Chapter 254 Maybe It's Time to Do Something

"What's your name, and which newspaper do you belong to?"

"My name is George No...Linder, I'm a reporter for Hollywood Online." George Northam said halfway and made up a pseudonym for himself.

Eric didn't realize that George Northam was lying, nodded and asked: "You just said that it was a very stupid choice to release "Cry on the Island" on November 1st, so what's your reason? ?"

George Northam replied confidently: "It's very simple, although November 1st is Halloween, and many horror movies will be released during this period, this is not really a popular schedule, even a good schedule. No, the gross of the movie in these weeks is no different from the off-season of the movie. Since Disney and Firefly have high hopes for this movie, it is not stupid to put it on November 1st, or, you guys In fact, you don't have any confidence in "Cry on the Island", so you left this movie in such a schedule like a cannon fodder cemetery?"

After listening to George Northam's words, Eric couldn't help but glance at the other party. This middle-aged man dressed as a paparazzi is much better than those who only know how to ask stars*: "Since you can speak well, Then you should also know that there are always a few movies in Hollywood's top ten box office every year. Their release time is neither summer nor Christmas, but they still squeeze into the rankings by virtue of their excellent quality. on the list."

"Mr Williams, I see what you're saying,

Just like the "Flying Innocent" that was released a few weeks ago, the Samsung Film Company was very optimistic about this film, and put this film in the unpopular October, but this film cost only a few million The box-office dark horse has now grossed nearly $60 million, and may even be a competitor to Cry on a Island. But, Mr. Williams. But you didn't answer my question, the reason why those dark horse movies you mentioned were put in the off-season. It's because they weren't favored in advance. But "A Little Island" is clearly a movie that Disney and Firefly had high hopes for, and also won a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. "

Eric smiled slightly. He said confidently: "I have already answered you just now, as long as the quality of the film is excellent, sometimes the schedule can be ignored."

Ignore deadlines? !

George Northam's eyes widened in surprise, and some of the more professional reporters in the crowd also looked surprised.

Eric's words are too arrogant.

In the whole of Hollywood, no director or producer has dared to say such a thing with confidence. Most people have sharpened their heads and want to put their movies in the summer or new year. Because everyone knows that high-quality movie schedules mean higher box office revenue. However, Eric in front of him not only did the opposite, but also arrogantly shouted the slogan of "ignore the schedule".

Many paparazzi were keenly aware that this would be a very explosive topic, and involuntarily pushed forward, and at the same time stretched the tape recorder in their hands to reach Eric harder.

George Northam also knew that this would be a very controversial topic. He even had a preliminary draft in his mind. I believe that many people will see the arrogant side of Eric Williams tomorrow. "Frightening Island" didn't achieve unexpected results, then. Eric Williams will be disgraced and even have a big impact on the box office results of his next few films during the New Year.

However, although I thought so. George Northam still brought the tape recorder closer to Eric with a harmless expression and asked, "Mr. Williams, did you really mean that the movie "Cry on the Island" can completely ignore the time limit, take To the high box office?"

Eric shrugged, nodded and said, "Since I put the movie on November 1st, I must already have such confidence in my heart."

The group of reporters outside the cordon made a faint uproar again.

After Eric finished speaking, he ignored the crowd and pulled Virginia into the theater.

"Hello, Mr. Williams. Can you explain in detail?"

"Mr. Williams, why do you have such confidence in this film?"

"Mr Williams..."

In the frantic shouts of reporters behind him. Eric took Virginia up the steps of the cinema without looking back.

Because the premiere does not start until seven o'clock, the two did not go directly to the screening hall. Instead, under the guidance of the staff, they went to the lounge prepared in advance, and the star guests who came to join in were waiting there.

Walking in the VIP passage, Virginia asked softly, "Eric, is there something wrong with what you just said?"

"Even you don't have confidence in me?" Eric asked with a smile.

