Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 614 I'll handle the copyright myself.
The production cost was six million, and the box office revenue was forty million.

Two contrasting figures are enough to explain everything.

Later accounts suggest that the box office revenue needs to reach three times the production cost to break even, because this involves substantial distribution expenses.

The current price isn't that high; you can break even with twice the initial investment.

In other words, if a profit of $12 million is achievable, the film has already generated $28 million in revenue.

The theaters were happy because they made money.

Columbia was pleased; although they didn't earn much, they hadn't put in too much effort either, and they could still collect the distribution fees.

Akira Furuya and all the actors involved were very happy, after all, they had gained both fame and fortune.

Only Universal Corporation was unhappy.

Damn it! Shouldn't this movie have been ours in the first place?!

Joyce Haley, this old lady, was one of the producers of "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." She went to Japan with the director to invite Tani Akira to play a role.

Of course, Gu Ming not only refused, but also directly stopped Takeshi Kitano and Ryuichi Sakamoto from filming.

The film was later successfully made and garnered some box office revenue, but such films are inherently limited and naturally cannot make a lot of money.

Although Joyce was reluctant to do this, since the success of "Dragon Boys" had secured the actor's place in Hollywood, there might be opportunities for future collaborations.

money!
Money is the most important thing!

And what if they could acquire the North American distribution rights for other Dragon Boy merchandise? After all, Gu Ming couldn't do that much on his own.

At noon, shortly after Gu Ming and his group got off the elevator, they saw Joyce waiting outside the hotel, as if it were a chance encounter.

However, Gu Ming glanced up discreetly and knew that it must have been a waiter who called them directly after seeing them leave.

There aren't that many chance encounters in the world!

Gu Ming bowed slightly: "Ms. Joyce."

Gu Ming didn't even dare to shake hands when he said this.

He also has things he's afraid of!

For example, he was very afraid of being sexually harassed by an old lady, the kind who would sleep with him if he didn't make movies.

Keanu Reeves was even more afraid than him, and practically hid behind Gu Ming.

Joyce forced a smile and returned the greeting.

“Mr. Furia, you are a very energetic young man. First of all, I want to apologize to you for the unpleasantness last time.”

Gu Ming wanted to say it was okay, but...

There are relationships!
He almost got tricked into making a film!
Seeing that Gu Ming's expression clearly showed no sign of relaxation, Joyce handed over his business card.

"Of course, you might still be a little wary of me, but that's alright. Art is a minor matter. At least we can still collaborate on some things. Universal has a huge influence in North America. Compared to Columbia Pictures, Universal is like your Toho, Toei, Shochiku, Nikkatsu, and other film companies—both are top-tier film companies in their respective countries. If we have the opportunity to collaborate, I think we would both be very happy."

Gu Ming interrupted: "So you mean that not shooting cover film is because I have no vision and no respect for art, but Universal Pictures, or Universal Pictures you represent, still wants the copyright, right?"

Joyce remained silent, then immediately shook her head.

That's what she thought, of course, but she certainly wouldn't say it!
It's not like they have absolutely no emotional intelligence!

Gu Ming spread his hands: "Then I can only say I'm really sorry. I've already licensed all the distribution rights in North America to Columbia Pictures. If you have any business, go to them."

Joyce quickly asked, "Then, what about the copyright of the videotape?"

"I have already licensed the North American video rights to Bestar Inc."

"So, at least the Japanese videotape copyrights can be licensed to Universal?"

Gu Ming sighed. "Don't you guys still lack understanding and attention towards me?"

Judging from Joyce's expression, Gu Ming knew that this was indeed the case.

"Then I can only say you deserve to miss out on this money. I believe Global Corporation is not a small company, but I also believe that at least you, and the group you represent, are arrogant and short-sighted. I have to go, or I'll miss my flight this afternoon. Goodbye!"

Keanu Reeves paused for two seconds.

You! That's Universal Pictures! Now that Gu Ming is gone, what will he do? He still has to work in Hollywood!

Suddenly, Mark Griffiths poked him in the ribs from behind.

"Idiot, do you still want to be the male lead in the next movie? Do you expect this old lady to promote you as the lead? You don't want to be Ralph, but I want to be the director! Who wouldn't want free money and fame! Being a dog is just being a dog. What's the difference between the dogs of the Hollywood Big Eight and the dogs of the Japanese Big Five? Now everyone outside says I'm the best director in America at making romance movies!"

Although the scene hailed by film critics as the best love scene was actually shot by Tsui Hark.

Keanu Reeves snapped out of his daze.

That’s right!

He still wants to continue playing the male lead!

It feels so good to be the lead actor! Even though he didn't know anything, he still managed to finish filming without really understanding what was going on.

The group followed without stopping for a moment.

Joyce held the business card in his hand, his old face full of gloom.

After returning home, and making inquiries from various sources, Mrs. Joyce finally learned some news that she found quite unbelievable.

On the surface, Gu Ming is Gu Ming.

In fact, he also owns a film and television company that mainly produces Japanese films and television dramas, and owns the copyrights to multiple characters and IP sequels.

as well as.

A company primarily engaged in the production and distribution of videotapes.

Although it doesn't have the scale of Beston and is far inferior to Beston, only covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and the surrounding areas of Tokyo, 91 Video Company can still be called—Japan's Beston!

……

……

Keanu Reeves, Mark Griffiths, and a few others are not going back to Japan; they are already in the United States.

Gu Ming, however, was going back to Japan.

"Why Hell Is So Terrible" was released a few days ago. I missed the premiere, but now that I'm back, I can find out how it is.

Gu Ming didn't expect the film to reach 10 billion yen. Although it was a commercial film, the investment itself wasn't too big. Gu Ming estimated that a distribution income of 2 billion yen would be quite good.

Ultimately, we still have to film it.

This time, Gu Ming didn't use Xiao Quan's car; he simply pulled up his trench coat collar and strolled casually through the streets.

In 1985, at the beginning of Japan's economic boom, the bubble economy in Japan began to expand at lightning speed, and at its most arrogant point, Japan announced that it would sell Tokyo and buy the entire United States.

Tokyo will remain the city with the highest housing prices in the world until 2025.

In the same year, the neighboring South Korea was thriving under the leadership of President Kim Jong Un, President Kim had just captured a Japanese director to make a movie for him, Zhou Guozheng was teaching the monkeys a lesson in the south, and the Soviet Union had already sown the seeds of its demise.

Everyone has their own bright future.

Gu Ming shook his head.

Perhaps it's time to make peace with myself.

(End of this chapter)