In recent years, the sales of video and DVD rights have accounted for an increasing proportion of a film's revenue, and Hollywood's major companies have also made changes, the most obvious of which is to cancel the past practice of selling film and video rights for several years, and instead expand or set up their own disc and video distribution departments in order to maximize profits.

Warner Bros. had such a division, but now it has expanded into a separate subsidiary dedicated to distributing DVDs and videotapes of Warner Bros. and its partners' films.

On August 13, 1998, the North American box office of "The Matrix" stayed above $327.58 million, successfully breaking the North American R-rated box office record of $325.79 million previously held by "Saving Private Ryan".

On the day the film was released in North America, the DVD and videotape were officially released in North America, and although the sales were not as amazing as "Titanic", they were enough to make other companies envious.

In the first four days, the Matrix sold $23.54 million in videotapes, $28.02 million in regular DVDs, and 580,000 copies of the $199 ultra-luxury commemorative DVD, all of which combined to generate $63.1 million in revenue!

At the same time, negotiations between Duke Studios and NBC television stations came to an end, and the latter took the North American television rights for the next three years for a total price of ∴→ $20 million.

A film that is a super box office hit and extremely popular around the area, the income that can be generated is amazing.

Warner Bros. and Duke's Studios were arguably the biggest winners this summer, and compared to "The Matrix," "Godzilla," which was released at the same time, struggled to push the North American box office of more than $95 million to the $100 million mark.

Walt Disney's "The Apocalypse" is a bit better, currently grossing nearly $150 million in North America. Counting overseas and late income profitability is not a problem, Michael? Bey, the director who has been dubbed the 'Little Explosive Maniac' by the North American media, is approaching the path he once was.

It's just that when it comes to peripheral income, these two films plus "Heaven and Earth Collision", which has long been out of the file, and then multiplied by five, are difficult to compete with "The Matrix".

"The Matrix" is such a hit, a warm celebration is essential.

For a full week when the film's cassette and DVD were on sale, Warner Bros. spent a lot of money. Duke, who rented a private club in Malibu for the celebration party, has already traveled to New Zealand for work and has also returned to North America.

Since it is a celebratory party, Duke is naturally the focus of being surrounded and complimented by everyone, and finally finished a circle, just hiding in a corner to be quiet for a while, Warner Bros. CEO Jeff? Robinov sat across from him.

"Duke."

Jeff? Robinov knew his character well and therefore went straight to the point. "Ever thought about merging the Duke's Studios into Warner Bros.?"

Duke thought for a moment and asked, "Jeff, is this your personal opinion?" ”

"No, no...... "Jeff?" Robinov shook his finger, "I'm representing the entire Time Warners' opinion. ”

Duke mused.

Jeff? Robinov added, "It's still a share swap, with Warner Bros. shares of equal value." Redeem your shares in the Duke's Studios. ”

"That is, Warner wants to take 100% control of the Duke's studio?"

Hear Duke's question, Jeff? Robinov immediately nodded. "That's true."

Holding his chest with one hand and his chin with the other, Duke thought for a while and understood Warner's intentions, which were actually not complicated, and were related to the "Matrix", "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the "Harry Potter" series.

The Matrix has a horrific revenue. And it's clearly a series.

Although the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is known as the most difficult magical masterpiece to film, his continued success has obviously given Warner enough confidence.

The "Harry Potter" series has been vigorously promoted by the Harry Potter studio, and it has a trend of explosion.

Warner clearly wanted to pocket all the rights to the three series, and to do so, he did not hesitate to give him more shares of Warner Bros. personally.

Should Warner's opinion be taken into account? Duke had to think it through. He had neither the idea nor the ability to make the Duke's studio bigger in exchange for a stake in Warner Bros., which could also enjoy the dividends of these series, was not a bad thing, and even in his opinion, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.

But the problem is that only one film of "The Matrix" has been released, "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" are only in the preparation stage, and it is impossible for Warner to pay enough for it, and the timing is simply not right.

"Jeff......" Duke smiled, "always give me some time to think about it." ”

"Of course!" Jeff? Robinov said solemnly, "No matter what, Warner will respect your ideas." ”

Jeff? After Robinov left, Duke thought about it for a while and decided to postpone the matter for the time being, waiting for the right time to deal with it.

