Chapter 59: AMC Cinemas

……

"Boss, after half a month of negotiations, we got 345 screens from theater giants such as AMC and Carmichael, plus other small and medium-sized theaters, a total of 514 screens!"

Looking at the documents handed over by Kevin Yang and after a quick glance at the side, Guo Shouyun also understood that they had done their best for the more than 500 screens.

If it weren't for the fact that the quality of "Smart: Ghost Shadow" was not bad in the eyes of those theater managers, it would be difficult for a film company like Matrix Pictures, which had just been established and had little influence, not to mention 500 screens, even 100 screens.

However, although the 514 screens are already very good for the nascent Matrix Pictures, they can't satisfy Guo Shouyun's ambitions.

"Is the CEO of AMC Entertainment Peter Brown?" said Guo Shouyun after a little thought.

"Yes!"

"In the name of the chairman of Matrix Pictures, send me an appointment, I want to see him in person!"

Looking at Guo Shouyun, whose eyes were shining, Kevin Yang nodded.

……

"Boss, this is the appointment I just received!"

The beautiful young blonde secretary put the papers on Peter Brown's desk.

"Bruce Guo, Chairman of Matrix Pictures?" frowned slightly, "I haven't heard much of Matrix Pictures, but the name Bruce Guo is quite familiar!"

"Matrix Pictures is a film company that was just established some time ago, and Bruce Guo is the author of eight best-selling novels such as "Fifty Shades of Grey," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." ”

The blonde female secretary is obviously a big fan of "Fifty Shades of Grey", and she has a light in her eyes when she talks about it.

"It turned out to be him, I said why is it so familiar!" After a sudden look on his face, "His 'National Treasure' is very good." But if this great writer doesn't write novels, how can he think of opening a film company?"

"I don't know!" The blonde secretary shook her head.

Peter Brown frowned slightly, picked up the folder next to him, and after a quick rummag for a while, found a report from inside.

"Matrix Pictures, "Smart: Ghost Shadows". A horror movie?" After thinking for a moment, "send them a receipt agreeing to meet at 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow." Also, get Alex!"

The blonde secretary nodded, and soon stepped out on her high heels. After a short time, a middle-aged black man in his thirties in a brown suit pushed the door and walked in.

"Peter, are you looking for me?"

"Sit!"

Nodding, Peter Brown gestured to the seat across from his desk.

"Have you watched Matrix Pictures' "Smart: Ghost Shadows"?"

"Matrix?"Smart: Ghost Shadow?" After a brief recollection, Alex Sandra, who was in charge of ABC Entertainment's projection department, immediately nodded, "I've seen it, it's a very good horror movie!"

"How much do you think it will take at the box office?"

"1500~20 million!" said Alex Sandra after thinking about it.

"Looks like you're bullish on it!"

A low-budget horror film can get more than 10 million box office, which is already an extremely successful in itself!

"Indeed!"

"Why?"

"There are two main reasons for this. First, "Smart: Ghost Shadow" is based on the novel of the same name by Bruce Guo. According to our market research, the novel has sold 1.29 million copies in eight weeks since its release in mid-June, which is far less impressive than Bruce Kwok's other novels, but it is still a bestseller with a good readership. Second, I have watched the sample film of "Smart: Ghost Shadow", and it is indeed very good, although there are no well-known actors in it, but the director's creation of the atmosphere and handling of the plot are very good. It's a good work in the field of films!"

After nodding thoughtfully, "How many screens did the company arrange for this movie?"

"137 pieces!"

"So every one of our theaters has a screen?"

"Yes!"

The 2,000-year-old AMC Entertainment, without a series of mergers and acquisitions, has not had the astonishing scale of 346 theaters and 5,028 screens in later generations.

Peter Brown had a deep look on his face, and after a few flickering glances, he shifted the subject.

"How's the Gladiator release?"

"Ridley made another good movie, which was released for three days and had an average attendance of 55.8 percent. By Saturday and Sunday, it will be more than 90 percent, and according to the current development, the United States should be able to get $200 million at the box office. ”

"Looks like DreamWorks is making a lot of money this time!" Peter Brown said enviously.

