Chapter 615: deadly magic

When Dunn returned to Los Angeles, it was already June 23.

The funeral of legendary Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, he missed. However, he still specially sent someone to represent himself with a tribute to the legend and consolation to his family.

At this time, Dunn was reading a box office briefing from assistant Toska Musk.

In addition to Pixar's "Finding Nemo" at the box office, some of New Universal's other major dramas are not good enough at the box office.

Daredevil: War Hour $180 million in North America, $160 million overseas, and $340 million worldwide;

"Fast and Furious 2" grossed $110 million in North America, $93 million overseas, and $200 million worldwide;

Released last weekend, "National Treasure," starring Nicolas Cage in the lead, earned $22.8 million, $26.38 million, and $19.76 million at the North American box office and $69 million in the North American box office over the first three days.

Compared with the summer blockbusters pushed by the owners of Dunn Films in the past few years, there is a big difference compared to the box office achievements of over 100 million and over 200 million US dollars in the first week.

However, this is the normal market reaction.

In the past few years, Dunn has participated in the production of several summer hot films, "Titanic", "Star Wars Episode 1: The Menace of the Ghost Man", "Spider-Man", "Unsinkable", "Spider-Man 2", "Spider-Man" Pirate Alliance: The Curse of the Black Pearl"... Almost all kinds of external conditions have been blessed to achieve such a great success.

For example, "Unsinkable" adapted from a true story, such as "Spider-Man 2" widely promoted by "Song of Marvel", such as the first imax movie "Pirates League: The Curse of the Black Pearl"...

Now, movies such as "National Treasure", "Daredevil" and "Fast and Furious 2" lack enough stunning marketing strategies and groundbreaking movie formats, and it is only natural that the box office returns to normal.

Unless there is another world-shattering film, it is really not easy to think that the box office will exceed 1 billion US dollars.

Fortunately, there are many movies under New Universal this year!

In the past, Dunn Pictures only released one or two summer blockbusters every summer to grab the market.

But this year, from May to August, there are as many as seven or eight competitive commercial films under New Universal!

When quality is not dominant, quantity wins!

The cumulative effect of so many movies is enough to continue Dunn's dominance over the summer season in the past few years!

On this side, Dunn is looking at the relevant situation of the summer vacation, and on the other side, Tosca Musk is giving him a recent work report on New Global——

"Orlando's city government has approved that the Harry Potter theme park can officially start construction in August, and the construction period is expected to be as long as 19 months and cost $730 million."

"The transfer negotiations for Houghton Mifflin Press are drawing to a close, and Mr Barry Diller has signed the bidding agreement. Houghton Mifflin Press, to be sold to Thomas- Lee's Alliance and Bain Investments. The latter is said to be interested in building a world-class publishing giant based on Mifflin Publishing."

"Director Christopher Nolan has written three apologies in a row because Daredevil: Hour of War was not good at the box office. It's in the upper right corner of your desk."

"The EU has approved our acquisition of EMI with Bertelsmann Records. Next, waiting for the second resolution of EMI's board of directors, the $1.68 billion offer is finally confirmed."

"The hugely invested TV series "The Walking Dead" has completed its first season. According to expectations, the TV series can be successfully launched on starz TV at the end of October. In addition, Frank Darabont director created a movie script, recently He is very hot in the industry, and he wants to interview you."

"Oh?"

Only then did Tang En look up, a little surprised, "A movie script?"

Tosca Musk said: "Michael Mann, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese were all very interested in this script and had the intention of taking over the film. "

"Ah?" Tang En was even more surprised, "How could such a script be killed by the production department? What?"

Tosk Musk said helplessly: "In fact, this script was written as early as 2000. After walking around in major film companies, no one is willing to take over. The director is willing to shoot, and there must be investors. "

Frank Darabont's past few films have a good reputation, but the income is really poor.

From "The Shawshank Redemption" to "Miracle in the Green Mile" and "Life in the Movies", it's really disappointing.

He can write the best screenplays, but he doesn't see any traction in the market.

Dunn has already checked it through the sunglasses system. Frank Darabont's screenwriting ability is "92", and the market judges it only "54".

"What does he mean by looking for me?"

"Recently, DreamWorks has been interested in investing in this project. The premise is to find a new screenwriter, rewrite the script again, and then direct it by Michael Mann. Director Darabont is not reconciled, so I want to ask you what you mean."

Dunn frowned.

The film and television entertainment department of New Universal not only has a production department, but also a market analysis department.

