American fame and fortune

In May, Charlize Theron was the first to leave the crew after filming the heroine's role. She will transfer directly to South Africa to participate in a series of activities before the opening ceremony of the World Cup.

Subsequently, Martin received an invitation from the World Cup Organizing Committee.

However, the time when the World Cup was held in South Africa coincided with the promotional release of "Inception", and Martin had no time to pass.

The pre-screening promotion of "Inception" has already begun, but Martin will not join the crew until the filming here is completed.

On the first weekend in May, Elizabeth, Lily and Thomas came to Cape Girardeau to visit the class.

In the hotel, after kissing Elizabeth, Martin turned to look at Lily and said to Bruce, "Where is the gift I prepared for Lily?"

Bruce scolded Martin for not being a human being, and dragged out a small box. When he opened it, it was filled with orange herring stones.

He purchased them all through the Fish and Game Club.

Lily, now famous and well-informed, asked, "What kind of stone is this? I haven't seen it before."

Martin said: "It's for you. Take the time to help me make it into a heart shape. It will also be paired with a platinum necklace. I will pay you back the cost."

Lily curled her lips, but did not refuse. She took out a few and looked at them carefully, thinking about what she could carve on them.

Thomas then gave Martin a wink.

Elizabeth knew they had something to talk about and went to see the rocks with Lily.

Martin called Thomas into the study.

Thomas said directly: "Gillian Flynn's new work was signed directly with Warner Pictures, and the adaptation rights fell into Warner's hands."

Martin nodded slightly: "I know, she came to me first, and the work had not yet been completed. I felt normal and did not give her a clear answer."

"So that's it." Thomas thought Warner Pictures had used its financial resources to grab it.

"I have no problem with Gillian cooperating with Warner Bros., it's her freedom." Martin couldn't stop it, after all, Gillian was the first to bring the work over and let him review it.

Thomas asked: "The news spread to Warner Pictures so quickly?"

Martin was not surprised: "The crew is very talkative, and many of them have worked with Warner Bros." He remembered: "The day Gillian came to see me, I was in the cafeteria, and someone was very excited when they heard what Gillian said. normal."

"I thought Warner was targeting us specifically." Thomas said another thing: "Warner Bros. completed the acquisition of Castle Rock Pictures and obtained absolute control. Castle Rock has become a subsidiary of Warner Bros."

Martin understood what he meant: "Do you think Warner is trying to pressure me in some special way to sell the studio?"

Thomas explained: "Not only that, Warner Bros. officially sent a letter to WMA stating that the payment periods for the two films "John Wick" and "Benjamin" need to be postponed due to overseas channels and bank settlements."

Martin asked: "How long are they going to extend it?"

"It ranges from three months to half a year." Thomas roughly said: "The accounting period for each share is different. Warner's intention is very clear. All the shares involving Davis Studio will be paid within the accounting period. Pay at the last minute.”

He added: "In this way, they can squeeze the funds of Davis Studio without defaulting on the contract."

Hollywood's accounting period has a certain time limit. At first, Martin relied on Louise's long-term cooperation with Warner Brothers. Later, he also had market appeal as support. Warner Brothers would usually pay him personally and professionally in the middle of the accounting period. room division.

Martin asked: "Just for me and Davis Studios?"

Thomas replied: "No, mainly works that are not owned by Warner Bros. subsidiaries."

Martin could only lament: "Warner is no longer the same Warner as before."

Thomas said: "Hollywood's performance has been number one for many consecutive years. Warner's new management is full of confidence and believes that Hollywood will continue to be the leader of Warner Bros. in the next decade."

Martin stood up, turned around, and said: "Our share is in the tens of millions of dollars, and the interest alone is a huge amount of income."

Bruce, who had been silent, remembered his responsibility as a manager and interjected: "Warner Brothers is not suitable. Let's find another distributor."

Thomas reminded: "As far as Hollywood is concerned, Warner Bros. is the label with the strongest comprehensive distribution capabilities."

Martin said: "There is another company that is catching up."

Thomas understood what Martin meant: "You mean Walt Disney?"

"That's right, Disney." Martin said simply: "Disney is acquiring Pixar and Marvel. I got the exact news from Kathleen Kennedy. Their next target is Lucasfilm."

Bruce added: "Is there going to be a new Star Wars movie?"

Martin ignored him and continued: "The most important point is that the Disney Pictures controlled by Alan Horn not only merged production companies such as Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone Pictures, but also integrated Disney's distribution channels."

