Chapter 326 Celebration Banquet

At this time, Wu Yuchen was attending a grand celebration banquet. Of course, it was not for "Dance My Life", but for "Pirate King 2".

Just three days ago, the global box office of "Pirate King 2" officially exceeded the US$1 billion mark. Naturally, the producers had to hold a big celebration party for this!

In fact, everyone has been waiting for this day for a long time. We all know that "Pirate King 2" can break through 1 billion US dollars, but when it actually breaks through, everyone involved is still very happy!

After all, this is US$1 billion, the third movie in history to break the US$1 billion mark!

Needless to say, the first place "Titanic" set an astonishing record of US$1.8 billion that year.

The second one to break 1 billion is "Lord of the Rings 3", which is still showing in theaters. Its box office has now reached 1.14 billion, which has almost exhausted all its potential and is basically unlikely to grow further. .

"Pirate King 2" is the third one, and judging from the current box office trend of "Pirate King 2", it is very likely to surpass "The Lord of the Rings 3" and become the second-highest box office in history.

In fact, before 2010, it was really a difficult challenge for a movie to break the $1 billion mark at the box office, and there were several movies that came very close.

For example, "Jurassic Park" in 1993 took in a box office of 978 million, but fell short in the end. In fact, being able to achieve this box office performance in that era was really amazing, and it can even be said to be even more powerful than "The Lord of the Rings 3" and "Pirate King 2". But if it’s not broken, it’s not broken. Later, it was re-released in 3D in 2013, allowing "Jurassic Park" to break 1 billion.

Then came "Star Wars: Episode I" in 1999, with a box office of 924 million. It also relied on its re-release more than ten years later to reach the 1 billion club.

Then there is "Harry Potter: The Mysterious Philosopher's Stone" in 2001. When the wizarding boy first came out, it became popular all over the world, with a record of 975 million. Although the gap was very small, it did not break the 1 billion US dollar mark in the end.

This year, two movies, "Lord of the Rings 3" and "Pirate King 2", both exceeded 1 billion, which made Hollywood clamor for a more prosperous film market.

Of course, everyone has noticed one thing, that is, both movies are series movies. This also proves that this successful series of movies is becoming more and more attractive to audiences, so major studios have begun to adjust their plans and focus more on series movies.

From this point of view, Warner used 20 million plus 25% of the global box office share to invite Wu Yuchen first, which can be regarded as a step ahead. Otherwise, it is difficult to say whether other major companies will join the competition.

After all, there are only a few directors who can prove that they have made successful series, and Wu Yuchen went to shoot for Warner, which is equivalent to being bound for the next few years, and other companies have no way to invite them even if they want to.

On the stage, Justin Wu, Depp, Hugh Jackman, Keira Knightley and other crew members broke the large and long 1,000,000,000 digital ice sculpture on the table, and then showed bright smiles, The whole audience cheered and the publicity staff took photos of the scene.

In addition to the crew, many other Hollywood people came to this celebration banquet. People kept congratulating Wu Yuchen: "Wu, congratulations! You created a great series!"

"Wu, do you know? In my eyes, you are greater than Cameron! No matter in terms of creative ability or box office ability, you have surpassed Cameron!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and thanked him. However, he only treated these compliments as polite, reminding himself not to get lost in these fancy sedan chairs.

Cameron not only has a "Titanic", but also a "Terminator" series, both of which can be described as epoch-making works.

After a while, Spielberg was also chatting with Wu Yuchen while holding a glass of wine:

"Wu, do you really have no plans to develop "Pirate King 4" again?"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "Steven, the "Pirate King" trilogy is a complete story. For me, "Pirate King" is over. I will not stay or indulge in a story that has ended. middle."

Spielberg sighed after hearing this. The post-production of "Pirate King 3" has been completed. He has watched the finished film and the quality is still at a high level. He believes that when it is released next year, it will at least achieve box office success. A good result of $800 million.

