Chapter 157: Oxford Visit

……

Compared with "Spider-Man", Guo Shouyun wants Marvel more. Once it is taken, with a large number of superheroes from Marvel, it is completely possible to lay the foundation for the glory of the matrix in the next twenty years. However, even if Marvel is very depressed now, and even has to rely on selling its comic rights to get by, after all, 'a skinny camel is bigger than a horse', and it is not easy to win it. It would not have been possible without more than $800 million.

Moreover, even if Guo Shouyun has $800 million in his hand now, he will not buy Marvel. After all, compared with Apple and Amazon, although Marvel has a very brilliant future, it is much inferior to the previous two super companies.

"BOSS, if we win the rights, will we add another super blockbuster filming plan this year?" said Buddy Morris.

"If we can get all the copyrights, we will start preparations in the second half of this year and start filming next year. However, I don't think Sony Columbia will sell easily, so the most likely thing for us is to invest. An investment of tens of millions a year is not too much pressure on us. ”

After nodding, Buddy Morris was silent for a moment, "Boss, I think we still have a great hope of getting the copyright!"

"Why? For the rights to Spider-Man, Sony spent $7 million a year ago!"

"Because Howard, the president of Columbia, has asked me more than once about the possibility of working together on The Da Vinci Code. Because of your explanation, I have rejected it before. But if we propose an exchange, the other party will definitely think about it seriously. After all, your "The Da Vinci Code" is currently the most popular mystery in the world, with over 10 million sales!"

Guo Shouyun touched his chin and said with interest: "This is an opportunity... So, when you get back from London, contact Howard Stringer and see if you can make a swap for the copyrights. If not, you can swap in half, and each side will hold 50%!"

"Understood!"

After putting down the information about Matrix Pictures, "This year's shooting plan is like this for the time being, if we can only get part of the copyright, then we will only make investments." If you get all the copyrights, let Lin Yibin prepare in the second half of the year, and start filming at the end of this year or early next year. ”

After Buddy Morris nodded, "As for the theater chain, this year's task is to increase the number to 25 and increase the number of screens by 120!"

"Yes!"

"Bruce, lunch is ready!"

That's when Molly came over.

Guo Shouyun nodded, "Buddy, let me introduce you, this is my fiancée, Molly Bevan... Molly, this is Buddy Morris, my partner at Matrix Pictures!"

"Hello, Mrs. Guo!"

Buddy Morris's salutation made Molly's face blush slightly, but she still stretched out her right hand very politely, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Morris!"

Perhaps because he understood Guo Shouyun's scruples as a Chinese, Buddy Morris did not use the common kiss hand salute in the West, but simply shook Molly's hand and stopped.

"It's not early, let's eat together. That's right, Molly. We're going to Oxford in the afternoon, do you want one?" Guo Shouyun said.

"Oxford?"

"Well, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone from Matrix Pictures is filming there, and we're going to check it out!"

This was something Guo Shouyun had discussed before Buddy Morris came over. And, this is also one of the main purposes for Buddy to fly from Los Angeles to London. As a super blockbuster with a $60 million investment from the company, no matter how much you care, you can't overstate it.

"I'm going to clean up my room in the afternoon, so I'm not going with you!" After some hesitation, Molly shook her head.

"Okay!"

Guo Shouyun didn't force it.

At his beckoning, everyone had lunch together. After a brief chat, Guo Shouyun got ready and left here with Buddy Morris and Matthew.

It is less than a hundred kilometers from London to Oxford, and it takes less than an hour to drive there. And the endless grasslands and crops along the route, as well as the traditional English village architecture with spires, red tiles, white walls and black columns, merge into a beautiful oil painting that makes you almost forget the fatigue of the journey.

With a thousand-year-old history, the University of Oxford is world-renowned for its academic and scientific excellence. I don't need to go into detail here.

When Guo Shouyun and his car drove into this ancient city that flourished because of the university, the classical buildings that can be seen everywhere make people feel a cultural and historical accumulation very intuitively. This city, which radiates a unique charm in the sun, has given birth to some of the world's best universities.

Looking at the ancient streets that crisscross on both sides, Guo Shouyun couldn't help but think of the topic that was often discussed on the Internet in China in his previous life: the most regrettable thing about modern China is that it has lost its traditional culture, especially classical architecture.

In a sense, this is correct. In the 21st century, China is strong, but except for a few tourist attractions, more than 95% of the cities have no trace of the inheritance of the ancient civilization of 5,000 years.

