Vol 2 Chapter 659: Wali

Since its acquisition by Time Warner, Warner Bros. has released two animated feature films for Pixar Studios, namely "Cars" and "Ratuitou."
The former evaluation is average, and the box office is not very good. The latter has a lot of professional reputation and the box office is much better than the former.
However, everyone in Hollywood knows that the profitability of animated films has never been at the box office. "Cars" can be described as a typical example. The film released in the summer of 2006 has a global box office of only more than 400 million US dollars. The income from dolls and doll products has now exceeded $1 billion.
And the word-of-mouth "Ratuitouille" has received countless media praise, but its profitability can only be said to be mediocre. Not to mention it is compared with "Cars "Neither can compare.
In the eyes of many pure senior movie fans, these animated feature films cannot be viewed from this standpoint.
But Duke and Time Warner are plotting for Pixar Studios, not for professional reputation, not for the best animated feature film at Oscars, but only for commercial gains.
At one time, Duke thought about getting involved in the business of Pixar Studios, with the goal of canceling the "Robot Walle" project.
↙There is no doubt that "Robot Walle" is the most classic animated feature film of Pixar Studios. Duke himself thinks so too, but the relatively cold themes and content of the film are not so popular in the market.
Once the box office of this film was okay, but the peripheral income can be confused.
Most of the people who are willing to pay for the animation film surroundings are minors. The audience of "Robot Walli" is not a minor at all. Many adult audiences will pay for the movie tickets, but not many people are willing to go to the surroundings. Out of pocket.
A good movie. The result may not be high income.
However, Duke did not interfere with the "Robot Walli" project in the end.
First, I promised Steve Jobs that he and Warner would not interfere too much in the business of Pixar Studio; second, when Pixar Studio was acquired by Time Warner, the project had already started.
Of course, these are nothing in the face of sufficient commercial interests.
The most important point is that "Robot Walli" may not bring high profits like "Cars", but it will not lose money.
"Steve. Long time no see."
Walking into the VIP lounge of the premiere theater, Duke found Steve Jobs and shook hands with him, "You look better."
Steve Jobs waved his hand indifferently, "It's just a small problem."
"We are close partners now, and I don't want to see any problems with you."
Although some words are not very appropriate, Duke reminded him, "I think Western medicine is more scientific."
"Perhaps." Jobs obviously didn't want to talk about this topic.
Duke sighed in his heart and stopped mentioning this aspect. Strictly speaking, this already involves faith. He will only simply remind him that he will not be stupid enough to persuade someone as stubborn as Steve Jobs.
The other party can't even listen to the words of his family, how could he listen to the advice of an outsider?
Besides, if Steve Jobs really has an accident, Apple will continue to go on, even if there are countless people who are bad actors. Still proves his strength with real performance.
And after Jobs leaves, it will be more convenient for Duke to join the Pixar studio.
To be precise. The presence or absence of Jobs now has no particular significance to Duke.
With his character, of course he would not do those thankless things.
Today's Pixar studio, although acquired by Time Warner, is still the personal kingdom of Steve Jobs to some extent.
Many members of Time Warner's board of directors, including Duke. In fact, they are all brewing to reform the personnel of Pixar Studios, such as upgrading Ed Kamel to the head of the entire Warner Animation business, and letting John Lasseter be the animation creative director of the entire group...
This is indeed a promotion. Ed Kamel and John Lasseter will have more power, but they will be transferred away. But it can break the current independent situation of Pixar Studio.
In fact, starting with "Rattoel" and "Robot Walli", Time Warner and Duke have the same concerns, worrying that Pixar Studios will go further and further on the cold route.
Under the introduction of Steve Jobs, Duke subsequently got to know the five famous Pixar studios, they can be said to be the most famous directors in the animation film industry, such as Andrew Stanton and Brad Bird and others. Intent to advance in live-action movies.
Brad Bird is also one of the candidate directors for Tom Cruise's "Mission Impossible 4".
"Hi, Duke."
Some unfamiliar greetings sounded from one side, and Duke quickly turned around and shook it in the extended hand of the other person, "Hello, Martin, I didn't expect to see you here."
He did not expect that Martin Scorsese would come to the film premiere at Pixar Studios.
