Hollywood New Century

The Oscars are in late February, but the nominees are announced in late January.

Three films, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Life and Death, and Slumdog Millionaire co-produced or distributed by Xinghai Entertainment, were shortlisted for best films.

Especially "Slumdog Millionaire" has won the Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Movie, and it is not impossible to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

In any case, although Xinghai Entertainment is currently developing in the direction of a group, in the eyes of many people, it is still an independent film company that focuses on film production.

After all, it takes time to perfect the distribution system, and although Xinghai Entertainment currently has a well-received Xingchen record company, it does not have its own TV network.

There are not as many main businesses as the Big Six in Hollywood.

In essence, Xinghai Entertainment currently mainly relies on high-quality film and TV production to expand its influence.

Xinghai entertainment has always been Simon's own key business, but it seems that the new young rich man has been paying more and more attention to sports recently.

The Nets, which had already spent huge sums of money on the acquisition of the NBA league, are now acquiring the NFL's Dolphins non-stop.

In the morning, at the entrance of the Hollywood Paramount Studios headquarters, several cars parked safely at the entrance of the quaint and thick golden arch "Bronson Gate".

Hollywood mogul Summer Redstone, who is 86 years old this year, got out of the car on crutches, accompanied by his assistants.

Take a look at the "Bronson Gate", which has a long history and was built in 1926. As one of the two major symbols of Paramount, the other symbol is the snowy mountains and stars on the Paramount Pictures logo. The famous "Bronson Gate" has become not only one of the symbols of Paramount, but also a classic landmark of Hollywood symbols.

"Go in!" Although Summer Redstone is 86 years old this year, he is still in good health.

Summer Redstone specially came to Paramount headquarters today, surrounded by his most trusted assistant Philip Dorman, the current CEO of the new Viacom Group.

Since Summer Redstone split the Viacom Group into the new Viacom Group and CBS Group in 2006, the importance of Paramount Pictures Group has increased.

The new Viacom Group includes Paramount Pictures, MTV Television, Nickelodeon Children's Television and other parts.

Tom Freston, chairman of the MTV Television Group, was originally the CEO of the new Viacom Group, but Tom Freston had some disagreements with Summer Redstone after the acquisition of DreamWorks. and was removed from the position.

Philip Dorman, a veteran lawyer who has followed Summer Redstone for many years, became the group's CEO, and Tom Freston returned to helm MTV.

In a small conference room at Paramount Pictures Group headquarters, Summer Redstone and Philip Dorman are in a meeting with Paramount CEO Brad Gray and President Gail Boardman.

"We shouldn't give up the movie distribution contract with Marvel Entertainment. The box office of "Iron Man" is very high, and Xinghai Pictures will release "Thor" this year. According to their plan, there will be projects in the next few years. ," said Philip Dorman, unhappy with Paramount's blunder. Yes

Brad Gray and Gail Boardman were very helpless, because they had asked their boss Tom Freston for instructions, and they didn't pay attention.

"Okay, forget it if you miss it," Summer Redstone knocked on the floor and glanced at a few people.

"Now Paramount and DreamWorks have parted ways. Fortunately, we still have the distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation. What big plans does Paramount have next?"

Summer Redstone knows all, if not all, of Viacom Group's high-level struggle for power and how many opportunities and resources were wasted, at least part of it.

"We have several big releases coming out this year, Transformers 2 and Star Trek 11 are in the summer, and the toy-based Special Forces: Rise of the Cobra is also coming out this year!" Gale Boardman was in charge of the production and responded quickly.

Needless to say, "Transformers 2", even if Paramount and DreamWorks parted ways, this series also bites the joint development agreement, and the "Star Trek" series is one of the few ace series that Paramount has.

As for "Special Forces: The Rise of the Cobra", it is also a popular toy adaptation, and it is also a Hasbro toy series.

Summer Redstone nodded and said, "Some of the projects we have previously cooperated with DreamWorks will also continue, but in film production, we still need to strengthen Paramount;"

"Last year, we withdrew from the overseas distribution network that we previously cooperated with Universal Pictures, and the resource allocation of the joint international film industry has been almost completed. Although distribution is important, the content is the foundation of the film;"

"Now that there is no DreamWorks, I don't want Paramount to go back to the way it was back then. You should be responsible for your own work."

Summer Redstone looked at Brad Gray and said: "Brad reminded us before that we should establish long-term cooperative relationships with certain directors and actors, which I agree with. At the same time, Cooperation with other film production companies can’t be put down, what do you think about Xinghai Pictures?”

Brad Gray smiled helplessly: "Currently, the movies produced by Xinghai Pictures are simply delicious. Simon spent a lot of money to set up a distribution network in North America. Now they are developing overseas. In the joint development of movies, they take the initiative!"

After all, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" can be regarded as a successful film. Although it is a three-way cooperation, the production is mainly based on Simon Pike's Xinghai Pictures, and at that time, they did not have their own distribution.

"Simon Pike!" Summer Redstone frowned, "This young man is really not easy. Last year he made too much money on Wall Street. Not only is he accurate in movies, but he is also willing to invest."

"I heard that he is very interested in sports now?"

"However, he just recently bought the Miami Dolphins from Wayne Whissenga for over $1 billion in cash," explained Philip Dorman, who also previously owned Blockbuster. Shareholder, Paramount bought Blockbuster later, and he also joined Viacom's board of directors until Paramount reorganized and split Blockbuster, and he still has some Viacom shares in his hands.

"Well," Summer Redstone didn't want to say more, this young junior is indeed powerful, but in terms of foundation, it is still much worse.

"Before you said that Tom Cruise gave us an olive branch, "Tropic Thunder" was also good at the box office last year, and DreamWorks brokered it, and he was willing to sacrifice his image, so you also follow the rules of Hollywood, Paramount does not Will be hostile to people who help!" Summer Redstone publicly criticized Tom Cruise after the release of "Mission Impossible 3", so much that he parted ways with Tom Cruise, who has worked with him for more than ten years .

In recent years, the topic of Tom Cruise has been constant, and he is also trying to change his impression. Summer Redstone, one of the powerhouses in Hollywood, will not remember that little thing.

The Hollywood rule is that you can bring in profits, and capital will back you.

Brad Gray nodded, and by saying so, it also cleared the way for Paramount to continue working with Tom Cruise in the future.