On the 16th, Lu Ping'an temporarily ended the post-production of "Latent" and came to the production team of "Batman".

"What's going on now?"

When he arrived at the place, Lu Ping'an asked about the specific situation.

"That's right"

Xiang Guoqiang came one by one, and the current production progress of "Batman 1" is in the prop preparation stage.

Nolan's plan is about props as an important part.

The overall props include scenery, Batman equipment, costumes, and so on.

It's a lot, it's tedious.

The overall expected time will be at least 4 months to prepare.

Fortunately, the progress is good, and since October, about half of it has been completed.

"The next thing is to wait for a few main actors to sign a contract."

The planned casting is based on the original film.

Bell, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and many more.

None of them are small coffees.

As early as October, when the preparation began, these people were contacted, and it was not a big problem at that time, as long as the money was in place, but the contract was not signed at the first time, and these people were busy and would sign it after they were busy.

Now it is said that Christian Bale is still training, he has just finished acting in "The Mechanic", and he has lost a bit of weight.

I've known about Bell's famous road for a long time.

This is the famous "balloon man" in Hollywood, acting in movies is fat and thin, and he is very dedicated.

Continuing to chat, Lu Ping'an restaurant had some props on the set.

Batman helmet, armor, and more.

Nolan came over to introduce how troublesome these things were to make and how complicated the process was.

In short, as a producer, Lu Ping'an only felt that the money was flowing.

But the good news is that these props can create value again in the future.

For example, the Batman suit can be auctioned.

There are also Batmobiles, which can be auctioned off by those handsome "tanks".

Lu Ping'an felt that he could get a car back to China when the film was filmed, but he didn't know that Lao Mei would not ban it.

After visiting for a while, Lu Ping'an expressed satisfaction with the production progress.

Regarding the casting of actors, he reminded Xiang Guoqiang: "If there is a change, say it in time." ”

Summit Entertainment is a small company, and Nolan is also a small director, even if the money is in place, the big names may not really be able to watch this movie.

In addition, as an independent production company, it is not easy for Dingfeng to operate this kind of big movie, and he may encounter many difficulties in the future.

At the same time, Lu Ping'an was also wondering whether to pull Hu Qingquan over.

Hu Qingquan has nothing to do for the time being.

Next year's film in Berlin has been sent, and now he is back at school to continue his work as a teacher.

Lu Ping'an will return to China tomorrow morning, and he feels that he will talk to Hu Qingquan.

I just don't know how Hu Qingquan will react when he knows that he has made such a blockbuster.

Don't be scared, it's a big project of nearly one billion yuan, after all.

After looking around, Nolan came over and said to him: "The president of Warner wants to meet with you." ”

"Is it Time Warner President or Warner Bros. Entertainment?"

"Warner Bros. Entertainment's Barry Meyer."

"It's him."

Lu Ping'an knew this.

Barry Meyer is the current head of Warner Bros. Pictures, having been at the helm of Warner Bros. in '99 until he stepped down in 2013.

These ten years were also the most profitable period for Warner Pictures.

dominated "Harry Potter", "Batman Trilogy" and so on, all of which are super hits.

The point is that this is a Jew.

Big shots.

"Did you say why?"

He asked.

Nolan pointed to the set and shrugged: "I think I should regret it." ”

"Okay, when?"

。。。。。。

Los Angeles, a coffee shop.

Barry Meyer is suave and relatable.

Lu Ping'an and he have been chatting for 20 minutes.

Lu Ping'an did not disclose that he led the project on the surface, but Warner knew it, because he and Warner Henry first proposed it to Warner Henry at the beginning, and then after the operation, the summit came forward.

It's impossible to hide this from the president of Warner.

The two chatted well, and the little old man in his 50s was very knowledgeable and could talk about anything.

From sports to cultures of various countries to history, now we are talking about superhero IP.

At this point, it's time to talk about the topic.

Sure enough, Barry Meyer said: "Lu, frankly, at first I didn't think you could really understand this superhero, but now, I feel like I made a mistake by leasing the IP to you." ”

Barry Meyer used to think that the project was hopeless, but now he only thinks that Nolan didn't come up with the idea earlier, so that Lu Ping An was out of the loop.

