies you made very much. Even the Star Wars trilogy or other movies can't compare to it. I think the Battle of the Plains of Perano is definitely one of the most inspiring scenes in film history. ."

Peter Jackson never expected Ronan to give such a high evaluation, and said quickly: "I just try to do the best possible."

Ronan said softly, "Peter, you have created an era."

Peter Jackson couldn’t understand the meaning behind this.

From the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, from having to change his talents to Gandalf in order to save money, the profession of wizards or narrators has new professional features on the Internet.

Wizards who don't hit people with sticks are not good Gandalfs.

It seems that after the entire "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Gandalf, who was promoted to a white robe, has not let go of a few spells at all, and more of them are attacking people by rolling up his sleeves.

Peter Jackson said at this time: "I heard that you came to Weta Studio, come back quickly, and finally see you."

Ronan asked curiously: "You have something to do with me?"

He knows Peter Jackson, but apart from the business of "Avatar" and Weta Studios, there is very little intersection in other aspects.

Peter Jackson himself is also one of Hollywood’s top directors. He doesn’t need to turn around, let alone lower his posture, and directly said to Ronan: “I got the film adaptation copyright of a novel some time ago and I plan to direct this project myself. Determine the production company. You are in Wellington. Can we consider cooperating?"

Ronan moved in his heart and asked, "Peter, are you talking about "The Hobbit", right?"

"No, it's not "The Hobbit"." Peter Jackson explained quickly: "The film and television adaptation rights of "The Hobbit" are not in my hands. After New Line Pictures integrated the copyright of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, The copyright of "The Hobbit" went to New Line Pictures, and was later taken away by New Line's parent company, Warner Bros."

Ronan was somewhat disappointed: "I thought you were talking about "The Hobbit."

Someone once concluded that Peter Jackson, who shot Tolkien's work, and Peter Jackson, who shot other works, are two directors with very different levels.

Anyway, Ronan had some impressions. Even in his last year, Peter Jackson still hadn't gotten rid of Tolkien's works, as if his director was born to visualize Tolkien's works.

Peter Jackson opened the file cabinet, took out a novel, and handed it to Ronan: "This is the original."

Ronan then took a look at the cover, the name is very familiar-"Lovely Bones".

Then, he remembered more information, not the past, but the present, because Connie had collected some information about this work.

This novel was published as early as 2002, and it was on the New York Times rankings for more than 70 weeks.

It is no exaggeration to say that "Lovely Bones" is a veritable bestseller.

Because Connie and the assistant team have never interrupted the work of collecting literary works, Ronan has seen this novel before and even browsed part of the content.

But Ronan had no heartbeat at that time.

Ronan put down the novel and said, "I read it some time ago, but I don't remember whether it was a year ago or two years ago."

Peter Jackson asked: "I watched it earlier. After seeing it, I bought the copyright and wanted to adapt it into a movie."

"When I see the literature I like, I have a strong idea of ​​adapting a movie." Ronan smiled and said, "This is a common problem for people in our industry."

Peter Jackson asked: "Adaptation requires investment, and requires publicity and distribution. Ronan, are you not interested?"

Ronan did not answer directly, but instead asked: "I remember you have been working with Universal Pictures."

The fat on Peter Jackson's face moved: "My cooperation with Universal Pictures is over."

Ronan generally understands that after "King Kong", Universal Pictures will not easily cooperate with Peter Jackson.

At that time, "The Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King" was a huge hit at the same time as the box office. Peter Jackson brought the Oscar for Best Director and reached an agreement with Universal Pictures to direct the new version of the "King Kong" movie, in which Peter Jackson and his wife The later stage of the film team is divided into one item, accounting for 20% of the film's global box office!

This is the early share, not the later profit share.

It is conceivable that Peter Jackson made a lot of money at the box office of "King Kong", and Universal Pictures will not say that it is hard to live, and it is hard to bear it.

Ronan looked at the novel in front of him and asked, "Peter, there are a few things I need to ask."

Peter Jackson nodded: "Just ask."

Ronan asked directly: "How do you plan to make this film?"

"A small work project." Peter Jackson roughly understands that Ronan is most concerned about investment and return: "Big movies can conquer countless fans, but for me, shooting "Lord of the Rings" or "King Kong" is both It's an extremely tiring work. The pressure of filming that kind of movie is unimaginable by ordinary people. The huge investment, the strict shooting plan, and the team management of hundreds of people... These things will hover in my mind. For more than half a year, I couldn't stop at all."

He shrugged: "So, I'm going to focus on small projects. "Lovely Bones" is my carefully selected one."

Ronan is full of questions: "I remember many people have said that the original "Lovely Bones" is one of the most difficult literary works to adapt to a movie."

Peter Jackson waved his hand, confident: "There are not so many troubles. In fact, the so-called difficulty in this story lies in the transformation of tragedy and comedy. This is a sad and angry story because it is this deformity. An outbreak of the dark side of society tells the story of an innocent little girl being brutally murdered. Although many directors have filmed similar themes, the whole thing is probably the first thing from the perspective of the dead little girl. one time."

He said with certainty: "This will give the movie a fresh appeal to the audience."

"What about the budget?" Ronan asked the most critical question: "How much budget do you need for this small project?"

If it can be done with ten to twenty million dollars, it can be considered. After all, the influence of the original book and Peter Jackson is still obvious.

Peter Jackson smiled and said, “If you don’t invite first-line star actors, it’s about 60 million dollars.”

As soon as this number came out, Ronan was taken aback for a while, isn't he talking about a good small project? For the $60 million small project, is Peter Jackson joking, or is he wrong in his perception of the small project?

Ronan slowly shook his head: "Peter, are you sure?"

Peter Jackson frowned slightly and said, "60 million dollars may not be enough."

Ronan said: "This is not a small project. US$60 million is already a medium-scale investment. This year's Relativity Entertainment's best-selling film "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors" costs only US$60 million to produce.

Peter Jackson understood the meaning of Ronan’s words, but still wanted to fight for it, and said: "Ronan, listen to me..."

Ronan interrupted Peter Jackson's words: "If the budget is less than 20 million U.S. dollars, Peter can bring the project to Shahai Entertainment to negotiate. More than this number especially the $60 million you said. , I will not consider."

Out of respect for Peter Jackson, Ronan further explained: "This is not determined by me, nor by you, but by the market. I have generally read the original "Lovely Bones", no matter No matter how it is adapted, it can’t change the nature of the subject matter of a niche movie. The niche subject naturally has huge flaws in the audience. It’s not that a good audience will go to the theater to watch it obediently, it’s a result of high investment It will only be a huge risk. If the film is in a bad condition, the investors will lose their money."

Peter Jackson heard these words and said, "I understand." He changed the subject: "Ronan, how many days are you staying in Wellington? Tomorrow I will show you the Weta studio."

Ronan said, "Thank you. Time does not allow, I am leaving New Zealand tonight."

As for whether Peter Jackson listened to it, Ronan could not decide. Anyway, it is absolutely impossible for him to invest $60 million in such a niche subject.

Peter Jackson said, "It's a shame."

Ronan also couldn't tell whether the regret he said was because he was leaving or the two sides could not cooperate.

But it is impossible for him to lower the risk control requirements of the project just because the opposite is the Peter Jackson relationship.

20 million U.S. dollars is too far away from 60 million U.S. dollars. The two sides are destined to be unable to reach cooperation.

That night, Ronan invited the chief creators of the "Avatar" crew to have dinner together, and returned to Los Angeles on a business jet.