Miramax is just an independent film company, and he can't invest much money at all, so he hollowed out his family and took out $75 million.

Peter Jackson was excited because he could finally take over a commercial production for the first time!

Although the budget of 75 million US dollars, it is indeed pitiful to make two movies back-to-back.

Soon, the scripts came out - "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The War of the Ring".

But at this time, Miramax has a new assessment of the project, and to complete these two films, at least $140 million will be invested!

Harvey Weinstein has connections, resources, and ability, but no money.

He had no choice but to find Disney's president, Joe Ross, and after being rejected, he found CEO Michael Eisner.

Michael Eisner was very ruthless.

It is impossible for him to allow Miramax to also invest in commercial blockbusters and compete with Disney Headquarters, and he will invest up to $75 million, not a single point more!

Harvey Weinstein broke down instantly.

Because he had already spent $10 million in the early stages of the project.

At this point, Harvey Weinstein had to take the last path – to sell the project.

Transfer projects, which are common in Hollywood.

Miramax's "The English Patient" and "Shakespeare's Love History" are from transfers, and "Vulgar" and "Soul Catcher" are also foreign second-hand goods, but these have become treasures.

Harvey Weinstein knew the potential of The Lord of the Rings, but faced with financial pressure, in order to prevent the project from going aborted, he had to find new investors.

At that time, Xavi came up with three very harsh conditions. First, any company that takes over must pay $12 million within 24 hours, second, the Weinstein brothers will be named executive producers, and third, Miramax will receive a 5% share of the global box office, and Sal Zaynz, the rights owner of "The Lord of the Rings," will also have a 5% box office dividend. ”

Bob Shay shrugged his shoulders and said in a flat tone, but from his expression, it was not difficult to see that he couldn't hide his look.

Investing in such a large project and accepting such harsh conditions requires great courage for decision-makers!

"At that time, there were two companies interested in this project, in addition to the new line, and Polygram. The record label released a series of blockbuster films during that time and tasted the sweetness of cinema. However, soon, PolyGram's capital chain was broken, facing bankruptcy, and was acquired by Universal Music, and the final result was only New Line Pictures. ”

Don nodded, "So...... Did you agree to take over the Lord of the Rings project?"

Bob Shea laughs: "Peter Jackson was still a nobody, and he didn't have a single box office success on his resume, and the fantasy and epic elements were extremely demanding on computer special effects, and the continuous shooting meant that the budget would be prohibitively high." New Line Pictures had never worked on such a big project before, but I eventually took it. ”

"Not only that, but you've also expanded your budget, right?"

"That's right, the Lord of the Rings series is a total of three books, why should it be made into two parts? Of course, the effect of the trilogy is better. We expect to spend more than $270 million on this unprecedented project. ”

Tang En smiled, "270 million to make 3 movies, the investment is not much." You know that James's "Unsinkable" cost me $200 million!"

Bob Shea said: "It's different! "Unsinkable" was filmed in the United States, and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was produced in New Zealand. There are more favorable tax cuts and more favorable labor spending. An investment of $270 million in New Zealand is equivalent to $400 million in the United States!"

Don smiled slightly, not denying it, but there was something else going on in his mind.

"The Lord of the Rings" has not yet been released, but anyone who has seen the finished film understands that this work by Peter Jackson will shine!

30 years ago, the animation film with a very poor reputation and shoddy production has received a good box office, not to mention this beautifully made movie with excellent special effects?

Undoubtedly, the biggest contributor to this is Harvey Weinstein.

Without his upfront investment of more than $10 million, as well as the communication, coordination, and operation between various institutions, producers, and film companies, the "Lord of the Rings" project would not have been possible.

"I don't deny Harvey Weinstein's abilities, but I hate his character terribly!" Donn didn't hide his thoughts.

Barry Meyer frowned: "Harvey Weinstein is not Bright Ratner, for now, you can't move him! You can't, I can't either!"

Don En shrugged nonchalantly, he had already had a full plan.

Bob Shea suddenly thought of something, and said: "By the way, when transferring "The Lord of the Rings", Harvey Weinstein also put forward an additional condition, if New Line Pictures runs the "Hobbit" project in the future, he will also participate in the share. ”

Don looked at him with a smile, "That's very simple, as long as Sal Zaynz chooses a new partner, the cooperation between New Line Pictures and Harvey Weinstein will naturally be nullified." ”

Bob Shay's face changed, and he looked at Don with a little horror in his eyes.

