Warner Bros. Entertainment has a very large industry in the beautiful country.

Film production and distribution, disc production and distribution, as well as music records, television stations, DC Comics, theme parks, high-end hotels.

Headquartered in New York, they control this huge business empire.

The vast majority of the branches are still located in New York, with only Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics in Los Angeles.

DC Comics was founded in 1934 and was originally headquartered in New York, but by 2009, superhero movies were beginning to flourish in Hollywood.

Considering that many comics will be moved to the big screen, DC Comics moved its headquarters to Los Angeles.

At present, there are Warner Pictures in Los Angeles, as well as DC Comics.

The offices of the two companies are close to each other, and their executives often meet together and are very familiar with each other.

At ten o'clock in the morning on this day, Warner Pictures President Jeff. Robinov hurried back to the office from outside, and as soon as he sat down, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Toby. Emmerich strode into the office, "Jeff, how's it going, do they agree?" ”

Jeff. Robinov's face turned pale, and there was still anger in his eyes, "They refused, these guys don't care about me now, they know that I will leave Warner soon, they don't take me seriously at all."

These damn bugs, they forgot that they were like a dog before wagging their tails at me and begging me to make a superhero movie. ”

Emmerich wants to cooperate with Lee Shengyao, and since he wants to film "Joker", he naturally needs to get the film rights for this role.

And this movie copyright belongs to DC Comics.

This kind of thing is usually done by the president of Warner Pictures and the president of DC Comics.

In Jeff. When Robinoff was in his prime, the executives of DC Comics were very polite to him, and now, knowing that Robinoff is in the countdown to Warner Pictures.

DC Comics doesn't value him anymore.

Emmerich frowned when he heard this.

He had discussed the project with Mr. Lee, who wanted to make preparations as quickly as possible so that he could start production in September.

One year of production, and after completion, you can participate in next year's Venice Film Festival.

If you drag on the copyright of the film and delay the time, it will change the production plan.

He was silent for a moment, and then comforted: "Jeff, it's those guys who don't understand movies, you don't have to care about their attitudes, things aren't that bad." ”

"You don't have to comfort me, they just look down on me."

Sunlight shines through the window and falls on Jeff. Robinov's face, his eyes were full of sadness.

Emmerich thought for a moment, "Jeff, what the hell do they want?" ”

Even if Jeff. Robinoff is about to leave, and there is no need for DC Comics to do it so absolutely, at least look at the project planning, pretend, and think about it for a few days.

And now that Robinoff has just proposed it, he has been rejected by the top management of DC Comics, which looks a little strange.

It's so impersonal, not quite like a person in a circle.

When Robinov heard this, he thought about it, then sneered and said slowly: "What else can I do, of course, I want more rights." ”

As superhero movies become more and more popular, DC Comics is becoming more and more important.

In the past, they have been honestly working with Warner Pictures.

Warner Pictures has any projects and needs roles, and they will cooperate.

However, "Batman", "Superman", and "Justice League" in preparation are so popular, and there are huge benefits in these.

DC Comics gradually has a different kind of thinking, they are not satisfied with just becoming a comic platform, they want to set up a film and television company, called DC Pictures, specializing in the production of DC Universe movies, TV series.

Isn't this snatching food from Warner Pictures?

Warner Pictures naturally did not agree, which led to a much worse relationship between Warner Pictures and DC Comics.

In the past, Robinoff was strong, and DC Comics was more cooperative.

Now that Robinov is about to leave his post, it is actually reasonable for people to perfunctory him.

When Emmerich heard this, he couldn't help but frown.

DC Comics' demands need to be handled by the head office, where can he solve them.

But if he can't get the film copyright smoothly, wouldn't his cooperation with Li Shengyao be yellow.

He chatted with Robinov for a few words, and then hurried away.

Back in his office, Emmerich called a few henchmen to come over, and everyone discussed the matter, but they still couldn't think of a way to get DC Comics to quickly sell the Joker's movie rights to them.

……

A week later, the weather in Los Angeles was even hotter, and the air conditioning in the Warner Pictures office building was turned on from morning to night.

At nine o'clock in the morning that day, in Emmerich's office, he was watching the script of "Joker" that Lee Shengyao had sent him.

He was completely immersed in it and forgot about the outside world.

The beautiful female secretary knocked on the door, and he didn't react immediately.

It wasn't until the knock on the door outside grew louder that he came to his senses.

"Sir, Depp has sent a message inviting you to his villa party tonight."

Depp is a coffee player, and every time he has a party, there are a lot of beautiful girls.

Emmerich used to like to go, but now he looked at the script in his hand, and he knew he had more important things, "Refuse him, I've been busy lately, and I don't have time to go." ”

After the secretary left, he took out his notebook and wrote down some thoughts in his mind while reading the script of "Joker".

It's a full day's work.

Emmerich led a few of his men and spent twenty-five hours finally making a plan, and then he went to wash up, changed into a suit, and hurried to the DC Comics headquarters building.

Soon after, Emmerich met with Diana, now the president of DC Comics. Nelson.

This female president is in her forties this year, with an ordinary appearance, and the only thing that is more conspicuous is probably a capable temperament.

She has been working her way up in DC Comics, working her way up from a small clerk to the position of president.

Even though she's not a comic book artist, there's no doubt about her love for DC Comics.

She's the one on the planet most eager for DC Comics to be vigorously developed.

She began to propose to Warner headquarters to establish DC Pictures a few years ago, but this proposal never passed.

Diana knew very well who was blocking the proposal.

Now that Warner Pictures has a project on its side, she naturally wants to handle it, and she has to make the people at Warner Pictures helpless, so she can only squeeze out a smile and beg her.

At this point, Emmerich came over, and Diana was a little strange.

She thought it was Robinov.

