Vol 2 Chapter 259: Too risky (subscription required)

Just when Duke returned to Los Angeles and negotiated with Warner Bros. about a new film project, another remarkable thing happened in Hollywood-Michael Ovitz, who was once invincible and was hyped by many gossip media as the behind-the-scenes king of Hollywood. , Was forcibly fired by Walt Disney, and went out.
The most important reason for dismissal is that Michael Ovitz is not capable enough to control a huge media company like Walt Disney.
The emperor who used to be caa, has not yet realized his ambitions, has been defeated in a complicated personnel struggle, and has to leave Disney sadly.
Just like Hollywood with fierce competition, there are complex struggles and compromises within major film companies, and they are also fighting each other with sex, money, and power.
Wanting to get to a high position has never been smooth.
The only surprise that Duke was surprised by was that he got news from Robert Iger that the board of directors headed by Michael Eisner fired Michael Ovitz, and there was another most direct reason—he had no good eyes and rejected it. The dropped project "Chicago" is selling well all over the world!
If understood literally, without "Chicago," Michael Ovitz might still sit for more time in the Disney ceo position.
□◆ Of course, Duke is not so naive, knowing where the core of the incident is.
It is true that Michael Ovitz is not enough to control a huge media company such as Walt Disney, but since Michael Eisner chose his childhood friend, he may not just set up a puppet, but he was once in power like Ovitz. How can you be willing to be a puppet?
Power is a poison, even more attractive to men than money and beauty.
In the face of the struggle for power, it is normal for a pair of childhood friends to turn against each other.
The contradiction between the two parties was originally limited to a certain range. But an operation by Michael Eisner changed everything.
Earlier the year before last, Michael Eisner had an operation due to a heart problem. After the operation, Michael Ovitz took advantage of Eisner’s wife’s trust or other reasons that did not spread to control Eisner’s ward. Ovitz and Eisner's wife. Not to mention Disney’s top executives, even Eisner’s lawyers can’t see him in person...
The power that originally belonged to Michael Eisner, according to Disney’s rules, was naturally extended to Ovitz’s hands, but the good times did not last long, and Eisner recovered extremely quickly. After they came back, the two tore the last face. .
According to Duke's speculation, "Chicago" is nothing more than a small trap that Eisner sets for Ovizbu.
Michael Ovitz leaves Disney. He can’t return to caa either. He has no shares in his hands. Duke is looking forward to his return. In that case, Martin Bob and Ino Martin will certainly not hand over the power in their hands, because of the constant internal friction of power struggles. , It will be more exciting then.
It's a pity that Ino Martin's own shares and the shares he has won are always limited, and he has been unable to oust Martin Bob.
Duke will not forget the potential or even recognized enemy over there, the other party is just being confused by Inno Martin. He believed that as long as there is a chance, Martin? Bob will be like a viper waiting for an opportunity. Give him a bite.
And he also has this ability and strength.
Michael Ovitz, who left Disney, received a large sum of severance compensation, coupled with his original wealth and a deep network of contacts, and soon established an entertainment agency. It is said that he has convinced Sony Entertainment. To help them successfully put a terrifying monster on the screen.
While busy with film work, Duke also got good news from outside the film. Steve Jobs returned to Apple at the beginning of this year with the great success of Pixar Studios.
For investments other than movies, Duke finally put a lot of heart into it.
By late April, Warner Bros. passed the preliminary review of The Matrix with the fastest speed in the program. Will fully participate in the investment and publicity of the film.
At the same time, Duke and Robin Grande formally established a film project and established a hacker studio. They used Warner Bros’ shares as collateral to obtain a loan of 20 million U.S. dollars from the bank, plus directly from his account. The allocated 20 million US dollars accounted for half of the total production cost of "The Matrix" with 40 million US dollars.
In the twentieth century, Fox finally did not participate in the investment, their funds were extremely tight, and the two super-large productions "Life and Death 2" and "Titanic" have already caused Fox to be devastated. Fortunately, the former will be launched soon in the summer. It is a pit...
In this way, Warner Bros. will not only occupy the remaining US$40 million in investment, but will also become a North American and overseas distributor of the film.
"Our competitor Fox has fallen behind!"
Just like other movies, after the press conference of the project was announced, it was a celebration party. Warner Bros’ ceo Jeff Robinoff looked complacent at this time,
Everyone, we have tied the best young directors in Hollywood to On Warner's chariot!"
"I propose to make a toast."
