The King of Directors 2000

Warner Bros. Entertainment has very large properties in the beautiful country.

Production and distribution of movies, production and distribution of discs, music records, TV stations, DC comics, theme parks, and high-end hotels.

They are headquartered in New York and control this huge business empire.

Most of the branches are still located in New York, with only Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics in Los Angeles.

DC Comics was founded in 1934, with its original headquarters in New York. By 2009, superhero movies became popular in Hollywood.

Considering that many comics will be adapted for the big screen, DC Comics moved its headquarters to Los Angeles.

Currently, the Warner properties in Los Angeles include Warner Pictures and DC Comics.

The offices of the two companies are very close, and their senior executives often have meetings together and are very familiar with each other.

At ten o'clock in the morning that day, Jeff Robinov, the president of Warner Pictures, hurried back to the company from outside. As soon as he sat down, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Toby Emmerich strode into the office, "Jeff, how about it, do they agree?"

Jeff Robinov's face was livid, with anger still in his eyes, "They refused, these guys don't care about me now, they know I will leave Warner soon, they don't take me seriously at all.

These damn bugs, they forget that before they were like a dog wagging their tail at me, begging me to come and make a superhero movie. "

Emmerich wanted to collaborate with Lee Sung-yew. Since he was going to make "Joker", he naturally needed to obtain the film rights to this character.

The copyright of this movie belongs to DC Comics.

Such matters are usually handled by the president of Warner Pictures and the president of DC Comics.

When Jeff Robinoff was at his peak, DC Comics executives were very polite to him, and now, they know that Robinoff's time at Warner Pictures has entered a countdown stage.

DC Comics no longer values ​​him.

Emmerich frowned when he heard this.

He discussed this project with Lee Sheng Yew, who hoped that the early preparations could be made as quickly as possible so that he could start production in September.

It will take one year to make, and once completed, it can participate in next year's Venice Film Festival.

If time is delayed due to wrangling over film rights, it will cause changes in the production plan.

He was silent for a moment, and then comforted him: "Jeff, it's those guys who don't understand movies. You don't need to care about their attitude. It's not that bad."

"You don't need to comfort me, they just look down on me."

The sun shines through the window and falls on Jeff Robinov's face. His eyes are full of despair.

Emmerich thought for a moment, "Jeff, what do they want?"

Even if Jeff Robinoff is about to leave his job, there is actually no need for DC Comics to be so decisive. At least they should look at the project planning, pretend to be there, and think about it for a few days.

And now Robinov has just proposed it, but it has been rejected by DC Comics executives. This thing seems a bit strange.

It's so inhumane and doesn't seem like someone from the same circle.

Robinov heard this, thought for a moment, then sneered and said slowly: "What else could it be for? Of course, he wants more rights."

As superhero movies become more and more popular, DC comics become more and more important.

In the past, they have always cooperated with Warner Pictures.

Whatever projects Warner Pictures has and whatever roles they need, they will cooperate.

However, "Batman", "Superman", and the currently being prepared "Justice League" are so popular, these all have huge benefits.

DC comics are gradually having other ideas. They are not satisfied with just being a comic platform. They want to set up a film and television company called DC Films to specialize in producing movies and TV series in the DC universe.

Isn’t this taking food away from Warner Bros. Pictures’ job?

Warner Pictures naturally did not agree, which led to a much worse relationship between Warner Pictures and DC Comics.

In the past, Robinov was strong, and DC Comics was more cooperative.

Now that Robinov is about to leave his job, it is reasonable for people to treat him poorly.

Emmerich couldn't help but frowned when he heard this.

DC Comics' demands need to be handled by the head office, and he can't solve them.

But if he cannot successfully obtain the film rights, wouldn't his cooperation with Lee Sing-yew be ruined?

He chatted with Robinov for a few words and then left in a hurry.

