Made in Hollywood

Since being acquired by Time Warner, Warner Bros. has released two animated feature films for Pixar Studios, Cars and Ratatouille.

The former has average reviews, and the box office is not too good. The latter has a strong professional reputation, and the box office is much better than the former.

However, everyone in Hollywood knows that the profit point of animated films has never been above the box office. "Cars" is a typical example in this regard. The film released in the summer of 2006 has a global box office of more than 400 million US dollars, and only peripheral toys And the revenue from doll products has now exceeded 1 billion US dollars.

The well-known "Ratatouille" has received numerous media praise, but its profitability can only be said to be average, not to mention the comparison with "Cars", and the last movie "Superman Family" released by Pixar Studios by Walt Disney. " can't compare.

In the eyes of many pure senior moviegoers, these animated feature films cannot be viewed from such a standpoint.

But Duke and Time Warner conspired with Pixar, never for professional word of mouth, not for the best animated feature at the Oscars, but for commercial gain.

There was a time when Duke thought about getting into Pixar's business with the aim of canceling the "Wall-E" project.

There is no doubt that "Robot Wall-E" is the most classic animated feature film of Pixar Studio. Duke himself also thinks so, but the relatively cold theme and content of the film are not so popular with the market.

Once the box office of this film was okay, but the peripheral income can be said to be confused.

Most of the people who are willing to pay for animation movies are minors. The audience of "Robot Wall-E" is not a minor at all. Many adult audiences will pay for movie tickets, but not many people are willing to be big on the surrounding area. pocket money.

a good movie. Not necessarily high income.

However, Duke did not intervene in the "Robot Wall-E" project in the end.

First, he promised Steve Jobs that he and Warner would not interfere too much with Pixar's business; secondly, when Pixar was acquired by Time Warner, the project had already started.

Of course, these are nothing in the face of sufficient commercial interest.

The most important point is that "Robot Wall-E" may not be as profitable as "Cars", but it will not lose money.

"Steve. Long time no see."

Walking into the VIP lounge of the premiere theater, Duke found Steve Jobs and shook his hand. "You look much better."

Steve Jobs waved his hand indifferently, "Just a small question."

"We are close partners now, and I don't want to see any problems with you."

Although some words were not very appropriate, Duke still reminded one. "I think Western medicine is more scientific."

"Maybe." Jobs clearly did not want to talk about this topic.

Duke sighed in his heart, and stopped mentioning this aspect. Strictly speaking, it already involves faith, and he will only briefly remind him. Not stupid enough to persuade such a stubborn person as Steve Jobs.

The other party can't even listen to the family's words, how could he listen to the persuasion of an outsider?

Besides, if Steve Jobs really has an accident, Apple will continue to go. Even if there are countless bad people, they still prove their strength with solid performance.

And after Jobs left. It would be more convenient for Duke to step in at Pixar.

To be precise, the presence or absence of Jobs now has no particular significance to Duke.

With his character, of course he won't do those thankless things.

Today's Pixar Studios. Although it was acquired by Time Warner, to a certain extent, it was still Steve Jobs' personal kingdom.

Many members of Time Warner's board of directors, including Duke, are actually planning to reform the personnel of Pixar Studios, such as upgrading Ed Camer to the head of the entire Warner animation business, and making John Lasseter the entire staff. The group's animation creative director...

This is indeed a promotion, and Ed Camere and John Lasseter will have more power in their hands, but moving them out would break the relatively independent situation of Pixar Studios.

In fact, starting from "Ratatouille" and "Robot Wall-E", Time Warner and Duke have the same concerns, worrying that Pixar Studios will go further and further on the cold line.

Under the introduction of Steve Jobs, Duke then met the famous Five Tigers of Pixar Studio, who are arguably the most famous directors in the animation film industry, such as Andrew Stanton and Brad Bird and others. Intention to enter the live-action film.

Brad Bird is also one of the directors of Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible 4".

"Hi, Duke."

Some unfamiliar greetings sounded from one side, and Duke quickly turned around and shook the other's outstretched hand, "Hello, Martin, I didn't expect to see you here."

He really didn't expect Martin Scorsese to come to the premiere of the movie at Pixar Studios.

However, on second thought, Duke also guessed the reason.

