Chapter 376: Annual box office rankings released, seven major film companies conspire again (6K)
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a total of 291 films were released in North America in 1995, with a total box office of $5.36 billion, an increase of 1.3% over the previous year.
Last year, a total of 11 movies grossed over 100 million US dollars at the North American box office, one less than in 1994; and 32 movies grossed over 50 million US dollars at the North American box office, two more than last year.
Last year's annual box office champion was "The Sixth Sense".
As of the end of February, the film had grossed $450 million in North America and $968 million worldwide.
The second place is "Apollo 13", with a North American box office of 173 million US dollars and a global box office of 355 million US dollars.
The third place is "Pocahontas", with $143 million in North America and $346 million worldwide.
Fourth place: "The Butterfly Effect", with $141 million in North America and $323 million worldwide.
Fifth place: "Ace Ventura 2" with $120 million and a global box office of $224 million.
Sixth place: "GoldenEye", with $108 million in North America and $352 million worldwide.
Seventh place: "The Shawshank Redemption", with a North American box office of 106 million US dollars and a global box office of 196 million US dollars.
Eighth place: "Paranormal Activity 2", with a North American box office of 106 million US dollars and a global box office of 215 million US dollars.
Ninth place: "Jumanji", $100.5 million, $260 million worldwide.
Tenth place: "Casper the Evil Dead", $100.3 million, $281 million worldwide.
Among the top ten movies on the list, five were produced by Guess Pictures, firmly occupying half of the list.
Including the video-tape hit "The Man From Earth," Guess Pictures had six films that earned more than $100 million in North American sales last year.
In the film industry's total box office revenue ranking, Guess What Pictures released 12 films last year, with a total box office of US$1.281 billion in North America, a year-on-year increase of 38.85%, and a global box office of US$2.435 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%.
The second place is Universal Pictures, which earned $685 million in North America and $1.53 billion in global box office last year with 21 films including "Apollo 13", "Gremlins" and "Waterworld".
Disney, which ranked third, released 19 films last year, including "Pocahontas" and "Crimson Tide", which earned $612 million in North America and $1.437 billion worldwide.
Columbia Pictures ranked fourth, releasing 18 films last year, including "Jumanji," "Bad Boys," and "Legends of the Fall," which earned $586 million in North America and $1.272 billion worldwide.
However, last year Columbia Pictures participated in the investment of "Paranormal Activity 2", "Married at Second Sight" and "At Any Cost" under Guess What? Films. Including the box office share of these three films, Columbia Pictures' North American box office performance last year exceeded that of the third-place Disney.
Fifth place is Paramount Pictures, with $542 million in North America and $944 million worldwide.
Warner Bros. Pictures ranked sixth, MGM Pictures ranked seventh, Fox Film dropped to eighth, New Line Cinema ranked ninth, and Miramax Films ranked tenth.
After the list was released, it caused a huge stir in Hollywood.
In 1994, Guess What Pictures became the industry's box office champion with a box office of $924 million.
This year, it retained the industry box office championship with $1.281 billion.
This achievement also broke the record in the Hollywood film industry, becoming the first film company in North America to have an annual total box office revenue of more than 1.2 billion US dollars.
In addition, five of the top ten films in North America last year were from Guess What Pictures, and the same number is true this year. This shows that Guess What Pictures is not only developing rapidly, but also very steadily, with no fluctuating development at all.
This is even more powerful than the Big Seven Studios.
After the two lists were released, mainstream American media reprinted the reports and commented on the two lists.
The mainstream media marveled at Guess What Pictures' ability to make money in the box office market. The annual box office revenue of Guess What Pictures is approximately equal to the sum of the second and third place. Once upon a time, the Big Seven studios were the most powerful film companies in Hollywood and the ceiling of the industry.
But in just over four years, the combined box office of the two strongest companies among the seven major film studios is less than that of Guess What? Pictures.
James Kissick, a commentator for the Los Angeles Times, enthusiastically praised the achievements of Guess Pictures in the film market last year, saying that Guess Pictures has been reaching new heights every year and is steadily ascending to the throne of Hollywood dominance.
