I’m in Hollywood - Chapter 679

[Chapter six hundred and seventy-third Sony riding a tiger]

Eric was chatting with everyone, and several people appeared at the backstage entrance, but they walked directly towards him.

~ Novel,

headed by a Japanese man in his fifties, it is Nobuyuki Idei who is about to take over the position of Nobuo Ohga’s Sony Group, and company executives such as Columbia’s Peter Cooper and President John Peters are beside him. However, Eric found out that the person following Nobuyuki Idei was not either Peter Cooper or Jon Peters, but another middle-aged white man with a strange face.

Eric knew that Sony had begun to intervene in Colombia’s affairs a few months ago, but he didn’t expect Nobuyuki Idei to suddenly appear here.

Before he could think about the reason, Nobuyuki Idei came to him, and with a smile on his face stretched out his hand and said in proficient English: “Mr. Williams, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Nobuyuki Idei.

” The pronunciation was very weird, and Eric couldn’t tell the difference between the other party’s names, so he shook hands with the other party and said with his full name: “Hello, Mr. Nobuyuki Idei, welcome to the premiere of “Mission Impossible”. ”

It should be my honor. The movie that Mr. Williams personally selected must be very exciting,” Idei Nobuyuki complimented, and without waiting for Eric to thank him, he gestured to the middle-aged white man beside him. To Eric: “This is Mr. Howard Stringer. He has accepted Sony’s invitation and is about to serve as Sony’s US branch, in charge of all Sony’s industries in the United States.”

Eric heard Nobuyuki Io say The name of the other party determines who this middle-aged white man with glasses is, the first non-Japanese of Sony Group after Nobuyuki Idei stepped down from power: “Hello, Mr. Stringer.”

Nobuyuki Idei introduced Howard Mr. Stringer, but he didn’t mean to introduce Peter Cooper and Jon Peters, but the others who were half-truths there expressed interest.

Eric had to introduce them one by one. When it was Amy Pascal’s turn, Nobuyuki Idei made no secret of the regret in his tone and said, “Miss Pascal, losing you is the biggest loss for Colombia. I hope you can think carefully about returning to the country. Colombian thing.”

Amy Pascal was a little surprised by Idei Nobuyuki’s straightforward invitation, but only responded politely.

Everyone had a simple conversation, the premiere time came soon, and the staff began to guide the backstage guests to the screening hall.

Eric deliberately fell behind.

When the guests were almost gone, the female assistant next to him took the initiative to explain Eric’s doubts: “Nobuyuki Idei arrived in Los Angeles a week ago, and the news we got here is that Nobuyuki Idei brought it personally. An audit team is currently conducting an inventory of Columbia’s financial information. In addition, another purpose of Nobuyuki Idei’s coming to Los Angeles should be to find the next leader for Colombia.”

Eric nodded,

remembering what Nobuyuki Idei had specially introduced to himself. The middle-aged man with glasses asked again, “Do you know Howard Stringer?”

Kelly said: “Howard Stringer has been the president of CBS for several months in recent years. He just left his post recently. He started out as a very good reporter. When he was the head of the CBS news department, the CBS Evening News had the highest ratings among the three major TV networks at that time. In recent years, it may be because of the internal instability of CBS. During his tenure as president of CBS, he did not make any outstanding achievements.”

Eric thought for a while.

Asked: “How does he compare to Robert Iger?”

Kelly shook his head: “I only have some basic information about him here. If you need a detailed assessment, I will ask someone to do it tomorrow.”

Eric told Howard Stringer didn’t have too much interest, and he didn’t refuse the female assistant to collect more detailed information. He ordered, “By the way, let’s collect information on Nobuyuki Idei.”

Compared with Sony’s decline, Airi Ke is more interested in Idei Nobuyuki, the leader who single-handedly brought Sony from its peak to its decline.

Since Nobuyuki Idei suddenly appeared, the positions of him and Eric were naturally arranged together.

Eric has watched the new version of “Mission Impossible” several times, but he didn’t pay much attention to the screen, and Nobuyuki Idei’s mind was obviously not on the movie. The viewing process of more than 120 minutes The two of you came and went to test it out a few times.

