Entertainment tycoon who started out as a director

Chapter 78 Big Profit
"Strictly speaking, the US$5000 million box office of Jett Lee's "Romeo" in North America cannot be considered a big hit. Moreover, this is just one of his works for the time being, and we cannot guarantee what kind of box office the next part will get."

"Looking at its sales in the disc market, we can give it a try, but whether it is an accident in the disc market or whether it has real appeal is a question."

"What worries us the most is that "Romeo Dies" has all dialogues in English, while part of your film has Chinese dialogues, and most of the leading actors are Chinese, so North American audiences may not accept it."

"The risk is too great."

"Of course, if you are willing to show it for a long time, let us invest a small amount of publicity expenses first and screen it near Chinese communities. If we add more theaters depending on the box office performance, our risk will be smaller, and the conditions can be negotiated later."

"But in this case, once the box office response is not good, you may get a very low box office number."

“Long-term screenings are never advisable.”

Gu Ming immediately ruled out this option in his mind.

I also thought that if the North American box office was good, I would rely on the North American box office to drive the mainland box office.

A long-term screening cannot create that kind of sensational effect.

It might have the opposite effect.

At that time, domestic audiences will not care whether you have a long-term screening, they will only say that you are only making hundreds of thousands of dollars a week, and you are bragging.

Most of the audience belongs to the silent majority.

After hearing this news, you will lose the motivation to go to the theater.

After all, going to the cinema is quite expensive these days.

"Gu." Seeing Gu Ming struggling, Anthony said again.

"Actually, I suggest you sell the North American rights, just like an art film."

"After receiving a sum of money, the rest of the distribution in North America is handed over to us. The risks are ours and the profits are also ours. This way we can have greater confidence to invest a large amount of publicity expenses."

"Okay, I understand, thank you." Gu Ming smiled and walked in again with Anthony.

Han Sanpin and Chen Guofu were left there.

"It's better to sell out."

Chen Guofu also knew what Han Sanpin wanted to ask, so he gave the answer before he could ask.

“North American audiences don’t like to read subtitles.”

"One part of the subtitles is a point that is likely to affect the box office."

At this time, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has just begun to make a presence at film festivals in the United States.

It has yet to achieve the miracle of becoming the highest-grossing foreign language film in North America.

Even as a Chinese, Chen Guofu is not confident about "The Rescue".

There is no way, even "Red Zone", which allowed Jackie Chan to enter the North American market, and "Rush Hour", which became a hit, all have English dialogues.

There has not yet been a pioneer to tell everyone that Chinese with subtitles can also sell box office.

"You have to really choose to share. Even if the other party doesn't spend money on publicity for the sake of China Film, for the sake of profit, the initial publicity investment will not be large. It can only depend on the subsequent word-of-mouth."

"If it's sold out, how much do you think it can be sold for?" Han Sanpin hesitated and asked.

"Fox is willing to pay US$750 million for Lee Lien-lien to make a movie. After all, this movie has two-thirds of the dialogue in English. While the popularity of "Romeo Deadly" is not over, it will not be difficult to get a price of more than US$1000 million. As for the specific figures, , no one can guarantee it.”

"Okay, I understand, thank you very much."

Han Sanpin nodded and sent Chen Guofu in.

After discussing it with Gu Ming, he contacted the people sent by the Hollywood distributor.

"We have decided to sell off the North American rights to "Taken" except for the adaptation rights and sequel rights. In order to give everyone time to discuss with the head office, the auction will be held in a week!"

Choosing to sell out is different from issuing shares. Many people here may not have the authority to invest more than ten million US dollars.

Leaving this week aside is also for them to report to their superiors.

Ask the head office to send someone with the authority to make decisions.

……

A week passed by.

People from Hollywood distributors gathered at the auction site for the North American rights to China Film's "Taken".

China Film has also arranged for two reliable reporters. If the auction fails, then there will be no reporting.

If it can be auctioned, the starting price is set at US$750 million, which is the same amount as Li Lianhe's salary for his new film.

Equivalent to more than 6000 million yuan.

Can quickly recover half of the production cost.

The reporters who arranged these arrangements naturally wanted to report the auction scene vividly.

Soon, the auction begins.

"Everyone has seen this film. Two-thirds of it is in English. The protagonist is Jet Lee, who has just achieved success in the North American market, especially in the disc market, with sales of 8000 million. The director Gu Ming is The youngest winner of Europe’s top three.”

"I believe we can earn a lot of revenue from the disc market alone."

"The starting bid for "Hurricane Rescue" is US$750 million. Each bid increase shall not be less than US$50. Bidding begins."

"$800 million."

"850 million!"

"$900 million!"

"..."

"Fourteen million dollars!"

After some bidding, the price reached the production cost of "Taken".

