Chapter 283 Smiling Mickey Mouse

Wu Yuchen smiled after hanging up the phone. In fact, if he were to make an objective evaluation, some of the comments on "Hero" would be reasonable, such as criticizing the script for being superficial and the plot for being weak.

However, as a commercial blockbuster, "Hero" is still worthy of recognition in many aspects. Just in terms of visual effects, it has killed many Chinese-language films in seconds. Many scenes in the movie are full of Chinese classical charm and artistic conception, which are not something that everyone can shoot.

Even if there are some shortcomings, it really won't be criticized like this.

Wu Yuchen had something in his heart that he didn't say before, that is, you, Lao Mouzi, don't socialize too much. If you were as good as Kaizi and had many connections, you wouldn't be in the current situation.

Think about what Kaizi's "The Promise" was like? As a result, after it was released, it was still able to maintain all the praises on the surface. It was not until an article "A Murder Case Caused by a Bun" that the emperor's new clothes were exposed. If Lao Mouzi had half the connections of Kaizi, how could "Hero" be criticized like this?

Speaking of Chen Kaizi, he tried his own Hollywood journey last year and cooperated with MGM to shoot a suspense thriller called "Fatal Tenderness". The production cost was 30 million US dollars. It was released in North America in September and finally had a global box office of 7.77 million, which ended in failure.

In other words, Kaizi's first movie to enter Hollywood failed, and this road was basically cut off. But this matter was not mentioned in China, and few people knew about it.

Originally, Chen Kaizi wanted to go to Hollywood to catch up with Wu Yuchen. But the Hollywood journey failed, while Lao Mouzi's "Hero" in China was harvesting box office one after another. Although "Hero" was criticized fiercely, it did not affect the box office to rise, which made Kaizi see it in his eyes and anxious in his heart!

Wu Yuchen surpassed him, and you Zhang Yimou also wanted to reverse Tiangang?

Since the road to Hollywood was cut off, and now everyone likes to watch martial arts movies so much, then he Chen Kaizi will also get involved. Wu Yuchen can shoot it, Lao Mouzi can shoot it, can't he Chen Kaizi shoot it?

But Kaizi doesn't plan to make a simple martial arts movie. He wants to be superior in innate ability. He wants to make a fantasy movie! You guys can fly over the eaves and walk on the walls, but I can fly around directly. My strength level is much higher than "Hero" and "Blade of the Assassin"!

But this time he has to prepare carefully and put together a luxurious lineup. He wants both box office and awards, and commercial and artistic development!

...

For "Hero" and Lao Mouzi, Wu Yuchen just made a phone call to greet them. His main energy is now focused on the Oscars.

"Best Director, "Gangs of New York", Martin Scorsese!"

At the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, Wu Yuchen watched old Martin happily walk up to the stage to receive the award and give his acceptance speech.

This "Gangs of New York" is starred by Leo. Old Martin has been fond of shooting gangster-themed movies for decades and is known as the master of gangster movies in Hollywood. At the same time, Martin Sr. has been nominated for Best Director twice for "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas". His Oscar points are not lower than Wu Yuchen at all. In terms of qualifications, he is far superior to Wu Yuchen. In terms of connections, he is also one of Wu Yuchen's rivals this time.

Although the Golden Globe Award is not a weather vane for the Oscars, but is voted by a group of media reporters, Wu Yuchen will not relax his vigilance against Martin Sr. He does not want to make an agreement with Spielberg to resolve the threat of "The Pianist" and finally make wedding clothes for Martin Sr.

Just like last year, it took a lot of effort to resolve Harvey and "Chicago", but the Best Director award fell into the hands of Ridley Scott. Martin Sr. is not inferior to Ridley Scott.

However, Wu Yuchen will not belittle himself. This time, his "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has won the Best Foreign Language Film. Moreover, in the previous large and small critics awards, Wu Yuchen has also reaped a lot of rewards, not inferior to Martin Sr. The popularity of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and "The Hours" has completely risen.

"Best Drama Film, The Hours!"

Soon, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Connelly, who were beside Wu Yuchen, gave Wu Yuchen a hug. This time, Nicole Kidman also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, and The Hours won the Best Film, which added another chapter to her resume.