Lu Ping'an did not reveal the scripts of the latter two films, but Nolan already had an idea, and now Nolan has become the director of the project, as a signed director of Warner, Barry Meyer naturally talked to him, probably the idea is known, Barry Meyer felt that the idea was good, so he moved some thoughts.

He thought about it, the actual operation is indeed feasible, Nolan has ideas, the company has a team, and a bet is at least more sure than the operation of a small company for Lu Ping'an.

However, now that the contract has been confirmed, Lu Ping'an can only express regret: "If Mr. Barry doesn't want to break the contract, then everything is easy to say." ”

Barrymeyer laughed when he heard this, but was not affected by the words, but continued to ask: "If I want to take back the IP now, what price will I offer?" ”

"The liquidated damages are 200 million US dollars, just follow this."

Lu Ping'an didn't feel pity.

In fact, he is not so interested in the Batman trilogy, or the character of Batman.

Because of this, I don't have much feeling for the super-high-rated trilogy.

He even said that he was not very interested in all the characters of Lao Mei DC Comics and Marvel Comics.

He just thinks that all kinds of superhero movies are too popcorn.

The reason why I filmed them was just to make a profit at the box office.

That's why I will test the Batman IP with the idea of having dates and not hitting a shot.

Batman is defeated, and he is not too interested in actually directing the trilogy himself.

It's too time-consuming, and he's just very simple and emotionally fond of the Joker in the second part, which is the only Batman movie he's seen in its entirety in his last life.

So pick peaches, cooperate with Heath Ledger, brush up on skills, and make a movie with a box office of more than one billion dollars along the way.

That's all he wanted in the first place.

So now if the other party can directly pay 200 million US dollars, he is naturally willing.

Anyway, he is not too rare, relying on the trilogy to become a god.

Otherwise, he would have rejected Nolan a long time ago, so why only pick up the second part of the trilogy?

However, the other party obviously did not want to spend this money either.

"Two hundred million is too high, and it is not certain whether the entire trilogy can have two hundred million profits."

Barry Meyer shook his head.

Lu Ping'an didn't speak.

Barry Meyer continued:

"Lu, you also know, for movies, production is one thing, distribution is another, and distribution is more important than production, no matter how good the movie is, it's useless to do not do it in place, we master global distribution, and as a big production company, we can also provide you with unexpected convenience during the production of the film, which is something that the peak can't give, and you don't want the film to fail to achieve the effect you want, right?"

Barry Meyer continued.

Lu Ping'an frowned slightly: "Barry, you don't have to threaten me like this, I like to talk about things openly, a project, the most important thing is to make money, everyone is happy when they make money, there is no need to engage in a zero-sum game, so you name your conditions, let's discuss it slowly, right?" ”

Barry Meyer smiled and took a sip of coffee after hearing this, he had already figured out Lu Ping'an's temperament.

For Batman, Lu Ping'an is not so fanatical, he just thinks it's a business.

That's good.

His most annoying thing is talking to a bunch of people who are overly artistic.

It's good to simply talk about business, commercial movies are business, nothing special.

So Barry Meyer had a direct showdown: "The copyright will be returned to us, the original price of 16 million will be returned, and you will be retained 20% of the investment share, how about it?" ”

After hearing this, Lu Ping'an was still expressionless.

If you say that you would give him tens of millions of dollars in cash compensation, it would be reasonable, 20% share?

Not to mention how much, everyone on the earth knows that Warner can't afford to play.

However, Lu Ping'an did not directly flip the table and refuse.

It's just a matter of asking for a price to pay back on the spot, and if you don't go back and forth a few times, how can it be set so quickly.

So Lu Ping'an shook his head: "Sorry, it's low." ”

"You make an offer."

"Just follow the liquidated damages."

"You know it's not going to work, so let's change the price."

"It's you who want to break the contract, it's your time to make an offer."

The two smiled and exchanged a few words, and no one took the initiative.

In the end, Barry Meyer smiled: "Are the Chinese so good at doing business?" ”

Lu Ping'an shrugged: "When it comes to doing business, Jews are the first." ”

"Okay."