The Big Seven studios are a thing of the past.
The Hollywood landscape has officially transformed into 'one super and seven strong' or 'one big and seven small'.
David Eastman, a critic for Entertainment Weekly magazine, claimed that since 1993, the seven major film studios have united several times to try to stop the rise of Guess What?, but all of their attempts have failed.
The seven major film studios have used repeated failures to prove that the strength of Guess What Pictures is an irreversible fact.
Therefore, starting this year, all Hollywood practitioners must accept the fact that Guess What Pictures will not disappear, but will become stronger and stronger in the future and become the most powerful force in the film industry. Everyone must get used to the existence of Guess What Pictures.
"Barry, what do you think of the recent public opinion?"
In the Hollywood Club, Ron Mayer put down the newspaper and asked Barry Diller, who was sitting opposite him and was also the president of Fox Film.
Barry Diller had a very bad expression on his face at this moment. Before 1993, 20th Century Fox performed above average among the seven major film studios, often ranking between second and sixth, and never taking the last place. This year, MGM achieved good results with films such as "GoldenEye" and "Get Shorty", surpassing Fox.
Fox Film Corporation has become the last one, and he, the head of Fox, is under the greatest pressure. Since the beginning of the year, many shareholders on the parent company's board of directors have questioned his abilities and suggested that someone else be appointed as CEO of Fox Film Corporation.
Later, he was able to stay in office with the support of Murdoch and others, but this support will not last long. If the box office performance of Fox Film continues to be bad this year, Murdoch and others will not be able to keep his position.
Now thinking about this problem, Barry Diller couldn't help but feel upset, "Damn Link, why did a director like him start a film company? If there was no Guess Pictures, we wouldn't have to bear so much pressure."
Due to the great influence of the Jewish community in Hollywood, the seven major film studios will not compete too fiercely in the box office market despite internal competition as they develop, and they will maintain a balance.
The purpose is to maintain and expand the racial advantage in Hollywood, exclude or annex other forces, and ultimately unify the American entertainment and cultural circles.
But after Link and Guess What Pictures came out, this tacit understanding and balance was broken, the inherent order of Hollywood was also broken, and their power and status were greatly weakened. This situation made Barry Diller and others jealous of Link.
“Barry, complaining is useless. David Eastman is right. The existence of Guess What? Pictures has become an irreversible fact. What we should do now is not to curse Link, but to find a way to bring down Guess What? Pictures and prevent it from growing further.
According to the current situation, if Guess What continues to dominate the annual box office charts, at least two of the seven major film studios will go bankrupt due to financial problems.”
Langmeyer said, frowning.
"What suggestions do you have? The situation is critical right now. No matter what suggestions you have, as long as they can stop Guess What Movies from continuing to hog the box office, you can try it."
Barry Diller said.
"Let's wait until Ovitz and Harvey arrive."
"All right!"
Barry Diller shrugged his shoulders. He didn't like to get involved in the actions against Guess What Pictures in the past because he didn't think that Guess What Pictures could develop to the level of the Big Seven Studios, nor did he think that Guess What Pictures could affect the interests and status of the Big Seven Studios.
But after Guess What Pictures won the annual box office championship for two consecutive years, he had to admit that he had to take it seriously. Guess What Pictures took the Big Seven Studios sixty to seventy years to complete in less than four years. If he was given another two or three years, half of the Big Seven Studios would really collapse.
The two chatted for a few minutes, and Michael Ovitz, Shirley Lansing, Mig Goss, Harvey Weinstein and others arrived at the club one after another.
The originally empty oval desk was gradually filled up.
The session was moderated by Harvey Weinstein.
Harvey Weinstein stood in the front and presided over the meeting. He put forward the first point: Now Guess Pictures has become the mortal enemy of the Big Seven Studios, to the point where it must be eliminated. He asked everyone whether they agreed with this?
Barry Diller and Ron Mayer expressed support.
Barry Diller stood up and lamented the harm that Guess What Pictures had done to the film industry. After Guess What Pictures' films became a big hit, the North American film market became chaotic, bad films were rampant, and film companies went bankrupt in large numbers. Guess What Pictures could be called the industry's dead weed and must be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise the seven major film studios would face a bankruptcy crisis.
