Chapter 259: The Big Red Man

*Spider-Man* had 130 million in the first 3 days of the opening weekend and broke 250 million in 10 days. Its box office results broke a series of box office records one after another, always firmly at the focus center of all of Hollywood.

However, after this, the box office growth speed of *Spider-Man* slowed down significantly, which is also a feature of fan films. Fortunately, the quality of *Spider-Man* is guaranteed and didn't collapse, attracting many passersby to walk into the cinema.

And due to the hot market of *Spider-Man*, it also drove the hot sales of Marvel peripheral products. Comics, Spider-Man toys, and Spider-Man suits are all selling hot. Regarding the commodity copyright derived from the film, there is a clear provision that Marvel only enjoys 30% of the income from the film-derived products, and the commodity copyright derived from its comics belongs entirely to Marvel.

Although Marvel only occupies 30% this time, this income definitely made Marvel earn big, and this means that Marvel Studios has a lot to do, giving Marvel confidence and strength to develop more superhero films!

The hotness of *Spider-Man* also made two topics hotly discussed in major Hollywood production companies.

The first topic is superhero films. In the past, Hollywood actually didn't pay attention to so-called superhero films.

Hollywood's traditional view is that superhero films will only work if big-name stars participate. The film's box office success is not because of the superhero, but because of the big-name stars. Otherwise, even if it is like *Batman* and *Superman*, they will face failure.

But in these two years, with the success of *X-Men*, especially the astonishing box office results of *Spider-Man* this time, it shocked everyone, making major Hollywood production studios have to put superheroes on the table for discussion.

One person speaks first: "The era of superheroes is coming, this is a market we ignored in the past."

Another person shakes his head: "It can't be said that it was ignored. It's not that there were no smart people developing these superheroes before, but the film technology in the past was not enough to support the production of various cool superhero super-ability pictures that people imagined, and finally, they basically ended in failure.

Speaking of this, it also leads to the second topic they want to discuss—Wu Wu Yuchen.

"That's right, from *Pirate King*, which turned box office poison themes into big hits last year, to *Spider-Man*, which emerged this year, Wu has proven his super-excellent and keen market sense and control. If someone else came, I think the result might be very different!"

But now it's different, the era has changed, and the development of computer special effects has provided soil for these superheroes to display. *Spider-Man* is enough to satisfy most people's superhero dreams!"

Before, these big production studios could unite and were unwilling to work for Wu Wu Yuchen for free, but now, with Wu Wu Yuchen creating *Pirate King* and the explosion of *Spider-Man*, the situation has reversed.

"Computer special effects are just the foundation. I think the key lies in the people who make the film. We all know that film is not that simple. What are the core and philosophy? How to set the tone? How to customize the most suitable story around high concepts? These all need to be considered."

"I agree with this point. It's not that every superhero has the popularity like *Spider-Man*. Compared to superhero films that are not very clear yet, Wu's ability to show this kind of series film production is more admirable."

What truly shaped the glory of *Spider-Man* is the director Sam Raimi, and the initiator of the project behind the scenes, the creator of the script, Wu Wu Yuchen, who set the philosophy and tone for it!

"Did anyone find out Wu Wu Yuchen's next step plan? We have already missed this kind of series film like *Pirate King*, we can't miss Wu's next series film again. Such a good cake, can't be cheap for DreamWorks!"

"I heard that Wu wants to continue to impact the Oscars this year and has no plan for the next commercial film."

Facing Wu Wu Yuchen who can bring such huge profits, no production studio can hold back from being moved. Unite? Unite my ass! Maybe others have already run ahead and privately went to find Wu Wu Yuchen to talk about cooperation!

At this time, Wu Wu Yuchen has already finished the filming of *The Hours* and is doing post-production such as editing. He plans to return to China after finishing this film.

"No matter whether he has a plan in the near future, we must strengthen contact with him. If he has news about the next commercial film, we must strive for it at the first time, even if we give up part of the benefits!"

The Tobey Maguire that fans are chasing now is actually not as important as everyone imagined in the eyes of big production studios. Because everyone knows clearly that Tobey Maguire is not Leonardo or Tom Cruise; he has his current heat because of Spider-Man, and after leaving Spider-Man, in other films, his appeal might not even be half left.

"It's really a waste of his talent! With his kind of talent, it should be spent on commercial films!"

On this point, we must admit that the success of *Spider-Man* is inseparable from the project initiator Wu Wu Yuchen!"

For big production studios, a successful series film is far more profitable than an ordinary film and is more worthy of their attention. Some production studios can even live a lifetime relying on a series film.

Even if these superheroes have a broad fan base, superhero films produced by different people may not necessarily meet the market's taste.

"Yes, and whether it is *Pirate King* or *Spider-Man*, he has formulated a trilogy plan for them. Although the sequels to these two series films have not been produced yet, based on the ability Wu has shown, I am optimistic about the quality of his films."

However, this period of time, he is really not very free. Even if he pushed away almost all invitations with the excuse of making film post-production, he couldn't stop the people who took the initiative to visit enthusiastically, and some were not easy not to see. After all, they are all representatives of big Hollywood production studios.

"Wu, if you have the intention, our MGM's door is always open to you. We all believe that you can make *007* come back to life!"

After Wu Wu Yuchen sent away the people from MGM, he shook his head with a smile.

Besides MGM, production studios like Paramount, Universal, and Fox have all taken the initiative to contact him during this period. Basically, there are two purposes: either beating around the bush to inquire about his next commercial production, or promoting their own classic series films, asking Wu Wu Yuchen if he has the willingness to take over the filming.

For example, Paramount

To be honest, rather than taking over "Indiana Jones," it would really be better to take over "007." After all, since the "007" reboot, it has at least been revitalized, and both its reputation and box office have been gradually rising.

