Although the audience has a bad reputation and the market response is not good, the appeal of the Hulk itself cannot be underestimated. The Hulk is one of the superheroes whose popularity in Marvel comics is second only to Spider-Man. In addition, "Spider-Man" has already exploded the Marvel superhero movie market, and the box office data of "Hulk" in the first week does not look bad.

The opening weekend was $52.1 million, not that the box office result was a big hit, but it is definitely reasonable compared to the production budget of "The Hulk".

But by the second weekend, the film's box office plummeted 75% over the weekend, earning only $13.02 million.

There are a lot of bad voices in the market, and the extremely poor audience reputation has spread all over the world.

"Hulk" also draws a typical box office trend of failed popular IP productions.

With its popularity and huge publicity investment, the film can attract many viewers to the theater in the first week, but the box office of the painting weekend will account for half or even more of the total box office.

The reputation is poor, the crew is in turmoil, the producer accused the director, etc. As the box office of "The Hulk" is not as good as it is, too many messy things happen to this film.

But among the voices of bad news, the group of professional film critics is applauding the film.

The famous Roger Albert even praised Ang Lee's "Hulk" in the column.

"And Lee's Hulk is the most thoughtful film adapted from a comic book in the early 21st century. It's not so much a story about the Green Behemoth, but about two extremely self-centered big kids who were hurt."

"The issues involved in the film include genetic experiments, misuse of scientific research and our instinctive love for inappropriate things, not only involve but also discuss these issues. Ang Lee is concerned about the various issues involved in the Hulk's story, not just some brainless special effects."

"The film is very elegant visually. After the failures of countless directors, Ang Lee still successfully used the technique of splitting the screen. Usually splitting the screen will only increase the audience's troubles, but in this film, he uses moving frame lines and picture-in-picture to simulate the common narrative techniques used in comic books. In some shots, the foreground and background remind each other, which is amazing."

Roger Albert not only gave a four-and-a-half-star rating of five stars, but also gave the film an iconic thumbs up.

There are many similar critics, whose views are completely opposite to those of ordinary audiences.

I can only say that the tastes of film critics are very different from the market tastes.

If you shoot commercial movies according to the ideas of film critics, it is estimated that the six major Hollywood companies will not be able to lose money together.

Unfortunately, some directors can't understand this matter. The critics can't find it if they have a good review. They think that the reputation of the critics is the reputation of the market. Then when they were filming large-scale commercial films, they were brought into the ditch by the critics.

"The Hulk is Ang Lee's worst movie."

Perhaps the media comments in Entertainment Weekly are quite pertinent.

By the end of the Independence Day holiday, the North American box office of "Hulk" exceeded the $100 million mark, and then the box office could not rise. It seemed that all the market potential was exhausted, and the single-day box office could only be superimposed at a slow pace of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

From Universal Pictures to Marvel Comics to Ang Lee himself, there is no one who is satisfied with this movie. "The Hulk" can even be said to be a three-lose situation.

Since the release of "Spider-Man", the extremely high-profile Marvel comics suddenly fell silent.

Avi Arad also didn't urge Ronan and Shahai Entertainment to shoot and produce those superhero movies as soon as possible.

"I met Avi Arad again in New York this time."

In the office of Relativity Entertainment, Robert Lee, who had just returned to Los Angeles, said to Ronan: "He repeatedly reminded me that the Marvel superhero adaptation of Shahai Entertainment must be cautious. Without sufficient market research and complete plans, don't rush to shoot and produce."

Ronan understands this mentality: "Marvel's mentality is very fragile, and it is difficult for them to withstand a relatively big blow."

Robert Lee sighed and said, "It's just an apology for Ang Lee." He had a good impression of Ang Lee, modest, low-key and gentle, not like those American directors, and he could not help but know that the whole world knew: "It's rare for a Chinese director like Ang Lee."

"There's no way." Ronan spread his hands: "I persuaded Ang Lee. But his financial situation was very bad at the time and he also needed a high pay for a big-produced movie to recover his investment in the Oscars."

Robert Lee said again: "Did you think his style wasn't suitable for superhero movies?"

What can Ronan say? Following his words, "Superhero movies are not author movies." He took the initiative to change the topic and asked, "How is the negotiations with Lauren Weisberg?"

Robert Lee replied: "The contract has been officially signed, and Shahai Entertainment bought Lauren Wesberg's adaptation rights for $150,000, and invited her to serve as the crew's consultant and signed screenwriter. The $150,000 is the total compensation."

