Chapter 680

Daniels studios.

It's July 25, another Monday.

Terry Semel arrived ahead of time to watch the "suicide squad" sample film in the afternoon, and had lunch with Simon in the high-rise restaurant of danielis studios at noon.

By the way.

"Is the $50 million reward, Simon, too much? Since there is no provision in the contract, we don't have to pay such a sum of money at all. Or, as in previous times, twenty or thirty million dollars is enough. This time, we gave 50 million US dollars. According to the usual practice, the next few projects will only be much more, and we will not be able to afford them at that time. "

At the dinner table, Terry Semel looked miserable.

The topic is about Simon's Award Scheme for Batman: the rise of the dark knight.

According to last week's Box Office statistics, "Batman: the rise of the Dark Knight" not only broke through 330 million US dollars in North America, but also earned 530 million US dollars overseas. The global box office has already reached 860 million US dollars. According to the box office trend of various ticket warehouses around the world, there is no doubt that the global box office of the final work of the Batman trilogy will break through 1 billion US dollars.

Moreover, since the release of Batman: the rise of the dark knight for more than a month, the sales of various types of peripherals are also as hot as ever. At present, the total sales of dozens of peripherals around the world have exceeded US $1.1 billion according to the preliminary statistics. Although the popularity of the film begins to decline, it is estimated that the total sales of peripherals will be about US $2.5 billion in the next few years.

In addition to the box office and surrounding two parts, as well as the future revenue from video and television channels, "Batman: the rise of the Dark Knight" will be a super cash cow that can bring us $1 billion in net income to the two major producers of Denise and Time Warner.

Simon was never a man who wanted his horses to run but didn't want them to eat grass.

In order to ensure the smooth progress of the huge DC movie universe series, Simon signed very harsh contracts with a group of leading creators. Compared with the huge profits of several consecutive DC movies, the salaries of superheroes can be described as stingy.

Simon will not allow any changes to the original contract, but in addition to the basic salary, from the initial Batman: war time, with the success of the project, he will give an extra bonus to the stars and directors.

Only for a series of projects in the past, the maximum amount of bonus did not exceed $30 million.

This time, Simon gave a one-time bonus of 50 million US dollars, which immediately made Time Warner's flesh ache.

In addition to Batman: the rise of the dark knight, Warner Bros.'s other two projects, Warner Bros.'s Mahua Li the gambler 'and' I love trouble 'all ended in failure, and the huge losses need to be made up by the profits generated by Batman: the rise of the dark knight.

Now, the sudden loss of $50 million will even affect Time Warner's financial report at the end of the year.

Simon, indifferent to Semel's complaint, said: "Terry, 50 million dollars is a reward for bond, Adam and Valerie's contributions to the Batman Series over the years. Whether they will have so much in the future depends on the situation. Moreover, you should understand that compared with the income we obtained, this amount of money is not much, only equivalent to 5% of the net profit of the project. If it were not for the original contract restrictions, now each of them may ask for 10% or even higher net profit sharing. "

Although DC movie universe has created a phenomenal film series miracle, compared with Steven Spielberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson and other Hollywood first-line filmmakers with strong discourse power, the income of DC movie universe is poor.

50 million seems like a lot, but it's not as much as Jack Nicholson made from Tim Burton's version of Batman. Moreover, the money was distributed to director Jane de bond, actor Adam Baldwin, heroine Valerie Gallino and many other people, of which bond and Adam took the most, with only $10 million each.

Simon, of course, can also pay in strict accordance with the contract, with no extra penny to pay. However, this will certainly seriously undermine the initiative of all the creators. The first stage of DC movie universe planning was only completed in the first half, and there is still a long way to go.

Terry Semel, of course, understood this, but said, "Simon, if I remember correctly, you don't seem to like Adam."

Semel is talking about Adam Baldwin.

After the success of Batman: the moment of war, Adam Baldwin came up with the idea of re signing the agreement, and Simon beat him up for it.

