Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 190 The Money-Making Spider

When filming "Titanic", 20th Century Fox, in order to reduce risk, was unwilling to increase the budget and found Paramount Pictures, a sucker, to pay them 50 million US dollars.

However, after the film was released, it became a global sensation, and Paramount and 20th Century Fox had a disagreement over profit sharing, which led to a lawsuit.

Finally, with the mediation of the court, the US box office revenue went to Paramount, while the overseas box office revenue went to 20th Century Fox, thus resolving the matter.

Cao Jian naturally did not want this to happen.

If a lawsuit were to be filed, even though my company is registered in the United States, I might not be able to win against this company with strong ties in Hollywood.

The issue of profit sharing naturally needs to be agreed upon first.

Moreover, he has a trump card.

Cao Jian looked at the other person and smiled, "Of the total investment in this movie, my 60 million accounts for 28.5%, plus the theme song I wrote, so asking for 30% of the box office revenue isn't unreasonable, is it?"

"Too much."

Fox Film boss Alan Ryder shook his head.

I've already promised you the theme song, why do you still want a percentage of the revenue sharing?

"You should know how important a good theme song is to a movie. I only want 1.5% more."

Cao Jian was well aware that 1.5% would be no small number.

Seeing that the other party was still shaking his head, Mr. Cao immediately smiled and said, "Mr. Alan, you should know that I am also a screenwriter and director. I have two scripts here, and we can collaborate more in the future."

"Let's take a look at the script first."

Cao Jian immediately took out the script that his film and television company had already filed in the past few days and handed it over.

"The Broken Sword, The Face Changer."

Although the titles of the two movies seemed unremarkable, Alan was amazed by the young man's imagination after reading the plot summary.

He actually knows so much about the style of American superhero movies.

Both movies have good storylines, and if they were to be made into films in the future, they should be able to make money.

In the United States, major film companies place great importance on scripts; a good script is key to a film's success.

Cao Jian has watched countless films, and these two movies are just two of his favorites from the 1990s.

As for future blockbuster films like "Saving Private Ryan," "The Matrix," and "Pirates of the Caribbean," we can talk about that in a couple of years.

Whether to film it yourself or collaborate with another company is your choice.

After reading the script, Alan finally said, "These two scripts are very good. I hope we can collaborate in the future."

"What about the profits from Titanic?"

"Just like you said, 30%."

For the sake of the two good scripts, Alan agreed to the profit-sharing request.

The main problem is that he has no idea how much "Titanic" will gross at the box office.

It's estimated to be at most a billion US dollars. Based on this box office, 1.5% would only get an extra six million.

Seeing that the other party approved of the script, Cao Jian felt a sense of accomplishment.

He produced the script for two reasons, firstly, in case Fox reneged on the deal and filed a lawsuit.

Secondly, I also wanted to build a relationship with this company.

Who says you don't value social niceties in the US?
And so, in a pleasant atmosphere, both parties signed the contract.

Mr. Cao's company was run by him alone, a shell company that was essentially a film company. At this time, he secured a 30% share of the profits from "Titanic" for 60 million US dollars.

This also includes revenue from the sales of VCDs, which were just becoming popular.

As for the two films, Cao Jian agreed to let Fox first grant them the rights to "Broken Sword," and he would serve as the assistant director.

As for "The King of Masks," he suggested that he make it himself.

Although Fox felt that this Chinese man was a bit young, the fact that he could write such a script made him a suitable director.

After seeing off the sucker Cao Jian, Fox's CEO Alan looked at the contract and chuckled, "He's really a fool with too much money. Although he has talent, it's a pity his investment acumen is lacking."

Cao Jian was unaware that the other person was praising him behind his back.

But that's not important. What's important is making money, establishing yourself in Hollywood, and making some good, blockbuster films.

When the new century arrives, with the halo of his success in Hong Kong and the United States, he will be highly sought after when he returns to the mainland.

When that time comes, girls who want to recognize him as their godfather will be lined up from Hong Kong to Beijing.

"Honey, what are you grinning about?"

Chen Hong had long witnessed Cao Jian's prowess, so she was not at all surprised that he could reach a cooperation agreement with a company like Fox.

But why do you look so lewd with that smile?

He's probably thinking bad things again.

