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Chapter 740 by chance

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With the stimulation of a series of positive news, MGM's stock price has risen from $10.5 before the summer to $13.7 after the media conference. $f,

After the integration of the three companies was completed, the total share capital of the new MGM reached 365 million shares. When the stock price reached US$13.7, the market value of MGM successfully exceeded US$5 billion. Therefore, the next 70 million share issuance plan will bring about US$1 billion in cash to MGM. With this capital, MGM will also completely get rid of the shadow of debt that has been entangled in it, and embark on a healthy development. the way.

The stock issuance will be completed by MGM executives in the next few months, and after the media conference, Eric divided some of his energy and began to plan for the MGM Agents Cinematic Universe.

Charlie's Angels and Mission: Impossible are both spy movies that have risen in the last two years. Although they are both adapted from old TV series, they did not receive much opposition when they joined the spy movie universe. Instead, they caused a lot of expectations among movie fans. .

It was Eric who let the 007 series join this plan, which caused some controversy. The focus of most of the controversy is that this plan may dilute the brand effect of the 007 series. The media also specially interviewed the former 007 actors. Sean Connery, the first 007 actor, publicly expressed his opposition to the plan, claiming that MGM was in chaos.

Eric just laughed at these objections.

So far, the original novels of the 007 series, except for one Casino Royale, have all been filmed before 1987.

Moreover, even those series before 1987, many of them have little to do with Ian Fleming's novels, just to prove their blood. The title of almost every episode of the 007 series is used to be far-fetched to Ian Fleming, or Ian Fleming's pet name. Or the name of Ian Fleming's holiday cottage, or a line from Ian Fleming's novel.

Somewhat ironically. The only one in the 007 series that has won more than $10 at the global box office, the title of this sequel has absolutely nothing to do with Ian Fleming, but the MGM screenwriter team got the name at that time.

In Eric's view, this kind of far-fetched is almost completely unnecessary. The biggest advantage of the 007 series is actually its popularity on a global scale for decades. As for the box office appeal, it can be seen from the last 007 License to Kill in North America that only $34 million. The box office appeal of the 007 series is actually not that high.

If you can't make a story well, no matter how famous it is, the audience will still not buy it.

The reason why Eric came up with the idea of ​​the agent movie universe was actually influenced by Daniel Craig's version of 007 in the original time and space.

In the original time and space, the 007 series before and after the new century, Casino Royale is undoubtedly a very good one in word of mouth and box office.

Although the 007 series likes to flaunt their own bloodlines, but most of the time, they are used to creating a brand new story every episode, and often because of this, the popularity accumulated by some previous characters is completely discarded. This has to be said to be a very regrettable waste.

Daniel Craig's version of 007 has taken a different path. In Eric's view, this path appeared very accidental.

After the great success of Casino Royale. MGM couldn't wait to start the production of the sequel, but unfortunately, in the process of making the sequel, it just caught up with the Hollywood screenwriters strike in 2008. In desperation, the production team can only piece together pieces and pieces on the basis of Casino Royale. Created a sequel to Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace.

Viewers who haven't seen Casino Royale. I can't even understand the plot of this sequel. Therefore, it is conceivable that MGM had no expectations for this sequel at all. But what is surprising is that this sequel, which has left many viewers scratching their heads, has created a global box office of nearly $600 million on par with its predecessor.

So, starting from Quantum Crisis, MGM seems to be enlightened. They no longer completely get rid of the story of the last episode in every episode, and they no longer rack their brains to find a big villain for each episode of Bond, and they no longer force the story with Ian Fleming for the so-called bloodline. Instead, they break free from the constraints of the past and create a hidden storyline that runs through several sequels.

Under this change, the subsequent Sky Curtain Murder created a peak in the history of 007, with the global box office reaching 1.1 billion US dollars. Although the later Spectre party received bad reviews, it also received close to $900 million at the global box office.

Inspired by the 007 series of Daniel Craig, Eric planned to cut off several subsequent films of Pierce Brosnan, such as Die Another Day and Tomorrow Empire, and set aside the whole world to find villains, and use the Spectre Party as an organization. For the ultimate boss, Charlie's Angels and Ethan Hunt are all pulled into this big backstory setting to create a complete spy movie universe.

And at the beginning of this story, Eric is set to be the only novel by Ian Fleming that has not been put on the big screen, Casino Royale. Goldeneye, which is currently in theaters, will also be the last film that 007 has a connection with the Soviet Union.

Of course, while crafting the main storyline, MGM had to solve another problem, a lawsuit that has entangled the 007 franchise for decades.

Thirty years ago, the villain organization Spectre that appeared in Ian Fleming's novel was actually based on the setting in another novelist Kevin McGrory's novel. After a long lawsuit, The rights to Spectre were awarded to Kevin McGrory.

To set Spectre as the ultimate villain in the MGM movie universe, MGM had to address this copyright issue.

Of course, perhaps before, MGM was reluctant to pay millions of dollars in copyright fees. But at this time, the issue of money is not a big problem for MGM now. Kevin McGrory is still alive at this time. The copyright fee of 2 million US dollars offered by the other party is completely acceptable in Eric's view, after all. Spectre has appeared in six previous 007 films, albeit since the original verdict. MGM hasn't used it over the years, but Spectre's fame is well worth the price.

Throughout August, Eric's colleagues in the MGM film universe also found time to make a trip to San Francisco's Silicon Valley.

