America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 589 Warner's Accounting Terms Change

In May, after finishing her scenes as the female lead, Charlize Theron left the set first. She will fly directly to South Africa to participate in a series of events before the World Cup opening ceremony.

Martin then received an invitation from the World Cup organizing committee.

However, the timing of the South Africa World Cup coincided with the promotion and release of "Inception," so Martin didn't have time to go.

The pre-release promotion for "Inception" has already begun, but Martin Scorsese will not join the crew until filming here is finished.

On the first weekend of May, Elizabeth, Lily, and Thomas visited the set in Cape Girardeau.

Inside the hotel, after kissing Elizabeth, Martin turned to Lily and asked Bruce, "Where's the gift I prepared for Lily?"

Bruce, cursing Martin for being inhuman, dragged out a small box, which was filled with orange bluefish stones.

He acquired them all through the fishing and hunting club.

Now that Lily has gained fame and is quite knowledgeable, she asked, "What kind of stone is this? I've never seen it before."

Martin said, "These are for you. When you have time, make them all into heart shapes, and also get a platinum necklace to go with them. I'll pay you back later."

Lily pursed her lips but didn't refuse. She took out a few and examined them carefully, wondering what she could carve on them.

Thomas then gave Martin a wink.

Elizabeth knew they had something to talk about, so she went with Lily to look at the stones.

Martin called Thomas and they went into the study together.

Thomas stated directly, "Gillian Flynn's new film has been signed directly with Warner Bros., and the adaptation rights belong to Warner Bros.

Martin nodded slightly: "I know. She contacted me first. The part of that work that wasn't finished was just so-so, so I didn't give her a clear answer."

"So that's how it is." Thomas thought Warner Bros. had used its financial resources to forcibly seize the property.

"I have no objection to Gillian working with Warner; it's her prerogative." Martin couldn't possibly stop her, since Gillian was the first to bring the work to him for review.

Thomas asked, "Did the news get to Warner Bros. so quickly?"

Martin wasn't particularly surprised: "There are a lot of people on set, and many of them have worked with Warner Bros." He recalled, "The day Gillian approached me, it was in the cafeteria, so it's normal for someone to have overheard what Gillian said."

"I thought Warner Bros. was targeting us specifically." Thomas then brought up another matter: "Warner Bros. completed the acquisition of Castle Rock, gaining absolute control, and Castle Rock has become a subsidiary of Warner Bros.

Martin understood what he meant: "You think Warner is trying to pressure me into selling the studio through some special means?"

Thomas explained, "That's not all. Warner Bros. has officially sent a letter to the WMA stating that the revenue sharing period for both 'John Wick' and 'Benjamin' needs to be extended due to issues with overseas distribution channels and bank settlements."

Martin asked, "How long do they intend to delay?"

"The payment terms vary from three months to six months," Thomas said roughly. "The payment terms for each revenue share are different. Warner's intention is very clear: all revenue shares involving Davis Studio will be paid at the very end of the payment period."

He added, "This way, they can both reduce Davis Studio's budget and avoid defaulting on their contract."

Hollywood's payment terms have always had a time frame. Initially, Martin Scorsese leveraged his long-standing partnership with Warner Bros., and later, with his market appeal as support, Warner Bros. would usually pay him his share of the revenue for himself and his studio in the middle of the payment term.

Martin asked, "Is this only targeting me and Davis Studio?"

Thomas replied, "No, it's mainly because it's not a Warner Bros. subsidiary's work."

Martin could only lament, "Warner is no longer the Warner it used to be."

Thomas said, "Having been number one in Hollywood for many years, Warner Bros.' newly appointed management is very confident that the next decade will continue to be Warner Bros.' leading position in Hollywood."

Martin stood up, turned around, and said, "Our share of the profits is in the tens of millions of dollars; the interest alone is a considerable income."

Bruce, who had been silent all along, remembered his responsibilities as a manager and interjected, "Warner Bros. is not suitable. Let's find another publisher."

Thomas cautioned, "In Hollywood today, Warner Bros. has the strongest overall distribution capabilities."

Martin said, "There's another one catching up."

Thomas understood Martin's meaning: "You mean Walt Disney?"

"That's right, Disney," Martin said simply. "Disney acquired Pixar and Marvel. I got concrete information from Kathleen Kennedy that their next target is Lucasfilm."

Bruce chimed in, "Another Star Wars movie coming out?"

Martin ignored him and continued, "Most importantly, the Disney Studios controlled by Alan Horn not only merged production companies such as Hollywood Studios and Touchstone Pictures, but also integrated Disney's distribution channels."