Disney co-CEO Michael Ovitz and Paramount Pictures President Sherry Lansing were thoughtful and had no immediate comment.
Miguel Goss of Warner Bros. tapped the table with his fingers and said, "I have no objection to dealing with Guess What? Pictures, and I am willing to be consistent with everyone. However, can you please not target Link for the time being? Batman Forever has not yet been released. This movie has an investment of more than 100 million. If the film's revenue is affected by Link's matter, Warner Bros. Group will not agree."
"I agree with that."
MGM Pictures President Stephen Cooper raised his finger and said, "Link has agreed to take over the direction of the 007 sequel. This is a key project of our company, with an estimated investment of hundreds of millions. I also hope that Link will not be affected in the action against Guess What? Pictures."
"I have a suggestion, too."
Columbia Pictures President Jon Peters frowned and said, "Our company still has five film contracts with Guess What? Can we wait until our contract is over before considering how to bring down Guess What? If several film projects are affected due to unexpected circumstances at Guess What? Who will compensate our company for the losses?"
When Harvey heard what they said, he couldn't help but grit his teeth and cursed the three people in his heart.
The purpose of our coming here today is very clear, which is to discuss how to bring down Guess What Pictures and restore the dominance of the Big Seven studios in Hollywood.
As soon as he opened his mouth to define Guess What Pictures as an 'enemy', Mig Goss and the other two raised objections, while Michael Ovitz and Shirley Lansing remained silent.
From this point of view, the senior executives of the seven major film studios have not yet reached a consensus on the matter of Guess Pictures.
This incident seemed ridiculous to Harvey. Now Guess What Pictures was stepping on the heads of the Big Seven Studios, trying to dominate Hollywood and make them starve. However, the top executives of the Big Seven Studios still couldn't see the situation clearly and were unwilling to go all out to deal with Guess What Pictures.
How can they defeat the powerful Guess the Movies if they think like this?
Harvey can increasingly understand the past Michael Ovitz. It turned out that Ovitz led the Big Seven Studios to suppress Guess What? Pictures, and they were defeated in every battle. He thought it was because of his lack of ability. Now it seems that the root cause was the lack of unity within the Big Seven Studios, and their inability to recognize the current situation.
Harvey Weinstein took a breath, calmed down, and looked at the three presidents who asked the question, "I understand what you mean. You also want to destroy Guess What? Pictures, but you don't want the company's interests to suffer. This is normal.
But I hope you understand one thing, the annual profits of the North American movie box office market and the global box office market are fixed, with a small increase, while Guess What Pictures' profits from movies increase significantly every year, and the revenues of roughly the seven major film studios have shrunk significantly.
According to assessments by magazines such as Complete Film, if the current situation continues, at least one film company will go bankrupt in the next five years.
Now I have a question, which consequence is more serious, a company going bankrupt or a company losing 100 million or 200 million US dollars? "
Harvey Weinstein had a serious expression and spoke in an urgent tone, giving people a sense of danger and tension.
However, the three presidents were all people who had seen big scenes, and were not affected by his way of speaking. Miggos said, "Harvey, I know that if Guess What continues to grow, it will be very harmful to the Big Seven Studios, and I also know that the consequences of the company's bankruptcy will be even more serious.
But I also know that if Batman Forever loses more than $100 million, the board will ask me to leave. I must keep this project profitable to keep my job and generous pension. I hope you understand. "
MGM President Stephen Cooper also spoke out, "I also think that in dealing with Guess What, Link doesn't need to be involved. Link is a very capable director. He not only makes movies quickly, but also makes a lot of money. He is simply a money-making machine.
Bringing him down is not an option for us. In fact, we can find a way to bring down Guess What Films and make Link an independent film director without support, so that we can make more money from him. "
Jon Peters and Sherry Lansing, Michael Ovitz and others nodded in agreement with this.
Although Guess What Pictures is a cancer in the film industry and other companies cannot survive with it, Link is a treasure. Any company that signs him for long-term cooperation will see its performance soar.
