In between filming Casino Royale, Eric spent a week reading the Wachowski brothers' scripts for the two sequels to The Matrix.

Although the storyline of the new script is a little different from the original version, the style of the plot that feels confusing remains the same.

In the original time and space, because of the success of the first part, the Wachowski brothers had enough production power in the production process of the sequel, so they tried their best to stuff the two sequels with private goods.

The first part of "The Matrix" caused a huge response around the world and gathered a large number of fans with its cool action design, innovative shooting techniques and profound philosophical connotations. The second sequel, although the plot began to collapse, still collected more than $700 million at the box office worldwide with the box office appeal accumulated in the first part and the cool energy supported by a large number of special effects shots. But the second part was far below the quality of the first part as a whole, which quickly consumed the popularity accumulated by the series, which directly led to the box office waterloo of the third part.

Many people feel that the reason why the third part of "The Matrix" has become the lowest box office in the series is related to Time Warner's too eagerness to arrange the schedule, and the difference between the release time of the two sequels is less than half a year.

But in fact, it can be seen from Time Warner's ten years of steady brand management of the "Harry Potter" series that they do not understand that the release interval of the series is too close to the box office. It's just that "The Matrix 3" has completely degenerated into a mediocre low quality, so Time Warner does not dare to drag it out, so in line with the idea of getting back as much as it can get, when the popularity of "The Matrix" has not completely cooled down, the film will be released as soon as possible.

Facts have also proved the correctness of Time Warner's doing, with the complete rotten reputation of "The Matrix 3", it will be released a year or two later, and the influence of the first two films has dissipated, and it will be good to get 300 million at the global box office at that time, but it is impossible to reach more than 400 million.

Eric also hopes that the two sequels can be filmed consecutively, which can save a lot of costs.

However, in order to avoid the "Matrix" series repeating the mistakes of the past, Eric still dismissed this idea, and in his reply to the Wachowski brothers, he rejected the continuous shooting plan and asked the brothers to rewrite the script.

Eric also made up his mind that if the script didn't satisfy him all the time, the series would simply be put on hold for a long time. Firefly has collected enough copyright resources in recent years, and Marvel alone is enough to develop for 30 years, so the company's dependence on these popular series is not strong, and it has enough confidence to pursue excellence.

Los Angeles.

The release of the "Matrix" series has entered its third week, because there are no strong new films on the market, the box office of the film fell by only a slight 21% in the second week, and the box office again collected 61.97 million US dollars, and the cumulative box office reached 140 million in two weeks.

It happened to be Saturday, and Katzenberg didn't rest, and after receiving Eric's reply to the script of "The Matrix", he specially invited the Wachowski brothers to breakfast at Preavista Firefly Studios in the morning, and relayed Eric's decision.

What Eric means is that you can add your own thoughts, but only if the sequel script is a complete and fluid story. And the script you gave is more like some fragments, if you don't even have a complete story, it will undoubtedly be a disaster if the official shooting starts, so the script must be rewritten, and the specific opinions are in the file," Katzenberg handed a folder to the brothers sitting opposite, and continued: "In addition, Eric also vetoed the plan to shoot two episodes in a row, and you can only do it one by one. ”

The brothers were visibly frustrated, even resentful, at Eric's request to completely rewrite the script, and both brothers felt that much of the success of The Matrix was due to the fact that they had added their own ideas.

But the copyright of "The Matrix" is firmly in the hands of Firefly, and even Firefly retains the right to remove the director. Although after the box office explosion of the film, the brothers naturally got some bargaining power, and Firefly could not easily change the director, but the initiative is still in Firefly's hands after all.

Andy Wachowski took the folder and opened it to see that it was the script he had left behind, but with a few more annotations.