This guy can't be in love with "The Hobbit" and want to compete with the new line for this project, right? This is not in line with the rules of Hollywood!

Barry Meyer couldn't help frowning.

If Don really comes forward in person, with his golden sign, Sal Zaenz will really choose to cooperate with Don Pictures at that time.

Don En smiled: "Don't worry, my friend's prey, I won't reach out to grab it." ”

The copyrights of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" are too complicated, not only Sal Zahnz, but also Harvey Weinstein, as well as the film and television rights of New Line Pictures, MGM's distribution rights, and the 7.5% profit dividend of Tolkien's estate trust......

An overly complicated copyright dispute will seriously affect the operation of the film's peripherals.

In the future, copyright lawsuits with uneven distribution of benefits will be logical.

In contrast, Donn is more interested in the TV rights of the "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" series!

At that time, Tolkien sold the film rights, but the television rights were still there, and they were owned by the Tolkien Estate Trust, and there were no complicated copyright disputes.

Back in 2017, Amazon spent a sky-high price of $250 million in order to buy the global TV series rights of "The Lord of the Rings"!

It's only 2001, and Donn is very interested in packaging the TV rights of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" and the derivative adaptation rights of related content.

If there's also Elven Diamond, that's even better!

"The Lord of the Rings" has not yet been released, and even if the other lion opens his mouth, the price should not be too high.

……

Don has been working hard lately, and has been writing the outline of the script, mainly the more well-known American dramas in the future, and then taking them for registration.

In addition to this job, Donn also ordered the copyright department to buy the copyright of the book in the market, and the most famous is of course "A Song of Ice and Fire".

It's just that George Martin refuses to sell the rights, and he thinks that the existing special effects technology can't shoot the Westeros continent he imagined.

"Forget it, if he doesn't sell it, put it on hold for the time being, and as soon as the new line of "The Lord of the Rings" is released, he will know what kind of wonderful scenes the current computer special effects can present. ”

Donn called Manola Daggis, the head of copyright, over and gave her a new assignment, "I'm going to get the TV rights to 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'!"

Manola Daggis certainly paid attention to such a classic work, and immediately said: "This shouldn't be difficult." The film rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" have long been lost, and for Tolkien Jr., they have lost control, and there is no need to keep the TV rights. However, the copyright of "Elf Diamond" is very complete, and it is in his hands, and it will be very difficult to get the copyright of this work. ”

Tang En said: "The Elf Diamond...... It doesn't matter if you can get the best, or if you can't get it, the adaptation of this work is too difficult. ”

Manola Daggis nodded, suddenly thought of something, and said with a smile: "By the way, I watched the finished film of "Juno", and Miss Portman has a chance to win the award." ”

Don shook his head, "I know her acting skills, and she is still a little immature, but ...... Operate a little and get an Oscar nomination, it shouldn't be a big problem. ”

This year is the year of "911", and war will soon break out.

The following year's Oscars can go smoothly It is already a miracle, and the choice of awards will definitely be greatly inclined to political correctness, and the actresses and actors are all black actors. The feminist tendencies of "Juno" are also in line with the trend.

"But ......" Manola Daggis hesitated, glanced at Donn, and said hesitantly, "I've heard some rumors though. ”

"Rumors?"

"There is a senior in the industry who is not satisfied with the fact that the Oscars are too young and young, especially represented by you and Miss Portman. You were the Best Adapted Screenplay Award at the last Academy Awards, and she was Best Supporting Actress. I heard that the next Oscars will improve the atmosphere. ”

"It's impossible for the academy to make such a statement!" But soon, Don reacted, and suddenly thought of someone, his eyes flashed, "Could it be Kirk Douglas?"

Manola Daggis shook her head and said, "I just heard that you have a lot of connections, you can investigate." ”

Tang En snorted disdainfully, "The general trend is the general trend, he can't dominate the Oscars! In the politically correct environment, "A Beautiful Mind" is destined to be the favorite of this Oscar. ”

"But what about Miss Portman? Even if "Juno" doesn't make her actress, there should at least be a nomination? ”

"Okay, let's talk about this matter after the release of "Juno" and in the awards season, let's not rush. ”

Tang En's expression was calm, but his expression was a little indifferent, "I really don't believe that an old guy can make a big storm!"