Back in his office, Emmerich called a few of his confidants over, and everyone discussed the matter, but they still couldn't think of a way to get DC Comics to quickly sell them the Joker's movie rights.

……

A week later, the weather in Los Angeles became even hotter, and the air conditioning in the Warner Studios office building was turned on from morning to night.

At nine o'clock that morning, in Emmerich's office, he was reading the "Joker" script sent to him by Lee Sung-yew.

He was completely immersed in it and forgot about the outside world.

The beautiful female secretary knocked on the door, but he didn't react immediately.

It wasn't until the knocking on the door outside got louder that he came back to his senses.

"Sir, Depp sent a message, inviting you to a party at his villa tonight."

Depp is a gamer. Every time he holds a party, there are many beautiful girls.

Emmerich liked to go there in the past, but when he looked at the script in his hand, he knew he had more important things to do. "Reject him, I'm busy recently and don't have time to go there."

After the secretary left, he took out his notebook and wrote down some of his thoughts while reading the script of "Joker".

This busy work takes a full day.

Emmerich led several of his men and spent a full twenty-five hours to finally make a plan. He then went to wash up, changed into a suit, and hurried to the DC Comics headquarters building.

Soon after, Emmerich met current DC Comics president Diana Nelson.

This female CEO is in her forties and has an ordinary appearance. The only thing that stands out is probably her capable temperament.

She has been developing in DC Comics, rising from a small staff member to the position of president.

Although she is not a cartoonist, there is no doubt about her love for DC comics.

She is the person on the planet who most desires the development of DC Comics.

She began to propose to Warner headquarters a few years ago to establish DC Films, but this proposal has never been passed.

Diana knew exactly who was blocking the proposal.

Now that Warner Pictures has a project, she naturally has to take control of it, and she will make the people at Warner Pictures have no choice but to smile and beg her.

At this time Emmerich came over, and Diana felt a little strange.

She thought it was Robinov.

"Mr. President, please listen to my explanation. The script of this "Joker" project is very good. The sale of the character's movie rights must be approved as soon as possible. There are huge business opportunities here. If this movie is produced, it will make people happy. Everyone understands your importance more clearly.

I can show you the script, and I’m sure you’ll recognize what I’m saying. Hearing this, Diana looked at Emmerich and saw his firm face. After thinking about it, she planned to read the script.

For superhero movie adaptations in the past, DC Comics was responsible for the copyright transfer, but they were not responsible for the specific script creation.

She thought that if it was really an excellent script, she might be able to learn from it.

"Let me read the script."

"You're going to love this script."

Hearing this, Diana chuckled and shook her head. She had seen superhero movies produced by Warner Pictures, and to be honest, she didn't think they were that good.

At least compared to Marvel's superhero movies, she feels less outstanding.

So Diana arranged for her secretary to give Emmerich a cup of coffee, and then sat down to read the "Joker" script carefully.

After just two minutes, she was immersed in it.

Regarding the important villain "Joker" in the Batman series, in the comics, although this person is portrayed very wonderfully, he has been recognized by many readers.

However, the characters are still quite thin.

Why does the clown look like that? Why does the clown have so many followers, but he still lacks persuasiveness.

The script of "Joker" in front of me perfectly explains this problem.

This script only borrowed Gotham and the character setting of the Joker. The rest was completely second-guessing, but it was very exciting.

It tells the story of a world that is extremely hopeless for the poor.

In such a world, the emergence of clowns is inevitable.

The more Diana watched, the more immersed she became, and the more she watched, the more shocked she became. She felt like she was not watching a movie script, but a masterpiece.

When she read the script, she was completely stunned.

This script is completely different from superhero stories in the past. There are no superheroes who save the world, no cunning bad guys, no magical talents, just a world of cannibalism, numbness, and despair.

She used to think that the scripts of Warner Pictures' superhero movies were very simple. They could find a few students from the directing department and tinker with them in two or three days to write them.

But the "Joker" script in front of her, she felt, was not something that ordinary students could write.

