v2 Chapter 889： Two categories of commercial movies

The entanglement between Fox and Duke in the twentieth century is far deeper than Walt Disney. In retrospect, it was when Fox released his first film "Speed ​​of Life and Death" in the twentieth century. After that, the two parties were due to investment and rewards. Difficulties in discussions and parting ways led Duke to fall into the arms of Warner Bros. With the help of Warner's power, he created the brilliant achievements of "Break into Death Island" and once again attracted the cooperation of 20th Century Fox.

The three parties co-produced "** Day", which was a huge success, and Duke also became the most promising commercial film director in Hollywood.

For many years after that, Duke worked closely with Warner Bros. Most of the relationship with Twentieth Century Fox was both cooperative and competitive, but cooperation was more than competition. When Shanghai Disney planned to be sent to the other side of the Pacific by Walt Disney, The cooperation between Duke and Twentieth Century Fox has become closer. He matched the bridge, which allowed Time Warner and News Corporation to use Warner Fox World to top Disneyland, which made Walt Disney lose an important opportunity to rise. .

This kind of cooperation has been maintained until the "eavesdropping door" broke out. The characteristics of capital and capital spokespersons can be described as vividly reflected in this incident. Duke and Time Warner did not intend to use the partner News Corporation at all, but instead cooperated with other media companies. It's the same to beat the dog.

The reason is simple, a news company that is not particularly powerful is more beneficial to him and Time Warner.

As a result, under the continuous pressure of the federal government, the British government, and the Windsor family, News Corp. inevitably split up. The media group that was once the world's largest media group had to be divided into newspapers and print media. , As well as two parts of the Fox Group, which focuses on TV, Internet and movies.

Although it is Rupert Murdoch's eldest son who controls the Fox Group, everyone understands that the once huge News Group can no longer be guided by Rupert Murdoch like before.

The breakup of News Corporation is also the beginning of Duke and Time Warner's change of positions. Not to mention that News Corporation will not die even if it is split. Even if it is dead, Duke and Time Warner will not stand by.

After all, there are still certain common interests between the two parties, such as the sequel of "Avatar" that has been bounced by James Cameron.

The two parties once again resumed a state of competition and cooperation. In the face of sufficient interests, there is nothing that capital and its spokesperson cannot talk about.

After the split News Corp., in the short term, it is simply unable to compete with Time Warner, which Duke has continuously increased its holdings.

After years of hard work and after the death of Steve Jobs, he invested heavily in the acquisition of shares from his descendants. Duke's shareholding ratio in Time Warner has exceeded 15%, and most of them are Class A stocks with voting rights. They are the veritable largest shareholder of Time Warner.

Although Time Warner is far from changing the surname to Rosenberg, Duke already has a heavyweight voice in the entire Time Warner by virtue of the shares in his hands and the identity of the board of directors.

But Duke is sober, knowing that he is not very proficient in business, as long as he does not touch his own interests, he will not interfere too much in the affairs of the group company.

Most of Duke's energy is still on the film.

The time has passed through 2013, on the first day of 2014. Lucasfilm announced through official instant sharing that the latest "Star Wars" was officially established. With the exception of Duke as the director, when the film is released and how the investment situation is kept confidential.

The whole project is surrounded by a mysterious atmosphere.

After all, this is the "Star Wars" series, which is clearly different from other films. In many cases, secrecy is often more attractive to fans than earth-shattering hype.

The more mysterious, the more it can attract the attention of fans.

Of course, the core layer of the project headed by Duke knew everything about the entire project.

According to the planned plan, the Star Wars movie, temporarily named "Star Wars VII", is expected to cost 250 million U.S. dollars in production, with a publicity budget of 200 to 250 million U.S. dollars. Lucasfilm, which is almost entirely controlled by Duke, is invested and produced. Warner Bros. is the North American and overseas distributor of the film. However, based on negotiations between the two parties, Warner Bros.’s distribution costs are only 7% of the box office.

After all. The reputation of Duke and Star Wars is enough for Lucasfilm to occupy an absolute dominant position in most negotiations.

In North America, it is not an exaggeration to divide commercial films into the "Star Wars" series and other commercial films.

In addition, Duke also placed the newly established Star Wars studio at Warner Studios.

Because the California government has also been actively promoting tax cuts for the film industry in recent years to avoid the outflow of film projects. The indoor part of this new "Star Wars" film that has already applied for tax cuts is determined to be shot at Warner Studios and Hughes Aircraft Factory, and a considerable part of the outdoor scenes will also be shot in California.

