Chapter 267 Extraordinary Means

If this possibility is ruled out, the grade of the script will be reduced by one.

Immediately afterwards, Eric left the group, and Bruce chased after him and told Eric the outline of the script. After Eric heard it, he just left a business card for the other party and asked Bruce to go the next day. Company details.

So, it can be confirmed that Eric is interested in this script, but there are too many scripts that Eric is interested in. The other party asked the little girl Drew Barrymore to buy copyrights everywhere during this time, although he thought he would do it. It's silent, but anyone who should know it knows that it's just that the script is actually the most worthless thing. Hollywood produces between 10,000 and 8,000 scripts every year, and only a few hundred can be made into movies.

Therefore, what Michael Eisner wants to confirm is whether Eric will personally direct the script.

So far, three of Eric's films have already been drawn, and the North American box office has all exceeded 200 million US dollars. Based on the box office of 46 million in the first week, "Home Alone 2" continues to exceed 200 million US dollars. question of time.

In this case, the next movie Eric decides to shoot, unless the other party decides to take the art film route to hit the Oscars, the box office will definitely not be less than 100 million US dollars, perhaps another movie that may reach 200 million US dollars at the box office .

And Michael Eisner has personally seen the script of "The Ghost Story", and this script has absolutely nothing to do with art films.

"Bruce, can you be sure that during the negotiation with Eric, he intended to direct the script himself?"

Bruce was a little annoyed because of Michael Eisner's long-term thinking, but he nodded and said, "Yes. Williams said from beginning to end that he would direct the script himself."

certainly. Bruce omits Eric's emphasis on the fact that directing himself and someone else can have two different outcomes.

Because it would prevent Bruce from negotiating prices with other studios. In fact, Bruce already has another plan in his mind. As long as other film factories can give him a price that satisfies him, he does not have to sell the script to Eric. As long as it is stated in the contract, the other party must let Eric come. It's enough to be a director. As for how those big companies hire Eric, that's not something he should worry about.

After thinking again and again for a while, Michael Eisner finally made a decision: "$1 million. Plus 3% of the North American profit share. Mr. Robin, this is the final offer given by Disney, there is no room for bargaining, I I'm sure no other studio will offer a higher price. So, if you agree, we can draft the contract right away, and if you don't, you can leave now.

"

Bruce Joy Robin twitched the corners of his mouth, quickly calculating in his heart that the price had actually met his psychological expectations. You know, a few weeks ago. He was just trying to sell the script as much as possible, and now the $1 million plus 3% profit share has far exceeded his initial psychological expectations. And the conditions of the box office share, it is only for bargaining. Moreover, Michael Eisner, who was sitting across from him, seemed to be tougher than he thought. He knew that the other party was not joking, and his own bargaining would not yield much results.

In this case, Bruce also quickly made a decision: "Mr. Eisner, I can sell the script to Disney at the price you said, but I have one condition."

"Please say," Michael Eisner made a simple please gesture.

Bruce Joy Robin said: "I want Eric Williams to direct this film himself."

Michael Eisner's expression moved slightly. He knew very well that a movie made by different people would definitely have different effects. Therefore, I originally had the idea of ​​buying this script and co-producing this movie with Eric in the future, otherwise I would not have offered such a high price to Bruce.

"I can promise you this condition." Michael Eisner pretended to think, then nodded.

"No, I haven't finished," Bruce showed a sly smile and said, "I sold the script to Disney at the price you just said, and Disney must first pay me $1 million, and then there are three If within three months, Disney cannot confirm that Eric will direct the film, the contract will be void, and as for the $1 million deposit, I can only refund at most 50% to Disney.”

Michael Eisner lowered his face: "Don't you think this is outrageous?"

Bruce shook his head: "Of course not, I took a great risk by doing this. If you fail to invite Eric Williams to be the director, then after the contract is terminated, outsiders will definitely be able to guess our conditions. .I don't get much benefit from having Eric Williams direct the film."

"How can I be sure that you won't secretly reveal the news to Eric Williams?" Michael Eisner asked.

Bruce said in surprise: "How is this possible, Mr. Eisner, even if the news is leaked, it is more likely that you, Disney, leaked the information yourself, because if I leak it myself, I will lose at least one million dollars. This money is for Disney. It’s not worth mentioning, but it’s a huge amount of money for me.”

Michael thought about what he might do next, and then said, "Three months is too short, at least a year."

"At most half a year, a year is too long."

"It's not long at all. Since you are a Hollywood screenwriter, you should know that after ten or eight years of twists and turns, there are many scripts that have been made into movies, so, one year. After one year, even if Disney fails, The value of your script will not depreciate, so, only one year."

Bruce lowered his head and thought for a while, and said, "Okay, just one year."

"Then I'll let someone draft the contract." Michael Eisner stood up, picked up the intercom phone on the desk and said a few words.

A few hours later, the contract for the script was signed and Bruce Joy Robin was sent away. Michael Eisner took a car to a villa in Malibu that had been agreed for a long time. The time is already afternoon. Several people in the villa had already arrived ahead of schedule. If you are very familiar with Hollywood, you will recognize them at a glance. These people are the leaders of the seven major companies.

"Hi, Barry, long time no see." Michael Eisner walked up to Barry Diller first and greeted him warmly.