Perhaps not only students, but even professors in the directing department may not be able to write it.

"Whose work is this?"

In fact, before Robinov came to Diana, he explained that the partner this time was Li Shengyao, but Diana didn't listen at the time.

"This script was written by Lee Sung Yew."

"plum……"

Diana found the name awkward and somewhat familiar.

Emmerich continued to explain: "Yes, Li is from China. He won the Palme d'Or twice and the three best director awards in Europe three times. He was praised by "Sight and Sound" and "Cinéma Cahiers" as the best director in the new century. Excellent director.”

Diana remembered that there was indeed such an outstanding director in China.

Some time ago, many media in Hollywood reported on this person.

They all felt that Lee Sheng Yew should come to Hollywood to develop.

Emmerich had a proud look on his face, "He is a true genius, and all the companies in Hollywood want to work with him. I have a very good relationship with him. We have been close partners for a long time.

In the end, he chose me, and at my suggestion, he chose characters from the DC Universe to create.

Diana, this is a very rare opportunity.

If a talented director like Li is revealed to the media, everyone will agree with this cooperation. The head office will definitely support me. I hope you can understand this. "

Before, Emmerich was discussing, but now his words were vaguely threatening.

Diana snorted coldly.

"Toby, don't talk to me like this. There are so many things we need to consider. Even if we want to pass, it will take time."

After hearing this, Emmerich's tone softened a lot, and he whispered: "Diana, the superhero movies in the past were all stories in comics, but this time "Joker" completely reshaped Gotham and re-created it." Defines the character of the Joker.

If this movie is successful, it will be a breakthrough development for DC Comics.

This means that characters in the DC universe, even if they are second creations, can still create very exciting stories, which broadens the vitality of the characters in the DC universe.

This is a brand new attempt and development of DC universe characters.

You should support me. The production of this movie will definitely be good for you. "

Diana put down the script, returned it to Emmerich, and suddenly asked, "Lee, how many movies will he make?"

Emmerich understood what Diana meant. She was asking how many DC Universe movies Lee Sheung-Yew would make.

"I don't know, you know, big directors have weird tempers. They like to challenge different themes. I can't guarantee anything, but even if it's just a DC Universe movie, I think we should all take the opportunity. You saw it. This script is not a superhero script at all, it is a movie that reflects human nature and a flashy society. I believe that when this movie is released, it will definitely shock the world."

Diana couldn't help but laugh.

Emmerich's words were too exaggerated, but after thinking about it carefully, she found that it was indeed possible.

She raised her coffee cup, only to find that the coffee had already been finished.

"Toby, I like this story very much. I will arrange for the company's review department to approve this copyright transfer as soon as possible.

But I have a condition. "

"You said."

"When Li comes to Beautiful Country, you need to introduce him to me."

She has always wanted to promote the establishment of DC Films. She thought that Lee Sheung-Yao was so talented. If DC Films was established, she could hire him to help them shoot their first movie. In this way, the new company's works would be guaranteed and it would open up a new path for the company's development. Good start.

Emmerich naturally agreed, "Of course, no problem."

Not long after, Emmerich left the DC Comics headquarters building. He took out his phone with an excited look and wanted to make a call. Then he realized that Lee Sheng-yew might still be sleeping at this time, so he sent a message about DC Comics. The review is being stepped up here and it will be passed soon.

At that time, they can officially launch the project and select actors.

After sending the message, Emmerich squinted his eyes and looked out the car window.

There are many high-rise buildings on both sides of the road, and there are many luxury cars on the streets.

There are also many tourists at this time, and this is the city’s peak tourist season.

Los Angeles is the best city in the beautiful country after New York, where top talents from all over the world gather.

Have wealth that everyone envies.

People from all over the world are eager to make a name for themselves here.

And he is about to invite Lee Sung-yew, the top director since the new century. He believes that their cooperation this time will be a great success.

(End of this chapter)