Simon nodded, then shook his head and said, "it's a thing of the past. Adam's performance in recent years is still his duty. Moreover, even if I don't like a person, as long as the other party doesn't have the line, after paying, I will still give what I should give. This is a different thing. "

Terry Semel knew in his heart that it was hard for him to change what the young man had decided, so he took the second place: "well, Simon, is it OK to pay by instalments? 50 million, 15 million first, and the rest in the next few years. "The situation of Time Warner is not very good now. If 50 million US dollars can be shared and paid in the next few years, it will not have too obvious impact on the financial report.

As long as the total amount remains unchanged, installment payment can continue to mobilize the enthusiasm of DC creators.

Simon knew that this should be the plan that Semel had worked out before he came, and that this face still had to be given, so he readily agreed.

Terry Semel was not satisfied with the result, but he changed the subject and said, "Simon, have you ever thought about one thing? Adam has only two contracts left."

Simon lowered his head and cut the steak from the plate. "What's up?" he asked casually

Terry Semel said: "after the planned just alliance, I think this series can continue."

Simon slowly picked up a piece of steak and put it into his mouth. A moment later, he said, "Terry, I first told Stan Lee that Denise entertainment will probably open the marvel movie universe in 1995. Judging from the current situation, I think I will break my promise. However, after "justice alliance", this matter will definitely not be delayed any more. "

The reason why time warner can't control the universe of DC movies is that besides Denise entertainment firmly holds the copyright of the three DC superheroes, another important reason is marvel.

The profits created by DC movie universe are too huge. If there is no marvel as the base, Warner will burn the boat, and Denise may have to compromise on the right to speak.

Now the situation is that if Warner is dissatisfied with his voice and profit share, he wants to re divide it, or even break up after the negotiation fails. So, the result will only be that Warner will fight like chickens, while Denise entertainment will be able to directly start its own Marvel movie universe project.

Terry Semel obviously didn't want to talk about marvel, but said, "I mean, it's OK for the two to coexist, isn't it?"

Simon put down the tableware, took a sip of the red wine next to him, with a playful smile on his face: "of course, we can coexist. But, Terry, I think you might be thinking too far. Frankly, if you can't succeed Time Warner after Levin, how many years do you think you can stay in this company? "

In my memory, Terry Semel left the company after the merger of Time Warner and AOL around 2000, and then joined to become the CEO of Yahoo.

This time there will definitely be no merger of AOL and Time Warner.

However, with the complicated internal strife pattern of Time Warner's management and the gradual dissipation of Steve Roth's influence, the top management of Time Warner, who has regained control of the situation, will certainly not allow Terry Semel to go further. As the co CEO of Time Warner and Robert Daley, he is already under one person. If he can't further become the chairman of the board of directors, he will have to resign instead.

Terry Semel heard Simon say that, thinking of his own situation, he immediately forgot about DC.

In a word, Terry Semel is the same age as Michael Eisner, who is lying in Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. Even five or six years later, he is still in his early 50s, far away from the retirement age. After working in warner for so many years, Terry Semel is not willing to suddenly lose everything he has now.

After a moment's hesitation, Terry Semel suddenly said, "Simon, can you help me become the next chairman of Time Warner?"

Not to mention anything else, just DC movie universe is enough to influence the management structure of Time Warner.

If, at the time of the most fierce internal struggle in Time Warner, Denise entertainment suddenly says that the ownership of the next leader of Time Warner may determine whether the two sides can still cooperate smoothly in the DC movie universe, a large number of shareholders and directors should carefully consider Simon's personal intention.

In addition, Heiyan asset management company has been buying Time Warner's shares in recent years. Now its shareholding ratio has reached 4.9%, and it can break through the declaration level of 5% at any time.

Buy Time Warner's stock is mainly for investment needs.

Time Warner has not yet fully recovered. However, in the next few years, when the federal telecommunications regulations continue to be relaxed, Time Warner, which has a cable TV operating network, will be able to set foot in the field of network service providers, so as to obtain the dividend brought by the Internet wave, and its stock price will soar.

