Hollywood Lover

In the original time and space, "The Mummy" was released on May 7, 1999. It earned $43 million in 3,210 theaters in the United States in the first week, and the final domestic box office reached $155,385,488, and $260,547,918 in other countries. The global total is $415,933,406. Coupled with DVD and other derivative products, the film has a total investment of 80 million US dollars, and it has made a lot of money at the box office alone. It even made the investment producer Universal Pictures smile from ear to ear. Universal Studios, a well-known tourist attraction in Hollywood, USA, added a "Revenge of the Mummy" attraction, earning a lot of money.

In 2001, the sequel "The Return of the Mummy" was released, which included most of the surviving main characters in the previous film. After marriage, Rick and Evelyn fought against Imhotep and the Scorpion King, and Rick and Evelyn also appeared together son Alex (Alex). The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $200 million domestically and $433,013,274 worldwide.

The success of two films led to the creation of an animated series on television that ran for two seasons and a 2002 spin-off prequel, Scorpion King, which also grossed more than $165 million Dollar.

It can be said that Universal Pictures has turned around with this "Mummy" alone, and has improved its position among the eight major Hollywood film makers in one fell swoop. The investment of 80 million US dollars, in return for at least one billion US dollars in return, is enough for Universal Pictures The industry is crazy about it.

But in this time and space of 1995, how will everything be different from before? Zhang Dongcheng didn't know, he only knew that there was finally a movie that could prove himself and shock the entire Hollywood!

Although Universal Picture ranks second among the eight major Hollywood companies, it has become the most powerful film company in Hollywood during the company's founding stage.

But because founder Carl Lemer only used his own funds to run the company, and he didn't have a strong theater chain under his umbrella, by the 1920s, Universal Pictures was reduced to a second-class citizen in Hollywood. In the 1970s, Universal returned to the ranks of top Hollywood companies, cooperated closely with famous directors such as Spielberg and Lucas, and released films such as "Jaws", "ET Aliens", and later "Jurassic". Ji Park, and other directors who often cooperate with Universal include Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future" series), Ron Howard "Apollo 13".

In the 21st century, Universal has become a major Hollywood company that is best at developing sequel films and comedies. With the popularity of "The Bourne" and "Fast and Furious" series, the status of Universal Pictures has risen steadily. In 2010, MGM went bankrupt, and Universal Pictures returned to the top spot in Hollywood. In 2012, Universal Pictures, China Film Group, Zhujiang Film Group, and Huaying Classic Culture Investment Co., Ltd. jointly established Shenzhen (Guangying) Universal Pictures Co., Ltd., which is fully responsible for theatrical lines, distribution, and production in mainland China. Promote your business.

Zhang Dongcheng adjusted his appearance in front of Universal Pictures, and then took the documents and resolutely embarked on a new journey.

"Mr. Smith? Mr. James is waiting for you, please follow me." The secretary of Universal Pictures production manager James Jacks came up to Zhang Dongcheng.

Some time ago, the two had met once. Miss Secretary knew this confident oriental man with soft and friendly eyes.

Universal Pictures production manager James Jacks, as early as 1992, decided to upgrade the original 1932 "Mummy" movie for the 1990s.

The president of Universal Pictures agreed to the proposal, but asked him to keep the cost within $10 million. Later, according to Jacks' recollection, the company was "basically trying to make a low-cost horror film series." So he invited horror film director and screenwriter Cliff Barker.

Barker's vision for the film is more violent, centering on a modern museum whose curator is actually a cultist trying to bring a mummy back to life.

According to Jakes, Barker's version was "full of darkness, sex and mysticism", and he thought it "could be a very good low-budget film". But after several meetings, Barker and Universal couldn't agree and parted ways.

The next director the studios brought in was George A. Romero, who envisioned a zombie horror film in the same vein as Night of the Living Dead, but with Jakes and Universal They all feel that such a movie is too scary, and they hope to make a work with a wider audience.

Joe Dante was next in line to write and direct, and he wanted Daniel Day-Lewis to play a brooding mummy, which pushed up the film's cost. Co-written by Dante and John Sayles, this version is set in modern times and focuses on reincarnation with elements of a love story.

It also includes some elements that appeared in the final filmed version, such as carnivorous scarabs. However, Universal Pictures was only planning to make a movie with a budget of about $15 million at the time, so it vetoed Dante's proposal. Shortly thereafter, Mick Garris was contacted by the company, but he also eventually left the project. Universal also contacted Wes Craven, but was rejected.

Judging from the above-mentioned incidents, the production and distribution of a film is really not that easy and simple. Eight years of waiting and searching.

Zhang Dongcheng naturally does not have the kind of halo of the protagonist who kills the world in a hurry. Even if he has a golden finger that is unknown to outsiders, there is still a long way to go to turn the movie in his mind into reality. Go, there are many ups and downs that need to be overcome before they can be successfully overcome.

How to convince the production manager James is the first difficulty.

"Hi, Mr. Smith, how is it? Have you found an investor for your million-dollar baby?" James stood up and greeted Zhang Dongcheng when he came in, with a smile on his face.

Speaking of it, Mr. James's attitude towards Zhang Dongcheng is the best except for Mr. Thomas from Columbia. He is not as high-spirited and arrogant as other film companies.

"Hello, Mr. James. I'm going to press the filming plan for the million dollar baby. This time, I want to chat with you about another movie. It belongs to Universal Pictures." Zhang Dongcheng smiled slightly .

"Haha, a movie from Universal Pictures? Do you mean to make a movie for Universal Pictures, or do you want to buy the copyright of Universal Pictures and make a movie?" Mr. James laughed, regardless of any time and place Despite difficulties, Zhang Dongcheng, who still smiled slightly, liked him very much.

"In 1932, Universal Pictures launched a world-renowned film, the horror film The Mummy, which made the whole world see the bandage-covered and frightening magical blockbuster in horror, combining the mysterious and unknown things of the East with modern times. , the reputation is excellent, and the box office is smashing. I think I can give this movie masterpiece another chance to shine again." Zhang Dongcheng smiled faintly and pushed the movie script to James.

"Mummy?" James was taken aback. Why is this guy from China so well-informed? In the past two years, he has been looking for directors and screenwriters everywhere to remake this movie. Zhang Dongcheng, who has only been in the United States for a few days, knows so quickly. ?

Looking at the more than fifty pages of the movie script in his hand, James felt Zhang Dongcheng's sincerity, and couldn't help putting on a smile: "Mr. Smith seems to have come prepared this time. The movie script is full of weight. Have to take a good look."

Zhang Dongcheng smiled and motioned James to take a look, and then sat down on the sofa.

In Zhang Dongcheng's latest "The Mummy" movie, it is slightly different from the original version, adding some typical American jokes and thrilling scenes. In addition, out of personal thoughts, Patricia has added a lot of roles, although she is still a supporting role , but compared to the original version, which only threw a few winks and the almost naked body, it still has a lot of sensuality.

But what is most worth mentioning is the increase in the adventure scenes of "Tomb Raiders" movies, and the interaction with the actors is even more brilliant in the special effects.