Vol 2 Chapter 433: Difficult negotiation

The weekend before Christmas is completely "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", which is also one of the two most suitable family carnival movies for all ages in a year. In addition, there is a lack of strong enough competitors. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" swept away the tepid situation in the theater market since the '911 Incident' and set off a fierce enough movie-watching frenzy.
"This is an energetic adventure film. The atmosphere of the film is full of adventure and wit, but it is extraordinarily novel and refreshing for the audience."
"The magical world created by "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" makes people sigh Joanna Rowling's imagination. Fully enjoy Harry's miracle in the magical world in the movie."
There is also a lot of praise in the media. Even the most demanding reporters and editors know that the most important thing about family carnival films is fun.
There is no denying that Chris Columbus’s style is a bit too childish, making "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" tend to be naive, but it is not without benefits. The most important point of family movies is to attract families. Children in the audience.
Even if it is a g-level or pg-level film, few parents will let young children enter the theater alone, as long as it can arouse the children's interest, it often means at least", two or three or even more movie ticket.
Just like "Home Alone" directed by Chris Columbus in the early 1990s, the power of an excellent family carnival film is amazing, and after the entire Time Warner Group's propaganda campaign, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" In the past few years it has had a large number of fans and supporters.
On the first day of the North American premiere, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was in more than 3,600 theaters on Friday, and with $33.55 million, it broke the $32.24 million North American single created by the summer archive of "The Fellowship of the Ring Daily box office record.
On Saturday the next day, the little wizard continued to sweep the theater market with his magic wand. The single-day result of $34.58 million broke the record set just yesterday.
Although on Sunday, the film's single-day box office fell to 25.66 million U.S. dollars with the enthusiasm of the most avid book fans, but once again set a record for "The Fellowship of the Ring", raising the North American weekend box office record to 93.79 million Dollars!
The same time in the UK. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" also hit the box office, with $26.09 million in the first three days!
"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" draws a near perfect start to the entire series!
"Duke, work with you..."
In a reception room of the Warner Building, Doug Walter looked at Duke with hot eyes, "It is definitely the most correct decision by Warner Bros. since the 1990s!"
Jeff Robinoff will be transferred to the group company next year. Doug Walter's "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" are selling well, almost making him book the next Warner Bros. ceo position.
Think about it at the beginning, there were no voices of opposition within the company, but he fully absorbed Jeff Robinoff’s experience in grabbing the ceo throne-firmly and resolutely supporting Duke Rosenberg’s project!
now. He is about to receive a large enough return!
Even, there are rumors flowing within Warner Bros. It is not difficult to become the CEO of Warner Bros. As long as you have a good relationship with Duke Rosenberg and fully support projects related to him, it is enough.
As a beneficiary, Doug Walter believes that these rumors still have some truth.
He will not deny his own hard work and personal network and other factors, but Duke's support is indeed the biggest weight he has an absolute advantage in the competition.
Although the other party rarely speaks in the board of directors, who can ignore the weight of his words?
"Doug. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" did achieve more success than we expected." Duke looked at Doug Walter sitting next to him, and the next CEO of Warner Bros. seemed to be in a trance. I couldn't help but said as a reminder, "But success has also planted some crises, and the negotiation with Rowling can no longer wait."
Doug Walter came back to his senses and nodded solemnly to Duke, "I understand."
"Disney, Fox and other companies have contacted Joanna Rowling's agent." He added, "Especially Walt Disney. It is said that Joe's agent has been promised a series of conditions that exceed ours."
Duke also got the news, "We need to finalize the contract with Rowling as soon as possible. No matter how many Harry Potter series are left, it can only belong to us!"
The box office of more than $90 million in the first week is indeed worthy of attention, but it is the surroundings of Harry Potter that Duke pays more attention to. In the same three days, the peripheral products of the Harry Potter series sold more than 100 million US dollars in sales in North America alone!
For this series, the box office profit is not enough in front of the surroundings!
There was a knock on the door, and the secretary walked in with Joanna Rowling and her agent.
"Hi, Duke. Hi, Doug."
Rowling was full of radiance, and she seemed to be a few years younger.
