The cost of a movie is US$100 million, which is not particularly high for Deep Space Company.
If Peter Jackson is willing to sign only one film, Jimmy will grit his teeth and contact him. Of course, if Peter Jackson is willing to sign only one film, it won't be Jimmy's turn. His previous cooperation with Miramax has not yet been completed.
If I can continue, I won't be looking for anyone else.
If they sign three movies at once, the cost exceeds US$300 million, and the risk they need to take is too great.
If the market response of the first part is not good, will they still make the second and third parts?
So when he saw Yu Dong's interest, Jimmy immediately became nervous. He was worried that Yu Dong didn't understand the situation of "The Lord of the Rings".
"Even if we don't sign three movies, according to Peter Jackson's minimum requirements, we will have to make at least two movies. The shooting cost of each movie plus the publicity cost will be between US$100 million and US$150 million. Two movies plus
It may reach 300 million U.S. dollars. In addition, do you know why even though "The Lord of the Rings" is so famous, not many companies are willing to take over it?"
"Because of investment?"
Jimmy shook his head, "Investment is one of the reasons, and it's also because Peter Jackson insists on cooperating with the special effects company under his name, which is an unstable factor. Weta Digital was only established a few years ago, and its scale is completely different from that of Industrial Light and Magic."
For comparison, we haven’t collaborated on many movies together.”
"Not to mention their qualifications, how strong are they?" Yu Dong asked.
Jimmy mused, "The capabilities are actually quite good. We have collaborated before. They did the special effects for "Contact" starring Matthew McConaughey. I know a little bit about it. Richard Taylor is a
He is a very thoughtful person and his work attitude deserves recognition.”
Yu Dong recalled the movie "Contact" and found that there were no special effects that impressed him. However, he knew that Weta Digital was a company that would become famous in the special effects industry and should not be ignored.
They have participated in the production of many movies, among which the ones that impressed Yu Dong deeply include "Avatar", "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", "Frozen", "Warcraft", etc.
"Do we have any hope of acquiring Vita?"
Yu Dong changed the subject so quickly that Jimmy was stunned for a moment, and then Jimmy twitched his lips, "Are you kidding me, or are you serious?"
"I'm just asking you if this is possible. Why are you nervous?" Yu Dong said with a smile.
"Just asking... Of course there is a possibility of acquisition. After all, their company is not worth much, but Peter Jackson and the others should have a big appetite, and it is estimated that they will spend a lot of money. Now we are talking to Lucas
The cooperation is not bad. In a few years, I might be able to buy Industrial Light & Magic from him. There is really no need to spend this wasted money now." Jimmy scratched his chin and continued, "Compared to acquiring Weta
As for digital, I would rather buy Industrial Light and Magic first, and then recruit Richard Taylor to work for us, but this is obviously impossible."
Of course it's impossible. If someone is a good boss, how can he come to work for someone else?
Yu Dong nodded, "Let's put the acquisition of Weta aside for now. You can contact Peter Jackson first and ask if any other company has taken over "Lord of the Rings". If not, make an appointment with him.
Let’s talk about the possibility of our company taking over.”
"Okay, I will contact him after the new year."
Although Jimmy did not raise any objection, Yu Dong knew that he did not agree with the filming of "The Lord of the Rings".
If he agrees with this matter, his power of action is very strong, and he may even contact Peter Jackson on the spot. Now it is just an excuse to say that he will contact him after the year.
Jimmy's thoughts can be understood by Yu Dong. After all, this project is too big, involving an investment of three to four billion US dollars, and unlike developing their company's own projects, the profit sharing from filming "The Lord of the Rings" will be smaller.
If it were to be a film about Yu Dong's novel, let alone three films worth $300 million, Jimmy would not have any objection even if one film cost $300 million, because even if the movie ultimately failed, it would at least help promote the novel.
Take "The Martian" for example. They invested 90 million US dollars, but Jimmy is not that worried about the box office. Firstly, he has confidence in the movie, and secondly, even if the box office is not good, the book "The Martian"
It will definitely be due to the huge increase in sales of the movie. The most important thing is that after the movie comes out, the peripheral products of "The Martian" will be easier to sell.