Barry Meyer shook his head with a smile and said, "16 million to repurchase the copyright, 3 million for the script of the trilogy, and the other trilogy will leave you a 30% share, and at the same time hire you as the director of the trilogy, and the salary will come at the market price, this price can't be higher, you think about it." ”

After hearing this, Lu Ping'an asked rhetorically: "Do you think Nolan can't do it?" ”

"Nolan is not as good as you."

“。。。”

Lu Ping'an didn't know what to say.

You can't even look down on Nolan?

But Nolan doesn't seem to be able to do it right now.

At least compared to Lu Ping'an, he can't compare.

Lu Ping'an's two Hollywood movies were big hits, and one Chinese movie was a big hit in the United States, and the ratings of all the movies were not low.

The director's ability has been affirmed by the industry.

In addition, the first detailed script of Batman was also written by him, and the last two scripts have not been announced, but Barry Meyer listened to Nolan and said that it would be better than the first one.

So if you really want to choose a director, Lu Ping'an is naturally the first choice.

In addition, Lu Ping'an also noticed it.

In fact, it was necessary for Warners to choose him.

Warner wanted to take back the IP, but refused to give more cash, so it could only promise to share.

Give a share and don't want to give it in vain, so it is the best way to bind him as a director to ensure the quality of the film.

In this way, Lu Ping'an will be bound to the trilogy, that is, he will work for himself, and he can also "become a god", and Warner can also take back the IP to maximize benefits.

However, this price is really not suitable.

Don't think about it.

"Harry Potter" has three parties that can lose money, and Lu Ping'an doesn't have the confidence to get Warner.

As a director?

Isn't that a part-time job?

16 million rented IP, 16 million returned, Warner also earned the script of the trilogy and a director, and could resurrect an IP.

As for me, Guang has worked.

It's also a big loss.

It's far better than doing it yourself.

What if Lu Ping'an continues to do it himself?

If Warner doesn't threaten or even cooperate, then the profits that "Trilogy" can create for him are huge.

But now, Warners has made it clear that they want to give you a little bit of a hindrance.

I can't say it, and next time it won't be so good-sounding.

However, this is only applicable to threats to people who don't know much about it.

To tell the truth, the peak is indeed too weak now, and the power in Lao Mei is not great.

If he really wants to do it himself, the financial pressure is actually not small.

The production cost of more than 100 million yuan is not counting the future publicity and distribution costs.

Fortunately, Lu Ping'an has sufficient funds.

In addition, without Warner's strong distribution channels, "The Batman Trilogy" may indeed not reach such a high box office.

But Hollywood is not you, and the Warners have a distribution relationship.

Even production companies can't get involved in theaters.

Paramount Bill hangs over its head.

In addition, the eight major Hollywood companies are not monolithic.

Without you Warner, no one else would live?

Of course, there is a better way to do this, such as taking Barrymeyer under his command directly.

There are two more offers given by Goldfinger.

If you can use this thing, you have to use it.

No, it's basically worthless.

The function of the offer is to make the person who accepts the conditions of the offer 100% loyal and confidential at work.

has worked with Xiang Guoqiang, an "employee", for more than two years, and he has figured out the habits of the offer.

Once bound and set a position, such as "assistant", then this position is a vacant position when it is not used, and once it is used, it will be prioritized by Lu Ping'an's orders.

But he will only do work that does not violate his conscience and the law, is beneficial, and does not put himself in danger.

It's not that if you let him kneel down and let him offer his daughter and wife, he will do the same.

This is obviously contrary to public order and good customs.

So if Barry Meyer is his "assistant", it may not be possible for him to devote Warner resources to supplement himself.

But if you provide fair and equitable convenience when you have a partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment, it's still okay.

This is also the reason why Lu Ping'an kept pinching the offer when he cooperated with Watzberg before.

Offer is not to provide you with a servant, but to provide you with a professional, dedicated, and honest "employee".

So if it can really be bound to Barry Mayer, Warner Bros. Entertainment is another relay station for Lu Ping An in Hollywood.

With this relay station, a lot of things can be played more smoothly.

The most recent is "The Trilogy", as long as he tells Barry Meyer not to do the accounting, and to guarantee me the fairness of the profits, then there is no need to worry.

