Chapter 160

After chatting a few words, Mel Gibson turned and walked away, and Terry Semel looked at Gibson's departing figure and said, "Simon, have you seen the copies of Mel's movies that I sent over?"

Simon didn't answer the question, but got straight to the point: "Terry, I've already said that I'm not going to pick an A-list star to play Bruce Wayne. ”

These days, Simon has started looking for actors for Batman.

As the most important stakeholder of this project, Warner is also very concerned about this, and took the initiative to recommend its favorite actor, which is Mel Gibson, the actor of last year's "Lethal Weapon".

Terry Semel took a glass of champagne from the tray of passing waiters, motioned to Simon and Janet to be casual, and continued: "Simon, in fact, many directors have your mind, I don't want stars, I want fresh faces, I want talented actors, balabala." Usually, when the agency really recommends those of them, their thoughts often become 'who these people are', and they will eventually choose the star. ”

"Terry, I don't refuse stars," Simon still shook his head, and said: "However, you ignore one point, Batman himself is a very big name 'star', just like Superman, the original "Superman" series, no one knew Christopher Reeve before it was released, but that did not affect the box office of the movie at all. On the contrary, Marlon Brando and others, who were invited by the producer at a large price, did not play a significant role in promoting the box office. ”

"But if we don't use celebrities, how are we going to promote it in the future," Terry Semel continued, "Simon, we always need an entry point. ”

"If Warner insists," Simon said, gesturing to himself, "what about Westeros? ”

Terry Semel couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, but still said, "Simon, otherwise, I'll take the time to arrange a meeting for you and Mel and talk carefully." Relative to the production budget you're going to put into this project, Mel's offer isn't too high. I don't understand why you're resisting celebrities?"

Simon hesitated and said, "Terry, Warner will know about this sooner or later, and it's nothing to tell you now." I'm going to sign a long-term contract with the Batman actors, a long-term contract where Daenerys Pictures is fully in control of the initiative and doesn't have to worry about a sequel to the actor boycott or the lion opening his mouth. Gibson would certainly not agree to such a condition. ”

Terry Semel thought for a moment and said, "Like that Julia Roberts you signed the other day?"

Simon wasn't surprised that Terry Semel casually said this, and Hollywood didn't have any secrets for these studio executives: "That's right, Terry, it's the same five, and anyone who wants to play Bruce Wayne has to sign a five-film contract." ”

"Simon, I'm amazed at your confidence, you know, except for the 007 series, there are very few Hollywood movies that can surpass the trilogy, which is recognized by everyone as the 'trilogy curse', are you sure that "Batman" can make five films?"

"There's no guarantee of the future, Terry," Simon said, shaking his head, "but I think 'Batman' has enough potential to be a long-term series, and since it's a big possibility, I'm naturally going to have to be well prepared in advance." ”

Terry Semel's expression changed for a moment, and he smiled bitterly: "It seems that it will be difficult for Warner to get back the copyright of "Batman". Also, you should have the same plan for Superman, right?"

"That's right," now that Superman and Batman have been firmly in the collection, Simon no longer deliberately conceals it, and said: "If the time is right, I will let Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent appear on the big screen together, Batman v Superman, Terry, what do you think of this idea?"

Terry Semel looked at Simon and said, "I think we need to renegotiate the contract. ”

Simon didn't refuse, and said: "Maybe, but the most important thing now is to shoot the first Batman first." In this regard, I have to confess again, Terry, "Batman" will definitely not be in time for next summer, I recently found that in order to complete some of the ideas in the concept, I need more than half a year to solve all kinds of technical problems. The film will start shooting early next year, and the post-production work of the film will be much longer than other films. ”

"Simon, I feel more and more now that I have made a big mistake. ”

Simon said with an innocent expression: "Terry, I can only say regret. ”

As more and more guests arrived, Simon and Semel soon separated and went about their own entertainment.

After more than half an hour, Simon was talking to the creators of Warner's selected "Dangerous Liaisons" when Terry Semel walked over with a couple, and Simon recognized at a glance that the tall silver-haired man in the couple was Steve Ross, the current head of Warner.

When he came closer, without being introduced by Terry Semele, Steve Ross stretched out his hand to Simon with a hearty smile: "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Simon, I finally have a chance today." By the way, congratulations on winning the Oscar, although it is only the Best Editing award, but Simon, this is the rarest, there are few directors in Hollywood who can prove themselves in the best editing, as for the best director, I believe this will be in your pocket sooner or later. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Ross, and I'm glad to meet you, Warner has always been a company I admire so much. ”

After exchanging pleasantries and the others leaving in amusement, Janet walked away with Rose's wife, Courtney, and Simon and Rose came to a booth and sat down.

As the waiter served the drinks, Steve Ross said, "Simon, Terry just told me some of your thoughts on Superman and Batman, and although the rights to these two superheroes are in your hands, Warner still hopes that their movie version will be successful." What I want to ask is, are you still interested in DC right now?"

Simon nodded, "Of course, Steve, if Warner is willing to sell DC to me, I can offer a very good price." ”

"No, no, no," Steve Ross shook his head and said, "Simon, I'm a person who hates selling company assets, and until now, I still regret selling MTV to Viacom just because of a temporary predicament, and the development of MTV over the years has proved more and more my mistakes." So, I'm not going to sell DC to you, however, we can swap it. ”

Simon didn't deliberately pretend not to understand, and said directly: "Warner wants to take a stake in Daenerys Pictures?"