"Mr. President, please listen to me explain, this time the "Joker" project, the script is very good, for the character's film copyright sales, we must pass as soon as possible, there are huge business opportunities here, if this movie is made, it will make everyone understand your importance more clearly.

I can show you the script, and I'm sure you'll agree with my words. ”

When Diana heard this, she looked at Emmerich, saw that her face was firm, thought about it, and planned to read the script.

In the past, superhero movies adapted and DC Comics were responsible for copyright transfer, and they were not responsible for the specific script creation.

She thought that if it was really an excellent script, maybe she could learn it.

"I'll read the script."

"You're going to love this script."

Diana chuckled and shook her head when she heard this, she had seen superhero movies made by Warner Pictures, and to be honest, she didn't think it was that good.

At least compared to Marvel's superhero movies, she doesn't feel so outstanding.

So Diana arranged for the secretary to serve Emmerich a cup of coffee, and then sat down to read the "Joker" script carefully.

Just two minutes later, she was immersed in it.

About the important villain of the Batman series, "Joker", in the comics, although this person is very brilliantly portrayed, it has been recognized by many readers.

But the role is still a lot thinner.

Why the clown became like that, why the clown has so many followers, is still unconvincing.

And the script of "Joker" in front of me perfectly explains this problem.

This script only borrows Gotham and the Joker's character settings, and the others are completely second creations, but they are very exciting.

It tells the story of a world that is desperate for the poor.

In such a world, the creation of clowns is inevitable.

The more Diana watched, the more devastated, the more shocked she became, and she felt that she was not reading a movie script, but a famous book.

By the time she finished reading the script, she was completely stunned.

This script is completely different from the stories of superheroes in the past, where there are no superheroes who save the world, no cunning bad guys, no magical talents, only cannibalistic, numb, desperate worlds.

She used to think that the scripts of Warner Pictures' superhero movies were very simple, and they could write them in two or three days with a few students from the choreography and directing department.

But the script of "Joker" in front of her, she thinks it is not something that ordinary students can write.

Maybe not only students, but even professors in the choreography department may not be able to write it.

"Whose work is this?"

In fact, Robinov found Diana before and explained that this time the partner was Li Shengyao, but Diana didn't listen to it at the time.

"This script was written by Lee Shengyao."

"Li ......"

Diana felt that the name was awkward and somewhat familiar.

Emmerich then explained: "Yes, Li from China, he won the Palme d'Or twice, the three best director awards in Europe three times, and was praised by "Sight and Sound" and "Film Manual" as the best director of the new century. ”

Diana remembered that there is indeed such an excellent director in Huaxia.

There was a time before that a lot of media in Hollywood reported on this person.

They all felt that Lee Shengyao should come to Hollywood to develop.

Emmerich had a smug look on his face, "He's a real genius, all the companies in Hollywood want to work with him, I have a very good relationship with him, we've been close partners for a long time.

In the end, he chose me, and at my suggestion, chose a character from the DC universe to create.

Diana, this is a very rare opportunity.

If a talented director like Li is disclosed to the media, everyone will agree with this cooperation, and the head office will definitely support me, I hope you can understand this. ”

Emmerich had been discussing before, but at this time, there was a faint threat.

Diana snorted coldly.

"Toby, don't talk to me like that, there are so many things we need to consider, and even if we want to pass, it will take time."

When Emmerich heard this, his tone softened a lot, and he whispered: "Diana, in the past superhero movies, all happened in the comics, but this time "Joker" completely reshaped Gotham and redefined the role of the Joker.

The film, if successful, would be a breakthrough development for DC Comics.

This means that the characters of the DC Universe, even if they are second creations, can still create a very exciting story, which broadens the vitality of the characters in the DC Universe.

This is a completely new attempt and development of the DC Universe character.

You should support me, this movie is definitely good for you. ”

Diana put down the script, returned the script in her hand to Emmerich, and suddenly asked, "Lee, how many movies will he make?"

Emmerich understood what Diana meant, and she was asking Lee how many DC universe movies he would make.

"I don't know, you know, the big directors have a weird temper, they like to challenge different themes, I can't guarantee anything, but even if it's just a DC universe movie, I think we should all seize the opportunity, you see this script, this is not a superhero script at all, this is a movie that reflects human nature, reflects flashy society, I believe that this movie will definitely shock the world when it is released."

Diana couldn't help but laugh.

Emmerich's words were exaggerated, but when she thought about it, she realized that it was indeed possible.

She lifted her coffee cup, only to find that she had already finished it.

"Toby, I like this story very much, and I will arrange for the company's review department to approve this copyright transfer as soon as possible.

I have one condition, though. ”

"You say."

"When Li comes to the beautiful country, you need to introduce me."

She has always wanted to promote the establishment of DC Pictures, she thinks that Lee Shengyao is so talented, if DC Pictures is established, she can invite them to help shoot their first movie, so that the new company's works are guaranteed and a good start for the company's development.

Emmerich naturally agreed, "Of course it's fine." ”

Soon after, Emmerich left the DC Comics headquarters building, he took out the phone with an excited face, wanted to call, and then realized that Li Shengyao might still be sleeping at this time, so he sent a message saying that DC Comics was stepping up the review and would soon be approved.

At that time, they can officially set up a project and select actors.

After sending the message, Emmerich squinted his eyes and looked out the window.

There are many high-rise buildings on both sides of the road, and there are many luxury cars on the streets.

There are just as many tourists at this time, and it is the peak tourist season in the city.

Los Angeles is the best city in the country outside of New York, and it is home to some of the world's best talent.

Possess wealth that is the envy of all.

People around the world in Vanity Fair aspire to make a name for themselves here.

And he is about to bring in Lee Shengyao, the top director since the new century, and he believes that their cooperation will be a great success.

(End of chapter)