Chapter 150: Huge Income

Wu Wu Yuchen looked at the several Chinese film people in front of him with a smile. After he became famous in Hollywood, these big names from Hong Kong in the past also took the initiative to come over.

It can be said that they came to Hollywood to pay their respects, or instinctively huddled together for warmth. This situation is very common in Hollywood, like the Italian gang, the Irish gang, etc., and isn't the most famous one the Jews?

Several people didn't pester Wu Wu Yuchen for long. After all, he was one of the protagonists at the banquet, and there were constantly other people in Hollywood coming to find Wu Wu Yuchen to climb connections, among whom there was naturally no lack of some beauties who wanted to get ahead.

At this time, Zhang Zhang Jiazhen looked at the scene where Wu Wu Yuchen was constantly being flirted with by a group of blonde and blue-eyed beauties, and couldn't help but show envy. In fact, he also received this treatment in Hong Kong, often surrounded by beauties, but it's different, right? This is Hollywood after all. Especially in Hong Kong, a region that has been ruled by foreign devils for a long time, conquering foreign beauties clearly has a psychological pleasure.

At this time, Zhang Zhang Jiazhen said to Jackie Chan with a smile: "Jackie, you will also envy others?"

Jackie Chan shook his head and sighed: "I became famous at 24, earned millions in salary, and became a director. I thought I was already very smooth, but seeing Wu Dao's achievements now, it is really the waves behind the Yangtze River pushing the waves in front!"

"What front waves, Jackie, you are still in your prime. Now the industry in Hong Kong is depressed, you coming to Hollywood will definitely be able to achieve something."

Jackie Chan smiled after hearing this and didn't say much. This is his third attempt to enter Hollywood. The failures of the first two times already let him know that Hollywood is not so easy, so he didn't dare to hold too optimistic an attitude this time.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis struck, causing a blow to the economy of the whole of Asia, and naturally, it had a great impact on the entertainment industry. Without money, work couldn't start. A large number of Hong Kong artists chose to flee, and the general direction was two. One batch went north to the Mainland, and the other batch chose to go to Hollywood to make a living.

In fact, the first choice for most famous people in Hong Kong is Hollywood, such as Tsui Hark, Sammo Hung, Peter Chan, etc., but they all failed. Don't look at Peter Chan later shouting about his Greater China film plot and building his own persona, but in fact, it was a helpless choice after returning from Hollywood in a sorry state. Making money, right!

The Chinese film people who really made it in Hollywood can be counted on two hands.

First is John Woo. After "Face/Off" was released last year, he became a first-line director in Hollywood and was the Chinese film person with the highest status in Hollywood before Wu Wu Yuchen came. But now with Wu Wu Yuchen, who has strong momentum, this Chinese leader in Hollywood might have to change.

John Woo didn't come this time. He is currently filming his new movie "Paycheck," and producer Zhang Zhang Jiazhen conveyed his congratulations to Wu Wu Yuchen on his behalf.

Then there is Ang Lee. There is no need to popularize his achievements in Hollywood in the future. Everyone knows "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Brokeback Mountain," and "Life of Pi." He is taking the future little Spider-Man Tobey Maguire to film "Ride with the Devil," and also called to congratulate him before.

Mentioning Ang Lee, one has to mention Chow Yun-fat. If it weren't for Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" taking him to fly, Chow Yun-fat's whole Hollywood trip would be a big failure. The opportunity for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was still picking up Jet Li's leak. However, he has just entered Hollywood now and has John Woo's care, getting quite a few opportunities, although they all ended in failure in the end.

Compared to Chow Yun-fat, the situation of Jet Li entering Hollywood is much more difficult, and he has to rely on himself. However, the Kung Fu Emperor's action scenes really have nothing to say, he fights beautifully enough and conquered North American audiences. Although his box office results have never been particularly good, he is very popular in the disc market, so he also steadily stayed above the second line in Hollywood later.