"Yes." Ronan nodded slightly: "You can hand over this project with George, let Lauren Weisberg write semi-autobiographical first. If she has any questions about writing, let Lindsey Bill be instructed, and after she completes it, then adapt the script based on it."

Robert Lee said: "Okay, I'll hand over to George in the afternoon."

Ronan reminded again: "Look at Universal Pictures, choose the right time, and talk to them about the Hulk's film copyright." He considered it: "My bottom line is to give up the Hulk's independent film copyright and get the Hulk's joint filming rights, so that the Hulk can participate in our future Avengers plan."

"I get it." Robert Lee said: "I will stare at Universal Pictures to see if there is any possibility of getting all the adaptation rights."

Ronan smiled: "The best you can get."

The failure of "Hulk" will also cause turmoil within Universal Pictures. The failure of Hollywood's first-line productions does not end if it fails. With such a large investment, even if the production budget is raised from external funds, it must be given an explanation to investors, and there will definitely be senior executives of Universal Pictures responsible for this.

Behind every failed top-level production in Hollywood, a senior executive from the producer stepped down.

This also involves power struggles within large groups. Perhaps starting from this aspect, you can find corresponding opportunities.

Robert Lee didn't stay for too long and said goodbye and left quickly.

In the afternoon, Ang Lee came to visit.

"I have erected a negative textbook for the shooting and production of superhero movies." Ang Lee looked a little haggard: "Think about it now, Ronan, I really deserve to listen to you, and I won't accept this "Hulk"."

But Ronan said: "I just wanted to keep you and continue to cooperate with Relativity Entertainment."

Ang Lee sighed: "This movie makes me not human inside and outside."

Ronan did not comfort him and said calmly: "Actually, these are nothing. As long as you shoot and produce another successful movie, the criticism caused by "The Hulk" will disappear without a trace."

Ang Lee nodded: "This is Hollywood."

Ronan smiled: "I have a deep feeling about this, because I have also lost a crushing defeat. The winner takes everything, and the loser is nothing."

Although Ang Lee was worried, he was far from collapse. He was not the kind of self-pitying waste. Although his personality seemed relatively peaceful, he actually became more and more courageous.

Ronan knew this very well. Ang Lee fell more than once, but he quickly got up and continued to move forward.

"Li, what are your plans next?" Luo Nan asked.

"Let's take a break for a while." Ang Lee said slowly: "I need my family's company, and my family also needs me."

Ronan nodded: "It's okay to take a break for a while, so you can stay away from these right and wrong. Hollywood is a place of reality and a place of forgetting."

Ang Lee knew his situation very well and said, "I hope I can return to Hollywood."

Ronan naturally understood the temptation in this sentence. Ang Lee worked hard for many years and knew that Hollywood was not friendly to Chinese directors. It was not impossible for him to be forced to fade out of Hollywood this time.

"I have always believed in your ability." Ronan gave him a reassurance: "Li, we are friends and partners, Relativity Entertainment welcomes you back at any time."

Ang Lee showed gratitude: "Thank you, Ronan."

He is an oriental person. He understands the weight of this saying, it is easy to add icing on the cake, but it is difficult to provide timely help.

Saying Ang Lee away, Ronan no longer pays attention to "The Hulk". The Independence Day holiday is about to end, and "Pirates of the Caribbean" is about to sail.

The film also reached its final sprint before the screening.

Under Ronan's instruction, Embassy Films issued the highest shout before the release through all media with wide audiences such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet.

"The pirate's summon!"

Although Hollywood's Pirate Movies have declined, there have been countless viewers who like Pirate Movies. The last shout before the release is the main feeling!

No one knows better than Ronan that selling feelings is one of the best promotional methods for future movies!

"Which boy has never had a dream when he was a child? In this dream, he was the omnipotent pirate captain, wearing a scimitar around his waist, commanding a sailboat with a skeleton flag, and looking for adventures and thorns on the sea without restraint! At that time, he might have blinded one eye because of years of war, so he didn't have to close his other eye when using a monocular!"

"We are pirates who do everything evil! We are pirates who drink happily! We are pirates who enjoy life! We are pirates who yearn for freedom!"

Embassy Films is using the overwhelming bombardment of media to awaken the fans' memories of pirate movies and their feelings.

Tell them - the horizon is always there, you want to get there, but you can never reach it, it is out of reach and it is hard to give up!
Chapter completed!