Millennium director

Chapter 118: Hot in North America, New Line and Cheng Long take the initiative to visit! (2-in-1)

Vancouver, New York, Ottawa, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington, Detroit...

Countless crowds of people poured into all movie theaters in major cities in North America.

It's summer, and a large number of high school students and college students aged 16 to 22 are meeting in the cinema with their good friends or male and female friends.

What aroused their enthusiasm for watching movies was naturally the fantasy adventure movie "Pirates of the Caribbean".

For this group of young people, the colorful Caribbean in the sixteenth century constructed in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" is simply too tempting.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" has quickly gained a reputation since its release.

The Rotten Tomatoes freshness db score is 9.1, not only becoming the highest-rated movie this summer, but also the highest-rated movie opening this year.

Young people already like to surf the Internet and pay more attention to websites such as Rotten Tomatoes and Imdb.

Under the influence of such a good reputation, a large number of North American high school students and college students called their friends and went to the cinema to watch this movie.

Then I was successfully conquered by this movie.

I have to admit that in 2003, a movie like "Pirates of the Caribbean", which was well-made, had real special effects, a thrilling story, and the actors' performances were very good, was really impressive.

The last fantasy movie that was so action-packed was called "The Mummy Returns"!

The box office performance of "Pirates of the Caribbean" is even more exaggerated than that of "The Mummy Returns"!

After all, this is not the era of all-powerful Marvel superheroes. Even well-informed North American audiences have never seen such a fantasy movie with wonderful special effects.

This is why this pirate ship has taken the world by storm.

Audiences in North America have never seen such an exciting fantasy blockbuster, nor have they seen such a cool and real undead skeleton, let alone audiences from other countries around the world?

"Pirates of the Caribbean" has shown an unstoppable attitude in North America, becoming popular across the continent.

Countries in South America, Europe, and Asia are also busy arranging for the release of this movie.

It is foreseeable that in the second half of 2003, the giant ship "Pirates of the Caribbean" will sweep the world and shock the global audience with some fantasy blockbusters!

"Daniel! Your predictions are amazing!"

"Now the company's marketing department has adjusted its expectations. The North American box office of "Pirates of the Caribbean" is expected to exceed US$300 million!"

"The global box office is likely to reach more than 600 million US dollars!"

"Daniel, even the company's research department is not as accurate as your predictions!"

In Wu Yuan's mansion in Los Angeles, Jerry was restless and pacing back and forth with excitement.

From the beginning of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" project, Disney has made many evaluations and believes that the box office market of this movie is only about 300 million US dollars. This is still supported by the "Disney" brand.

No one in the entire company thought that the first movie could make money at the box office. They were all focused on developing peripherals and supporting theme parks.

As a result, the facts slapped them hard in the face. It took in a box office of US$76.82 million in five days of release in North America. In the North American market alone, a single film box office of 300 million is not a problem.

"It's a hit, our Pirate Ship is totally a hit, and Disneyland is getting a lot of people who have watched the movie and want to experience the Pirates of the Caribbean ride."

"Daniel, although I have to increase the director's fee for you, I think the extra money is worth it!"

"Really?" Wu Yuan, who had been listening to Jerry's words, interrupted him with a smile: "So should I be given more box office splits?"

"I think 5% is a good number, how about it?"

"Uh, haha." Jerry smiled awkwardly, "Daniel, we have to have a contractual spirit, don't we?"

"By the way, the company feels that a trilogy may not be enough. "Pirates of the Caribbean" can be made into a long series. Like "Star Trek", we can also make a fourth and fifth part."

"Perhaps we can talk about contract renewal, and the box office split you want can also be discussed."

"Stop it." Wu Yuan shook his head: "It's too early to talk about this now. Let's finish filming the remaining two movies first."

Jerry didn't really want to talk to Wu Yuan about the fourth and fifth movies that had yet to be revealed. He was just changing the subject.

Seeing that his goal was successful, he relaxed. He was afraid that when Wu Yuan brought up the box office division again, he would continue to ask: "Are you going back to China next?"

"Daniel, when "Pirates of the Caribbean" is released in China, you will need to participate in more promotions. That is your home ground."