A tall figure flashed behind him, sat down across from him, and handed over a glass of champagne.

Charlize? Theron tucked his long hair and said, "I'm here to thank you." ”

Duke touched his glass with her, "You look more beautiful and confident." ”

"You brought it to me." Charlize? Theron also drank the champagne after Duke drank it, "Without you, there would be no Charlize now?" Theron. ”

"How does it taste to be so popular?" Duke smiled and asked.

"Excellent!"

Putting down the glass, Charlize beckoned the waiter to bring two glasses of champagne, "I've never felt so good." ”

"Everywhere I pass in North America, there are countless men and women who are crazy about me." She leaned closer, "Even in the Far East, the screams for me have not decreased. ”

Duke's "The Matrix", although the actor Neo's role is guaranteed first, so that the film will not be unbalanced, but Trinity can play much more space than it once was, especially specifically combined with Charlize? The gun fighting and fighting skills designed by Theron's body characteristics are definitely eye-catching weapons.

One of the many changes brought about by "The Matrix" is to make Charlize ? Theron vs. Keanu? Reeves is as popular as he is.

For some at Warner Bros., Duke's return from New Zealand was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face on collaborative projects. Walter was quick to find him.

"Duke, how soon do you plan to complete your new project?" He asked.

"From September, two months of preparation, two months of shooting, and two months of post-production and publicity." Duke thought for a moment and said, "It's definitely going to be done before next year's Oscars." ”

"Summer file?" Doug? Walter asked again.

Duke resisted the urge to roll his eyes and said, "Please, Doug, this is just a small investment film, and it will be completely overwhelmed in the highly competitive summer season." ”

"I think your small production zuò can compete with other directors' big productions."

Doug? Walter turned to look at Charlize? Theron, "Is that so, Miss Theron?" ”

"I think Mr. Walter has a very good point!" Charlize said very seriously, "Who dares to underestimate you now?" ”

"Die-hard Lord of the Rings fans ......," Duke said, spreading his hands, "After the news spread, many die-hard Lord of the Rings fans objected to me bringing the series to the big screen, thinking that I would ruin the magical classics in their hearts. ”

Doug? Walter shook his head, "In every era, there are always conservative people who never understand that only by looking forward can they succeed. ”

"Haven't you heard?" Duke smiled helplessly, "Some die-hard Lord of the Rings fans are going to form a group to protest to me in New Zealand. ”

"They can't change your pace of success!"

Doug? Walter had just finished saying this when someone came over and whispered a few words in his ear, and he nodded to Duke, "There's something to deal with, I'm taking my leave for now." ”

It's a little quieter, Charllease? Theron and Duke continued to talk as they drank.

"The Matrix just rolled off North America." She asked curiously, "Are you preparing a new work again?" ”

"It's just a small production zuò to practice your hands." Duke said casually.

He was already working on the convener preparations from mid-August to New Zealand, with Warner Bros. audits already in place late last month, and the initial $8 million in funding and the corresponding financial supervisor and production manager were quickly put in place.

This time he came back, not only to participate in the celebration faction, but also to sign a directing contract with the producer of Warner Bros., such a small producer, Duke only took a symbolic 500,000 US dollars as a remuneration, in order to reduce the crew's upfront expenses in all aspects.

Of course, a tiered share agreement determined by the film's revenue figures is also essential, and the maximum share can reach 20% of the film's global box office and 15% of the peripheral revenue, as is the case with "The Matrix".

However, even if Duke has some confidence in himself in whether the new project will succeed in the end, he does not dare to make any guarantees.

At this stage, he holds some shares of Apple, Yahoo and Microsoft, and is also the majority shareholder of Victoria's Secret and Warner Bros., with a personal net worth of hundreds of millions, and the total global box office of the six works completed is close to 3 billion US dollars.

Besides, in order to ensure that the Lord of the Rings trilogy is as successful as possible, it is essential to practice with such a multi-line narrative miniature zuò.

When the pie ends, Duke and Charlize? Theron didn't make any communication, and tacitly got into the same car and headed west of Burbank City.

"Did you hear that, Duke?" Charlize said, "Sony Columbia Pictures is preparing to cancel the sequel to Godzilla and temporarily seal the series." (To be continued......)

ps: It's finally raining in Jinan, let's celebrate R752 with monthly passes and recommended tickets