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Barry Diller nodded, paused, then shook his head slightly.

The two were colleagues during the ABC period, and Michael Eisner knew Barry Diller very well.Noticing his small movements, he understood that the shaking of his head behind him was actually aimed at Ronald Goldberg.

Simon Westero has already collaborated with Fox Films on two films. "Death Comes" may have yet to be verified, but "The Butterfly Effect" has been very successful.In this case, Fox should have been the best partner for Daenerys Pictures.

Now, Ronald Goldberg apparently passed up another chance.

Michael Eisner actually didn't like Ronald Goldberg very much in his heart.However, he also understood the deep friendship between Ronald Goldberg and Barry Diller, so he said: "It's not actually Ronald's fault. The film, director and screenwriter are not Westeros himself. , the script is also relatively anti-mainstream. Daenerys Pictures is not only willing to give up the film's local theater distribution rights, but also wants the Easter schedule next year."

After listening in silence, Barry Diller asked, "What about your side?"

"Next Easter, we were going to re-release Bambi, plus there's no distribution pressure for a live-action movie. Also, you should have seen Run Lola, although the film's success There are many accidental factors, but Westeros' film skills are absolutely impeccable, and I plan to take the opportunity to sign him for a few films." After Michael Eisner finished speaking, he smiled again: "So, Barry, I'm going to meet The little guy?"

……

Simon woke up earlier in his Century Tower apartment as Barry Diller and Michael Eisner shared breakfast.

The location is the study.

Sighing secretly that the life of a bachelor is really bleak, Simon packed up a pile of financial books by the sofa, got up and walked to the writing board embedded on the wall of the study.

At this time, on the large writing board, there are two approximate trend charts of the Dow Jones Index and the S&P 500 Index in the next few months, as well as various densely mixed Chinese, French, Spanish, Hebrew and other language charts around it. text annotation.

It is not easy to collect this information from more than a dozen memories in my mind, sometimes it is just a flash of thought.So Simon saved up for a week to get these.

Just in case, Simon did not use English labels, and the other languages ​​are all suggestive words that only he can understand. Except for the two index charts, it is probably impossible for others to find out understand.

After looking at it for a while, he carefully wiped off the two trend charts that had been drawn repeatedly and engraved in his mind, leaving only various scattered text marks, before Simon left the study.

In the morning, a supporting role audition for "Pulp Fiction" was originally arranged. Simon received a call from Amy while eating breakfast. Michael Eisner hoped that he could personally participate in today's meeting, so he had to temporarily change the schedule.

At eight o'clock, Simon and Amy met first, and then they rushed to the Disney headquarters in Burbank.

The secretary brought the two of them into a conference room. After Simon entered, he found that besides Michael Eisner, there was another middle-aged man sitting at the conference table.Moreover, he immediately recognized the identity of the other party, the chairman and CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, Barry Diller.

Everyone greeted each other, Simon and Michael Eisner shook hands, then reached out to Barry Diller, and said with a smile: "Mr. Benefited a lot."

Barry Diller shook hands with Simon, and after hearing what he said, he pointed to the script of "When Harry Met Sally" he was just looking through, and asked a little questioningly: "But, Simon, I found out that it's about you." None of the several projects you’re working on are high-concept films?”

Simon noticed that Amy and Eisner were looking at him with great interest, waiting for his answer, and said with a relaxed tone: "Daenerys Films is just a child, and children can be more creative." Yes. When you grow up, you will definitely be well-behaved."

Barry Diller raised his eyebrows when he saw that Simon gave an answer that was both decent and ambitious without thinking, and said, "I'm looking forward to seeing what Daenerys Pictures will look like when it 'grows up'."

Having said that, everyone sat down at the conference table together. Seeing that Michael Eisner didn't intend to talk about business right away, Simon also understood that the two big shots called him here today because they just wanted to meet him.

That being the case, Simon did not miss the opportunity before him, and continued to say to Barry Diller: "Mr. Diller, I heard that you are helping Mr. Murdoch improve the Fox TV network. Maybe we can cooperate next year."

Barry Diller looked at the young man sitting opposite him and asked, "Why not this year? Simon, this month is the promotion season. If you have a good idea, you can go to New York as soon as possible."

The North American TV network will determine the TV program of the new year every May.Therefore, every year in this month, program producers from North America and around the world will gather in New York to promote their TV programs to TV networks through various promotion meetings.

Simon shook his head, and said, "Daenerys Films definitely won't have a chance this year. Our strength is still too weak. But it won't be so next year."

Barry Diller said, "Simon, you mean Daenerys only needs a year to 'grow up'?"

