In the history of film development, there have only been nine films with a box office value of more than US$800 million, including New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings" released last year.
Although New Line Cinema lost to Fantasy Entertainment and Yi Feiyang's low-cost movie "300" in the North American box office war, the defeat of "Lord of the Rings" was honorable because "Spartan"
"The reason why "The Movie" was able to suddenly emerge and finally win was because Yi Feiyang shamelessly incited the patriotic sentiments of the American people. When this enthusiasm passed, many people woke up and discovered how ridiculous it was for them to support a movie so much before.
Looking back, look at New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings". It is indeed a blockbuster with a magical atmosphere. It has created a box office miracle overseas and pushed New Line Cinema's 35-year career to the forefront.
This mid-sized film production company took a fancy to Tolkien's classic work and turned it into a movie. However, major Hollywood production companies were worried that the film would be too risky and miss the opportunity.
At this moment, before the film has made any money at the box office, the film industry has already begun to estimate New Line's next move. Before "The Lord of the Rings", the company produced mostly mid-budget films, and "The Lord of the Rings"
After that, will the company's management return to this old path? Or will it attack high-cost movies like "The Lord of the Rings"? Industry competitors believe that "The Lord of the Rings" is a phenomenon that only occurs once in decades.
Although the company is currently attracting the most attention for "The Lord of the Rings", the company as a whole is also experiencing a broader recovery. The first "Lord of the Rings" was released at the end of 2001. At the same time as the film was released, the company had just
After a series of flops such as "Son of Satan" and the Warren Beatty-starring "Town and Beyond," the company originally produced offbeat films like "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and surprise comedies like "Austin Powers."
He was good at it, but then he lost his way.
Filmmaking is a high-risk business. All costs are invested before a penny is earned. If the film fails to capture the public's attention in the first week of release, the film will quickly fade into obscurity.
If the risks in this industry are universal, then "The Lord of the Rings" is even more dangerous.
"Lord of the Rings" plans to shoot a trilogy, with a total budget of more than 300 million US dollars, and the three films will be produced at the same time. Part of the reason for simultaneous production may be to avoid having to reassemble the crew and re-set the scene, thereby avoiding additional costs. To avoid inconvenience
necessary complexity.
Adopting this strategy means that the first film is the top priority. If it fails, the other two will be worthless. Director Peter Jackson has never directed a high-budget blockbuster. Originally, Miramax also wanted to
The film was made, but due to budget constraints set by shareholder Disney, Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein withdrew midway. Since then, no Hollywood studio has been interested in the film.
New Line financed the film by bringing in partners. International distributors shared some of the costs, and the company also sold licensing rights and computer game production rights. In addition, the film was produced in New Zealand and enjoyed tax exemption in New Zealand, which also solved the problem.
Some financial issues.
Even so, the company encountered a situation where it was unable to raise 20-25% of the production fee, exceeding the highest risk level in the company's history. For this reason, New Line Cinema did not stop doing anything and borrowed 1 billion directly from the bank.
US dollars, using company shares as collateral, because company president Bob believes that this "Lord of the Rings" will be a hit!
Facts have proved that this New Line boss who once lashed out at Fantasy Entertainment's "Spartan" as a bad movie was right. "Lord of the Rings" was a hit, but his "Spartan" was also a complete hit.
Bob selectively ignored the success of "Spartan" and attributed the great achievements of "Lord of the Rings" to himself. Yes, in the eyes of outsiders, he was the one who played Bob Dylan.
When New Line was in crisis, it bravely shouldered heavy responsibilities, looked at "The Lord of the Rings" with a wise eye, and then made a desperate bet and successfully turned around.
Obviously, President Bob's strategy may have saved New Line. When "The Lord of the Rings" was released, Time Warner, one of New Line's shareholders, had just merged with AOL and was preparing to rely on "Harry Potter" to sell the New Line blockbuster "
"Lord of the Rings" was sniped to death. At that time, industry executives estimated that if "Lord of the Rings" failed, New Line might not be able to escape the fate of being swallowed up by Warner Bros.
