Santa Monica, Los Angeles, where Lionsgate is headquartered, is located in this small seaside town.

In the conference room, the company's regular meeting had just ended, and Navas was left behind by Frank Gusta, who was chairing the meeting.

Frank Gusta asked, "I heard that Embassy Pictures' "Hero" imported from the East has been expanded?"

"Yes. "Of the five films nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, "Hero is the only film to be released in an expanded format. ”

He looked at Frank Gusta, saw that he didn't say anything, and continued: "But after the expansion of the release, Embassy Pictures lost control of word-of-mouth, and at present, the word-of-mouth polarization of "Hero" is extremely serious, and it is impossible to hit the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". That said, City of God is missing a strong competitor. ”

Frank Gusta nodded slowly and said: "We have invested nearly $20 million in the purchase of the copyright, plus publicity and public relations and screenings, and we must ensure that "City of God" gets the best foreign language film, which is also the focus of Lionsgate's work at this stage." ”

Navas is quite confident: "Judging by the response from all sides, 'City of God' is already one position ahead. ”

"Good. Frank Gusta first praised it, and then asked: "If "City of God" wins the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, can the North American box office be as high as "Hero"?"

Navas hesitated for a moment and did not answer immediately, the film "Hero" was so unexpected, only two weeks after the expansion of the theaters, the North American box office exceeded 40 million US dollars, what is the final landing point? More than 60 million US dollars, right?

Frank Gusta kept watching him, and Navas didn't dare to say nonsense, otherwise he wouldn't be able to hold back at all: "It should be ...... It should not be as high as the box office of "Hero". ”

Seeing the boss's face sank, he said: "I think that the cost can be recovered through the box office, and offline can bring considerable profits." ”

"So, even if you win Best Foreign Language Film, it's not as good as that Oriental film?" asked Frank Gusta again.

For Relativity Entertainment, he always has an inexplicable feeling that the other party seems to have robbed Lionsgate of its development.

Navas could only tell the truth: "I have made an estimate that the revenue of 'City of God' in North America should be half that of 'Heroes'. ”

Looking at the box office trend of "Heroes", the box office is the basis of all income, and the revenue of "City of God" can be half of that of "Heroes", which is already the most optimistic estimate.

Frank Gusta didn't blame his subordinates, but said, "Ronan Anderson's eye for watching the film is amazing. Navas, I remember you were old friends with Ronan Anderson, right? ”

After reading the box office data of "Hero", Navas knew that he really couldn't compare to Ronan Anderson, and quickly said: "I understand. ”

The boss said that Duoduo walks around with Ronan Anderson, and Duoduo learns from Ronan Anderson, which is obviously not as simple as walking around and learning.

There's nothing to be ashamed of, buying a film from overseas for distribution is the one with the highest price.

Navas returned to his office and immediately called Ronan to congratulate "Hero" on its box office success and express his admiration for the accuracy of his viewing of the film.

In Burbank, Relativity Entertainment's office, Ronan put down the phone and felt weird.

In the past, Relativity Entertainment's movies were big hits, and no one from Lionsgate had ever called to congratulate them, so why did Navas suddenly call this time?

Doesn't look like he and Navas have such a good relationship?

In some ways, Relativity Entertainment is a competitor to Lionsgate, and "Hero" is in direct competition with "City of God," which Navas runs himself, in the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

After all, Ronan is not really a person in his twenties, he has rich social experience, and he has worked hard in the mall for many years, and sometimes he can't help but think too much.

Navas's call just made him pay attention, but he didn't think of anything.

"Why didn't you suddenly stop talking when you answered the phone?" Tom Cruise looked at Ronan curiously, "What?

Ronan came back to his senses and said, "I don't have a girlfriend, where do I get to break up without breaking up?"

Tom Cruise asked, "Aren't you talking to that little Canadian pop star lately, what's your name...... He thought for a while before he said, "Yes, it's Avril Lavigne." Aren't you having a hot fight with her?"

Ronan said directly: "The relationship between us is very pure, not what you think. ”

Where could Tom Cruise not understand Ronan: "I know, purely carnal relationships without feelings. ”

These words made Ronan speechless, so he had to change the topic and said: "Someone just called to congratulate me on the box office success of "Hero". ”

"That's right. Tom Cruise smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated you yet, "Hero" has more than 100 million dollars at the global box office, right?"