After Martin Scorsese left Michael Ovitz, The Departed, which was used to hit the Oscar for best director this year, was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.

Duke thought that Martin Scorsese was trying to vaguely mention the Oscar vote, but he didn't expect that what he was talking about had nothing to do with Oscar, it was something else entirely.

"Duke, no matter what, Michael and I are old friends," Martin Scorsese sighed and whispered, "It's not necessary for you to be entangled for so many years..."

Duke probably guessed what Martin Scorsese was trying to say, and raised his hand to interrupt him, "Martin, ICM, CAA, and William Morris are the ones who poached the clients of the artist management company, and it has nothing to do with me."

Having said that, he pointed to Leonardo DiCaprio who had just walked in, "Sorry, I have something to look for Leo."

Not to mention Martin Scorsese, even if Spielberg spoke in person, Duke would not have given up the opportunity to dismantle Michael Ovitz.

And even if he gives up, the three big brokerage companies that have already poached a lot of high-quality clients from the artist management company will give up the benefits at hand?

Michael? Ovitz has been in this circle for too many years. There are countless people who want to stomp him completely.

Even a lion will grow old one day. Artist management company did not become a second CAA after all. After Michael Ovitz packaged projects one by one that failed to meet expectations, he and his company must face inherent forces. A swarming and strangling situation.

There are not many people in this circle as nostalgic like Martin Scorsese.

"How's it going?"

Walking to Leonardo's side, Duke asked directly. "Are you all ready?"

"Basically all the preparatory work that can be done has been done." Leonardo bumped his fists with Duke and said, "First make sure that he can get the nomination, now Matt Damon is building momentum, if he gets the nomination If so, my chances will be reduced."

For a film, the odds of getting two Best Actor nominations are slim.

Leonardo seemed less confident. "I'm thinking about switching to Best Supporting Actor."

"It's not a good idea." Duke shook his head directly, "You have no hope for Best Supporting Actor."

Death is far more powerful than any public relations and favoritism. Next year's Oscar for Best Supporting Actor can be said to be an award that basically has no suspense.

Duke tapped Leonardo's arm lightly. "I will fully support you."

"Thank you." Leonardo then joked, "It's a pity that your influence within the academy is limited."

"Come on, it's almost showtime."

The two walked towards the theater, Duke said as he walked. "I really can't influence the old men at the core of the college, but there are always a few tickets in hand."

Like Charles? Rowan, Robin? Grande, John? Schwartzman, Anna? Prinz et al. Now also a member of the college.

But just like what Leonardo said, Duke and his team didn't pay much attention to Oscar, and their relationship with the core of the academy can only be said to be very general.

In fact, Duke is very clear. Leonardo's chances of winning the best actor are very low, and some discrimination in the academy often ignores the advantages of the discriminated party.

Sitting in his seat, Duke threw Oscar aside and focused on the upcoming screening of "Wall-E Robot".

Although many details of this film have changed, it is not too different from Duke's impression. The film is really wonderful, especially the role of Wall-E on Earth, which is definitely an Oscar-level performance in animated films.

But the problem with the film is also obvious. The animated feature films of Pixar Studios are not very child-oriented. It can be said that "Robot Wall-E" is completely out of children's orientation. It is simply an animated film for adults to watch.

No matter how mature the North American film market is, the biggest audience for animated films is after all minors, especially peripheral products.

This animated feature film received a box office of $64 million from nearly 4,000 theaters in North America in the first three days of the first weekend. This result is definitely eye-catching. If you only look at the box office, "Robot Wall-E" is definitely a big movie. works for sale.

However, the performance of "Robot Wall-E" is very average in terms of the income of animated films. Although the peripheral products are not unpopular, they are far below Warner's expectations.

Moreover, the high reputation of this animated feature film did not turn into a stable box office trend because of the cold theme of the film. The box office plunged by nearly 50% the next weekend, and only received more than 32 million US dollars.

According to the box office of the first weekend and the extremely high market reputation, the final North American box office of "Robot Wall-E" is bound to be close to or even exceed 300 million US dollars. about.

The response from the surrounding market was mediocre, and the North American box office opened high and fell low. The production cost of this animated feature film is as high as 180 million US dollars, and it is bound to be profitable through long-term operation. (To be continued ~^~)