Todd Phillips was also suffering for a while on the other side.

He was thinking about whether to tell Shen Huan the truth.

So far, he has found no less than 20 producers and investment companies, including his good friend - the copyright owner and star of "The Hangover", that is, the famous Hollywood producer and actor Bradley?? Cooper rejected the investment in this script.

The reason is that they don't think that "Joker", a darkly satirical and depressing film, will be a success.

Moreover, it also involves copyright entanglements with Warner Bros., no matter how you calculate it, you won't make much, and even if you make money, it will be siphoned off by Warner.

Hollywood people never do that kind of thankless work, they make movies for fame and fortune.

What feelings and friendships are involved, it doesn't work if they involve serious film investment.

Todd Phillips is also desperate, just like those street playwrights who peddle scripts everywhere, trying their luck everywhere.

Shen Huan was just one of the people he was lucky with, and he had one more person to meet in the afternoon.

But now here in Shen Huan, Todd Phillips feels very good.

As a good director, Todd Phillips has a very sensitive instinct that he thinks there is a play this time.

So in the end, he finally chose to trust his instincts.

"That's right, Mr. Shen. Todd Phillips organizes the language and says, "As you probably know, in Hollywood, it's usually the producer who is in charge of the system.

Usually our films are made by famous producers under major companies to find projects, to raise funds, so that they can start shooting, and finally hand over to film companies for distribution.

Therefore, in Hollywood, the most powerful people are the producers, who control all the film production in Hollywood, including blockbusters, literary films, horror films, and so on.

Many producers are not optimistic about the script of "Joker", so they refuse to invest in this script and refuse to make all kinds of preparations. So if I had to do it, I had to take on the responsibility of being a producer.

As long as we can take care of all the filming and production by ourselves, then on the Warner side, they don't have to pay anything, they can use copyrights, dividends and distribution to make profits, and they won't embarrass us at all. ”

Shen Huan bowed slightly: "What is your budget?"

Todd Phillips hastened to say, "$50 million is enough! It doesn't require much to produce a big fight, mainly the cost of actors and filming, and the special effects treatment of the clown's task." ”

Shen Huan smiled noncommittally and said, "I feel what you mean, this film wants me to pay all the production funds?"

"It's good if you're willing to give more, and if it's not enough, I'll go to other investors." Todd Phillips said quickly.

"How many people are interested?" Shen Huan asked again.

Todd Phillips was silent for a moment, and said with some embarrassment: "If you are interested, you are the first." ”

Shen Huan smiled, this person is honest.

It is conceivable that if he agrees to invest, then Todd Phillips will definitely take this to talk about it, and in the name of Shen Huan's "genius boy", he will definitely be able to help him fool some people over.

"What are the specific conditions on Warner's side? Do you understand this?" asked him.

"Roughly I talked to their supervisor. If we were responsible for all the funding and they were only responsible for the publicity, they would probably ask for $10 million in royalties, 10% of the box office dividends, and 20% of the distribution and publicity fees. Todd Phillips said cautiously, "In addition, they also require a 30% interest in the surrounding copyright." ”

Shen Huan laughed angrily: "What's the matter? This hasn't started filming yet, have they treated the clown as a $500 million super-grossing movie?"

With the backdrop of the Marvel Universe, as well as Disney's marketing, and "Deadpool", which is a hero in itself, is only a global box office of 783 million US dollars!

Even if the clown has always been at the top of the list of villains, can such a single villain and such a simple plot afford such a high box office?"

Todd Phillips has nothing to say.

Shen Huan is right, the price that Warner wants is too high.

10% of the box office dividends, and 20% of the distribution and publicity expenses, add up to 30% of the box office.

This is not the box office profit dividend, it is directly calculated according to how much box office there is, and the cost is still in it!

Todd Phillips just said that the budget for "Joker" is $50 million.

If you add the above 30% dividend and $10 million, if you want to return to the cost at the box office, the North American box office must reach more than $400 million.

But even "Suicide Squad" did not have that high box office in the United States, so the overseas box office must be counted.

The share of the overseas box office is generally 30%.

Therefore, if you calculate it this way, the global box office of 500 million US dollars is a more reasonable number.

Not to mention that they are still poaching 30% of the net profit on the peripheral copyright interests that may make money in the later stage.

This is the most important reason why producers and production companies are reluctant to take over.

Moreover, for an R-rated movie, the box office of $500 million is too high, and it is almost impossible.

I've been working hard for a while, and the result is working for you at Warner, why?

"Maybe we can make some money on the Chinese market......," Todd Phillips said with some trepidation.

"How many R-rated movies can be released in the Chinese market?" Shen Huan shook his head and said, "Even positive content like "Deadpool" is not allowed to be released in the Chinese market, let alone "Joker"...... Isn't "Suicide Squad", which is about to be released, not allowed?"

Todd Phillips stopped talking.

His heart also sank at this time, but he didn't forget to give the last bargaining chip: "Mr. Shen, I can give up all my rights and interests, as long as you let me be the producer and director, then unless the movie makes a profit in the end, I won't take a penny!"

Even if it is profitable, I will only take 5% of the box office profit! I don't want the peripheral copyright interests! The copyright of this movie is also yours! Believe me, I will definitely make a good movie!"

For a director of his level, not making a profit, not taking money, and not wanting derivative copyrights around it is already a great sincerity.

Even giving the copyright of this movie to Shen Huan is equivalent to completely giving up everything after that and handing over the script to Shen Huan to be the master.

It's just that in the face of the box office pressure of 500 million US dollars, these sincerity are not of much effect.

Todd Phillips is also just doing his best and resigning himself to God's fate.

"But I really like the story. The pressure was enough, and Shen Huan turned to smile and said, "It's not that I can't give 50 million US dollars...... But I need you to make some commitments. ”

"You say!" Todd Phillips was like a drowning man who suddenly climbed onto a big log, and his spirits were lifted, "as long as I can do it, there must be no problem!"

"I'm not very happy with Warner's share. Shen Huan said, "You go and talk to them, increase the copyright as much as possible, and I'd rather give them more money at a time than take up too much box office share with their lions open." ”

"You...... Are you bullish on the box office?" said Todd Phillips in surprise.

"Whether it's optimistic or not, I don't think they should be allowed to seize benefits so recklessly. Shen Huan said with a straight face, "Lower the share ratio as much as possible, including the proportion of surrounding interests, this is my first request to you!"

"As long as the funds are in place, they can see our sincerity and will naturally have to discuss. Todd Phillips said quickly, "Doing a company is about money, and in front of real money, I think they can give in." ”

"Good. ”

Shen Huan smiled, "Then the second point, who are you going to look for, the male protagonist?"

"I think Jacquin Phoenix is a good fit! His films like "Gladiator", "The Master", "You Were Never Here", all of them are full of artistry and excellent acting. Todd Phillips didn't hesitate to give the name.

"What about the heroine?" Shen Huan said, "It's the single mother who went to recruit bees and butterflies." ”

"Uh......"

Todd Phillips was also smart, and coughed lightly, "I'm going to ask Miss Bouillie to play it, but the setting of this role can be changed slightly." What do you think of changing her into a single mother who is struggling with domestic violence and poverty?"

"Then I don't have anything to find fault with for the time being. ”

Shen Huan was very satisfied with his interest and stretched out his hand, "I think we can have a formal investment cooperation negotiation!"

"Thank you!

Todd Phillips shook Shen Huan's hand excitedly, almost crying.