No matter how far away, such as the rest of Warner's films, such as "Harry Potter", Lu Ping'an can also participate in directing, because this is what Barry Mayer can say, and Lu Ping'an will also be qualified to serve at that time.

In addition, with Barry Meyer, he can also borrow Warner's distribution channels at any time, and many of his films can also be released on the fast track in the future, without having to let the summit slowly farm to open up the situation, and he can also use the earned former to feed the summit and his own theater line.

Pinnacle + Warner, so that his insurance in Hollywood is hard.

It's just that if you want to win Barrymeyer, Lu Ping'an may not be able to make a bid.

However, Lu Ping'an still decided to give it a try.

Chinese pay attention to harmony and wealth, and Lu Ping'an is a typical Chinese.

As a last resort, who likes to fight and kill.

So if you can win the best, if you can't, then you can only use the traditional way.

It's impossible to work part-time anyway.

Such a high-profit work, since it has been won, cannot be sent back for nothing.

So Lu Ping'an began to try to ask Barry Meyer: "Barry, I want to know, what kind of remuneration can be your boss, if I guarantee that the box office of "Trilogy" will reach 1 billion, will it be okay?" ”

Barry Meyer couldn't understand why Lu Ping'an asked, but he probably understood that it should be Lu Ping'an who wanted more.

So he shook his head: "A billion is okay, but can you do it?" ”

"That's 1 billion, if I can do it, can I be your boss?"

"Why the emphasis on being my boss?"

"Because I do want to hire you."

"Lu, we're off track."

"No deviation, I just want to hire you to be fair and just to my project, no work on the books, and I am paid, tell me, what price do I need to pay to hire you as my fair and impartial officer? Is it Batman resurrected, or something else? ”

Barry Meyer laughed on the spot: "Lu, I can guarantee that what you said is fair and just, don't do any tricks, you don't have to worry." ”

"How can I be guaranteed that I can be stationed in the tripartite regulatory body?"

"I said, I can guarantee you, don't worry."

Old fox, this is, I just don't play with you on paper, only verbally.

The investors of "Harry Potter" are so confused and fooled, right?

Lu Ping'an had already realized at this time that this guy had already planned in this regard.

Even making losses on the books is Warner's means of profit.

So unless you can bind, you might as well do it yourself.

He finally said: "You better say a reward, I don't have to worry about the money." ”

"Lu, it looks like we can't continue our conversation."

Barry Meyer shook his head, and his expression became cold, "Lu, I suggest you think about it, "Batman" is a big IP, and small companies can't play it, if you can't do it, fans can tear you apart." ”

Lu Ping'an did not show weakness: "Don't worry, if you lose, you will lose, only one or two hundred million, I can afford to lose, it's okay for fans to scold me, it's a big deal for me to go back to China." ”

"Good luck then."

After speaking, the two drank the last bit of coffee in their cups, and then took their own leave.

The conversation broke up unhappily.

Lu Ping'an told Xiang Guoqiang as soon as possible that he must be prepared in the future.

Props, insurance, legal affairs, etc., go through it again to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

At the same time, prepare for the director and the original actor to miss the appointment, and make a replacement plan.

Just in case, Lu Ping'an decided to go back and called Hu Qingquan over to be a producer.

Hu Qingquan is thoughtful and patient, and he has a lot of contacts in Lao Mei, and he cooperates smoothly with Xiang Guoqiang and Watzberg.

With him, the project is more secure.

Then he talked to Watzberg about it, and proposed that the distribution must be prepared in advance, so many film companies have to maintain it in advance in recent years, and Warner will really come to the trick and be fully prepared.

Watzberg was a little excited.

He has long been unhappy with the Eighth Congress.

Every time I meet with their leaders, I always feel that they will be a head shorter.

Now Lu Ping'an simply rejected Warner, which made him feel more like a comrade-in-arms towards Lu Ping'an.

"Lu, didn't Warner say that we are just a small company and can't make superhero movies, this time we will rush Warner's asshole hard!"

"Watts, we're just operating a big hit project, and there will be more such projects in the future, so don't be too excited."

"You're right! But I still want to say, this time we must punch Warner's asshole hard and let them see that we are not weaker than them! ”

"Okay, then rush TM!"

"Rush TM!"

(End of chapter)