hollywood draw

When North America's annual summer season begins from the end of June to July, it has actually entered the most competitive period of various companies.

Whether it is the six giants in Hollywood or small and medium-sized film companies, almost all of them have left the top films they have high hopes for at this hottest time for fans.

Especially since a few years ago, after the summer season was started by Warner Bros. and Wayne, there was basically no scene where the summer season was started to be released in crowded films.

On July 1st, the first Disney-based label Bowei International released "The Peerless Heavenly Tribulation", which ended its rule as soon as it was released. The explosion was still the same summer bomb. It won nearly 40 million US dollars in North America at its premiere, announcing the hottest competition in the schedule.

Immediately afterwards, Warner Bros. released its traditional sequel film "The Sky Cannon 4" the next weekend. This film, starring a first-line star Mel Gibson, attracted a lot of attention when it was released, and even surpassed the hottest discussions between the media and the movie fans the previous week.

The main reason for gaining a large number of movie fans' good reputation this time is not the performance of the Hollywood superstar, but the jet-li who only appeared for five minutes, only three scenes, and one English dialogue!

Although North American audiences have seen some of the magic of kongfu in "The Matrix", Jet-li's performance in just a few minutes is no less than a myth in the eyes of North American audiences. The clean, neat, beautiful and powerful action scenes constantly cause screams in the theater.

After many years, this kongfu's action method finally gained recognition from mainstream North American audiences again.

"Holly Door Reporter" has an evaluation of jet-li, and even more than ten or twenty years have passed, it is still circulating on the Internet: "Jet-li was amazed in just five minutes, and the appearance in black is even more mysterious, which refreshed the mainstream vision of the West."

It was this unexpected and popular action scene that made "The Sky Cannon 4" even faced the previous week's popular "The Peerless Heavenly Tribulation", which still won the box office that exceeded Warner Bros.'s expectations.

Sometimes reality is even more fantastic than movies. The final box office of "The Sky Cannon 4" in this summer was $285 million. Market research analysis by producer Warner Bros. shows that to some extent, the fans attracted to the theaters by jet-li are not much less than Mel Gibson.

Hollywood, which attaches importance to market research data at any time, just used this small supporting role and immediately entered the vision of mainstream production companies. Even before 1998, Warner Bros. Film and Television Production Department had specially created "Deadly Romeo" with the image of jet-li and its unique kongfu.

With only five minutes of supporting role performance in a commercial film, one of the six major Hollywood movies was immediately created. No matter when it was put, it was a big and small miracle.

The reason why Warner Bros. did this is very simple, that is, whether it is action scenes or personal image, it is rarely accepted by mainstream North American audiences. Another point is that Mel Gibson's salary was 25 million US dollars in "The Sky Cannon 4", but jet-li only received 500,000 US dollars. His current salary was not allowed to be fooled.

Perhaps speaking of the name "The Sky Cannon" will make people feel unfamiliar, but another name "The Deadly Weapon" will definitely make Oriental audiences more familiar. In the late 1990s, the "pirated discs" and videotapes were circulated in many families in the East.

In fact, sometimes the gap between Chinese and foreign names is so big that it is hard to understand. Not only is "The Sky Cannon" translated into "The Deadly Weapon" in the East, but it is more familiar to people. It is "This Killer Not Too Cold" and the original name is translated by "Laian" in North America.

There is also the adolescence enlightenment movie "The Beautiful Legend of Sicily", which is called "Malena" in the West. What's even more outrageous is "Flying House" because its name in the West is "Ascendant". "Inception" is called "The Beginning", and "Maleficent" is called "Maleficent"...

Even the masterpiece in the hearts of countless people, Christopher Nolan's "Batman", magically, there is actually no Batman in North American names...

The war in the summer season continued and even began to enter a white-hot state. The fan carnival caused by "The Peerless Heavenly Tribulation" and "The Booming Sky Cannon" lasted for only one week.

When the time came on July 15, a 20th Century Fox film, "I'm Mad for Mary", officially opened paintings in major mainstream theaters in North America. At the beginning of its release, it immediately took away most of the fans' attention.

The same period was also released by Sony Colombia's traditional ip "Black Man Zuo Luo". After these two highly anticipated films by movie fans were released, the theater market completely entered chaos.

