Ronald hasn't chatted with Minahan for a long time. Now he seems to be freed from the heavy CEO work. Unlike the last time I saw him, he was so busy that he even mistook the name of the movie he watched and sent a message.
A lot of irrelevant comments.
So after the lengthy Golden Globe Awards was finally over, Ronald walked over, patted Minahan on the shoulder and said hello.
"Hey, Ronald. I didn't expect you to come and chat with me. I'm so happy to see you at the Golden Globe Awards. The first time we met, it was at the film festival..."
Minahan Golan's mental state seemed a little bad. His eyes looked a little tired, perhaps because he was too busy at work.
"Cannon's movie has received a cold reception, but I don't think the Golden Globe Award represents anything. The real recognition from Hollywood is the Oscar Award."
Ronald was feeling a little depressed when he saw his old friend, and he actually mentioned the past when he almost committed suicide at the Montreal Film Festival. He quickly expressed some relief.
The two greeted their assistant and went to the reception held by the Hilton Hotel after the Golden Globe Awards, where they found a place to chat.
"I have a movie coming out soon, Stallone's 'Over the Top'. Last year's 'Dragon Show' sold more than 100 million worldwide. It seems that the star strategy is still successful.
In old Hollywood, stars had to make two or three movies a year, but now? After they make one movie, they take half a year off. This is a waste of resources.
I talked with Stallone, and as long as a star with his appeal can increase the number of films he makes, he can continue to produce blockbuster movies."
Ronald frowned after hearing this. After Minahan received the 400 million in financing, he no longer insisted on low-cost production as he did in the past.
The movie Stallone shot for him last year finally broke the box-office record held by Cannon Pictures' own "Break Dance". Having tasted the sweetness, he ignored the prevailing practices in the film market and began to shoot Stallone non-stop.
And Stallone can enjoy a high salary in Cannon, and one movie can be worth the past three. In addition, Schwarzenegger has challenged his status as the number one action actor, and he needs to continue to launch new works to prove it.
Own.
For a time, the interests of both parties found a harmonious place, and Cannon and Stallone actually became the best partners.
"Will your movie be released next month as well?" Ronald mentioned the schedule after listening to Minahan's words.
"Yes, why, you also have a movie to be in?"
"A small-budget romantic comedy...I'm also the credited producer."
"It doesn't matter, there is no conflict between our two movies..."
"Don't take it lightly, my 'spiritedness' has good box office potential."
"Hahaha, it turns out it's the movie 'Brilliant'. I've heard some rumors about the film critics' opinions on your movie? Do you want me to help you make an appointment with the two of you to have a chat and find a way to publicize it?"
"Huh?" Ronald looked at Minahan and thought, could it be that you are using money to bribe film critics to say good things about Stallone's new movie, so that they want to find a movie to disparage as a comparison?"
"Why didn't Yoram come today?" Ronald looked at the scene and saw that Minahan's inseparable cousin was missing, and deliberately changed the topic.
After I go back, I need to look for reviews from film critics who praise Stallone's new film to make sure.
"Yoram...well...he...he is mainly responsible for the company's finance and operations now. But the production and distribution business belong to me, and he is not very involved in the company's artistic creation now."
While Minahan was talking, when he mentioned his cousin Yoram, he no longer had the close feeling that he had before when he and his cousin could imitate each other's signatures and issue checks in each other's names.
"Is there any problem between you and him? You didn't seem to divide your work scope before. I always felt that you were one."
Ronald looked at Minahan's face that couldn't hide his worries and felt that there was a story behind it, so he deliberately pretended not to know and stimulated him.
"He is now the president of the Cannon Group, and he is responsible for the merger and acquisition of the theater chain there. The business has grown so big that we are overwhelmed, so it is normal for us to have a division of labor. Ga ga ga, I am now focused on the chairmanship of Cannon."
Minahan smiled reluctantly.
Ronald was even more suspicious. The position of chairman did not have the blessing of the title of president. I wonder how much real power Minahan still had?
His cousin Yoram actually had a conflict with him, and he didn't know what happened.
