After dealing with Tom Cruise's affairs, Ronan received a joint invitation from Zhang Guoshi and Zhang Baihat, inviting him to participate in the North American copyright pre-sale meeting of Zhang Guoshi's new film "Ambush on All Sides".

Because of the success of "Hero", the pre-sale will attract many Hollywood studios, including some high-level executives of film companies.

For example, Lionsgate, New Line Pictures, Broadwell International, Sony Columbia, and Twentieth Century Fox have all sent high-level executives.

Ronan sits with Chris from Sony Columbia Pictures.

"Orientals learn very quickly. Chris listened to the introduction of the film by an American producer hired by New Pictures, and said to Ronan: "I learned the pre-sale rights so quickly. ”

Ronan lowered his voice and said, ""Hero" is a big hit at the box office, and they have such capital. ”

Chris asked, "Can 'Hero' grossing over $80 million?"

Ronan shook his head: "It's difficult, it's going to be off in two to three weeks, and if nothing else, the North American box office will be around $75 million." ”

"More than $200 million in the world is no problem, right?" said the envy in Chris's tone.

Ronan smiled and whispered, "The global box office has exceeded $200 million. ”

Thanks to the fact that the international copyright is in the hands of Embassy Pictures, and Ronan's attention has made Embassy Pictures actively invest resources to promote the promotion and distribution of "Hero" around the world, and today's global box office figures are much higher than Ronan's impression.

Chris finally couldn't help it and said, "You only spent $5 million to buy the international rights." ”

Ronan told the truth: "The investment in publicity and distribution is several times the copyright fee. ”

Chris said directly, "Don't be dissatisfied, Ronan. Relativity Entertainment's investment in "Hero" is definitely less than $20 million! How much profit can the box office alone bring? Even if the box office in the East is excluded, the net profit at the box office is $30 million, right? Then there will be DVD and TV broadcasting, and if the final net profit of this hero is not $50 million, I will make up for the rest. ”

Ronan said, "Well, if it's less than $100 million, how about you make it up for me?"

Chris shot back: "Why don't you say that the part that exceeds $50 million will be given to me directly?" He sighed: "Sony Entertainment has been discussing this film recently, and there are many films in Colombia that are more profitable than this, but with such a low investment, there will be no one in five years." And what about you? In the last three years, how many are these films?"

"I'm just lucky. What else could Ronan say: "The people below work hard. ”

Chris's voice changed suddenly: "Ronan, have you considered joining Sony Entertainment?"

Ronan looked at Chris and asked, "Is this your personal meaning or Sony Entertainment's meaning?"

"I personally enjoyed working with you very much. Chris said vaguely: "Sony Entertainment definitely welcomes Relativity Entertainment to join." ”

Ronan knew that with the increase in the number of successful films of Relativity Entertainment, it would be impossible not to attract the attention of large companies, but he would not leave them with any illusions, and said firmly: "I have no plans to join any company." ”

Fortunately, DreamWorks has not fallen yet, and its performance in the past two years has been not bad, and it can still be in front of Relativity Entertainment for the time being.

Chris sighed and said, "Unfortunately, can't work with you. ”

Ronan took the opportunity to say: "It's better than this." Chris, how about you join Relativity Entertainment?"

Chris smiled, "Let's talk about this later." ”

It just so happened that the American staff hired by the new picture company issued the information, and Chris took the information and changed the topic: "They are quite comprehensive. ”

Ronan looked at the information, the new picture was indeed very well prepared this time, the script, budget, plan and financing, etc., all have relevant data and documents, and even the third-party completion guarantee that Oriental Film will not use at all, has cooperated with Allianz Group and reached a third-party guarantee agreement.

Then again, with a third-party completion guarantee, the budget is possible.

It can be seen that after the success of "Hero", it has brought huge international influence to Zhang Guoshi, and this influence is not limited to awards, but more trust from the market.

This is rare for an oriental director.

After all, Zhang Guoshi is not the only oriental director who can win awards at the three major European film festivals, but he is the only one who can pre-sell the North American distribution rights.

Ronan could see that New Picture Company had done a lot of preparations in advance for this pre-sale, especially after being rejected by him.

"Do you want to buy this Ambush on All Sides?" asked Chris in a low voice.

Ronan shrugged: "Buy it at the right price." ”

This is a pre-sale of the North American rights, but the budget is made in a bidding manner.

It didn't take long for the bidding to begin.

When the American producer who hosted the auction announced a reserve price of $3 million, the venue suddenly fell silent, and no one seemed to want to bid.

The reserve price of the North American copyright is $3 million, which is definitely an increase compared to the $5 million international copyright of "Hero".