"Of course not," Simon shook his head and said, "I mean, the WGA may hold a strike next year. At that time, Daenerys Pictures may be able to get some opportunities."

If the current Daenerys Films wants to cooperate with the TV network, even if it has a good idea, the best result will be to buy the idea, and then the TV network will entrust Daenerys Films to produce it.The most important copyright must belong to the TV network.

What Simon is looking forward to is like Warner, Universal and other powerful program producers, who only sell the first round of broadcasting rights to TV networks, and still hold other distribution channels in their hands.Only in this way can Daenerys Pictures get the most benefit.

However, in order to achieve this goal in the short term, Daenerys Pictures can only seize the opportunity that major TV networks will be unable to produce enough TV programs due to the strike of screenwriters next year.

Barry Diller heard the explanation of the young man in front of him, but said: "Simon, you should also be a member of the Screenwriters Association? If the WGA announces a strike next year, don't you plan to participate?"

Simon shook his head and said, "Barry, I'm not a member of WGA, nor do I plan to join WGA."

Hearing this, Barry Diller couldn't help but looked at Simon again for a moment, then smiled, took out a business card from his suit pocket and handed it over, saying: "It's really nice to meet you, Simon. If there is anything, you can Call me."

"of course."

Simon agreed, took Barry Diller's business card, and also took a business card and handed it over.

Barry Diller put away Simon's card and got up to say goodbye.

After seeing off Barry Diller, the three returned to the meeting room and sat down.

Michael Eisner opened the memo in front of him, and almost subconsciously ignored Amy Pascal, who had been in contact with him several times, and said directly to Simon: "About the collaboration on "When Harry Met Sally" , Simon, Disney can give you an Easter schedule with a guarantee of 1000 screens. However, our requirement is that you need to sign two directing contracts with Disney. The script can be written by you or provided by Disney. The pay depends on the project It depends on the specific situation when it is confirmed. As for "The Lion King", Disney's animation department will not contract projects for others. So, we hope to buy this script, $30, what do you think?"

Before this meeting, Michael Eisner originally planned to kill the above conditions.

However, with the conversation between Simon and Barry Diller lingering in his mind, and recalling all the deeds of the young man in front of him this year, Michael Eisner almost instinctively felt that Disney should talk about this cooperation. Come down, so there is the last sentence that can be discussed.

Chapter 107

After listening to Eisner, Simon did not rush to discuss the distribution conditions of "When Harry Met Sally", but said: "Michael, as far as I know, Disney doesn't pay much attention to the animation department, and there was even a rumor that you guys Going to cancel the animated film production. If so, why not make "The Lion King" for Daenerys Pictures?"

"The rumors are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head. "Seriously, I did consider closing the animation department. But if I did, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me now .Our animation department is run by Roy Disney. So, you get it?"

Simon thought for a while, then nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Disney founder Walt Disney, and the Disney family still holds a large stake in Disney Pictures.

After the death of Walt Disney, the overall quality of Disney's animated films has been far inferior to that of the past. In recent years, Disney's brand image can only be maintained by re-screening classic animations more frequently.

However, animated films are the foundation of Disney's beginnings. It is obviously impossible for Disney executives to close the animation department hastily based on purely commercial considerations. They must also take into account the feelings of the Disney family.

In order to save money, relocating Disney's animation department to the abandoned warehouse in Glendale may have been the limit that the Disney family can tolerate.If Michael Eisner continues to push Disney's animation division to become a 'foundry', it's hard to say whether the Disney family will bounce back.

After thinking about this, Simon had no choice but to say: "In this case, Michael, let's forget about the "Lion King". I will find another way. The script will definitely not be sold to you."

Michael Eisner said: "Simon, you have to understand that you have no other choice than Disney."

"I remember that Universal just released "American Rat Story" last year, and the box office exceeded 5000 million U.S. dollars, which is twice as high as Disney's "Beautiful Detective."

"That movie," Michael Eisner heard, but smiled, and said, "Including the director Don Bruce, the main animators are all employees who left our Disney. And, Simon, if you It is even more impossible to ask their team to help you make "The Lion King."

Simon didn't quite understand the joints, but he just shrugged and said, "There is always another way."

Michael Eisner tapped his finger on his memo and said indifferently: "Then, good luck to you."

Although Simon's script is very popular in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's insistence and did not insist too much.Unlike live-action movies, the production cycle of animated movies usually takes as long as two or three years, and the cost remains high.

Who knows what will happen in three years?

