Full-time actor

Chapter 461 [26] The copyright of "Iron Man"!

buzzing-

While he was sleeping, the cell phone next to Chen Yu suddenly rang.

Chen Yu reached out and picked up the phone, opened his eyes slightly, squinted, and saw the caller ID on the phone clearly with some confusion.

Cheng Long!

"Brother Long!"

Chen Yu yawned, and Cheng Long's hearty voice suddenly came from the other end of the phone: "Yuzai, are you still awake?"

"Well, I slept too much on the plane yesterday and fell asleep very late!"

"Haha, it's okay. I didn't reply to your message. I'll call you and tell you. Let's have dinner together at noon? I'll introduce you to some friends!"

"By the way, can we discuss the filming of "Peak Rescue"?"

But then, it was acquired by Time Warner, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and the two movies it launched subsequently suffered a huge loss.

Not only has it produced such world-renowned series of movies as "Dead Man", "Blade", and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but the most powerful thing is probably the introduction of Hong Kong's films.

Jackson couldn't believe his ears. What the hell is there such a movie boss?

Yes, Cheng Long's most famous movie in Hollywood, "Rush Hour," was also invested by New Line Cinema.

Only in return did Cheng Long accept investment from New Line and film the "Rush Hour" series.

This film production and distribution company established in 1967 is very famous not only in Hollywood but also around the world.

It has won countless awards. At the 76th Academy Awards last year, it was nominated for 11 awards including Best Director and Best Picture, and eventually won all of them, becoming the film that has won the most awards, tied with "Titanic" and "Ben Hu". .

"it is good!"

And now Robert Shea, the most famous boss in Hollywood, is standing next to Cheng Long, complaining to him: "Hey, Jackie, when is that Chinese boy you mentioned coming?"

"Here we are, already downstairs!"

But around the turn of the new century, "The Hour" and the comedy "Kingsman" were huge hits, and Robert Shea finally saved his job and the fate of the company.

Chen Yu hung up the phone and fell asleep.

Cheng Long smiled at Xie Yi, and Xie Yi shrugged: "He is late, I must let him make a movie for me!"

"Iron Man" is on the list.

Because the Lord of the Rings was so popular back then, it was hard to get a ticket in North America, and it was extremely popular. Even in China, it was sold out. Therefore, "Heroes" beat it and retained its position as the box office top spot in mainland China in 02.

"..."

Then, it reached its peak.

"Damn it, it's past 10 o'clock..."

In 1990, it purchased the Hong Kong Jiahe movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" from 21st Century Fox, which is currently one of the six major film studios, and it later became a great success and became a film giant with widespread influence in the world.

Later, because of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", the company began to acquire copyrights aggressively, including several important comic characters from Marvel Comics.

Because of this, New Line Cinema has a very good relationship with Hong Kong. It can be said that New Line Cinema CEO Robert Shea has made a lot of efforts for Cheng Long to enter Hollywood.

***
On the other side, a small luncheon was being held in the downstairs restaurant of New Line Cinema.

But he woke up after only sleeping for about 2 hours.

"Then go to sleep and contact us before noon!"

Although his head was a little dizzy and he obviously hadn't slept well, he remembered that Cheng Long just called him?

The risk of this gamble was too high, but this guy won.

In the end, Robert Shea was even more powerful than Jackson.

At the end of the 20th century, a New Zealander named Peter Jackson found a new frontier and lobbied for his big project-the epic blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings", divided into two parts.

Chen Yu agreed immediately.

But there are no big stars, and Peter Jackson himself is not a big director, so although the original work is somewhat famous, no company in Hollywood is optimistic about it and is willing to take it.

The influence of this film is really huge.

Big win, big win, now the whole world knows that this big project is "The Lord of the Rings", also called "The Lord of the Rings".

Time Warner directly issued a warrant: Shea will not have the final say on future productions with a budget of more than $5000 million.

"Haha, he has already given you a big gift!"

"As far as I know, the original work is divided into three parts. Why not make three episodes?"

And Shay knew that he was putting his fortune and life on the line. If he lost, New Line would definitely be absorbed by his big brother Warner, and he would be laid off forever. Moreover, because the three episodes were filmed at the same time, as long as If the first episode is messed up, then the next two episodes will immediately become a rotten egg that no one wants.

