Chapter 220 Selling Copyrights and New Movies

Liu Zhou looked at Edwards' slightly anxious look and couldn't help feeling a little funny.

No matter what, he is the vice president of a big Hollywood company and a big shot in Hollywood. How could he be so impatient with a director who only succeeded once?

In fact, what Liu Zhou didn’t know was that it wasn’t that Edwards lost his patience, but that Lionsgate was having a hard time right now.

In recent years, Lionsgate has been rising rapidly and is now planning overseas distribution channels.

This is simply trying to grab the cake of the Hollywood Big Seven!

Even the powerful DreamWorks did not dare to provoke them like this, and the Big Seven in Hollywood would not tolerate such behavior from Lionsgate.

So recently Lionsgate has been jointly suppressed by the seven major Hollywood studios.

Not only were some projects snatched away, but the distribution of the films produced also often encountered accidents, or were even directly blocked.

This has made some Hollywood filmmakers reluctant to cooperate with Lionsgate.

Now only some of Lionsgate's direct descendants, that is, directors and producers supported by Lionsgate, will not have too many concerns about cooperating with Lionsgate.

But among these people, there are not many that Lionsgate is optimistic about, and Liu Zhou and James Wan are the ones they value the most.

James Wan's "Saw" series is currently a very stable source of income for Lionsgate.

This series of investments is not large, but the income is considerable.

Liu Zhou was able to earn over 100 million US dollars at the box office in his first Hollywood debut, which undoubtedly shows that he has great potential.

Lionsgate earned at least hundreds of millions of dollars from the movie "Source Code".

Moreover, "Source Code" is not a movie that is just trying to ride on the popularity of "Fahrenheit 911/", but it wins entirely by its plot.

Considering Liu Zhou's age, which is the golden period of his creation, Lionsgate had confidence in Liu Zhou before he failed.

Lionsgate is currently in need of projects, especially good projects.

Although they don't need Liu Zhou's new movie to save their lives, they are indeed in urgent need of a movie that can be a box office hit.

"Anthony, let's talk about the new movie later. I also want to talk to you about the copyright of Source Code."

"Liu, didn't you just say it was okay?"

"That's indeed no problem. What I want to talk to you about is the copyright of Source Code."

"What do you mean?"

"I am going to sell a quarter of the copyright of Source Code that I hold to Lionsgate."

Edwards was surprised after hearing this and couldn't help but say:

"Liu, why do you have such an idea? This part of the copyright can continue to generate income in the future."

"I know, but I can't wait any longer. I want to get the money all at once. Besides, if Lionsgate holds the complete copyright of Source Code, it will be easier for you to develop and operate it, right?"

Although Source Code can be considered a long-term meal ticket in the future, Liu Zhou is not someone who cannot afford to eat.

It's just a small amount of money every year, which is of no use to Liu Zhou.

It would be better to sell the copyright to Lionsgate and get the money in one go. Although the amount may be less, Liu Zhou can use this money to create greater profit value.

It's much better than the long-term income.

"Well, since you have made up your mind, I respect your decision. Besides, Lion Gate is eager for you to do this, haha!"

"So how much money are you Lionsgate prepared to pay?"

"How about three million dollars?"

"That's too low. You can make a lot of money by making sequels in the future."

"Liu, how do you think a sequel to Source Code can be made?" Edwards rolled his eyes.

"I believe in the ability of Hollywood screenwriters. There is no movie in Hollywood that cannot have a sequel."

"But Source Code is already a very complete story. There is no need to make a sequel, and the audience will not buy it."

After a period of negotiation, the two sides finally reached an agreement at a price of US$3.8 million.

In fact, this price is not low. Although "Source Code" is a newly released movie, the copyright for the first five years has already been sold.

It may take Lionsgate several years to earn back the $3.8 million.

Liu Zhou could see that Lionsgate was quite sincere.

Subsequently, the two parties signed another copyright transaction agreement.

This total of nearly 28 million US dollars will be transferred to Liu Zhou's account within a week.

In order to facilitate investment, Liu Zhou registered a studio in Hollywood, which made investment operations more convenient and allowed him to pay less tax.