"I will." Taking the coffee from the servant and taking a sip, Wu Yuan said calmly: "But don't have too high expectations for the Huaxia Market."

"If the box office in mainland China can reach RMB 40 million, and in Hong Kong and Taiwan combined, the box office can reach US$10 million, it is already an incredible achievement."

"I know." Jerry came and sat down opposite Wu Yuan, also took a cup of coffee and drank it.

"Although the current box office potential of the Chinese market is limited, I am very optimistic about the future of the Chinese film market."

"After all, you are a big country with a population of 1.2 billion."

"If the first part of "Pirates of the Caribbean" can establish its influence in China, then I believe that the subsequent second and third parts will definitely achieve good box office results."

"I have even thought about it. When we wait for the third film, we can set up a pirate king in the China Sea in the script. Since "Pirates of the Caribbean" is a story that spans the seven seas, the China Sea is indispensable.

"I checked some information. At the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, your Ming Dynasty in China also had several very outstanding pirate kings."

"Not only did they monopolize the routes from Southeast Asia to Japan and North Korea, but they also controlled the maritime territories of the Ming Dynasty. All merchant ships that wanted to go to sea for trade had to pay taxes to them."

"Even the Dutch and Spanish who occupied the Spice Islands were unwilling to mess with them."

Wu Yuan smiled and said nothing. Many pirate kings were indeed born in the Ming Dynasty.

It has been entrenched in Malacca for more than 10 years since the Hongwu era. At its peak, the group had more than 10,000 members and hundreds of warships, dominating the seas of Japan, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Chen Zuyi, who plundered tens of thousands of passing ships.

Later, Wang Zhi, Li Dan, and Zheng Zhilong were either the maritime hegemons of East Asia or the maritime hegemons of Southeast Asia, and their maritime territories were extremely huge.

They are indeed worthy of the honor of "Pirate King", but Chinese pirates and Caribbean pirates are completely different things.

Thinking of the pirate leader played by Fa Ge in "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" and the pirates under him, Wu Yuan felt like he had a black eye.

"Jerry, your idea is very good, but if you want to write a Chinese pirate king, then you should find a professional Chinese historian to do background and image design for this character."

“It’s like you hired a professional historian to give us the Caribbean in the seventeenth century.”

"Don't use Hollywood or European thinking to create a Chinese character."

"Even the screenwriter needs to add a screenwriter from China, or I will write it myself, otherwise I will only be able to write a script that the East does not accept and the West does not recognize."

"I will consider it seriously." Jerry nodded solemnly.

Wu Yuan is different from Gore Verbinski.

Before Gore Verbinski joined "Pirates of the Caribbean", he was just a little-known director. His success depended entirely on "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Even if Wu Yuan doesn't have "Pirates of the Caribbean", he is still a very successful director and has even become the owner of a successful film company.

Not only is he an excellent director, his business vision is also outstanding, and he is able to produce a hit movie like "The Hangover".

Regardless of whether his suggestions were correct or not, Jerry would not ignore them and would seriously consider them, even convening a team meeting to discuss them.

"It's too early to discuss the script for the third part." Jerry thought for a while and said, "But the script for the second part is indeed entering the preparation stage."

"I plan to continue to invite Ted and Terry to write the script for the second part. I think they did a great job."

"Daniel, what do you think?"

In the past, Jerry would never ask Wu Yuan about the script. After all, his status was different.

Wu Yuan was secretly amused.

But he was not arrogant. He knew that he was not good at this kind of Western fantasy-themed movies.

"Ted and Terry have written a very good script, let them continue writing." Wu Yuan said.

The script of "Pirates of the Caribbean 2" is indeed good, at least among the sequels of various series, it can be considered excellent.

It wasn't until the third film that the two screenwriters ran out of inspiration.

As we all know, most series of movies will become bad by the third part. It's not that the screenwriters don't work hard, it's because by the third part, it's really difficult to maintain the level of the first two parts.

The reason why movies such as "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" and "Marvel Series" can stably produce sequels is because they have the support of original novels and comics.