However, he did not want to have any contact with MGM; they owe so much debt that they might go bankrupt any day now.

If he remembers correctly, Wu Wu Baige's "Windtalkers" is set to be released next month. This film, known as the final straw that broke MGM, directly led to a sharp drop in MGM's stock price, the resignation of its CEO, and the company being sold off three years later.

If he were to cooperate with MGM, he is truly afraid of being taken for a ride, and by then, he wouldn't even be able to get his salary back!

……

At Disney, Miles walked into the CEO's office dejectedly. Seeing the gaze cast by Eisner, Miles smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Mr. Eisner, I am very sorry."

"What did he say? Did he propose any conditions?" Eisner asked.

Miles paused, then avoided Eisner's gaze and replied: "Wu said that as long as you are at Disney for a single day, it is impossible for him to cooperate with Disney..."

"Damn it! Who does he think he is!" Eisner slammed the table in anger.

Disney's current situation is not very good either; there have been no bright spots in their performance recently, the stock price has shown no signs of improvement, and many shareholders have already voiced their dissatisfaction. Now, the explosive popularity of "Spider-Man" has made major studios treat Wu Wu Yuchen as an honored guest, visiting him in person, and naturally, the possibility of seeking cooperation with Wu Wu Yuchen again has been raised within Disney.

In all fairness, Eisner is not a fool; he certainly knows about the bad blood between himself and Wu Wu Yuchen. If possible, he would not want to cooperate with Wu Wu Yuchen again either. However, given Disney's current situation, he is in no position to object, and what if Wu Wu Yuchen were to agree? Even if he had to give up some benefits as compensation, it wouldn't matter; he could at least get the stock price up first.

But now, it is very clear that there is absolutely no possibility of cooperation between him and the other party.

Eisner unleashed a torrent of angry curses, venting the fury in his heart. Since when could a director target him, Eisner, like this! But now, he is helpless against Wu Wu Yuchen; the other party is no longer just a small director, but a target that every major studio wants to win over.

After a bout of impotent rage, Eisner composed himself and headed to the conference room. Disney's shareholder meeting is to be held next month. This year's shareholder meeting was originally supposed to be held in April, but he specifically delayed it until June, just to delay it as much as possible and buy more time to produce results. But looking at it now, the results are very unsatisfactory...

He now needs to convene an internal meeting in advance to first unify their thinking and have Disney's internal staff rally around his core leadership, united as one, so that he can better deal with the various difficulties that might arise at next month's shareholder meeting.

"These are the main contents of this meeting. Right now, our Disney has encountered a little bit of hardship, but I hope you all understand that our Disney is an enterprise with heritage, history, and culture. A brief low point cannot crush us; it will only make us more resilient. As long as I am still here, Disney will soon regain its glory!"

After Eisner finished his speech, he scanned the people present. No one dared to raise any objections. He was very satisfied with his authority at Disney; he is still the Disney Emperor whom no one at Disney dares to question.

So what if the performance is a little poor? The entire Disney is under his rule. Can Disney survive without him, who has ruled for 18 years? Even if those major shareholders have had opinions about his management over the past two years, they dare not easily replace him, because the resulting corporate turmoil and management transition costs are too high. They simply dare not gamble!

Eisner believes that at this year's shareholder meeting, as long as he makes some promises, he can muddle through; no one really dares to do anything to him.

However, just at this moment, a voice rang out in the conference room: "A little hardship? Eisner, do you call Disney's current situation a little hardship?"

Everyone didn't need to turn their heads; just by hearing the voice, they knew who it was: Luo Yi Disney, that old stubborn man from the Disney family. As soon as he spoke, he attracted everyone's attention to himself. He continued:

"Eisner, the popularity of Disney theme parks is far from what it used to be, and ABC television is operating miserably, losing money year after year. In just the past six months, you have laid off 4,000 employees from the entire Disney Group!"

Look at what you have done over the past few years!

The animation industry that Disney relies on for survival has completely become a mere foil in recent years. We even have to rely on begging for contract renewals with Pixar to support our Disney animation business. When did our Disney animation fall to such a point?!"

Luo Yi Disney became more and more agitated as he spoke:

"And live-action films—in the past few years, has Disney had a single live-action film worth showing? The massive failure of 'Pearl Harbor' has only made the outside world disparage our Disney film business even more!"

Look at other companies: Paramount has 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Indiana Jones'; Universal has monster series like 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Mummy'; Fox has 'Star Wars,' 'Lethal Weapon,' and 'Die Hard'; Warner Bros. not only has 'Batman' and 'Superman,' but now they even have 'Harry Potter'; MGM has '007'; and now even Sony Columbia has 'Spider-Man'!"

The other six major studios all have live-action film series that can serve as heirlooms, and during your tenure, what does our Disney have? Nothing! We have nothing!"

"The past ten years of our Disney have been a lost decade! It is you who led Disney step by step to this point. Do you really think you can just gloss over it by calling it a little hardship?!"

At this moment, the circle of executives sitting in the conference room were all stunned. Although they knew that Luo Yi Disney had always opposed Eisner and hadn't been short of finding fault with him in the past, this time, on such an occasion and at such a moment, he had blasted Eisner to pieces, and every word hit Eisner's sore spot. There is no doubt that this will provoke Eisner!

Eisner's face had already turned completely gloomy, and his fists were clenched involuntarily. He stared at Luo Yi Disney with a death glare. In the past, he had always been considerate of the fact that this old thing was a member of the Disney family, tolerating him and letting him be a mascot in the company.

But now, at a time like this, the old thing actually dares to find fault with him. Does he really think that just because the tiger isn't showing its power, it's a sick cat?