Now that President Bob has the huge success of "The Lord of the Rings" to back him up, he doesn't have to worry about his future. The question is whether Warner, which has been eyeing them covetously, will give them the opportunity to continue filming and releasing the "Lord of the Rings" series?
Because from the perspective of Warner Bros., its own "Harry Potter" must never lose to New Line's "Lord of the Rings", not only for the sake of face, but also to eat up this medium-sized film company that is constantly causing trouble.
In response, New Line Company hurriedly held a high-level meeting to discuss countermeasures.
In the solemn office, all the senior executives of New Line gathered together. President Bob was chewing a thick cigar, sitting on the chairman's seat with a boss attitude, looking at everyone, and said: "I guess everyone has seen the current situation of our company.
, and it is also very clear that although our "Lord of the Rings" has earned more than 800 million at the box office, the crisis has not passed yet. Warner Corporation has always been eyeing us, using the meager shares in their hands to bite us hard.
!God, this hateful wolf!”
"So, we must expand rapidly, become more powerful, and become something that no one can swallow. Therefore, I suggest that in the future, we must put all the company's funds into blockbusters like "The Lord of the Rings"... Previously
Any film produced by New Line that costs more than 50 million must obtain the consent of those damn shareholders. Now, we have to control our own destiny!"
Bob used his inflammatory words to call on everyone in the company to work together. Many people agreed with his view, but some New Line's top managers also knew the risks of overexpansion.
"At New Line, if it works, it will work, and if it doesn't, it won't work. This is not a place full of bureaucracy." President Bob continued. "Although our company only has 573 employees, most film companies employ tens of thousands of people. We
There are not many people, but we are fully capable of competing with them on the same stage. Yes, we must believe in ourselves. We are the best!"
"Therefore, I believe that as long as we all work together, neither the six damn Hollywood studios nor Warner Brothers, who are drooling over us, will be able to take advantage of us!"
Applause! What follows should be a very appropriate round of applause!
After delivering his speech, Bob thought proudly.
Bang bang bang, the applause started, but a very discordant voice suddenly said: "In addition to the six major Hollywood film companies and Warner, shouldn't we also consider the newly emerging Fantasy Entertainment?"
Damn it! Who is it? He even mentioned this depressing name at this juncture! President Bob looked around and saw a thin man wiping his eyes with a glasses cloth and looking at him with a smile.
It's Allen, this bastard! He's just the boss of the company's production department, but he dares to speak so brazenly. Doesn't he know that words like Fantasy Entertainment and Yi Feiyang are his taboos?
"Haha, who did I think it was? It turned out to be Allen. To me, Fantasy Entertainment is just like us, a medium-sized company. It's not worthy of our attention!"
"Oh, really? But they beat us at the North American box office, and they almost forced Sony-Columbia to cut their flesh!"
Allen, who had never dared to confront Bob before, now seemed to have taken the wrong medicine and said sarcastically.
Bob was angry, and the big cigar he was chewing almost fell on the table, "What did you say? Are you laughing at me, man?"
Allen breathed on the lenses and put them on, "Oh no no, I'm just telling a fact..."
"Facts, what facts? Could it be said that Fantasy Entertainment is more powerful than Warner?"
"Maybe!" Alan said slowly.
"Hahaha!" Bob laughed, "Are you talking in your sleep?"
Just when the atmosphere solidified, a voice suddenly said: "No, he is not talking in his sleep, but the truth!" Following the voice, Yi Feiyang walked in with a large group of people.
Behind him seemed to be the boss of Lions Gate Pictures, Gusta and the boss of Dimensions Pictures, Davis. In addition, there were a group of lawyer-looking figures.
"China Yi? Why did you get in? This is the conference room of our New Line Company!" Bob said angrily.
Yi Feiyang pulled up a chair with a smile and sat down swaggeringly, "Oh, really? As the largest shareholder of New Line Company, it's okay for me to come here and observe, right?"
"What did you say? Shareholders?"
