Chapter 91 finalize the role, do not make a choice
Marvel, how much is it worth?
This is a number that no traveler can report, because after Disney acquired Marvel, its value has risen year after year. The superhero universe opened in 2008 has completely changed the pattern of the film industry.
For the first time, the value of IP surpassed that of various movie star directors. Many people even joked that in the future, there will only be two types of directors in Hollywood.
One is the builder of the IP universe.
One is a dou who can't even support the IP universe.
However, regardless of the extraordinary prosperity of Marvel after 28 years, they are actually younger brothers. In 1989, Ronald Perelman, who was a Wall Street giant, only spent 8,200 One and a half million, bought the company.
But for capitalists, Marvel Comics is just a tool that allows them to make money.
He has never read comics, and he doesn't know what's so good about these things, but he understands how to make these popular things create more value.
For example, collect cards.
When many people were young, they should have collected the Water Margin cards in the raccoon crisp noodles, such as the red-haired ghost Liu Tang, the cloud dragon Gongsun Sheng, the nine-pattern dragon Shi Jin, and the unstoppable Mu Hong...every time a new card is issued, It can make the children excited at that time.
And a series of various cards such as small cards, medium cards, plastic film cards, broken flash cards, flash cards, and colorful flash cards dazzled the children. Although many people do not know how to distinguish them until now, But at that time they understood that the price of collecting 108 main cards and six villain cards was to save food and money, and forcibly cut out the food and lodging money for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In that era, children I've figured out one thing -
Money doesn’t disappear, it just stays with you in another form.
If you dig deeper, you can find that those cards back then are very similar to the current card game.
What N, R, SR, SSR...
Although time has passed, the collection card boy has grown up.
But for businessmen, they just jumped from one pit to another...
Of course, compared with the current Marvel, the little raccoon's collection card is simply a younger brother.
One superhero, five different cards, if you want to collect them all, you have to buy the same work multiple times.
On the surface, the five types of cards for one character are much less than the 114 cards for the little raccoon. Many people only need to collect their favorite superhero cards. Collect it again, but in fact, other people's cards are printed batch by batch... If there are 200,000 copies of Spiderman comics on the market, then before they are sold out and printed, even if you print all 200,000 copies Don't try to collect them all after buying, because there are at least three cards, and they haven't released them at all.
This idea was actually thought up by Ronald Perelman.
The reason why Roland knows so clearly is not because he has a deep impression of this history of Marvel.
But in his own home, there is a collection card victim—James Olsen.
Because of this, after guessing the other party's identity, Roland, who was still holding hands with him, wanted to kick him to death with a jio.
Because Roland loves Marvel so much?
Stop kidding, okay?
As a guy who hasn’t even read manga, all he likes are movies!
And the reason why I want to beat him up is because James often 'cheated' money from him to buy comics!
Like most parents hate those game companies that make games.
Roland Allen also hates this kind of guy who can empty his wallet.
However, even if he hates it, Roland will not show it.
He accepted the other party's compliment with a smile on his face, and after a few simple words, he took the initiative to return the topic to the truck driver, not wanting to act as a light bulb between the two of them—"Let's talk slowly, I'll start Went to return the tray..."
However, before Roland could carry the plate to another table for food, the truck driver stopped him.
"Roland, just put the plates here, and a waiter will collect them."
"Don't you feel tired? Let's go, let's go to the private room next to us and stay for a while."
As the two important creators of "Terminator 2", the truck driver is also the soul of the whole movie. It seems that they leave the party after the premiere ceremony like this, which seems a bit unreasonable in terms of emotion and reason, but—
Who asked them to host Ronald Perelman?
As the one with the biggest celebrity among the guests, he certainly deserves such treatment.
Although Roland didn't understand why the truck driver who was hugging Perelman intimately wanted to drag him over, but since the other party said so, if he didn't go, wouldn't it just make this guy come down?
In this way, after greeting the on-site staff, Roland, who didn't want to continue dealing with others, followed the two into the box next to the banquet hall of the party. As the three sat down and snacks appeared, Pei Relman casually picked up a cigar and said why he came, "James, how is the script?"
