Chapter 156: The Matrix of the Harvest

……

Exeter is not big, and a small city with a population of less than 150,000 is not as good as a larger township in China. So you can imagine how boring it is to live here. But for those who prefer to be quiet, it's a great place to go.

Guo Shouyun is a quiet person, and staying in Exeter is not too sad for him. Besides, there's Molly Bevan here. There is a saying: When the golden wind and jade dew meet, they will win countless times in the world. The beauty is in the arms, the spring breeze is several degrees, and even the boring days become interesting. However, man is not destined to exist in isolation from society. Good times don't always stay where they are.

In the blink of an eye, the year 2000 is a thing of the past.

In order to get closer to the old Bevan, Guo Shouyun stayed in Exeter for nearly half a month before returning to London with Molly Bevan before school started.

This time, the two did not stay in a hotel again, but moved into an apartment on Gower Street in London's Kensington district. It is also close to a range of prestigious institutions such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Academy of Music, Imperial College London, Hyde Park, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum of Natural History. The main thing was that it was close to the Royal College of Art, so that he could come to England for a tryst with Molly. Of course, it can also be used here for Molly Bevan to live in normal times.

"Do you like it?"

"It's just too big, I live alone in the open space!"

Looking at the five bedrooms, two living rooms and two bathrooms, the area is more than 200 square meters. And in the luxuriously decorated room, Molly Bevan was satisfied but also a little worried.

“… Why don't I let Olivia move in with me?"

Looking at her expectant eyes, Guo Shouyun's face froze. He didn't want to get a light bulb between him and Molly. However, it is obviously not possible to deny it directly.

"Olivia's whole El is hot right now, do you want people to do it or not? ”

"That's just as well!"

Molly said a little sullenly.

"Why don't I find you a female bodyguard, the scene at the Hilton Hotel in the province is happening, and I can rest assured that someone will protect your safety!" Guo Shouyun took the opportunity to say.

I don't want to live under the gaze of others all day. As for the harassment of those squirting children, I have enough ways to deal with it. Besides, haven't I been fine all these years?"

Seeing that she insisted, Guo Shouyun was not reluctant.

"But I don't feel at ease if you live here alone!"

"Hee-hee. Then I'll go back to school and we'll live here together when you come!" Molly Bevan ran over and hugged his arm, and said with a coquettish tone in her tone.

Faced with the beauty's soft words and gentle pleading, Guo Shouyun's heart softened and nodded in agreement.

Just then, Matthew walked over.

"Boss, Mr. Morris has arrived!"

Guo Shouyun nodded clearly, "Please let him in!"

"Yes!"

"I'm going to clean up my studio!" said Molly Bevan after Matthew left.

"As the future Mrs. Guo, don't you plan to meet the senior management of our family's business?" Guo Shouyun said with a smile.

After a moment's hesitation, Molly Bevan shook her head, "No, I don't know anything about business. Staying here doesn't help much, and I don't like it myself. ”

Guo Shouyun, who understands Molly's character, is not reluctant.

"Well, it's going to be noon soon. You help Zhang Luo have lunch, and I'll introduce Buddy to you at the dinner table! After all, we will be together in the future, and you will always know some people!"

"Okay!"

"Then I'll get busy first!"

Guo Shouyun nodded, and after watching Molly Bevan leave, he turned to look at the door. At this time, Buddy Morris was walking in with his secretary behind Matthew.

"Buddy, Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, boss!"

Looking at Guo Shouyun, who came up with open arms, Buddy Morris immediately strode over. The two hugged briefly and sat down on the sofa in the living room with each other's courtesy.

After Matthew served the coffee, Guo Shouyun asked with a smile: "How about flying from Los Angeles to London, after twelve hours of physical and mental support, right?

"No need. I slept the whole flight, so it was going to be refreshed. ”

"That's good! I don't want to be a mean boss!" Guo Shouyun said with a smile.

"Of course not!"

Buddy Morris smiled for a moment, reached out and took the briefcase from the secretary's hand, and then took out a document from it and handed it to Guo Shouyun.

