When "Edge of Tomorrow" was filmed, and before its official release, industry professionals were generally not optimistic about the box office prospects of this work, which was not the result of personal grudges, but a trend summary of the current situation of the entire industry.

In the past few years, science fiction films, which once dominated the box office market, have gradually begun to decline, and their box office performance in the North American market has always been a mystery and unpredictable, but the overall trend is a sharp downward curve.

The series of superhero movies led by the "Avengers" are actually subordinate to science fiction in terms of genre division, but the comic book adaptation attribute of these movies is more important, and it is also the fundamental guarantee of box office success, so the data statistics are temporarily excluded.

Then, in the past few years, the most outstanding performance of science fiction movies is undoubtedly "Avatar", but in addition, there are only four science fiction works that have exceeded 100 million at the box office in North America:

"Star Trek", 257 million, both word-of-mouth and box office, reopened the long-term prospects of the series of films, "District 9", 115 million, a small-cost science fiction miracle, and entered the Oscar final stage that year.

"Men in Black 3", 179 million, but the series reboot is unsatisfactory, fortunately, the overseas box office is exceptionally good, which still makes Sony Pictures a lot of money;

From 2007 to 2012, in the whole five years, only four science fiction movies successfully exceeded 100 million at the North American box office, which is the pattern of the entire market. This year, "Edge of Tomorrow" replicated the miracle of "Avatar" and crossed the 500 million threshold in North America, which is a myth;

According to the trend, the North American box office of "gravity" is 200 million, which is almost an impossible task. That's what Innovative Artists' Agency thinks, and so does Warner Bros. — otherwise, they wouldn't have been so neatly offering a 10 percent box office dividend.

Compared with the salary of "Edge of Tomorrow", 10 million US dollars plus 5% of the box office dividend; now the salary of "Gravity" is either 20 million US dollars or 10% of the box office dividend, on the whole, Warner Bros. abacus is still extremely accurate, giving the most appropriate and appropriate figure in his mind, showing his generosity and courage, and at the same time still controlling the initiative in his hands.

Now, the Innovative Artist Agency is leaning towards the 20 million club internally.

Choosing 20 million US dollars, although it is a bit conservative, if "gravity" succeeds in replicating the miracle of "Edge of Tomorrow", then the loss of Lan Li's salary will be huge, but undoubtedly, this is also the most secure plan, at least to ensure that Lan Li is in the 20 million club, to determine the posture and grandeur of the top superstars in the Blue Gift industry, and to be a benchmark for the cooperation of other film companies in the future.

Once the North American box office is less than $200 million, or even less than $100 million, then Lan Li's salary will not be able to touch the threshold of 20 million-

This is definitely a high probability event. Missed this opportunity to play the 20 million club, I don't know when the next time will be, at that time, Lan Li still needs to hover in the ranks of 10 million or 15 million, and will never be able to rank among the top.

What's more, at that time, the black cauldron of box office failure will be thrown on Lan Li, and all the pressure will rush in, which will be a fatal blow to Lan Li's career prospects. This is the deep meaning of box office dividends, one is prosperous, and the other is lost, and actors need to take more risks and obligations.

Andy understands the truth, but the other colleagues in the innovative artist agency are not Lanli's one-on-one agents, none of them have experienced Lanli's career climbing, they don't really have a deep understanding of Lanli, and deep down, Andy always has an inexplicable confidence.

"Before I settle on my proposal, I need to ask what you think about 'gravity'. What kind of sci-fi movie is this?" Andy wanted to hear Lan Li's opinion, after all, from the very beginning, it was Lan Li who nodded and agreed to Alfonso Cuarón's invitation, as if "love is crazy".

A similar question, Barry had brought it up last night, and now Andy had brought it up again.

Lan Li can't help it. However, this time, Lan Li did not answer directly, but thought seriously for a moment and gave a different answer, "This is a revolutionary science fiction work, and I like 'gravity' more than 'Avatar'." ”

It's the truth. "Avatar" brings a cross-generational innovation in visual effects, and "Gravity" not only does this, but also goes one step further on the core of the theme, exploring the origin of human beings and the meaning of existence. From a commercial point of view, "Avatar" was more successful, but from an artistic point of view, "Gravity" was enough to win the applause of all audiences.