"Last year, Carolco Pictures bought the copyright of "Spider-Man", and went to New York many times to communicate with Stanley ('Stan Lee' real name 'Stanley-Liber'), but at that time you were filming "Spider-Man" Terminator 2, I don’t have time to conceive, now that the filming is over, the plan will be put on the agenda, right?”
It was indeed the first time Perelman and Roland met, but he and Cameron had known each other for a long time. When old friends met, they naturally didn’t need so many pleasantries, and went straight to the point, which could save everyone a lot of time.
What's more, Perelman originally came from New York after receiving Cameron's invitation. Apart from tasting "Terminator 2", his fundamental purpose was to take a look at the mysterious scene in the movie. What does Xuan's visual effects look like?
After seeing the astonishingly infiltrating Terminator, he became more confident in the "Spider-Man" movie that the truck driver was about to make, and it became a matter of course to ask about the film plan.
However, in the face of his inquiry, Cameron, who hadn't started to do anything, smiled and shrugged, shaking his head and said: "Ronald, don't worry, there is a small problem..."
James, who was leaning on the sofa, raised his right hand and gestured to Perelman with his thumb and index finger to draw a fingertip universe, "According to the plan, after the end of the "Terminator 2" project, I will start to edit "Spider" "Hero" movie script adaptation and creation, but the problem is, my technician told me that in the next two years, he will not have time to help me make movie visual effects..."
"As a superhero movie, without a visual effects team, it can't be shot, so..."
"Project can only be temporarily shelved."
What?
Such words made Perelman, who was still looking forward to "Spider-Man", frowned.
The visual effects team has no time, and the project is temporarily stranded, at least two years?
What's happening here?
"Can you tell me more about it?"
"What's wrong? Can I fix it for you? You need money to build a team?"
The three consecutive questions showed Perelman's full confidence.
As a financial tycoon with a net worth of billions, he is confident to help Cameron solve all obstacles in filming.
Wall Street, money never sleeps.
For them, as long as the problem can be solved with money, it is not a problem.
However, after hearing the other party's question, Cameron shook his head with a smile, lifted his chin, and pointed directly at Roland.
"Problem? The problem lies with him..."
uh-huh?
After entering the box, Roland began to pretend to be stupid, like a puppet, sitting aside and listening to their conversation.
In his opinion, he is a low-key person, and it is best not to get involved in any project these two big guys are talking about.
What's more, the "Spider-Man" project is now in the hands of Cameron. With the copyright already sold, as long as Cameron approves, no one can compete with him, even Perelman If Cameron wants to put the project on the agenda faster, he doesn't have the right to finalize the candidate. Besides, for this kind of financial giant, it's enough for the movie to make money. As for who will play it?
Have a fart relationship with him?
In this way, even if Cameron and Perelman were talking about "Spider-Man", Roland didn't mean to be nervous at all.
Not only that, but he was actually quite happy after learning that filming would not start within two years.
Because after two years, no one will be able to compete with him.
However, before he was secretly delighted for a few seconds, why did the truck driver blame him for not being able to shoot the movie? Could it be... this guy also thinks he can act?
Grass hold...
If this is really the case, it is simply that the heroes see the same thing!
It's a pity that before Roland could feel good about himself and figured out all the process that Cameron was optimistic about him, the truck driver bluntly told the truth, "Roland's next project may also be the next one. The project will take up all of ILM's special effects team, George and Steven, it's impossible to give up their own project for my movie..."
"What's more, Universal has already approved the project, and it may inject capital at any time..."
It's... Roland thought that the truck driver had already selected him, and deliberately said that the special effects team didn't have time, and wanted to put the project aside, but unexpectedly, the special effects team was actually occupied.
That's right, after the shooting of "Terminator 2" was closed and the editing work was completed, James Cameron decisively switched sides and began to fiddle with the "Spider-Man" he was thinking about. However, when he and Industrial Light & Magic's video After communicating with effect master Stan Weston, he discovered that in the next few years, Industrial Light and Magic may not be able to undertake his project.
Because the second owner of Industrial Light and Magic, Spielberg's "Jurassic Park", has been put on the agenda.