"That's right! Maybe you don't know that I have bought Mr. Smith's 500 million shares of New Line in Empire Company, and of course the 1 billion shares you pledged for bank loans... In total, I should now hold New Line
38% of the shares of the company, don’t you think I have the right to observe?”
"Oh damn, it's impossible!" Bob's face changed drastically.
"Nothing is impossible, Thomas, show Mr. Bob what we have on hand!"
Thomas, who was following Yi Feiyang, stood up with rare dignity and handed the information to Bob. Bob looked through it, and his face became uglier as he looked at it.
Finally, he wailed, "God, what on earth is going on?! How did you know about our cooperation with Imperial Company and the bank loan?"
Knowing that these are all trade secrets, Bob was surprised where Yi Feiyang got the news.
In fact, even Gusta and Davis, who were behind Yi Feiyang, were surprised by Yi Feiyang's move. It was unbelievable that Yi Feiyang could even dig out such business secrets. Such a weird method was incredible.
You know, whether it is New Line, Lions Gate, or Dimensions, they are all different from Fantasy Entertainment. Fantasy Entertainment is not listed, so it does not have much dealings with banks, but these three companies are all frequent customers of bank loans.
, and the condition of the mortgage loan is equity.
If Yi Feiyang wants to build Lions Gate or Emperor Gate in the future, he can do the same thing. Thinking of this, Gusta and Davis couldn't help but shudder.
In addition, Gusta and Davis also vaguely understood the deep meaning behind Yi Feiyang's invitation to them to be "arbitrators" and "witnesses" this time, so as to scare others!
At this moment, Lion Gate Gusta, who was walking closer to Yi Feiyang, felt the distance between him and Yi Feiyang for the first time. Yes, if Gusta had regarded Yi Feiyang as his younger brother before, then,
Now this little brother has become a big brother, but Gusta is unwilling to accept this fact.
Besides, Bob looked at the confident Yi Feiyang and suddenly laughed, "Yi, do you really think you are the largest shareholder? No, you only have 38% of the shares, and we, yes,
It’s us, the total of all of you here exceeds 40%! So, we can definitely kick you out!”
When it came to "kick him out", Bob gritted his teeth and stared at Yi Feiyang fiercely. It can be believed that if Yi Feiyang refused to leave, Bob would personally kick this hateful guy away.
Faced with Bob's desperate counterattack, Yi Feiyang smiled, "Who said I only have 38% of the equity---Mr. Allen, what do you think?"
Allen, who has always been at odds with Bob and has always been looked down upon by Bob, stood up with a smile, "Yes, if you add my three percent, I think dear Mr. Yi will be the new one here."
President!"
Uproar!
No one could have imagined that such an incident would happen!
Bob opened his mouth wide and looked at Allen who stabbed him in the back!
This damn guy actually... actually colluded with outsiders to betray him! No, he betrayed the company!
Other New Line executives also stared blankly at the incredible changes in the situation, their eyes constantly changing...
Allen, who originally seemed "insignificant" in the company, instantly became a bombshell that influenced the situation. This was something no one could have imagined.
"I...I lost!" Bob understood that the overall situation was decided and there was nothing he could do to reverse it.
Get up and give up your seat.
The throne of President Yu Wen remains.
Everyone looked at Yi Feiyang, waiting for the new president to ascend the throne, but Yi Feiyang did not move. He just shrugged easily and said, "This seat is not suitable for me, so you should sit down!"
"Ah, what did you say?" Bob thought he heard wrongly.
Yi Feiyang smiled and said, "You are very good. At least you have managed the new line very well, so you can continue to be the president of the company. As for Mr. Allen, I think he is very capable and can be the vice president... Which one of you
Have any objections?" Yi Feiyang glanced around. No one dared to say anything.
"Very good, I like your attitude very much!" Yi Feiyang glanced at Gusta and others with burning eyes, and finally his eyes fell on Bob. He said in a calm but very sure tone: "Then you will remember clearly in the future, if
Whoever plays tricks on me, I will erase him from the entertainment industry! Of course, if any company does the right thing with me, I will remove it from Hollywood forever!"
At that moment, everyone shuddered. (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!
