China Entertainment started from Nortel 2002

Chapter 758 Netflix's Offer

In April, "Annihilation", a film known as "the best science fiction film of the year", is experiencing annihilation.

The film was only released in China and the United States, so it only grossed $1100 million in North America in its first week. With its current cumulative box office of less than $4000 million, it is doomed to fail. The last hope for this sci-fi film, which cost $5500 million to make, is the Chinese market.

However, the Chinese market did not bring a box office counterattack to "Annihilation" like "Resident Evil 6" and other science fiction films whose box office performance in North America was not as good as expected.

Not only was the box office completely blew away by "Ready Player One", which had been released for more than two weeks, but its reputation was also mired in huge controversy.

Fortunately, Paramount has already sold its overseas copyrights (except mainland China) to Netflix, recovering part of its costs in advance, otherwise it would have suffered a huge loss.

Netflix has developed rapidly in recent years. Although the seven major Hollywood studios are very unhappy with Netflix, they are very clear when it comes to selling copyrights.

However, David called at this time and told Li Mu that Netflix had something to discuss with him.

“David, are you saying they want the streaming rights to this movie I’m filming called The Wandering Earth?”

"Yes, Boss, that's what they told me. If you're interested, I'll tell them and I'll probably talk to you in the next few days."

Li Mu nodded and said, "Okay, let's communicate this way first."

"Brother, is there really a chance to sell the streaming rights in advance?"

Because Li Mu and Guo Fan mentioned it, the latter couldn't help but feel a little excited.

"It's hard to say. They bought it in advance probably to lower the price." Li Mu thought for a moment and said calmly.

"We can make money from it, since it's just streaming. Our movies are released in theaters, so the theater business will continue as usual."

"The income of streaming media is not worse than that of cinemas nowadays. Otherwise, why do you think the seven major Hollywood companies are keeping a close eye on Netflix? We can't be the scapegoat."

"Then kill him."

Seeing this, Li Mu just smiled faintly and didn't say much.

Netflix is ​​not a sucker, so it is not that easy to take advantage of it. All we can say is that if both parties are willing, it will be a tug-of-war, and finally a compromise will be reached.

"Director Li, I'm asking for three days off."

After finishing today's filming, Wu Jing found Li Mu.

"Ok?"

"It's the opening ceremony of the Imperial Capital International Film Festival. This year there is a ceremony to release Chinese film big data," Wu Jing said helplessly.

As the leading actor and director of the film that swept all the domestic movies last year, Wu Jing was naturally invited.

"Oh, oh, I almost forgot." Li Mu was so busy with "The Wandering Earth" that he forgot about this matter.

Li Mu naturally also received an invitation letter, but he directly turned it down. Of course, as a director, if he went, the entire project would have to be suspended, so the above can be understood in view of this.

But Wu Jing is different. After all, there is no directing project at the moment, and Wu Jing's schedule is still easy to arrange, so there is naturally no reason to refuse.

"Okay, okay, three days. Come back soon after you're done. I'll postpone your part for three days." Li Mu took out the schedule, took a look at it, and moved up the rest of the parts.

"Brother Jing, I'm so envious. We still have to stay here for a few months."

Seeing that Wu Jing was about to get up and leave, Qu Chuxiao and Zhao Jinmai both looked envious.

As the leading actors, they still have to stay here.

As a person who has been through it, how could Wu Jing not understand? After all, they were all young once. Then, she patted Qu Chuxiao on the shoulder and said, "Film well. It may be hard for a while, but you will be happy for a lifetime. You are so lucky to be able to act in Director Li's movie. Others can't ask for it."

"We know this, we're just envious. Brother Jing, bring us some food when you come back."

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving now. Try your best to shoot and don't let the director down."

Wu Jing quickly got in the car and left because she was pressed for time and also wanted to go back and spend more time with her family.

The film and television industry is still calm, and everyone seems to be waiting for the May Day period to arrive.

The promotion of several movies during the May Day period was very hot, but Rene Liu's "Us and Them" took the top spot and seemed to have evoked the memories of countless people at once.

It even surpassed "Avengers 3" on Maoyan's expectation list. In addition, this movie was distributed by Maoyan, so naturally a lot of resources were invested in it.

At the same time, Mengying Media spoke again, another comedy film "The Richest Tomato" starring Happy Twist is scheduled to be released in July.

This news really dealt a heavy blow to the industry. After all, in August there was Huang Bo's "A Good Show", which brought a lot of traffic. In July there was another comedy, starring Happy Twist, which had several successful films under its belt. This was definitely a big hit.

At least the industry is excited, and it is obvious that Mengying Media is going to make another effort during the summer vacation.

Of course the audience are happy, after all, everyone loves to watch comedies, and looking at the posters, names and actors, they can feel the joy.

