After hearing what Eisner said, Simon did not rush to discuss the release conditions of "When Harry Met Sally", but said: "Michael, as far as I know, Disney does not pay attention to the animation department, and there were even rumors that you

Plans to cancel animated film production. In that case, why not produce "The Lion King" for Daenerys Pictures?"

"Rumors are just rumors, Simon," Michael Eisner shook his head: "To be honest, I did consider closing the animation department. However, if I really did that, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me now.

.Our animation department is run by Roy Disney. So, you understand?"

Simon thought for a moment, then nodded helplessly.

Roy Disney is the nephew of Disney founder Walt Disney, and the Disney family still controls a large share of Disney Pictures.

After the death of Walt Disney, the overall quality of animated films produced by Disney has been far inferior to what it used to be. In recent years, Disney has only been able to maintain its brand image by re-screening past classic animations more frequently.

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

In order to save money, relocating Disney's animation department to an abandoned warehouse in Glendale may be the limit of what the Disney family can tolerate. If Michael Eisner continues to push the Disney animation department to become a 'contract factory', it is difficult to say that the Disney family

Will there be a rebound from this?

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

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

"I remember that Universal just released "American Mouse" last year, which grossed more than $50 million at the box office, which was twice as much as Disney's "Mr.

"That movie," Michael Eisner smiled when he heard this and said, "Including director Don Bluth, several of the main animators are employees who have resigned from our Disney. And, Simon, if you

If you want their team to help you produce "The Lion King", that's even more impossible."

Simon didn't quite understand the joints, but he just shrugged and said: "There are always other ways."

Michael Eisner tapped his fingers on his memo and said nonchalantly: "Well, I wish you good luck."

Although Simon's script is very popular in Hollywood, Michael Eisner listened to Simon's insistence and did not push too hard. 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 everything will be like in three years?

Seeing that the matter of "The Lion King" could not be changed, Simon also turned the topic back to "When Harry Met Sally" and said: "Michael, regarding the two director film appointments you just mentioned, I'm sorry, I can't agree. One at most.

, maybe this will also be the last movie I sign. After this time, I will only shoot movies for my own company."

When Michael Eisner heard what Simon said, he couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, and said: "Simon, Coppola probably thought the same thing after "The Godfather." But after the huge loss of "The Cotton Club," he then just

I can honestly film "Peggy Sue is Getting Married" for TriStar Pictures."

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

Due to disagreements between the director and the starring actors during the filming process, repeated revisions to the script and other changes, the budget skyrocketed from US$25 million to US$58 million. In the end, the film only recovered US$25.92 million at the North American box office. Coppola's performance in "The Godfather"

The ambitious Peep Show Pictures, founded after the success of the series, was on the verge of bankruptcy.

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

Speaking of which, Simon did not consider Orion, who also had a good relationship with him, and directly sought cooperation with major film companies this time. This was also because Orion was currently in an ambitious state and could not give "When Harry Met Sally" too much

Good schedule.

Due to the box office success of several movies last year, Orion, which has become financially relaxed, has confirmed that it will personally invest in as many as nine movie projects. Coupled with the movies it represents from other independent producers, the company's distribution scale next year has completely matched the

The seven majors were tied.

However, Orion obviously does not have the background of the Seven Elements.

Simon looked at those movies that were basically all about showing off, and he understood why Orion, which had frequently produced films with double success at the box office and awards, would be in trouble step by step in the next few years.

The success of a single movie cannot make up for the losses of multiple movies.

"Maybe I will become the second Coppola," Simon thought to himself, and also smiled and said: "But, Michael, everyone should have some dreams, what if they come true? So, there is only one

department."

Michael Eisner thought about what Simon had just said, 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 have read the information about the previous work "Heartfire" by the screenwriter of "When Harry Met Sally". Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep both starred.

Starring a big-name star, the production cost was US$25 million, and the box office was only US$25 million. Simon, I don’t think the market performance of this movie can be better than "Heartfire" at the moment, so there is not much difference between 18% and 15%."

"Michael, I think you made a mistake. That movie "Heartfire" only had a box office of $25 million precisely because it starred Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. I still don't understand

I don’t understand who is so talented that he would put Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep together in a love movie. The two of them have no chemistry at all on the screen. Now this movie

"When Harry Met Sally," I believe its box office performance will be much better than "Heartfire."

