Chapter 283

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he smiled. Actually, let him evaluate "Hero" objectively. Some evaluations of "Hero" are reasonable, such as attacking the script as superficial and the plot as weak, which is correct.

But as a large commercial production, "Hero" is still worth affirming in many aspects. Just on the point of visual effects, it has already killed many Chinese-language films. Many pictures in the film that are rich in Chinese classical charm and artistic conception are not something that anyone can film.

Even if there are shortcomings in some places, it really doesn't reach the point where everyone sprays it like this now.

Previously, Wu Yuchen had a word in his heart that he didn't say, which is that you, Zhang Yimou, usually socialize too little. If you were as good at mixing as Kaige, with many relationships, there wouldn't be the current situation.

Think about what Kaige's "The Promise" is like? As a result, after it was released, it could still maintain praise on the surface, until an article "The Blood Case Caused by a Steamed Bun" pierced the Emperor's New Clothes. If Zhang Yimou could have half of Kaige's connections, how could "Hero" be scolded like this?

Speaking of Chen Kaige, he tried his Hollywood journey last year, cooperated with MGM, and filmed a suspense thriller film called "Killing Me Softly," with a production cost of 30 million US dollars. It was released in North America in September, and the final global box office was 7.77 million, ending in a disastrous defeat.

In other words, Kaige's first film entering Hollywood failed, which basically cut off this path. But this matter was never mentioned in China, and few people know about it.

Originally, Chen Kaige wanted to go to Hollywood to mix because he wanted to catch up with Wu Yuchen. But the Hollywood journey failed, while Zhang Yimou's "Hero" in China was harvesting the box office one after another. Although "Hero" was scolded fiercely, it didn't affect the box office rising, which also made Kaige see it in his eyes and be anxious in his heart!

It's fine if Wu Yuchen surpasses him, but you, Zhang Yimou, also want to rebel against the sky?

Since the Hollywood path is cut off, and everyone likes to watch martial arts films so much now, then he, Chen Kaige, will also join in. Wu Yuchen can film it, Zhang Yimou can film it, can't he, Chen Kaige, film it?

However, Kaige doesn't intend to film a simple martial arts film. He wants to be a step higher from the beginning. He wants to film fantasy! You are flying over eaves and walls, I will just fly around directly. The power level is not known how much higher than "Hero" and "Brotherhood of Blades"!

However, this time he has to brew well, gather a luxurious lineup, want both box office and awards, and let commerce and art fly together!

Subsequently, Howard Stringer changed the topic:

"Wu, I know you are fully impacting the Oscars. I think you will achieve very good results in this year's Oscars. However, although awards are important, box office and commercial interests are sometimes more important. I hope you can spare some time and energy for 'Spider-Man'."

Amidst the applause of the audience, Wu Yuchen also calmly went on stage to receive the award.

Wu Yuchen looked at Howard Stringer in front of him, and information about him emerged. The other party had served as the CEO of Sony Columbia a few years ago, was promoted later, and is now the Vice Chairman of the entire Sony Group, and at the same time the person in charge of Sony Group's business in North America.

Since Sony acquired Columbia, it paid a lot of tuition before slowly standing firm. After Howard took office and led the reform in 1997, it began to gradually profit. And this "Spider-Man" is a truly explosive work of Sony, not only revitalizing Sony Columbia but also earning a large amount of profit, and it is an existence that can be treated as a family heirloom! So it's no wonder that Howard Stringer, this leader of Sony North America, is concerned.

Regarding "Hero" and Zhang Yimou, Wu Yuchen just made a phone call to greet him. His main energy is still focused on the Oscar award push.

"Best Director, 'Gangs of New York,' Martin Scorsese!"

At the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, Wu Yuchen watched old Martin walk onto the stage happily to receive the award and deliver an acceptance speech.

However, Wu Yuchen wouldn't belittle himself. This time his "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" had already won Best Foreign Language Film. And in the previous large and small film critic awards, Wu Yuchen had also gained a lot, not losing to old Martin. The heat of "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" and "The Hours" had already fully risen.

This "Gangs of New York" starred Leonardo. Old Martin had been fond of filming gangster-themed films for decades and was known as the master of gangster films in Hollywood. At the same time, old Martin had also won two Best Director nominations with "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas." His Oscar points were not lower than Wu Yuchen's at all. In terms of seniority, he was far beyond Wu Yuchen, and in terms of connections, he was not lacking. This time he was also one of Wu Yuchen's strong enemies.