The hot July market environment is happy for movie fans. After entering the theater, no matter how they choose, there will be various types of blockbusters that are satisfying, but for film companies, it is not so happy because the blockbusters are released one after another, completely diverting the audience.

It was in such a chaotic scene that at 7:00 p.m. on July 24, the film "Save Private Ryan" directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by DreamWorks and released by Warner Bros., held an extremely grand premiere at the Beverly Kodak Theater.

This film is not only highly expected by the three DreamWorks, but Warner Bros. is also very optimistic about its box office potential after conducting an internal trial, so the scale of this premiere seems very grand.

Besides, Steven Spielberg's films are naturally impossible to lack attention. Under the warm invitation of Warner Bros., more than a hundred media reporters were invited, and celebrities from all walks of life frequently walked on the red carpet. For a time, the Kodak Theater was full of stars, which was no less than a small award ceremony.

"Thank you for coming, Wayne."

In front of the Kodak Theater, Steven Spielberg hugged Wayne with just-in-come interview.

"Hey, man, don't tell me that someone will not give you a good old man."

Wayne gently patted the old Jewish man on the back, let go of his hand and shook his head in surprise, and joked: "The great director of Spielberg, "Save the Private Ryan" is the film I am most looking forward to this year. You know, I'm very curious now, what did you make an R-level war movie?"

While the two of them exchanged greetings, he shook hands with David Geffen and Jeffrey Carsonberg beside him and nodded politely.

The appearance of the three DreamWorks together has already interpreted their importance to "Save Private Ryan", especially Jeffrey Carsonberg. In a short period of time, Wayne looked at it without mercy several times.

"Come on, Wayne."

Steven Spielberg waved his hand, pointed at him and said with a smile: "I have invited you several times before "Save Private Ryan" was ready. Even now, I feel that you are the most suitable director for the entire Hollywood film that shows cruel wars and discusses human nature."

"no, Steven."

Whether it is commercial mutual bragging or sincerity, Wayne shook his head politely and said seriously: "You are the director you are the best at showing humanistic care in the movie, and I have a lot to learn."

His words caused a burst of laughter from several men. Suddenly, a burst of cheers from movie fans came from the red carpet, and the loud voice completely overshadowed the conversations of several people.

Wayne turned around and took a look. He was about to exchange greetings and then entered, but he couldn't help but stop his own steps.

Not long after, the father of Star Wars wore a formal dress and got out of the entanglement of media reporters. Even though he was still far away, George Lucas's voice came first.

"Damn it, I knew you didn't have a female companion, so we, the "best newcomer of the year" pair of Gelaimei, should have walked the red carpet together."

"You know, Nami is still running the promotion of "Charlie's Angels" outside." Wayne shrugged and took the initiative to take a step aside. The protagonist tonight is not him, but the three DreamWorks standing in front of the theater.

After George Lucas greeted several people, the two of them walked into the theater together. There were many guests on the platform tonight. Steven Spielberg couldn't take time to accompany them in person. The two of them found a random spot in the lounge, chatting and waiting for the premiere to begin.

"George, is the new Star Wars production almost finished?" Wayne asked casually, tilting his head and lit a cigarette.

“It will take some time.”

The father of Star Wars shook his head. "At the earliest, you will have to wait until the end of the year before you can complete all the work. By the way, the tickets for "The Flash" exceeded 300 million so early, and the global box office will be almost 700 million US dollars, right?"

"It should be soon, now it's $696 million."

"The Flash" was released in North America on May 19, and it was launched in the overseas theater market two weeks later. It has been released for more than two months.

The film's box office in North America reached a terrifying $331 million and its overseas box office was 365 million. This result is incomparable to "Batman: The Dark Knight", but looking at it alone, it is undoubtedly a super high box office in this era.

Judging from the release date, "The Flash" has basically been scheduled to be the top spot in the North American annual box office in 1998.

In the annual box office rankings of North America, the first place of "The Flash" is hard to shake. Although there is still half of the time left this year, no one will believe that there is a film that can surpass this result in the box office of North America.

In fact, many professionals have higher expectations for the global box office of "The Flash", but judging from the attributes of its film, even if some numbers can be added in the future, it is basically impossible to grow too much. Not to mention the 800 million US dollars, whether it can reach 750 million depends on the subsequent screening time.