Although the current shareholding has not yet exceeded 5%, Heiyan can easily increase its shareholding and break through this limit when necessary. At that time, the public declaration is only one aspect. The most important thing is that if BlackRock becomes a major shareholder holding more than 5%, it can ask for a seat on the board of directors of Time Warner, so that it has the right to vote on major decisions of the company.

These are the chips Simon can help Terry Semel become the next chairman of Time Warner.

Therefore, Semel did not doubt Simon's ability to help himself. Simon did not explain much. He just looked at the middle-aged man across the table and said, "so, Terry, what can I get?"

Terry Semel did not hesitate this time, saying: "ally, the most solid ally."Simon was noncommittal: "I'll think about it."

Terry Semel didn't urge him either. The promises about allies are too broad. In the end, they still need practical actions as support. He probably understands that the young people in the opposite side want to see their specific performance in the next few years.

Since the death of Steve Roth, Terry Semel has been very close to Simon. Many things that could have happened to the top of Warner Bros. have been taken over by him as the co CEO of the group in charge of the film business. Perhaps, from the bottom of my heart, Semel had some ideas very early.

The two sides quietly reached a tacit agreement, skipping this topic for the time being. Terry Semel added: "I heard that Disney management is in contact with Eisner, intending to let him voluntarily give up his position as chairman and CEO of Disney. Simon, what do you think of this acquisition?"

Simon already knows about it.

Michael Eisner suffered a sudden heart attack on Friday. Even if he can successfully survive the next high-risk heart surgery, it will take at least two or three months to get back to work.

With the fall of Eisner and the promotion of a series of recent events, Disney's major shareholders and board of directors who are obviously inclined to sell the company can no longer accept Eisner, a diehard who firmly opposes the sale of Disney, to take charge of the company again.

Originally, Disney's board of directors could completely decide to remove Eisner, which was within the scope of the board's authority.

Now the situation is that Michael Eisner's physical condition is no longer able to bear the additional stimulation. If Disney's board of directors decides without authorization to stir up a good or bad person who has worked for Disney for ten years, only public opinion can make Disney's board of directors resign collectively.

So I had to take the initiative to discuss this with Eisner on the bed carefully.

Simon said: "Disney's sale is inevitable. As long as Eisner is smart enough, he should accept the terms of Disney's board of directors and ask for a more generous compensation. In this way, no matter what happens in the future, there will be a lot of money left

Terry Semel's eyes flashed, but he thought of Steve Ross.

When Steve Ross knew he had cancer, he began to prepare for his family. Although rose is dead now, according to the agreement he signed with Time Warner, his family can continue to receive various subsidies worth tens of millions of dollars from time warner for ten years.

Now, the same is true of Eisner.

As long as he is not completely fascinated by power, he should know how to choose this time.

In addition to the terms of the original agreement, Eisner can also get an additional compensation from Disney, so that whether Eisner can survive the heart surgery or not, his family will get a more solid financial security in the future. On the contrary, if he insists on not letting go of Disney's power depending on his serious illness and prevents Disney's major shareholders from selling the company at a high price, then even if he recovers from his illness in the future, Eisner will definitely have a hard time at Disney.

With that in mind, Terry Semel asked, "sounds like Simon, you don't seem to object to Disney being acquired by Vivendi?"

Simon looked at Semel with a smile. "Do you think I should object?"

Having been immersed in Hollywood for many years, Terry Semel is familiar with the end of overseas capital's involvement in Hollywood. He can understand it with a little thought.

Indeed, Simon has no reason to object to the acquisition, and may even secretly promote it.

Danielis entertainment has enough strength in Hollywood at this time. If we want to go further, we can only continue to encroach on the market share of other competitors. Once Disney is acquired by Vivendi, it will lose its identity as an American company, and Denise entertainment will not have much worries.