Eric also almost understood the purpose of Nobuyuki Idei, and Nobuyuki Idei obviously understood Eric’s attitude.

After the premiere, Nobuyuki Idei took the initiative to invite Eric when he left: “Eric, I will stay in Los Angeles for a while. I wonder if I have the honor to take the time to chat?”

Eric knew that since Nobuyuki Idei appeared In Los Angeles, the two sides must have a formal meeting: “Of course there is no problem, Idei, let me contact my assistant to confirm the time.”

Nobuyuki Idei agreed with a smile, and got into the car after saying goodbye to Eric.

The driver drove for a distance, and Nobuyuki Idei’s face in the car had turned gloomy.

The last few days.

In the process of reviewing Colombia’s detailed information, Nobuyuki Idei found that Colombia’s problems were much more serious than the headquarters had imagined.

During the few years that Peter Cooper and Jon Peters have been running Columbia, they have not made any decisions that are beneficial to Columbia Films. The funds that should be used for the development of the company are squandered on personal enjoyment. In recent years, the total cost of Columbia’s office decoration, private jets and luxury yachts has reached as high as 170 million US dollars, and other messy expenditures are too numerous to enumerate.

If Peter Cooper and Jon Peters are working hard to run Columbia, these expenses won’t hurt the foundation of the old studio.

But the two never put their minds to running Colombia from the beginning to the end.

In the past five years, Colombia’s only outstanding performance has been some film cooperation with Firefly, but behind these cooperation is also not so simple, Sony has discovered that because of Firefly’s ‘cooperation’ with Colombia, Colombia’s overseas distribution network Already in a semi-paralyzed state.

Thinking that the old rival Panasonic Group and Canada’s Seagram Group are in the final negotiation of the Universal Pictures deal, Idei Nobuyuki inevitably has some thoughts of retreat.

But with Colombia’s current situation, Sony has no way out, because Colombia’s current stall is not even much stronger than MGM. Sony spent a huge sum of $5.5 billion to acquire Colombia. If it is forced to sell Colombia now.

Even if the original purchase price is folded in half, no one is necessarily willing to take over, and even if someone is willing to take over, Sony is under strong pressure from all parties.

Nor dare to ‘sell off’ Colombia.

In this case, Sony can only grit its teeth and continue to insist on operating Colombia.

Although I was slapped by Firefly during the original cooperation process, at present, the copyrights of several films such as “Men in Black”, “Mrs. Smith” and “Jumanji” cooperating with Firefly and flowers and shadows The industry’s distribution rights for the three films “Mission: Impossible”, “Forrest Gump” and “Night at the Museum” are undoubtedly the most valuable resources in Colombia’s hands.

Although Nobuyuki Idei hated these Hollywood profiteers extremely.

But also know that to maintain Colombia, we must make full use of these resources.

Especially the filming of the sequels of “Men in Black” and “Mrs. & Mrs. Smith”, these two blockbusters with a global box office of more than 500 million US dollars. With the accumulated reputation of the first film, the launch of the sequel will definitely bring a very considerable amount of money to Colombia. income.

Nobuyuki Idei attended today’s premiere of “Mission Impossible” just to test Eric’s attitude towards the two films. Without the cooperation of Firefly, unless legal means are used, “Men in Black” and “Mrs. Sequels are going to be hard to start.

But Colombia is in trouble now, and Idei doesn’t want another lawsuit.

only.

Recalling Eric Williams’ ambiguous attitude during the premiere, Nobuyuki Idei couldn’t help rubbing his temples again.

This matter could not be solved for a while, and Nobuyuki Idei remembered the next leader of Colombia. He raised his head and asked the assistant sitting in the front passenger seat: “Fujita, have you responded to Michael Ovitz’s invitation?

” Yes, President, Mr. Ovitz has promised to meet with you next Monday.”

…

Under the wonderful plot and excellent marketing methods, “Mission Impossible” easily won the box office of 38.5 million US dollars in more than 2,900 theaters in the first weekend and three days. “The turnaround after the fiasco gave a very positive evaluation, and the “Los Angeles Times” praised “Mission Impossible” completely broke through the shackles of the TV series.

