Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 896: Sequel to the Harry Potter Series

Of course, what Shengshi Films and Warner Bros. discussed was the continued filming of the "Harry Potter" series.

After the fourth Harry Potter film was completed in 2001, Warner Bros. and Golden Age Films jointly announced a temporary halt to subsequent series, which lasted for three years.

During this period, Ashley Press had published all seven Harry Potter novels two years ago. Harry Potter fans around the world were calling for the continued filming of the Harry Potter series, so Shengshi Films decided to start the filming plan.

In fact, in October last year, Wu Tianmin, who was in charge of the North American branch of Shengshi Films, had already contacted senior management of Warner Bros. Sales Company, and the other party agreed to cooperate and continue filming the subsequent films.

But at this time, changes occurred in the senior management of Warner Bros. Pictures. The original president of the company, Thomas, resigned, and John, the vice president of Warner Bros. Games, took over as the president of the film company, and the cooperation between the two parties began to change.

Mainly in terms of investment.

According to the contracts for the first four films, except for the first one in which Warner Bros. invested 70%, the two companies invested 50-50 in the following three films. Of course, the economic profits were also divided equally between the two parties.

But as soon as John took office, he immediately overturned the contract that the two parties were about to sign, and demanded that Warner's investment be increased to 70%, or at least more than 60%.

The Shengshi Film and Television team represented by Wu Tianmin negotiated with representatives of Warner Bros. several times, the latest of which was the day before Christmas, but the two sides ended up parting ways unhappily.

So, Song Tangtang made a decision: to come to the United States in person.

After hearing the news, Fang Minghua hesitated for a moment before asking, "When will you come?"

"If you apply for a visa now, the earliest you can do so will be 20 days later," Song Tangtang replied.

"Okay, bring your son here too, and our whole family will celebrate the Spring Festival in San Francisco!" Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"How can I have the heart to celebrate the New Year if you haven't done this well?" Song Tangtang said angrily on the other end of the phone.

"Look at what you said. If things aren't done, there will be no New Year! Besides, if my wife takes action, all problems can be solved. That John will definitely agree!" Fang Minghua joked.

"Pfft. Who do you think I am?"

"My Fang Minghua's daughter-in-law"

The two joked for a while before Fang Minghua hung up the phone.

Song Tangtang was coming to the United States, and Fang Minghua went downstairs to tell Li Li about it. Li Li was also very happy to hear it: "I haven't seen my cousin for several years, and I miss her very much. It's great that she came to San Francisco to celebrate the New Year!"

Liu Xiaoli, who was standing next to him, smacked her lips in amazement.

Li Like is so simple.

If Song Tangtang came to San Francisco, it would be like taking away half of Fang Minghua. A woman had been alone in an empty house abroad for such a long time, and finally had her beloved man to accompany her, but then another woman came.
But Li Li really looked happy and she wasn't pretending.

The relationship between the two sisters is really special.

Of course she wouldn't say these words, she just said that she was very happy to meet Mr. Song.

She was also aware of the negotiations between Shengshi Films and Warner Bros. regarding the filming of the fifth Harry Potter film.
Thinking about Song Tangtang coming to the United States in person to negotiate with Warner Bros., he couldn't help but feel a little worried: "Minghua, do you think Warner Bros. will agree to our terms in the end?"

Fang Minghua glanced at her and did not answer directly. Instead, she said calmly, "What are you worried about? Whether you agree or not, Harry Potter will definitely be filmed! Sissi will continue to be the leading actress."

After hearing what Fang Minghua said, Liu Xiaoli didn't dare to say anything more.

In Xijing, Song Tangtang started to apply for a visa to go abroad, and Fang Minghua continued his leisurely life after finishing the script. However, Song Tangtang had to seriously consider the negotiation with Warner Bros.

Li Li went to class today, and her two daughters also went to school. Fang Minghua strolled around the manor alone.

The weather was good and the long-lost sunshine appeared. Fang Minghua stood by the lake looking at the clear water. He was in a daze at this time. Suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang. He took it out and saw that it was Wu Tianmin calling, so he picked it up.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Wu Tianmin said on the other end of the phone: "Minghua, Mr. Song will be coming to the United States soon. I think you already knew about this."

"Yes, she told me just after New Year's Day. What's wrong?"

"Alas, this matter is my fault for not handling it well and for asking President Song to come to the United States in person." There was a hint of self-blame in Wu Tianmin's tone.

"That's nothing. If we can reach an agreement, we can cooperate. If not, forget it. We don't have to rely on Warner Bros." Fang Minghua joked, "Besides, my wife is coming to the United States, and our family happens to be here for the New Year. You are creating an opportunity for us to reunite."

Wu Tianmin also laughed after hearing this.

"By the way, Minghua, what you meant was that if we can't reach an agreement with Warner Bros., we should look for other Hollywood film companies?"

"I have this idea. We must be prepared for everything."

"Boss Song and I have discussed this over the phone. Boss Song and I still hope to continue filming with Warner Bros. After all, the cooperation between the two companies in the previous few films was quite pleasant. But you are right. Just in case, I plan to contact the top executives of other Hollywood companies in my personal name to find out their ideas."

"That's fine. Letting the news out will also put pressure on Warner Bros., so that we can take the initiative during the negotiations."

"Okay. I'm quite familiar with Pierre, the vice president of 20th Century Fox Film Company. I'll go have afternoon tea with him first and ask him about it."

"Okay." Fang Minghua agreed.

Three days later, Wu Tianmin called Fang Minghua and said, "Minghua, I had afternoon tea with Pierre yesterday afternoon. When I mentioned this, Pierre was very interested in it and asked me whether it was my personal opinion or the company's opinion. I gave a rather vague answer."

Fang Minghua smiled slightly after hearing this. "Harry Potter" is a very popular IP and many film companies are coveting it.

"Don't be in a hurry to express your opinion. Talk to him slowly. You can also contact the senior executives of other film companies." Fang Minghua said.

"OK!"

Deep down, Fang Minghua still wants to work with Warner Bros. since they are more familiar with each other.

The Spring Festival in 2004 came earlier, and New Year’s Eve was on January 21st.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, Song Tangtang and her son Fang Le finally arrived in San Francisco from China, and Fang Minghua went to the airport to pick them up in person.

New Year's Eve is not a legal holiday in the United States, and people still have to go to school and work, so Fang Minghua drove there alone. Not long after, he saw Song Tangtang in the waiting hall, wearing a tweed coat and sunglasses, followed by his son Fang Le in a down jacket.

Wow, it’s only been a few months since we last saw each other, and my son seems to have grown taller and is now as tall as me!

Fang Minghua went up to them and greeted them with a smile, first touching his son's head, then taking the trolley case from his wife's hand. Song Tangtang immediately took Fang Minghua's arm, and the two of them walked out of the hall together, with their son Fang Le following behind, dragging his own suitcase.

"Minghua, I have contacted Johnson from Warner Bros. and are preparing to negotiate in Los Angeles on January 24," said Song Tangtang.

(End of this chapter)