Therefore, for such a super profitable series, Spielberg really doesn't want it to end like this. Now DreamWorks is pointing to "Pirate King"!

Spielberg was unwilling to let it go. After thinking about it, he continued to ask: "Wu, even if you don't want to be a director anymore, what about being a producer? Do you have any other ideas about it? As long as you I believe that all audiences are willing to pay for the stories related to the world of "Pirate King"! We can continue to operate this IP! ”

Wu Yuchen shook his head again: "Oh, Steve, let me rest, let Captain Jack also rest!

You should know that my next energy will be devoted to the "Batman" trilogy, and I can no longer worry about "The Pirate King".

Moreover, after the third part of "Pirate King" is released, the audience also needs a buffer period, otherwise they will also feel a certain degree of aesthetic fatigue from "Pirate King". I think you should understand this better than me. "

Of course, Spielberg understands that he is also someone who has produced many series of movies. He knows that the audience's novelty will become less and less as time goes by. The best choice at this time is to stop for a few years.

Just listen to Wu Yuchen say again: "Also, Steve, Depp's salary is also an issue. Are you willing to give him more than 20% of the global share, or are you willing to give him a salary of 100 million US dollars? For now, this Neither is a good choice.”

Spielberg also felt a toothache when he heard about Depp's salary. He tried a little bit with Depp during this period and didn't give them a chance to counter-offer at all.

In the previous two and three films, Wu Yuchen paid Depp's salary entirely in cash. At that time, Spielberg thought it was too risky, but now he really feels that it is too wise.

In fact, the reason why he agreed not to give Depp a share at that time was because director Wu Yuchen had already taken part of the box office share, or the global box office share. If Depp was given another share, the remaining profit of the producer would be too little. Really I just worked for these two people.

Spielberg thought for a while, then sighed: "Maybe you are right, we should give "Pirate King" a few years of rest."

But the next moment he turned around and said: "But it can't be too long. You don't really plan to seal this series forever, do you?"

Wu Yuchen thought for a while and said: "Maybe four or five years later, it will be a better time then."

If you start "Pirate King 4", you will definitely be able to make money. But Wu Yuchen wanted to wait until after 2010. At that time, theaters all over the world had been renovated because of "Avatar", 3D and IMAX theaters began to be promoted and popularized, and ticket prices would also see a wave of increase. This is why it will be much easier to break $1 billion at the box office after 2010.

By that time, even if Depp is given another US$100 million in salary, the producers will not be so painful. In fact, it is inflation, and the actual value of Depp's 100 million salary has shrunk.

If you want to make "Pirates 4", Depp is indispensable. After the first three films, he has become the guarantee to attract audiences to the theater. Even if Wu Yuchen is the director, it is impossible to suppress him anymore.

In the previous life, "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" cost 410 million U.S. dollars and had a box office of 1.046 billion U.S. dollars. Overall, it was still profitable. Although the profit at the box office was relatively low, it could still make a lot of money through various peripherals and copyrights. It makes no sense. Do.

Therefore, Wu Yuchen also plans to work on "Pirate King 4" when the time comes, but he will not do it himself, so as not to ruin his reputation. He will only let Miracle Pictures invest. After all, the plot is much worse than the first three films, and it will depend on Depp.

Justin Wu clinked his wine glass with Spielberg, then took a sip of the wine in the glass and suddenly asked: "Steve, I heard that DreamWorks has launched a new project, Michael Bay?"

Spielberg smiled and nodded when he heard this: "Yes, a science fiction movie, "Escape from Clone Island". Michael Bay is very good at big scenes, and it should be guaranteed at the box office. At the same time, he himself If I want to make a breakthrough and better integrate business and art, I think this is a good project.”

As soon as Wu Yuchen heard "Escape from Clone Island", he knew that what he expected was right. It seems that DreamWorks has fallen into this big trap! The investment was 130 million, and the global box office was 160 million. It was a huge loss. In the previous life, it directly led to Spielberg selling DreamWorks Movies.

