Chapter 288: Hollywood only believes in winners

As one of the seven major film companies in Hollywood, Warner Bros. Entertainment, don't look at the big IP like *Harry Potter* in their hands; in fact, their days are not easy.

The reason is not that the film company doesn't make money; Warner Bros. operates well and has healthy finances. The problem lies with the parent company, Time Warner.

In 2002, after the failed merger of Time Warner and AOL, it suffered a huge net loss of 99 billion US dollars.

Over the past few years, let alone wanting to get financial support from the parent company, not being sucked dry by the parent company has already been a great blessing for Warner Bros.

So in these years, except for the large investment in *Harry Potter*, Warner Bros. has almost no films with large investments.

However, this situation has changed since the year before last.

Although in terms of accounts, *Harry Potter* doesn't make money, this kind of thing is just on the accounts. How much profit the company has, the parent company Time Warner must know clearly.

To avoid being sucked dry by the parent company, Warner Bros. must change its strategy and spend the profitable funds.

The year before last, Warner Bros. used the profitable money to restart *Batman*, investing 140 million.

Although Warner Bros. is a subsidiary of Time Warner, it still has normal operational autonomy. As long as there is no major mistake, the parent company Time Warner cannot interfere with the company's operations.

Don't think that because Warner Bros. is a subsidiary of Time Warner, you can instinctively think that Warner Bros. is not very good.

As one of the seven major Hollywood studios, Warner Bros. is also a giant-level entity.

Warner Bros. Entertainment also has its own subsidiaries, and there is more than one.

Its own sons include Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Animation Group, Warner Home Video, Warner Bros. Games, DC Entertainment, and The CW Television Network.

In addition, there is also a subsidiary like Warner Independent that produces and distributes independent films and art films.

The box office performance of *Zhu Nuo* in the second week caused Barry Meyer, the CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, to specifically convene a high-level meeting.

"I think everyone knows Ian's meaning. He wants to adapt a short story from *Cao Yang's Fantastic Journey* called *Gravity*."

After Barry Meyer finished speaking, he looked at Jeff Robinov, the president of Warner Bros. Pictures, and said: "Jeff's meaning is different from Ian's. He thinks it is safer to shoot *Batman* again. Everyone can speak freely."

Warner Bros. definitely wants to invest in super blockbusters; this is a fact that has already been determined. Now, the high-level management of the company has a disagreement on whether to adapt *Gravity* or restart the *Batman* series.

Those present are the true high-level management of Warner Bros., and this meeting will decide which blockbuster to make.

The advantage of *Gravity* is that the *Cao Yang's Fantastic Journey* series of novels has a fan base, and the success of *Zhu Nuo*, which had an investment of only a few million, is a major benefit for the adapted film.

And the disadvantages are also very obvious. The success of *Zhu Nuo* does not mean that *Gravity* can succeed. *Inception*, which is used as a reference, has not been released yet, so it can only be said that *Gravity* has the foundation for success.

And *Gravity* has another disadvantage, which is that the investment in this film is a bit small!

That's right, it's just a bit small.

The budget for this film is probably between 100 million and 130 million, which does not quite meet Warner Bros.' expectations.

The silence of these years makes them feel that they must invest in a super A-level production to highlight Warner Bros.' status.

Of course, this is the superficial reason. The real situation is that this film spends too little money, and Warner Bros. wants to spend more money and spend the company's money.

The advantage of *Batman* is that this DC comic has a broad foundation, high popularity, and a greater possibility of success, or rather, the possibility of losing money is not high.

The disadvantage is that after seven years, the box office of *Batman Begins*, which was released last year after the restart, was a bit unsatisfactory.

The budget for *Batman Begins* was 140 million, the North American box office was barely 200 million, and the global box office was 370 million. Relying solely on the box office, it is impossible to recoup the costs.

Of course, *Batman Begins* cannot lose money either. Precisely because the fan base is large, the subsequent sale and rental of discs and videotapes, as well as other peripherals, will definitely recoup the costs and make money. This just needs time.

"Ian, what I want to know is, who do you plan to find to direct *Gravity*? As far as I know, Cao Yang does not allow others to adapt his novels indiscriminately. He will personally adapt them into scripts and will also send an executive producer to supervise."

Gray Silverman, the chairman of Warner Bros. Creative Development and Worldwide Products, asked.

Since Ian Howard, the vice president of Warner Bros. and president of Warner Bros. Studios, wants to invest in *Gravity*, Gray Silverman definitely needs to know more.

"I think Cao Yang is the person who understands his own novels best, and it is better for him to adapt and direct them," Ian Howard said.