Then I have to talk about Jackie Chan. Jackie Chan came over this time to do post-production for "Rush Hour." Because he had the good results of "Rumble in the Bronx" in the past two years, he became the male lead directly when he came to Hollywood this time. Facts also proved that the set of fighting hard plus action comedy is very popular all over the world. He will also become the Chinese actor with the greatest influence in the world.

Female stars currently only have Michelle Yeoh who came out after being a Bond girl in "Tomorrow Never Dies" last year. Gong Li and Zhang Zhang Ziyi are all later ones.

Many movie fans are arguing about who is the Chinese star with the greatest influence. In fact, there is no need to argue at all. The official told everyone with actual actions. In 2000, the first image ambassador for Beijing's Olympic bid was Jackie Chan. Do you think the official would use this to joke?

In a conference room, a negotiation is currently underway. The two sides of the negotiation are Wu Wu Yuchen and Fox.

Yesterday, everyone was still in a state of being brothers and chatting happily at the celebration banquet, but today they have to sit opposite each other and start arguing for the sake of interests. This is Hollywood.

"The benchmark for the 'Phone Booth' negotiation cannot be calculated based on the 160 million box office. Although the daily box office has fallen below 1 million now, the movie can still stay in the cinema for more than 2 months, and according to our calculations, this will generate at least 20 million more box office!"

"Oh no, no, Wu Dao, you are too optimistic. 20 million is obviously unlikely. Those who have watched this movie obviously won't come to watch it a second time. The theater chain has already started to reduce the number of screenings on a large scale. Now the number of opening theaters has dropped to below 800, and it will continue to decrease..."

Finally, after a round of verbal sparring between the two sides, the North American total box office of "Phone Booth" was tentatively set at 170 million for calculation, and this was just the beginning of the negotiation.

"170 million North American box office, then we follow the convention, the overseas box office is also set at 170 million..."

Before the Fox people finished speaking, they were interrupted by producer James again:

"No, this is not reasonable at all! The overseas box office of 'Phone Booth' is definitely not just 170 million. 'Titanic' currently has more than 500 million in North America, and the overseas box office has exceeded 1 billion. You should at least calculate it for us according to 340 million!"

"Fuck! This is simply impossible! 'Titanic' has the highest level of production and effects in Hollywood, what does 'Phone Booth' have?! You only have a broken phone booth!"

"We have Leonardo! We have Shi Tailong! Leonardo is being crazily sought after all over the world, and Shi Tailong is unknown in every corner of the world. He is a star with global appeal! Adding the two of them together, the overseas box office will definitely exceed the North American local box office! We can give you Fox some discounts, but you must calculate it for us according to 300 million!"

"Greedy ghost, you are thinking about fart! Everything is in the dream! Son of a bitch!"

Revolving around this, the two sides had another war of words. Elegance and politeness do not exist. Real commercial war and negotiation are just so simple and unadorned.

In the end, Fox held firm to the overseas box office of 220 million, and it was impossible to add any more.

"Calculated according to 220 million, you Fox can earn half, which is 110 million, we want 70 million, otherwise we will go to Sony or Warner!"

"Is your brain flooded? Do you think our promotion doesn't cost money? We have to generate a lot of labor and marketing expenses! 70 million is simply impossible. Neither Warner nor Sony can give you this price, 30 million!"

Well, what the two sides are talking about now is the overseas screening rights. The film industry in North America has developed very maturely, and the data of the theater chain is relatively clear, so the sharing of this piece is very clear.

And overseas distribution is hard to say. Like a series as profitable as "Harry Potter," the overseas box office of each part has not been lower than 600 million US dollars, but in order not to give the main creators a share, Warner can hard-heartedly make the accounts look like a loss, and you still have nothing to say.

Therefore, it is simply unrealistic to want to participate in the sharing of this piece of overseas box office. The practice of most movies is to sell it to big film studios at a flat price.

Calculated according to 220 million box office, Fox should be able to get about 45% of the overseas sharing, which is about 100 million. And now Miracle Film and Television is trying its best to raise the price, and the two sides are fighting very fiercely over this issue.