It is true that the ultimate destruction allowed Huaxia, which was in the abyss, to get rid of its chronic disease, usher in the rebirth of civilization, and have a later strength. But there are always two sides to the contradiction. The benefits of development have been obtained, and naturally there is a price to pay.

"Boss, we're here!"

Buddy Morris's reminder made Guo Shouyun wake up from his flying thoughts.

He briefly looked at the magnificent building with the red tiles on the spire and the white walls in front of him.

"This is the library of Oxford?"

Buddy Morris nodded, "The scenes of the young wizards in Harry Potter attending classes at Hogwarts were filmed here!"

Guo Shouyun knew that the most he knew about the filming locations in "Harry Potter" was the "Four and Three-Quarters Platform" in London, and he didn't know anything else!

"Let's go down!"

Everyone nodded, and under the leadership of Guo Shouyun, they got off the car one after another.

When everyone was about to walk in front of the library gate, a middle-aged man in a black suit who was standing outside quickly greeted him.

"Mr. Morris...!Are you Mr. Guo?"

The middle-aged man was just about to say hello to Buddy Morris, but after noticing Guo Shouyun standing on the side, he looked startled, and after reacting quickly, he hurriedly walked over.

Looking at the other party's right hand stretched out towards him with a happy expression, Guo Shouyun gave Buddy Morris an inquiring look while holding it.

The latter understood, and quickly introduced: "Boss, this is Sith Campbell, the representative of the company sent to the "Harry Potter" crew!"

"Hello!"

Then, Guo Shouyun said with a smile.

"Hello BOSS, it's an honor to meet you here!"

"You're welcome. By the way, the crew is inside, right?" Guo Shouyun didn't want to waste too much time outside, so after a simple greeting, he asked directly.

"Yes, Director Chris is taking the actors to shoot a Potions class!"

"Let's go inside. I'm interested!"

"Okay, please come with me!"

Led by Sith Campbell, the crowd was not hindered by the doorman, and easily arrived at the filming location on the second floor of the Oxford Library.

Compared with the relative quietness on the first floor, the second floor shuttles back and forth between dramatists, producers, artists, and photographers, each performing their duties, like a group of busy and orderly worker bees.

These people obviously know Sith Campbell, but looking at the way he hospitalized Guo Shouyun and the others, others also knew that the crew had a big shot. But no one rushed up to say hello. Unless you have enough status. For example, the bearded man in the vest in front of him.

"Boss, this is the assistant director of the crew, Mr. David Yates... Mr. Yates, this is Mr. Guo, the chairman of our Matrix Pictures. ”

David Yates was shocked, after experiencing the turmoil of last year's copyright change that almost caused the crew to disband, the owner of Matrix Pictures, who replaced Black Man Pictures as the new owner of "Harry Potter", became the focus of everyone's after-dinner conversation. It's just that what he can't imagine is that the other party is so young, he looks like a college student, and he doesn't conform to the image of a traditional businessman in Vanity Fair.

Although his heart was full of thoughts, David Yates's subordinates were not slow, and hurriedly stretched out his right hand to the other party, "Mr. Guo, it's an honor to meet you!"

"I am also deeply honored to meet Director Yates... Is the filming still going on?" After letting go of his hand, Guo Shouyun pointed to the room next to him.

"Yes... I'll take you there. ”

"Then it's going to be a hassle with Director Yates!"

"You're welcome!"

This time the team is a little bigger than before.

Walk through the hallway and walk in through the back door that was specially reserved for the crew to enter and exit. The first thing that catches your eye is the crowded cameras, wires, radio equipment, etc., in the back of the room, as well as the large number of crew members. Among them, a middle-aged man with a peaked cap, waistcoat, and beard was looking intently at the camera screen in front of him. Next to him, Wen Ziren, who was also wearing a peaked cap, was also paying attention to the screen. The two of them are like two stone statues, forming a strong contrast with the surrounding staff.

Just as David Yates was about to walk over, he was stopped by Guo Shouyun. After shaking his head at him, Guo Shouyun walked to the wall and looked at it with interest.

The scene in front of him was quite familiar to him. It was the part in the movie where Harry Potter was groomed by Snape in Potions class.

"Some of you were so capable and confident before you came to Hogwarts that you didn't bother to listen carefully!"

"Mr. Potter, our new celebrity... Where can you get me a piece of bezoar?"

"It seems that fame doesn't mean everything. Is that Mr. Potter!"......

"Click...!"

Chris Columbus's sudden voice made everyone stop and look at him.

"Alan, Snape's expression is cold now, not fierce, you know?