More sincere, and more honest, Barry and Andy, finally there is a difference.

Andy opened his mouth slightly, surprised by Lan Li's answer, and the first reaction in his mind was, "Are you serious", but after the words came to the tip of his tongue, Andy still closed his mouth, even if he didn't need to ask, he already knew the answer.

Gently tapping his round belly, Andy fell into deep thought, and finally made his own judgment and choice, "Let's choose 10% box office dividends." ”

It's a real gamble.

If "Gravity" encounters Waterloo, just like "Super Battleship", and the final North American box office is only 65 million, then Lan Li's salary is only 6.5 million, which is even lower than Dwayne Johnson's salary for starring in "Fast and Thrill/Love 6".

To be more serious, this is a big gamble, and the bet is the accumulation and precipitation of Lanli over the past few years.

"Good. Lan Li replied like this, without hesitation, without hesitation, without even thinking, and nodded and agreed lightly and neatly.

Andy, who was sitting on the other end of the phone, couldn't help but be slightly stunned. In Lan Li's body, he felt a real trust. There were no words, no communication, trust from the heart, and easily adopted Andy's advice.

Andy believes that Lanli has a clear understanding of this, and what they are fighting for is not only the salary figure, but also the status in the industry, but also the career prospects.

Once it is promoted, then in the future, Lan Li can choose the works he wants to star in.

Just like Nicole Kidman, at the beginning of the century, her career reached its peak, and she won the Oscar-winning actress with "all the time", but after that, Nicole became a box office poison, almost every work was dismal and loss-making, and the performance also entered a bottleneck, and it was difficult to make a breakthrough.

Despite this, Nicole's film contract has never been broken, and she has even joined the ranks of producers. That's what position in the industry means.

Andy's adventure affected more than just the salary figures, but Lan Li nodded and agreed.

"Lan Li, do you know what this means?" The smile on the corner of his mouth stiffened slightly, like a dragonfly resting on the shoulder of a lotus leaf, trembling its wings slightly, Andy asked cautiously.

Lan Li chuckled, "Andy, remember? In February, when I just came back from Berlin, I came up with the idea of holding a concert. Not only did you nod your head in agreement, but you went all out to make it happen. This is very important to me. ”

There was still a lingering sadness hidden in the breezy voice, and everyone thought that Heather Cross was a thing of the past, but in Lan Li's memory, she was still vivid. "So, yes, I know what that means. But he nodded his head without hesitation.

“…… Good...... Good. After speaking, Andy realized that his voice was actually a little choked, and he rubbed his slightly hot eyes in embarrassment, and then cleared his throat to hide his panic, "No problem, then let's do it." I'll take care of the rest and I'll finish the next talks with Warner Bros. ”

Lan Li noticed Andy's gaffe, but did not say anything, but continued, "By the way, Barry also mentioned the preparation of the crew, the studio is ready, and then the start time and shooting cycle seem to have been determined. Have you communicated with the crew, and have you identified another important role in the movie?"

In "Gravity", two astronauts survived the accident, but on the road to survival, one of them sacrificed himself in exchange for the survival of the other.

On this point, Lan Li and Alfonso had an in-depth discussion, because in the original script, it was the men who were sacrificed and the women who survived, which is symbolic, but now after Lan Li joins, he will play the role that survived, so what about the other sacrifice role, is it still a man, or is it changed to a woman?

"Three days ago, when I checked the situation, the three actors went to the final auditions. The excitement gradually settled, Andy regained his usual smile and said calmly, "If nothing else, the final audition will be held today." How's that, are you curious about the last three alternates?"

"Yes, the actor is always a little curious. Lan Li frankly admitted, "Actually, what surprised me even more was that they actually auditioned, and judging from the script scene, this is a supporting role, isn't it?"

"But it's an opportunity to work with Ranley Hall. Andy's words made Lan Li stunned, and then laughed, "Actually, Alfonso had several actors in mind, and he also sent out invitations through Warner Bros., but they were not sure of the actual performance effect, so they still hope to further determine through auditions." Alfonso said, "Actually, you were auditioning as well. ”

The stage performance of "Les Miserables", this is the audition of Lan Li, and it is also the link that really moved Alfonso.

Andy then continued, "Now the last three candidates are, Amy-Adams, Jessica Chastain, and Rooney Mara. ”