My teacher is Bruce Lee, who dominated Hollywood.

Chapter 175 The Insurmountable Mountain

"What?"

Calder Walker's hand, holding the coffee cup, hovered in mid-air, his gaze passing over the rim of the cup and fixed directly on Qin Han, who was sitting opposite him.

The air conditioner in the conference room hummed, but it couldn't dispel the incredulous look in his eyes.

"Mr. Qin, did I hear that right?" He placed the coffee cup back on the saucer with a crisp clinking sound. "As a producer, you want to invest in this film?"

The two Disney animation executives stopped flipping through the outline and turned to look at the young man who had made such a surprising statement.

In Hollywood, Qin Han's package deal has already broken with convention, and now he's gone even further, directly saying he's going to throw money into A-list productions. This is truly unprecedented.

Qin Han leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced, his expression calm: "Mr. Walker, please don't forget the premise of my statement. If Disney's production budget exceeds the limit and your company is unwilling to invest additional funds, then Han's will take the excess."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Qin Han nodded. "Of course, if the Han family really does pay this amount, we will demand a higher percentage when distributing the box office revenue."

He turned his head and glanced at Alan Menken and Howard Ashman standing by the piano.

The two young people were still immersed in the afterglow of their impromptu performance, their faces still flushed.

"Furthermore, Mr. Walker, you should know," Qin Han withdrew his gaze, "that the two geniuses I brought are music producers signed with Han's Film Company. Their commissions and box office revenue will all be paid from Han's revenue."

"If Hans receives too little of the box office revenue, it won't even be enough to pay them bonuses."

Walker put down his coffee cup and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

As the head of Disney, he knew all too well the financial rules of Hollywood—the profits of a movie could be diluted to almost nothing by the magic of accountants.

But what Qin Han wanted was the "total box office" revenue share, a hard number that no one could fake.

Moreover, this request is indeed reasonable.

If Disney is unwilling to increase its budget, it is only natural for Hans to pay for the shortfall and demand a higher return.

"There's nothing wrong with that logic," Walker said slowly, his tone tinged with caution. "However, Qin, you should know that Disney's budget approval process is extremely rigorous."

"If we set the target at six million when the project was initiated, and we want to increase it, it needs to be approved by the board of directors. It's not something I can decide on my own."

Qin Han smiled without saying a word, waiting for him to continue.

At this moment, Walker was engaged in a tug-of-war within himself.

The script outline and music demo that Qin Han brought did give him hope—it was a kind of "freshness" that Disney hadn't had in a long time.

His instincts were screaming an alarm: this movie is going to be a huge hit!

It's not the kind of blockbuster that "recovers costs and makes a slight profit," but rather a "blockbuster" that can make the old guys on the board jump out of their chairs.

If the Han family really gets involved and takes a huge slice of the box office pie...

Walker's brow furrowed into a deep frown.

Qin Han looked at his conflicted expression and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Mr. Walker, I understand your concerns. Let's make the rules clearer."

He pulled a pen from his suit pocket, casually flipped to a blank page of the script outline in front of him, and said as he wrote, "Hans hopes to get eight percent of the total North American box office revenue of 'The Little Mermaid' as a base profit share."

"If Hans actually invests, for every $100,000 invested, 0.1% will be added to the 8% base."

He pushed the written numbers in front of Walker.

The two animation directors exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Eight percent of the total box office revenue is no longer the treatment of a "partner". Not to mention the clause of "0.1% increase for every 100,000". If Han's really invests one million, the revenue share will soar to nine percent!

Walker's expression changed repeatedly as he stared at the numbers on the paper, his temples throbbing: This was simply an unfair contract.

Eight percent of the total box office means that if the movie grosses 50 million, Hans can take home 4 million US dollars without doing anything.

If Hans invests further, this number will be even higher.

And Disney? They bear all the production risks, distribution costs, and marketing expenses—

"Mr. Qin, your offer—" Walker took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady, "is too harsh."

Qin Han didn't reply, but just looked at him quietly.

He knew that Walker would definitely not agree to the "increase in profit sharing for additional investment" clause; but he also knew that Walker would not refuse the figure of eight percent.

Because this Disney CEO can't afford to gamble.

If he rejects Hans's offer, he will lose not only a potentially blockbuster animated film, but also an opportunity to stabilize his animation department.

Walker's throat bobbed, he closed his eyes, remained silent for a while, and finally revealed a resolute determination on his face.

"Eight percent," he said, emphasizing each word. "Han's takes eight percent of the total North American box office."

"As for the additional investment—" Walker gritted his teeth, "Disney will allocate the full budget according to the actual production needs. Hans won't need to pay a single penny."

"If six million isn't enough, then seven million. If seven million isn't enough, then eight million. We'll handle the financial problems ourselves."

A hint of a smile flashed in Qin Han's eyes; this outcome was exactly what he had expected.

Walker was a smart man; he knew that rather than letting Hans erode his share of the profits through capital injections, it was better to fill the budget himself.

Anyway, the money belongs to the company, but the honor is mine.

"Deal." Qin Han extended his hand. "Eight percent of the total North American box office revenue, Han's will not participate in production investment."

Their hands clasped together.

"However, Mr. Qin," Walker released his grip and sat back in his chair, "since Hans isn't investing, what about the salaries of the two music producers—"

"It's borne by Disney," Qin Han continued. "Their contracting entity is Han's, but in this project, their labor costs are included in the production cost."

"Han only takes a share of the profits, not their personal commission."

This concession made Walker's expression much better.

He nodded, signaling the animation supervisor beside him to write this down.

"Alright, that's the general direction of the contract." Walker stood up, straightened the hem of his suit jacket, and said, "The legal department will draft the specific terms and send them to Sunset Tower."