Actor Alan Rickman, who plays Severus Snape, nodded hurriedly. Just now, he was attracted by Guo Shouyun and a few people who suddenly walked in, which led to the loss of control in the back.

"Boss?"

Wen Ziren, who was disturbed by the accident, noticed Guo Shouyun who was standing aside.

After Guo Shouyun smiled at him, he took a few steps forward and stretched out his right hand to Director Chris Columbus, who was watching at the same time.

"Hello, Director Columbus!"

"You are... Mr. Guo from Matrix Pictures?"

Like David Yates, Chris Columbus also has a deep understanding of Matrix Pictures and its boss Bruce Guo because of the changes in the film and television rights of "Harry Potter". Therefore, even though the two were only meeting for the first time, he guessed the identity of the person in front of him.

After nodding, Guo Shouyun smiled: "I didn't expect Director Columbus to know me, it's really an honor!"

"You're so polite. It's my honor to meet you!" After quickly holding Guo Shouyun's right hand, Chris Columbus said with a hint of compliment in his tone.

Although his status in Hollywood is also extraordinary, the one in front of him is a real capital predator. And he has been in Hollywood for many years, and he understands that not everyone can overthrow Heiman and then let Time Warner cooperate on an equal footing!

Guo Shouyun smiled and nodded.

"Director Columbus had a busy schedule. And the whole movie is up to you, so I won't bother much. In the evening, after the crew gets off work, I will invite you to have dinner with everyone!"

"Okay, then I'll thank Mr. Guo in advance!"

"You're welcome!" Guo Shouyun glanced at Wen Ziren and beckoned to him. The latter understood and hurriedly followed.

Finally, Guo Shouyun quickly glanced at the wizard trio, who was still young at this time, and was looking at the wizard trio here curiously, nodded at Chris Columbus, and then turned around and walked out of the room.

After leaving the Oxford Library and finding a street with few people, "How did you feel about being in the Harry Potter crew for two months?"

"It's a big gain!" Wen Ziren nodded vigorously, "Chris is a very talented director!

"That's good!"

After Guo Shouyun took a few steps forward, "The company's shooting plan for this year, Buddy must have told you about it." ”

"Yes, thank you to the boss and the company for trusting me!"

Wen Ziren said sincerely. He is really grateful, after all, except for the compatriot in front of him, no Hollywood film company will devote itself to cultivating him as a Chinese, and let him take charge of a super blockbuster with an investment of more than 100 million yuan in the second year. ”

"Words of thanks go without saying. Guo Shouyun waved his hand, "As long as you can make three films well this year, and the box office can be profitable." In addition to your deserved director's share, I will also give you the original shares of the company and make you a partner of Matrix Pictures!"

"It's... Really?"

Wen Ziren said in disbelief and excitement.

"Of course, I never break my word!" Guo Shouyun smiled after glancing at him, "What's the matter?"

Wen Ziren couldn't hide his excitement and nodded vigorously. He is not yet thirty years old, although he is talented, but he is not a scheming person in the end, and everything is written on his face.

After smiling and patting him on the shoulder, "Do a good job, as long as you work hard, I guarantee that you will get more in the future than you do now." ”

"Well, I trust the boss!"

Taking Wen Ziren and Buddy around Oxford Street a few times is not only a tour, but also a rare opportunity to communicate with several core members of Matrix Pictures.

In the evening, Guo Shouyun fulfilled his promise and invited the main creators of the "Harry Potter" crew to a sumptuous dinner. Then I drove back to London at 8 p.m.

continued to linger with Molly Bevan in London for a few days, until the first month of 2001 passed for most of the time, and then he was reluctant to part with the beauty. Flew back to Los Angeles with Buddy Morris.

In his Los Angeles mansion, after a little more than a month, he met Wendy Solo again. The resentful expression of the other party when they met on the first day made him very embarrassed.

"Ahem...!Wendy, Merry Christmas!"

"Boss, it's been a month since Christmas! Besides, if you don't have anything to say, at least find someone reliable. ”

Guo Shouyun shrugged, "You know, I'm really not good at stepping on your women's minds!"

"You're really not good at it, you can't see anything so obvious!" Wendy whispered.

"Knock...!"

The knock on the door relieved Guo Shouyun's embarrassment.

"Come in!"

Soon, a tall, black man pushed the door open and walked in. This is the new bodyguard Wendy got him: Pire Lee. A French-American with half Chinese ancestry, who had just become a naturalized citizen. Once the elite of the French national secret service!