"Yeah, everyone is busy. I can't even remember when we last met." Barry Diller said with a smile.

Michael Eisner said hello to Warner's Steve Ross and Universal Sid Simberg, then found a position next to Barry Diller.

Soon, Peter Cooper of Columbia Pictures, which was acquired by Sony not long ago, also arrived at the villa.

Followed by Paramount's Frank Mancuso, so far, six of the seven major film companies have come.

The heads of several major film companies know each other, and most of them have worked together before. Therefore, even though they are currently competing with each other, they seem to be warm on the surface. After chatting for a while, Michael A. One of Snr's assistants hurried in. He said a few words in Michael Eisner's ear.

After the assistant left, Barry Diller asked, "Is the MGM guy not coming?"

Michael Eisner nodded.

"Hey. It doesn't matter if he comes or not. He can't make any decisions. It's all up to that bastard, Kirk Kerkorian, to make up his mind. If he comes, he will come for nothing." Paramount's Frank Mancuso said so Said: "A few months ago, that bastard in Kirk wanted to invite me to host MGM, but whoever takes over that mess is unlucky now."

As the leaders of several major film companies, everyone here has some feelings for movies. When they heard Frank Mancuso say this, they all sighed with emotion, thinking about what kind of scenery MGM was in those days.

"In that case, let's get started," said Michael Eisner, who helped facilitate the gathering.

Hearing what Michael Eisner said, the remaining five stood up and walked to a conference room that had been prepared for a long time.

Sitting down at the conference table, an assistant came in and distributed the prepared materials to several people present, then quietly closed the conference room door and exited.

"Everyone, let's see, we can't let the fireflies continue like this." Michael Eisner said, this is the information about fireflies that he arranged for him. In fact, several other film companies have this data, but Michael Eisner said. . Eisner also can not let each other 'bring their own dry food'.

The room was silent for a long time. Steve Ross from Time Warner closed the document in his hand first, and the others read the document one after another.

Then, look at each other.

They all know that fireflies are already a huge threat to the Seven, and these people also have the information on the documents, but they haven't sorted them out yet.

Now the achievements made by Firefly this year are put in front of these people, and the impact of several helms can be imagined.

"Unexpectedly, Firefly's profit this year has exceeded half of our seven major profits combined." Steve Ross said with emotion.

Paramount's Frank Mancuso shrugged, glanced meaningfully at his former boss Barry Diller, and said in a bachelor's manner: "Martin Davis has to interfere in everything, but he doesn't know how to do it at all. , Paramount's profit this year is negligible, and maybe it will usher in a loss next year."

Universal rubbed the plastic cover of the folder and glanced at Michael Eisner: "The combination of "Steel Magnolia" and "Steel Magnolia" is estimated to have earned more than 200 million at the box office, and Disney is also making a profit. Sir, Michael, what are you going to do?"

Michael Eisner could hear the sourness in Sid Simberg's words, and said, "Disney didn't make much money, Williams only gave us the pure film distribution rights, and neither the videotape nor the TV broadcast rights belonged to Disney. in hand."

"Then you can make at least 40 to 50 million yuan," Steve Ross said.

"Don't argue, don't forget what we are discussing today." Barry Diller interrupted the conversation.

Then, the five of them turned their attention to Barry Diller. Everyone knew that Fox was the closest collaborator of Firefly. He not only held the distribution rights of the three films directed by Eric himself, but also mastered the video tapes, etc. surrounding. And "Friends" from Fox.

Barry Diller could of course understand the meaning in the eyes of these people, and said in a deep voice, "If you think it's not right for me to be here, then I can leave. But if that's the case, presumably today's gathering doesn't make any sense."

After Barry Diller finished speaking, he swept the circle coldly, and no one said anything before continuing: "I didn't say it before, you must have read this week's box office data. From November 17th to November 23rd This week, the total box office in North America was about 130 million, but the three films related to Firefly accounted for more than 70 million, more than half of the total. If we continue to let Firefly continue to expand like this, you should be able to imagine What will the Seventh Congress usher in?"

Universal's Sid Simberg said: "Before Firefly acquired the new line, I specifically said hello to you, and I couldn't let Firefly complete this acquisition. But the fact is that this acquisition was completed without any resistance at all. , none of you stopped them. Now that there is a new line, Firefly has a distribution channel. Even if their overseas distribution is still extremely weak, as long as Firefly continues to make huge profits in China, it will be a matter of time to develop and expand overseas channels. So, you say, what can we do now?"

There was apparently a brief silence from the crowd. Barry Diller looked at Michael Eisner who organized the party: "Michael, since you started this party, you must have some ideas in your mind?"

Michael Eisner nodded: "Now, it is impossible for us to stop the development of Firefly, so we can only try our best to seek shares. Since we can't destroy it, we should try to control it as much as possible."

"Oh, if it's as easy as you said, I think everyone here has discussed what to do with Firefly, right?" said Columbian Peter Cooper, who had been relatively silent.

"Of course, so, normal means are definitely not acceptable. In this case, we can only use some extraordinary means." Michael Eisner said in a low voice: "This requires several of us to unite and work together to be successful. "

"What about MGM?" Frank Mancuso asked worriedly.

"Kirke Kerkorian is not a fool. After we work together, MGM will definitely keep up." (To be continued..)

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