All the teams are working on the dinosaur models he needs, as well as the dinosaur visual effects in the distant view. In this case, want them to customize the visual effects in the "Spider-Man" movie according to the truck driver?
Isn't that a dream?
As a company, the situation of not undertaking the project will naturally not happen, but facing the timetable given by Industrial Light and Magic, the truck driver immediately lost the desire to shoot movies...
The fastest to get 1993?
Are you making a movie?
Still launching satellites?
"Is that so? Then this question may be a little troublesome..."
After listening to Cameron's complaints, Perelman shrugged in disappointment.
Looking at the innocent looking Roland sitting across from him, who was pulled over by the truck driver to serve as a sandbag, he felt a little discouraged.
According to common sense, after the film and television adaptation copyright of any work is sold, the previous creators will not care about the process of film and television adaptation, because they have already received the buyout money, and the box office share generated by the adaptation filming, Of course, if there is one, everyone will be happy, and if there is none, there will be no desires. What's more, all the copyrights sold by Marvel have a time limit. If the project is not approved for shooting within the specified time, they can also take back the copyright. So, As the boss of Marvel, he is naturally not in a hurry.
Yes... This was a year ago, when the rights were sold.
Now, Perelman is the person in the world who most hopes that Cameron can set up a project to shoot "Spider-Man".
Is it because Tim Burton's "Batman" series made him see the value of comics?
No-
Because of Marvel, it will be listed soon.
As the first brother of Marvel, if Spider-Man can be selected by a big Hollywood director and decide to make a movie before going public, it will definitely be good news for their company's stock.
That's why Perelman flew directly from New York to attend the premiere after receiving an invitation from the truck driver.
The purpose is to urge the truck driver to put the project on the agenda.
And now, before the project is approved, ILM has to be solved?
Although Perelman is a jackal who can scare many listed companies, it seems a bit idiotic to use money to deal with Spielberg and Lucas. As a box office guarantee, they are capital. For acquisitions, let alone whether they can be eaten or not, spoilers will spring up one after another like mushrooms after rain.
Not to mention, the project "Jurassic Park" was filmed by Universal with Spielberg.
Antagonizing these guys in order to boost Marvel's stock price is absolutely stupid.
What's more, Roland Allen is still on the scene.
He only needs to go back and say a few words in front of Spielberg, and those guys can make preparations early.
As a result, Perelman put away his thoughts of shooting immediately, and smiled instead: "Then..."
"You mean, the script wasn't written at all?"
Although it won't be possible to shoot for a while, for Perelman, a businessman, there are still ways.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t shoot right away, it’s okay to let Cameron publicly announce his shooting plan.
Anyway, the shooting plan is just a rhetoric, not a commercial contract, and it can't be counted. It has no binding force on Cameron, but for those shareholders, this is definitely good news—although it is better than the news of the direct shooting. It's a lot weaker, but in the view of Perelman, who has watched "Terminator 2", taking advantage of the east wind of this movie, he can also make a lot of money.
Marvel's stock price will definitely explode.
However, just when Perelman was organizing his rhetoric in his mind, and wanted to persuade Cameron to cooperate with him in the non-substantial hype, Cameron raised his chin again, pointed at Roland and said: "This matter, You still have to ask him..."
"Ask Roland?" Perelman's thoughts were interrupted immediately, and he looked over with some doubts.
"That's right!" The truck driver nodded with a normal face, and said, "He is writing the script."
"Roland is very interested in the Spider-Man project, so I asked him to write the script first."
"Anyway, it won't be possible to shoot within two years. He can write slowly. If not, we'll just change it..."
"Before Christmas last year, I asked someone to go to New York and asked Stanley for an autograph and a figure of Spider-Man. In fact, I got it for him. He said he wanted to give it away, so my assistant went there. ..."
If, when Cameron dragged Roland into the house, Perelman still didn't know what kind of medicine was being sold in his friend's gourd, then now, he knows it all...
Although Roland's backer, Spielberg, took up all the resources of Industrial Light and Magic, making it impossible to start the "Spider-Man" project immediately, this kid likes Spider-Man?
And if this is the case, wouldn't things be simpler?
Pulling Cameron to hype alone, and pulling Cameron and Roland to hype together, those are two different concepts!