Wu Yuchen also understood the other party's intention. The first "Spider-Man" created a super high box office of 825 million US dollars, not to mention the surrounding and various copyright revenues, which simply made Sony crazy with joy! Even if 30% had to be given to Marvel, it was still more than all the other films Sony earned in the past year combined!

Wu Yuchen clinked glasses with the visitor: "Thank you for your praise, Mr. Stringer~"

At the banquet after the awards ceremony, everyone was eating, drinking, and socializing. And on Wu Yuchen's side, someone came over with a wine glass.

Although the Golden Globe Awards couldn't compare to the Oscars, they still had some influence, and they were made by a group of media reporters. Coming to participate in receiving the award was also giving face to the uncrowned kings.

"Wu, congratulations! Both of your films are very great, and the awards are well-deserved!"

Originally, the sequel to "Spider-Man" had been planned to start filming in February, but last week, Tobey Maguire's agent suddenly said that his back was injured, which disrupted the crew's preparation plan.

Just like last year, they spent a lot of effort to solve Harvey and "Chicago," but the Best Director award fell into the hands of Ridley Scott. Old Martin was not inferior to Ridley Scott.

"Best Motion Picture – Drama, 'The Hours'!"

Suddenly, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Connelly beside Wu Yuchen offered hugs to Wu Yuchen. This Golden Globe Best Actress was also won by Nicole Kidman, and "The Hours" won Best Picture, which added another stroke to her resume.

Although the Golden Globe Awards were not a weather vane for the Oscars and were voted by a group of media reporters, Wu Yuchen wouldn't relax his vigilance against old Martin. He didn't want to talk to Spielberg and solve the threat of "The Pianist," only to end up making a wedding dress for old Martin.

Howard Stringer nodded: "Uh-huh, he is now affecting the preparation of the sequel. I don't want any accidents in the sequel. Do you have any plans?"

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Mr. Stringer, in fact, I have been paying attention to the sequel of 'Spider-Man.' Are you talking about the problem of the male lead Tobey Maguire?"

"Mr. Stringer, I am letting the crew contact Jake Gyllenhaal."

Howard Stringer frowned upon hearing this: "You want to change the male lead? This might not be a good choice for 'Spider-Man'."

Wu Yuchen shook his head with a smile and said: "No, no, neither Director Raimi nor I want to change the male lead. We are very satisfied with Tobey Maguire's performance. But to be honest, we are not satisfied with the attitude of him and his agent."

Unlike Depp's participation in "Pirates of the Caribbean" at the beginning, because "Spider-Man" itself is an IP film, not an original one, Tobey Maguire signed a trilogy contract when he joined the "Spider-Man" project at the beginning.

Of course, his salary for this trilogy is not immutable, and there will be a significant increase in each installment. For example, his salary for the first film was 4 million US dollars, and it rose to the range of 10-15 million for this second film.

15 million is actually completely a first-line salary in Hollywood, but unfortunately, the box office of the first "Spider-Man" was too good and earned too much, so anyone who saw it would be jealous.

Therefore, Tobey Maguire's side wanted to bargain with the producers again, proposing treatment of 25 million or 10% of the North American box office. Sony and Wu Yuchen definitely couldn't agree to him, otherwise, wouldn't the contract signed at the beginning be signed in vain?

With the contract, Tobey Maguire naturally couldn't reason. As a result, he used the trick of striking with a back injury before filming. To be honest, this kind of trick is very annoying, especially when it disrupts the crew's plan before filming.

"Actually, saying that there is a back injury is just an excuse. Their goal is ultimately to want a salary increase. But we can't let them succeed in this way. We must express our tough attitude to the outside world. If we compromise and let them think we are soft and bullyable, they will definitely be even more lion-like when the third film comes.

Mr. Stringer, what we are comparing now is patience. We hold the contract and hold the initiative. I am now going to invite other suitable actors to the outside world to make a gesture of replacing him.

Don't worry, Tobey Maguire is nothing without 'Spider-Man.' He and his agent also know this and will obediently bow their heads and return to the crew."