But it is impossible to bring all the money back home. If you want to bring it back home, at least half of it will be gone.

In the United States, it's easy for money to come in, but difficult for money to go out.

However, Liu Zhou did not plan to take it back. He might have other investments in Hollywood in the future, which would come in handy.

But even if the money is kept in the United States, it must be spent as soon as possible, otherwise a large amount of tax will still have to be paid in April next year.

Nima paying taxes to the United States makes Liu Zhou feel distressed.

"Liu, can we talk about the new film now?"

"No problem at all."

After saying that, Liu Zhou took out a thick script from his briefcase and handed it to Edwards.

"This is my new script. You can take a look at it first to see if you like it."

Edwards took the script with joy, but when he saw the name on it, his brows jumped.

"Killing Cycle"

What a murderous aura!
However, for Edwards, who likes plasma films, he read it with even greater anticipation.

The story is still in the familiar Liu Zhou style, traveling through time. Last time it was eight hours repeated, this time the protagonist repeats the story of one day.

However, the plot is somewhat inconsistent with the name. There is not much blood and blood at all. It is still a science fiction film, but this time it is a hardcore science fiction film.

Based on Edwards' many years of experience, this is also a qualified or even excellent commercial film script.

The box office performance of this film should not be bad, at least not worse than that of "Source Code".

It took Edwards more than half an hour to read the script roughly, then he smiled and said to Liu Zhou:
"Great! Liu, how are you going to cooperate?"

"Don't worry about this for now. Let's talk about it after the investment budget is released. But this time, I want at least 30% of the investment share."

"no problem!"

Seeing that Edwards agreed, Liu Zhou couldn't help but feel relieved.

When it comes to a high-quality project, film companies are very sensitive and stingy about investment shares.

Look at the Harry Potter series, will Warner Bros. give up even a tiny bit of its investment share?

I have always eaten alone!

Other companies are similar, and they hold high-quality projects tightly in their own hands. Liu Zhou's new project certainly cannot be compared with the popular series such as "Harry Potter", but if the production company thinks the project is good, and Liu Zhou has the performance of previous works as a foundation, they will be reluctant to give up their investment share.

This investment share is not only the proportion of the subsequent box office share, but also the proportion of the film's copyright.

Copyright has always been something that Hollywood companies attach great importance to, because the profits it contains are greater than the box office.

This is also the reason why Liu Zhou finally chose Lionsgate in the face of so many cooperation invitations.

Firstly, Lionsgate has a very good future development, and establishing a good relationship with it will also be beneficial to Golden Harvest in the future.

Secondly, Lionsgate was more sincere, and they were the only ones who kept in touch with him during this period.

Moreover, Lionsgate is still in the development stage. It will not be as black-hearted as the Big Seven in Hollywood, nor will it be so domineering in terms of investment share.

Now Liu Zhou has only made one successful movie and has no right to bargain with the Big Seven in Hollywood.

They are so enthusiastic about themselves now, they just want Liu Zhou to make a film for them.

If you try to get their hands on their core piece of cake, you will be told to get as far away from them as possible.

Unless you are a director of the level of Spielberg or James Cameron, the Big Seven in Hollywood will likely allow you to participate in the distribution of core interests.

Liu Zhou certainly knew that the subsequent operation and development of the film's copyright was where the bulk of the profits came from, and after "Source Code", he had an even more intuitive understanding of this.

So Liu Zhou must want to continue to participate in film investment.

Rather than meeting with failure from the Big Seven in Hollywood, it is better to continue cooperating with Lionsgate.

But Lionsgate is, after all, a powerful film company in Hollywood, and Liu Zhou will not go too far and ask for a larger share of the investment just because they want to cooperate with him.

If you go too far, Lionsgate will definitely not pay attention to you.

Therefore, Liu Zhou offered a 30% share. To be honest, if Lionsgate disagreed, he was ready to make concessions as long as it was not less than 25%.

But I didn't expect Lionsgate to agree to it right away.

This made Liu Zhou feel relieved and glad that he had made the right choice.

“Anthony, because I have a lot of things to do in China, I have movies coming out in July and December.