"Great, another movie to add to the list."

"Sure, sure. Mengying Media understands my hobbies and only shows what I like."

"It's just a holiday, so I can go to the movies."

"."

However, Taopiaopiao was very depressed at this time, and Yu Yongfu was furious at the meeting.

"If Us and Them can't win, then A Good Show and The Richest Tomato are even more impossible.
Do you know how big the gap is between us and Maoyan this year? At this time last year, we had already secured the top spot. How much money did Alibaba Pictures invest? You can calculate how much it invested." Yu Yongfu was so angry at this time. Maoyan took over the most popular "Us and Them" during the May Day period, not to mention the summer vacation period. After all, the latter two were produced by Mengying Media.

At the meeting, everyone suddenly fell silent.

Tao Piaopiao and Maoyan are sworn enemies. Everyone present knows that although they are destined to divide the world between the two, it is important who is the boss.

Now is even a critical period for promoting Maoyan’s listing plan. Once Maoyan is listed, Tao Piaopiao’s advantages will be further compressed.

"If you have any suggestions, please tell me directly."

After Yu Yongfu lost his temper, the meeting gradually returned to normal.

Li Mu certainly had no idea that Tao Piaopiao's top management was worrying about the next few months, because he was communicating with Jerry, the head of Netflix's acquisition department, about the streaming media broadcast of "The Wandering Earth".

"Li, Netflix is ​​committed to providing entertainment lovers with a wide variety of global content. We believe in you and believe that The Wandering Earth will be loved by science fiction fans around the world.

I believe you have seen our sincerity. Netflix is ​​willing to take the risk and buy the film in advance while it is still in the production cycle."

Li Mu didn't take what the other party said seriously.

Although these words sound nice, such as taking risks and showing sincerity, in fact, they are just thinking about buying it cheaper before the movie is released, basically just wanting to take a gamble.

Li Mu didn't waste time talking to the other party:
"OK, Jerry, how much are you willing to pay?"

The other party was obviously a little surprised after hearing Li Mu's direct words. After all, when they talked before, Chinese filmmakers had never been so direct and were always very reserved.

However, thinking that the person in front of him was a world-class director, who was more confident than any Chinese filmmaker he had ever met, he calmed down and said calmly:
“Lee, we are willing to pay $25 million for the exclusive streaming rights in all regions except China.

The film will be translated into more than 28 languages ​​and broadcast in 190 countries and regions around the world.

As far as we know, the total investment of your film is about 70 million US dollars, and you have already recovered more than one-third of the cost before it was released."

"The information you collected is very well prepared." Li Mu smiled.

The person in charge of the acquisition of Netflix on the other side thought it was a sure deal. After all, this was a compliment, and the price he offered, although not the highest price currently set by Netflix, was not low either.

But Li Mu's words completely surprised him.

"But if Netflix is ​​sincere, I think we don't need to talk anymore."

Li Mu said calmly, "Do you have anything else to say? If not, I'll hang up."

Although Li Mu said this, the last sentence was intended to trap the other party. He knew that Jerry on the other end also knew it, otherwise he really didn't want to talk and would have hung up the phone directly.

But he really has nothing to be afraid of. Netflix is ​​undoubtedly giving away money, but this is based on good prices and conditions, and it is very easy to sell movies with his name on them.

It’s just that selling it to Netflix is ​​indeed the best option for global streaming.

So both sides have their own advantages, and Jerry is also very aware of this, but he has to take over.

Because Netflix is ​​indeed very interested in this movie. On the one hand, it is because of the movie and the director, and on the other hand, it covets the Chinese market. This is a strategic issue, and the negotiations cannot be terminated directly at this time, otherwise there will be more trouble later.

"Li, I believe you have seen our sincerity. Maybe my offer does not suit your taste. Can you tell me your expected price?"

"Sure enough, no one who does this is easy to deal with."

Li Mu thought to himself that it was obvious that the price just mentioned was also meant to lower the price.

"Eighty million!"

Li Mu directly replied with a number, but there was only silence on the phone, as if the number had silenced the other party.

"."

After a brief silence, the other party finally started talking.

“Li, we came here with sincerity. To be honest, we cannot accept your figure. Maybe it can get a high box office, but streaming media is not a theater. I believe you should understand the source of our income.

This offer has already covered the production cost, the risk is too high, I can only refuse it."

"Okay, tell me a number I can accept."

"thirty million!"

"not enough!"

"plum"

"not enough!"

"Thirty-five million!"

"not enough."

After Li Mu finished speaking, he could feel that the other party was getting impatient, and then smiled faintly, "Fifty million, this is the price I want."

"Oh, Li, this is still too high, we can give up to 40 million!"

"."

(End of this chapter)