Vol 2 Chapter 381: Old friend

Everything must be cool and handsome! This is the real theme of "Mission Impossible 2"!
It’s also cool and handsome. The first scene of Tom Cruise’s rock climbing is very shocking, but the next scene inevitably falls into the stylization of Hollywood and Cruise. Perhaps it is a white dove? Wu's stylization.
Although Baige Wu, like Yuan Heping, has profoundly influenced Hollywood gunfighting action scenes, and it is not an exaggeration even to bring about a revolution, but anyone with a discerning eye can find that this director, who is known for his violent aesthetics, is actually only those three. Axe.
It is no exaggeration to say that "Mission Impossible 2" is more like a Hollywood Hong Kong-produced action movie show of dazzling skills, but Tom Cruise's name and appeal, than the actor Wu Baige used to use. Too much powerful.
The selling points of the whole movie are all spy and action movies. Wu Baige only carried out reprocessing and some collage work. Among these selling points of "cutting", there are both other people's and his own.
The essence of "Mission Impossible 2" lies in the two words "disguise". It is the charm of "disguise" that makes the plot ups and downs and suspense. It is also "disguise" that solves the problem. , The warrior turned the danger into peace, and it was the "disguise technique" in the film that allowed the character to change quickly and enriched the expression of the film language.
But "Mission Impossible 2" is still an out-and-out gorgeous and luxurious fast food blockbuster. Tom Cruise's idol charm and Wu Baige's "violent aesthetics" have not yet caused aesthetic fatigue, and the audience has also bought it.
This was evident in the extremely warm applause from the audience at the end of the premiere.
It is now the summer season for popcorn movies. This simple and popular movie is the most popular target. What's more, there is the handsome face of Tom Cruise who can make countless people scream.
Even Duke had to deny that Wu Baige was playing cool and handsome for male actors. Even in Hollywood, it is also the top ranks. He can say that Tom Cruise's advantage is maximized.
When the applause was over, Duke also walked to the front row to congratulate Tom Cruise and Wu Baige. After all, he was one of the investors in the film. For those who can create value for themselves, he will definitely pay attention to it, and he also saw Jack Chen. The "Rush Hour 2" starring in the other party seems to be released this year, plus the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Flower" that has already been released. An actor, Hong Kong filmmakers ushered in their most glorious moment in Hollywood.
Duke did not stay here for a long time and soon left the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. In the following time, he and Warner continued to discuss cooperation on the Harry Potter series. He will also pay attention to the box office of "Mission Impossible 2" in a timely manner, after all, he occupies a full one-third of the investment and income.
The success or failure of "Mission Impossible 2" is also closely related to his interests.
Due to the fierce competition in the summer season, "Mission Impossible 2" is the sequel to the big-selling movie. In fact, before it was released, the media once again set off the trend of Black Tom Cruise. For example, the tabloid inherited Du K’s glorious tradition keeps talking about Cruise’s faith. The gossip media focused on the Cruise couple's marriage, saying that they could divorce at any time.
even. Even Duke's remarks that the Cruise couple's marriage was under the control of Scientology, which Duke had made up by the gunmen, was turned up again by someone with a heart.
These are all normal situations. How can it be possible that any major production wants to be released quietly in the summer to earn money?
However, the rumors are rumors after all, and the Cruises frequently appear in front of the media. On the surface, there is no problem with marriage at all.
Problems with celebrities’ marriages were often circulated in the circle before the media stabbed them out. Perhaps it was because the news was unclear after staying in New Zealand for too long. Or perhaps no one has revealed to him that the Cruise couple, who had long had problems and made it difficult to have a relationship, have not yet heard the news of a marriage crisis.
It seems that the fate of the couple is quietly changing.
There are media in the black "Mission Impossible 2" and the Cruise couple, and some media are vigorously promoting them. The first day of the official release after the premiere, "Mission Impossible 2" was collectively bombarded by film critics, and the professional rating was almost The way of free fall movement fell below the passing line.
But all of this did not hinder the appeal of Tom Cruise. On the first day of the release of "Mission Impossible 2", he took 21.02 million US dollars from North America, creating the best single-day box office performance in 2000 and will be released at the same time. The movie is firmly pressed under him.
In North America, there is a very strange phenomenon. Whenever an economic crisis occurs, the box office of movies will increase greatly.
Now that the stock market continues to fluctuate, there have been news that many people have jumped off buildings in North America, and the investment market has been bleak. The golden decade of the United States has come to an end, but these do not prevent a large number of audiences from entering the theater, perhaps the daydream provided by the film , Can make them temporarily forget the cruelty of real life.