If you let them distribute it, they will be very hesitant and unwilling to break the rules and give the same 30.00% distribution share as North American producers.

When it comes to selling out, the situation is different.

Once you buy it, the extra income will be yours.

And Li Lien's salary is already 750 million US dollars. If you invite him to shoot an action movie in the United States, the production cost will be 500 million US dollars.

This does not include the time cost.

Spending US$500 million to buy the North American rights means you don't have to be tied down by publicity costs when promoting it.

Even if there are some Chinese-language clips in it, if you take a risk and you won't make it back at the box office, the disc market will most likely be able to recover the cost and make a fortune.

The most important thing is the long-term benefits later.

"Fourteen million dollars!"

After discussing in low voices, Anthony and Chen Guofu raised their placards and gave a quotation that exceeded the production cost.

After this price came out, everyone else stopped.There are no more new offers on site.

The auctioneer also began to drop the hammer.

"Eleven million dollars for the first time."

"A second time for $600 million."

"Sixteen million dollars for the third time!"

"Congratulations to Sony Columbia for successfully buying out the North American rights to "Taken"!"

Auction is over.

Gu Ming and Han Sanpin met Anthony and Chen Guofu again.

"Congratulations."

"Gu, congratulations too. If this film can get more than 4000 million U.S. dollars in box office in the North American market, then I think there will be many Hollywood film companies looking for you to film. Don't forget about us at Sony. I am the first One looking for you.”

"Of course." Gu Ming responded and shook hands with him, "Under the same conditions, my first choice is an old friend."

"That's settled." Anthony smiled and nodded.

The next step is to negotiate a contract with Sony Colombia.

Within a few days, Sony Colombia sent the money.

The contract is officially signed.

The Wang brothers on the side immediately started whispering to each other.

"Brother, I made the right choice back then! Fortunately, I listened to you. I didn't expect Gu Ming to be so awesome."

"Oh, at first I thought I was doing a loss-making business, but now you see it? Sometimes you have to take a long-term view."

Wang Zhongjun actually didn’t expect to earn back his investment.

But in this situation, how can I not pretend to be in front of my younger brother?

He immediately said, "Invest, invest, and the most important thing is to invest in people!"

"Gu Ming is the most promising director!"

Compared to the two of them having fun.

Han Sanpin laughed unabashedly, with wrinkles appearing on his face.

He also grabbed Gu Ming's arm and shook it twice.

"Brother Gu, you are awesome!"

"It sold 600 million in the North American market alone. All the production costs were recouped and there was still money to be made."

"Next, we will be able to travel easily in the domestic market without any burden!"

It’s not just that the box office is no longer affordable.

He, Han Sanpin, no longer has any burden.

After all, it was his idea to let Gu Ming make a commercial film. If he cheated Gu Ming, he would always feel a little sorry for Gu Ming.

Moreover, after investing so much, China Film Group also had internal opinions.

I feel that investing more than 2000 million yuan in Gu Ming is a huge success. How can the domestic box office earn back the investment?

What?You said there are foreign markets?

But how much can be sold in foreign markets?Who can say this accurately?

Who dares to guarantee it?

Now, as soon as the $600 million comes out, every one of the original opponents will have to shut up.

Your control over the company will also increase to a higher level.

"correct."

"We haven't started selling it in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Europe yet."

"I can definitely make a lot of money." Han Sanpin said happily.

"For the time being, let's consider the cross-strait, three places and the North American market. We will wait for the North American box office to come out for other markets."

If you sell it yourself, you'll be exposed and you won't be able to sell it for much money.

It would be even worse if it was released.

It's better to brake with silence.

As long as "Taken" can have half the box office of its previous life in North America.

Hollywood giants with global distribution capabilities will inevitably come to them and ask for distribution packages in the remaining countries to be sold to them.

This price will serve as a very important reference for the North American box office.

If I remember correctly, the performance of the previous version of "Taken" in overseas markets was average.

The North American box office was 1.4 million US dollars, and overseas only took 8 million US dollars.

This is not in line with the general rule that Hollywood movies have more overseas box office than North American box office.

If this movie is the same as the previous life.

Then it will be time for you to get back more or less what you made less this time.

"Okay! Listen to you."

Gu Ming's several consecutive accurate judgments made Han Sanpin trust Gu Ming.

He stopped talking about these things and decided to do his own things first.

Create a dazzling domestic box office.

The box office.

Publicity comes first.

Under the instruction of Han Sanpin.

On that day, one report after another made the front pages of many entertainment media.

["Hurricane Rescue" sold 1.3 million! 】

["Hurricane Rescue" has recovered its cost in the North American market alone. 】

[Genius director Gu Ming’s successful transformation will usher in an era of domestic commercial blockbusters! 】

(End of this chapter)