Chapter 351 This guy must be a nouveau riche!

"Mr. Bradt, is there really no other way?"

Timo sighed and asked again.

Bradt shook his head with a hint of helplessness:
"Universal's box office performance was not good last year, and the only films that were good were 'The Hulk,' 'Johnny English Strikes Back' and 'Master and Commander.'

The top management was very dissatisfied with our performance in the past two years. The head of the film department was replaced and the "Wanted" project was shelved.

A new production executive was too scared to take the risk of greenlighting a $6000 million project.”

Teemo did not give up and tried to suggest:

"Mr. Bradt, actually the current script has nothing to do with the original comic book Wanted, so we don't necessarily have to discuss investment with Universal."

"Timo, you don't understand this."

Bradt shook his head again:

“Among the eight major film studios, Universal is the most fond of shooting films involving superpowers.

Such as the adventure action series "Twilight", the fantasy series "Jurassic World", the horror thriller "The Invisible Man", etc.

Our film "Wanted" is in the super power category, which is why it is eligible for approval.

If it were any other company, they probably wouldn’t even be able to get the script approved.”

"But we've invested enough in this project—"

"Timo, I also want to shoot it as soon as possible, but there is no use in rushing."

Bradt interrupted him and said:
"I started planning this project two years ago and it has gone through countless twists and turns. Nothing in Hollywood goes smoothly!"

After saying that, he patted Timo's shoulder gently and stood up.

Timo sighed and hesitated to speak.

This comic adaptation is similar to his previous successful "Gladiator", and he has always been optimistic about it.

But money makes a hero fall, and if the eight major Hollywood studios have no idea, there is basically no solution at the moment.

At this time, the handsome Asian youth who had been sitting next to him smiled and said:
“Hello, did you mention “Wanted” just now?
I am also very interested in this comic, if you don't mind, can we talk about it?"

"It doesn't matter. Mr. Bradt has been preparing for this project for a long time, and many people in the circle have heard about it."

Perhaps wanting to find someone to talk to, Timur Bekmambetov told Du Sheng about another setback in the "Wanted" project.

Michael Bradt had the idea of ​​adapting the "Wanted" comics into a movie a long time ago.

After some tug-of-war, Universal Pictures agreed to invest, but required that the cost be kept within US$4000 million.

Because it just wanted to make a low-budget thriller.

Although many producers and directors later expressed interest, the script was revised many times and various shooting styles were explored, but the project was never officially launched.

It was not until Timur Bekmambetov brought in an investor, proposed to use Wu Yusen's violent aesthetic style for shooting, and submitted a 13-page outline to Universal that he finally got the approval of production chief Joyce and the project was approved.

However, the good times did not last long.

The production executive, Joyce, was fired for embezzlement, and the project fell through.

Du Sheng is of course very familiar with the movie "Wanted".

It was a masterpiece that made a lot of money.

It grossed $5112 million in its premiere week, bringing its global total to $3.4 million.

Made the male and female protagonists famous.

It also created an extremely cool 'bullet time' visual spectacle that is still talked about by later generations.

In addition, this movie ranks second in the "non-champion debut box office" in film history and ranks among the top three in the "killer movie" category, and is quite popular.

The production cost, even if Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie were invited to star in the film like in the previous life, was only 7000 million US dollars.

But Du Sheng still felt a little confused as he listened to Timo's story.

Logically speaking, this movie should have entered the shooting stage a few years later.

I didn’t expect that preparations would start now.

And the preparation took three years.

However, considering that Universal Pictures has been deeply affected by the financial crisis in recent years and has had to tighten its belt, it is understandable that the new production director did not dare to easily launch the "Wanted" project.

Du Sheng roughly figured out the whole story.

To be honest, the prospect of "Wanted" excited him.

If done well, this is undoubtedly a gold mine.

It can also increase his global popularity in one fell swoop!

But there are still some details that need to be clarified.

"Mr. Bradt, since this project is adapted from a comic, have you obtained the copyright for the original work?"

Bradt sat down again and looked at Timo, then said:

"Of course I got it, but after two years of repeated polishing, the script is completely different from the original one.

Only the concepts of Loom of Fate and Assassin's League are retained, so it's no exaggeration to say that it's a completely new creation."

Du Sheng nodded.

Movies with a theme like gun battles are very popular, and many of them have been made not only in Hollywood but also around the world.

As for the original comics, since they are niche and their popularity is limited to readers who like action, crime, anti-heroes and other themes, the copyright price is not high.

"I see. Then who owns the copyright of the latest script now?"

Bradt became increasingly puzzled by Du Sheng's question, but since it was an open secret in the industry, he did not hide it:

"Of course, the adaptation rights of this script are in our hands."

This was a revision they jointly made based on a previous version, so the copyright belongs to both of them.

