Chapter 370: Midnight box office

The main creators of the crew called the curtain call many times, and finally amidst the shouts, the audience left one after another.

Almost at the same time, protests sounded again at the gate of the China Grand Theater.

However, this time they will be greeted with countless ridicules.

"Are they idiots? To protest a classic film!"

"A group of protesters who haven't seen the screening? Just speechless."

"I guess they don't even know what kind of film they are protesting against."

Looking at the crowd of protesters in front of him, Bill Irwin suddenly shouted loudly, "I want to protest against these protesters. A group of people who have not seen the screening are not worthy of defaming this film."

After finishing speaking, Bill Irwin walked straight towards the crowd of protesters and shouted loudly, "I protest you protesters!"

Jeremy Howard hesitated, and followed Bill Irwin over.

Not long after, more and more spectators who had just left the venue began to gather around the protesting crowd, bursts of protesting voices erupted.

For a moment, a flash of panic flashed in the eyes of many protesters. Not only were more and more people gathered around, but they were also very enthusiastic. If not done well, it would turn into a large-scale conflict.

This is not within their scope of business.

Many timid protesters sneaked into the crowd and left.

There are also many real protesters who hesitated a little and chose to go to the nearest cinema to watch "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring".

If this film is useless, come back and continue to protest.

There are only a handful of protesters left, still struggling.

After all, many people need to earn commissions.

Outside a movie theater in Los Angeles, a reporter from ABC TV was interviewing a theater staff member.

"The attendance for this film was very high."

The staff said to the reporter: "Maybe "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" will create a miracle, surpassing "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" released at the same time last year."

"Can you explain why in detail!" the reporter asked curiously holding the microphone.

"How should I put it?" The staff thought for a moment and said, "This film seems to be able to arouse the emotions of the audience, and make people feel a sense of excitement."

"And, in our theater alone, we have three screens dedicated to Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, each with 430 seats."

"But..." There was a look of shock in the staff's eyes, and he said, "Even the auditorium with the least number of people has sold more than 380 tickets, and the auditorium with the largest number of people has fully sold out." 412 tickets."

"There are many indications that the film 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' is likely to break the box office record for a film released in May."

The attendance rate of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" has reached more than 90%, which can no longer be described as a bestseller.

It can be said that it has caused a trend.

The reporter exclaimed, and then continued to ask: "Is it breaking the record created by George Lukes and "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace"!"

"Yes." The staff said with a happy smile: "In last year's summer, Ryan Gosling and "Inception" set a box office record for films released in July."

"This year's summer season has just begun, and "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" produced by Orion Films has shown signs of being a big hit, and it is likely to set a new box office record."

There are many beneficiaries of the great sales of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". In addition to Orion Pictures and the main creative staff of the crew, a group of theater companies are obviously one of the biggest beneficiaries.

What's more, in the following July, Orion Films will release another commercial film with an investment of over 100 million US dollars, "X-Men" directed by Ryan Gosling.

Based on the North American box office of Ryan Gosling's previous films, theater companies expect the North American box office of "X-Men" to reach at least 200 million US dollars.

This is not a random calculation, but the response of the internal test screening of "X-Men", which has generally received commercial approval.

Moreover, unlike ordinary commercial films, the sales of peripheral products of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" are very gratifying.

When he came out of the theater just now, he saw a crowd of spectators around the counter selling peripheral goods

Based on his experience, it is estimated that the revenue brought by peripheral products of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" will not be much lower than the box office.

In addition, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is only the beginning of the trilogy, and "The Lord of the Rings: The Knight of the Two Towers" will be released in May next year.

Under the night, the bustling Los Angeles gradually became quieter.

But above the Orion Films Building, the lights are still bright.

Ryan, Nancy Utley, Sofia Coppola, Cindy Crawford, and Peter Jackson sat together, without any intention of taking a break, and did not choose to talk, but browsed the Internet absently comments on .

"Orion Films seems to be synonymous with classic movies. From "Terminator 3" to the just-released "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring," all of them are classic movies."

Ryan shrugged. Orion Films has become synonymous with classic films, which is naturally a good thing. Not to mention the commercial value brought by the brand effect, just because of this, the audience who chooses to enter the cinema can bring a lot of money. long-term income.

Of course, there is also a bad side. If the film produced by Orion Films hits the box office when it is released, it will inevitably face a lot of doubts.

But, at least for now, nothing to worry about.

"Peter Jackson, he is an outstanding director. The shocking effect of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and the tragic battle of Helm's Deep in the ending egg of the film seem to illustrate For one thing, he created a classic movie."

"Don't just focus on the director of the film, Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an Orion Films production.

It is said that the planner of the whole project is Ryan Gosling, who personally decided to buy the copyright of the original adaptation, which was directed by Peter Jackson, and even agreed with Orion Pictures to invest up to 300 million US dollars. "

The midnight show, not long after the show ended, many people found out some information about the crew,

Including Ryan's decision to buy the copyright of the original adaptation, obtain the distribution rights from MGM, choose Peter Jackson as the director of the film, and invest as much as 300 million US dollars in the entire project.

After watching for a while, Ryan felt that his eyes were a little dry, so he couldn't help but look up at a few people, and his eyes fell on Sofia Coppola, "Sofia, ask, have you got the specific box office statistics!"

As soon as this remark came out, the eyes of several people fell on Sofia Coppola.

Although the premiere of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" received a very good response, the audience was even more enthusiastic.

