America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 577 The Knife is Hidden Behind Sweet Words

How can you think Martin and Louise are reliable without going through the baptism of the books of the six major companies?

Wu Maoting only realized the value of his former collaborator after suffering a setback with Warner Bros.

At this point, Martin laid out all the risks upfront, emphasizing the unclear profit prospects of the project, which only made Wu Maoting more convinced of Martin's sincerity and trustworthiness.

Martin added, "It's a romantic comedy project. I haven't seen the script yet, but the producer is reliable. I'll contact you again once I see the script."

"No problem." Wu Maoting left his contact information in Los Angeles and then took his leave.

Martin escorted him to the studio's front hall.

Before leaving, Wu Maoting shook hands with Martin and said, "I'll be waiting for your good news."

Martin responded with a reply.

As these people left, before Martin could even go upstairs, Louise came in from outside.

She pointed behind her: "It looks like that Burmese investor?"

Martin stated directly, "He invested in 'Terminator Salvation' and got ripped off by Warner Bros.' accounting."

Louise immediately understood: "Are you planning to go back to me?"

"Gavin Newsom's wife, Jennifer Seabell, the one Harvey ruined, has a romance film project in hand." Martin briefly recounted what happened at yesterday's party: "She's still obsessed with Hollywood and wants me to invest. I was originally thinking of taking a cut from 'Lonely Survivor,' but then she showed up."

Louise said, "Whether the project succeeds or fails, we can still earn management fees and commissions from it. The Newsoms are still worth investing in. My father told me that after Gavin's term as mayor of San Francisco ends, he may run for governor. Of course, he will be running with someone, and if he succeeds, he will become the lieutenant governor."

Martin laughed: "It feels good to use other people's money to do favors."

Louise glanced at her watch and said, "It's almost time. Shall we go to Warner?"

The two went out together, without needing to take a car, walking across the street, and the Warner Building was right across the street.

Today's meeting was attended by a large number of people, including many subsidiaries and partner companies of Warner Bros.

On his way upstairs, Martin ran into Didi Gardner from Plan B. Because of Aniston, the two chatted for a bit in the elevator.

As I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Robert Reiner of Castle Rock, the company that has produced films that have all been distributed by Warner Bros. since the 1990s.

The group arrived at the conference center and sat down at the long conference table.

Soon, more than twenty people were seated there, and many of them were talking privately about what Warner's new management planned to do.

Didi Gardner told Martin, "I heard the new one plans to increase the percentage of revenue he takes from film distribution, both online and offline."

Martin wasn't surprised: "Distribution companies are upstream in the industry chain. North American distribution is manageable, but only the Hollywood Big Six can handle global distribution."

Louise said, "It's best to maintain the status quo."

Not long after, Kevin Tsujihara, accompanied by Daniel and two other Warner executives, entered the conference center.

The meeting began.

Kevin Tsujihara got straight to the point: "The main reason I invited all of Warner's partners here today is to discuss the next steps in our cooperation, so that we can continue to work closely together and achieve mutual benefit in the future."

Martin and Louise sat relatively far back, quietly waiting for what was to come.

Kevin Tsujihara remained very polite: "Over the past five years, through our close cooperation and joint efforts, Warner Bros. has consistently ranked first in Hollywood, and we hope to maintain our lead over other companies in the future!"

Applause erupted from the audience.

"But since the 2008 financial crisis, Warner Bros.' profits have declined and its global industry channels have narrowed." The turning point arrived as expected, and Kevin Tsujihara began to emphasize the difficulties: "Warner Bros. has also faced enormous difficulties and challenges. We have persevered, and over the past two years, Warner Bros. has single-handedly withstood the damage and negative impact of the financial crisis, preventing it from affecting its downstream partners. This has led to the situation today where Warner Bros. bears the pressure, and its partners share the benefits."

Kevin Tsujihara's words were very pleasing to the ear.

Martin and Louise exchanged a glance, knowing that a knife is often hidden behind sweet words.

Kevin Tsujihara said, "Warner Bros. has been bearing this situation alone for two years, and under tremendous pressure, it is no longer able to continue. The normal development of industry cooperation requires the joint efforts of all of us. We share profits and risks, and this is the way to achieve healthy, stable, and long-term cooperation."

An executive from New Line Cinema said, "I completely agree."

A Legendary Pictures representative chimed in, "Without Warner Bros.' strong distribution capabilities and channels, we wouldn't have succeeded. Since we've enjoyed the profits from Warner Bros., we should naturally share the risks with them."

Kevin Tsujihara gestured downwards: "Warner Bros. will bear the main risks. You all just need to follow Warner Bros.' lead."

He wouldn't be the bad guy at the forefront, saying, "I have other work to do. Your old friend Daniel will chair the meeting from now on."