"That is the largest cinema chain in China that EMI Group originally controlled. After we merged with EMI, we targeted this cinema chain. As long as we eat it, plus the cinema chain we acquired in Britain last year, we will be in Europe.
It is the largest publishing group.”
Minahan Golan was quite happy to see Ronald, and unknowingly talked about some of the company's business conditions.
Ronald is not aware of these situations, but it has already caused some waves in Hollywood.
The EMI Company of China and Minahan Cannon conducted a merger and acquisition in the second half of last year. After the merger, EMI held a considerable share. Although the original Cannon people still dominated the management, the leadership
Layers have also been adjusted.
EMI insisted that Yoram, who has better business acumen, be the powerful president, while Minahan was deprived of the power of overseas distribution and other business development, leaving only the production rights of film and television dramas.
This is why Minahan has time today to represent the Cannons at the Golden Globe Awards.
"We, Cannon, are currently filming two major productions scheduled to be released this year. They are targeting this year's summer season. If you have a movie released, please be careful to avoid it. Don't blame me for not warning you, Ronald."
Minahan has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in the past two years and is used to bossing around. He still has a slight psychological advantage over his biggest benefactor, Ronald.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "I have a musical to be released. What is the theme of your movie?"
Ronald didn't take it seriously and inquired about Minahan's thoughts.
"Two superhero movies adapted from comic books. Musicals are not a hindrance. You have a way of making musicals. You can't compete head-on with us. As long as the quality is excellent, you can definitely make money."
"Manga adaptation?"
Ronald was a little uncomfortable hearing Minahan's condescending tone of voice. But it didn't matter. Ronald didn't think Minahan had a higher vision than his own producer. He just got lucky and took advantage of the trend.
He is also involved in the issuance business now, so he will not be worse than him in Wall Street financing in the future.
"Yes, I have two movies that I am going to send to the Cannes Film Festival." Minahan talked about making movies. He was obviously more interested in making movies than talking about commercial matters. He stretched out two fat fingers.
Said to Ronald.
"One is the fourth Superman movie. I spent a lot of money to hire Christopher Reeve, the original Superman actor, and also asked him to participate in the screenwriter of the movie. I also brought in Gene Harker, an old supporting actor from the first movie.
Mann has been brought back to play the villain Luther.
There is also the heroine Margaret Kidder. I also spent a lot of money to invite her to return and continue to play Superman's girlfriend Lois, which she swore not to play.
In short, this is a Superman movie that returns to the classic formula of the first film. Instead of returning to the boring black comedy mode of the third film, it returns to what a hero movie should be.
The other one is also a superhero movie, 'Spaceman', which is adapted from a toy owned by Mattel. I found Dolph Lundgren, the actor who played the league boxer who fought Stallone in Rocky IV.
The protagonist is Space Superman.
There is also a very beautiful actress Courtney Cox playing the heroine, and they will become the new Superman and Lois."
Ronald felt that when his old friend Minahan was still a producer, he was full of energy and had a dream. Maybe focusing on production would be a good thing for him.
"Such a special effects blockbuster is not cheap, right?" Ronald asked.
"That is, the filming process, plus the stars' salaries, the fourth Superman movie cost 10 million. We also prepared a budget of 25 million for special effects production.
As for Space Superman, we have also prepared a similar budget for special effects."
Minahan went on to brag about how expensive his special effects would be, how expensive they would be, and how the effects would be just like the first Superman movie, wowing the audience.
Ronald feels that from a commercial perspective, this method is actually good. Especially the Space Superman in cooperation with Mattel. The actors are not expensive, but if the box office is popular, they can make a fortune just from the sales of the toys.
money.
Moreover, Ronald has always felt that Minahan Golan's ideas and aesthetics in making movies are similar to cartoons. If he can really make special effects films with this kind of cartoon image, maybe he can really let Cannon replicate the "break dance" effect.
success.
"You're right, I'm in a bad mood today."
Minahan and Ronald talked wildly about filmmaking, scratching their own itch and finally getting over the emotion they just felt.