Chen Yu hurriedly got up, washed up, went downstairs, took a taxi, and drove towards the place Cheng Long had arranged.

However, New Line is currently independent, but its parent company is Time Warner, one of the six giants in Hollywood.

In order to strengthen the company, Robert Shea sold New Line to CNN's boss Turner in 1993 for US$5.5 million. He also made a profit of US$1 million, but the smart Robert Shea did not sell all of it. Equity, still holds 60% of the main equity of New Line, and enjoys the company's independent operating rights.

He quickly took out his cell phone and took a look. He ignored many other text messages and turned to the text message Cheng Long sent him early in the morning.

"The Lord of the Rings" brought New Line both fame and fortune. The trilogy cost a total of 3 million U.S. dollars, and the total global box office was close to 30 billion U.S. dollars. However, the total revenue was actually as high as more than 60 billion, and New Line even concealed the box office.

Cheng Long clinked the glasses with him, and Xie Yi pursed his lips noncommittally: "Well, because he gave me such a good project, I forgive his tardiness!"

"Yu Zai!"

Cheng Long obviously saw Chen Yu going upstairs and quickly stretched out his hand to him. Chen Yu immediately trotted over.

"Robert, this is what I'm telling you, heal chan, our hottest Kung Fu superstar in China right now!"

“And he’s also a double Best Actor in Cannes and Berlin!”

"I know, I know, you told me so many times!"

Robert Shea, 65 years old, with a full white beard, stretched out his hand towards Chen Yu enthusiastically, and said in his voice to everyone in the audience: "Let us welcome heal chan from China!"

"Oh oh oh!"

Countless people in the audience cheered. This was much more popular than the last Golden Globe dinner.

"thanks, thanks!"

Chen Yu was very embarrassed and clasped his hands to the countless people around him. After all, he was a few minutes late.

New Line CEO Xie Yi put his arm around Chen Yu's shoulders and said, "Don't be so restrictive. Jackie and I are best friends. We have worked with you China China Film and Golden Harvest many times!"

"Robert Shea!"

"The CEO of New Line Cinema!"

Cheng Long hurriedly whispered in Chen Yu's ear, and Chen Yu couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

This guy, even though Chen Yu was just a small green leaf in the industry in his previous life, he still knows this guy's name; because he is too famous.

Not his Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the later "The Golden Compass". This guy wanted to replicate the miracles of "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" and launched a trilogy.

The first part grossed 1.8 million US dollars, but in the end the box office in North America was only 7000 million, and the global box office was 3.2 million. It can be said that it was a total loss. After that, I didn’t even dare to play the second and third parts.

Therefore, a person's luck can only favor him once. When you want to copy it the second time, you must consider whether you have the ability.

Moreover, apart from this, this guy has too many dirty things on his butt; because of the success of The Lord of the Rings, he has almost become a "big Internet celebrity" in Hollywood, and he is so arrogant that he often talks nonsense.

At present, it should be the time when he is most arrogant. After all, the aftertaste of "Lord of the Rings" is still there, and "Blade", "Butterfly Effect", "Death is Coming", etc. are also quite popular.

"Hello, Shay!"

Chen Yu then hugged him with respect.

"Hello, Chan, thank you for this great gift!"

"Big gift?"

Chen Yu glanced at Cheng Long uncertainly.

Cheng Long immediately said: "New Line Cinema wants to participate in "Peak Rescue"!"

"That's really... great!"

Although its butt is not clean, New Line has been very strong in the past two years. With Time Warner as its back, it is like a small Hollywood giant.

"I asked people to read the script, and they said it could surpass the style of "Rush Hour"!"

Robert Shea showed a look of ecstasy, and Chen Yu was not polite: "That's my honor as a screenwriter!"

"Haha, Chan, you are a capable person and I would like to cooperate with you!"

"Our company is about to release a lot of films. You can take the scripts home and pick whatever one you like. I will arrange it!"

"10. We estimate that in 05, we will launch ten Hollywood blockbusters!"

"Wow!"

Chen Yu couldn't help but marvel, and had to admit that New Line was currently very wealthy.

"Moreover, Jackie's "Rush Hour 3" has been in preparation. If possible, you can also work together on it. That is also something I am looking forward to..."

Shay is indeed too polite.

