"Summit Entertainment is going crazy this year!"

Whether it is the media, financial people, or movie fans, they all have the same voice in their hearts. Only then did it announce plans to acquire MGM for more than a month, and it had only been more than a week since it acquired D2, and it was about to acquire Lucasfilm. As early as four or five years ago, Summit Entertainment was just a small company that couldn't produce a single movie a year, but now it has to swallow the biggest special effects company!

This is definitely the most important news of the year, following the news of the acquisition of MGM.

If you want to talk about Hollywood, it is a place of change, the ebb and flow of film companies, the owners change one after another, and the acquisition is not a big deal.

In 1985, News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox Films, in 1989 Sony Corporation acquired Columbia Pictures for $5 billion, in 2004 Universal Pictures and NBC TV Channel merged, in 2005 Sony Corporation acquired MGM Pictures for $5 billion, in 2005 Paramount Pictures acquired DreamWorks Film Studios (non-animation division), in 2005 the Weinstein brothers left Disney's Miramax Films to start a new business, and in 2006 Walter Brown. Disney's $7.4 billion acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios, and in 2008 Warner Bros. Pictures merged with New Line Pictures.

Hollywood's story is never short of ups and downs.

But the object is Summit Entertainment, Sony, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount are all large companies for decades, but Summit Entertainment is a small company that has only risen in the past three or four years.

People have the impression that a few years ago Hollywood did not have the name "Summit Entertainment".

But that's the company. In 2009, he acquired Marvel Comics for $4.1 billion, and in 2010, it became the North American and global box office champion. In 2011, it announced the acquisition of MGM, and now it is going to swallow Lucasfilm.

It's like a waiter serving tea and pouring water at a cocktail party, and suddenly tears off his apron and says that he is a tycoon of so-and-so, the contrast is too great.

Even if you go back in time, Dream Chasing Entertainment Group, the parent company of Summit Entertainment, is only a company established in 05, and the development time is too short.

And it is this contrast that will attract people's attention.

The attention is almost as high as that of a presidential election.

Shao Shuaijun, who is ready to finish "Night Watch: Reflection" in recent days. also had to postpone the crew for another day. Rush to Santa Monica for this press conference. He is the big boss behind the scenes of Summit Entertainment, and his presence can reflect the enthusiasm for George. Lucas and Lucasfilm are valued.

The press conference was held at 10 o'clock in the eighteen-story building of Summit Entertainment. Originally, Shao Shuaijun thought that Lionsgate would be the first to move in. I didn't expect it to be Lucasfilm.

Shao Shuaijun arrived early. Went to the lounge and George. Lucas meets. As a legendary director, George. Lucas single-handedly created Star Wars, but since 2005. He announced his retirement and stopped directing films, turning to behind-the-scenes creation.

Because George. Lucas doesn't often attend public events, and Shao Shuaijun is a low-key figure, and the two have not met in a formal setting.

"Mr. Lucas, it's a pleasure to meet you, I grew up watching your movie Star Wars, and I'm very excited to meet you in person." Shao Shuaijun held Lucas's hand and shook it vigorously.

"Haha, I'm also honored to be able to grow up with a great director." Lucas was still very handsome when he was young, with a beard and a very attractive face. Now that he is old, his hair and beard are gray, his face is fat, he wears glasses, and he looks much kinder.

"I really didn't expect to be able to work with you one day."

"Me too, I've been working with the old guys in Hollywood for a long time, and I'm faced with the smell of decay all day long, and I want to change my taste." Lucas said a little tiredly.

This time, Summit Entertainment was able to successfully acquire Lucasfilm, in addition to the sufficient money, it also allowed Lucas to invest in Summit Entertainment. A big reason is related to Lucas's intention to retire completely, after Lucas divorced his ex-wife in 1983, he has been living a single life, because he has no children, he adopted two children.

And four years ago, George. After 30 years of singleness, Lucas finally met his true daughter, DreamWorks Animation Chairman Miledie. Hobson. In the spring of his later years, Lucas cherished this relationship very much, so he decided to give up the cumbersome business and focus on love.

After Summit Entertainment proposed the acquisition, Lucas simply agreed.

With respect for the legend, Shao Shuaijun chatted with Lucas about his proud work "Star Wars".

The "Star Wars" series has a total of six films, namely "Star Wars: A New Hope" in 1977, "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1983, "Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Crisis" in 1995, "Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones" in 2002 and "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" in 2005, as well as an animated film "Clone Wars".

In addition to movies and animation, Lucasfilm has launched dozens of Star Wars franchises.