After Howard Stringer heard Wu Yuchen's words, he nodded with satisfaction and revealed a smile: "Good, Wu, I believe you can solve this matter well. The sequel to 'Spider-Man' will continue to achieve dazzling results~"

"Of course!" The two said, and clinked glasses again.

Howard Stringer seemed to suddenly think of something and said: "By the way, Wu, there is something I think it is necessary to tell you~"

"Oh? What?" Wu Yuchen asked.

"I previously received a call from a Sony director in Japan. He wanted me to mobilize the power of Sony North America to smear your 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and hinder you from impacting the Oscars."

Wu Yuchen narrowed his eyes after hearing this, but since the other party said it so frankly, he must not have malice toward him.

Sure enough, Howard continued with a smile: "Don't worry, Wu, I have already refused him. You are our closest partner at Sony Columbia, and we will not do anything to destroy our friendly relationship."

Wu Yuchen thanked him directly after hearing this: "Thank you, Mr. Stringer!"

"Small matter. If you need anything, just speak up~" After Howard finished speaking, he felt that today's goal was achieved, so he left with a smile.

Watching Howard's back, Wu Yuchen sipped red wine lightly. His strategy of making friends in Hollywood over the past two years was indeed correct. If it weren't for the common interest of "Spider-Man" with Sony this time, it's hard to say that "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" would really have a lot of resistance.

Actually, as a representative multinational conglomerate of Japan, Sony has already detached itself from the category of left and right. Or rather, even if there are left and right among its directors, the nature of Sony's own large capital determines its priority is profit-seeking.

And Japan's greatest influence in Hollywood is Sony. Now that even Sony is standing on Wu Yuchen's side, it is destined that they won't be able to stir up big waves.

He, Wu Yuchen, hasn't been mixing for nothing these past few years!

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen felt relieved. The Golden Globe Awards can be considered an influential award. This time "The Hours" won Best Picture and Best Actress, so Wu Yuchen naturally celebrated with the two female leads for a night.

And just the next day, another person Wu Yuchen didn't expect came knocking: Disney's newly appointed CEO, Luo Bote Iger.

Seeing the smiling Luo Bote Iger, Wu Yuchen thought of a nickname for him in his past life: Smiling Mickey Mouse.

Perhaps because the previous Eisner was a tyrant, the new leader chosen by Disney this time was a president who always had a kind smile, making people feel like a good old man at first glance.

However, if one thought that Luo Bote Iger's good old man appearance was soft and bullyable, they would be wrong. This guy is quite capable. In his past life, Disney reached its peak during Luo Bote Iger's tenure, first acquiring Pixar, then acquiring Marvel, and finally even acquiring Fox, making Disney a giant with a market value of hundreds of billions of US dollars, the well-deserved big brother of Hollywood.

As soon as he saw Wu Yuchen, Luo Bote Iger took the initiative to stand up to greet him and took the initiative to reach out: "Wu, nice to meet you! Congratulations on your big harvest at yesterday's Golden Globe Awards!"

But Wu Yuchen didn't shake hands with him, just nodded and replied lightly: "Thank you."

Then he asked straight to the point: "Mr. Iger, I don't know what you are here for today? I think my relationship with Disney is not good enough for you to come and congratulate me in person."

As Disney CEO, Luo Bote Iger didn't show any dissatisfaction with Wu Yuchen's neglect, still maintaining a kind smile: "Just call me Luo Bote. Wu, I came here today for only one thing, and that is to make friends with you!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen was slightly stunned and looked at Luo Bote Iger. The discord between him and Disney is well-known throughout Hollywood, and it has been on the table since "Pirates of the Caribbean" vs. "Pearl Harbor." And he personally participated in driving Disney's former president Michael Eisner off the stage!

Now Luo Bote Iger, this new Disney CEO, ran over to say he wanted to make friends with him?

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen revealed a smile, joking in his mouth: "Luo Bote, if you are thanking me because I drove Eisner off the stage, then there is no need. I just did it for my own happiness!"

Luo Bote immediately responded with a smile: "Oh, it seems there is another reason for us to become friends! I really want to thank you sincerely, otherwise I might not be able to sit in this position now~"

Wu Yuchen thought to himself that the guy in front of him is indeed interesting, and not simple. A Disney CEO can always keep his posture so low, and even make him, who has always had a bad feeling toward Disney, can't help but want to continue talking to him. He is worthy of being "Smiling Mickey Mouse"!