What they want to do now is to find a way to separate the tumor from the treasure, destroy the tumor and keep the treasure.
"That's impossible."
Harvey said with a sullen face, "Link is the boss, founder, and spiritual leader of Guess What? Pictures. As long as he is there, Guess What? Pictures will not go bankrupt. On the contrary, without him, Guess What? Pictures will decline rapidly. Therefore, in order to bring down Guess What? Pictures, we must first bring down Link."
"What suggestions do you have for bringing down Link?"
Ovitz asked.
Harvey looked at everyone present and said, "This is also the purpose of our meeting. First, we need to distinguish between friends and enemies and figure out who our real enemies are. Then we can work together to figure out how to deal with them. If we can't agree on who the enemy is, there's no need to discuss other issues. If we're not united, even the best solutions won't work."
"I support Harvey's statement."
Barry Diller spoke up, he looked at Mig Goss, “Mig, Batman Forever is coming out in May right?
We are currently still discussing how to deal with Link and Guess the Movies, and the actual action will not be launched until after July or August.
By that time, the North American box office of "Batman Forever" will almost be released. Even if Link's incident affects the movie box office, the impact will not be too great.
In order to eliminate the huge threat of Guess What, each of our companies will suffer losses, and Warner Bros. Pictures should be able to accept this loss."
Miguel Goss tapped the table with his fingers. "Barry, you're right. But if Batman Forever does well at the box office, Warner Bros. will continue to look for Link to film the sequel. If we can't use Link, our losses will be more than just a little."
Seeing that Harvey was about to interrupt, he waved his hand and said, "I have no objection to targeting Link, I am just considering the cost-effectiveness. From our company's perspective, dealing with Link will do more harm than good, but for the benefit of all of us, we can make some sacrifices."
“Haha, very good!”
Barry Diller couldn't help but smile and looked at Stephen Cooper, president of MGM Pictures, "You invited Link to direct the 007 sequel. Have you signed a contract? How much is the penalty for breach of contract?"
Stephen Cooper said, "We signed the contract last week and paid a basic salary of $10 million. If the company defaults, we will lose $10 million."
"Ten million is not a lot! As long as we can bring down Guess the Movies, after it collapses, the seven major movie studios will collectively divide up its assets and box office share. By then, the profits will be dozens of times more than ten million."
Harvey waved his hand and said.
Stephen Cooper did not continue speaking and said that he would consult MGM Group boss Kirk Kerkorian. If Kerkorian agreed, he would not object.
Finally, everyone turned their attention to Jon Peters, president of Columbia Pictures, who was the only one who had not agreed.
Jon Peters shrugged his shoulders. "The contract between Columbia Pictures and Guess What? is worth $500 million and is currently halfway completed. If we give up halfway, the loss will be too great and the group's top management will not agree to it.
However, we can remain neutral and will not interfere when you join forces to deal with Guess the Movies. If Guess the Movies goes bankrupt, the losses will be borne by us ourselves."
Harvey was very dissatisfied, but he also knew that Jon Peters' boss was Japanese and he had no say in many things. He no longer forced him and only said that if Columbia Pictures did not participate in the next action, there was no need to know how they would deal with Guess What Pictures and Link.
"Okay, I still have work to do, so I'll leave first."
Jon Peters didn't hesitate for a second. He stood up, said goodbye to everyone and left.
Harvey had a dark face and was very unhappy. Jon Peters left so abruptly, which clearly showed that he was not optimistic about their actions.
"Okay, now let's discuss how to take down Link."
"etc!"
Miggosi asked, "Why not deal with Guess What? Films, but go directly to Link? You should know that Link is worth billions of dollars, a top director, and has deep connections. I think it will be easier to deal with Guess What? Films than Link himself."
Harvey said, "It is precisely because Link is rich and good at making movies that we have to deal with him directly. Without Link, Guess the Movies will lose its backbone and backing, and will not be far from bankruptcy.
As long as Link is there, even if Guess What goes bankrupts, he can still start a new film company in a short period of time and continue to compete with us. This approach cannot eliminate the opponent at the source."
Miggos tapped the tabletop with his finger and didn't ask any more questions.
