"Sony Entertainment wants to buy the film adaptation rights of which toy owned by Hasbro?"

Compared to novels or games, the rights to film adaptations of toys are not blank so far, in fact, there are very few, and even the only few films, such as Mattel's Barbie dolls, do not really exist as movies, but more for the purpose of selling toys.

Duke knows that in the future there is a toy series of movies that can go viral all over the world!

Of course he remembered this series, but because the toy movies were not very popular, and he mainly focused on the relationship between "The Lord of the Rings" and the "Harry Potter" series, he was not in a hurry, and he didn't expect someone to start in advance.

The problem is, it's not DreamWorks or Paramount Pictures yet.

Tina, though? Fei's words made Duke put his heart back in his stomach.

"It's a special forces series." Tina? Fei recalled, saying, "It is said that Sony Entertainment has reached a preliminary agreement with Hasbro. ”

Duke nodded, thought for a moment, and was not surprised by the situation.

Just like Hollywood's strict project review system, Hollywood's major companies are not stupid, and while consolidating their existing positions, they are also trying to expand new territories, and it is not surprising that Sony Entertainment is eyeing the special forces series.

First of all, this is an authentic American toy, not an exotic item like Godzilla.

Secondly, the Special Forces were once Hasbro's best-selling toy and had a huge influence in North America.

Finally, Hasbro's other ace toy, Transformers, is too difficult to film, and if the current film technology wants to shoot a live-action version, it is necessary to sign out an astronomical check, and the special forces can make it in a relatively inexpensive way.

With his fingers curled and lightly clasped on the table in front of his seat, Duke groaned for a full five minutes. He spoke slowly.

"Tina, give Nancy access to Hasbro." He said.

"We're going to join the fight for the rights of the special forces?" Tina? Fei obviously misunderstood.

Duke shook his head, "We don't want special forces, let Nancy talk to Hasbro about the adaptation rights of the Transformers series!" ”

Although there are still some doubts, Tina? Fei took out her work diary and quickly wrote it down. That's when he asked, "You want to make a live-action movie?" ”

"Not now." Duke picked up the coffee cup, drank it, and said, "This is the plan for the future." ”

With the current film technology, it's not that it can't be filmed, but the price paid is too expensive, and even after a few years, the cost of making CGI is still astronomical.

And the director. It seems that the director who ruined his childhood is in a relatively proud stage of his life, and it is best to wait a few more years.

Of course, in Duke's mind, even if the film changes, it will be a story of people and Transformers, and without anyone's participation, the sense of substitution in the film will be a big problem.

Furthermore. If most of them are pictures of Transformers, then the cost of making them will be piled up to hundreds of millions of dollars?

This film. It's not like you want Optimus Prime and Megatron to appear casually, every special effects scene burns a lot of dollars.

Just like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", its special effects rely more on sets and props, and many scenes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are shot using models. There is only one purpose - to save costs!

Duke got off the plane, didn't go to the Hilton hotel where he was staying, and rushed directly from Heathrow Airport to the set in Northampton, where "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" had just begun, and various buildings on the set. It's just a prototype.

If you want to make the Harry Potter series a real money-absorbing industry chain, the film project is the top priority, and if you want the movie to be popular and attention, you must ensure the quality of the film.

Screenplay by Joanna? Rowling co-edited it with a professional screenwriter, which not only ensures that it is as consistent with the main line of the novel as possible, but also adds appeal and publicity to the film.

"Rowling is on the other side, working on the design of the emblems and uniforms of the colleges."

In the office on the set, Duke meets Robin? After Grande, the two did not waste time greeting, Grande directly talked about some of the work carried out by the crew now, "The actor audition has begun, and the registration and selection are being carried out at the same time, especially the young actors, there are too many people who have signed up, and we have eliminated 90% of the people in the first round, and there are hundreds of people shortlisted." ”

As he spoke, he handed over a list, Duke took it and just roughly flipped through it, the selection of young actors is actually not important at all, even if he didn't see anything including Emma in the process of flipping? Watson, including the name, also did not express any opinion, anyway this is a typical role achievement actor in the movie.

"There are also some actors recommended by agents or acquaintances in the British circle who are not included in it." Robin? Grande adds, "Chris and I prefer to use recommended candidates rather than those who are less experienced in acting. ”

Duke returned the list to him, "You guys have their minds. ”

Subsequently, Robin? Grande also briefed Duke on the preparations, especially the most critical funding issues for the preliminary preparations.

