Chapter 292 Dealing with Depp

Wu Yuchen and Han Sanping were already familiar with each other, so they didn't beat around the bush when talking. He asked directly, "Brother Han, what's up?"

"Brother Wu, you've won the Oscar for Best Director this time. We can't just ignore such a big thing. Our film system will hold a commendation meeting for you, and some important leaders will come to express their condolences."

After hearing Han Sanping's words, Wu Yuchen understood instantly. In fact, the commendation meeting was not urgent, but the key was that the important leaders were coming. Naturally, it couldn't be delayed for too long. Even if he had won the Oscar for Best Director, there was no reason to let the big leaders wait for him.

Wu Yuchen pondered for a moment. To be honest, he had a lot of things to do in Hollywood. He could turn down many interview invitations after the Oscars, but the start of filming of Spider-Man and the preparation of the sequel to Pirate King were all in front of him.

In fact, he didn't go back after winning the Oscar last year. But last year, the movie he competed for the Oscar was A Beautiful Mind, and the reaction within the domestic system was not that big. But this time is different. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a Chinese film. Wu Yuchen won so many Oscars with this film. In the future, this film will become a business card of China in the international arena. It may be mentioned frequently when international dignitaries visit and talk.

Therefore, it is not surprising that these big leaders are interested in him and the film and want to come to him to ask for more information.

Wu Yuchen thought about it and said to Han Sanping: "Brother Han, I have something to deal with here. How about going back in 5 days?"

Han Sanping on the other side smiled and said: "Okay! Brother Wu, then I will report the time!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen exhaled lightly. It seems that he needs to speed up the progress and solve some important things first.

At DreamWorks, Spielberg greeted Wu Yuchen with a smile: "Wu, I thought you would take a good rest for a few days after the Oscars, go out for a vacation and relax~"

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head: "Steven, I want to too, but unfortunately I seem to be born to work hard~"

Spielberg smiled and praised: "That's because you are really important, and everyone can't do without you~"

After both of them sat down, Wu Yuchen asked about the business: "Steven, haven't you talked to Depp yet?"

Spielberg shook his head: "Everything else has been settled, only Depp is left, and his agent insists on the 20+8 requirement."

Wu Yuchen didn't care about the 20 million requirement, but the key was the 8% box office share, which he was definitely unwilling to give.

Wu Yuchen frowned and asked: "Is it the same for both films?"

This time he planned to shoot two or three films in a row, so the salary was also discussed together.

"It's mainly the second part. For the third part, the other party is not very willing to ask for a share of the box office."

After a little thought, Wu Yuchen understood what was going on.

"Pirate King 2" is sure to make money because of the foundation and good reputation of the first part. Movie fans will come to support it, so Depp and others want to participate in the share, so that they can get more.

But "Pirate King 3" is not certain. What if "Pirate King 2" is a sluggish movie? The risk is much greater, so for the pay of "Pirate King 3", the other party is more willing to choose the cash in hand.

Wu Yuchen sighed: "These first-line actors in Hollywood are really not easy to deal with!"

Spielberg also shrugged: "No one will go against money. Even if these actors do stupid things, they still have their agents. These agents are much more difficult to deal with than the actors themselves!"

Wu Yuchen said directly to Spielberg: "Steven, I don't want to waste any more time. Arrange for me to meet with Depp's agent, and I will talk to them in person!"

If Wu Yuchen was just a director, he would definitely not intervene in the issue of Depp's salary, which is none of his business. But his Miracle Pictures itself is one of the producers of "Pirate King", so now he has to negotiate with the other party in the dual capacity of producer and director.

...

"Wow, dear Director Wu, congratulations! Oscar for Best Director!"

In the room, a fat man saw Wu Yuchen and took the initiative to give him a warm hug and congratulated him at the same time.

"Thank you, Jack!" Wu Yuchen also smiled back at Depp's agent.

Depp was not present at today's negotiation because this was to avoid conflicts between Wu Yuchen and Depp. Negotiations are bound to cause conflicts. If Wu Yuchen and Depp are both involved, one of them is the director and the other is the male lead. If the emotions caused by conflicts and disputes during the negotiation are carried over to the filming site, it will be very detrimental to the filming.