Jeff Robinov, the president of Warner Bros. Pictures, immediately followed up:

"Cao Yang's price is not cheap. As far as I know, he owns 20% of the global box office and subsequent shares for *Zhu Nuo*, and he also has 13% of the global box office and subsequent peripheral shares for *Inception*.

If he is allowed to direct and participate in *Gravity*, because of the big hit of *Zhu Nuo*, his price now will only be higher."

Ian Howard was silent for a moment. Jeff Robinov was right; Cao Yang is indeed very expensive. Now, in the entire Hollywood, there are not more than five directors who can get more than 10% of the global box office and subsequent shares.

"I know Cao Yang is very expensive, but I want to emphasize one point: Cao Yang has never failed!"

Ian Howard's words were resonant, and now it was Jeff Robinov's turn to have nothing to say.

Don't think that only domestic people are superstitious sometimes; in fact, foreigners are sometimes even more extreme.

For example, in Hollywood, there is a "law" circulating privately: before a person has failed, never doubt them; they are the code to success.

Anyway, translated, it probably means this.

Barry Meyer, the CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, saw Jeff Robinov silent and asked:

"Jeff, what do you mean? If you are shooting *Batman*, who are you going to find to direct? Is it still Christopher Nolan?"

Jeff Robinov pondered for a moment before saying: "Christopher Nolan is very good, and the rating of *Batman Begins* is also very high. If there is no suitable candidate, he is definitely the first choice."

He looked around at the people in the conference room and then continued: "However, this film didn't make money, at least it didn't make money at the box office. So, I think there is a more suitable candidate now, and that is Director Cao Yang."

After speaking, he looked at Ian Howard and said: "Just like what Ian said, Cao Yang has never failed, and since this is not his project, we don't need to pay too much share. This is the reason why I want to choose him."

Ian Howard directly refused. That son of a bitch Jeff Robinov is simply playing the rogue. Why do you want to learn from me?

Knocking on the table, he opposed:

"Jeff, I think this is wrong. Cao Yang is Chinese, not American. He has no comic book foundation, let alone understanding *Batman*. Your choice is too rash and will only mess things up."

Of course, Ian Howard is not against Cao Yang; he is "opposing" Cao Yang just to oppose Jeff Robinov.

"No, Ian, I don't agree with your point of view. Precisely because Cao Yang might not know much about *Batman*, he can not be limited by inherent thinking and shoot a different *Batman*."

Jeff Robinov argued.

"No, Jeff, *Batman* is different. Comic book movies are different. They are meant to please the inherent fans. I don't think Cao Yang can shoot *Batman* well. On the contrary, if it is *Gravity*, he almost cannot fail."

Ian Howard said.

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Barry Meyer also had a headache.

He knocked on the table and said: "Alright, whether it is *Gravity* or *Batman*, there is a prerequisite, and that is that Cao Yang is willing.

Today's meeting will end here. Since you two have different opinions and both want to invite Cao Yang to direct, then go take action. First, test Cao Yang's attitude and thoughts before considering subsequent matters."

After the box office of *Zhu Nuo* came out, not only Warner Bros. set its sights on Cao Yang, but Disney Film Company did the same.

"Jerry, what do you think about restarting *Pirates of the Caribbean*?" Bob Iger asked.

In September last year, Bob Iger succeeded Michael Eisner and became the new CEO of Disney. After careful consideration, he wanted to restart *Pirates of the Caribbean* and put more effort into live-action films.

Of course, this is also because he realized that since comic book movies can succeed, why can't Disney, which sits on so many classic "characters" and amusement projects, adapt them into live-action films?

The reason for saying that *Pirates of the Caribbean* needs to be restarted is that the first *Pirates of the Caribbean* failed, and the box office and reputation were not very good. After it was released in 2003, it was sealed.

*Pirates of the Caribbean* without Depp has no soul, and failure was expected.

Jerry Bruckheimer is a gold-medal producer in Hollywood. Many classic films were born in his hands, such as *Days of Thunder*, *The Rock*, *Armageddon*, *Pearl Harbor*, etc.

At the same time, he is also the producer and project initiator of *Pirates of the Caribbean*.

Jerry Bruckheimer thought for a moment and asked: "Bob, what are your thoughts?"

"I want to invite Cao Yang to be the director and shoot the sequel to *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Disney doesn't have many high-quality projects suitable for adaptation into live-action films, and I don't want to seal it up and waste it like this."

"Cao Yang?"

Jerry Bruckheimer was silent. With Cao Yang's status and influence, although he is a gold-medal producer, he definitely cannot control the entire project like he treats other directors.

The key to the problem is, since Disney CEO Bob Iger has proposed wanting to restart the project and designated Cao Yang as the director, what else can he do?

Be kicked out of this project after resisting?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 289 =====