"Jerry, you are responsible for the script. I am only responsible for the filming." Wu Yuan shrugged. He was too lazy to take care of the preparations for "Pirates of the Caribbean 2".

"Just let me know when the crew will officially start filming."

"Oh, by the way, it's best to give half a year's notice in advance. You know, I can't just wait for the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean". I usually have other movie shooting work."

"Okay." Jerry had nothing more to say. In the spirit of the contract, he drank the remaining coffee in one gulp, stood up and said goodbye: "Then I'll leave first."

"When you return to China, do you need me to see you off?"

"No need, just go about your business."

Jerry has something to do in the afternoon, and Wu Yuan also has something to do in the afternoon.

After seeing Jerry off, he soon received another wave of visitors at home.

Wu Yuan in the garden of his mansion in Beverly Hills.

After getting off the Mercedes-Benz, Elad looked around and said to Wu Yuan who went out to greet him: "Daniel, your home in Los Angeles is really nice."

"It seems like I should buy a house in Beverly Hills and be your neighbor."

Cheng Long, who got out of the car a step later than him, looked thoughtful when he heard this.

Yes, Wu Yuan’s second wave of visitors are Elad and Cheng Long from New Line.

"The real estate in Beverly Hills is really good, and it will definitely appreciate in value in the future." Wu Yuan responded to Elad with a smile, then turned around and walked towards Cheng Long, greeting him:

"Brother Cheng Long, we finally meet."

He knew Cheng Long, but they were just text messaging friends.

Since International Chapter obtained Wu Yuan's contact information, Cheng Long also entered his address book.

Although the two of them didn't have much contact after getting each other's contact information, they only sent congratulatory text messages when each other's new movies were released, but they were still considered acquaintances.

"Yes, it's not easy to meet Director Wu." Cheng Long showed his signature smile and hugged Wu Yuan warmly.

"Let's go in and chat." Wu Yuan took Elad and Cheng Long into his mansion.

Everyone sat down in the spacious living room, and the servant immediately brought several cups of hot tea.

"Try it. The one I brought specially from China is the West Lake Longjing given to me by my teacher." Wu Yuan entertained with a smile.

Elad didn't understand tea, so he picked it up and took a sip. Except that it felt a little hot on the mouth and had a strong taste of grass, there was no other feeling.

But Cheng Long was different. He knew quite a bit about tea, "Oh, the authentic West Lake Mingqian Longjing, very good tea."

Wu Yuan nodded with a smile. He only served this tea when Cheng Long came. Otherwise, if Elad was the only one, he might as well drink coffee like Jerry.

Elad, who was not interested in tea at all, waited patiently for Wu Yuan and Cheng Long to exchange a few words, and then interrupted them impatiently.

"Daniel, I told Jackie your idea and he was very interested in it."

"We also had an internal meeting at New Line to discuss it. Your suggestion is indeed very good. It is really difficult to continue the "Rush Hour" series now. Maybe we should start a new series."

"And the male protagonist of this new series is none other than Jackie."

For New Line, Cheng Long is indeed the only good card in their hand.

Cheng Long is now at the peak of his popularity.

Even in Hollywood, he is a real first-line movie star. If his Asian influence is taken into account, he can even be regarded as a super first-line movie star!

This is why, even though the "Rush Hour" series has two male protagonists, when it came time to make a decision, New Line abandoned Chris without hesitation and firmly chose Cheng Long.

Of course, New Line wants to keep this top card in hand.

The new series plan proposed by Wu Yuan is a good choice. Although half of it will be given to Light Age, Cheng Long will continue to be retained!

Therefore, after asking Chenglong about his intentions and confirming that he was also very interested in this cooperation, Elad dragged him to find Wu Yuan.

The three of them must have a frank and honest talk.

Seeing that Elad was talking about business, Cheng Long stopped talking about tea. He also said with some expectation: "Director Wu, I heard Elad said about your plan for "Rush Hour 3" and The follow-up Kingsman series.”

"I think it's very cool. The 007 series is welcomed by audiences around the world. I believe the audience also wants to see more spy-themed movies."

"I want to give it a try!"

Two in one, these are two chapters.

From now on, I will try my best to write one chapter of 4,000 words.