Although the British side also offered a discount and invited the crew to film in London, Duke is not a British director and has no special feelings for the British Isles. In the next year or so, Scarlett Johansson’s main work location Also in the greater Los Angeles area, this is also a rare opportunity to get along for a long time and strengthen relationships for two people who get together less and more.

As he grows older, Duke's mentality will inevitably undergo some changes, especially his understanding of family and responsibilities, which will never stay ten or twenty years ago.

The project was approved without any press conference, but it attracted the attention of countless media. Due to the limited information released by Lucasfilm, Warner Studios, which Duke often visits, became a gathering of paparazzi and entertainment reporters. Locally, especially on the day when the film’s official preparatory meeting was held, several TV stations even drove the live TV car directly to the door of Warner Studios.

George Lucas and Duke who came to participate in the preparatory meeting were blocked by reporters and answered some questions.

When a reporter asked what he thought of Duke’s role as the director of the new "Star Wars", George Lucas replied, "As a director, Duke’s ability to tell stories left a deep impression on me. "Star Wars" series to be directed by him is the most ideal, there is no better candidate than this."

Not long after George Lucas entered the Warner Studios, Duke, who had just got off the car, was also interviewed. Faced with the reporter’s microphone and camera lens, he said modestly, “It’s really good to be able to direct the new Star Wars movie. It’s unbelievable! It feels like surreal to me so far!"

When the reporter asked about the specific content of the film, Duke said with a bit of mystery, "It's too early to talk about this, but I look forward to starting work immediately."

Breaking out of the reporter's siege, Duke took a battery car and rushed directly to a small conference room in the studio. In addition to George Lucas, who was invited by Duke, many people came here.

The three major producers, Catherine Kennedy, Charles Rowan, and Robin Grande are all present. Duke’s team members will still be the backbone of the crew, with Anna Prinz as the first deputy director and John Schwartz Ziman is the director of photography. Jimmy Carter is responsible for setting all the action scenes. Hannah Serena wants to make the scenes of the entire film arouse everyone's nostalgia and love for Star Wars...

The only difference is that Hans Zimmer, who has worked with Duke for many years, did not appear. Instead, he was replaced by John Williams, the master of the Star Wars series. Without Hans Zimmer, there was a game against Star Wars. In order to understand and have a higher level of soundtrack, Duke can be assured of the soundtrack.

In addition, all those who participated in the meeting, including Duke and Lucasfilm CEO Catherine Kennedy, signed a confidentiality agreement. In the preparatory process of this film, the confidentiality meeting was the most important issue. one of.

"The first thing we have to deal with is the old actors."

Sitting in his seat, Duke looked at Charles Rowan and asked, "How is the negotiation with Harrison Ford?"

Charles Rowan shook his head slightly, "Not very smoothly."

Duke exhorted, "You continue to follow up on this matter, don't worry."

His bottom line is very clear, 20 million dollars in salary is acceptable, but the income sharing is not discussed.

In the "Star Wars Iron Triangle" of the year, only Harrison Ford constantly surpassed himself with his excellent appearance and superb acting skills, and eventually became a first-line superstar; "Princess Leia" Kelly Fisher couldn't bear the overnight boom. The huge contrast between temptation and the rapid passing away, he was once depressed and even addicted to drugs; and Mark Hamill could not get rid of the stereotype of "Luke Skywalker", he was briefly active after the "Star Wars Trilogy" The Broadway stage is now just a humble behind-the-scenes voice actor.

Kelly Fisher and Mark Hamill can do it easily, and even Duke is confident of keeping their pay under one million dollars.

In contrast, Harrison Ford is really difficult to do, and it is difficult to impress him without enough price.

If it’s other types of films, it’s fine. One of the main selling points of this film is feelings. Any investment must consider the return on investment ratio. In Duke’s eyes, a certain amount of money invested in Harrison Ford can get enough. In return, this is also the main reason why he continues to let Charles Rowan negotiate with Harrison Ford's agent.

Otherwise, Duke would have thrown Harrison Ford behind his head and removed his role.

However, it is not enough to have feelings in the new Star Wars. Feelings can attract the older generation of Star Wars fans, but teenagers will not eat this set, so Duke intends to make a big fuss about the real starring of the film. (To be continued.)

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