"Xavi, what are you going to do with Link?"
Shirley Lansing asked.
Harvey made three requests to everyone.
First, starting from today, all film companies are prohibited from cooperating with Link. Previous cooperation will not count, and after the cooperation ends, they are not allowed to ask Link to film in the future.
Second, starting from today, directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, etc. who cooperate with the company are not allowed to participate in Guess Pictures' film projects. At the same time, the news will be released to ban Guess Pictures, and all filmmakers are required to take the initiative to isolate Guess Pictures.
Third, if there are actions against Link in the future, all film companies should unite and do their best to deal with Link. Only in this way will they have a chance to defeat Link and bring down Guess What Pictures.
"Harvey, are you kidding me?"
Before Harvey could finish speaking, someone expressed his objection.
The first is barely acceptable, but the second is impossible.
First, the rule prohibiting the company's filmmakers from cooperating with Guess Pictures is suspected of monopoly, and no one will agree to it;
Secondly, the top directors and actors in the industry have a high degree of autonomy and will never accept such conditions. Second- and third-tier directors and actors have little influence and are easily replaced by others, so it is useless even if they accept it.
Finally, Link himself is a top director with extensive connections in the entertainment industry. Not only does he have many director and actor friends, he also has dozens of girlfriends who are first- and second-tier actresses. Also, don’t forget that he has deep friendships with senior executives of CAA and WMA agencies.
This move has no effect on him at all. Maybe Link will use this move more effectively against the Big Seven Studios.
Some people also think that the third point is impossible to achieve, because the presidents present are only managers of the company, not owners. Their job is mainly to do a good job in the company's projects and make the company profitable, so as to keep their positions and annual salaries, rather than to bring down Guess Pictures and Link.
It would be difficult for them to unite and do their best to deal with Link.
"Xavi, do you have any other suggestions? We can't take down Link and Guess if that's all."
Ovitz said, smoking a cigarette.
Harvey frowned tightly, and his greasy forehead looked like pig skin fried in an iron pan, indicating that he was not in a good mood.
"If we want to defeat Link and Guess What?, we have to pay a price. We can't not do it just because it's difficult. The Big Seven will never be able to defeat Guess What?."
Harvey said.
"Harvey, it's not that we don't want to do it, but the method you proposed is not appropriate."
"Yes, Guess What? Films has no shortage of funds, good projects, or artist resources. We are also willing to invest in publicity and promotion. We have tried the three suggestions you proposed before, and they are completely useless."
"Xavi, think about it again and come up with some more effective methods. As long as the method you propose is effective, we will support you no matter how much resources it costs."
Several presidents present spoke at the same time.
Harvey opened his mouth, somewhat helplessly. Although the executives of the seven major film studios wanted to bring down Guess What Pictures, a strong rival, everyone had his own calculations. Some did not want to spend money or take risks, some did not take the current crisis seriously and hoped for luck, and some only planned for their personal future without considering the long term.
Discussing with such a group of people how to bring down a multi-billion dollar company and a multi-billionaire is nothing but a pipe dream.
"Harvey, why don't you think about it again."
Ovitz put out his cigarette and said, "Last time, Mayer said that Guess What?'s movies can't always make a profit. There will always be times when it loses money. The two movies at the beginning of the year proved it. We can wait until Guess What? suffers a huge loss and then take advantage of the opportunity to attack. Then we will have a chance to hit Guess What? hard. For now, we can continue to wait and see."
"Mike has a point."
Mig Goss, Jon Peters and others spoke out in support.
Harvey shrugged and said nothing more.
After Miggos and others left, only Harvey, Barry Diller, Ron Meyer, and Michael Ovitz, four of his fellow tribesmen, were left in the office.
"Link is already an enemy of our race. I suggest using the most brutal means to eliminate him. Every second he exists is a threat to our survival."
Harvey said grimly.
"The most cruel method? What do you want to do?"
Ovitz asked, frowning.
Harvey gestured as if he was pulling the trigger.
"this"
Ovitz, Langmeyer and Barry Diller all looked surprised.
“Does it need to be so extreme?”
(End of this chapter)
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