And the reason for talking to Fox is, on the one hand, they are currently cooperating, and on the other hand, the other party, as the North American distributor, can actually block the North American film box office sharing of "Phone Booth." It's not that they won't give it to you, but they will delay the payment. If they tear their faces, they might block you for two or three years.

This kind of thing is not rare in Hollywood. For example, "The Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson sued the producer in court, demanding the 75 million that was delayed and less given.

Of course, Fox won't go too far. If they really break up, they won't be able to get the overseas distribution rights, and the other party can find other distributors, so they still hope to negotiate a price.

In the end, the price negotiated with Fox for the overseas film distribution rights was 45 million US dollars. Excluding costs, Fox can earn more than 30 million in pure profit from this overseas distribution, which is considered satisfactory.

Then there are other copyrights. The big head is the disc copyright. In fact, the so-called discs should be a collective term, including VHS tapes, VCDs, and DVDs. The current big head of profit is still VHS tapes. DVD was only born the year before last, but the development momentum is very fierce.

In the end, Fox gave a price of 50 million for the global copyright of the discs.

Don't think it's exaggerated. Let me tell you the data of Jackie Chan's "Rush Hour." Its pure North American VHS tape rental income was 71.6 million US dollars. The pure profit brought to the film merchant by "Rush Hour" discs alone was at least 100 million, not to mention the box office and other things. So Jackie Chan was so sought after in Hollywood in those few years.

In fact, the most important thing about discs is also a distribution channel problem. The production cost is very low, but big factories have perfect channels. Therefore, don't look at Fox giving 50 million, but "Phone Booth" with Little Li and Shi Tailong can earn them more globally. So everyone says that discs are the blood-returning device of big film studios, and even if the box office fails, they can rely on discs to return blood.

As for other TV copyrights, airline copyrights, and miscellaneous things, it is also a flat package price, 10 million.

These add up to 105 million.

Of course, for such a large sum of money, Fox will not pay it all at once, but after signing the contract, they will pay a 30 million deposit first, and the remaining balance will be paid in two installments after 3 months and half a year.

After everything was negotiated, the Fox representative reached out and shook hands with Wu Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, congratulations, you have become a billionaire in one fell swoop!"

"Thank you, Fox won't earn less than me. If you can transfer the North American box office income earlier, then I think I will be happier!" Wu Wu Yuchen said with a smile.

"Oh, this is not up to us, we have to wait until the theater chain side is completely off-screen before we can settle." The Fox representative shrugged.

Yes, the North American box office sharing income hasn't been calculated yet.

However, it can also be roughly calculated, just calculated according to 170 million box office.

Miracle Film and Television is just a small company that has just been established. It is because "Phone Booth" has Shi Tailong and Little Li that it has some bargaining power. Therefore, the box office sharing cannot reach the exaggerated 90% of Disney animation in the first week.

Fox fought for 65% in the first week for "Phone Booth," 60% in the second week, and decreased in turn.

However, because the box office of the first two weeks accounted for the big head, the producer side can share about 60% of the total box office, which is 102 million.

First of all, 10% of the box office, which is 17 million, must be deducted as Fox's distribution fee. 85 million remains.

Then, the 32 million promotion fee of Fox during this distribution period must be deducted.

That's right, it is the 32 million promotion fee. You don't have to think to know that Fox must have added water to it, but every account is clear. Just to be able to get on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," 7 million in public relations fees were spent, plus a large amount of subsequent television and newspaper promotion.

Otherwise, why do people say that distribution is the kingly way? As long as you hold the channels and don't make death, you can always be invincible.

Then the money falling into the hands of the producer is 53 million. From this, Wu Wu Yuchen's personal 5 million director salary must be supplemented first, and 48 million remains. This is the approximate number of the North American box office sharing of Miracle Film and Television.

Wu Wu Yuchen calculated, plus the contract just signed, "Phone Booth" can bring a total of 153 million US dollars to Miracle Film and Television.

Before, he also sighed that "Pulp Fiction" brought hundreds of millions of income to Harvey Weinstein's Miramax, and now he has also achieved this achievement.