So I hope we can start preparing now, spend two months to set up the crew, and start shooting in September. I plan to finish shooting in three months. "

"No problem, we at Lions Gate will fully cooperate with you."

Edwards also knew that Liu Zhou was a famous director in China and also owned a film company.

Since Liu Zhou has a general plan, Lionsgate is of course willing to cooperate.

"Then I'll leave the follow-up matters to you, Lions Gate."

"Do you have any favorite actors?"

"Let's choose Anne Hathaway as the female lead."

Hearing Liu Zhou's words, Edwards couldn't help but laugh:
"Liu, you Chinese people are really loyal. I thought you would pursue novelty."

"You make me sound like that fat bastard Harvey."

In the past two years, Anne Hathaway has not had a new boyfriend and has always kept in touch with Liu Zhou. Of course, Liu Zhou will not look for a new love.

Besides, Anne Hathaway is at her most blossoming now, and there are almost no actresses in Hollywood who can surpass her in terms of beauty.

So when the new script came out, the first person that came to Liu Zhou's mind for the heroine was Anne Hathaway.

"Okay, but Liu, I still have to advise you not to take Hollywood too seriously."

"Don't worry, I know what's going on."

"What about the male protagonist?"

"How about Nicolas Cage?"

Nicolas Cage is still a top male star in Hollywood and has not yet become the king of bad movies.

In 2008, Nicolas Cage took on the film "Bangkok Assassin" by Hong Kong director Pang Soon. It was the first bad film in his life and the beginning of the collapse of his reputation.

After 2012, Nicolas Cage won the "American Golden Raspberry Awards" three times in a row.

More than half of the American netizens believe that he is currently the actor with the worst image. Even some Hollywood directors are no longer willing to invite him to film for the sake of film quality.

But there was no way. Cage's funds were already in trouble at this time, but he still spent money recklessly.

After that, the economic crisis broke out and Cage was on the verge of bankruptcy, so he had no choice but to make money by making money.

To be honest, it's a pity that Nicolas Cage's reputation has been ruined in his later years. He had very strong box office appeal and his acting skills were also excellent.

Moreover, he is very popular in mainland China. Although he often starred in bad movies afterwards, mainland audiences still have feelings for him.

So while his reputation has not yet collapsed, Liu Zhou also wants to cooperate with him once.

"We can consider him as a candidate, but he is quite popular now and may not be available, so we have to list a few more candidates."

Liu Zhou pondered for a while and said:
"Keanu Reeves, Bale, and Tom Cruise, you can approach all of them, but my first choice is still Nicolas Cage."

"no problem."

"As for the other roles in the movie, it will be up to you, Lionsgate, to arrange them."

"Liu, your title doesn't fit the plot. This movie is obviously not a cult film, but this title gives people the feeling of a cult film.

This will affect the audience's choice, so I think it would be better to change the title."

“Okay, let’s call it Edge of Tomorrow!”

"Ok, this name is much better and more appropriate."

That’s right, the new movie Liu Zhou chose this time is “Edge of Tomorrow” starring Tom Cruise in his previous life.

This movie is adapted from a light novel "Killing Cycle" by writer Hiroshi Sakurazaka.

Liu Zhou spent a full $1.5 million to obtain the film and television adaptation rights for this novel.

This is because the reputation of this novel has not yet spread, otherwise the $1.5 million would not have been obtained.

Historically, Warner spent a full three million dollars for the film adaptation rights of this novel.

Although the price is not cheap, Liu Zhou will include this part of the cost in the film investment, so there is no need to feel bad about it.

Subsequently, Lionsgate began to officially prepare the crew of "Edge of Tomorrow".

Liu Zhou also decided to join in while there was still time. After all, this was his crew.

It was not until June 30th that Liu Zhou was able to get away from this busy schedule, because today was the premiere day of "The Devil Wears Prada".

Liu Zhou promised Anne Hathaway that he would attend, and he had been in Hollywood for so many days but had not yet met her.

But then Liu Zhou also found that Anne Hathaway was really busy. As the heroine of the movie, she had a heavy promotional task.

After attending the premiere and spending two nights together, Liu Zhou returned to China.

"Red Cliff" has reached the final promotion stage and is about to be released.

(End of this chapter)