Heads Up Hollywood

Compared to completely banning Brett Ratner, it might be better for Dunn to impose a 5-year "suspicion period" on him.

If Dunn really blocked all of Brett Ratner's retreats, even if Barry Meyer and Bob Shea compromised, the next thing would be very troublesome.

The rest of the film giants and Legendary Films are launching a "platter investment" project cooperation, which may give Tang En a little bit of a face.

But Disney will not, the two companies have already completely torn their faces.

When the time comes, Brett Ratner will definitely defect to Disney, and perhaps join hands with Harvey Weinstein to continue to be active in the film market. This is also a blow to Twain's authority.

The current situation is different, the five-year ban period is only, and Barry Meyer is operating from it, Brett Ratner can't jump the wall in a hurry even if he is bloody.

I can only obediently admit my mistake, confess my weakness, apologize and repent.

Tang En's tough stance and absolute authority in the industry were naturally established.

Tang En was in a good mood. Looking at the vast sea, he said with a smile, "By the way, "The Lord of the Rings" is about to be released. I heard that there are more than 1,500 special effects shots?"

Bob Shea sighed slightly, "Yeah, it cost 47 million dollars just to make these special effects shots!"

Tang En shook his head and said, "Bob, you should be content. I'm glad you chose New Zealand. There are no unions there, the salary is low, the tax rate is very low, and you can work overtime for unlimited hours. If it were in the United States, 1,500 computer special effects shots, It will cost at least $100 million!"

Bob Shea laughed: "Yeah, it's all thanks to Peter and his Weta Workshop."

The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is legendary, and its status in film history is no less than that of "Titanic" and "Avatar". Twain is very interested in this topic.

"I heard that the process of approving a film project is very complicated. Can you explain it in detail?"

"Of course, it doesn't need to be kept secret." Bob Shea paused, "But it's a long story. It's really a long story that can be written into a book."

Barry Meyer said with a smile: "Don't be fooled, let's talk about it specifically. I watched the finished film of "The Lord of the Rings".

When Bob Shea heard it, he became more energetic, cleared his throat, and then slowly spoke——

"This is about 35 years ago... At that time, United Artists Pictures had not been acquired by MGM. They wanted to make Tolkien's works into movies, so they spent 10,000 pounds and bought " The rights to film adaptations of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. Let me add that this is not the usual time-limited contract, it is a permanent buyout.”

"However, the project budget was too large, United Artists Pictures failed to operate successfully, and has been put on hold. Later, there was an animation director, Ralph Bakshi, who wanted to adapt "The Lord of the Rings" and make it into an animated film. He persuaded MGM After spending $3 million to buy the copyright, he was turned down, and then he found the producer Sal Zaenz, who he had worked with before."

"Saar Zaenz spent 3.5 million US dollars and successfully obtained the film adaptation copyright of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as the film production rights of "The Hobbit."

"Wait!" Tang En stretched out his hand to interrupt him, "You mean... the producer only got the right to produce "The Hobbit"?"

Bob Shea said: "Yes, the distribution rights of "The Hobbit" are still in the hands of United Artists. Of course, now that United Artists has been acquired by MGM, the distribution rights naturally fall into the hands of MGM."

It was only then that Tang En realized that it was no wonder that MGM would suddenly participate in the production of the "Hobbit" trilogy later on.

Bob Shea continued: "In order to make "The Lord of the Rings" into an animation, Sal Zanz bought the trademark rights of all the characters, scenes, and objects in the series of novels from Tolkien's descendants successively. Removed the last hurdle to make a movie."

Barry Meyer nodded and said, "Well, I've seen the "Lord of the Rings" cartoon. I remember that the box office was very good at the time, but the word of mouth was so bad that there was no plan for a sequel."

"what's next?"

"It was in 1993 that Peter Jackson was appreciated by the great director Robert Jimizes and invited him to direct "Ghost of Horror". Peter Jackson successfully persuaded Jimizes to go to New Zealand for filming, and to go to Weta established by him. The studio does the special effects and it works really well."

"You know, "Jurassic Park" only had 50 special effects shots, while "Ghost of Horror" had as many as 570 special effects shots. The computer special effects were produced very smoothly and exquisitely, which shocked the whole Hollywood at that time. "

"In 1994, after Peter Jackson's "Sinful Angel" was released, the reputation was better. Harvey Weinstein also showed his respect and bought the distribution rights of "Sinful Angel". In exchange, he Got the 'first shot rights' to Peter Jackson's next film."

