Heads Up Hollywood

With the announcement of the Golden Globes, the 1999 awards season officially opened.

"Saving Private Ryan", which was originally released in 5 theaters, has increased to 1,027 theaters due to overwhelming calls for Best Picture at the Oscars!

In contrast, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which was lackluster during the awards season, only had 23 theaters instead of 196, which had little impact on the film's overall box office.

You must understand that before this, the North American box office of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" exceeded Tang En's expectations, and had already reached 252 million US dollars!

The North American box office of "Saving Private Ryan" is only 199 million US dollars.

Some authoritative organizations predict that during the awards season, the North American box office of "Saving Private Ryan" is likely to increase by US$16 million to US$17 million, successfully breaking through the US$200 million mark, and surpassing "Peerless Heist" to become the North American box office of 1998. No. 2 on the box office charts.

But Tang En didn't care about these trivial matters.

The post-production of "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Man's Menace" has been completed, and Twain has completed the first cut version and handed it over to George Lucas for final review.

In addition, "Wedding Crashers", invested by Tang En Pictures, after three long months of filming, finally wrapped up and returned to Los Angeles to start post-production.

The British are relatively more reliable than the Americans, but the efficiency is really poor.

Reese Witherspoon returned to Dunn Films, carrying a bag of candy and handing it out to everyone with a smile.

On the one hand, she finally became a heroine and shared the happiness with everyone; on the other hand, she made up for not attending the company's Christmas party because of filming.

Tang En looked her up and down, and said with a smile, "It doesn't look like you're tired, and you're in good spirits!"

Reese Witherspoon sat down beside him and stretched her waist, "The director strictly adheres to the eight-hour work schedule, so he won't be tired at all. By the way, I heard...you have a new female partner?"

Tang En had a black line on his forehead, "Who did you listen to?"

Reese shook her head triumphantly, "Exciting method! Hee hee, I didn't expect it to blow me out!"

"Naomi Watts, an Australian actress, was living in a difficult situation. I couldn't afford the rent, so I took her back home. Oh, and Nicole, isn't she divorced? What about recuperating emotional wounds." Tang En didn't hide anything, and told the whole story.

Reese blinked, "Nicole Kidman, you..."

"Nothing! At least not yet!"

"Oh, what about me? Shall I still live with you?"

Tang En thought for a while, "It's up to you, you can go if you like, but you can't quarrel."

Reese shrugged, "Forget it, if I live in, the two Australian women will definitely bully me together. If you miss me, we can go to the hotel."

Tang En waved his hands weakly, "Okay, we'll talk about these things later. Now go and sort out the documents. This afternoon, we will start the fourth negotiation with Marvel. This time... is very critical!"

"I'm going to be a big star soon, and you still think I'm a little secretary?" Reese Witherspoon raised her fist and protested seriously.

Tang En smiled and said, "What's wrong with the little secretary? Amy Pascal was born as a little secretary. Isn't she also the chairman of Columbia Pictures now?"

Amy Pascal, who was born as a secretary, unexpectedly became the chairman and CEO of Columbia Pictures, which was a relatively sensational event in Hollywood in early 1999.

This woman is very capable, and the first thing she did after taking office was to acquire the copyright of Spider-Man.

In the later generations, he rose all the way and became the second head of Sony Entertainment.

So Twain must attack as soon as possible to take down Marvel.

Marvel's superheroes can no longer drift away from home.

...

Tang En Pictures has been negotiating with Marvel for a long time, and for a small company with a market value of tens of millions of dollars, the negotiation time is a bit long.

Major irreconcilable conflicts broke out among Marvel's controlling parties and management.

It is conceivable that even if Twain acquired Marvel, it is impossible for Avi Arad and Ike Patem to continue to serve in Marvel.

This is a bit of a pity, as these two are knowledgeable and ambitious management talents.

But compared with Marvel's great cause, it's not important.

After several rounds of negotiations, Avi Arad and Ike Patham finally handed over their bottom line, they want to hold a 5% stake and continue to run Marvel Entertainment.

