"The biggest difficulty in adapting "Batman" is how to show the power of Bruce Wayne. In the comic setting, the superhero's intelligence and martial arts value reached a limit that humans can reach. He also has strong financial resources and various high-tech equipment as a backing. If it is a comic, anime or a TV series, these can certainly be displayed little by little through the plot, but in a movie that usually only only has about two hours, it is difficult to highlight these things. If you are not careful, you may make Batman very mediocre."

He inherited more than a dozen people's memories, and Simon's information on various versions of the "Batman" movies in his mind is very detailed.

Starting from Tim Burton's first "Batman", Bruce Wayne was almost habitually stealing the limelight by the villains. Even in the later "Justice League", Batman, who was supposed to be the leader of the team, completely became a marginalized passerby character, and did not show any charm this enduring superhero should have.

The character of Batman has been half a century since its birth in 1939, and there are also some live-action versions during this period, but it basically left no impression on the audience. This is actually the main reason why Warner is concerned about launching the movie version. Superman can also show various superpowers from heaven and earth. Batman is just a mortal after all, and no one knows what styles should be used to bring this superhero to the big screen.

Inside the restaurant.

Terry Semer listened to Simon's analysis and asked, "Simon, do you think you can solve these problems?"

Simon picked up the mineral water next to him and took a sip, put down the cup, and said, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be interested in the movie adaptation of "Batman".

Terry Semer showed a curious expression: "Tell me carefully."

Simon's plan is to start the DC Superhero Universe in advance and link up characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other characters. Compared with the higher special-effect technology requirements of Marvel superheroes, it is not too difficult to meet the DC Universe.

but.

These must not be revealed to Terry Semer, and Simon also prepared another remark in advance.

"In the half-century comic creation, Batman has been given too many skills, which must be a trade-off. Therefore, I intend to focus on displaying Batman's personal force and the high-tech equipment he owns, such as Batmobile, Bat fighter, etc. Compared with Bruce Wayne's wisdom and strategy, these elements are the easiest to surprise the audience. If Warner is willing to hand over this project to Daenerys Pictures, I will set up special effects and technical teams to solve these problems."

Terry Semer shook his head and said, "Simon, your narrative is too general."

Simon said: "Take personal force display as an example, Terry, in my opinion, there is basically no praiseworthy action movie in Hollywood yet. I plan to learn some experience from martial arts movies across the ocean. Martial arts movies, do you know?"

Terry Semer nodded and said, "Perhaps, I know a little."

Simon smiled and said, "If you are interested, I can recommend several videos to you. Oriental martial arts has a history of thousands of years. Their martial arts novels are similar to superhero comics, and they tell stories about some people punishing evil in order to maintain justice. Moreover, compared with boxing and fighting techniques that almost do not have any aesthetics, the impact of Oriental Kung Fu on the screen will be very shocking."

Terry Semer suddenly said, "I remember, Bruce Lee."

"That's right, it's Bruce Lee's kind of kung fu."

Terry Semer hesitated: "I still have some impression of Bruce Lee's movies, Simon, you think his action skills can be used on Batman."

Simon said: "According to the settings in the comics, Batman mastered more than a hundred fighting skills, a large part of which are Eastern Kung Fu. And of course, I will not copy Eastern martial arts movies. I will tailor a set of action designs for Bruce Wayne."

Terry Semer looked at Simon: "You?"

Simon raised the tableware and flexibly put a knife in his hand, and smiled at Terry Semer, saying, "Terry, I know some fighting skills. And, if necessary, I will hire some more professional movement guidance."

There are too many classic action scenes in my mind.

Simon's positioning of Batman's fighting style is simply sharp. It is completely easy to tailor a set of action designs for Bruce Wayne from movies, TV and video games in his memory, and he doesn't even have to invite action directors.

In fact, Hollywood has no professional action director at all. This profession gradually flourished when filmmakers across the ocean entered Hollywood in the late 1990s, and Hollywood action movies began to appear after that.

At present, the action scenes in Hollywood movies are basically the level of drunken street fights.

Terry Semer remembered the fact that Simon broke five young men's legs with one against five at the end of the previous year, and immediately no longer suspected that this young man could design special action scenes for Batman. However, he couldn't help but sigh again, what else could this little guy who suddenly broke into Hollywood not be able to do?

"Simon, if I understand it correctly, what you meant just now was to fully undertake the production of "Batman"?"

"Yes, I'll write the script myself and direct the film myself. Terry, you know, I've always been used to being completely in control of my projects. So far, several movies I've made have been very successful."

Terry Semer asked, "What should I do if you owe Disney's appointment?"

"I recently planned to redeem the directorial contract signed with Disney. If Disney does not agree, it will be after Batman. There is no requirement on the contract that I must fulfill my contract with Disney before I can shoot other movies."

Due to the success of "Rolla Run", the contract signed by Disney and Simon was very relaxed.

This is actually the treatment of many first-line directors in Hollywood. Just like Spielberg, the four film contracts he signed with Universal after "Jaws" have not been completed yet, but has frequently collaborated with Paramount and Warner over the years.

"Since you've got so many ideas, Simon, what's the budget, how much do you plan to make this movie?"

Simon made his debut: "$50 million."

Terry Semer was obviously startled: "One?"

"certainly."

Simon nodded, and he also understood why Terry Semer asked that.

Ten years ago, the production budget of "Superman" was $55 million, setting a record for the cost of film production at that time.

But in fact, the first $55 million investment in "Superman" was a one-time filming of the trilogy, and even the 2006 "Superman Return" in the original time and space still used the footage shots taken by Marlon Brando.