You know, the superhero Spider-Man has been born to capture children, and in this case, if they announce that "Terminator 2" director James Cameron and starring Roland Allen will To create a movie related to "Spider-Man" in the future, for investors, this effect is much better than Cameron's hype alone!
"Home Alone" has earned 500 million box office worldwide!
In this case, how much influence does Roland have on those families?
This simply cannot be calculated!
But one thing, Perelman does know...
As long as Roland agrees with them to announce the news, then...
In this way, Perelman, who wanted to persuade Cameron to follow him in the non-substantial hype, immediately filled with the kind smile of a weasel greeting a chicken, and asked Roland: "Roland, I didn't expect you to Spider-Man is interested?"
"This is really good news..."
"I think you can just play Peter Parker directly. Anyway, we have to wait for Steven to make "Jurassic Park" first. Since we can wait for two years, we might as well wait a little longer. Fifteen-year-old Peter , we don’t even need to find anyone…”
Grass hold...
When Roland saw Perelman's smiling eyes, he had already cursed in his heart.
He hasn't spoken since he entered the house.
Like the emoticons of later generations, he just quietly watched the two big shots pretend to beep.
However—how did you pretend to be on him?
Marvel going public?
As the boss, Perelman hopes to inject good news into the company by starting the movie?
So you want Cameron to announce that he is about to take over the filming of "Spider-Man"?
And because Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" took up too many resources of Industrial Light and Magic, Cameron couldn't start the machine smoothly, so Perelman thought of using the method of project hype to release the benefits to shareholders. information?
In this case, Cameron blamed Roland for not doing anything because he couldn't shoot immediately, and said that Roland liked Spider-Man, so Perelman wanted to use this to hype?
Marvel boss Perelman wants Cameron to announce first that the role has already belonged to Roland?
This is... this is... this is stepping on shit!
Roland understands that in this capital-based world, without a contract, everything is useless. Even with a contract, various accidents may occur. Hype is just hype, helping Perelman to work for nothing .
At most, it is to gain the favor of this financial giant...
but!
After the hype is over, everything will be calm after all, it is impossible for him to happen!
As long as this news is released, unless he gives up himself, no one will be able to compete with him for this role in the future!
After the official announcement, which actor would dare to risk his life to get involved in a project in the pocket of the Jewish gang?
Even if Cameron doesn't care, investors will think it does.
He just came to help Cameron take the blame, and then he recited the character he was thinking of?
Roland was still thinking about how to tell Cameron that he wanted this project.
What now…
Say a fart!
Your good friend and the boss of Marvel have already recommended it. In this case, you still want to push me away?
Now it is only necessary to make an official announcement, and everything will be stable.
At this time, if Roland shook his head and said No, then he himself could have committed seppuku first!
So—
"Of course, Mr. Ronald, I like Spider-Man very much."
"If I didn't like it, why did I ask James for a script? He didn't have time to write it, so I started working on it first."
"If you are willing to wait for me to grow up, then of course I will accept it."
"As for the early announcement? No problem, I like Marvel very much, and it is my honor to cooperate with you."
"However, if you directly announce me as Peter Parker, I'm afraid it won't be of great help to Marvel's listing, right?"
"After all, the movie can't be launched immediately, and what happens a few years later is not a major benefit."
Roland's ability to enter his own role in an instant made Perelman laugh. He didn't care whether Roland was sincere or not, and shook his head directly: "Is the age wrong? It doesn't matter, as long as you agree, we can solve this kind of thing .”
"Steven and George are working on "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones". DC and Marvel also have the concept of teenage superheroes. As long as the reporter asks, we can say that it is completely fine to film the growth history of Spider-Man .”
"As long as you are willing to play this role, all problems are not a problem. After all, things like company listing are my specialty. You just need to nod, and you don't need to worry about the rest."
"You just need to know that after leaving this room, Peter Parker is you, you are Peter Parker, that's enough."
"And I believe that James will not refuse, right?"
When Roland and Perelman set their sights on Cameron, where is there any opinion on this bridge between the two? —At first I wanted to shoot "Jurassic Park", but Spielberg cut it off first. Now I want to shoot "Spider-Man", but the special effects staff was cut off by Spielberg again. If it's just these, then It’s okay to code, “Terminator 2” was inserted by Spielberg, and “Spiderman” was taken by the person inserted by Spielberg...