The "Tianwen" placed in the science fiction exhibition hall is not not for sale to the public, it is just that it will be released simultaneously when the movie comes out, and there will definitely be a more beautiful opening sales data by then.
In addition, this time "The Martian" was filmed in China, which not only built a road for Mangya, but also boosted the local economy and built a Mars camp.
The income from all aspects taken together will definitely be able to make up for the film's box office failure.
As for the "Lord of the Rings" movies, Deep Space can of course grit their teeth and complete this project, but if the project fails, their losses will be considerable, and it may even affect their later plans.
"Let's make the call now." Yu Dong said with a smile.
Jimmy raised his eyebrows. He didn't expect that Yu Dong would take this matter so seriously. He originally thought that Yu Dong was just a temporary idea, so his superficial promise to contact Peter Jackson was just a delaying measure. Anyway, Yu Dong might wait until after the new year.
Don't remember this.
But since Yu Dong showed his attention, Jimmy had nothing to say. He sighed and said, "I'll contact you now. Peter Jackson should be in Los Angeles or New York now. It's already late at night. I'll call directly."
Go to Weta Digital's headquarters, and if you're lucky, you can contact Richard Taylor. I hope he's still in the company at this time."
Weta Digital's headquarters is in Wellington, New Zealand, and it's past nine o'clock in the evening.
Jimmy directly picked up the phone and dialed. It took a while before the call was connected.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Hello, Weta Digital."
A rich man's voice came from the other side of the phone. Jimmy turned on the speakerphone and said, "Hello, Mr. Taylor, I am Jimmy James from Deep Space Company. We have met before."
Richard Taylor was very surprised and said: "Mr. James, why did you call me?"
Jimmy smiled and said: "Mr. Taylor, I don't think you should be so surprised. It shouldn't be a strange thing for our Deep Space Company to contact the boss of an excellent special effects company."
After being praised by Jimmy, Richard Taylor laughed and said, "Mr. James, thank you for the compliment, but please tell me directly what you want from me. If there is an opportunity to cooperate with the Deep Space Company, I will definitely
Infinitely welcome.”
After hearing what Richard Taylor said, Jimmy stopped talking in circles, "Actually, I want to find Peter Jackson. I heard that his cooperation with Miramax is not happy, and he is looking for other investments. We hope to talk to him."
Let’s talk about cooperation.”
Richard Taylor on the other end of the phone raised his eyebrows. He originally bent down to answer the phone and pulled up his chair and sat down. "Mr. James, the news you got is correct. Peter is indeed looking for investment now."
Richard Taylor and Peter Jackson were not only friends, but also very close partners. The preparatory work for "Lord of the Rings" was basically done by Richard Taylor. Now Peter Jackson
There was something wrong over there, and his work here was also suspended.
Therefore, this matter is not only Peter Jackson's matter, but also Richard Taylor's matter. Of course he is very concerned about it.
Jimmy asked again: "Has he found investment now?"
Of course it hasn't been found yet, but Richard Taylor didn't say it directly, "I have not been in contact with Peter during this period, and I don't know the specific situation very well. Why don't I ask him tomorrow?"
"Okay, then tell him that our Deep Space Company is very interested in "The Lord of the Rings". If he is willing, he can call me back."
"OK."
"Well, then I won't disturb you anymore and I'll wait for your good news."
After saying that, Jimmy turned off the phone, then he looked at Yu Dong and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Peter Jackson must not have found investment yet."
Yu Dong nodded, and he also heard that if Peter Jackson had found new investment, it was impossible for Richard Taylor not to know about it. Now that Richard Taylor said he didn't know about it, it meant that there was definitely no such investment.
It was decided that he would discuss this matter with Peter Jackson first.
"But, in that case, why don't you wait until evening to contact Peter Jackson directly, and insist on asking Richard Taylor to convey our message?" Yu Dong asked.
Jimmy said with a smile, "Don't I want to show that I am not so urgent? This will help us negotiate with him later. He is looking for investment everywhere and hitting walls everywhere. We should have the upper hand in the negotiation with him, but
If we rush to find him, the situation will be different. Richard Taylor did not immediately tell us that he has not found investment yet, but his thoughts must be the same as mine, and he hopes to take a leading position in subsequent negotiations."