An executive vice president of Warner Bros. took the lead to raise a glass of wine. Although the protagonist of the party was still outside to deal with the media, Warner’s senior executives took the lead to toast and drink.
These high-levels gradually dispersed, and Robert Solomon suddenly found Jeff Robinoff.
"Have you heard, Jeff."
With a serious expression, he called Jeff Robinoff to the corner of no one, "Duke has obtained the film rights to Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", and the Duke Studio is already preparing for the adaptation of the film. People have talked about it, and Charles seems to have joined it."
"I also got some relevant news." Jeff Robinoff nodded earnestly. "Duke and Charles went to Australia some time ago. Apart from visiting Sydney, they should be preparing for this."
He understood what Solomon meant. "Robert, I already have a plan. I will talk to Duke about this."
There was a sudden noise from the entrance of the banquet hall, and many people gathered around. Jeff Robinoff just glanced over there. His face changed to the most enthusiastic smile, and he strode up.
Duke Rosenberg deserves this for any film company's CEO, isn't it?
With this thought, Jeff Robinoff walked through the crowd, saw Duke on the opposite side, and opened his arms. He gave him a strong hug and looked extremely enthusiastic, as if the two were friends that they had not seen in years.
As long as he can continue to work with Warner Bros., let alone embrace, Jeff Robinoff is willing to climb up the table to tap dance like Michael Ovitz.
After a simple greeting, Jeff Robinoff looked at Duke's greetings with others, and his heart was full of emotion. The ordinary young man who was fighting for opportunities in front of him at the time has now become a super director who wants to fight for Warner. It took only a few years?
The face of the other party is still young and firm, but a little more mature, and confidence is never lacking in the dark eyes, just like when he rejected the promotion of "Life and Death" and still went out full of fighting spirit.
Only those who are confident, determined, tenacious, hardworking and truly talented can succeed in Hollywood. Isn't the opposite young director the best portrayal? It seems from the day I saw it. He has never lacked the elements necessary for a successful person.
After a lap of entertainment, Duke turned to find Jeff Robinoff. The other party was standing beside him, as if waiting for him.
The two of them also had a tacit understanding. They walked to a quiet corner together, sat on both sides of the table, and went straight to the subject.
"Duke, I heard that you are going to adapt Tolkien's masterpiece?" Jeff Robinoff asked.
"Yes."
Although it is still in the confidential stage. However, once the preparation of the film speeds up, news will spread soon. Duke has no intention of denying it, "The trilogy is a one-time shooting and production."
"Are you so confident?" Jeff Robinoff frowned slightly. "This is recognized by Hollywood as the most difficult work to adapt. Some people have tried it in the past, but they all ended in failure. Shooting a trilogy at once is too risky!"
"I don't dare to say that I will succeed." Duke just smiled, "but every director has to try something different and always make something impossible possible."
Hearing Duke's words, Jeff Robinoff nodded heavily. Past results are the most powerful evidence. Think about this time last year, how many people thought he could successfully adapt "Chicago"? How many people think he can succeed in rash transition? Not even I decided to release "Chicago" because of the long-term approach, and even prepared for a loss.
The results of it? The film won US$185.5 million in the box office in North America, and the global box office is now as high as US$325.75 million, and it is still accumulating. Warner Bros. and Warner Records just drew the box office and peripheral shares to get a profit of US$30 million. One figure still has room to rise.
The income from the Duke’s studio of the opposite director is even more amazing. Both parties have just conducted an overseas box office share. Jeff Robinoff remembers very clearly that the Duke’s studio has already taken the money just by adding up the North American box office and overseas box office profits. At 45 million U.S. dollars, the peripheral profit is close to 20 million U.S. dollars, and the two figures will continue to rise. What a terrifying ratio of film investment returns.
Not to mention other things, just the "The Matrix", which has just been formally established. If it weren't for the 20th Century Fox because the capital chain has been strained to close, how could they not participate in investment?
If there is anyone in Hollywood who can successfully make Tolkien's masterpiece into a movie, Jeff Robinoff believes that this person is Duke Rosenberg.
"Duke..."
Before Jeff Robinoff’s words were spoken, he was interrupted by Duke raising his hand. "Jeff, Warner has always been the partner that supports me the most. I am now also a Warner Bros. shareholder. As long as I need it, My first choice for collaboration is definitely Warner. I can tell you very clearly that Nancy will talk to you about the global release of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy."
Speaking of this, Duke suddenly changed the subject, "I think we can further work together to create a profitable and terrifying project like Star Wars!" (To be continued...)