After thinking about it, Andy Wachowski argued: "Jeffrey, if the script is completely pushed to the rewrite, it may take a long time, perhaps, a year or two may not be able to get it done, by that time, the popularity of the film has passed, so I think we can completely modify this draft of the script." ”

Hollywood films, unless they become a cultural phenomenon entirely, like "Star Wars", still have a large number of die-hard fans after a decade of reboots. Otherwise, the production interval of the sequel is between two or three years, and if it is too long, most of the popularity accumulated by the previous work may have disappeared, and the box office risk of the sequel will also skyrocket.

Although the Wachowski brothers have not been in Hollywood for too long, they have already understood this truth, which is why they said this faintly threatening remark: if the script is completely overturned, the two of us will not guarantee that the film will be launched in the next few years.

Katzenberg, of course, understood the brothers' words and said, "Eric also happened to mention that if the script continues to be unsatisfactory, Firefly will put the series on hold for a long time." ”

Larry Wachowski suddenly said, "If the project is put on hold for a long time, what will happen to the agreement we signed with Firefly?"

Originally, as a condition for obtaining the directing rights of "The Matrix", the Wachowski brothers signed an option contract with Firefly for three films, which means that the brothers could not cooperate with other film companies until they completed the three films with Firefly, otherwise it would be considered a breach of contract.

In order to ensure that the "Matrix" trilogy can be completed in its entirety, the original "Amazing Flowers" is not counted in this contract, which means that the brothers still owe Firefly a two-part contract at this time.

Katzenberg heard Larry Wachowski's question, shrugged slightly, and said, "So, I suggest you still work the script for the sequel." ”

Andy Wachowski asked, "If the script can't be completed for a long time, can we make other films, or, first...... Other studios?"

"Other films, as long as the project is good enough, maybe," Katzenberg replied ambiguously: "However, working with other film companies, unless you complete the contract, this is not possible, Firefly used "The Matrix" to make you popular, but it is not for you to use these fame to make money for other film companies, and there is no such reason in the whole of Hollywood." ”

Katzenberg's increasingly assertive tone upset the brothers, but frustratingly, they also knew they would have a hard time getting out of the contract.

There is not much to communicate between the two sides here.

Andy Wachowski put away the folder in front of him with a blank face, got up and said, "We know these things, if nothing else, let's take our leave." ”

Katzenberg got up and politely extended his hand to the brothers, "Goodbye, then." ”

Personally escorting the Wachowski brothers out of the dining room, Katzenberg returned to his seat, and Frank Wells had already sat down, he had already arrived at the dining room, but he did not disturb Katzenberg's communication with the Wachowski brothers.

As soon as Katzenberg sat down, Frank Wells said, "Jeffrey, you don't need to be so blunt with the two of them, you can be more gentle. ”

"It's your job to pacify people, and I have no obligation to do so," Katzenberg joked with a smile.

He had seen the Wachowski brothers' "Amazing Flowers" and the recent "Matrix" sequel to the foggy script, with so many years of production experience in Hollywood, Katzenberg felt that apart from "The Matrix", the brothers would not achieve much in Hollywood.

Both men are too attached to their own image worlds, and this strong personal style may give them a chance to win an Oscar, but it is difficult to make a difference at the box office.

As for the Oscars, Katzenberg was also not very interested, he felt that the most fundamental purpose of a film company was to pursue profits, and honor was just the icing on the cake on this basis. When he was in charge of Disney Animation, whenever animators wanted to increase the 'artistry' of cartoons, Katzenberg would sarcastically say, 'Do you want to win an Oscar?' which even became his mantra for a time

"Well, when do you need me to help you calm down, say," Frank Wells joked as well.

Frank Wells has been known as a moderate in the company since the days of Disney. In the '80s, the Disney board of directors had intended for him and Eisner to co-serve as Disney's co-CEOs, but it was Frank Wells who offered to be Eisner's lieutenant that resolved the deadlock. In the era of fireflies, because of the appearance of Eric, Frank Wells escaped the plane crash that should have been encountered in the original time and space, and Katzenberg took the position, Frank Wells still served as the second-in-command of the Firefly Group conscientiously, and his own indisputable personality also made most of the company's management respect him, even Katzenberg was no exception.