"Hey, man, can you reveal that your next plan is not really Superman, right?"

After observing the surrounding environment, George Lucas turned his head and asked in a low voice. But as soon as he said that, he immediately shook his head slightly and murmured. "No, it may also be "Wonder Woman"..."

The father of Star Wars is not stupid at all to be the richest man in Hollywood. Combined with the release of "Charlie's Angels", Warner Bros.'s emphasis on this film has already guessed something from the music.

But in terms of market and popularity, Superman Clark Kent is the first choice, and there is no doubt about this. After several years of preparation and accumulation, if Superman is produced at this time, it will definitely be a big bomb that detonates the global theater market. No, it may be more described as a nuclear bomb.

"No need to guess, George."

Spit out a large cloud of green smoke, Wayne said mysteriously with a smile: "I can only remind you not to use Star Wars and learn from Universal Pictures and Sony Columbia, otherwise, we will definitely lose both sides and create a lose-lose situation."

Listening to this joke-like prompt, George Lucas looked at his eyes and nodded seriously.

That's right, "Star Wars" is the most popular movie series in North America, and he will not be afraid of any head-on competition. However, if he knows that the choice of release schedule will lead to a loss-making situation, the father of Star Wars will never be so stupid that he has money but doesn't make money.

Everyone knows that the release time of the DC series in Wayne will not exceed the late May every year, and it can be said that the summer season will be dead. If the new "Star Wars" is released in this period, then undoubtedly the happiest of other film companies will be the most happy.

"Okay, the time is almost over."

While the two were chatting, Nina, who had been following her, raised her wrist, pointed to her watch at her boss, and signaled for a moment. Wayne turned around and observed, and found that the guests had begun to enter the screening hall one after another. He called out the father of Star Wars, and the two stood up together and walked downstairs.

"Steven said it no less than twenty times. He hopes that you will direct this film, and you are the most suitable director for this kind of film."

Under the guidance of the staff, the two sat in the middle of the third row. George Lucas glanced at the creative team in the first row, turned his head and joked: "God may only know why an R-level director has tinkered with some superheroes."

Hearing his friend's complaints, Wayne shrugged and did not explain anything. He would not tell the other party that he had already been paying attention to the DC movie series as early as when he became famous and by chance.

Batman is okay, after all, Bruce Wayne's superpowers (wealthy) are destined to not exceed the limit of this era even if special effects are needed.

But starting from Wonder Woman to Superman, the DC series behind them relies heavily on CG production, which is one of the reasons why Wayne has been patiently laying the foundation. With the development of time, with more and more Hollywood special effects blockbusters, the technology of CG special effects has become much more mature. The result that is, the funds required to create special effects are decreasing year by year.

If the special effects that Industrial Light and Magic cost 30 million US dollars to be produced in the early 1990s, the price would be reduced by almost half by the end of the 1990s. Only in this way can we maximize the number of shots in the big scenes.

And don't forget that Wayne still holds more than 30% of the shares of Witta Special Effects. He believes that after the training of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this special effects company will grow rapidly. As long as the DC series of videos use its own special effects company in the past two years, the cost in this area can be further controlled.

"here we go!"

"call......"

At 8 p.m., the lights in the entire screening room went out one after another, and Warner Bros. logos and DreamWorks logos began to appear on the big screen. The North American premiere of "Save Private Ryan" officially began.

At the beginning of the film, it gave all the audience a strong shock. For twenty minutes, Steven Spielberg used the camera to almost restore the real scene of World War II.

War, a topic that a human being can hardly get around, is now in front of more than a thousand viewers, a cruel scene that is so real that it is immersive. If one word is used to describe this opening scene, it is Purgatory on Earth.

Some soldiers held their broken hands, some covered their belly that had already come out of their factory, and some soldiers took off their helmets. Fortunately, when the helmets just saved their lives, they were shot by bullets flying from somewhere...

Steven Spielberg seemed to be using all his ways to remind the audience that this is World War II and this is the real battlefield.

It is not just a shock to the audience's vision, but a shock to the soul with the scene where Captain Miller shakes the first perspective.

The gunshots of World War II, the roar of tanks, the background music, combined with those real shots from the first perspective, touched the hearts of all the audience in an instant.