He turned to look at the two young men still standing by the piano, forcing a smile on his face.

"Roger, take these two—the musical prodigies—to the animation building. Let them see our work environment and get to know the animators."

The animation supervisor named Roger immediately stood up, walked up to Allen and Howard, and gestured for them to proceed.

Allen glanced at Qin Han, received an affirmative nod, and then followed Roger out of the conference room.

Howard walked last, glancing back at the Steinway piano as he left, his eyes filled with reluctance.

The meeting room door closed, leaving only Qin Han and Walker in the spacious office.

Walker did not return to his seat, but instead walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, turned his back to Qin Han, and looked at the view of the Disney studio outside the window.

"Mr. Qin," Walker suddenly spoke, his voice a few decibels lower than before, "it's being said in the industry that your box office predictions are extremely accurate."

He turned around and stared intently at Qin Han.

"From 'The Big Boss' to 'Fist of Fury,' your judgments have always been so accurate, it's as if you've seen the box office figures beforehand."

"So, how much do you think 'The Little Mermaid' will gross at the box office?"

Qin Han leaned back in his chair; he had already thought about this problem on his way here.

In its previous life, "The Little Mermaid" was released in 1989 and grossed over 200 million US dollars worldwide.

But that achievement came only after Disney had gone through a period of decline in the 1980s and the market had been desperately thirsting for high-quality animation.

It is now 1973, and the main consumer group for animated films is still parents with children.

Most adults go to the movies just to make their children happy, while they themselves doze off in their seats.

Traditional Disney animations, such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, are considered too childish by adult audiences.

But The Little Mermaid is different.

Its music is pop, not somber symphonic.

Its female protagonist is a rebellious girl, not a princess passively waiting to be rescued.

Its villain is an octopus witch full of dark humor, not a stereotypical evil old hag.

These elements are enough to attract young viewers aged 15 to 25—they have money, time, and are willing to buy tickets repeatedly for movies they like.

And their word-of-mouth recommendations can encourage more of their peers to go to the cinema.

This market is absolutely incomparable to traditional "family animation".

"Mr. Walker," Qin Han straightened up and held up five fingers, "I believe the film will gross at least fifty to sixty million US dollars at the North American box office."

In his mind, the film's actual box office revenue was likely to exceed $80 million. He was only giving a relatively conservative figure to avoid sounding too shocking.

However, the number still took Walker by surprise, his eyes widening instantly: sixty million US dollars?

Walt Disney personally produced "Mary Poppins," which grossed $70 million at the box office in 1964 and swept five Academy Awards.

That is widely regarded as the pinnacle of animated films that is "unsurpassable".

And now, this young man is telling him that an animation he is in charge of can reach the 60 million mark.

"Are you serious?" Walker's voice was a little unsteady.

"As I said, it's just speculation." Qin Han stood up, walked to Walker's side, and stood with him in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. "The reaction of the film market is a mystery; no one can make absolutely accurate predictions."

"But, Mr. Walker, if this film really does make sixty million—"

He turned his head to look at the profile of the Disney CEO. "You are no longer Walt's successor."

Walker's breath caught in his throat for a moment.

Qin Han didn't continue speaking; he knew that this was enough.

Since Walt Disney's death, Card Walker has lived in his enormous shadow.

Every decision he makes is compared to that of the founder.

Every policy he implemented was met with the question, "What would Walter have done?"

He desperately needs a work of his own that can prove his worth.

The Little Mermaid is that key.

Walker remained silent for a long time, the sunlight streaming through the window falling on his face, making the usually debonair CEO appear somewhat tired.

"Mr. Qin," he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "if The Little Mermaid really can reach that number you mentioned—"

"Disney will always regard Hans as its best partner."

"Not just one of the best, it's the best."

Qin Han met his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Mr. Walker, more than the empty title of 'best,' I'd much rather have a larger share of the box office revenue."

Walker paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Qin, you're just too realistic," he shook his head and patted Qin Han on the shoulder.

"But it is precisely this reality that makes me feel very secure working with you."

He reached out and grasped Qin Han's hand once more, this time with much less force and more sincerity.

"Eight percent, it's eight percent." Walker released his grip and patted Qin Han on the shoulder. "If we can really get sixty million, you deserve to earn that money."

Qin Han glanced at his watch; the hour hand was pointing to eleven o'clock.

"Mr. Walker, I must take my leave." He picked up his coat from the back of the chair. "Preparations for Rocky are nearing completion, and Warner Bros. is urging me to finalize the casting."

"Rocky?" Walker raised an eyebrow. "You mean that boxer movie?"

"That's right." Qin Han put on his coat and straightened his collar. "Ted Ashley has high expectations for it."

Walker nodded without asking any further questions. Han's Film Company had too many projects on its hands right now, and the young leader was extremely busy.

"Go ahead," Walker gestured, "I'll have my secretary take you."

"No need, the car is downstairs." Qin Han picked up his briefcase from the table and glanced back at Walker as he walked to the conference room door.

"By the way, Mr. Walker, those two music producers—"

"Don't worry," Walker waved his hand, "I'll have someone take good care of them. Alan's piano and Howard's lyrics won't be mistreated at Disney."

Qin Han nodded, pushed open the door, and walked out of the conference room.

As the elevator slowly descended, he closed his eyes and mentally reviewed the negotiation that had just taken place.

The company will receive 8% of the total North American box office revenue, with no clause for additional investment. Hans will not participate in the production, but will only receive a share.

This result is basically in line with his expectations; however, it will take at least two years for the film's revenue to materialize.

In this era, animated films rely entirely on hand-drawn animation, resulting in incredibly long production cycles.

"I really hope the people at Teapot can speed up their research and development—" Qin Han got into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove towards the Warner Water Tower.

Casting for Rocky will officially begin this afternoon.