However, once he thought about the huge taxes to be paid at that time, Wu Wu Yuchen felt heartache. No wonder so many people try every means to avoid taxes reasonably. Watching the large amount of green banknotes in his hands slip away is indeed uncomfortable.

But in the old US, if you dare to evade taxes, you are finished. The American tax bureau IRS is even more terrifying than the FBI and CIA.

Wu Wu Yuchen couldn't help but have an idea in his mind. When filming the next movie, he must make the cost high, and add all kinds of expenses to the crew, so that he can contribute less to the IRS. This is also the most direct tax avoidance method for Hollywood companies, making the accounts look like a loss.

Oh, you can also set up a charity fund in the future, and donate money specifically to China for charity. You can't say that doing charity in Africa is called charity, and doing it in China is not called charity. There are plenty of poor areas in China!

This is the only trick he can think of. It seems that the top priority is to quickly find a financial officer to help the company and himself reasonably avoid taxes in America as much as possible.

The next day, March 23rd, in the evening, in front of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, all kinds of Hollywood stars gathered, and the red carpet was surrounded by media reporters and screaming audiences.

From the ABC TV lens broadcast live on the scene, you can see the red carpet emcee introducing the stars walking slowly on the red carpet one by one.

"Wow, walking towards us on the red carpet now is the director from China, Wu Wu Yuchen, who has recently successively launched two box-office hot works, 'Phone Booth' and 'Frequency'."

Seeing Wu Wu Yuchen walking over in a straight black suit, the emcee greeted him:

"Wu Dao, welcome to the Oscars! How does it feel to attend the Oscars for the first time?"

"Great! The best audience, the best media, the best filmmakers, the best films gathered together! Everything is very wonderful!"

Wu Wu Yuchen praised with a smile. Earning people's money on the old US turf, naturally, he has to turn on the praise mode.

"Wu, which movie do you think is the most promising to win, or which actor do you think will win tonight?" The emcee asked.

"Undoubtedly, 'Titanic'." Wu Wu Yuchen answered firmly.

"Titanic" harvested 14 nominations at this year's Oscars, tying the record of "All About Eve."

Then Wu Wu Yuchen turned and said: "As for the actor, it is a pity that Leonardo was not selected. In my opinion, he is really a very good actor!"

Wu Wu Yuchen looked regretful, his tone was very sincere, and he was speaking up for Little Li, after all, Little Li helped him earn so much money this time.

The Oscar judges have always had prejudices against little fresh meat. Don't expect handsome male actors like Tom Cruise and Little Li to win awards when they are young. This time, they didn't even give Little Li a nomination for Best Actor.

"Okay, Wu, thank you very much for accepting the interview, I wish you a wonderful night today!"

Seeing someone coming behind, the host quickly ended the interview with Wu Wu Yuchen.

Wu Wu Yuchen looked at the crowd already gathered on the red carpet behind and in the theater hall. Stars gathered, and the actresses were all dressed up, wanting to overwhelm the red carpet. Expensive and gorgeous dresses and dazzling jewelry sparkled with their owners.

For the Oscars, the biggest annual event for global film, since he ran into it, Wu Wu Yuchen naturally wanted to participate and experience it.

The Oscar red carpet is not as easy to rub as the European Big Three. Otherwise, why did so many actresses in the domestic entertainment industry run to Cannes more than ten years later, and rarely go to rub the Oscars? Is the Oscar red carpet not fragrant?

There are three ways to get tickets. First, you yourself or the film you participated in won a nomination, which definitely has an invitation letter. Second, you are a member of the Academy, and you won an invitation letter issued by the Academy. Third, as a presenter, you naturally also have an invitation letter.

Each invitation letter can carry a companion. With Wu Wu Yuchen's current status, there are plenty of people willing to bring him to participate in the Oscars. This time, Fox directly helped him get a quota.

Since he ran into the Oscars, he should participate. Next chapter back to the country. ===== CHAPTER 151 =====

If I run into the Oscars, I'll attend; otherwise, I'm heading back to the country next chapter.