To put it bluntly, I just don’t want to delegate power.

Shares can be released, power is not wanted to be lost, and even the price is easy to negotiate.

Tang En was very dissatisfied with their attitude. He had mentioned more than once that he had only one request for Marvel, and that was a full acquisition!

"Well, let me tell you."

Tang En cleared his throat, and turned his attention to the veteran management of Marvel headed by Alan Fine.

"If I successfully complete the acquisition of Marvel, of course, it is a wholly-owned acquisition, I will do the following three things."

"First, improve the structure of Marvel Pictures. The current Marvel Pictures is completely an empty shell. It has no ability to operate movies at all, and there are no relevant talents. This is not only a problem of funds, but also a problem of connections. This is related to Marvel's future development must be resolved first."

"Second, the debt issue. I am here to make a promise to everyone, and it can even be written directly into the contract. From the day I acquire Marvel, within three years, all Marvel debts will be paid off, and the company will completely get rid of the debt that has lasted for more than ten years. The debt crisis! If it can’t be done, I’m willing to give the shares to everyone for free!”

Tang En's eloquent words made the eyes of the veterans of Marvel shine.

Since the 1980s, Marvel has been struggling to survive by selling hero copyrights. In order for the company to tide over the difficulties, the veterans even cut their salaries many times, and the dividends are even more unnecessary.

Tang En's words now undoubtedly touched their hearts.

How wonderful would a financially healthy Marvel be?

"The third is the issue of your positions. All of you here are veterans of Marvel, and you have worked hard for the development of the company. I am very moved and admired. I promise everyone that everyone's positions will not change. , and, for all employees, the salary will increase by 20%!"

This is an upright bribe with money, and naturally it has won the favor of the management.

"As for the fourth one, it's movies."

Tang En deliberately paused, because this was the main point, everyone was shocked and listened carefully with their ears pricked up.

"As you all know, Tang En Films produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", with a cost of 15 million US dollars, and the global box office hit 420 million US dollars. I also directed "Titanic", and the global box office is close to 1.9 billion Dollars! Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace is also out in mid-May."

"What do I mean by saying so much? I just want to tell you that I have an excellent investment vision and the professional ability to shoot commercial blockbusters! Marvel's past strategy of developing superheroes with other companies is wrong, absurd, and undesirable , the copyright belongs to me, we can develop independently!"

"I will solve the funding problem. I can guarantee that if I successfully acquire Marvel, within this year, a super-big production will be launched with an investment of 150 million US dollars. It is a real superhero movie. Rather than the farce of "Blade Warrior" in the past!"

Tang En's face-to-face slap did not make Marvel's management feel ashamed. On the contrary, his face was ruddy and his eyes showed anticipation.

Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada couldn't help asking: "Excuse me, Mr. Walker, are you planning to shoot Spider-Man?"

With such a big budget and such a big investment, in order to reduce the risk, we must shoot Marvel’s hero-Spider-Man!

Tang En said lightly: "Of course, I have a huge plan that will bring Marvel to the pinnacle of Hollywood! Not only Marvel, but also Iron Man, Hulk, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, They will all be on the big screen! You just need to understand that as long as there is me, the days when Marvel was crushed by DC in the past will be gone forever!"

Stan Lee tentatively asked: "Mr. Walker, may I ask... will you direct it yourself?"

Tang En smiled slightly, "Mr. James Cameron once mentioned to me that he is very interested in shooting Spider-Man. If the cooperation cannot be reached, I will shoot it myself."

James Cameron?

Dunn Walker?

These are the top famous directors of Hollywood commercial blockbusters, and they are not at the same level as Stephen Norrington, the rookie director of "Blade Warrior"!

With an investment of 150 million US dollars, Marvel's ace Spider-Man, and a top commercial film director, how could such a film fail?

Tang En's words are like the magical brush of Ma Liang, painting a colorful and star-studded future for everyone present.

Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Brian Bendis, Joe Quesada, Dan Buckley and other veterans of Marvel looked at each other and nodded.

There is no doubt that Twain is the best candidate to take over Marvel!