Hollywood Hunter

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After listening to Eisner, Simon did not rush to discuss the release conditions of "When Harry Met Sally", but said: "Michael, as far as I know, Disney doesn't pay much attention to the animation department, and there were even rumors about you. Going to cancel the animation film production. If so, why not make The Lion King for Daenerys Pictures?”

"Rumours are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head. "Seriously, I did consider shutting down the animation department. But if I did, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me right now. . Our animation department is run by Roy Disney. So, you get it?"

Simon thought for a moment, then nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Disney founder Walt Disney, and the Disney family still holds a large stake in Disney Pictures.

After the death of Walt Disney, the overall quality of Disney’s animated films has fallen far short of what it used to be, and in recent years, Disney’s brand image has only been maintained by more frequent re-screening of past classic animations.

However, animation movies are the foundation of Disney's start, and it is obviously impossible for Disney executives to rashly close the animation department based on pure commercial interests, and must also take into account the feelings of the Disney family.

Relocating Disney's animation department to an old Glendale warehouse in order to save money may be the limit of what the Disney family can tolerate. If Michael Eisner continues to push Disney's animation division into a "foundry," it's hard to say whether the Disney family will bounce back.

After thinking about this, Simon had no choice but to say: "In this case, Michael, the "Lion King" thing is over, I will find another way. The script is definitely not sold to you."

Michael Eisner said: "Simon, you have to understand that you have no other choice than Disney."

"I remember Universal just released an American Rat Tales last year, which grossed more than $50 million, double Disney's Detective."

"That movie," Michael Eisner said with a smile, "including director Don Bruce, several major animators are employees who left our Disney. And, Simon, if you It's even more impossible for their team to help you make The Lion King."

Simon didn't understand the joints too well, but he just shrugged and said, "There will always be other ways."

Michael Eisner tapped his finger on his memo and said indifferently, "Well, good luck to you then."

Although Simon's script is very popular in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's attitude and did not insist too much. Unlike live-action films, the production cycle of animated films is usually two or three years, and the cost is high.

Who knows what will happen in three years?

Seeing that the "Lion King" couldn't be turned around, Simon also turned the topic back to "When Harry Met Sally", saying: "Michael, about the two director film appointments you just said, sorry, I can't agree. At most one , maybe it's the last movie I'll sign out. After this time, I'll just shoot for my own company."

When Michael Eisner heard Simon say this, he couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, saying: "Simon, Coppola probably thought the same thing after "The Godfather". But after the huge loss of "Cotton Club", he then only I can honestly film "Peggy Su's Getting Married" for Samsung Pictures."

Francis Ford Coppola's "Cotton Club," which came out three years ago, was a complete disaster.

Due to the discord between the director and the main actors during the filming process, repeated revisions to the script, etc., the budget soared from $25 million to $58 million, but the film eventually recovered only $25.92 million at the North American box office. Coppola's ambitious diorama film business after the success of the "Godfather" franchise was also on the brink of bankruptcy.

The publisher of The Cotton Club happens to be Orion Pictures.

Speaking of which, Simon didn't consider Orion, who had a good relationship this time, and directly sought cooperation with a big film company. It was also because Orion was currently in an ambitious state, and he couldn't give "When Harry Met Sally" too much. good schedule.

Due to the success of several films last year at the box office, Orion, whose finances have loosened up, has now decided to invest in as many as nine film projects in person. In addition to acting for the films of other independent producers, the company's distribution scale next year has completely matched that of the company. Seven were flat.

However, Orion obviously does not have the background of the seven majors.

Simon watched those movies that were basically slapsticks, and he understood why Orion, who frequently made box-office award-winning films, would be in trouble step by step in the next few years.

The big sales of a single movie will definitely not make up for the loss of multiple movies.

"Maybe I'll be the second Coppola too," Simon thought to himself, also smiled and said, "However, Michael, everyone should have a little dream, what if it comes true? So, there is only one department."

Michael Eisner recalled what Simon had just said, but insisted: "Simon, if this is the case, Disney can't give you an Easter schedule."

Simon thought for a while and said, "Michael, I can make some concessions on the commission, 18%, what do you think?"

Michael Eisner still shook his head and said, "I've seen the information about the last work of the screenwriter of "When Harry Met Sally", "Heartfire", Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep two A big-name star, the production cost is 25 million US dollars, and the box office is only 25 million

Dollar. Simon, I don't think this movie can do better in the market right now than Heartfire, so 18% and 15% aren't much different. "

"Michael, I think you've got one thing wrong. Heartfire, just because of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, only made $25 million at the box office. I'm still I don't understand, who is so talented to put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie, and the two of them can't have any chemistry on the screen at all. Now this one "When Harry Met Sally," I believe, will be much better at the box office than "Heartfire."

"Simon, your confidence doesn't make any sense."

Simon thought for a while and said, "Or, Michael, how about Daenerys Pictures directly buying Disney's Easter schedule next year?"

Michael Eisner wondered, "What do you mean?"

Simon looked at Amy, who had been listening to the negotiation between the two, and said, "Can you give me the box office data report from last week?"

Amy was also a little confused, but she took out a page of reports from her satchel and handed it to Simon.

Simon took a glance at the above data, and handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table, saying: "Disney is re-screening 1970's "Cat Adventures" this Easter, which will be released on April 10. More than 1400 screens, the current box office is 13 million US dollars, and it will definitely last for a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate according to the total box office of 16 million US dollars, 50% of the box office will be divided, and the cost of publicity will be calculated as 2 million. Disney You can make $6 million in profit from it. Michael, Daenerys is giving $6 million as a fixed distribution commission, and Disney only needs to give us 1,000 screens next Easter. What do you think?"

Michael Eisner took the box office report, looked down at the data above, but began to think about Simon's novel cooperation plan.