"The Golden Globe Awards are discriminatory against us foreign producers. Zeffirelli's 'Othello' is his greatest work by his own admission.
Julie Andrews also said that "Duet" is her best work after "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins", but the Golden Globe Awards did not even recognize their efforts.
I am very disappointed. Only the audience is selfless. They will not discriminate against my movie because I am an Israeli. Whether it is good or not is their only criterion for buying tickets."
Minahan began to criticize the Golden Globe Awards organizing committee.
Ronald asked about the situation. In fact, the Golden Globe organizing committee cannot be blamed for this matter. If you want to call it discrimination, there is indeed a bit of discrimination against the films Cannon was nominated for, but this kind of discrimination is not against Minahan's nationality.
.
This kind of discrimination, if you think of it as discrimination, is directed at the stars of Minahan's movies.
Except for Stallone, all his other movies used outdated star actors and star directors. The Golden Globe Awards rely on stars to attract ratings. Not awarding awards to cannon movies is discriminating against their leading actors because they are too weak in stardom.
.
Thinking of this, Ronald couldn't help but smile.
"What, you don't believe it? Stallone's new film 'Over the Top' is definitely his best work since First Blood. It has profound themes, the relationship between father and son, and the difficulty of a single blue-collar worker establishing a foothold in America.
And the high-spirited spirit of the arm-wrestling competition.
I absolutely believe that this is the best character Stallone has played since Rocky in 1976."
Not only was this film Cannon's most important work in the first half of 1987, but it was also directed by Minahan Golan himself, so his box office expectations were also very high.
"But Americans like to watch boxing. Who wants to watch a fucking arm-wrestling?" Ronald complained in his heart. He shook his head, and the smile on his lips betrayed his inner thoughts that he didn't like this movie at all.
As a director, Ronald couldn't even imagine how to make this arm-wrestling scene look good. Boxing can also include beatings, defense, counterattacks, and a series of other routines that can be shot. Something like arm-wrestling, bang, two seconds
The outcome was determined without even a single twist or turn.
"What, you think your romantic movie can beat my directorial work?" Minahan is the chairman of a multinational company, but he is most qualified as a film director.
Seeing Ronald's smile made me feel more competitive.
"I'll make a bet with you. How about seeing the box office results of our two movies?"
Ronald didn't expect Minahan to be so persistent. He didn't seem to have much interest in running the company anymore. Instead, he turned all his interests to his favorite career, movies.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Haha, I have my judgment, what do you want to bet on?" Ronald just laughed, his judgment on the American audience's taste is definitely better than
Minahan is a bit more powerful.
"If you lose and my movie has a higher first-weekend box office of our two movies, then you have to give an interview and say good things about my movie." Minahan stated his conditions.
"this……"
Ronald didn't expect Minahan to make this condition. He and Stallone had all kinds of unpleasant pasts, so it would be really uncomfortable for him to say good things about his movie.
"Why, you don't dare?"
"What am I afraid of?" Ronald blurted out, "But I won't say good things about Stallone. Even if I lose, which I think is unlikely, I will only tell the media that your directorship is extraordinary."
"Okay, what do you want if you win?" Minahan knows that Ronald and Stallone won't fight each other. It would be great to have him touting his directorial ability. Maybe he can also accumulate some recognition in the industry, and maybe he can get a job.
Oscar nomination for Best Director?
"Me?" Ronald didn't think about what he wanted. He just wanted the other party to do the same and brag about his movie to the media.
"By the way, Cannon spent a lot of money at the Cannes Film Festival and had a lot of opportunities, right?"
Ronald suddenly remembered what he had just talked with Minahan about. In order to attract domestic attention to European film festivals, only the three major film festivals, especially the Cannes awards, are influential.
"Yes, what, you have a movie that you want to go to Cannes for?"
"Yes, are you willing to give up a chance to appear in a movie?"
"What's the matter? I agreed." Minahan came over and shook hands with Ronald, and the two expressed that the bet was established.
"If you want to participate in the main competition section of Cannes, it's already too late. This year's film selection is almost over. Or you can participate in the secondary competition section, but you are a big director, so it is not appropriate to participate in the small section.
