A week later, Charlie's Angels successfully surpassed $100 million in its opening weekend box office.
To date, Saw 3 has grossed over $50 million.
But Dead Silence only grossed a little over $10 million.
Even including overseas box office revenue, it still doesn't reach $20 million.
If things continue like this, the final box office might be similar to that of another world.
However, this time, Universal has invested more in Dead Silence.
The production and marketing costs combined exceeded $40 million.
With box office numbers like that, it would need at least over $100 million to break even, which is now out of the question.
Of course, even if a film like this loses all its money, it's not a big deal for Universal.
But seeing others make a fortune while you lose everything is really upsetting.
Cao Kun felt no sympathy whatsoever; on the contrary, he was secretly gloating.
Who told Universal to poach his people without saying a word?
However, given his current state of mind, this bit of fun quickly vanished.
He asked casually, "So, you've come to complain to me?"
Sevis: "I'd like to ask you the secret to your success. Since your debut, you've never had a single movie that failed."
Even those who played minor roles won two Oscars.
"You must have some unique methods for achieving success, right?"
Cao Kun: Yes.
Sivis exclaimed in surprise, "Really?! Can you tell me more?"
Cao Kun: "Of course...no."
Sivis: "..."
Cao Kun: "I'm hanging up now, nothing else."
Sivis wasn't really alright either.
He called not only to complain to Cao Kun, but also to tell Cao Kun about the promotional progress of "The Bourne Identity".
Cao Kun's continued success has led the industry to have certain expectations for the film "The Bourne Identity".
Perceptions regarding the Asian protagonist's identity have also changed somewhat.
Those who were hoping to make a fool of him with this movie are now starting to take a more cautious approach.
Not long after Sivis hung up, Cao Kun received another call from James Wan.
James Wan's tone was somewhat dejected: "Mr. Cao, I messed up."
Cao Kun laughed and said, "Isn't it normal to mess things up? No one can guarantee success all the time. I believe in your abilities."
James Wan was greatly encouraged by Cao Kun's words of comfort: "Really? You think I can still succeed?"
Cao Kun: "Of course, my judgment is excellent."
James Wan: "Thank you, Mr. Cao. Then I will not work with 20th Century Fox on this film. I will work with you instead."
Upon hearing this, Cao Kun immediately became wary: "What movie?"
James Wan explained, "The tentative title is 'Death Penalty'."
It tells the story of a happy family whose son is suddenly killed by a group of robbers.
The law failed to provide the punishment it deserved, leaving the father with no other choice but to take on the role of enforcer himself, bringing the robbers to justice and ordering them to die.
Isn't this "illegal sanctions"?
Cao Kun knew it as soon as he heard it.
This film is one of the few non-horror films in James Wan's early works.
It's about using violence to fight violence.
Logically, this kind of subject matter should be very popular, but James Wan set the vengeful father as an ordinary person.
This made the process of revenge difficult and not very satisfying.
Revenge is supposed to be a satisfying process, but the audience didn't get that satisfaction.
Ultimately, the film also ended in failure.
In another world, James Wan botched two small-to-medium-sized films, severely damaging his career and nearly getting him out of the business.
If it weren't for the Saw series as a guarantee, it would have been almost impossible for him to get directing work again.
Nevertheless, after these two films, the budget for his next film was slashed to a mere $1.5 million.
But it was with this $1.5 million that James Wan managed to create "Insidious".
This movie grossed over $100 million worldwide.
This brought him back into the public eye.
This led to the later Conjuring universe.
The huge success of "The Conjuring" propelled James Wan into the mainstream, which led to his later opportunity to direct "Furious 7".
If "Dead Silence" still has a sliver of hope for a comeback in such a world, then "Illegal Sanctions" is a doomed flop.
Cao Kun must be crazy to invest in a film like this.
Cao Kun was about to refuse, but suddenly an idea struck him.
Given such an opportunity, it would be too much to pass up the chance to take advantage of someone.
Cao Kun: "This subject matter sounds very good. Have you finished the script yet?"
James Wan: "We already have a first draft, and 20th Century Fox has seen it. They are very interested and have committed to investing no less than $20 million."
Cao Kun grunted in agreement: "Send me the script so I can take a look first."
Not long after hanging up the phone, Cao Kun received the first draft of the script from James Wan.
He took a look and found that it was not much different from the original.
So, this must be the movie "Illegal Sanctions".
He immediately called his agent, Crowley: "Please spread a word in the industry that I'm very optimistic about James Wan's new project."
As a seasoned veteran, Crowley immediately understood what Cao Kun was trying to do.
She asked, "You don't think James Wan's new project is promising?"
If he really believed in it, Cao Kun would be crazy to leak information into the industry. Did he think there were too many people competing with him?
Wouldn't it be better to just sign it quietly?
Cao Kun: "Don't ask so many questions."
Crowley: "Who are you trying to scam?"
Crowley didn't get an answer; he only heard the busy tone of the phone being disconnected.
Crowley sighed and muttered to himself, "What a polite gentleman."
Five days later, on the phone...
James Wen said apologetically, "Mr. Cao, I'm really sorry."
Just as Cao Kun predicted, after he also became optimistic about James Wan's new project, "Illegal Sanctions" suddenly became a hot commodity.
Not only did 20th Century Fox want it, but Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney, and several other companies also joined the competition.
Some second-tier companies have also extended offers to James Wen.
After a fierce competition, it was ultimately acquired by 20th Century Fox.
They increased James Wan's salary and promised to increase the film's production budget by another $10 million, bringing it to $30 million.
Just yesterday, James Wan signed a production contract with them.
All of this was within Cao Kun's expectations, but his tone was heavy: "James, I'm very disappointed."
James Wan was even more embarrassed: "I'm sorry, Mr. Cao, I will continue to serve as the producer of the Saw series."
Cao Kun: "Okay, let's leave it at that for now, I have something else to do."
After hanging up the phone, Cao Kun laughed silently.
Another one got scammed.
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