With a fixed commission of $6 million, according to the distribution commission ratio of 15%, the young man in front of him is equivalent to calculating the North American box office value of "When Harry Met Sally" at $40 million.

If "When Harry Met Sally" can get $40 million at the North American box office, including the subsequent distribution proceeds, this is definitely a big money project.

Thinking of this, Michael Eisner quickly said: "Simon, it's not like that. In addition to the box office of "Cat Adventures", the re-release of this animated film can also stimulate its video tapes and Derivatives sales, Disney didn't get more than $6 million from it."

Simon nodded and said: "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to $6 million, Disney can also buy out the distribution rights of other channels of "When Harry Met Sally" first. Orion got "Lola Run" The North American video and television distribution rights will also be very profitable for them in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get a director film contract from me.”

Michael Eisner said: "Two."

Simon shook his head: "There is only one, Michael, if you insist on two, then I can only say regret."

Michael Eisner scrutinized the box office report still in his hand, weighed it again for a moment, and said: "Simon, the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" is less than 40 million US dollars, and Daenerys Pictures will pay 600 US dollars. $10,000 fixed commission. Over $40 million, Disney takes 18%. You agree to this, I agree to your other conditions.”

When Amy heard Michael Eisner say this, she couldn't help but glanced at Simon, worried that he agreed immediately.

Below $40 million is calculated as a fixed commission of $6 million, and Daenerys Pictures has taken enough risk. There is no reason why the box office is better, Disney should take higher distribution commissions instead.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon got up when he heard the words, stretched out his hand to Michael Eisner and said, "Deal."

Michael Eisner didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward. Seeing the young man on the other side stretch out his hand towards him with a smile on his face, he had to stand up and shook hands with him, but he felt that he might have been bypassed by something.

right.

Two films approx.

Before this meeting, he cared more about signing Simon's next two directorial contracts.

Compared with "When Harry Met Sally", which was not very good-looking, the two film contracts of the young man in front of him seemed more valuable to him. After all, the deep film skills shown by the other party in "Lola Run" are beyond the reach of many long-established Hollywood directors.

Now.

Only one remains.

I have to say that Michael Eisner did guess Simon's intentions. Although he did not intend to make any concessions in terms of the number of film contracts, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner's attention.

Signing an additional film contract is already the limit Simon can bear. He doesn't want to be tied between several major studios like Spielberg.

In fact, if the buyout price of Columbia Pictures without additional conditions can be higher, and the schedule can be negotiated, Simon is even more inclined to cooperate with the other party. It's just that the $3 million buyout price is too far from Simon's psychological expectations.

As for the cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological limit even increased the distribution commission to 20%. Now, although you need to pay $6 million for less than $40 million, but for more than $40 million, the commission ratio is only 18%, which does not exceed Simon’s offer limit.

In any case, if Harry Met Sally's box office hits

To the level of the past, that failure is also a failure, and Simon can still afford a failure. But if the film is not as successful as the original, although the distribution commission is higher, it is only a North American box office, and Daenerys Pictures is still very hopeful to recover the production cost of 15 million US dollars.

As the head of a major film company, Michael Eisner would not go back on his word to a young man since he said it. However, after shaking hands with Simon, he added: "Since this is the case, Simon, Daenerys Pictures must pay a commission of $6 million in advance after signing the contract."

Cash is very scarce for any studio.

By convention, the distributor usually settles the distribution commission after the movie is down, but if it can get $6 million in advance, Disney can even make an extra movie.

However, Simon shook his head directly and said, "Sorry, Michael, Daenerys Pictures has no money."

Michael Eisner heard that the young man who had just been decisive and shrewd started to be a rogue in a blink of an eye, and reluctantly reminded: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have recently received the sale proceeds of "Lola Run", which is very large. a sum."

Simon shook his head again and said, "Michael, then you must know that because of the uneven distribution of benefits, I am preparing for a lawsuit with my girlfriend, and the money cannot be moved for the time being."

Although she was a little depressed about Simon's decision just now, Amy almost laughed out loud listening to his nonsense.

Michael Eisner's expression became even more helpless, and said, "Simon, didn't you realize that you showed a big flaw? You just used the title 'girlfriend'."

Simon corrected calmly: "Oh, sorry, it's an ex-girlfriend."

Michael Eisner finally laughed too, shook his head and said, "Well, for the sake of this not-so-funny joke."

The basic contract framework was determined, and the three continued to discuss some details.

Although I always heard a lot of people talking about it, when we first met, Michael Eisner was impressed by Simon's shrewdness and decisiveness far beyond his age, and he deliberately left the two to have lunch together at noon.

After negotiating with Disney, Simon will naturally not consider MGM again.

Compared to the aggressive Disney under Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, MGM has become almost a family since it was bought by casino mogul Kirk Kerkorian in the 1970s. Real estate and hotel companies.

Over the years, the studio has been transferred, a hotel has been built, and a large number of precious props preserved in the golden age of MGM have been auctioned off. Perhaps it feels that the company's profits have been squeezed dry, and Kerkorian sold MGM in March this year. May passed on to CNN owner Ted Turner.

Ted Turner is also currently raising money to pay Kerkorian's $1.5 billion offer.

However, in Simon's memory, Ted Turner did not come up with the money in the end. What this media boss valued was actually only the thousands of movie copyrights that MGM had accumulated for more than half a century.

Turner Broadcasting Corporation is preparing to build a new basic cable station, which requires a lot of content resources.

In the end, the most precious film resources in MGM's film library were successfully retained, and after some tossing, MGM returned to Kerkorian again.

In the next few years, the casino tycoon began to use MGM to play capital operations again.

All in all, the once most powerful film company in Hollywood, the most unwilling thing to do now, is probably movies.

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