He felt that he was just unlucky, and he had to fight with Jewish gangs wherever he went...
Since this encounter cannot be avoided, then simply don’t think about it...
They want it if they want it!
It's just a character, there's no point in getting angry with them.
What's more, Cameron also figured it out.
Since he can’t ask someone to do special effects, let your own people do it!
Didn’t Industrial Light & Magic despise me as an outsider?
When Roland was about to shoot "Spider-Man", you were telling me that no one did special effects!
I don’t believe it if I’m so special, you dare to lose face of your own people!
As for waiting?
He has been waiting for so many years for a Spider-Man, even if he waits for a few years, it doesn't matter!
In this way, following Cameron's nod, Roland instantly felt that these things are so simple...
A year and a half ago, when he first came here, he was still troubled by a "Home Alone" project.
And now?
All kinds of books are available!
Relationship accounts are really easy to use!
After finalizing the whole matter in a simple and clear way, Roland, who was still dizzy from the party noise, also recovered his previous spirit.
After all, the premiere starts at 6 o'clock, and it's only 8:30 o'clock after the movie, and it's even less than 10 o'clock now. As a guy who doesn't go to bed until around 12 o'clock every day, Roland thinks he can chat for a while .
In the process of chatting, Perelman, who was in a good mood because of the positive reply, also discovered the difference in Roland, "Roland, is it because you have the famous precedent of the Olsen sisters in your family? So I feel —”
"You are not very surprised when it comes to being famous."
“I have talked with many child stars, and they all have one characteristic in common, that is, to express their opinions to others.”
"And you, seem more willing to listen?"
Feeling the curious gaze cast by Perelman, Roland, who was an audience most of the time, laughed, "Maybe it's because I feel a sense of security..."
"Even if my movie fails, I can live well."
"So, I don't need to rush to express my opinion before others, because I don't need blog attention."
"Perhaps this is the reason why people from good families succeed. Even if we fail, even if we don't get some things, it doesn't matter. If we die, we will start all over again..."
"Start all over again?" Perelman nodded with a smile, "That's right."
"It seems that the Olsen couple are very kind to you."
Similar to Roland's situation, Perelman did not start out of poverty. He came from a wealthy family and had millions of start-up funds to buy and play with when he was in college. Even if he lost everything, his father would still give him money. .
Because of this, when conducting commercial operations, he does not feel that fast, accurate and ruthless is the way of mergers and acquisitions.
Don't want to sell?
Then consume slowly.
I have a lot of capital, who is afraid of whom?
As for lost time and money?
Do you understand that wool comes from sheep?
If you don’t sell it now, you won’t be able to sustain it by then, so it won’t be the current price.
So, for him, Roland's Buddhist listening is actually more to his liking.
Because of this, when Cameron asked him what kind of business he and Fox were discussing before, this guy who had been rolling in piles of money since he was a child, and who got satisfactory answers from Roland and Cameron, was simply He didn't mean to hide anything, "What else? Of course, sell Marvel's film and television copyright!"
"Didn't Universal buy Iron Man, Hulk, and Namor last year? They can also sell the others!"
"Captain America, Black Panther, Black Widow, Deadpool, Iron Fist, Ant-Man, Punisher, Humanoid, Mobius the Vampire, Blade Runner, Ghost Rider... These things can be sold... Unfortunately, these things are not sold. Yes…"
"I came back this time just to talk to Fox about the X-Men, but unfortunately those guys are not willing to pay even two million..."
"I originally said that the bid was 2.6 million and I was sending them a Daredevil, but they asked me to talk to Rupert (Murdoch)."
"What can these people do if they don't dare to make decisions on a bill of two million?"
"If I don't want to hype the stock value through trading, how can I take care of such trivial matters?"
"Cough cough cough..." When Roland heard Perelman's complaint, he almost choked to death while drinking juice there.
When he was holding his throat, like a man who fell into the water, he looked at the other party with red eyes.
That force was fierce, but Cameron and Perelman were taken aback.