Hollywood movie budgets have shown an explosive trend, but few of them can reach $50 million.

In Simon's plan, he plans to use the next half year to improve all technical issues in "Batman". Daenerys Pictures will also set up its own special effects studio just like Lucas did in the production of "Star Wars", which requires huge investment.

On the other hand, Simon issued a $50 million budget, which was actually to force Warner out of the project as much as possible.

In the original time and space, Tim Burton's "Batman" production budget was only 35 million US dollars, and it was the result of Warner's introduction of British record giant Polaroid. This also led to many subsequent sequels after the first "Batman" was successful, and Warner had to continue to bring Polaroid as the investor who shared the pie.

In order to save budget, Warner also signed an omnichannel profit sharing contract with Jack Nicholson, who plays the Joker, to slay the most sucker in Hollywood history.

After the success of "Batman", Jack Nicholson received more than $50 million in film box office, video tape sales, peripheral products and other channels. This pay record was not broken until 2000 years later.

After the success of the film, Batman IP became a big gold mine. It is difficult for outsiders to understand why Warner made such a series of stupid decisions. But the reason is actually very simple. In the final analysis, Warner now has no confidence in the "Batman" movie at all.

To be fair, Simon actually thinks that Tim Burton's version of "Batman" has no highlights at all, and it is even very bad. Bruce Wayne, played by Michael Keaton, does not have any Batman temperament at all. The heroine Kim Basinger's acting skills are disconnected throughout the whole process. Even the praised clown is only the average level of Jack Nicholson. To be more harsh, the reason why Jack Nicholson's clown is outstanding is that the protagonist is too bad.

So, why is Bolton's "Batman" so successful?

The reason is actually very simple.

As a superhero character that lasted for half a century, "Batman" is very similar to "Journey to the West" on the other side of the ocean. Everyone knows that Bruce Wayne embarked on the road to punish evil because he witnessed his parents being killed by criminals when he was a child, just like the people on the other side of the ocean know that a monkey popped out of a stone.

then.

This superhero, who exists in the hearts of several generations of American people, has been brought to the big screen with high budget live-action video specifications for the first time. Even if many people are not interested in comics at all, they are likely to go to the cinema because they have heard Batman's name too many times since childhood. Not to mention those fans who grew up with comics.

Therefore, the first time I brought "Batman" to the big screen, the film was destined to be a big seller as long as it was not filmed too badly.

Tim Burton's movies always carry a very weird naivety that is not suitable for superhero movies at all. "Batman"'s success is just a coincidence.

Later facts proved this. The budget cost of the sequel "Batman Return" directed by Bolton more than doubled, but the box office dropped sharply compared to the first one. Later, several sequels "Batman" that continued Bolton's style were even worse than the other, and eventually completely rotted after "Batman and Robin". The Batman IP was not resurrected by Nolan many years later, and then DC was unsurprisingly brought to another big pit by Nolan.

at this time.

In a restaurant near Warner Cinema in Burbank, it was confirmed that Simon planned to invest $50 million in huge investment in "Batman". Terry Semer indeed showed a hesitant look. Simon noticed Terry Semer's expression and did not show too eagerness. The two began to eat quietly.

After two or three minutes, Terry Semer said again: "Simon, Warner is looking forward to you being directed by Batman, but we are not going to let go of this project completely. At least, we must participate in part of the investment, so the $50 million production budget would be too high."

Simon shook his head and said, "Terry, we can only gain the recognition of the audience if we are willing to invest more in superhero movies like Batman. Just like Superman, the first Superman production budget was $55 million, and the global box office reached 300 million. Last year's "Superman 4", Canon Pictures cut its budget cost to $17 million, and the North American box office immediately fell to over 15 million, and there was no splash overseas."

Terry Semer was obviously more aware of these situations than Simon. He heard this and was silent for a while and said, "In this way, Simon, why not write the script first. Let's evaluate it together. Maybe it doesn't cost 50 million US dollars."

"According to my plan, $50 million will only be higher, and definitely not lower," Simon shook his head and said, "Terry, I know that Warner cannot afford the investment risk of $50 million, so I plan to do it myself. Leave Batman to me, maybe, I can make another annual box office champion like "Run Lola". Of course, the distribution rights must be Warner, which is a win-win thing."

Terry Semer thought about it for a moment again and said, "Simon, if you plan to make "Batman" alone, you can, but Warner will only grant Daenerys Pictures the right to shoot, and the copyright remains to us."

Simon asked: "Like Canon Pictures and Salkind's "Superman 4"?

In the summer of last year's "Superman 4", Canon Pictures only received the filming rights of Superman, and the copyright is still in the hands of British producer Alexander Salkind.

Terry Semer nodded and said, "That's right."

Simon shook his head: "Terry, I can't make the movie and then I'm kicked away by Warner."

Terry Semer denied: "We certainly wouldn't do that."

Simon said: "It's better to do this. We signed a five-year licensing contract. Within five years, Daenerys Pictures failed to launch a sequel, and the copyright returned to DC."

Terry Semer thought for a while and said, "Five years are too long, up to three years, and Warner needs to retain the right to invest in the sequel."

Simon insisted: "Three years are too short, it must be five years. Moreover, if Warner wants the investment rights for the sequel, Daenerys Pictures must also retain certain distribution rights."

The two of them bargained back and forth for more than ten minutes and finally decided on a cooperation plan.

Daenerys Pictures has obtained the copyright of "Batman", a customary five-year copyright period. Within five years, Daenerys Pictures cannot start a sequel, and the copyright will automatically return to DC.
Chapter completed!