"Are we going to cooperate with Warner Bros. next?" After Thomas asked, he quickly said something else: "Louis's negotiations with Warner Bros. on "John Wick 2" are not going well. Warner just raised the price. Issuing commissions and account terms and refusing to make concessions.”

This was within Martin's expectation. Warner Bros. made concessions to people as soon as they announced their policies. Naturally, these policies were in name only, and even CEO Kevin Tsujihara would lose all his authority.

Martin has largely given up hope on Warner Bros.

But Warner Bros. has expectations for him. Thomas said: "Kevin Tsujihara contacted me and asked you to go to the Warner Building to meet him when you return to Los Angeles."

Bruce heard something was wrong: "What did he say?"

Thomas took out his cell phone and played the recording directly.

"You inform Martin that when he returns to Los Angeles, he will come to Warner to see me as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

Although the other party sounded like he was treating his subordinates, Martin didn't say anything and thought for a moment: "We'll talk about it when I get back to Los Angeles."

He turned to other aspects: "Jessica is negotiating with Disney Pictures on behalf of the studio. You will assist her when you return, and Louise will also join the negotiations later."

Thomas responded: "I'll go back tomorrow."

The study fell into a brief silence, and the three of them knew very well that they were drifting away from Warner Brothers.

The changes in Warner Bros.'s senior management have affected all levels of the industry chain.

Hollywood, like many business circles, likes to follow those who succeed. According to Thomas, even if Warner Bros. increases the distribution commission and extends the payment period, most of the original collaborators still choose to cooperate with Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. has been number one in the industry for many years, which is the best persuasion.

The three of them chatted for a while, and Thomas was the first to say goodbye and leave.

Bruce asked: "You heard that Warner Bros. was going to take the rights to "Darkland", why didn't you do something to sabotage it?"

"The reason we don't make trouble now is to make big things happen in the future." Martin didn't say much, but only mentioned one thing: "Warner Brothers sent people over and negotiated the adaptation rights so quickly. Why?"

Bruce thought for a while and said: "Because Gillian talked to you? No, it's more than that. Also, Gillian is now the best-selling author on the best-selling list, and "Gone Girl" is being written by you and David- Fincher’s adaptation is likely to become a hit movie.”

Martin said: "The more popular Gone Girl is, the greater the value of the adaptation of Gillian's new work will be."

Bruce already understood: "This movie will most likely be the last movie that the studio will ask Warner Bros. to distribute."

Martin nodded: "Warner Brothers will have enough motivation if they can see the potential huge profits."

Gillian Flynn's two works are tied together.

…………

Burbank, Warner Building.

Just after going to work in the morning, McDonald came to his office and waited for his immediate boss, Jon Berg.

Although he returned to Los Angeles last night, he deliberately stayed up all night.

There are heavy bags under the eyes, sunken eye sockets, and bloodshot eyes.

Just like this time, in order to achieve the goal, a heavy price was paid.

MacDonald somewhat understands Jon Berg. Not only must he do a good job, but he must also let his boss see his hard work and dedication.

Hearing the sound on the door of Jon Berg's office, McDonald hurried over with the manuscript.

"Done?" Jon Berg asked.

McDonald placed the copied manuscript on his desk and said: "The novel is called "Dark Place". Gillian Flynn has only written half of it. I followed your instructions and quietly won it as quickly as possible. obtained the film adaptation rights."

Jon Berg took the manuscript and flipped through a few pages. In fact, the content was not important to him or Warner: "'Gone Girl' has been at the top of the New York bestseller list for four consecutive weeks, and Gillian Flynn is very popular. , it’s easy for her new work to attract attention.”

"And the Martin Davis and David Fincher movies," Macdonald said.

Jon Berg nodded: "As long as "Gone Girl" is successful, the new work we bought back at a large price and the adaptation will naturally attract market attention."

McDonald said no more.

Jon Byrne waved his hand: "Go back and have a good rest for two days."

After his subordinates left, Jon Berg went upstairs to the small conference room for a meeting.

Not many people participated in this meeting. Except for Kevin Tsujihara, the rest were all bosses of core subsidiaries.

Hamada for DC, Jon for Warner Pictures, and Daniel for Warner Distribution.

At the beginning of the meeting, Jon said: "Let me tell you some good news. The film company has obtained the film and television adaptation rights of Gillian Flynn's new work "Darkland"."

Daniel was not sure and asked: "Isn't she cooperating with Martin?"

"Warner Pictures is more sincere than Martin," Jon said.

"Well done." Kevin Tsujihara nodded to his brother-in-law Jon and asked Daniel: "Is your progress not going well?"

Daniel said: "We may lose the publishing rights of 'John Wick 2'."