The single-day box office of "Mission Impossible 2" is entirely the trend of big-selling movies. After the single-day box office on Friday was bursting, it continued to operate in a hot state on Saturday. It easily got 23.07 million US dollars and almost booked in advance. The box office leaderboard this weekend.
In fact, this champion is impossible to run away. Although "Mission Impossible 2" cannot escape the normal release pattern, the box office on Sunday fell to 19.21 million US dollars, but the result of 63.3 million US dollars in three days on the weekend is enough to firmly occupy the North American box office. The top spot on the leaderboard.
While Duke was busy with his work, he also received a call from Tom Cruise. Perhaps it was a reminder from Nicole Kidman or Pat Kingsley next to him. This one actually offered to thank him, if not During the publicity, the club even plans to visit in person.
"Duke, I am very grateful for your full support. If possible, I would like to cooperate with you for a long time."
The voice over the phone was full of sincerity, "Thank you for the director you recommended. He is suitable for this series, but unfortunately..."
Hearing a sigh, Duke asked suspiciously, "What happened?"
"John Wu rejected me." Tom Cruise seemed very regretful. "He intends to take on a new project about World War II."
"It's okay, Tom."
This kind of news is what Duke would like to hear, "Wu's personal style is too clear, which can easily cause aesthetic fatigue. We can find a new director."
"Duke, I need to say hello to you in advance for something."
The continuous success of working with Duke has made Tom Cruise pay more attention to the cooperation between the two. "The Mission Impossible series may be suspended..."
"I think it should stop too."
Temporarily storing this series for two to three years is actually more in line with future market needs. Duke has no objection at all.
Unlike other big-selling movies that generally maintain a similar style, "Mission: Impossible", in addition to maintaining Tom Cruise's cool and handsome appearance, the style of each movie is changing.
The first is a tribute to the Cold War style of the original TV series, the second is Wu Baige's Hong Kong-produced action movie show in Hollywood, the third is the action film style of the age of Bourne, and the fourth is the protagonist. Large popcorn that does not pay for your life...
As the beginning blockbuster of this summer's archive, the box office performance of "Mission Impossible 2" is enough to be described as stunning. Numerous survey and consulting agencies predict that the film's North American box office should exceed 200 million US dollars.
Of course, the premise is that the box office of "Mission Impossible 2" will not crash during the weekday and the next weekend.
Throughout the history of North American film, there are not a few films that have a box office of over $50 million in the first weekend like "Batman and Robin", but have shrunk severely the following week, and finally ended in tragedy.
But "Mission Impossible 2" is clearly not in this rank.
On Monday, the box office on the first working day did see a sharp drop, but the quota was within the normal range. Duke was satisfied with the $11.27 million in a single day.
In the following three working days, "Mission Impossible 2" maintained a fairly stable trend, receiving 12.57 million U.S. dollars, 11.04 million U.S. dollars, and 10.98 million U.S. dollars, respectively. The four working days added up to 45.86 million U.S. dollars.
So far, "Mission Impossible 2" was released for a whole week, and the North American box office successfully broke 100 million, with a cumulative total of US$19.16 million!
This is the best box office result in Tom Cruise's history with the same release time. If nothing else, he will pass the US$200 million threshold in North America for the first time in his life.
However, I really want to pass this hurdle. In the next two weekends, "Mission Impossible 2" must be able to withstand the test of the blockbuster released one after another. Not only will it face Peter Jackson and Universal Pictures in the second weekend. The baptism of "King Kong" will also usher in the impact of DreamWorks' epic masterpiece "Gladiator" on the third weekend.
"King Kong" took three years from the preliminary preparations to the completion of the production, and in the post-production special effects, Universal Pictures had to invest again, making the production cost of this huge remake as high as 180 million US dollars.
Although there is still a gap between the cost of US$210 million announced by Universal Pictures, don't forget the difference in the age, the US dollar is relatively stronger than a few years later.
"Gladiator" is an epic war film of DreamWorks and Ridley Scott. After the success of "American Beauty" last year, DreamWorks' live-action film department took a breather and gained some experience. This film Not only for the market, but also for next year’s Oscars.
At the beginning of the summer vacation every year, the competition will be completely heated.
After finishing the work at hand, Duke stayed in Los Angeles and was invited by Naomi Watts and Nancy Josephson to participate in the premiere of "King Kong". At the premiere of this remake, it was not just Naomi. Omi Watts is an acquaintance, and there are many others who are working with Duke.
For example, it is Andy Serkis who starred in King Kong through motion capture, and Weta Studio is responsible for special effects...
There are also some of his old friends, such as Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob who have officially started working with Universal Pictures! (To be continued...)
ps: Ask for monthly and recommended tickets! !