Made in Hollywood

This weekend before Christmas is completely "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", which is also one of the two most suitable timetables for the release of family-friendly movies of all ages in a year. In addition, there is a lack of strong enough competitors. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has swept away the tepid situation in the theater market since the '911 Incident', setting off a hot movie viewing frenzy.

"It's an energetic adventure film with an atmosphere full of adventure and fun, but it's so fresh and refreshing to the audience."

"The magical world created by "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" can't help but sigh the imagination of Joanna Rowling. In the movie, you can fully enjoy Harry's miracle in the wizarding world."

There is also a lot of praise in the media, and even the most demanding journalists and editors know that the most important thing for family-friendly films is to be interesting.

It is undeniable that Chris Columbus's style is a bit too childish, making "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" more childish, but this is not without benefits. The most important point of family-friendly films is to attract families. children in the audience.

Even if it is a G-rated or PG-rated movie, few parents will let their young children go to the cinema alone to watch the movie. As long as it can arouse the child's interest, it often means at least two or three or more movie tickets. .

Just like "Home Alone" directed by Chris Columbus in the early 1990s, the power of a good family film is amazing, and after the promotion of the entire Time Warner Group, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" It has gained a large number of fans and supporters over the past few years.

On the first day of its North American release, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" sold $33.55 million in more than 3,600 theaters on Friday, breaking the $32.24 million North American single created by "The Fellowship of the Ring" in the summer. Daily box office records.

On Saturday the next day, the little wizard continued to sweep the theater market with his magic wand. The single-day result of 34.58 million US dollars once again broke the record set just yesterday.

Although on Sunday, the film fell to 25.66 million US dollars in a single day due to the enthusiasm of the most ardent book fans, but it once again broke a record of "The Fellowship of the Ring", raising the North American weekend box office record to 93.79 million Dollar!

Released in the UK at the same time. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" also hit the box office with $26.09 million in its first three days!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone gave the entire series a near-perfect start!

"Duke, working with you..."

In a reception room in the Warner Building, Doug Walter looked at Duke with burning eyes, "Definitely the most correct decision Warner Bros. has made since the 1990s!"

Jeff Robinoff will be transferred to the group company next year. Doug Walter is in charge of "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", so he almost booked the next Warner Bros. The position of the CEO.

Think back then. The company is not without voices of opposition, but he has fully learned from Jeff Robinoff's experience in grabbing the CEO throne - firm and resolute support for Duke Rosenberg's project!

Now, he is about to receive a big enough return!

Even, rumors are circulating within Warner Bros., it is not difficult to become the CEO of Warner Bros. As long as you have a good relationship with Duke Rosenberg, it is enough to fully support the projects related to him.

As a beneficiary, Doug Walter thinks there is some truth to these rumors.

He won't deny his hard work and his personal network, but Duke's support is indeed his biggest weight in the competition.

Although the other party rarely speaks on the board of directors. But who can ignore the weight of his words?

"Doug, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" did have more success than we expected." Duke looked at Doug Walter, who was sitting next to him. The next CEO of Warner Bros. seemed to be in a trance, and could not help but reminded, "But success has also buried some crises, and the negotiations with Rowling can't wait any longer."

Doug Walter came to his senses. Nodding solemnly to Duke, "I understand."

"Joanna Rowling's agent was approached by companies like Disney and Fox," he added. "Walt Disney, in particular, was said to have made a series of offers to Joe's agent that exceeded ours."

Duke also got these news, "We have to get the contract with Rowling as soon as possible, no matter how many Harry Potter series are left, it can only belong to us!"

The box office of more than 90 million US dollars in the first week is indeed worthy of attention, but what makes Duke pay more attention is the Harry Potter peripherals. In the same three days, the peripheral products of the Harry Potter series were sold only in North America. over $100 million in sales!

For this series, the box office profit is not enough to see in front of the surrounding!

There was a knock on the door and the secretary walked in with Joanna Rowling and her agent.

"Hi, Duke. Hi, Doug."