Yu Dong gave Jimmy a thumbs up: "So, for business negotiations, it is your professional counterpart."
Jimmy waved his hand, "Stop flattering me, tell me what you think about "The Lord of the Rings". I will support you in whatever you do, but you always let me know what you think. "The Lord of the Rings"
There is too much uncertainty in movies. If you do it well, you can make a lot of money, but if you are not careful, it may be counterattacked. Miramax must also know this, so it chooses to be conservative."
Yu Dong smiled and said: "First of all, I like Tolkien's book very much. Secondly, I have watched "Heaven Creation" directed by Peter Jackson, from which I can see his talent. As for the "Lord of the Rings" project
I'm not sure yet whether I'll take it or not. I need to read Peter Jackson's script first, and preferably some props that Weta Digital has already prepared for the movie in the early stages. Didn't Peter Jackson make a short film?
You can ask him to show us the short film first."
Jimmy nodded, "Okay, let's take a look at his short film and script first... I don't know how far Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor have done their work. If we take over, when will the movie be finished? If
If it is released next year, it may collide with Harry Potter, both of which are fantasy movies."
Yu Dong didn't take it seriously, "Although they are both fantasy movies, the audiences are obviously different, so I don't think there's anything to worry about. On the contrary, I think if the two movies can be released in a short period of time, they are likely to create a stir."
Fantasy whirlwind.”
"This is also a way of thinking. The audiences of the two movies are indeed different."
…
After Richard Taylor hung up the phone, he sat in a chair and pondered.
It is a good thing for Deep Space Company to take the initiative to call and ask about "Lord of the Rings".
Twenty to thirty million US dollars have been spent on the preparatory work for "The Lord of the Rings", and all of this money was paid by Miramax.
Therefore, if anyone wants to take over "The Lord of the Rings", they must first pay back the two to thirty million US dollars. Otherwise, Miramax has the right to choose another director to shoot "The Lord of the Rings" and directly give Peter Jackson
Kicked out.
Peter Jackson has been looking for companies willing to invest during this period, but he has repeatedly failed. He has found more than twenty companies, but no one is willing to take over.
In fact, Peter Jackson also considered contacting the Deep Space Company before, but ultimately gave up the idea.
There are two reasons. First, Deep Space Company cooperates closely with Lucasfilm. Their company's special effects have always been cooperated with Industrial Light and Magic; second, as far as they know, Deep Space Company is preparing to shoot "Haha".
"Lippert", the production cost was more than 100 million US dollars, and they did not think that Deep Space Company would spend 100 million US dollars on another fantasy movie.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! But since Deep Space took the initiative to call, then these two issues they considered should not be a problem.
After thinking for a while, Richard Taylor picked up the phone and dialed.
After only two or three rings, the call was connected.
"You're not asleep yet?" Richard Taylor asked in surprise.
Peter Jackson is in New York now. It's about three o'clock in the morning in New York.
Peter Jackson on the other end of the phone said angrily, "Since you think I have gone to bed, why are you calling me? In fact, I am already going to bed."
"I have good news for you."
"What's the good news? Are Miramax willing to make two films of Lord of the Rings? Or are they willing to forgive our $23 million debt?"
"That's not true."
"Then there can be no good news."
Richard Taylor smiled and said: "The head of a company just called me and said he was interested in "The Lord of the Rings"."
"Which company? It's not the kind of company that doesn't have anything, right?"
"Deep space."
Peter Jackson on the other side of the phone didn't speak for about seven or eight seconds. Just when Richard Taylor was about to speak, the person on the other side spoke: "Are you talking about the deep space company that held its annual meeting yesterday?"
Peter Jackson's reaction made Richard Taylor very satisfied, "Yes, it's them, and the caller is their boss Jimmy James. I met him before when we were making "Contact",
So he has our number."
"Does he understand our situation?"
"Understood. He asked me if you had found someone to take over. I told him that I didn't know. I wanted to..."
"What!" Peter Jackson shouted: "Why don't you just tell him that we haven't found a company to take over yet!"
Richard Taylor explained, "I just wanted to..."
Chapter completed!