Virginia hurriedly shook her head: "No, of course I have confidence in you, but anything can happen unexpectedly, in case... in case... then you will definitely be laughed at."

Eric squeezed the girl's little hand soothingly: "Don't worry, there is no emergency."

Virginia opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but was dragged into the lounge by Eric.

After greeting many stars who came to cheer, Michael Eisner from Disney also came to the scene after about ten minutes.

"Eric, I heard what you said on the red carpet just now." Michael Eisner said to Eric as soon as they met.

Eric raised his eyebrows: "Mr. Eisner, do you think my words are very inappropriate?"

Michael Eisner shook his head: "I just think it's too risky for you to say that, in fact, even I am curious, why did you insist on putting this movie on November 1st, and now I'm speaking according to you If you do, you should tell me why."

"Let's go over there and talk," Eric pointed to a sofa set against the wall not far away.

Michael Eisner nodded and walked over with Eric. Although everyone in the lounge wanted to strike up a conversation with Eric and Michael Eisner, they saw that they had something to do. The appearance of the discussion was also very interesting and did not come over.

"Actually, I had this idea a long time ago, probably before the release of "Dark War"." Eric said, glanced at Michael Eisner, and said: "At that time I Think, since at the end of this year, five films related to me will be released one after another, then why not create a beautiful grand slam miracle in this schedule?"

"Grand slam, miracle?" Michael Eisner repeated the two key words in Eric's words, but did not understand what the word grand slam had to do with the movie, not the game.

Eric didn't sell anything, and quickly said: "Mr. Eisner, "Cry on the Island" will be released on November 1st. After we have spent a lot of publicity, it will definitely be no problem to win the box office champion for two weeks. Next , "Home Alone 2" was released on November 17. Last year, this film won the weekly box office championship for 10 weeks, and I have seen the films released in the same period, only "Lethal Weapon 2" and "Back to the Future 2" It can compete with "Home Alone 2", but the crowd of those two films is obviously not enough to compare with the popularity of "Home Alone 2", even if the box office of this sequel will be lower, then it will win the box office championship for five weeks It's definitely no problem. Finally, at Christmas, "Sleepless in Seattle" will continue to take the top spot at the weekly box office. I've seen it, and there isn't a single blockbuster this Christmas, so I can still sit down as the weekly box office champion, as long as No strong movies come out, so maybe I can keep it that way until February. And, as long as we get the gimmick out of the way, several movies in this 'relay race' will get more attention at the same time , which also has a mutually reinforcing effect on the box office between several films."

When Michael Eisner heard Eric's plan, he couldn't be more shocked. The young people around him obviously wanted to occupy the entire New Year's gear!

A film that wins the weekly box office can take at least 30% of the box office of the week, plus the box office of the film that is not at the top of the list, this number will rise to at least 40%, based on the total box office of 600 million US dollars at the end of the year, These films will take a total of $240 million, which doesn't seem like a lot, not even the total box office of the first "Home Alone" movie last year. But don't forget, after the New Year, these films still have at least one to three months to harvest the box office, and the total box office will certainly not be much less than the number of 240 million US dollars.

On average, five films each grossed at least $100 million at the box office.

If this is the case, among the top ten box office charts this year, Firefly will occupy at least five positions. This is obviously a shame for the seven major film companies.

Even if Disney is the beneficiary in this matter, Michael Eisner doesn't feel any excitement when he thinks about it now.

Perhaps, something should be done.

Michael Eisner inexplicably came up with such a thought.

After glancing at the still smug young man beside him, Michael Eisner pursed his lips, patted Eric on the shoulder and encouraged a few words, then got up and left.

Eric sat on the sofa for a while, because he seemed to see something different in Michael Eisner's eyes just now, but he didn't understand what it was, and told Michael Eisner. After his ambitious plan, Eric himself was a little excited, so he did not analyze in detail the profound meaning contained in Michael Eisner's fleeting eyes. (To be continued)