So today's negotiation was between Wu Yuchen and his agent. Even if there was any conflict, it would only be limited to the two of them.

After the two were in place, Wu Yuchen got straight to the point: "Jack, let's be frank. Your demands are too high!"

The fat agent immediately said: "Oh no, Wu, why do you think Depp's salary is high? He is one of the best actors in Hollywood, he deserves this price! He needs to be respected!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "We have given Depp enough respect. You should know that Depp's previous salary was only 8 million, and now he will step into the 20 million club. We have met your requirements. You should not ask for 8% of the box office share."

Then the fat agent shook his finger: "Wu, Depp is different, he is irreplaceable!"

Obviously, the other party also knows that actors like Depp are scarce even in Hollywood. Depp's Captain Jack has a unique charm, and the audience likes him very much. This is the other party's reliance.

Wu Yuchen smiled lightly, and then said in a calm tone:

"In Hollywood, no one is irreplaceable. Tobey Maguire thought his Spider-Man was irreplaceable, but he finally recognized the reality."

Obviously, Wu Yuchen was using the example of "Spider-Man 2" and Tobey Maguire to remind the other party not to do useless work, otherwise it would make everyone look bad.

Jack's smile faded, his face tightened, and he said imposingly:

"Wu, how can Maguire be compared with Depp? Spider-Man and Sparrow are also different. Spider-Man wears a mask half of the time. You can even find a stuntman to play Spider-Man.

But can Sparrow be? Without Depp's Sparrow, how many fans do you think the sequel to "Pirate King" will lose?"

Jack raised his finger again and emphasized loudly: "No one can replace Depp!"

But Wu Yuchen was not affected by the other party at all, and still maintained a calm and composed attitude, and then said to Jack: "I know ? Jack, "Pirate King" is my project!"

Then he also raised his finger and shook it: "Remember, "Pirate King" is not Depp's, it's mine! In this project, there is only one person who can't be replaced, and that's me!"

Jack sneered, fearless, and asked in a sarcastic tone: "Really? Great Director Wu, who do you want to play Captain Jack Sparrow?"

Wu Yuchen also raised the corner of his mouth and sneered: "Why must there be Jack Sparrow?"

"What did you say?" Jack was a little confused by Wu Yuchen's question for a while, and obviously didn't understand what he meant.

"I said, the sequel to "Pirate King" can also be without Jack Sparrow." Wu Yuchen said again in a calm tone.

Jack understood now, but he also showed an unbelievable look, and couldn't help shouting: "Are you crazy? Don't you know? Jack Sparrow is the most favorite character of all the audiences in "Pirate King"! Without Jack Sparrow, how can you explain to those fans? They will go crazy!"

Then Jack laughed again: "Haha, Wu, you don't have to lie to me, I know you have created a trilogy for the "Pirate King" series, and the next two are both based on Jack Sparrow as the protagonist! You can't overturn all your plans now, and you don't have to use this trick to bluff me! I'm not scared!"

Wu Yuchen smiled, and then said to Fat Jack: "Jack, listen, "Pirate King" is mine project, I built a complete world for it. Yes, I created the trilogy around Jack Sparrow, but he is by no means irreplaceable! "

Then, Wu Yuchen pointed to his brain: "There are many interesting pirates here, and I chose Jack Sparrow at the beginning just because he was lucky enough to be chosen by me.

If I want, I can immediately replace the protagonist of the last two sequels of "Pirate King" with a brand new and interesting pirate. I will design a brand new adventure story for him. You know I have the ability!"

Jack suddenly slapped his hands on the table and looked at Wu Yuchen with wide eyes: "You!"

At this time, he was finally anxious.

If it was someone else, he might not believe it. But Wu Yuchen is now a famous creative master in Hollywood. He has created many high-quality scripts. No one knows how his brain grows.

"Spider-Man" trilogy, "Pirate King" trilogy, I heard that Warner is also attracted by his "Batman" trilogy and wants to cooperate with him.

So, now that Wu Yuchen said that the male lead will be replaced in the next two episodes of "Pirate King", a brand new pirate character will appear, and a brand new adventure story will appear, in the eyes of outsiders, he can really do what he says!