After preparations, Firefly Electronics Company, which is responsible for developing 3 players and e-readers, was formally established. At the same time, Firefly Electronics also signed a secret agreement with the hard disk manufacturer Seagate to develop micro hard disks.

Because the company has no official products, Firefly Electronics only set up an electronic product R&D center in Silicon Valley at this time. at the same time. Yahoo's equity incentive plan has been fully implemented. Except for a few senior executives such as Jeff Locke, Yahoo's management has basically remained intact. At the same time as the establishment of the p3 and e-book R&D centers, Yahoo also started a plan to build an online music store and an online e-book store.

It will take at least a year for the development of the micro hard drive. Eric's biggest expectation for the R&D center in Silicon Valley is not that they will produce the finished product as soon as possible, but to take the opportunity to register a complete patent covering all technologies of the 3 player in the United States and overseas. copyright. The technical content of the p3 player is actually not high, but as long as most of the patents are obtained in advance, no one can produce it in the future, and Eric can also rely on this advantage. Master the absolute initiative in the era of online music.

Returning to Los Angeles from San Francisco, there was news from Firefly that the Wachowski brothers had completed the production of their director's work, which they used to practice hands.

Eric hears a call from Katzenberg on the plane. So after getting off the plane at Santa Monica Airport, I rushed directly to the Playa Vista Firefly Studios not far away, and got into the screening room with Katzenberg, the Wachowski brothers and others.

Crazy Flower tells the story of a pair of gay girls who want to get out of their current lives, planning to defraud $2 million from the mafia boss and thus provoking a mafia infighting.

If you strip away the coats of homosexuality and female lead films, this is actually a typical black list film. Of course, it is also officially because of the lesbian element, which makes this film a little more charming.

In the screening room, Eric finished watching the film. Nodding with satisfaction, he said to Katzenberg next to him: "According to the quality of this film. If you let the new line operate, you may be able to recover the production cost of 4.5 million US dollars at the box office. You will not Doubt their strength any more."

After making movies for so many years, Katzenberg certainly has no shortage of vision, nodded and smiled: "Of course, I have some expectations for the two of them now."

The two exchanged a few words in a low voice. After the subtitles on the screen were finished, and the lights in the projection room turned on, Eric got up and said to the Wachowski brothers who approached nervously: "Get ready, I hope you can Get to Sydney with the crew as soon as possible, most of the prep work is done, you just need to start shooting as soon as possible.”

The Wachowski brothers were stunned for a while, and then they reacted. Andy Wachowski said: "Eric, so, we passed."

"Yeah," Eric nodded and said again: "However, I will pay attention to the production of The Matrix throughout the whole process, so I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Of course, absolutely not," Andy Wachowski rubbed his hands excitedly.

After chatting about the details for a while, the Wachowski brothers left in a hurry, and Katzenberg brought Eric to the office and talked about another matter: "Eric, according to the current scale of the digital field, even if only supporting Firefly and MGM are already struggling with film production, and we have a lot of orders from other studios, and Stan discussed with me yesterday, hoping to continue to expand the number of employees in the digital field.”

After MGM is on the right track, the two companies will produce no less than 5 special effects films each year. Even if there are 500 special effects teams for each film, 2,500 people will be needed. At the same time, the application of g special effects is becoming more and more extensive. Even if it is not a special special effect movie, a special effect company needs to process a lot of shots. Therefore, these few years can be said to be the golden age of special effects companies. As long as you have enough technology, there will be no shortage of projects at all, and industry giants like the digital field are even more nourishing.

However, Eric knows that the good days of special effects companies will only have a few years left. When the new century comes, with the further development of computer technology and other software giants joining the ranks of special effects software development, special effects companies will soon From the aristocratic industry to the civilian class, the special effects engineers with high salaries at this time will also be reduced to skilled migrant workers.

Eric has already planned for the next few years, when special effects movies are at their peak, to cash out in the digital realm. At this time, considering the future, it is impossible for him to continue to expand his investment in the digital field.

Thinking of The Matrix, which is about to be filmed in Australia, Eric said: "It's okay to continue to expand in the United States. If possible, we'd better set up branches overseas. The special effects company will not consume a lot of social resources, but can create a very special effect. The huge tax, I think Canada, Australia or New Zealand will be very welcome, we can set up branches in these countries and ask them for tax benefits."

"That's a good idea," Katzenberg nodded and said, "Then, in which country do you think it would be more suitable for us to set up a branch?"

Eric immediately thought of New Zealand, the country where Weta Digital, which was as famous as the digital field in his previous life, came from.

However, Weta Studio has been established at this time. It was founded by Peter Jackson a few years ago to shoot his personal films and a few small partners. Although it is small in scale, it is also complete. Although Eric will safely hand over the Lord of the Rings series to Peter Jackson, he will not support a special effects company that has nothing to do with Firefly.

After thinking for a moment, Eric said: "Just choose Australia and New Zealand. Movies such as The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings will be shot in these two countries, which can save a lot of energy on the spot. Well, I will work with you. Fox communicated that, after all, the foundation of News Corporation is in Australia, and we can get more concessions from the Australian government through them."

Saying that, Eric looked at his watch. There were still more than two hours before he got off work, so he said to Katzenberg: "In that case, I will go to Fox's side now. You can do it first." continued. () "I Am Hollywood" only represents the views of the author, Just Dou. If you find that its content is in violation of national laws, please delete it. The position is only committed to providing a healthy and green reading platform. 【】,thank you all!