Amid the applause of the audience, Wu Yuchen also calmly went on stage to receive the award.

Although the Golden Globe Awards cannot be compared with the Oscars, it is also influential, and it is created by a group of media reporters. Coming to receive the award is also giving face to the uncrowned king.

At the banquet after the award ceremony, everyone was eating, drinking, and socializing. On Wu Yuchen's side, someone came up with a glass of wine.

"Wu, congratulations! Both of your films are great, and the awards are well deserved!"

Wu Yuchen clinked glasses with the visitor: "Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Stringer~"

Wu Yuchen looked at Howard Stringer in front of him, and information about him emerged. The other party had served as the CEO of Sony Columbia a few years ago, and then he was promoted. He is now the vice chairman of the entire Sony Group and the general manager of Sony Group's business in North America.

Howard Stringer then changed the subject:

"Wu, I know you are going all out to win the Oscars. I think you will achieve very good results in this Oscars. Awards are important, but box office and commercial interests are sometimes more important. I hope you can spare some time and energy for Spider-Man."

Wu Yuchen also understood the other party's intention. The first Spider-Man created a super high box office of 825 million US dollars, not to mention the peripherals and various copyright income, which made Sony crazy. Even if 30% is to be given to Marvel, it is more than Sony's earnings from all other movies in the past year combined!

Sony has paid a lot of tuition fees since the acquisition of Columbia to slowly gain a foothold. After Howard took over and led the reform in 1997, it began to gradually make profits. And this Spider-Man is a real Sony blockbuster work. Not only did it restore Sony Columbia's glory, but it also made a lot of profits, and it can be regarded as a family heirloom! So it's no wonder that Howard Stringer, the leader of Sony in North America, is concerned.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Mr. Stringer, in fact, I have been paying attention to the sequel of Spider-Man. Are you talking about the problem of the male lead Tobey Maguire?"

The sequel of Spider-Man was originally planned to start filming in February, but last week Tobey Maguire's agent suddenly said that he had a back injury, which disrupted the crew's filming plan.

Howard Stringer nodded: "Well, he has affected the preparations for the sequel. I don't want any accidents to happen in the sequel. Do you have any plans?"

"Mr. Stringer, I am asking the crew to contact Jake Gyllenhaal."

Howard Stringer frowned when he heard this: "You want to change the male lead? This may not be a good choice for Spider-Man."

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head and said: "No, no, Director Remy and I don't want to change the male lead. We are very satisfied with Tobey Maguire's performance. But to be honest, we are not satisfied with the attitude of him and his agent."

Unlike Depp's participation in Pirate King, because Spider-Man itself is an IP movie, not an original one, Tobey Maguire signed a trilogy contract when he joined the Spider-Man project.

Of course, his salary for these three trilogies is not fixed, and each one will have a significant increase. For example, his salary for the first one was 4 million US dollars, and it rose to the range of 10-15 million in the second one.

15 million is actually a Hollywood A-list salary, but the first Spider-Man movie was so successful at the box office that it made too much money, and anyone who saw it would be jealous.

Therefore, Tobey Maguire wanted to bargain with the producers again, offering 25 million or 10% of the North American box office. Sony and Wu Yuchen would definitely not agree to him, otherwise the contract would have been signed in vain, wouldn't it?

With the contract in place, Tobey Maguire naturally couldn't reason. As a result, he used the trick of going on strike with a back injury before filming. To be honest, this trick is very offensive, especially when it disrupts the crew's plan before filming.

"In fact, saying that he has a back injury is just an excuse. Their purpose is to increase their salary. But we can't let them succeed in this way. We must express our tough attitude to the outside world. If we compromise and let them think we are weak and can be bullied, they will definitely ask for more when the third part comes out.

Mr. Stringer, what we are competing for now is patience. We hold the contract and have the initiative. I am now going to invite other suitable actors to replace him.

Don't worry, Tobey Maguire is nothing without Spider-Man. He and his agent also know this and will bow their heads and return to the crew."