"Are we going to work with Warner Bros. next?" Thomas asked, then quickly added, "Louise's negotiations with Warner Bros. regarding John Wick 2 are not going well. Warner Bros. just increased their distribution commission and payment terms and is unwilling to make any concessions."

This was also within Martin's expectations. Warner Bros.' policies were rendered ineffective as soon as they were announced, and even CEO Kevin Tsujihara lost all his authority.

Martin has essentially given up hope for Warner Bros.

But Warner Bros. had high hopes for him. Thomas said, "Kevin Tsujihara contacted me and asked you to go to the Warner Bros. building to see him when you return to Los Angeles."

Bruce sensed something was off: "What did he say?"

Thomas took out his phone and started recording.

"Tell Martin to come see me at Warner as soon as he gets back to Los Angeles, understand?"

Although the other person's tone was as if they were talking to a subordinate, Martin didn't say anything, and after a moment's consideration, said, "Let's talk about it when I get back to Los Angeles."

He changed the subject: "Jessica is negotiating with Disney on behalf of the studio. You go back and assist her. Louise will also join the negotiations later."

Thomas replied, "I'll go back tomorrow."

A brief silence fell over the study. All three of them knew very well that they were drifting further and further away from Warner Bros.

The recent changes in Warner Bros.' senior management have affected all levels of the industry chain.

Like many business circles, Hollywood likes to follow the successful. According to Thomas, even though Warner Bros. increased its distribution commission and extended the revenue sharing period, most of its original partners still chose to work with Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.' consistent industry leadership for many years is the best proof of its success.

The three chatted for a while longer before Thomas took his leave.

Bruce asked, "You heard Warner Bros. wants the rights to Darklands, why don't you cause trouble and sabotage it?"

"We're not causing trouble now so we can do bigger things later." Martin didn't say much, only mentioning one point: "Why did Warner Bros. send people over and settle the adaptation rights so quickly?"

Bruce thought for a moment and said, "Because Gillian talked to you? No, it's not just that. Also, Gillian is currently a bestselling author, and 'Gone Girl' is being adapted by you and David Fincher, and it could very well become a hit movie."

Martin said, "The more popular Gone Girl becomes, the greater the adaptation value of Gillian's new work."

Bruce had it all: "This film is very likely the last one the studio will release with Warner Bros.."

Martin nodded: "Warner Bros. will only have enough motivation if they can see the huge potential profits."

Gillian Flynn's two works are linked together.

…………

Burbank, Warner Building.

McDonald arrived at his office just as he started work in the morning, waiting for his boss, Jon Berger.

Although he returned to Los Angeles last night, he deliberately stayed up all night.

Heavy eye bags, sunken eye sockets, and bloodshot eyes.

Just like this past time, a heavy price was paid to achieve the goal.

McDonald knew Jon Berg to some extent that not only did he have to do his job well, but he also had to make his boss see his hard work and dedication.

Hearing a noise at Jon Berg's office door, McDonald quickly grabbed his manuscript and went over.

"All done?" Jon Berger asked.

McDonald placed the photocopied manuscript on his desk and said, "The novel is called 'Dark Lands.' Gillian Flynn has only written half of it so far. Following your instructions, I quietly acquired the film adaptation rights as quickly as possible."

Jon Berg picked up the manuscript and flipped through a few pages. In truth, the content was not important to him or Warner: "Gone Girl has been number one on the New York bestseller list for four consecutive weeks. Gillian Flynn is hot, and it's easy for her new book to attract attention."

McDonald added, "There's also a film starring Martin Davis and David Fincher."

Jon Berg nodded: "If Gone Girl is successful, our new film, which we bought at a high price, will naturally attract a lot of market attention when it is adapted."

McDonald said no more.

Jon Byrne waved his hand: "Go back and get some rest for a couple of days."

After his subordinates left, Jon Berg went upstairs to a small conference room for a meeting.

There weren't many people attending the meeting; apart from Kevin Tsujihara, the rest were all bigwigs from core subsidiaries.

Hamada from DC, Jon from Warner Bros., and Daniel from Warner Bros. Distribution.

At the start of the meeting, Jon said, "I have some good news to share. The film company has acquired the film and television adaptation rights to Gillian Flynn's new film, 'Darklands'."

Daniel, confused, asked, "Isn't she working with Martin?"

Jon said, "Warner Bros. is more sincere than Martin."

"Well done." Jon, Kevin Tsujihara's brother-in-law, nodded and asked Daniel, "Is things not going well on your end?"

Daniel said, "We might lose the publishing rights to John Wick 2."

(End of this chapter)