"I'm laughing, I wonder if I'll be counting money until my hands are sore."

"really?"

Chen Hong was somewhat skeptical: "This film can really make a lot of money?"

"Hehe, this is money most people couldn't earn in several lifetimes." Cao Jian chuckled and said, "Let's go to New York."

"Go to Times Square for New Year's Eve? Isn't that still a week away?"

"I have something important to do. After I finish this, I'll take you on a lot of fun."

Cao Jian came to the United States this time for three things.

The first was to check the accounts of the game company and plan for future development; the second was to invest in "Titanic"; and the third was the heroes in Marvel's hands.

He already knew that Marvel was currently in crisis and had begun selling its superheroes to raise money to tide them over.

And that little spider hasn't been sold yet.

If you acquire this most lucrative hero now, you'll definitely make a fortune in the future.

Upon arriving in New York, the entire city was already filled with the atmosphere of Christmas and New Year.

However, the dull and oppressive atmosphere inside Cao Jian and Chen Hong's company, which had been in business for over fifty years, was completely out of place with the cheerful atmosphere outside.

"Hello, I am the owner of Compass Film and Television Company, my surname is Cao."

"Hello, Mr. Cao."

Marvel boss Ike was having a headache and had never heard of Compass Pictures, so he casually asked, "I wonder what brings you to our company?"

"I'm here to make a deal with your company."

Cao Jian came today because he wanted to buy the rights to Spider-Man.

"trade?"

Marvel boss Ike was taken aback.

Since the first half of this year, the company has been restructured, but now its biggest problem is a lack of funds.

Therefore, upon hearing about the deal, he immediately perked up: "I wonder what Mr. Cao wants to cooperate with us on?"

"It's not a collaboration, but rather that I've established a film and television company and want to buy the rights to your company's comic book heroes to adapt them into movies."

"That's it."

Ike was a little disappointed; he thought they were there for a collaboration, but it turned out they were there to buy the copyright.

Selling comic book heroes is not the first time for the company.

In the middle of this year, due to a lack of funds caused by company restructuring, the company had no choice but to reluctantly sell the X-Men film rights to 20th Century Fox.

But actually, they still felt quite bad about selling the heroes.

They were really reluctant to part with it unless absolutely necessary.

But how much money can a company run by a Chinese person have?
Are they here to try and get a bargain?
Cao Jian could tell that the other party was not interested and looked a little disappointed, so he smiled and said, "To be honest, I just invested 60 million US dollars in a movie for 20th Century Fox yesterday, and now I want to make my own movie."

"You invested 60 million in 20th Century Fox?"

Upon hearing this, Ike took a closer look at the man and his female companion.

Looking at the young and beautiful woman beside him, he might really be the son of some wealthy family.

Thinking about the company's tight finances, Ekko asked, "Which champion do you want to buy?"

"I want to buy Captain America and Spider-Man."

If Cao Jian only mentions Spider-Man, the other party might think that this hero has a promising future and deliberately inflate the price.

Therefore, he mentioned two first, and put Captain America first.

Ideally, you should be able to buy both cheaply.

Even if we have to compromise, the best outcome would be to acquire Spider-Man cheaply.

Sure enough, when Ike heard that Cao Jian wanted Captain America, he immediately frowned and said, "Captain America is our company's most important hero, we can't sell him."

"Mr. Ike, name your price."

Cao Jian deliberately pretended to want it very much.

"I won't sell it for any price. Without Captain America, Marvel would be dead."

"That's such a pity."

Cao Jian feigned regret, stood up, and extended his hand, as if to say goodbye.

Seeing that the money was about to fly away and had already been delivered to his doorstep, Ike immediately said, "Mr. Cao, Captain America is not for sale. If you are interested in other heroes, we can give you a discount."

"I like Captain America and Spider-Man, and since I can't buy my favorite heroes, it's a bit..."

Cao Jian looked very uncomfortable.

Ike couldn't just watch this customer leave, so he said, "Here's what we'll do: Spider-Man is yours for ten million dollars, and you can pick another one, and I can give you a discount."

"It's too expensive, and Spider-Man isn't my first choice."

Cao Jian still looked like he wanted to leave.

Now Ike was getting a little anxious and immediately said, "Mr. Cao, what price are you willing to offer?"

(End of this chapter)