"Simon, your confidence makes no 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 the box office data report for last week?"

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

Simon took it and glanced at the data above, then handed it to Michael Eisner across the conference table and said: "What Disney is re-releasing this Easter is 1970's "The Adventures of Cat", which will be released on April 10th.

With more than 1,400 screens, the current box office is 13 million U.S. dollars, and it will definitely be able to sustain for a few more weeks. Then, we will calculate based on the total box office of 16 million U.S. dollars, a 50% box office share, and the publicity cost will be 2 million. Disney

We can get a profit of 6 million US dollars from it. Michael and Daenerys Pictures will provide 6 million US dollars, which is counted as a fixed distribution commission, and Disney only needs to give us 1,000 screens next Easter. What do you think?"

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

With a fixed commission of US$6 million, based on a 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" at US$40 million.

If "When Harry Met Sally" can get 40 million US dollars at the North American box office, including subsequent distribution profits, this 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 "The Adventures of Cat", the re-release of this animated film can also stimulate its video and

From derivatives sales, Disney’s income from this is not just $6 million.”

Simon nodded and said: "Of course I know this, Michael. However, in addition to the $6 million, Disney can also buy out the distribution rights of "When Harry Met Sally" through other channels. Orion obtained "Run Lola Run"

The North American video tape and television distribution rights will also bring them huge profits in the next few years. At the same time, you can also get a directorial contract from me."

Michael Eisner said: "Two."

Simon shook his head: "There's only one, Michael. If you insist on two, then I can only say it's a pity."

Michael Eisner fingered the box office report in his hand, weighed it for a moment again, and said: "Simon, if the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" is within 40 million US dollars, Daenerys Pictures will pay 600

A fixed commission of 10,000 US dollars. If it exceeds 40 million US dollars, Disney will take an 18% commission. If you agree to this, I agree to your other conditions."

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

Calculated based on a fixed commission of US$6 million for less than US$40 million, Daenerys Pictures has already taken enough risks. There is no reason that the better the box office is, the higher the distribution commission will be for Disney.

To Amy's disappointment, Simon stood up directly after hearing this, stretched out his hand to Michael Eisner and said: "Deal."

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

right.

Two films about.

Before this meeting, he was more concerned about signing Simon's next two directorial contracts.

Compared with "When Harry Met Sally", which was not very good-looking at all, the two film appointments of the young man in front of him seemed more valuable to him. After all, the other party showed his performance in "Run Lola Run"

His profound film skills are difficult to match even many big directors who have been famous in Hollywood for a long time.

Now.

There is only one left.

It has to be said that Michael Eisner did guess Simon's intention. Although he did not intend to compromise on the number of film contracts, Simon did use some small means to divert Michael Eisner's attention.

Signing an additional film contract is already the limit that Simon can bear. He does not want to be tied to several major studios like Spielberg.

In fact, if Columbia Pictures did not put forward any additional conditions, the buyout price could be higher and the schedule could be negotiated. Simon would even be more inclined to cooperate with the other party. However, the buyout price of US$3 million is far from Simon's psychological expectations.

It's really too far.

As for cooperation with Disney, Simon's original psychological upper limit was to increase the distribution commission to 20%. Now, although it is necessary to pay US$6 million for less than US$40 million, but for more than US$40 million, the commission ratio is only 18%, which is not

Simon's quotation limit was not exceeded.

In any case, if the box office of "When Harry Met Sally" does not reach the level it once was, then it will be a failure, and Simon can afford a failure. But if the movie is not as successful as the original version, although the distribution commission

It's a bit higher, but it's only at the North American box office. Daenerys Pictures is still very hopeful that it can recover the production cost of US$15 million.

As the head of a major film company, Michael Eisner would not go back on his word to a young man now that he had said it. However, after shaking hands with Simon, he still added: "In this case, Simon, Daenerys Film

The industry must pay a commission of US$6 million in advance after signing the contract.”

Cash is very scarce for any film company.

By convention, distributors usually only formally settle distribution commissions after the movie is released, but if it can get $6 million in advance, Disney can even produce an additional movie.

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

Michael Eisner listened to the young man who was decisive and shrewd just now and suddenly started to act rogue. He reminded helplessly: "Simon, if I remember correctly, you should have received the proceeds from the sale of "Lola Run" recently, which is huge.

A sum of money."
To be continued...