v2 Chapter 379： Duke's ATM

"Sony Entertainment is going to buy the movie adaptation rights for which Hasbro toy?"

Compared with novels or games, the movie adaptation rights of toys are not said to be blank until now, in fact, there are very few, even if only a few, such as Mattel’s Barbie dolls, do not really exist as movies. Mostly to sell toys.

Duke knows that in the future there will be a toy series of movies that can run across the world!

Of course he remembers this series, but because toy movies are not very popular, and the relationship between the "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series is mainly focused, he is not in a hurry. He did not expect someone to start in advance.

The problem is that the person who started it was not DreamWorks or Paramount Pictures.

However, Tina Fei's following words made Duke put his heart back in his stomach.

"It's a special forces series." Tina Fei recalled and said, "Sony Entertainment is said to have reached a preliminary agreement with Hasbro."

Duke nodded and thought for a while, not surprised by this situation.

Just like Hollywood’s strict project review system, Hollywood’s major companies are not stupid. While consolidating their existing positions, they are also striving to expand new territory. Sony Entertainment is focusing on the special forces series, which is not surprising ≡, .

First of all, this is an authentic American toy, not a foreign product like Godzilla.

Secondly, Special Forces was once Hasbro's best-selling toy and has a huge influence in North America.

Finally, Hasbro’s another trump card toy Transformers is too difficult to shoot. Nowadays, if you want to shoot a live-action version of the movie, you must sign an astronomical check, and special forces can make it in a relatively inexpensive way. .

Curving his fingers and gently buckling the table in front of the seat, Duke groaned for five minutes. Then he spoke slowly.

"Tina, let Nancy get in touch with Hasbro," he said.

"Are we going to join the fight for the copyright of special forces?" Tina Fei was obviously misunderstood.

Duke shook his head, "We don't want special forces, let Nancy talk to Hasbro about the right to adapt the Transformers series!"

Despite some doubts, Tina Fei took out her work log and quickly wrote it down. Then he asked, "Do you want to make a live-action movie?"

"Not now." Duke picked up the coffee cup and said before drinking, "This is a plan for the future."

With current film technology, it’s not that it’s impossible to shoot. The problem is that the price paid is too expensive. Even a few years later, the cgi cost of making robots is still astronomical.

And the director. It seems that the director who ruined his childhood is at a relatively proud stage in his life. It is best to wait a few more years.

Of course, in Duke’s mind, even if the film changes, it will be a story of people and Transformers. Without human participation, the sense of substitution in the film will be a big problem.

In addition. If most of the images are of Transformers, then the production cost will stack up to hundreds of millions of dollars?

This video. It's not that you want Optimus Prime and Megatron to play casually. Every special effects scene burns a lot of dollars.

Just like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", its special effects rely more on the set and props. Many scenes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are shot using models. There is only one purpose-to save costs!

Duke got off the plane and did not go to the Hilton Hotel where he was staying. He rushed directly from Heathrow Airport to the studio in Northampton. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" has just begun, with various buildings on the set. Only a prototype was built.

If you want the Harry Potter series to become a real gold-absorbing industry chain, film projects are the top priority among them. If you want to make movies popular and pay attention, you must ensure the quality of the movies.

The script was co-edited by Joanna Rowling and professional screenwriters, not only to ensure that it conforms to the main line of the novel as much as possible, but also to increase the appeal and publicity of the film.

"Rowling is on the other side, participating in the design of the emblems and uniforms of the colleges."

In the studio office, after Duke met Robin Grande, the two did not waste any time to greet each other. Grande directly talked about some of the work being done by the crew now, "The actor audition has begun, and the registration and selection are at the same time. There are too many people who signed up, especially for small actors. We eliminated 90% in the first round and hundreds of people were shortlisted."

With that said, he handed over a list, and Duke took it and flipped it roughly. The selection of the young actor is actually not important at all, even though he did not see Emma Watson in the process of flipping. The name inside did not express any opinions, anyway, this is a typical role-achieving actor movie.

"There are still some actors recommended by agents or acquaintances in the British circle are not included." Robin Grand added, "Compared to those with less experience in acting, Chris and I are more inclined to use recommended Candidates."

Duke returned the list to him, "You have your idea."

Subsequently, Robin Grande introduced various preparations to Duke, especially the most critical funding issues in the preliminary preparations.