But before the box office data of the midnight show comes out, any situation may change.

"I just asked, but it hasn't come out yet."

Sofia Coppola looked at the time, "However, I guess it should be soon."

Before she could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door outside.

Jon Fertimer held a folder, stretched out his hand and pushed open the door of the office, and walked in.

"How much!" Peter Jackson asked nervously.

"It's just an approximate figure based on preliminary statistics." Jon Fertimer shook the folder in his hand.

North American cinema companies have begun to fully use the computerized ticketing system, which can obtain the estimated box office data of the film as soon as the midnight show ends.

As for the accurate midnight box office data, we will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

"Is it more than $8 million?" Nancy Utley asked quickly.

The box office of the midnight show of 8 million US dollars is a figure speculated internally by Orion Films.

As long as the box office at midnight, it can reach about 8 million US dollars.

Then, Orion Pictures will invest more publicity resources in the future.

"Nancy, you can guess!" Jon Fertimer was obviously in a very good mood.

Hearing Jon Felthammer's tone, Nancy Utley couldn't help showing a smile on his face, "It must have exceeded $8 million."

Otherwise, Jon Fertimer might not be in the mood to joke.

"Well, you guessed it right."

Jon Fertimer did not continue to play charades, and reported a very astonishing figure, "The box office of the midnight show initially calculated by the theater company is about 9.8 million US dollars, and the actual box office data of the morning and night show is likely to exceed $10 million."

Speaking of this, he glanced at Peter Jackson and joked, "It seems that you are very likely to break the record set by George Lucas and "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace."

A smile appeared on the corner of Peter Jackson's mouth.

"Okay, it's getting late, everyone can go back and rest."

"If you don't want to go home, you can go to the hotel to rest for one night." Ryan looked at the time, "In addition, inform the cast and crew of the film's midnight box office data, otherwise, they may not be able to sleep tonight."

Several people couldn't help laughing.

A group of actors, managers, and many crew members must be waiting for the box office data of the midnight show. Every second is a torment for them.

"ok!"

"This matter can be left to me." Peter Jackson said, then picked up the phone and called a group of cast members.

Not only did he need to notify the cast and crew, but also his friends in New Zealand, and even the New Zealand government department.

Tonight will be an unforgettable night for many people.

Seeing the busy Peter Jackson, Ryan nodded to Cindy Crawford and walked outside first.

He needs to go back to rest early.

Tomorrow morning, there is still important work waiting to be dealt with.

At least, Ryan didn't take it easy until the film's weekend box office release.

Of course, the real hard work is the actors in the film. In the next period of time, they need to go to major cities in North America, Europe, South America, Asia and other countries to promote.

Most of the time, they can only rest on the plane.

In the parking lot downstairs, Ryan opened the door and sat in the driver's seat, while Cindy Crawford sat in the co-pilot's seat.

"$9.8 million at the midnight box office!"

Until now, Cindy Crawford hadn't fully recovered, and at the same time she felt a little pity.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is a drama with male actors, and there is no such thing as a heroine in the traditional sense.

"Do you think the midnight box office of "X-Men" can exceed 9.8 million US dollars?" She looked sideways at Ryan and asked suddenly.

"Impossible." Ryan shook his head, started the car and said, "The box office performance of "X-Men" is hardly comparable to that of "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring."

"Let's put it this way."

Ryan thought for a while and continued: "The trilogy directed by Peter Jackson is comparable to the three prequel films of Star Wars directed by George Lucas, and the definition of "X-Men" is a superhero movie. beginning."

The North American box office results of "X-Men" obviously cannot be as big as "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring", with North American box office exceeding 300 million US dollars and overseas box office close to 500 million US dollars.

For the results of "X-Men", he didn't expect too much extravagance. The North American box office is expected to be only about 200 million U.S. dollars, and the global box office is 300 million to 400 million U.S. dollars.

More expectations are placed in the future.

Of course, the global box office of 300 million US dollars, for a film with an investment of 100 million US dollars, can also generate a lot of income.

"I have a question." Cindy Crawford showed hesitation and asked, "Why didn't you choose to direct it yourself? Instead, you chose Peter Jackson!"

Perhaps the film would have been more successful had Ryan directed it himself.

This is also a question in the minds of many media and audiences.

"I didn't have a schedule at the time." Ryan was directing another film. "Besides, I don't know much about the plot in the original book."

In addition, there is another important reason. UU reading

He needs to direct the superhero film project himself, and can't spend a lot of time crafting the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Compared with the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, what Orion Pictures needs in the future is superhero movies.

"what?"

"You don't even understand the plot in the original book!" Cindy Crawford couldn't believe her ears. A person who is willing to spend 300 million dollars in investment doesn't understand the plot in the original book.

If she remembered correctly, it was Ryan himself who bought the copyright of the original adaptation.

That was an investment of 300 million U.S. dollars, and in order to obtain the copyright and distribution rights of the original adaptation, Orion Pictures paid a considerable price.

"Sometimes you don't necessarily need to know everything to be optimistic about a project." Ryan drove into Bel-Air and said, "Just a feeling is enough."

"My feeling tells me that this original book is very suitable for adaptation."

Cindy - Crawford must feel crazy, this is the first time I heard that the original "Lord of the Rings" is suitable for adaptation!

The difficulty of adapting "The Lord of the Rings" is almost recognized, otherwise it would not have passed so many years, and only Orion Pictures is willing to spend 300 million US dollars to put it on the screen.