Hollywood New Century

The beginning of this year's summer season was a fierce battle with real swords and real guns. The reboot of Disney's pirate fantasy movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" swept the world as soon as it was released.

"Transformers 3: Dark Moon", a collaboration between Paramount and DreamWorks, and Warner Bros.' Harry Potter finale, "Harry Burt and the Deathly Hallows," is Universal Pictures' summer release. biggest competitor.

Los Angeles, Burbank, Xinghai Universal Pictures headquarters.

"By the way, Alan, the director of Warner Bros.' Superman: Man of Steel is still Zack Snyder?" Simon asked.

"Zack Snyder's 'Beautiful Girl', which was released in March, doesn't seem to meet expectations at the box office!"

Alan Horn, who was previously the president of Warner Bros. Pictures, said with a smile: "Although the box office of 'Watchmen' is not as good as expected, it has a high reputation among film critics. The new Superman movie has been prepared since 2009. The plan was to have Zack Snyder direct;"

"As for Zack Snyder, who was questioned by many media because the box office of "Beautiful Girl" was not as good as expected, I don't think Warner Bros. should change the director at this time."

Simon also nodded, and all sources of news indicated that the preliminary preparations for "Superman: Man of Steel" were almost done, and the filming was about to start.

"Green Lantern, which will be released in the middle of this month, is a luxury production by Warner Bros. to build the DC movie universe. The production cost is 200 million. We have to pay attention to it," Alan Horn reminded that Warner Bros. will end this year Harry The Potter series is coming, and the final chapter of "Batman 3: The Dark Knight Rises" will be released next year.

Vigorously expanding the DC Cinematic Universe has become a key business for Warner Bros., especially after the Marvel Cinematic Universe has achieved such a major success.

"Yeah, DC's heroes have a wider audience than Marvel, but don't worry too much, the movie universe is not so simple to create a success, Marvel follows the family carnival style, DC's current style is darker, and it will not be so for a while. It's easy to change," Simon was actually quite envious of Warner Bros. for tying up Christopher Nolan.

The Batman trilogy, Inception, etc., were so successful.

"Indeed, family movies can attract family members to watch together. The gorgeous special effects scenes are the biggest selling point. The Nolan-style "Batman" trilogy has brought DC movies to a level that is almost unattainable. The bar set up by the movie is too high, and I don’t know if it’s good or bad.” Alan Horn also felt helpless. Batman, as one of DC’s two trump cards, cannot be bypassed by the entire DC anyway.

"Okay, don't think too much. Now, taking advantage of the success of the Marvel series, we must strive for a bigger market as soon as possible. Marvel Studios has just gone through some changes, and we still have to take good care of it in global promotion," Simon said. Remind that this shareholder should make good use of it.

Kevin Feige's ability is good, but Simon will definitely not allow him to let himself go. The platform and rights are given, and it must be in Simon's interests.

Compared with Disney, Universal Pictures does not have such tight regulations, and has more choices in film production; however, Universal Pictures does not have as wide an IP licensing channel as the Disney brand. After all, there are no thousands of Disney stores across North America. no.

Although the box office revenue is definitely better than that developed by Disney in the previous life, it is definitely not as good in derivatives. Universal Studios Resort is no match for Disneyland.

After Alan Horn left Simon's office, Laura Collins came in.

"Boss, that block in Atlanta is down!" Laura Collins said.

"Well, let Kathy Swell be in charge of the construction management of the Atlanta studio, the production area of ​​Universal City has been reduced a little, and there is no need for so many people to manage it," Simon ordered, expanding the attractions project within Universal Studios , new hotel construction, street planning, etc., all need land.

The land in Hollywood is very valuable, and it is really a waste to use it as a studio. Only new developments can maximize the benefits.

Casey Swell is the studio director of Universal Studios, specializing in managing the studios and other matters in the production area.

"Okay, boss is going to Paramount this afternoon to try Mission: Impossible 4," Laura Collins reminded again.

"Understood," Simon responded, and asked casually, "What happened to Universal's previous projects "Super Battleship" and "Forgotten Battlefield"?"

"Well, "Super Battleship" was taken over by Paramount, Relativity Media and Paramount signed an investment cooperation agreement, and "Lost War" returned to Disney. This project was originally owned by Disney. After Universal took over last year, it was rejected by the boss, and the producer, Radical Films, asked Disney to take over,” Laura Collins thought for a while, and then explained,

"Disney's live-action movies suffered a lot of losses last year. "Lost War" has Tom Cruise to join, maybe it will be better!"

"Paramount and Disney," Simon nodded and asked again,

“It seems like Disney is currently working on a $250 million blockbuster movie based on a science fiction novel, right?”

Laura Collins nodded, the blockbuster Disney seems to be taking!

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "Prince of Persia: The Blade of Time", and "Tron: Legacy" failed three live-action blockbusters last year; Disney is now developing two blockbusters, "Lost War" and "Alien Battlegrounds," "Abandoned War" Simon remembers that although it is not a failure, it is definitely not a successful movie. As for "Alien Battlefield", it is a famous rotten in history.

Without Marvel and the sale of Miramax, Disney's current live-action film aspect is simply unbearable. I just don't know if Disney is already preparing for Lucasfilm's big IP "Star Wars" series?

However, Disney is too strong in the children's audience. Among the three major children's international channels in North America, Disney Children's Channel, Nickelodeon International Children's Channel and Cartoon Network, Disney is the leader.

Nickelodeon International is owned by Viacom, and Cartoon Network is owned by Time Warner. At present, it seems that the Universal Children's Channel under Xinghai Entertainment NBC is a little worse. After all, it was only opened in 2005 by NBC Universal Entertainment.

To play Disney, you must be competitive in children's entertainment. Universal Children's Channel is now developing a lot of Marvel Entertainment's animated movies and TV, which is also a good start.