"Now the first $30 million start-up capital is running out." He was a little anxious. "Duke, I communicated with Harry Potter Studio. The second investment of Duke Studios and Warner Bros. was not in place. , If there is no funding..."

Having said that, he stopped.

Duke has prepared too many movies and naturally knows the importance of funding, "Don't worry, Robin, the funding will be in place soon."

He turned his head and said to Tina Fei, "Remember to remind me to communicate with Jeff Robinoff."

I also talked about the difficulties encountered in the preparation. Under the leadership of Robin Grande, Duke simply circled the set. The set was just a rudimentary form, and there was not much actual content, but work. People are going in and out, busy, and obviously the entire preliminary work is going on in an intense and orderly manner.

When passing by the door of the studio, Duke also saw more reporters and paparazzi isolated outside the door than when he entered.

This is a typical English literature, which can attract so much attention from Hollywood and invest a lot of money to adapt it. For the British who have always had a sense of superiority in their hearts, it must mean more care and enthusiasm.

Of course, the increase in reporters must be due to Duke, who has been spotted by paparazzi since he left Heathrow Airport.

In this country with the most gossips and the craziest paparazzi in the world, it is as difficult as **** to escape the attention of the media. It is not only the paparazzi at various traffic points and important occasions, but also the active cooperation of the citizens. The citizens of London are very active. The first thing that comes to mind after encountering a celebrity is not to sign onlookers, but to call the paparazzi to make a fortune, and then rush up like crazy fans.

"From the day "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was announced." Robin Grand looked at the entrance of the studio. "This has become the main battlefield of Fleet Street, even better than Ten Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Also busy."

He sighed, "Compared with his counterparts in Britain, American entertainment reporters are really civilized."

"That's good." Duke also turned his head and looked over there. "As long as you throw in some materials from time to time, the film can maintain a certain degree of popularity."

Robin Grand agrees, "This is the only benefit I can think of."

While they were talking, the two walked through the busy set and walked into the costume design room. Joanna Rowling is here. As the original author, he can turn the fantasy world in his mind into a real picture through a movie. In addition, the crew finally chose her hometown for filming, which made the single mother very excited.

In the conversation just now, Robin Grande also highlighted Joanna Rowling. She participated in almost every aspect of the preparation of the film, especially the design of costumes, wands and various emblems. the key of.

"Hi, Duke."

Rowling is now a star writer, and her communication skills are gradually honed. "It's nice to meet you. I have been looking forward to you coming over and making some comments."

"I'm glad to meet you too, Joe."

She shook her stretched hand, and Duke's gaze swept across the various costumes and emblems hung in the design room, "You did an excellent job, and I have reason to believe that this will be a great movie. "

"Thank you." Rowling laughed.

At present, only the first three novels have been published, and only the first three are owned by Harry Potter Studios. Although according to the contract between the two parties, the studio has the priority to sign subsequent sequels, but when the film is really hot, peripheral sales When the popularity is turned on, Joanna Rowling will easily get back the initiative.

This is something that cannot be avoided at all. If you want to sign the follow-up copyright with Rowling under the previous terms, where is the slightest possibility?

Even if it was Joanna Rowling's mentally retarded promise, her agent would not agree!

Business has always been complicated and full of intrigues. Although "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" has only begun preparations, Duke has already planned for the future.

After all, once this series is successful, the benefits it can create are really amazing.

He faintly remembered that after the "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" sold out, at an animation exhibition, Warner Bros. sold for a sky-high price of 1.2 billion US dollars only for some image authorization!

The Harry Bit phenomenon was later not only the focus of research in the film industry, but also the object of economic analysis. More than one financial media organization predicted that when the Harry Potter movie came out 20 years ago, the industry chain related to Harry Potter, Can create an output value of hundreds of billions of dollars.

With such a huge industrial chain, let alone Duke, it will be extremely tempting to be replaced by anyone in the world.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Rowling will be the ATM for him and Warner Bros.

After chatting with Rowling for a while, Duke went to the next set room and met Chris Columbus. This childlike director is indeed an expert in Hollywood movies.

However, when he left, Duke reminded Robin Grande, "If "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is successful, you have to find a suitable director again. Chris will neither stay in London for long, nor Does not meet our requirements later." (To be continued.)