"Boss, this is the operating data and financial statements of Matrix Pictures in 2000. ”

As the boss of the company, these key data are undoubtedly his greatest concern, so he also looks at them in great detail.

According to the data, the current revenue of Matrix Pictures mainly comes from movies, that is, "Smart: Ghost Shadow", "Chainsaw" and "Legally Blonde"! "Smart: Ghost Record" has a box office and peripheral income of up to 274 million US dollars. After deducting the share of the theater side, the revenue belonging to Matrix Pictures is 134 million, and the net profit after deducting costs is about 75 million US dollars. The revenue generated by "Chainsaw" and the profit it brought to Matrix Pictures were slightly lower than that of "Smart: Ghost Record", but it also had a net profit of $63 million. Two low-investment and ultra-high-yield movies have made the whole of Hollywood envious of the matrix.

As the third film to be released by Matrix Pictures, "Legally Blonde" did not do well at the box office, earning $23.5 million in the first weekend after Christmas, ranking first among all films of the same period. Now, two weeks later, the box office has reached $43.7 million. With Legally Blonde's total investment of $18 million, she's clearly paid for herself. And according to the current development trend, if nothing else, this is another classic with a global box office of over 100 million.

Counting the revenue from films, plus the revenue of Matrix Pictures in traditional documentaries and theaters, throughout 2000, Matrix Pictures created a total of $397 million in revenue and $188 million in profits.

Of course, the income is high, and the expenses are also quite large. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", "Fast and Furious 1" and "Fifty Shades of Grey" have invested nearly 60 million yuan in succession, and generated 40 million bank loans to complete the subsequent production and distribution.

In addition to movies, the theater chain is the bulk of the expenditure. At present, there are 15 cinemas under Matrix Pictures that have opened or are being renovated. These 15 cinema chains generated 140 million bank loans. Although these loans have a 30-year repayment period, the pressure is not great. But over the course of a year, including interest, it is also a huge sum of nearly 6.7 million. However, the real pressure is still the original renovation expenditure, which has invested $80 million in the past six months.

In addition, the Matrix owes ***** a two-year loan of $120 million. Fortunately, the loan is only due to repay the principal and interest.

So, over the course of two thousand years, Matrix Pictures' balance sheet was: total assets of $543 million, liabilities of $302 million, revenue of $397 million, profits of $188 million, expenses of $157 million, and surpluses of $31 million.

Of course, because the box office of "Legally Blonde" has not yet arrived, it is not calculated. Otherwise it will be higher.

"Not bad!"

After reading the entire information, Guo Shouyun nodded with satisfaction.

Matrix Pictures is in a very healthy financial position under Buddy Morris. Moreover, the financial leverage is basically maintained at about 60%, which can not only reasonably avoid taxes, but also support the expansion of Matrix Pictures to the greatest extent.

"Thank you boss for the compliment!"

Buddy Morris humbly said.

After glancing at him, "I promised before: if you do well, I will give you a stake in Matrix Pictures." Now that your results are worthy of my trust, it's time for me to fulfill my promise!"

After the words fell, Guo Shouyun took out the equity transfer documents prepared in advance.

"Take a look at it, and sign it if it's okay!"

"The boss... Really?"

Looking at the documents, Buddy Morris, with an excited expression, was a little at a loss for the sudden surprise.

"Of course, although Matrix Pictures is not listed yet, this 2% stake is also worth more than $3 million!" After a pause, Guo Shouyun smiled, "What, too little?"

"No, no, how is that possible. I was just... It's just a little too excited!" Buddy Morris hurriedly waved his hand.

"Buddy, calm down. You deserve these. And I'm a boss with rewards and punishments!"

Buddy Morris nodded vigorously, glanced at Guo Shouyun gratefully, took a deep breath, calmed down, picked up the document and pen and signed his name on it.

"Okay, from now on, in addition to being the CEO of Matrix Pictures, you are also its partner!"

After taking a look at the document signed by Buddy Morris, Guo Shouyun smiled.

"Thank you, Boss!"

Buddy Morris said solemnly.