"Now the first $30 million start-up capital is running out." He was a little anxious, "Duke, I communicated with Harry Potter Studios guò, the second investment of Duke Studios and Warner Bros. is not in place, if there is no funding......"

At this point, he paused.

Duke has prepared many films, so he naturally knows the importance of funding, "Don't worry, Robin, the funds will be in place soon." ”

He turned his head to Tina? Faye said, "Remember to remind me and Jeff? Robinov communicated. ”

After talking about some difficulties encountered in the preparations, Duke in Robin? Under the leadership of Grande, there was a simple turn around the set, the set was just a prototype, and there was not much actual content, but the staff were in and out, busy, and it was obvious that the entire preliminary work was in an intense and orderly manner.

As he walked past the door of the set, Duke also saw more reporters and paparazzi isolated from the door than he had when he entered.

This is typical British literature, which can attract so much attention from Hollywood and invest heavily in adaptation, which definitely means more care and heat for British people who have always had a sense of superiority in their hearts.

Of course, the increase in reporters must also be due to Duke, who has been targeted by the paparazzi since he left Heathrow Airport.

In this world's most gossipy, the craziest country of paparazzi, it is no less difficult than hell to avoid the eyes of the media, not only the paparazzi all over the traffic points and important occasions, but also the active cooperation of the citizens, quite a lot of London citizens are particularly active, the first thing that comes to mind after meeting celebrities is not to sign onlookers, but to call the paparazzi first to make a fortune, and then rush up like crazy fans.

"From the day Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was announced." Robin? Grande looked at the door of the set, "It's become the main battlefield of Fleet Street, even busier than 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace." ”

He sighed, "Compared to their British counterparts, American entertainment journalists are really civilized. ”

"That's fine." Duke also turned his head to look over there, "As long as you throw some material at them from time to time, the film can maintain a certain degree of popularity." ”

Robin? Grande agreed, "It's the only benefit I can think of." ”

While talking, the two walked through the busy set and walked into the costume design room. Rowling is here, and as the original author, she can turn the fantasy world in her mind into a real picture in the way of a movie, and the crew finally chose her hometown to shoot, which makes this single mother excited.

In the conversation, Robin? Grande also highlighted Joanna? Rowling, who was involved in almost every aspect of the film's preparation, especially the design of the costumes, wands, and various emblems, was the focus of attention.

"Hi, Duke."

Today, Rowling is already a star writer, and her communication skills have gradually been honed, "It's a pleasure to meet you, and I've been looking forward to you coming over and giving some advice." ”

"I'm glad to see you, Joe."

Shaking her outstretched hand, Duke's gaze swept over the various costumes and insignia hanging from the design room, "You guys did a great job, and I have reason to believe that this will be a great movie." ”

"Thank you." Rowling laughed.

At present, only the first three novels have been published, and only the first three are owned by Harry Potter Studios, although according to the contract between the two parties, the studio has the right to sign the sequel first, but when the film is really popular, the peripheral sales are booming, Joanna? Rowling would easily take back the initiative.

This is something that cannot be avoided at all, and if you want to sign the follow-up copyright with Rowling on the previous terms, where is there any possibility?

Even Joanna? Rowling mentally agreed, and neither would her agent!

Business has always been complex and full of deceit, and while Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has only begun to prepare, Duke has already thought about the future.

After all, once this series is successful, the revenue that can be generated is really amazing.

He vaguely remembered that after "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" became a big hit, at a comic con, Warner Bros. sold a sky-high price of $1.2 billion just for some image licenses!

More than one financial media organization predicted that when the Harry Potter movie came out for 20 years, the industrial chain related to Harry Potter could create an output value of 100 billion US dollars.

Such a huge industrial chain, let alone Duke, for anyone in the world, will be extremely tempted.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Rowling would later be his and Warner Bros. ATMs.

After chatting with Rowling for a while, Duke went to the next set and met Chris? Columbus, on the other hand, is indeed a connoisseur of Hollywood family movies.

However, when leaving, Duke still reminded Robin? Grande, "If Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is successful, you'll have to find the right director again, and Chris won't stay in London for long, and he won't meet our later requirements." (To be continued......)