Chapter 1874 1876【Difficult】
One is "RoboCop 2". The previous work "Robocop" earned more than 50 million U.S. dollars at the box office in the United States, and the global box office is close to 100 million U.S. dollars.
Compared to the investment of 20 million US dollars, this movie can be said to be quite a blockbuster, so the sequel is naturally not to be missed.
There is also a "new father-in-law". This is a family comedy, which tells the story of a father who is controlled by his daughter, who is entangled and anxious because his daughter is about to get married.
Americans actually attach great importance to family. It's not like in the legend that children will be kicked out of the house once they turn eighteen, that's just a very rare example.
Therefore, family comedies have always been very popular in the United States. Such as "Kramer and Mrs. Kramer", "Home Alone", "Meet the Father-in-Law", etc., are all like this.
In addition, Xiang Nan also invested in "The White Head 2" and "Crocodile Dundee 3". When investing in these two films, Xiang Nan signed priority investment contracts for sequels with them.
And these two films were really popular after they were released, so a sequel is naturally on the agenda. Xiang Nan also happened to use this preferential investment contract to continue to enjoy the benefits.
…
After finishing, Xiang Nan began to prepare for the filming of "Cosmic Dragon".
This movie is based on the short story "Memory Company" by science fiction writer Philip Dick, and the screenwriter is Dan Auban and Ronald Shusett, who once wrote "Alien".
After Karoco Pictures bought the script, they began to attract investment and find actors. Because the film is expected to invest 60 million U.S. dollars, such a high production cost has discouraged many film companies.
After all, the cost of Hollywood's top-grossing sci-fi film "Star Wars 3" is only 32 million. The reputation of "Cosmic Dragon" is far less than that of the "Star Wars" series, but the investment is twice as large.
In case of failure at the box office, even the Big Six may go bankrupt. After all, United Artists was forced to go bankrupt because of investing in "Heaven's Gate" and lost 40 million U.S. dollars. Naturally, no one wants to repeat the same mistakes.
Fortunately, Carolco Films finally found Xiang Nan, not only got the investment, but also let Xiang Nan act as the leading role. In this way, there is investment and box office appeal.
The project of "Cosmic Dragon" suddenly became the most delicious sweet potato in Hollywood from a hot potato that everyone was afraid of.
Many actors want to be in this movie, and many directors want to direct this movie. After all, with a huge investment of 60 million US dollars, coupled with Xiang Nan's leading role, it is likely to create a box office hit.
When the time comes, all filmmakers involved will benefit. Naturally, everyone will compete for it. The boss of Karoco Films feels that the people in the circle are too realistic.
…
However, Xiang Nan didn’t take advantage of outsiders in vain. His heroine chose Halle Berry,
Halle Berry is not only beautiful, but also has an attractive figure, and his acting skills are also very good. He has won the Oscar for Best Actress. And the relationship with him is also very close, so the so-called fat water does not flow to outsiders' fields, so he is naturally willing to support him.
Director, Xiang Nan chose Xu Ke.
In March, he had handed over the script to Xu Ke. Let him think for himself first, and then raise his opinion.
During the past six months, Xu Ke has not rarely raised opinions with him.
Therefore, Xu Ke can be seen in all the films he produced under his name. Therefore, the director of "A Chinese Ghost Story" was originally Cheng Xiaodong, and the director of "New Dragon Inn" was originally Li Huimin, but they were all attributed to Xu Ke.
In comparison, Xiang Nan has no desire to control. Such a huge company, if they say let go, they will let go. Many of the projects he invests in are just nominal producers, and he does not intervene in the specific production.
Anyway, as long as the director shoots according to his script, the shooting should be perfect. So he doesn't allow any director to revise his script, not a single word. But other things, he can not ask, so it is quite easy to talk.
However, for such a talkative person, he was a little overwhelmed when facing Xu Ke.
On the one hand, Xu Ke's thinking is unconstrained, and he often has an idea today and an idea every day. For the same story, if he wants to shoot this way today, he wants to shoot another way tomorrow; if he wants to change here today, he wants to change there tomorrow, there is no suitable time.
On the one hand, Xu Ke stretched out his hands longer. Casting, setting, art, props, special effects... He wanted to get involved in almost every department and gave opinions.
Xiang Nan regretted that he invited Xu Ke to direct the play. He has never had such a headache working with the best director of the Oscar. He patiently chatted with Xu Ke for half a year, and after mutual compromise, he finally came to a final decision.
Of course, Xiang Nan compromised more.
Because he really wanted to help a group of Xiangjiang directors, so in order to reach a smooth cooperation, he also had to choose to back down. If it were any other director in Hollywood, he would have let them go.
And Xu Ke also met Xiang Nan, if it were other Hollywood producers, let alone they would not invite him to film. Even if he is allowed to take pictures, he will never let him dictate.
Because Hollywood is a producer-centered system, the director is just a tool for making movies, and he doesn't even have the power to edit movies.
…
In September, the filming officially started.
"Director Xu, let's just shoot as agreed, and don't make any changes. Otherwise, even if I can understand you, other people won't spoil you." Xiang Nan reminded Xu Ke.
Xu Ke nodded.
He has studied in the United States, learned directing courses here, and has also worked in Hollywood, knowing that the rules here are very strict.
As long as the contract is signed, not to mention the director, even the producer cannot be willful. Otherwise, trade unions at all levels, brokerage companies, and insurance companies will take turns to trouble him and let him know that power cannot be willful.
"Okay, I see." Xu Ke nodded.
…
In order to save costs, the movie was mainly shot in Mexico.
The prices, taxes, and remuneration for extras are relatively low.
"Cosmic Dragon" has a lot of big scenes and needs a lot of extras. If it was filmed in the United States, the salary of the extras alone would be an astronomical figure.
However, Mexico is more chaotic than the United States, so the crew bought insurance for everyone in advance and reminded everyone to take precautions. Try not to act alone and do not go to dangerous areas to avoid danger.
The Mexican government also welcomed Xiang Nan and others to film, not only reduced some taxes and fees, but also assisted in the filming as much as possible, which made Xiang Nan feel very valuable.
(end of this chapter)