After listening to Wu Yuchen's words, Howard Stringer nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "Okay, Wu, I believe you can solve this matter. The sequel to Spider-Man will continue to achieve dazzling results~"

"Of course!" The two said, and clinked their glasses again.

Howard Stringer seemed to suddenly think of something, and said, "By the way, Wu, there is something I think I need to tell you~"

"Oh? What?" Wu Yuchen asked.

"I received a call from a Sony director in Japan before. He wanted me to mobilize the power of Sony North America to discredit your "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and hinder your Oscars."

Wu Yuchen narrowed his eyes after hearing this, but since the other party said it so frankly, he must not have any ill will towards him.

As expected, Howard smiled and continued: "Don't worry, Wu, I have rejected him. You are our closest partner of Sony Columbia, and we will not do anything to destroy our friendly relationship."

Wu Yuchen thanked him directly after hearing this: "Thank you, Mr. Stringer!"

"It's a small matter. If you need it, just ask~" After Howard finished speaking, he felt that the purpose of today was achieved, so he smiled and left.

Looking at Howard's back, Wu Yuchen gently sipped the red wine. His strategy of making friends in Hollywood in the past two years was indeed correct. If it weren't for the common interest of "Spider-Man" with Sony this time, it is possible that "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" would have encountered a lot of resistance.

In fact, Sony, as a representative transnational consortium of Japan, has already left the category of left and right. In other words, even if there are left and right among its directors, the nature of Sony's own capital determines that its top priority is to pursue profits.

And Japan's greatest influence in Hollywood is Sony. Now even Sony is on the side of Wu Yuchen, which means they are doomed to not make a big wave.

Wu Yuchen has not been working in vain in the past few years!

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen was relieved. The Golden Globe Award is an award with some influence. This time, "The Hours" won the Best Picture and Best Actress. Wu Yuchen naturally celebrated with the two heroines for a night.

And the next day, another person who Wu Yuchen did not expect came to the door, the newly appointed CEO of Disney, Robert Iger.

Seeing the smiling Robert Iger, Wu Yuchen remembered a nickname of his in his previous life: Smiling Mickey Mouse.

Perhaps because Eisner was a tyrant before, the new leader chosen by Disney this time is a president who always has a kind smile and makes people think he is a good guy.

However, if you think Robert Iger is a good guy and weak, you are wrong. This guy is quite capable. In the past, Disney reached its peak during Robert Iger's tenure. He first acquired Pixar, then Marvel, and finally even Fox, making Disney a giant with a market value of hundreds of billions of dollars and a veritable big brother in Hollywood.

As soon as he saw Wu Yuchen, Robert Iger took the initiative to stand up and greet him, and extended his hand: "Wu, nice to meet you! Congratulations on your great success at the Golden Globe Awards yesterday!"

But Wu Yuchen did not shake hands with him, just nodded and replied lightly: "Thank you."

Then he asked directly: "Mr. Iger, I wonder what you are doing here today? I don't think my relationship with Disney is good enough for you to come to my door in person to congratulate me."

Robert Iger, the CEO of Disney, did not show any dissatisfaction with Wu Yuchen's neglect, and still maintained a kind smile: "Just call me Robert. Wu, I came here today for only one thing, that is, to make friends with you!"

Wu Yuchen was slightly stunned when he heard this, and looked at Robert Iger. The discord between Wu Yuchen and Disney is well known to everyone in Hollywood, and it has been exposed since the time of "Pirate King" vs. "Pearl Harbor". And he personally participated in the ouster of Michael Eisner, the former president of Disney!

Now Robert Iger, the new CEO of Disney, came to ask to make friends with him?

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen smiled and joked: "Robert, if you want to thank me because I kicked Eisner out, then you don't have to. I just want to make myself happy!"

Robert immediately responded with a smile: "Oh, it seems that there is one more reason for us to be friends! I really want to thank you sincerely, otherwise I might not be able to sit in this position now~"

Wu Yuchen thought that this guy in front of him was really interesting and not simple. A Disney CEO can always keep such a low profile, and even let him, who has always had a bad impression of Disney, can't help but want to continue talking to him. He is worthy of being the "Smiling Mickey Mouse"!