Hollywood starts with a broker

Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios headquarters, in the office of co-CEO Terry Semel, Production President Mark Canton and COO Barry Meyer were present.

"《Batman Returns》 is ready for production, with director Tim Burton and lead actor Michael Keaton both continuing to participate;"

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"The actress playing the female lead Catwoman has been confirmed as Michelle Pfeiffer!"

Mark Canton reported on the work, "The budget for the sequel 《Batman Returns》 is $80 million."

Terry Semel nodded, "Yesterday at the company entrance, what was the reason for that Sean Young wearing a poor-quality Catwoman costume and shouting loudly?"

Mark Canton shrugged, "In the previous 《Batman》, she was originally the female lead, but she got injured during training;"

"So, we replaced her, Kim Basinger took over her role, and then she became a huge success, leading to Sean Young's mental imbalance, and she's hysterically demanding that we let her play Catwoman as compensation!"

"Just don't affect 《Batman Returns》," Terry Semel wouldn't care about such things.

Then he looked at Barry Meyer, put down a report in his hand, "Sony's 《The Silence of the Lambs》 had a second weekend box office of $12 million, accumulating $31 million in 10 days;"

"Our 《For Justice》 only had a second weekend box office of $7 million, accumulating $21 million in 10 days;"

"Moreover, last month, the black-themed work 《Boyz n the Hood》, distributed by Sony, has accumulated a box office of $45 million, while our 《City of Evil》 only has $37 million;"

"These two works were both produced by a newly established independent film production company, right?"

"Yes, the boss is a young man, he produced last year's 《Phone Booth》!"

Barry Meyer explained, "He transitioned from a CAA agent, named Aaron Anderson, a newcomer with a very accurate eye;"

"In June, he also has a fantasy romance film distributed by Sony, which will be released at the same time as our 《Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves》."

Terry Semel tapped the table and looked at Mark Canton, "If you have the opportunity, reach an exclusive cooperation agreement with him, Warner Bros. can fully support his film projects!"

"I'll try, but he's currently in a honeymoon period of cooperation with Sony."

Mark Canton couldn't do anything about it either. After Sony acquired Columbia TriStar, waving dollar checks was too attractive.

And here, after the merger of Time and Warner Communications, the two co-CEOs are fighting fiercely. Although Steve Ross of the Warner faction is now in full control, N. J. Nicholas of the Time faction is completely openly opposed to Steve Ross's ideas;

As a subsidiary, Warner Bros., as the backbone of the Warner faction, is inevitably affected. Terry Semel and Bob Daly jointly manage Warner Bros., and the pressure is not small!

Moreover, Steve Ross was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago, and he certainly won't live long;

At that time, once Steve Ross dies, Time Warner will inevitably fall into turmoil.

In its third week of release, 《The Silence of the Lambs》 grossed another $10.6 million, while 《For Justice》 only grossed $4 million;

The overwhelming word-of-mouth made 《The Silence of the Lambs》 the most praised horror film!

Throughout the spring season, the best performers, besides New Line's 《Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze》, were Dawn's works distributed by Sony;

Other works distributed by Sony during the same period, such as 《The Doors》 and 《Mortal Thoughts》, were not as expected.

Evening, Culver Hotel.

Columbia specially held a celebration banquet for 《Boyz n the Hood》 to congratulate the box office for breaking the $50 million mark;

And although 《Boyz n the Hood》 went over budget, the cost was only $5.5 million!

Director John Singleton, lead actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube and others all attended the celebration banquet.

Not only was Columbia Pictures President Sidney Ganis present, but also Peter Guber, one of the co-CEOs of Sony Pictures!

"Aaron, if you continue to perform so well, Hollywood will soon have a place for you," Peter Guber tapped glasses with Aaron Anderson.

Peter Guber and Jon Peters jointly manage the entire Sony Pictures Entertainment, but compared to Jon Peters, known as the "hairdresser", Peter Guber appears much more professional;

The credit for 《Batman》 is mainly due to Peter Guber, and he obviously looks down on Jon Peters as well.

Aaron smiled and took a sip of wine, "Maybe soon."

"Yes, summer is coming soon, and I'm increasingly looking forward to 《Ghost》."

The horror film 《The Silence of the Lambs》 has grossed $45 million in three weeks of release, and the good word-of-mouth continues;

《Ghost》 is a work that Dawn values more, not to mention that the lead actor is Kevin Costner, how can people not look forward to it?

After a while, Aaron saw Peter Guber chatting with John Singleton in the corner lounge area of the banquet hall.

"Aaron, come, have a drink!" Sidney Ganis walked over, looking delighted.

Aaron withdrew his gaze, "《Ghost》 will be released in more than a month. The competition in the summer is relatively fierce, so you have to put more effort into it."

"Don't worry, the marketing budget for 《Ghost》 is currently $15 million, and it can continue to increase by then!"

No mistake, one first, one delivery, one inside, one content, one at a glance!

Sidney Ganis appeared very豪迈. After internal discussions, Sony also approved the marketing plan.

Even the marketing cost of 《The Silence of the Lambs》 exceeded $10 million, let alone the romance film 《Ghost》?

Not to mention that Dawn has the confidence, the lead actor Kevin Costner is also worth the investment!

"That's good," now at Dawn, Aaron is letting Brad Grey closely monitor Sony's distribution and marketing expenses;

Aaron doesn't prevent Sony from earning what it should, but it certainly can't be as chaotic as 20th Century Fox before.

News Corporation does have its own TV stations and newspapers, which makes it easier to do accounting, but Sony is different. The American management doesn't really have the idea of saving money for Japan;

Sony suffered heavy losses in the past year. The main person in charge of Sony Pictures Entertainment to the outside world is Peter Guber. Jon Peters, who is constantly involved in scandals and is a laughing stock in Hollywood, is estimated to be counting down his days at Sony!

"By the way, you've cooperated with Samsung on another romance film, right?" Sidney Ganis smiled,

"Are there any other suitable projects? You can freely choose projects from Columbia's film library and script warehouse;"

"Or, your own script is also fine. Columbia will give you the green light all the way. By then, Columbia needs to participate in the investment proportionally!"

Aaron nodded, this is the rule of the game.

Dawn's performance is normal for Columbia to want to participate in the investment, but by then, Aaron Anderson's production costs will be very high.

"New projects, let's talk about it after 《Ghost》 is released!"

As long as he has the funds, Dawn is not short of distributors now, not to mention that Aaron has been eyeing Legacy Entertainment;

Look at Castle Rock and Carolco, they also don't have their own distribution channels, but they all raise funds for their projects themselves.