How about I discuss it with the organizer and let your movie "Spiritual" premiere in Cannes? This will definitely be published in the newspapers, and sending it back to America will definitely be good for your marketing."
"Premiere? Then bet on the premiere." Ronald calculated. The Palme d'Or in Cannes will be covered by domestic reports, but other competition units are really unlikely to arouse interest.
It would be nice to have a premiere in Cannes. At least it would be a very good news point, and perhaps the national and domestic TV media would also be able to report it.
"However, it's not 'Brilliant', but the musical 'Dirty Dancing' that I directed. It was produced by my own company, and I need some exposure opportunities."
"That's no problem." Minahan was still very generous to Ronald, an old friend. "Since it's your own movie, even if you lose the bet, I can still give you this opportunity, but you have to pay for it yourself."
quota for the screening."
"Deal!" Ronald shook hands with Minahan again and confirmed the additional conditions.
…
After returning to the hotel, Ronald called his agent Richard, "Can you help me find reports on the merger between Cannon and EMI? I want to know what's going on.
In addition, there are also Stallone’s new films and film reviews from film critics. If possible, please find them for me and let me take a look.”
Ronald turned a deaf ear to what was going on during the filming, and it was common for him to work more than ten hours a day, seven days a week. After finishing the movie and returning to normal life, he often knew nothing about the news that happened during the filming.
The next day, Ronald waited for Richard on time.
Richard brought Ronald an analysis article from the Wall Street Journal. Wall Street analysts all believed that this was a key step for Cannon Pictures to go international. They were optimistic about Cannon's future.
Only one analyst pointed out that Cannon shot more than 40 movies last year and started mergers and acquisitions of theaters, TV stations, and the construction of office buildings. If the box office this year is not good, there will be big cash flow problems.
EMI's merger has actually solved to some extent the hidden dangers caused by the rapid development of Cannon Pictures. However, the details of the terms of the merger are not yet clear, and it remains to be seen what the Chinese government's Ministry of Culture thinks of the merger.
"Their overseas distribution channels have been strengthened." Ronald saw that Cannon listed in the analysis article has owned cinema shares in six or seven countries on the European continent through mergers and acquisitions, and has advertised in Cannes for many years. Every Cannes Film Festival
, has become the home ground of the Cannon.
"Yes, if your movie needs to be distributed overseas, you might as well cooperate with them. With so many theaters, the demand for good movies is actually very hungry." Richard reminded.
"Yeah, I know." Ronald thinks this idea makes sense. Overseas issuance is more troublesome, and the payment cycle is longer. Many countries do not cooperate for a long time. I really don't know the integrity of my opponents. There is a high probability of encountering a scammer.
event.
"Huh? No way?"
Ronald turned to the film review section at the back, "Is this a published newspaper?"
The film review edition of the Chicago Sun-Times published two days ago was not a review of Stallone's new film, but a shameless review by Roger Ebert of Minahan Golan, the chairman and chief director of Cannon Pictures.
of praise.
"No studio in the world today—and I'm not talking about any of the Big Seven in Hollywood—is more willing to take risks on serious, marginalized films than Cannon.
He is the only Hollywood producer and director who sticks to the old-school style in this era of box-office dominance and materialistic desires.
Making movies is a noble cause, not just for the box office. He also represented America's conscience in the past, especially the American Puritan values that those small-town youths once represented.
Loyalty, hard work, kindness, and consideration for others often pay off at the end of the movie.
Unexpectedly, today, a foreigner is still adhering to the traditions of Hollywood."
"Hehehehe..." Richard laughed out loud, "This year, the Chicago Film Critics Association can go to Cannes, China, for its annual work conference, and also take a vacation in Paris. All expenses will be reimbursed by Cannon's affiliated companies."
"This guy really works hard to buy and flatter me."
Ronald sighed, he didn't expect Roger Ebert's conscience to be sold so cheaply. In fact, his Dirty Dancing could also try the effect of sponsoring a vacation for these greedy film critics.