In the quiet viewing atmosphere of the screening room, there were constant exclamations of "God" and "God". This was the first time that countless viewers saw what the real battlefield looked like.

Although I have watched this movie several times in my previous life, Wayne still focuses on the big screen. When people talk about Steven Spielberg, they always think of "Jurassic Park", "Schindler's List", "et" or "Jaws" and "Happy Terminal".

But in his heart, he always felt that "Save Private Ryan" could rank among the top few of all the old man's works, just because he liked it personally.

The film is called "Save Private Ryan". When Mr. Ryan appeared in the movie, more than half of the film had passed. The rescued protagonist appeared, and George Lucas, who had been watching the film all the time, leaned relaxed on the back of the chair.

"It doesn't matter who saves it, what Steven wants to express is the meaning of saving people."

"That's right."

Hearing his friend's sigh, Wayne took his eyes off the big screen and turned his head and whispered: "The least thing people need to worry about is Steven's sensitivity to the market. Look, George, the discussion that this film will cause will never be lower than my "Flash".

It doesn't matter who is saved at all. It can be Ryan, of course Jack, Rose, or anyone else. What's important is that the theme of the film is extremely in line with North American values ​​and will inevitably cause a lot of discussion.

Especially as the film comes to the end, members of the rescue team die one after another. Everyone knows that this arrangement is a rough fan love that has been popular in Hollywood for decades, but the reason why this fan love scene has been popular for decades is because the audience has been eating this set.

"To be honest, if I were Paramount's CEO, I would have wished you could die."

When the movie ended, when the movie fans frantically gave applause in sobs, George Lucas raised his arm and poked Wayne next to him, teasing: "Originally, whether it was Steven Spielberg or the DreamWorks made by them, they were all fat at the mouth of Paramount Pictures, but now it has become Warner Bros. because of yours..."

"Hey, George."

Before the other party could finish his speech, Wayne interrupted his teasing helplessly. "Warner Brothers is just a publisher of DreamWorks. As for whether DreamWorks will be sucked by blood, it has nothing to do with me."

The Father of Star Wars glanced at him, shrugged and murmured. "Ha, okay, at least Warner Brothers should exploit it more lightly..."

At the moment the film was screened, many people expected that this World War II epic would most likely succeed, which is why George Lucas joked about Wayne.

The premiere ended, and the audience lined up to leave. After sending their blessings, the guests who came to the platform attended the regular cocktail party after the premiere, led by staff. In such occasions, where celebrities, film company executives and producers gather, socializing will always be the first theme.

People were wearing dresses and greeting each other politely in the banquet hall. Whenever this scene appeared, Wayne felt a sudden silence.

In fact, he never likes socializing and never likes to deal with those hypocritical smiling faces, but he understands very well that the large-scale cooperation in this circle is completed at parties and cocktail parties. And he is no different from those who are constantly testing under the light.

From entering the banquet hall, George Lucas went to say hello to his old friends. Wayne sat alone in the corner near the balcony, preparing to say hello to Steven Spielberg after a while, and then went back early to rest.

Although he was sitting near the balcony, he had always been paying attention to him. As one of the main actors of "Save Private Ryan", Matt Damon did not attract much attention. Even though he was already famous with "The Spirit Catcher", after all, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were also among the main creators of the crew.

"To be honest, man, I don't like him."

Not far from Wayne in the banquet hall, Matt Damon held a glass of champagne and whispered to his friend: "Wayne Greenberg is an old man on the surface, but he is too domineering in private."

Hearing his friend's words, Ben Affleck shook his head helplessly. He knew that his friend still had a grudge against Harvey Weinstein's affairs. Both of them knew that half of the new film "Shapes' Love History" that Miramax is now producing was "invested" by the Hollywood master.

In fact, from a neutral perspective, is Harvey Weinstein not overbearing and is just a good person? But when people look at things, they are always inevitably from the perspective of their own people.

I'm afraid in the eyes of most people, Harvey Weinstein simply kicked his head and had to bow his head. Maybe most people would be happy to see that fat man suffer.

"Harvey himself said the matter was over, Matt."

Ben Affleck patted his friend's shoulder and whined in Wayne's direction. "Let's go, let's go and say hello."