The plot is gripping, the scenes are dazzling and atmospheric, and Kevin Costner portrays the image of a tough agent who survives the dead.”

With the excellent word of mouth and box office in the first three days of the first weekend, the evaluation agency made a prediction of “Mission Impossible” in North America of 160 million to 180 million US dollars.

Because Kevin Costner starred in another special agent film “Bodyguard” has reached the global box office of 410 million US dollars.

And “Mission: Impossible” is better in both work quality and marketing efforts. Therefore, box office evaluation agencies are more optimistic about the global box office forecast of “Mission: Impossible”, and most agencies predict the global box office of “Mission: Impossible”. Not less than half a billion dollars.

The production and marketing costs of “Mission: Impossible” are controlled within US$110 million, of which US$40 million in marketing expenses are shared by Huahua Films and Colombia. Although Huahua Films has invested US$90 million for “Mission: Impossible” before and after huge sums of money.

However, according to the global average box office forecast of 500 million U.S. dollars, Huahua Pictures will be able to recover about 130 million in the box office alone, and bring in a profit of 40 million U.S. dollars in the case of all return. The income from videotape and TV broadcasting rights will be more lucrative.

In the new week, at Universal Studios in Burbank, Michael Eisner still sat in the office early, with a touch of envy between his brows, reading the weekend box office report just sent by his assistant.

After reading the report on “Mission: Impossible”, Michael Eisner continued to look for the box office charts and landed on the “Little Guy” released by Universal at the same time, which is Michael Ovitz A project that was personally operated by the president of Universal, this family comedy based on a man’s pregnancy as a gimmick had a total box office of only $7.68 million in the first weekend and three days. “Not even a fraction of the box office.

Of course Michael Eisner wouldn’t expect such a $30 million comedy to reach the level of “Mission Impossible” at the box office, he just thought of Michael Ovitz’s vision for this film, he Actually want to invite Arnold Schwarzenegger as the male lead, with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s worth after “True Lies”, once Arnold Schwarzenegger is invited, the production and marketing of this film The budget level will also be raised at the same time, and the production cost alone may reach 60 million US dollars. When the project “Little Guy” was determined, although Michael Eisner was still recovering from heart surgery, Michael Ovey was very much needed. Although he helped him manage the affairs of the world, he still rejected Michael Ovitz’s proposal with a strong attitude, and the two even had a private dispute, and the decades-long friendship also appeared at the time.

But at the moment, looking at the box office data in his hand, Michael Eisner does not regret his original decision, but is a little fortunate.

The box office of “Little Guy” was only 7.68 million in the first weekend, and the agency’s total box office forecast for the film was only 30 million.

However, although this number is still pitifully inferior to that of “Mission Impossible” at the box office in the first weekend, UU reading www.sonicmtl.com, but through overseas distribution and video tapes and other peripheral channels, “Little Guy” can definitely still bring good to the world. income.

But if Michael Ovitz’s big-star production proposal had been adopted, the project would have been a huge loss for Universal.

Thinking of this, Michael Eisner couldn’t help but count in his mind a series of ideas that Michael Ovitz had put forward since he joined the company, and he couldn’t help shaking his head.

Negotiations between Japan’s Panasonic and Seagram Group have entered the final stage.

Michael Eisner once again made up his mind to take advantage of this negotiation to kick Michael Ovitz out of the world no matter what, despite the golden parachute he signed with Michael Ovitz under his leadership The deal left Michael Eisner feeling cocooned, but thinking about Sony’s surreptitious approach to Michael Ovitz recently and Panasonic’s eagerness to leave Universal, Michael Eisner was skeptical about kicking Michael Ovitz out. Global grasp has been getting higher and higher.

The assistant’s knock on the door awakened Michael Eisner, who was contemplating: “Mr. Eisner, Mr. Bronfman from Seagram is here.” (To be continued.) SJGSF0916 Baidu search “” to see the latest and most complete novel!

[End of this Chapter]