In fact, it’s not just one movie that will do anything to DreamWorks. Just like Wu Baige’s “Windtalker” did to MGM, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

But it's different now. DreamWorks has the "Pirate King" series as its treasure, and I guess it will only hurt the muscles and not even move the bones.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Steven, do you want to recreate "The Matrix"?"

"The Matrix" is also a mixture of science fiction, ethics, and business, and is a successful model.

Spielberg smiled and said: "It's just a try~"

"Then I wish you success~" Wu Yuchen didn't intend to express his thoughts.

In fact, there are no particularly good movies about cloning so far. Schwarzenegger's "The Sixth Day" has already done well.

Moreover, the topic of cloning was relatively popular in the decade from 1995 to 2005. In a few years, the popularity will fade away. After more than ten years, how many people are still talking about cloning?

It would be better to let DreamWorks lose more money, so that he can better highlight his importance, and he may be able to get involved in some projects that he is interested in in the future.

At this time, he remembered Scarlett Johansson, the heroine of "Escape from Clone Island". The loss of this movie also ruined Scarlett Johansson's commercial film career, and she could only return to literary films. Later, out of desperation, she It was only next year that I picked up the Black Widow, and the Widow Sister was born.

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but smile, "It's good to make amends!" It would be better to soothe the girl's frustrated heart if she compensated him!

Wu Yuchen went to the bathroom to put some water in and washed his face. When he walked out and was about to return, he was stopped by a voice behind him: "Hey, Wu!"

Wu Yuchen turned his head and looked around, and couldn't help but smile and said: "Kaila, how was your day today? Are you happy?"

At this time, Kayla's face was a little blushing, and she had obviously drunk some wine, but she still looked sober.

"Of course I'm happy. I'm the third heroine in the world with a box office of over 1 billion!" Keira laughed a little wildly.

Wu Yuchen also smiled when he saw her like this. To be honest, Keira is also world-famous for "Pirate King". She is not a vase in this series. Her role is no less than Hugh Jackman, second only to Johnny Depp.

Then she walked to Wu Yuchen and pulled his arm: "Wu, come with me, I have something to talk to you about~"

"Hmm?" Wu Yuchen was a little puzzled.

Would Keira want to ask him for a project or a heroine? Or did she find out about some opportunities and want him to recommend them? If he really asked, he wouldn't mind helping.

However, Wu Yuchen didn't ask directly, and still let Keira lead him to a room. He and Keira have known each other for several years and have a good relationship. He didn't worry that she would hurt him or anything.

After entering the room, Wu Yuchen was about to turn on the light, but he felt a delicate body throwing himself into his arms, his neck was hugged by a pair of arms, and a pair of soft lips were pressed against his.

Wu Yuchen was a bit unresponsive to this sudden attack. He really didn't expect Keira to do this to him. After all, the two of them worked together on the "Pirate King" trilogy. The filming period was so long. If something happened, it should have happened a long time ago, but it never happened, so he didn't think about it at all.

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but grab Keira's shoulders with both hands and pushed her and himself away: "Hey, Keira, what are you doing?"

Keira's breathing was already heavy, her chest was heaving, and she shouted directly: "Fuck you!"

The next moment, she took the initiative to offer a passionate kiss, and kicked her feet and wrapped her legs around Wu Yuchen's waist.

Wu Yuchen thought to himself, "Fuck, I didn't take the initiative to fuck you before, but you are still arrogant?

He must teach this girl a lesson today, let her know why he is Director Wu, the big director!

He hugged Keira and pushed her against the door. Soon, there was a fierce fighting sound in the room, the door was shaking violently, and Kayla sang loudly without paying any attention.

In this regard, even if someone passed by the door of the room and heard it, they would not care. After all, this kind of thing is too normal at Hollywood parties and celebrations. Everyone came here tonight to have fun and revel!