After a five-day stay in Los Angeles, Duke returned to New Zealand, only to bring Tina? Phylla stayed in the City of Angels to continue to communicate with Warners and keep the latest developments to Wellington in a timely manner.

Judging by the past performances of his works in the summer, if "The Lord of the Rings" and "Pearl Harbor" collide head-on, it will not be them who are really nervous.

In Universal's headquarters building at Universal Studios, Martin? Bob and Michael? Ovitz walked into a large conference room, where they had signed a formal contract for the preparation of the package.

As the CEO of Universal Pictures, Ron? Meyer is also one of the founders of CAA, along with Michael? The difference between Ovitz is that his role as an agent is very average, but he is extremely good at the film company, at least more than one level higher than Ovitz.

While Universal Pictures decided to partner with an artist management company, Ron? Meyer vs. Michael? Ovitz's relationship had broken down many years ago, and although he didn't bring too much personal affection into his work, he only showed himself in the conference room and left.

With Michael? Ovitz's relationship is one thing, and the film's only $38 million investment is another.

Hollywood's Qiē is all patterned, and this preparation will be no different from other films, a simple greeting, Martin? Bob introduced the people at Universal Pictures to the lead actor they had prepared for the film.

The first thing he introduced was a bald head, "This is Fan?" Mr. Diesel, who will play Dominic? Toleto ......"

Briefly talk about the other party's resume, Martin? Bob introduced the remaining main actors one by one.

"This is Paul? Walker ......"

"This is Michelle? Miss Rodriguez......"

"Is this Jessica? Miss Alba ......"

Of course, the people at Universal Pictures know about the actors, and this is just a routine ritual in the preparatory meeting. Bob's introduction was followed by another routine – the actors reading the script.

The four leading actors read aloud the concise script of the main story, Michael? Ovitz's brow remained furrowed. It seems that there is a dilemma with heavy dà, even in Martin, who is familiar with him? In Bob's eyes, he was simply wandering.

The film cost only $38 million, which is just a simple racing popcorn, and under normal circumstances, it is not difficult for such a film to recoup its cost. Michael? Ovitz himself doesn't have too many worries, but the $140 million super-war masterpiece is now the focus of his troubles.

The reason is simple, he got the news, Duke? Rosenberg's new work has also finalized the schedule for next year's Memorial Day......

"Michael ......"

A sudden sound interrupted Ovitz's thoughts, and he looked up to see that it was Clayton, the maker of the project? Behringer, the other said. "The title of the film is officially "Fast and Furious", do you think it's okay?"

"No problem."

It's just a small project, Michael? Ovitz nodded directly.

The whole prep meeting, Michael? Ovitz all seemed absent-minded, and the work was completely handed over to Martin? Bob, on the other hand, has been pondering.

As soon as the preparatory meeting ended, Orvis called Martin? Bob, after leaving Universal Studios. Head straight to Disney's headquarters in downtown Burbank to talk about the more important Pearl Harbor.

The two did not go to Touchstone Pictures. Instead went straight to Michael? In Eisner's office, in the face of a $140 million investment, the personal conflicts of the past are not worth mentioning.

After meeting, either Michael? Eisner or Michael? Ovitz did not mention the past grievances, and the topic revolved around "Pearl Harbor". And The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, which could crash with Pearl Harbor!

"The Lord of the Rings has been called the most difficult work to adapt."

In the chairman's room, a young executive in Walt Disney's film division said, "All the films related to it have failed in the past, and this time it may not succeed......

As soon as he said that, he noticed that everyone's eyes were on him. It was clear that he was looking at a fool.

Michael? Ovitz shook his head slightly, obviously disdainful of the young executive's words, he knew the other party, this was Roy? Disney's favorite youngest son, John? Disney......

No wonder the Disney family has fallen to this point, he can only sigh with such emotion in his heart.

"Am I not right?"

Relying on the status of a direct member of the Disney family, John? Disney had just graduated and entered management, and he lacked experience, and he didn't realize that Disney was no longer the Disney of the Disney family, so he raised his voice and said, "According to the information I received, a large number of "Lord of the Rings" fans have gone to Wellington several times to protest, and this film is obviously not supported, why do you think it will definitely be better than our "Pearl Harbor"? We can't ......."