"Roland, what's wrong with you?"
"Do you need me to call you a doctor?"
Seeing that Roland's expression was not right, the truck driver got up quickly and wanted to go out.
But just as he stood up, Roland waved his hand and signaled him to sit down.
But that line of sight has been focused on Perelman.
"James, I just choked, it's fine."
"Ronald, do you want to sell Marvel's film and television copyright?"
Roland's words made both of them calm down. Looking at the troubled kid, Perelman nodded naturally and said, "Yes, do you know anyone who wants it?"
"The deal should be concluded on July 16, before Marvel's listing, and I only have one condition, the other party must agree to make the deal public and allow the media to spread reports..."
Compared with stocks, what is copyright?
As everyone knows, the copyright of the novel "Jurassic Park" is only two million, and those comic characters are even less valuable.
After hearing Perelman's generous remarks, Roland stretched out his left index finger and tapped his cheek a few times, "Ronald, do you think I can buy it?"
"You?" Perelman, who thought Roland would introduce himself to Spielberg, frowned.
If Spielberg is willing to take the copyright, he can even lower the price of the copyright, and if Spielberg is willing to say a word in front of the media, he is confident that he will challenge "Star Wars" with Marvel movies, then these He can sell the character at half price, and if Lucas is willing to come forward to support Spielberg and say that he accepts the challenge, then he can even sell it to them at a 34% discount!
But now if Roland wants to buy it, the situation is a little different.
Sell to Spielberg, his Amblin Entertainment has the ability to pull out these movies, the media and stockholders will believe in their ability more, but sell to Roland...
Although Roland agreed to his hype plan, it doesn't mean that he is optimistic that Roland can form his own company like Spielberg and the others, and even if he can form a company and want to put the movie on the screen, It is also difficult.
so…
According to Perelman, Roland is not a suitable buyer.
but…
What if he does not represent himself?
Thinking of this, Perelman returned to his previous smile. As a businessman, although he wanted to know why Roland bought the copyright, at this moment, he didn't want to ask directly, but instead tried it in another way.
"You? Of course you can!"
"I just didn't think of how to thank you for your willingness to cooperate with me. Sell your copyright at 50% off. What do you think?"
"Who do you want? Just say it, the deadline I gave Universal last year was 20 years, and I will give you this number too."
Using the customer's goal to deduce the customer's original intention is an essential skill for a successful businessman.
Copyrights are different and have different orientations. The choice at this time can let people see your thoughts.
However-
Perelman, who thought he was sure of everything, miscalculated...
Because Roland is not a child.
Children only do multiple-choice questions, and adults need them all!
After hearing Perelman's heroic words, Roland took a deep breath, smiled, and asked very seriously: "Then... I can ask, if you package all the existing copyrights, how much will you bid for?" ?”
Note: ①I didn't mean to discredit Marvel, but after Perelman took over and before he was kicked out of the board of directors, the reason why Marvel's sales were able to crush major comic companies all the way was because of the collection of cards. . ②Between "Terminator 2" and "True Lies", Cameron took a two-year break. Except that Industrial Light and Magic was working on "Jurassic", being with his son was also one of the reasons. Stone also didn't join the digital realm until after Jurassic. ③Perelman and Cameron really worked together to speculate on stocks. After "Terminator 2" was officially released, as the box office numbers rose, Cameron announced that he would shoot Spider-Man, which directly caused a sensation in North America and was regarded as For the great benefit, on July 16 after the announcement, Perelman passed the operation and enjoyed a dividend of 10 million US dollars on that day. This incident was recorded in Disney's "Marvel 75th Anniversary" In the documentary. Cameron did not dare to ask Fox for money with a knife on his own. In Hollywood, those guys who dare to challenge capital are either capital themselves or have capital backers. Moreover, Perelman was also the beginning of Marvel's cheap sale of copyrights, because he pocketed all the money himself. And because of this kind of behavior, when Marvel went bankrupt, it was investigated, but his "backer" was the Clintons, and he was their campaign fundraiser, so they lived in peace. ④ The X-Men are really only worth two million. In 1993, Fox spent 2.6 million to buy the X-Men and took an extra Daredevil.
(end of this chapter)