Daniel stood up and nodded to his old friends on both sides of the conference table.

Kevin Tsujihara left the conference room.

Daniel moved to the head seat and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, Hollywood distribution costs have been rising steadily in recent years, while Warner Bros.' revenue share with its partners has remained unchanged..."

He was somewhat troubled by these partners, but Kevin-Tsujihara's strategy would not change and had to be implemented.

Warner Bros.' film business has now achieved the top position in the industry both online and offline. It is not unreasonable for Kevin Tsujihara to leverage Warner Bros.' extensive global distribution channels as capital to increase the commission rate for distribution.

Daniel agreed and stated directly, "From now on, for films with signed distribution contracts, the commission rate for North American distribution will increase by 2%, the commission rate for overseas distribution will increase by 3%, and the commission rate for all offline channels will increase by 5%!"

"Can!"

"I think it's fair!"

Those who actively voiced their support were all Warner-owned companies like New Line Cinema and Legendary Pictures.

Martin and Louise, among others, remained silent for the time being.

Robert Reiner of Castle Rock suddenly said, "I agree. Without Warner's distribution channels, our films wouldn't have achieved such high revenue."

That's absolutely right. The publishing company occupies the upstream of the industry chain, which is due to its direct access to the global market.

But when such huge interests are involved, who is willing to give up easily?

Everyone outside Warner Holdings turned their gaze to Robert Reiner, surprised that the traitor had appeared so quickly.

Daniel said with a smile, "Everyone, our collaboration will be even more successful."

No one spoke for a moment, and the meeting room fell silent.

Martin glanced at Robert Reiner again. He could understand why an established company like Castle Rock would make such a choice.

Castle Rock has partnered with Warner Bros. for many years, and its films' offline distribution channels are highly dependent on Warner Bros. In fact, it can be said that the profitability of its film library's offline channels is tightly tied to Warner Bros. It's not impossible for Castle Rock to break with Warner Bros., but the sunk costs are quite high.

It can be said that the longer a company has worked with Warner Bros., the harder it is for it to break free from its dependence on Warner.

Newly established companies tend to fare better.

The meeting was adjourned, and as Martin was preparing to leave, Daniel called him back: "Do you have time to talk privately for a bit?"

Martin was no different than before: "If you need something, I'll definitely have time."

The two went to the other reception room.

Daniel said, "I apologize to you for those three old movies in Warner Bros.' library."

Martin waved his hand and said, "It's alright, it was just an intention to begin with, and Warner Bros. has always held the initiative."

Daniel further explained, "I spoke with people at Warner Bros., but I didn't expect that after Warner Bros. changed its leader, there were many changes in the management, which caused the situation to develop in a direction I didn't anticipate."

He seemed helpless, blaming everything on others: "Warner Bros. is so unscrupulous. They promised me something, but then they went back and pushed all three films into the approval process. Exodus even got the green light from the review committee."

Martin didn't believe a word of these words, but he didn't show it at all. He sighed, "What's done is done. Although I think the market prospects are very good, fundraising for big productions is more difficult for me, but..."

He said he didn't care, but his face was full of regret: "I was originally thinking that once the film was successful, I would give you a separate commission and consulting fee."

Daniel was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, "Why didn't you say so sooner? I already reported the situation! If you had told me earlier, I would have saved one for you!"

Martin added, "I'm still looking at other old films, hoping to find suitable projects for remakes. We'll do it quietly, without alerting those ill-intentioned villains."

Daniel quickly replied, "Sure. If you see any other projects you like, remember to contact me, and we can plan them out separately."

"By the way, what's the status of the Exodus project?" Martin asked, sounding particularly concerned. "I heard it's made great progress?"

Seeing this, Daniel naturally assumed that Martin was unwilling to give up, and briefly introduced: "The project is officially named 'Pharaohs and Gods,' and the production budget may exceed $1.5 million. It is adapted from the biblical account and will involve fantasy elements. Warner Bros. has basically reached an agreement with Christian Bale, who will shoot this film after Nolan finishes filming 'The Dark Knight Rises,' and it is expected to be released in 2012."

Martin asked, "Where's the director?"

Daniel said, "We're still talking to Ridley Scott, and it's not a big problem."

Martin recalls that Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood" will be released at the beginning of this summer's movie season. With another epic film coming out, Ridley Scott, with his super thick skin, should be able to handle it.

That being said, according to the pattern of his past life memories, the more he stumbles in epic films, the more explosive his comeback will be when he returns to sci-fi films!

The Martian novel is not yet finished; it's still in its final stages. Martin Scorsese will have no problem waiting for Ridley Scott for a while longer.

(End of this chapter)