"Because it's directed by Duke? Rosenberg! ”

The cold voice directly interrupted John? Disney's words, Michael? Eisner's stern gaze swept across his face, "That alone makes it worthy of Disney's attention!" ”

Leave that flower growing in the greenhouse, Michael? Eisner looked at his old friend Ovitz, "What about your opinion?" ”

Michael? Ovitz didn't answer immediately, but instead looked at Michael, who arrived earlier? Bey, when Eisner said Duke? Rosenberg's name, his face was very unsightly.

No one wants to be an imitator in other people's mouths, to be someone's second.

Michael? Bei is no exception, he would love to compete with the other party for once!

Isn't he John, though? Disney's kind of fledgling, knowing that he is a director, has the least say in whether to change the schedule, and it is the wisest choice to keep his mouth shut.

Michael? Ovitz retracted his gaze, still did not speak, he was still thinking, in the past years, even in the most competitive schedule, he had never been afraid of any opponent, but now he had to weigh the pros and cons, after all, the competitor with such a strong market appeal can be counted on one hand among film directors in Hollywood and even in the world.

The Lord of the Rings is indeed difficult to adapt, and all related works in the past have failed, but it is not the same as Duke? Rosenberg this director was linked when Michael? Ovitz thinks that every qiē will be different.

To change or not to change? Ovitz was also difficult to determine for a while.

If you do, is there a better schedule for "Pearl Harbor" than Memorial Day? If it doesn't change, "Pearl Harbor" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" face each other, can they resist it?

Even Michael? Ovitz himself didn't even notice, all he cared about was whether "Pearl Harbor" could withstand "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", and never thought that the former could defeat the latter!

He turned his head to look at Michael again? Bei, the long-faced director had a hint of unwillingness on his face.

Seeing Michael, who also belongs to the young director? Bey, Michael? Ovitz gradually made up his mind, the second blast maniac is the second bombing maniac, he doesn't think Michael? Will Bey surpass Duke in the short term? Rosenberg's abilities.

Although it is tempting to save the face lost on "Godzilla", Michael? Ovitz is not going to get carried away by such thoughts.

"I think it's wise to change the schedule." He said slowly.

There was silence in the reception room, Michael? Eisner is quiet, Michael? The unwillingness on Bey's face was further aggravated, Martin? Bob's eyes flashed with anger......

"I agree." Eisner finally spoke.

As soon as these words came out, the other Walt Disney executives were obviously relieved, obviously no one wanted their own big production zuò to touch the work of that summer maniac.

Don't know why, Michael? Ovitz felt that his heart was heavy, and suddenly he became relaxed, and all the anxiety of the past few days disappeared.

After thinking for a moment, he couldn't help but show a wry smile, Duke? The pressure on Rosenberg's work was so strong!

Although "Pearl Harbor" will lose its Memorial Day slot, it is not a blessing to be able to avoid the other party's work. This kind of thought unconsciously appeared in Michael? In Ovitz's mind.

"Since you have to change the schedule." Eisner spoke again, "We're trying to figure out the right release time to match Disney's promotional plan." ”

He motioned to his assistant, and someone immediately delivered a copy of the document to those present.

Michael? Ovitz looked at the rough release schedule of next year's summer film, and a slight sneer hung on the corner of his mouth, his old friend Eisner seemed extremely calm, and he didn't seem to be worried at all, but he was actually just as afraid of Duke? Rosenberg collided head-on, otherwise he would not have prepared this material in advance.

Cook in charge of the distribution department? Dick then said, "The first weekend of next year's summer season is Universal Pictures' "The Mummy Returns", the second weekend has Paramount Pictures' war masterpiece "Soldiers Fall Behind", the third weekend is DreamWorks Animation Studios' "Shrek", then Memorial Day weekend, then Paramount's "Tomb Raider", and then Michael's "Fast and Furious" ......"

"I think 'Pearl Harbor' is still going to be in May!" Michael? Ovitz interrupted.

"The weekends in May are very crowded!" Cook? Dick hesitated, "Shrek does have a different audience than Pearl Harbor. Michael, don't you think it's a little too close for Pearl Harbor to face Duke's work in its second weekend? ”

"No, you misunderstood me." Ovitz shook his head, "We're going to pick the weekend of 'Soldiers in the City'!" ”

"Why?"

It was John who asked? Disney, "It's all World War II films, and the audience is strictly overlapped!" ”

"Because "Pearl Harbor" is an American film, and "Soldiers in the City" is a European movie!" (To be continued......)

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