Tang En frowned slightly, he didn't expect Harvey Weinstein to jump out and participate in the production of "Lord of the Rings" like this.

The right to make the first film, that is to say, Peter Jackson's next film, no matter what he makes, must cooperate with Harvey Weinstein.

Bob Shea said: "At this time, Peter Jackson was supported by Robert Jimizes and Harvey Weinstein, and immediately became a Hollywood celebrity. Twentieth Century Fox invited him to direct "Planet of the Apes", Produced by James Cameron; Universal Pictures invited him to direct "King Kong", which is his favorite subject; and Harvey Weinstein, because of a favor exchange, wanted to start the "Hobbit" project! "

""Hobbit"?"

Such a famous name made Tang En lose his voice.

Bob Shea had no choice but to explain: "Sal Zaentz made a very famous film, you must have heard of it, it's called "The English Patient", and the initial partner was Fox Searchlight. But because of the interests Disagreement, Fox withdrew, and Miramax agreed to take over and invest in the filming. At this point, Sal Zaenz naturally owes Harvey Weinstein a favor."

Tang En's head is getting dizzy, what does it matter? It's too complicated!

The matter is far from over, Bob Shea smiled, "At that time Harvey wanted to make "The Hobbit", but because the distribution rights of "The Hobbit" were in the hands of MGM, it was more complicated. Harvey had to settle for the next best thing and set his sights on the Lord of the Rings trilogy."

"So... Harvey Weinstein is the biggest contributor to promoting the "Lord of the Rings" project?" Tang En frowned.

Bob Shea said: "Judging from the results, it is indeed true. Peter Jackson is just a small director. He has passion and drive, but lacks personal connections. He is simply not capable of running such a large project."

This Harvey Weinstein is really turning his hands into clouds and turning his hands into rain!

Tang En waved his hands weakly, "Go on, what's next?"

Bob Shea said: "At that time, Harvey Weinstein planned to make "Lord of the Rings" into two parts. Peter Jackson didn't want to make "Planet of the Apes" because he was afraid of being suppressed by Cameron; "King Kong", very interested, he wants to make this movie."

"In order for Peter Jackson to delay the filming of "King Kong" and shoot "Lord of the Rings" first, Harvey Weinstein and Universal Pictures reached an agreement. Universal transferred the overseas distribution rights of future "King Kong" to Mira Mike Si, Miramax transferred the overseas distribution rights of "The Lord of the Rings" to Universal, forming a gesture of cooperation and mutual assistance."

"However, Harvey Weinstein presupposed that "The Lord of the Rings" is two parts, and "King Kong" is only one. Miramax suffered a loss in this copyright exchange, and Universal Pictures had to put another project in hand. Transferred to Miramax, which is the famous "Shakespeare in Love."

Not to mention the young actress Anne Hathaway, even Twain was a little dumbfounded.

This Nima is too pitiful!

Tang En had long regarded Universal Pictures as his own, but when he heard that "Shakespeare in Love" was a work transferred from Universal to Miramax, he almost vomited blood in anger.

"The English Patient" and "Shakespeare in Love" are Miramax's two masterpieces for Oscar.

One from 20th Century Fox and one from Universal Pictures. Is this Harvey Weinstein just lucky? Or is it too capable?

Barry Meyer glanced at him, "You've been talking for so long, it seems like everything has nothing to do with New Line Pictures. How on earth did New Line get involved in the "Lord of the Rings" series? No...it's that old friend again Gifts?"

"Old friend?" Tang En raised his eyebrows.

Barry Mayer curled his lips and said, "It's Michael Eisner!"

"Rush Hour" was originally a Disney project, but Michael Eisner hated Jack Chen's performance in particular, just like he hated Johnny Depp's performance in "Pirates of the Caribbean", collectively referred to as "clown monkey show". ".

In this way, due to the dislike of the big boss, "Rush Hour" fell into the pocket of New Line Pictures.

Bob Shea laughed loudly, "Yes, this time, we still have to thank that old friend!"

Tang En also understood now, and couldn't help laughing.

This Michael Eisner, his vision is really outdated!

Maybe when he was in charge of Paramount in the 1980s, he still had some judgment on movies, but after he took over Disney, his aesthetic vision for movies has been seriously deformed.

From "Rush Hour" to "Lord of the Rings" and later "Christmas Elf", these blockbusters have all fallen into the hands of New Line Cinema. Even after Jerry Bruckheimer finished making "Pirates of the Caribbean", he satirized that this movie would be a disgrace to Disney!

It became clear later that the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series was on the same level as the "Lord of the Rings" series...