Wu Yuchen looked at Fat Jack with a calm and composed attitude. The reason why Depp has always been difficult to negotiate is that they are fearless and think they are irreplaceable, and they raise their requirements based on this.

And now, Wu Yuchen is here to break their confidence and break the other party's reliance. In this way, it will not be a situation where their producers beg Depp, and it will make the negotiation much easier.

And he threw out this word, and it depends on whether the other party dares to gamble. But it is obvious that Fat Jack dare not gamble that Wu Yuchen is lying. The role of Jack Sparrow is too important to Depp. It is the biggest guarantee of Depp's commercial value.

Fat Jack gritted his teeth and stared at Wu Yuchen with a somewhat ugly face: "Wu, is it really going to come to this?"

Wu Yuchen laughed: "Of course not, I am a person who actually cherishes the old times. We created the success of the first "Pirate King" together, and I want this series to become a good story. If it is not necessary, I am very reluctant to do such a thing. However, you can't be too greedy, huh?"

Fat Jack stared at Wu Yuchen without blinking, trying to find out some flaws, and at the same time he was making a choice in his heart. However, thinking of the other party's past achievements, and thinking that the other party had just won the Oscar for Best Director and was at the most confident moment of his life, if he continued to hold on, the other party might really replace the male lead in anger!

Fat Jack sighed in his heart, he really didn't dare to gamble!

Afterwards, Wu Yuchen saw that Fat Jack's face changed, and he showed a kind smile:

"Director Wu, I think what you said makes sense. We jointly created the success of "Pirate King", and we should continue to work together to rewrite its myth. Depp actually hopes to cooperate with you, you are the best director of the Oscar~"

Hearing the other party's soft words, Wu Yuchen knew that today's negotiation was basically a success.

However, Wu Yuchen would not continue to be aggressive, after all, they would have to cooperate in filming later.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Jack, I like your attitude. You made the right choice, so I will not treat Depp unfairly. Do you want to hear how I treat Depp?"

Fat Jack raised his hand: "Please go ahead."

"You want 20 million + 8% share. There will be no share, but I will give Depp 30 million in the second film. How about it?"

Fat Jack was surprised when he heard it. He thought the other party would lower the price very much, such as only giving 20 million. But he didn't expect to give 30 million, which is quite rare even in Hollywood today. Only a few people like Tom Cruise can get it.

Fat Jack thought about it. Although the 8% share was gone, there was an extra 10 million, which he thought was acceptable. But he asked again: "What about the third part?"

Seeing that the other party did not raise any objections, Wu Yuchen knew that the other party accepted the plan for the second part, and continued with a smile: "I heard that you don't want a share of the box office for the third part, so 45 million pay, OK?"

The convention in Hollywood is that the treatment of the latter part is generally better than the previous one.

Fat Jack was stunned for a moment. He thought that the other party would propose a strategy of low cash and high share in the third part, which can effectively reduce the risk. But he didn't expect it to be such a high number as 45 million!

In the past history of Hollywood, most series have already collapsed at the box office by the third part, and even if they share the profits, they may not get much money. The number of 45 million can even be regarded as a better treatment than 20+10!

In fact, this is mainly because the confidence that Fat Jack relied on before was broken by Wu Yuchen, so he unconsciously lowered his expectations in his heart. So now when he heard Wu Yuchen's offer again, he felt that the other party seemed to be very sincere.

Seeing that the other party did not answer, Wu Yuchen could not help but ask: "What? Are you not satisfied?"

Fat Jack immediately shook his hand, then laughed, stood up and stretched out his hand to Wu Yuchen: "Wu, you are really a good director and producer, we can't wait to work with you again!"

Wu Yuchen also smiled and shook hands with the other party. He gave such a high cash, mainly to make Depp cooperate well when participating in the performance. In fact, it only adds up to 75 million. If Depp is given a share according to the development of the previous life, he will have to share more than 100 million for "Pirate King 3" alone. It would be heartbreaking!

After dealing with Depp, the preparations for "Pirate King" basically had no problems, and he could also return to China with peace of mind.