"That's right," Steve Ross admitted, "I've seen your company's profile, Simon, you know what's missing a strong publisher right now, and that's where Warner can help." You have a lot of money right now, but in Hollywood, money isn't just about distribution channels. ”、

Simon didn't refuse, but asked, "Steve, what about the specific cooperation plan?"

"You want DC, I can give it to you for $50 million," Steve Ross said, "On the other hand, I can value your Daenerys Films at $200 million, and counting DC, Warner will contribute another $125 million in exchange for a 70% stake in the new company after the merger of Daenerys Pictures and DC." You'll still be running the new company on your own, and you'll need to make sure you don't start over Daenerys Pictures for 5 years. Simon, what do you think?"

Daenerys Films has a lot of projects in place right now, but strictly speaking, the only film that has proven successful is "When Harry Meets Sally", and last year's "Death Comes" can only be considered a Fox movie.

Therefore, for Steve Ross, who is completely unaware of the true commercial potential of "Rain Man", "Dead Poets Society" and a large number of copyrights held by Daenerys Films, the other party made a $200 million valuation is very generous, which also means that Warner will share the debt of $100 million in Daenerys Films.

DC Comics' $50 million offer is also very reasonable, and Simon's last tentative offer to Time Warner happened to be $50 million.

Moreover, Simon does not intend to keep Daenerys Films privatized, and if necessary, he will choose to bring in other investors or go public.

However, this is definitely not the case.

Simon had just put together the framework of Daenerys Films, and it was impossible for a small seedling to cut out a 70% share for someone else just after it had just bloomed.

Therefore, after Steve Ross finished speaking, Simon shook his head and said, "Sorry, Steve, although I don't refuse to cooperate with the outside world, but not now." Perhaps, if you want, in two to three years, I can make Warner a shareholder in Daenerys Pictures. ”

"I know what you're thinking," Steve Ross nodded in understanding, "Well, why don't we do that, Simon, how about we sign a permanent distribution contract, and Warner can take on the distribution of all the films produced by Daenerys Pictures for the next three years." Of course, in exchange, Daenerys Pictures would also need to agree to Warner's participation in some of these projects. ”

Simon noticed the shrewdness in Steve Ross' eyes and suddenly realized that that this should be what the Warner boss was really aiming for today.

Anyone with a little bit of brains should understand that he can't sell Daenerys Pictures right now.

But on the other hand, after the box office success of "When Harry Met Sally", it became clear that all seven major studios began to reassess the commercial potential of a series of projects under Daenerys Pictures.

More than half of the films that Daenerys Pictures has already approved have confirmed their distributors. But the remaining half, only one more work with a North American box office of more than 100 million yuan, it is completely worthwhile for the seven to win the distribution rights of all projects.

After all, in this era, the average number of movies that exceed 100 million at the box office every year is not enough for each of the seven majors, but these films that rank top at the box office basically provide most of the profits for the studio.

A little combing, Steve Ross's negotiation strategy is also very clear.

The Hollywood bigwig, who is said to be very good at business negotiations, first proposed a sincere cooperation plan that was destined to be rejected by Simon, and after being rejected logically, he proposed an equally sincere plan.

Simon has already refused once, and if he refuses again, it would be too impersonal or even unelevated.

However, Simon is not the twenty-year-old he appears to be after all, so there is no psychological burden at all when he refuses again.

Shaking his head again, Simon said, "I can only say sorry, Steve, Daenerys Pictures wants to be able to try the film distribution business on its own." We all know that it is very unwise to completely pin the distribution channel on someone else. ”

Steve Ross was a little surprised by Simon's decisive refusal, but his face remained unchanged and said, "Okay, it seems that it will be difficult for us to reach a cooperation today." However, if you change your mind, you can call me at any time," Rose said, took out a business card and handed it to Simon, and said, "By the way, you can contact Terry, now, I'll take you to meet a few good friends, Steven should be here too, you will definitely have a common language." ”

Steve Ross and Steven Spielberg are known to have a very close relationship.

Spielberg's "Schindler's List," which won him the Oscar for Best Director, was deliberately labeled with the subtitle 'For Steve Ross'.

When Simon heard this, he immediately showed an expression full of interest and said, "Of course, I am also looking forward to talking to Mr. Spielberg. ”

An old fox and a little fox said this, and got up and left the booth together, as if nothing had happened at all, and began to socialize at the party like good friends.

It wasn't until nearly twelve o'clock that Simon left the party with Janet.

Because of Sandra's unceremonious behavior, the extended limousine first turned to Beverly Hills to send Sandra home before turning onto Sunset Boulevard.

Although he had bought the mansion in Palisad, Simon no longer lived there, but rushed back to Malibu with Janet.

Because it was late at night, the journey of more than 30 kilometers was not too long, and it was already one o'clock in the morning when the courtesy car stopped outside the mansion on the west side of the Cape Dume estate.

Janet drank some more wine at the party, her face was flushed at this time, I don't know if she was really drunk or pretending, she pestered Simon like a little girl, Simon had to carry the woman out of the car with a princess hug, all the way to the villa.

Because it was late at night, the journey of more than 30 kilometers was not too long, and it was already one o'clock in the morning when the courtesy car stopped outside the mansion on the west side of the Cape Dume estate.

Janet drank some more wine at the party, her face was flushed at this time, I don't know if she was really drunk or pretending, she pestered Simon like a little girl, Simon had to carry the woman out of the car with a princess hug, all the way to the villa.