In this market analysis department, Tang En used the sunglasses system and recruited talents with special vision!

Their "market judgment" ability is mostly above "90"!

These people are not optimistic about the script, it is almost certain that there will be no market return.

DreamWorks wanted to find a screenwriter to rewrite the script according to the mainstream aesthetics of the market. In Dunn's view, it was almost the only way to save the script.

What does Frank Darabont mean?

You've been in art for decades, don't you have no self-knowledge?

Tang En pondered for a long time, "Do you have a script there?"

"There is one."

"Bring it to me." Dunn paused, then suddenly said, "Also, see if Nolan is in Los Angeles, let him come over!"

Three minutes later, on Dunn's desk, there was an additional movie script - "Murder by Borrowing a Knife".

...

Christopher Nolan is 33 years old this year. With the help of Dunn, he has reached a height that many directors cannot reach in their lifetime.

He completed the shooting of a commercial blockbuster with an investment of 120 million US dollars!

Not only that, the film has already reached $340 million at the global box office within two months of its release!

The box office market alone is enough to pay for itself.

This is a huge achievement!

Back then, John Wu became one of only five Hollywood directors with final editing rights with "Face Change".

What is "Changing the Face"?

$80 million in investment and $245 million at the global box office.

In terms of achievements, Nolan is no less than John Wu!

However, John Wu is backed by Paramount, and Nolan is backed by Marvel Studios, which is not the same.

The proceeds of "Changing Faces" are enough to make John Wu walk sideways at Paramount.

The box office of Daredevil: Hour of War made Christopher Nolan unable to lift his head in shame in New Universal.

It's also a Marvel superhero movie.

"Spider-Man" grossed $1.26 billion worldwide, and "Spider-Man 2" grossed $1.29 billion worldwide.

But now Daredevil, the North American box office is only 180 million US dollars, and the global box office is only 340 million US dollars.

It's shabby in comparison!

Even if the film still has at least 3 months of release period, it is estimated that the North American box office of 200 million US dollars and the global box office of 400 million US dollars will come to an end.

"Dan, I let you down."

Nolan sighed and lowered his head, not daring to look into Dunn's eyes.

Tang En walked out of the desk, invited Nolan to sit down in the living room, and said with a smile, "What? Depressed?"

"Hey."

Nolan shook his head and sighed again.

Tang En said: "It's normal to be under great pressure to direct a comic book movie, and you don't have to worry. Have you forgotten my theory of explosions? Daredevil and Spider-Man are not superheroes of the same level at all. The brand value is completely different. To be honest, my box office estimate for Daredevil: War Hour is only $350 million. The results are already impressive enough.”

"real?"

Nolan was in disbelief.

Dunn smiled, "The Spider-Man series is a cheerful and entertaining comedy, while the Daredevil series is a serious and dark epic. It's not fair to compare them together. Besides, if Daredevil is a serious and dark epic. : I'm not satisfied with the excellent box office of "Hour of War"~www.wuxiaspot.com~ What about the next "Ant-Man" and "Ghost Rider"? Anyway, your movie made money for the company ,This is enough."

Nolan bit his lip and didn't speak.

Tang En pretended to be stern: "This is the first song, it is a foreshadowing, but the next movie will have to explode."

Nolan took a deep breath, "I know!"

Tang En patted his shoulder and smiled: "Don't put too much pressure on you, you just need to know that I will always stand behind you, that's enough."

"Thank you, Dunn." Nolan said solemnly.

Dunn waved his hand, "By the way, I heard you have a new movie plan?"

Nolan said: "Well, my brother Jonathan rewrote a script, adapted from the novel of the same name "Deadly Magic", which is also a dark theme. I plan to shoot it out, as a way to accumulate experience in this area and continue to star Christian Bale, Form a tacit understanding and prepare for the next movie Daredevil: King of Darkness."

"Okay!" Dunn clapped his hands and said with a smile: "It's good to have a plan. This movie needs to be shot as soon as possible. Don't forget, the second film of Daredevil will start next year."

"By the way, when Jonathan was writing the script, he created a character based on Miss Johnson."

"Scarlett?"

Tang En was a little funny, and said calmly: "No problem, you can contact her. But her acting skills need more guidance from you. In addition, Tang En Films has an unwritten rule that only invests in blockbusters with a cost of more than 100 million US dollars. , your movie... it's affiliated with Universal Pictures."

"Deadly Magic", with a budget of $40 million, starred "Daredevil" Christian Bale and "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman.

(Sanqi Chinese)