"Based on past experience, Gladiator's global box office will exceed $400 million, if nothing else. The box office share alone can bring DreamWorks $150 million in revenue. And there is a more lucrative peripheral product income behind. Tsk, making movies is more profitable than doing theaters!" Alex Sandra nodded, and couldn't help but feel a little envious.

……

Guo Shouyun, who received the receipt from AMC Cinemas, made careful preparations, and showed up in Peter Brown's office on time with Wendy Solow.

Although I have known for a long time that Mr. Guo is very young, after actually meeting him, I understand what the concept of a nineteen-year-old billionaire is. ”

After holding Peter Brown's hand and shaking it briefly, Guo Shouyun smiled and said, "Mr. Brown has won the award!"

"You may be seated!"

Guo Shouyun nodded, and the two sat down on the sofa in the reception area.

"I really like Mr. Guo's 'National Treasure', and the wisdom and bravery of the protagonist Ben Gates are impressive. Of course, as the creator of the novel, Mr. Guo's keen thinking and rich knowledge are equally admirable. I just don't know when the second part will be released?"

Glancing at Peter Brown with some surprise, Guo Shouyun didn't know if he really liked to read his novels or if he was a polite compliment.

"I'm working on the main story line, and I haven't started writing it yet. If it is launched, it is estimated that it will not be until next year!"

"Next year? That's a pity!"

Seeing that Peter Brown's expression did not seem to be fake, Guo Shouyun's heart moved. If the man sitting across from him is really a fan of his own books, it will be good news for the next negotiations.

"After delaying Mr. Guo for a while, let's get to the point. Peter Brown patted his hands lightly, and after finishing speaking, he looked directly at Guo Shouyun, "Mr. Guo did not hesitate to fly from Los Angeles to Kansas City in person, thinking that it was for the release of "Smart: Ghost Shadows", right?"

"Yes, we hope that each AMC theater can give us an extra screen!" Guo Shouyun said directly.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Guo's novel is wonderful and excellent after being adapted into a movie. Halloween is now three months away, though. Horror movies have a hard time giving theaters enough attendance. So, we can't accede to your request!" Peter Brown shook his head.

Guo Shouyun was not surprised by his refusal. When he came, he thought of a way to deal with it.

"How much does Mr. Brown think 'Smart: Ghost Story' will create at the box office in North America?"

With a little surprise, he glanced at the young man in front of him who was still full of confidence after being rejected by him, "15 million ~ 20 million US dollars!"

"No, I think it's going to make more than $50 million at the box office!" Guo Shouyun shook his head and said in a firm tone.

"Mr. Guo, I understand your feelings for movies. But not every horror movie is "Blair the Witch"!" Peter Brown smiled and shook his head, revealing a faint mockery of Guo Shouyun's fledgling 'I don't know the height of the sky'.

"Blair the Witch" is a horror movie produced and distributed in 1999 by Witchcraft Films, Artisan Entertainment. With a production cost of 30,000 euros, it created an astonishing box office of 140 million in North America, 108 million overseas, and 248 million US dollars worldwide. Before this, there has never been a movie that has been able to achieve such a high box office with such a low investment as it! The revenue ratio of nearly 10,000 times has also made "Blair the Witch" remain in the history of Hollywood movies forever.

Guo Shouyun is just as familiar with this movie. But he didn't envy. Because the revenue generated by the "Smart: Ghost Shadow" series of movies far exceeds it.

Regarding Peter Brown's ridicule, Guo Shouyun's face was still unfazed. The calm performance made Peter Brown a little surprised. In his understanding, Guo Shouyun, who became famous and achieved extraordinary achievements at a young age, should be extremely proud and conceited in his heart.

Noticing the subtle changes in Peter Brown's expression, Guo Shouyun smiled in his heart. I have worked hard in the workplace for more than ten years in my last life, although my achievements are not high, but the kung fu of cultivating qi has long been experienced like fire and innocence!

"Mr. Brown, do you think that the box office of 'Smart: Ghost Record' will not exceed 20 million at its highest price, and I think it will have a maximum box office of more than 50 million. There's a $30 million gap between us, and that's a focal point that we can't reconcile, right?"

"That's right!"

Peter Brown smiled and nodded. He wanted to see what kind of solution this well-known new writer could come up with. Business is a lot more complicated than writing.