Chris looked at the silent Ronan, swallowed the words that came to his lips, and waited patiently.

Zhang Guoshi's eyes kept wandering around the conference room, a little anxious.

If the copyright pre-sale will not be sold or the price is too low, and the news reaches the other side of the Pacific, he will make a joke.

Ronan glanced at Zhang Guoshi and Zhang Baihat, and swept the people in the conference room again, these people seemed to have a tacit understanding, as if they were suppressing their counterparts in the East in this way.

For the hero's sake, Ronan was the first to shout: "$3 million!"

If no one bids, if you can get the North American rights for $3 million, it is estimated that you will be able to make money.

"$5 million!" Chris smiled at Ronan.

What could Ronan say, shrugged his shoulders slightly at him, and before he could continue bidding, the Twentieth Century Fox executive shouted, "$6 million!"

This has exceeded the international rights transaction price of "Heroes".

shouted $6 million, Ronan didn't plan to make a move, martial arts films are just passers-by in the North American film market after all.

Keylor Moongate's Navas has been in contact with New Picture recently, and originally thought that the conversation was almost over, but I didn't expect New Picture to have such a bidding meeting.

He also saw Ronan, and saw that Ronan fell silent after shouting the price once, and suddenly hesitated, but when he thought that the North American box office of "Hero" directed by Zhang Guoshi was close to 75 million US dollars, his heart was hot again.

This Zhang Guoshi has proven himself in the North American market, unlike the box office hit "City of God".

Moreover, "City of God" has been removed from North American theaters, and only got more than $6 million at the North American box office, which has brought considerable losses to Lionsgate.

"$8 million!" was Robert Shea of New Line Pictures.

Bowell International's Tenerio directly added $2 million: "$10 million!"

The price was shouted, and the venue was silent for a moment.

Navas didn't hesitate any longer and raised the price: "$12 million!"

Hearing the outcry of one higher than the other, Ronan became a complete bystander.

Chris had the heart to increase the price again, but seeing that Ronan was still unmoved, after a little thought, he gave up the plan to increase the price, Ronan continued to operate "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" The two oriental martial arts films were successful, and when it comes to the understanding of oriental martial arts films, all the Hollywood people present are not as good as Ronan together.

It is better to err on the side of caution.

Robert Shea then shouted the price of $15 million!

Chris looked around, Hollywood has its own internal rules of operation, and most companies use it as an important reference standard, like the new film of the director of "Hero", which must be taken seriously.

If he hadn't met Ronan today, he would have fought for it, right?

Bowell International's Tenerio stood up again: "$16 million!"

This price is already quite high, even more than the North American distribution rights fee for most Hollywood films.

Navas thought of the $20 million offer that the other party wanted to make when he negotiated with New Picture before, and said ruthlessly, and said loudly: "Lionsgate, $20 million!"

Everyone in the conference room looked at Navas, and many people seemed to can't believe that the pre-sale of an oriental martial arts film could sell for such a high price.

Zhang Baihao was overjoyed in his heart, just the North American pre-sale was enough to recover the production cost......

The business of this movie will not lose money no matter what.

"Lionsgate, $20 million for the first time!"

The American producer who presided over the bidding said: "$20 million for the second time! $20 million for the sale! The North American distribution rights of "Ambush on All Sides" belong to Lionsgate!"

The staff of the new picture was the first to applaud, and the meeting room immediately burst into sparse applause.

Ronan glanced at Navas, greeted Zhang Baihat and Zhang Guoshi, and was the first to divorce the bidding venue.

Chris followed from behind, "Ronan, why did you give up after one bid?"

Ronan replied casually, "It's too risky. ”

Chris calculated a little in his heart, with a copyright fee of 20 million US dollars and more than 10 million US dollars invested in publicity, the box office of this film cannot be much lower than that of "Hero", so that it is possible to make a profit online and offline.

It seems that the risk is indeed a bit big.

Ronan got out of the hotel and came to the front of the car, just as he was about to get into the car, Chris followed again and invited: "Tomorrow at noon, Sony Entertainment has a reception, do you have time to attend?"

"Sorry, I didn't have the right time. Ronan also has a friendship with Chris, explaining: "Tomorrow there is an internal preview screening of the United Cinema side at Embassy Pictures, and I have to attend. ”

Chris's heart moved and asked, "Is it "Spy 2"?"

Ronan nodded: "Yes, "Spy 2". ”

It's April, and the 2003 North American summer season is coming.

(In reality, "Ambush" was released by Sony in North America and is said to be a $20 million royalty.) ）