Ronan nodded: "The global box office has exceeded 100 million US dollars." However, the box office in the Eastern market has nothing to do with the theory of relativity, and it is the producer's own distribution. ”

Tom Cruise said: "You make a lot of money, right? I remember you mentioned last time that it cost you $5 million to buy international rights, and then you spend millions of dollars on publicity and public relations, plus the cost of distribution, the total investment will not exceed $15 million, and now the North American box office is enough to recoup your costs." ”

He suddenly said: "I want to go to the East to buy a martial arts movie now." ”

Ronan was very calm and said: "It's best not to have such an idea, "Hero" can be a big hit, a large part of the reason is to borrow the momentum of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and now this momentum is almost consumed, and it may be difficult to achieve a higher box office for another martial arts film." And with the big sale of "Hero", Hollywood no longer wants to buy an oriental martial arts production at a low price. ”

"The analysis makes sense. Tom Cruise has always convinced Ronan in this regard, saying: "If you buy the rights at a high price, most of the market potential will be consumed, and the slightest mistake will bring serious losses." ”

Ronan and Tom Cruise were not polite, and said directly: "In recent years, I will not let Embassy Pictures introduce oriental martial arts films." ”

Tom Cruise said: "Some overseas films are still good. ”

"I also bought a cop movie from the East. Ronan deliberately said: "It's called "Infernal Affairs", if you are interested, you can take the time to watch it, it's very good." ”

Tom Cruise wondered, "Why haven't I heard of it?"

Ronan replied: "It was released, and when it was the largest, there were no more than 20 companies, and the box office results were too average, and it got less than $160,000 in total." ”

"Not adapted?" asked Tom Cruise.

"The film is good. Ronan may have been preconceived and has always felt that the Hong Kong version is more flavorful: "But it is not suitable for the North American market." ”

There used to be too many debates about the Hong Kong and American versions of "Infernal Affairs", such as the American version being considered by the North American media to be one of Martin Scorsese's three best films, and so on.

But this argument has no result, after all, each has completely different tastes for gangster films, just like the sweet and salty tastes of tofu brain.

Even the battle between sweet and salty will jump out of the sour and spicy taste.

Hearing Ronan's solemn recommendation, Tom Cruise took it seriously and asked, "Is there a CD or a copy of the movie?"

Ronan knew that Tom Cruise had a private theater at home, and said directly: "I'll have the copy delivered to your house when I go back." ”

Tom Cruise nodded: "I'll definitely take a good look at it when I find time." ”

Ronan's script adaptation has not been moved yet, and he will not be in a hurry to start this project for the time being, so he asked instead: "What is the situation on the agent's side?"

"I fired Pat Kingsley and paid her $350,000 in liquidated damages. Tom Cruise didn't hide it: "CAA has changed my main agent again, but I think it's still a bit of a problem, my sister is considering a broker license, and after she gets the certificate, I plan to put her in charge of my brokerage business." ”

Ronan can roughly guess that Tom Cruise has been bitten by a snake once and has been afraid of the well rope for ten years.

Similar situations are not uncommon in Hollywood, and many celebrities' agents are their own relatives.

"Where's Pat Kingsley?" Ronan asked with concern.

Tom Cruise didn't seem to care too much: "The handover of the brokerage business went smoothly. Rest assured, Ronan, she's at peace at the moment. ”

Ronan still reminded: "Since she dares to do something that damages your interests, it means that she is a bold agent, and you had better let people stare at her." After all, your status is here, and if she really wants to do something that is not good for you, it will definitely take a while to prepare. ”

Tom Cruise said seriously, "I will." ”

Even if it's a friend, some things have to be done in moderation, and Ronan didn't continue the conversation on the subject.

In his opinion, Pat Kingsley, like most agents, will either do nothing after terminating the contract, or will lie dormant for a period of time to be fully prepared, and when it is launched, it will be a thunderous blow.

It would be a good thing if Pat Kinsley was in a hurry, and with the resources that Tom Cruise superstar could gather, it would definitely make Pat Kinsley all over the place.

Ronan changed the subject and asked, "Tom, it's going to be the Oscars soon, are you going to attend?"

"Don't go. Tom Cruise shook his head: "There are some people, I just don't want to see them anymore." ”

Ronan said, "Don't worry about it, it will be fine after a while." ”

Tom Cruise has seen it: "I'm afraid I'm going to be talked about a lot." He said to Ronan very seriously: "Or you are right, marriage is terrible, and the ex-wife is simply the most terrifying existence in the world." ”

Ronan asked, "I'm going to the awards ceremony, is there anything I need help with?"

Tom Cruise thought for a moment and said, "If she wins the award, congratulations to me." ”

。 m.