If Chen Yu hadn't been a reborn person and had certain requirements when choosing films, he would have had the urge to die for his confidant.

No wonder he was able to make "Lord of the Rings", this guy's charisma is totally unstoppable.

What actor wouldn’t like to hear this?
Cheng Long was so deceived that he became lame!
However, if you really believe in this guy, it would be too naive.

Chen Yu believed that he did have a certain earning value to him; but to the extent that he could choose roles at will, that was impossible.

There is no problem in participating in the role, but it is difficult to play the male lead.

Unless, like Cheng Long, a blockbuster movie is tailor-made for him, this is another concept.

At present, Chen Yu obviously does not want to do this in Hollywood.

He has to prove his box office appeal in Hollywood. Although he has the background of "House of Flying Daggers" and "Kung Fu", that is just the ticket for admission.

Without verifying the individual box office capabilities of Hollywood movies in the United States, no film and television company is willing to invest in filming.

However, Chen Yu was not in a hurry.

What he has to do now is another thing.

Among the New Line players, there are a lot of copyrights, especially for "Iron Man". This guy... will definitely sell them.

Because it's about to expire.

In his previous life, Marvel bought the rights back from him at the end of 05.

Copyright split system redemption treaty!

A clause that any giant in Hollywood must abide by.

To put it simply, if the original story or script is not developed within a certain period of time, the author or screenwriter has the right to redeem it. Of course, you can also sell it to others, but you cannot keep it in your own hands.

This is a set of restrictions that the United States came up with in order to curb several major film industries from hoarding copyrights.

As the commercial value of popular IP continues to expand, copyright transfer, licensing, production and distribution transactions among film industry giants have become increasingly fierce. To this end, the Hollywood Screenwriters Association and producers have begun frequent negotiations to continuously update and refine copyright regulations.

At the beginning of the last century, U.S. copyright law did not allow for partial transfer of copyright, but had to transfer it in its entirety.

But in 1940, due to the development of the film industry, the "copyright split" system was established. Through the agreement, the producer can license the publishing rights and stage performance rights of the copyright it owns to the original author or screenwriter for free.

Subsequently, the scope of this right was gradually expanded, and the proposal of "right of first refusal" provided a more convenient and reliable way for copyright transactions.

This right stipulates that copyright or a specific right in the copyright can be purchased at a certain price, such as the short-term right to use it in a movie, television, or broadcast on the Internet, but this right is exclusive and irrevocable.

Rather than spending a lot of money to buy out the copyright at once, producers are more willing to purchase the "right of first refusal" for the work.

After all, compared to the former, this method saves money and at the same time allows the production company or producer to control the work within a certain period of time.

Production companies or producers can take less risks, start commercial activities on works, tap market value, and develop more projects.

At the end of the last century, almost all of the hero copyrights sold by Marvel took this form.

At the same time, the "redemption" clause in the "copyright split" system provides the possibility for Marvel to recycle heroic characters.

20th Century Fox and Marvel have signed a seven-year contract for the film rights to "X-Men."

This means that if 20th Century Fox does not launch an X-Men series of movies within seven years, the copyright will return to Marvel. For this reason, despite the poor reputation of subsequent works, the X-Men series has always maintained stable output.

Of course, New Line must abide by this clause.

But currently, they have no plans to film "Iron Man" at all.

It’s not even a year, how can I take pictures?
And the most important thing is that Robert Shea doesn't like the hero Iron Man. Under pressure from Warner, he abandoned the Marvel copyright in his hands like worn shoes.

When I sold the rights to "Iron Man" in my previous life, I thought the character was meaningless and that Iron Man was too bulky and unable to fly.

This is what this guy said publicly in the media.

Also known as Marvel's Joke of the Century.

These were all hyped up by the media in his previous life. Chen Yu has watched a lot of Marvel movies, and of course he has also seen this kind of sensational news.

So, he was ready to give it a try.

"Robert, I want to ask you something?"

Chen Yu chatted with Xie Yi for a long time and suddenly said to him.

Shay was obviously very happy now and waved his hand: "What's the matter?"

"I personally like DC and Marvel comics and movies. Does New Line have any related copyrights?"

"Oh?"

Robert Shea blinked, and then smiled a little: "Chan, are you tempted by the copyright in our hands at New Line?"

(End of this chapter)