Guo Shouyun nodded, "Needless to say if you are grateful, you will live up to my trust if you manage the company well in the future!"

"Hmm!"

Buddy Morris nodded earnestly.

"How are the preparations for the filming of "The Hangover"?" Guo Shouyun changed the subject.

"The investment and the script are ready. The director is the Ferrari brothers, and in '98 they directed the romantic comedy "I'm Crazy for Mary" which generated a global box office of $360 million, which is very suitable for directing the same type of "Hangover"!"

Guo Shouyun nodded, originally he planned to let Lin Yibin finish filming "Fast and Furious" and then film "The Hangover", but the other party refused after reading the script. Although he is Chinese, he is really not good at filming this kind of pure American road comedy. There is no way, Guo Shouyun can only find someone else.

"What about other movies?"

"Smart: Ghost Record 2" started filming in March, and "Saw 2" started filming in August in the second half of the year, and it was still filmed by James. In addition, we have already negotiated with Warners that they will be in charge of the filming of "National Treasure" and we will supervise it. Pirates of the Caribbean is our decision, they oversee. As for the exact shooting time, it depends on the preparation of the respective one. In addition, James will direct the filming of three films this year, and in order to save his time and energy, we are going to prepare an experienced assistant director for each of the three crews. ”

Guo Shouyun nodded knowingly, and after thinking for a moment, "Warner is in charge of "National Treasure", so we don't have to worry too much, as long as we supervise the finances." As for Pirates of the Caribbean, I, as its creator, have already considered several protagonists and supporting actors. ”

"Oh?"

“… Jack Sparrow is played by Johnny Depp, Will Turner is played by Orlando Bloom, Elizabeth Swan is played by Keira Knightley, and Barbossa is played by Jeffrey Rush!"

To be honest, of the four characters who appeared the most in "Pirates of the Caribbean", Guo Shouyun was most dissatisfied with Will Turner played by Orlando Bloom. Maybe in the eyes of girls, he is indeed very handsome. But as a blacksmith, he was too thin. Together with Jack Sparrow, who is also thin and feminine, the whole play does not show any masculinity, and there is no contradiction at all. If possible, Guo Shouyun would prefer to find 'Captain' or 'Brother Hammer' to play Will Turner. However, in the face of a big production with an investment of more than 100 million, Guo Shouyun did not dare to be capricious, and after hesitating for a long time in order to make money safely, he still chose to be loyal to the original work.

"In addition, judging from the current box office, "Legally Blonde" is also a big hit movie, so you can notify Robert and let him prepare the second part!"

Buddy Morris nodded, and after jotting down Guo Shouyun's words one by one, "By the way, the BOSS, the Tolkien Heritage Foundation, rejected our offer to change the copyright of the film and television of "The Hobbit"!"

"Refused, why?"

Guo Shouyun frowned. "The Lord of the Rings" will be released this year. By the time the box office explodes, fools will know the value of "The Hobbit", and the price to pay will be even greater. So, last year he instructed Buddy Morris to start reaching out to the Tolkien Legacy.

"The reason they refused was that the price was too low. In fact, our $5 million plus 7.5% box office share is higher than the rights to The Lord of the Rings that they sold to New Line!"

"It's clear that these greedy guys are also ready to take advantage of the release of "The Lord of the Rings". Guo Shouyun quickly guessed what the management of the Tolkien Heritage Foundation was thinking.

Buddy Morris nodded in agreement, "Shall we continue then?"

"No! They won't compromise until The Lord of the Rings is released! Instead of working in vain, it's better to chase new goals!"

"New target?"

"Hmm!" Guo Shouyun nodded, "Is the copyright of "Spider-Man" in the hands of Columbia Pictures. ”

"Yes!"

"You go and reach out to Howard Stringer in Columbia to see if you can buy the rights to Spider-Man. After a pause, Guo Shouyun thought about it for a while, "If they don't sell, you can take a step back, jointly invest in filming, and then enjoy the copyright according to the amount of investment." ”

As one of the most profitable of Marvel's many superheroes, Guo Shouyun also got the idea of 'little spider'.