Rowling was in high spirits, her face flushed red, and she seemed to be a few years younger.

"Hi Joe..."

Duke, still the same, greeted Rowling and nodded to the agent.

The purpose of this meeting was very clear. Duke had no plans to go around in circles at all. When Rowling sat down, she said directly, "Joe, when are you going to start writing the fourth part of the series?"

"I have already planned the plot." Joanna Rowling pointed to her forehead, "I will officially start writing after "Happy Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is completed."

"I've been waiting for a long time, and finally I can see the fourth part." Duke sighed at first, and then turned back to the topic, "You mentioned to me that the entire series will be seven, and we will also have the next four. It's time to negotiate."

"That's what I mean." Rowling's idea seemed simple. "Our cooperation has been very pleasant, and if possible, I would also like to continue to cooperate."

But she then looked at her agent, "Just talk to Dejot about the specific situation."

Duke and Doug Walter glanced at each other and knew it was going to be a tough negotiation.

Of course, he believes that Joanna Rowling's primary partners are Duke Studio and Warner Bros. After all, if the two sides really split up, the latter films will definitely change their faces, otherwise the copyright dispute with Warner Bros. It's a huge hassle.

However, relatively speaking, Joanna? Rowling did occupy the initiative in the negotiations.

Before the production of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and before its release, the studio had been trying to talk to Joanna Rowling about the rights of the entire series, but all were turned down.

It is obvious that before the release of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", the group represented by Joanna Rowling did not intend to start new negotiations with the Harry Potter studio, and wanted to wait for the film to be released. According to the market response, adjust the chips in your hand.

Perhaps Joanna Rowling was just an ordinary housewife before, but with the experience of the past few years and the fact that she also has an agent and a public relations manager by her side, how could she be so stupid?

The popularity of the Harry Potter series is obvious enough, who is retarded enough not to strive for the best interests of themselves?

At least Duke knew a little, because to keep the crew in the UK, Joanna Rowling paid 1% of the revenue, and the last four films will definitely go back, even from the second part.

In that world, only Joanna Rowling entered the Forbes list of the world's richest people only by writing.

This must be a long negotiation full of wrangling and disputes of interests.

After Rowling and her agent left, Duke did not leave, but continued to discuss the next countermeasures with Doug Walter.

"Except for the interests of the Rowling team itself."

Some things are actually easy to see, Duke said. "The contact of other companies will further increase their psychological expectations, which is actually detrimental to our negotiations."

After thinking about it, Doug Walter said, "Fox can say that their energy is currently on the X-Men series and the British scandal of the group company. Our main pressure is still from Walt Disney."

"So, Doug," Duke said directly. "Let's get people in touch with Steve Jobs. At least we can't make Disney's management feel comfortable. We always have to find something for them to do."

"Pixar Studios!" Doug Walter did not hide the desire in his eyes. "Animation production has always been the weak point of Warner Bros. If we can win Pixar Studios..."

"If you can really impress Steve Jobs and take over the Pixar studio..." Duke stood up to leave, but turned his head and said, "Doug, I will fully support you!"

Leaving the Warner Building, Duke got into the car and sent the driver directly to Los Angeles International Airport, ready to fly to New York for Christmas. Although the city had not recovered from the disaster, his mother and girlfriend were there.

As he approached the airport, he received a call from Ivanka Trump.

"Aren't you on the plane yet?"

Hearing the familiar voice of questioning, Duke smiled slightly, "It's estimated that it will take another half an hour, dear, don't worry, we'll see you soon."

"Dad wants me to tell you that he's going to have a big Christmas party and wants to invite you to it."

Switching the phone to another hand, Duke thought for a few seconds, "No problem, I'll be there on time."

"I'll pick you up at the airport."

Ivanka Trump left the last sentence and hung up.

The most prominent change brought about by the 9/11 incident is that airport security checks and security have become more stringent. Even private jets have some restrictions. In the past, the media and the public would call these acts of infringing and restricting personal freedom. Oppose, the North American continent is no longer an inviolable land in the minds of Americans. (To be continued ~^~)

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