"Hi, Joe..."
Duke stayed the same, greeted Rowling, and nodded to the agent.
The purpose of this meeting was very clear. Duke had no plans to go around the circle at all. When Rowling sat down, he said directly, "Joe, when do you plan to write the fourth part of the series?"
"I have already conceived the plot." Joanna Rowling pointed to her forehead, "I will officially start writing when "Hobbie Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is completed."
"I've been waiting for a long time, and finally I can see the fourth part." Duke sighed with emotion, and then turned back to the topic, "You mentioned to me that the entire series will be seven parts, and we will also do the next four parts. Time to negotiate."
"That's what I mean." Rowling's idea seems very simple, "Our cooperation has always been very pleasant, and if possible, I would like to continue to cooperate."
But she then looked at her agent, "Just talk to Dejot about the specifics."
Duke and Doug Walter glanced at each other, and both knew that this would be a difficult negotiation.
Of course, he believes that Joanna Rowling’s primary partners are still Duke’s Studio and Warner Bros. After all, if the two parties are really separated, the latter few films will definitely change their faces, otherwise the copyright dispute with Warner alone will It's a big trouble.
However, relatively speaking, Joanna Rowling did occupy the initiative in the negotiation.
Before the production of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and before its release, the Harpy Potter Studios wanted to talk to Joanna Rowling about the copyright of the entire series, but they were all rejected.
The situation is obvious. Before the release of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", the group represented by Joanna Rowling had no intention of opening new negotiations with Harry Potter Studios. They wanted to wait for the film to be released. Adjust the bargaining chips in your hands according to the market response.
Perhaps Joanna Rowling was just an ordinary housewife before, but with the experience of the past few years, coupled with the fact that there are also agents and public relations managers around, how could she be stupid?
The popularity of the Harry Potter series is obvious enough, who is too mentally retarded to fight for the best benefit for himself?
At least Duke knows one thing, because Joanna Rowling paid a 1% share of the revenue to keep the crew in the UK, the last four films will inevitably go back, or even the second one.
In the world once, only Joanna Rowling entered the Forbes World Rich List by writing alone.
This must be a long negotiation full of wrangling and interest disputes.
After Rowling and his agent left, Duke did not leave, but continued to discuss the next countermeasures with Doug Walter.
"Except for Rowling's team's own interests."
Some things are actually easy to see clearly, Duke said, "The contacts of other companies will further increase their psychological expectations, which is actually detrimental to our negotiations."
Doug Walter thought for a while and said, "Fox said, their energy is currently on the X-Men series and the group company's British scandal. Our main pressure is still from Walt Disney."
"So, Doug." Duke said directly, "Let's let people get in touch with Steve Jobs. At least we can't make Disney's management feel relaxed. We have to find something for them to do."
"Pixar Studio!" Doug Walter did not conceal the desire in his eyes, "Animation has always been the weakness of Warner Bros., if it can win Pixar Studio..."
"If you can really impress Steve Jobs, take down the Pixar studio..." Duke stood up and prepared to leave, or turned his head and said, "Doug, I will fully support you!"
Leaving the Warner Building, Duke got in the car and asked the driver to rush directly to Los Angeles International Airport, ready to fly to New York for Christmas. Although the city has not recovered from the disaster, his mother and girlfriend are there.
When approaching the airport, he received a call from Ivanka Trump.
"Have you not boarded the plane yet?"
Hearing the familiar questioning, Duke smiled slightly, "It's estimated that it will take another half an hour, my dear, don't worry, we will see you soon."
"Dad wants me to tell you. He is going to hold a big Christmas party and wants to invite you to it."
Switching the phone to another hand, Duke thought for a few seconds, "No problem, I will be there on time."
"I will pick you up at the airport."
Ivanka Trump left one last sentence and hung up the phone.
The most prominent change brought about by the 9/11 incident is that airport security and security have become stricter. Even private jets have some restrictions. In the past, the media and the public called out violations and restrictions on personal freedom, but now there is no one. Against, the North American continent is no longer an inviolable land in the eyes of Americans. (To be continued...)
ps: Ask for monthly and recommended tickets! !