So far, the "Star Wars" series has earned $4.4 billion at the box office, $3.8 billion in post-theatrical media revenue such as DVDs, and $20 billion in derivative revenue, which can be said to have earned the limelight. The Star Wars brand alone is worth $1 billion!

In addition to the Star Wars series, Lucas has produced four films in the Raiders of the Lost Ark series and many other films.

"I think Star Wars has been dormant for too long, and although there have been spin-offs such as animations and games, it's been five years since the last movie. Is this series Mr. Lucas still going to do it? Shao Shuaijun asked.

Lucas smiled: "Shao, call me George, I have conceived the follow-up to "Star Wars", and I really hope that it can be launched forever." I already have the idea and idea for the new trilogy, and after the acquisition, I can act as an artistic advisor for the new trilogy if you wish. ”

"That's great, I love Star Wars and I'm going to push for the new trilogy!"

Just as they were about to talk about the new trilogy, Mitchell personally came over to inform the two that they were going to a press conference. One old and one young, then put the topic aside, and walked towards the hall with some talking and laughing.

When they arrived at the press conference, the crowd was really dense, and reporters from all over Hollywood came. Journalists from all over the world also came, Wall Street financial reporters also came, and the Chinese media also came as if they were in groups. The scale is rare in the world.

The press conference was hosted by Mitchell himself, and it was nothing more than to introduce the specifics of Summit Entertainment's acquisition of Lucasfilm, as well as the motivation and future plans.

When it came to the media question session, the reporters immediately began to bombard themselves with questions: "Mr. Lucas, what made you agree to this acquisition plan?" ”

Lucas replied, "I wanted to retire a few years ago, I wanted to live a life away from the film industry and not have to worry about the company anymore." I really want to put my company under a big business that can protect it, Summit Entertainment is such a company with a brilliant future, and I am relieved to hand over the company to them. ”

"Mr. Shao, why did Summit Entertainment acquire Lucasfilm? Is it the company's decision, or is it your proposal? ”

Shao Shuaijun replied: "It is the company's decision, and it is also my proposal. ILM is what Summit Entertainment desires, and we want to create superhero movies, and the special effects technology required is very complex, and with the support of ILM, it will be more calm. At the same time, I saw the traces of Star Wars everywhere I went in the United States, so I thought, maybe we should buy it and let the Star Wars movie legend continue! ”

"What Mr. Shao mean is that the Star Wars series will be relaunched?"

"Why not, I just talked to Mr. Lucas about this later, and we all think that Star Wars only has six movies, which is too few, and we have to make seven, eight, nine more to make Star Wars an enduring brand. Mr. Lucas has agreed to serve as artistic advisor to the new trilogy. ”

"The most enjoyable thing I've had over the last 35 years has been letting generations of kids enjoy Star Wars," Lucas said. Now that I'm handing over Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers, I've always believed that the Star Wars franchise will transcend me and live forever, and it's important to transform the franchise in my lifetime. I'm right for Catherine. Kennedy led Lucasfilm with full confidence. With Summit Entertainment as its new home, Star Wars will continue to be alive and thriving. The brilliant prospects of Summit Entertainment will give Lucasfilm more opportunities to develop in the future, entering the United States, entering China, and entering the world. ”

Catherine. Kennedy was the former co-chairman of Lucasfilm, George J. Kennedy. Lucas sold Lucasfilm and will no longer hold any positions after taking a stake in Summit Entertainment. On the acquisition request, Summit Entertainment agreed, Catherine. Kennedy will rise to the position of president of Lucasfilm and join the ranks of top executives.

Mitchell. In response to reporters, Bruce enthusiastically said: "Lucasfilm fully demonstrates that George . With Lucas's extraordinary creativity, passion and visual imagination, this trade fair will bring world-class creative products, the greatest family entertainment series of all time, to the fullest of life and vitality at Summit Entertainment, across multiple platforms across Asia and the Americas, to maximize the value and effect of both! ”

A reporter asked: "After the acquisition of Lucasfilm, does Summit Entertainment have a bigger plan?" ”

Mitchell replied: "Our next step is to focus on the acquisition of MGM, and now we are in further discussions with Sony, and we will work together to make MGM shine and regain the glory of the past!" ”

At the end of the press conference, standing in front of the huge Star Wars poster, Shao Shuaijun is in the center, Lucas is on the left, and Mitchell is on the right, and the three are together.

Click, click!

The flash faithfully captures this moment in history and spreads it around the world.

"It's a Star Wars handover!" (To be continued......)