August 15th.
The animated film "Finding Nemo" has been playing in North America for a full 10 days.
As of yesterday, the film had grossed $128 million in North America, and its daily box office was still very impressive, having achieved 10 consecutive daily box office championships.
It was a surefire blockbuster.
It completely overshadowed all other films released at the same time.
In various overseas film markets, "Finding Nemo" would soon be released in Central and South American countries such as Mexico, Chile, and Brazil.
Film markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, and other countries and regions were also in intense negotiations with Page Pictures, the distributor, and it was expected that not much time would be wasted. After all, "Finding Nemo" was too popular.
Several box office data analysis companies in the United States even conducted a series of analyses and reports on the final box office of "Finding Nemo."
300 million dollars!
"In North America alone, the final box office of 'Finding Nemo' will definitely not be less than $300 million."
This was a professional assessment made by many analysis companies based on market supply and demand, film reputation, and other factors.
Cord Howell, a renowned Hollywood film analyst.
In the latest issue of "Hollywood Weekly," he wrote: "'Finding Nemo' is a rare quality animated film, and it will definitely achieve over $300 million at the North American box office. It will certainly be in the top three of the 1999 North American annual box office rankings."
Annual box office, guaranteed top three?
It must be said, this was extremely high praise.
However... various major Hollywood film companies expressed their disagreement.
"Why should the movie 'Finding Nemo' be guaranteed a spot in the top three of the box office rankings?"
"It's only August, and there are still several months until the end of the year. Can you guarantee who will win and who will lose?"
"Do our film companies not exist?"
"Furthermore,
the six major Hollywood studios are not to be trifled with."
The bosses and executives of top-tier second-line Hollywood film companies such as Artisan Entertainment, DreamWorks Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Miramax Films were somewhat enraged. Jealousy, unwillingness, and resentment filled their hearts.
But.
After Cord Howell meticulously listed the upcoming film releases of various film companies in the next few months in his article in "Hollywood Weekly," they were all left speechless.
They had to admit it, despite their objections.
Cord Howell's ability to make such a name for himself in Hollywood certainly stemmed from his exceptional qualities.
"This year's annual box office champion will definitely be'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'!
"Since its release in May, the film has already grossed $392 million in North America. Its final North American box office will steadily reach $400 million; as of now, the film's global box office data has exceeded $800 million, and it is inevitable that it will reach $900 million!"
With a global box office of $900 million, who could compete?
In a year without "Titanic," "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" was a behemoth.
Although "Finding Nemo" has not yet been released in various overseas countries and regions, its overseas box office is foreseeable and highly anticipated, given the popularity of animated films.
Cord Howell also pointed out in his article in "Hollywood Weekly": "As for the next few months, almost none of the films produced by the major, medium, and small Hollywood film companies will be able to reach the level of'Star Wars: Episode I' or 'Finding Nemo.'"
"Stuart Little" from Columbia Pictures?
"It can't compare to 'Finding Nemo'; its North American box office will barely reach $200 million at most."
"The Green Mile" from Warner Bros. Pictures?
"NO NO NO~"
"I don't deny that Tom Hanks, the male lead in 'The Green Mile,' is an excellent actor, but box office has nothing to do with acting skills."
"'The Green Mile' will achieve a good box office performance, but in North America alone, its box office will definitely not exceed $300 million."
In the subsequent article, Cord Howell provided professional estimations for the upcoming films of other Hollywood film companies.
"American Beauty" from DreamWorks Pictures;
"007: The World Is Not Enough" from MGM Studios;
"Double Jeopardy" from Paramount Pictures;
"The Talented Mr. Ripley" from Miramax;
"End of Days" from Universal Pictures;
...Although these films have not yet been released in North America, Cord Howell's considerations based on production costs, market analysis, supply and demand, film type, and film rating factors were still convincing to many people.
Miramax Films.
"Incredible, truly incredible!"
President Harvey Weinstein put down the newspaper in his hand and sighed, "First 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' then '300,' and now 'Finding Nemo,' tsk tsk tsk! Page Pictures this year has become incredibly powerful!"
...Paramount Pictures.
"Agree to him, let them participate!"
Sumner Redstone, the owner, stared at Sherry Lansing and Jordan in front of him and said in a deep voice, "Isn't Kyle Page looking to co-develop the 'Tomb Raider' film series with us? I can agree, but... Jordan, tell Kyle that he must personally serve as the producer of 'Tomb Raider.'"
"Yes, boss," Jordan responded.
"Boss, this..."
President Sherry Lansing wanted to object, but Redstone interrupted her.
"Sherry, I know what you want to say, but we at Paramount shouldn't fall silent again. Our renewed collaboration with Kyle will still largely benefit us," Redstone said loudly.
"Yes, boss."
Sherry Lansing was somewhat unwilling.
Inviting Kyle to be the lead producer of "Tomb Raider"? Where would that leave her, Sherry Lansing, as the president of Paramount Pictures?
Alas, circumstances were stronger than personal desires!
In recent years, every film Kyle had produced had achieved remarkably significant box office success!
...At the same time.
Based on the news of Water World Animation's stock options and its impending IPO, the entire Golden Dawn Group was a mix of joy and sorrow.
Hundreds of employees of Water World Animation, including Stephen Sorenberg and David Meisel, would share 12% of the stock options.
Another 3% of the shares would be awarded as options to Golden Dawn Group executives outside of Water World Animation.
So, who would get to share them?
Group CEO Victor;
Group Senior Vice President Ms. Donna;
Group Chief Financial Officer Ms. Martha;
And several other executives. That's right, only a handful of people would get to share these 3% stock option awards.
Mr. Bill, President of Page Pictures: "I don't care. I'll retire in a year or two, so stock options are useless to me."
Kevin Feige, Vice President of Page Pictures: "Water World Animation is part of Page Pictures, yes, but it's now an independent subsidiary. If I wanted stock options, I'd only want Page Pictures's. Besides, I'm still young, so I'm not in a hurry."
Domino of Golden Dawn Records: "Heh heh, I'm not in a hurry. I have Eminem, Beyoncé, Britney, Linkin Park, and other singers under my wing. Will I be afraid of not getting stock options in the future?"
The heads of Golden Dawn Publishing, Manchester City Club, Under Armour Sports Goods Company, and other subsidiaries were naturally envious. However, the listing of Water World Animation had little to do with them, so they wouldn't get any stock options.
But... there was one person who was jealous.
One could even say he harbored some resentment towards Kyle.
SpongeBob SquarePants House President — Taro Hashimoto!
"I didn't get any stock options this time!"
"I'm so unwilling~"
He felt a little jealous and unbalanced. He believed that merely discovering Beizi Wawa and contributing to the company was enough to earn him stock options in Water World Animation, but... he didn't get any.