Seeing that the matter of "The Lion King" could not be turned around, Simon also changed the topic back to "When Harry Met Sally", saying: "Michael, about the two directorial appointments you just mentioned, I'm sorry, I can't agree. At most one , and maybe this will be the last film I sign out to. After this time, I will only shoot films for my own company."

Michael Eisner couldn't help shaking his head and laughing when he heard Simon say this, and said, "Simon, Coppola probably thought the same way after "The Godfather". But after the huge loss of "Cotton Club", he only wanted to I can honestly film "Peggy Sue Is Getting Married" for Samsung Pictures."

Francis Ford Coppola's The Cotton Club, released three years ago, was a total disaster.

Due to the discord between the director and the leading actors, repeated revisions of the script and other changes during the filming process, the budget soared from US$2500 million to US$5800 million, but the film only recovered US$2592 million in the North American box office.Diorama Films, which Coppola had set up ambitiously after the success of the "Godfather" series, was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The distributor of The Cotton Club happens to be Orion Pictures.

Speaking of which, Simon didn't consider Orion, who is also in a good relationship this time, and directly sought cooperation with a big film company. It is also because Orion is currently in an ambitious state, and he cannot give "When Harry Met Sally" too much. good schedule.

Due to the box office success of several films last year, Orion, which has become more financially relaxed, has confirmed that it has personally invested in as many as nine film projects. In addition to acting as agents for other independent film producers, the company's distribution scale for next year is already completely in line with Seven are even.

It's just that Orion obviously doesn't have the background of the Seven Greats.

Simon looked at those movies that were basically full of faces, and he understood why Orion, which frequently produced double-bundle films with box office awards, would fall into trouble step by step in the next few years.

The big sales of a single movie will definitely not be able to make up for the losses of multiple movies.

"Maybe I will become the second Coppola too," Simon thought to himself, and also smiled, and said, "However, Michael, everyone should have a dream. What if it comes true? So, there is only one department."

Michael Eisner recalled Simon's words just now, but insisted: "Simon, if this is the case, Disney will not be able to give you an Easter schedule."

Simon thought for a while and said, "Michael, I can make some concessions on the commission, 18%, what do you think?"

Michael Eisner still shook his head, and said: "I've read the information about the last work "Heartfire" written by the screenwriter of "When Harry Met Sally", Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep It cost $2500 million to produce, and it only made $2500 million at the box office. Simon, I don’t think this movie is doing better than “Heartfire” right now, so 18% and 15% are not much different.”

"Michael, I think you've got one thing wrong. That 'Fire' movie only made $2500 million because of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. I still don't know I don't understand who is so genius to put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie, the two of them don't have any chemistry on the screen at all. Now this "When Harry Met Sally", I believe its box office must be much better than "Heartfire."

"Simon, your self-confidence doesn't make any sense."

Simon thought for a moment and said, "Or, Michael, how about Daenerys Pictures directly buying Disney's Easter schedule next year?"

Michael Eisner wondered, "What do you mean?"

Simon looked at Amy, who had been listening to the negotiation between the two, and said, "Can you give me last week's box office data report?"

Amy was also a little confused, but she took out a page of the report from her satchel and handed it to Simon.

Simon took it over and glanced at the data above, then handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table, and said, "Disney's Easter rerun is 1970's "The Adventures of Cats", which will be released on April 4. More than 10 screens, the current box office is 1400 million U.S. dollars, and it will definitely last for a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate based on the total box office of 1300 million U.S. dollars, 1600% of the box office share, and the cost of publicity is 50 million. Disney There's a $200 million profit on it. Michael, Daenerys is paying $600 million as a fixed distribution commission, and Disney only needs to give us 600 screens next Easter. What do you think?"

Michael Eisner took the box office report, looked down at the data above, but began to think about Simon's novel cooperation plan in his mind.

With a fixed commission of 600 million US dollars, according to the distribution commission ratio of 15%, the young man in front of him is equivalent to calculating the North American box office price of "When Harry Met Sally" was 4000 million US dollars.

If "When Harry Met Sally" can get a North American box office of 4000 million U.S. dollars, counting the proceeds from subsequent releases, it will definitely be a big profit project.

Thinking of this, Michael Eisner quickly said: "Simon, that's not how it works. In addition to the box office of "Cat Adventures", the re-screening of this animated film can also stimulate its video tape and The spinoff sales, from which Disney made more than $600 million.”

Simon nodded and said: "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to the 600 million US dollars, Disney can also give priority to buying out the distribution rights of "When Harry Met Sally" in other channels. The "Run Lola Run" that Orion got North American videotape and television distribution rights will also bring them very lucrative income in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get a directing contract from me."