The two chatted and drank a cup of coffee before Frank Wells unhurriedly handed Katzenberg a copy of the box office data, saying, "Our box office situation this week seems to be a little bad." ”

According to Hollywood's box office statistics cycle, yesterday was the first day of a new week, and Katzenberg didn't have time to check Friday's box office data report, so he took the A4 handed over by Frank Wells, and Katzenberg looked at the data table.

At first glance, Katzenberg frowned slightly.

The No. 1 single-day box office in the new week turned out not to be Firefly's "Brave Island" this week, but a black comedy called "Fat Professor" from Universal Pictures.

"This ...... It seems like a new film from Eddie Murphy?"

As the leader of the Firefly, Katzenberg knows all about the blockbuster new films of his summer rivals, but until then, he didn't pay much attention to the black comedy starring Eddie Murphy, so his tone was a little confused.

Since the box office failure of "Beverly Hills Police Detective 3", Eddie Murphy has been a little quiet in recent years. In other words, many people, including Katzenberg, feel that with the strong momentum shown by Firefly, "Death Island" will almost certainly get the first day and first week box office position.

But the result is that the first-day box office of "Fat Professor" was $7.9 million, and the first-day box office of "Brave Island" was more than 7.4 million, although it is about the same, and it may even be reversed on Saturday and Sunday, but on the first day of release, "Brave Island of Death" lost after all.

When the unexpected box office numbers came out, Frank Wells called and couldn't get in touch with Katzenberg, so he hurriedly found the place.

"Yes," Frank Wells nodded, his tone a little worried, "I don't think it's a good sign, you know, and Cameron's Titanic...... which he is working on."

Katzenberg also felt that something was wrong, but he reassured, "Let's get Brian from the distribution department together for a meeting and discuss it first." But, Frank, this is just the data of the first day, not to mention, we have nothing to worry about, even if we do encounter a box office failure or two, the share price of Firefly will not fall by 10% because we are not listed at all, haha. Katzenberg smiled and continued, "What's more, you've also seen the recent TV advertising tender revenue. ”

"I just think that Eric's strategy of making films in the past few years has been a bit too risky, either as a newcomer or as a super big production. Although, well, Michael Bay, David Fincher and the Wachowski brothers, they've all proven their quality, but our good luck probably won't last forever and I think we need to talk to Eric that he shouldn't be ......like that anymore Capricious. ”

Katzenberg could sense the sincerity in Frank Wells's tone, he was genuinely thinking about the fireflies.

In fact, Katzenberg feels the same way, but although he knows that Eric is definitely not the kind of person who is stubborn, but so far, although the films led by Eric have also had box office failures, but overall, none of them have suffered a very tragic failure, which is almost a miracle in Hollywood.

For someone who hasn't experienced failure yet, you run out and tell him that your method is not right, the rules are not like this, you should be this way, you should be like that......

When Katzenberg thinks about it, he thinks this kind of scene is a little weird, and there is always only one rule in Hollywood, win or lose. If your film can make a high box office and make good profits for investors, then you are a hero in Hollywood.

"I agree with you," Katzenberg said, after a moment's consideration, "it's just that the timing is not right, and we should probably wait until the end of the year." Well, by then, Eric should be more receptive to our opinions. ”

Obviously, Katzenberg is also very unoptimistic about the box office prospects of "Titanic".

Frank Wells also immediately understood when he heard this, and nodded: "Okay, then we'll talk about it then." By the way, on the FFM side, Weinstein suggested that he wanted to buy Brad Gray's production company, did you get a report?"

"Well, Harvey wants to set up the production department of FFM, and Brad Gray happens to be his former deputy, so he probably wants to use acquaintances. However, I don't think it's necessary to buy Brad Gray's production company, except for the TV series that Eric personally picked, Brad Gray's production company has some investment rights, and I don't think it's worth anything. ”

The two talked about FFM, and the topic just now was unconsciously diverted...... (To be continued.) )