Du Sheng was slightly delighted after hearing this.

As long as the copyright is not in the hands of the eight major Hollywood studios, there is room for maneuver.

"To be honest, I have read the comic book "Wanted" several times and have always wanted to adapt it." Du Sheng smiled and said:
"I wonder if I could take a look at your script. If it's suitable, I'd like to offer you a price that satisfies you."

He was bragging a bit.

However, I have indeed seen the movie "Wanted" and I still have a general impression of it.

But for that idea, it is necessary to take a look at the script, otherwise it would be too abrupt to just say buy it.

When Timo Sommers heard this, he immediately shook his head:

“NO, NO, NO, we are not going to sell the script!
As you said, the comic book "Wanted" also deeply attracted me, and I have always wanted to bring it to the screen.

I especially wanted to show the super-powerful gunfight scene, but it was delayed by various issues and was not possible! ”

Du Sheng didn't expect the other party to refuse right away. It seemed that he really took it seriously.

I think Bradt, who has been preparing for the project for two years, will not give up easily.

That's a problem.

Du Sheng's original plan was to acquire the copyright of the script first. In this way, no matter what the subsequent operations were, the initiative would be in his hands.

But now it seems that neither Timo nor Bradt is an easy target.

However, human nature is there. The reason why people are not tempted is probably because the temptation is not enough.

Du Sheng didn't care and smiled:

"You two may not know that, in addition to being an actor and a boxer, I am also the head of a media company."

"Oh?"

Timo was a little confused and didn't understand the other party's intentions.

"What I mean is that I may be able to bring you some financial support, but the premise is that your project can satisfy me."

"What? You plan to invest?"

"Do you know how much the budget is? A full 6000 million US dollars!"

Timo and Bradt were surprised and turned their heads at the same time.

Theoretically speaking, Du Sheng can indeed withdraw this amount of funds to the maximum extent, but bragging doesn't cost money.

Of course, even if you really want to get into the stage of plagiarizing the script, you still have to let a professional lawyer review it to confirm whether it is legally authorized and whether there is any risk of plagiarism.

He doesn't want to make wedding dresses for others.

"Hey man, are you sure you can come up with $6000 million?"

Du Sheng smiled and nodded.

But after hearing this, the two did not show much joy. Instead, they looked at Du Sheng with suspicion.

Anyone who has worked in Hollywood knows that it is a hotbed for scammers.

Many bosses and investors have been cheated.

Du Sheng shook his head in his heart, it seemed that his fame was not loud enough.

If they were people of Leonardo DiCaprio, Sylvester Stallone, or Bruce Willis' level, I'm afraid these two would come to ask for cooperation.

Li An was chatting with the senior executives of Focus Features. Yang Ziqiong came to him and whispered:

"Brother An, Ah Sheng seems to be in some trouble..."

Li An raised his eyebrows. Is there anyone causing trouble in such an occasion?
How disrespectful of yourself is this?
He said sorry and stood up, then followed Yang Ziqiong back to find out what happened.

It should be said that this is also an indirect display of his ability and majesty, and he is quite happy about it.

But just as he came in front of Du Sheng, before he could ask anything, Timo asked first:
"Ang Lee, does this Du really own a media company in the East?"

Li An was stunned for a moment, then nodded in confusion.

He is from Taiwan and has always been paying attention to the situation in both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong.

He knew more about Du Sheng's affairs than most people at the scene.

"Can he come up with $6000 million to invest?"

Li An's whole body trembled violently, and he stared at Du Sheng in surprise, who was calm and composed.

"Ah Sheng, you're not really planning to invest $6000 million in their film, are you?"

Yang Ziqiong couldn't help but blurt out in Chinese.

Du Sheng smiled calmly and explained:
"I'm just a little interested in the project he mentioned."

The two parties were not very familiar with each other, so he would not say that he was just setting a trap.

"But with a huge investment of $6000 million, it's no joke if something goes wrong!"

Yang Ziqiong was still a little surprised.

She has been filming for so many years, but she has never seen a Chinese person willing to spend so much money.

Moreover, these people have just seen it, what kind of movie is so attractive?

Li An next to him also seemed to be hesitant to speak.

It's a bit ironic that as a top Hollywood director, he has never made a production with a budget of more than 6000 million US dollars.

And this person in front of me can easily take out 6000 million US dollars to invest in a movie?
This guy is a nouveau riche!

In comparison, his previous superior mentality collapsed in an instant.

The old face even felt a little hot.

This is showing off to the point of being a horse's leg.

To be honest, he was even a little impulsive.

I really want to shout to Du Sheng, if you have this money, why not invest in my next movie!
Why should you vote for that foreigner?

But considering his own status and the fact that so many people were watching, he couldn't open his mouth for the moment.

.........

(End of this chapter)