Michael Eisner said: "Two parts."

Simon shook his head: "There is only one, Michael, if you insist on two, then I can only say sorry."

Michael Eisner rubbed the box office report still in his hand, weighed it again for a moment, and said, "Simon, if the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" is less than 4000 million US dollars, Daenerys Pictures will pay 600 million US dollars." $4000 fixed commission. Over $18 million, Disney takes an [-]% cut. You agree to this, and I agree to your other conditions.”

When Amy heard what Michael Eisner said, she couldn't help but glanced at Simon, worried that he would immediately agree.

Based on the fixed commission of 4000 million US dollars for less than 600 million US dollars, Daenerys Films has taken enough risks.There is no reason why the better the box office, Disney wants to take a higher distribution commission instead.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon got up immediately after hearing the words, stretched out his hand to Michael Eisner and said, "Deal."

Michael Eisner didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward. Seeing the young man stretching out his hand towards him with a smile on his face, he had no choice but to stand up and shake hands with him, but he felt that something might have been bypassed in his heart.

Correct.

Two films approx.

Before this meeting, he cared more about signing Simon's next two directing films.

Compared with "When Harry Met Sally", which was not very good-looking, the two film contracts of the young man in front of him seemed more valuable to him.After all, the profound film skills shown by the other party in "Run Lola Run" are beyond the reach of many famous directors in Hollywood.

just now.

Only one remains.

It has to be said that Michael Eisner did guess Simon's intentions. Although he did not intend to make any concessions in terms of the number of film contracts, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner's attention.

Signing another film contract is already the limit that Simon can bear. He doesn't want to be tied between several major studios like Spielberg.

In fact, if the buyout price of Columbia Pictures without additional conditions can be higher and the schedule can be negotiated, Simon is even more inclined to cooperate with the other party.It's just that the buyout price of 300 million US dollars is too far from Simon's psychological expectations.

As for the cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological limit was even to increase the publishing commission to 20%.Now, although the price below 4000 million US dollars needs to pay 600 million US dollars, but more than 4000 million US dollars, the commission ratio is only 18%, which does not exceed Simon's quotation limit.

In any case, if "When Harry Met Sally" doesn't do what it once did at the box office, then it's a failure, and Simon can afford another one.But if this movie is as successful as the original, although the distribution commission is higher, but it is only the North American box office, Daenerys Pictures still has a good chance of recovering the $1500 million production cost.

As the head of a major film company, Michael Eisner would not go back on his word to a young man since he said it out loud.However, after shaking hands with Simon, he still added: "In this case, Simon, Daenerys Pictures must pay a commission of 600 million US dollars in advance after signing the contract."

Cash is very tight for any studio.

According to the usual practice, the distribution company usually settles the distribution commission after the movie is released, but if it can get 600 million US dollars in advance, Disney can even make an additional movie.

However, Simon shook his head directly and said, "Sorry, Michael, Daenerys Pictures has no money."

Michael Eisner heard that the young man who was decisive and shrewd just now started acting rascally in an instant, and reminded helplessly: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have recently received a sale proceeds from "Run Lola Run", which is very big." a sum of money."

Simon shook his head again, and said: "Michael, you must know that because of the uneven distribution of benefits, I am preparing for a lawsuit with my girlfriend, and the money cannot be moved for the time being."

Although a little depressed about Simon's decision just now, Amy almost laughed out loud when she heard his nonsense.

Michael Eisner looked even more helpless, and said: "Simon, haven't you noticed that you have revealed a big flaw? You just used the title 'girlfriend'."

Simon calmly corrected: "Oh, sorry, it's my ex-girlfriend."

Michael Eisner finally laughed too, shook his head and said, "Well, for the sake of this not-so-funny joke."

After the basic contract framework was determined, the three continued to discuss some details.

Although he always heard many people talking about it, Michael Eisner was really impressed by Simon's shrewdness and decisiveness when he met for the first time, and he deliberately left the two of them for lunch at noon.

After negotiating with Disney, Simon will naturally not consider MGM again.

Compared with the aggressive Disney under the leadership of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, MGM has been almost reduced to a real estate after being bought by casino mogul Kirk Kerkorian in the 70s. and hotel companies.

Over the years, the studio has been transferred, a hotel has been built, and a large number of precious props preserved in the golden age of MGM have been auctioned. Perhaps it feels that the company’s profits have been squeezed dry. May passed on to CNN boss Ted Turner.

Ted Turner is still raising money to pay Kerkorian's $15 billion offer.