However, after another thought, Duke guessed the reason.
After Martin Scorsese left Michael Ovitz, the "Infinite Walker" used to hit the Oscar for best director this year was produced and released by Warner Bros.
Duke thought Martin Scorsese wanted to mention the Oscar voting implicitly, but he didn't expect that what he was talking about had nothing to do with the Oscars, it was something else entirely.
"Duke, anyway, Michael and I are old friends," Martin Scorsese sighed and whispered, "You have been entangled for so many years, there is no need..."
Duke probably guessed what Martin Scorsese wanted to say, and raised his hand to interrupt him, "Martin, it’s icm, caa, and William Morris who dig the artist management company’s clients. It has nothing to do with me."
Having said that, he pointed to Leonardo DiCaprio, who had just walked in, "Sorry, I have something to find Leo."
Not to mention Martin Scorsese, even if Spielberg speaks himself, Duke cannot give up the opportunity to disintegrate Michael Ovitz.
And even if he gave up, the three big brokerage companies that have already dug up many high-quality customers from the artist management company would give up the low-handed benefits?
Michael Ovitz has been in this circle for many years. There are countless people who want to step him completely.
Even on the day when the Lions were getting old, the artist management company did not become the second caa after all. After Michael Ovitz’s packaged projects one by one failed to meet expectations, he and his company must be faced with inherent forces. The situation of swarming strangulation.
There are not many people in this circle like Martin Scorsese.
"How's it doing?"
Duke asked directly when he walked to Leonardo. "All ready?"
"Basically all the preparations that can be done are done." Leonardo fisted with Duke and said, "First make sure to get the nomination. Now Matt Damon is building momentum. If he gets the nomination If you do, my chance will be smaller."
For a film, the chance of getting nominated for two best actor is very small.
Leonardo seemed to lack confidence, "I'm thinking about whether to switch to the best supporting actor."
"This is not a good idea." Duke shook his head directly. "You have no hope for the best supporting actor."
Death is far more powerful than any public relations and favor points. Next year's Oscar's Best Supporting Actor can be said to be an award that basically does not exist in suspense.
Duke patted Leonardo's arm lightly, "I will fully support you."
"Thank you." Leonardo then joked, "Unfortunately your influence within the academy is limited."
"Let's go, it's almost time for screenings."
The two walked towards the theater, and Duke said as he walked, "I really can't affect the old guys at the core of the academy. But there are always a few tickets in hand."
People like Charles Rowan, Robin Grand, John Schwarzman, Anna Prinz and others are now also members of the college.
But the same as Leonardo said. Duke and his team don't pay much attention to Oscars, and the relationship with the core of the college can only be said to be very general.
In fact, Duke knows very well that Leonardo’s chances of getting the best actor are very low, and certain discrimination in the academy tends to ignore the advantages of the discriminated party.
Take a seat. Duke threw Oscar aside and paid attention to the upcoming "Robot Walli".
Although many details of this film have changed, it is not much different from Duke's impression. The film is really wonderful, especially the scene of Walle on the earth. Definitely an Oscar-level performance in an animated film.
However, the problem with the film is also obvious. The Pixar studio's animated feature film is not very child-oriented. "Robot Walli" can be said to be completely out of the child-oriented, and it is basically an animated film for adults to watch.
No matter how mature the North American film market is, the largest audience of animated films is ultimately minors, especially peripheral products.
This animated feature film won $64 million in the box office from nearly 4000 theaters in North America in the first three days of the first weekend. This result is definitely eye-catching. If you only look at the box office, "Robot Walle" is definitely a big one. Works sold.
However, in terms of the revenue of animated movies, the performance of "Robot Walli" is very mediocre. Although the peripheral products are not unpopular, they are far below Warner's expectations.
Moreover, the popularity of this animated feature-length film did not turn into a stable box office trend because of the high and cold theme of the film. The box office plunged nearly 50% the next weekend and only received more than 32 million US dollars.
According to the first weekend’s box office and extremely high market reputation, the final North American box office of "Robot Walle" is bound to be close to or even more than 300 million US dollars. about.
The surrounding market’s response has been mediocre, and the North American box office has gone up and down. This animated feature film with a production cost of US$180 million is bound to be profitable through long-term operations. (To be continued...)