Hollywood script adaptations of novels have always accounted for a large proportion, while the market for original novels has become increasingly smaller.
In the early days, screenwriters liked to write many script ideas for a wide-ranging investment, and if a film company took an interest, they could make money.
In the 1990s, this speculative script market reached its peak. Japanese foreign capital invaded, Universal and Columbia were acquired, and the successive development of videotapes, VCDs, and DVDs gave the film market a strong boost.
Speculative scripts that were picked up often reached prices of millions of dollars. The dot-com bubble and stock market downturn reduced Hollywood's fervor.
It became as difficult as winning the lottery for a speculative script to stand out. Adaptations of games, comics, and other media also began to develop.
The Writers Guild's stipulated minimum script price is now around seventy to eighty thousand dollars, but film companies are currently cautious about original screenplays.
Screenwriters' main job is still to help adapt scripts according to the producer's wishes or to polish scripts, and so on.
Of course, top script prices can also be driven very high, but only for scripts adapted from famous novels or works by top screenwriters.
Dan Brown's the da vinci code is his fourth full-length novel and his best-selling mystery novel.
It can be said that the da vinci code is a prequel to his novel angels & demons, which he published in 2000.
The success of the da vinci code led to his three previous novels also becoming bestsellers, with all four novels entering the bestseller list.
Charles and Dan Brown had been chatting for a long Time at a cafe near the Bradbury Building. the da vinci code is a religious mystery novel, and it is inevitable that it would draw some disdain from Roman catholicism.
"After reading it, I think this the da vinci code is absolutely brilliant. It blends suspense, thriller, religious secrets, historical events, and more, making it impossible to put down!" Charles praised.
"I know Capet Pictures invested in the religiously controversial film the passion of the christ, and I trust that you can handle religious themes well," Dan Brown certainly knew his novel would draw opposition from catholicism, as there were too many speculative adaptations within it.
Charles smiled, "3 million dollars. Capet Pictures wants the film adaptation rights for the da vinci code. 10% deposit will be paid first, and Capet Pictures will produce this project within three years. Mr. Brown will participate in the script adaptation and serve as one of the executive producers."
3 million dollars is definitely not a low price for a novel's film adaptation, after all, this is not the era when future Amazon, Netflix, or Apple streaming services would arbitrarily inflate script prices.
Currently, scripts exceeding 3 million dollars in a year are truly rare, only appearing under bidding from a few companies.
Dan Brown was stunned for a moment. These terms were indeed excellent: a three-year option to purchase, a 3 million dollar adaptation price, and he would serve as both a screenwriter and one of the executive producers.
Soon, within a week, Dan Brown and Capet Pictures signed the film adaptation agreement for the da vinci code, as well as its prequels or sequels.
Capet Pictures must begin production of the da vinci code within three years, and also obtained a priority adaptation agreement for angels & demons or future sequel novels.
the passion of the christ was still raking in box office revenue in the market, with 53 million dollars in its second weekend;
32 million dollars in the third weekend;
19.5 million dollars in the fourth weekend;
12.6 million dollars in the fifth weekend.
Just as March came to an end, the film the passion of the christ's total box office in North America had already reached a staggering 300 million dollars.
At the same Time, wedding crashers had been filming for half a month, and mr. & mrs. smith had also completed its preparations and entered the shooting phase.
With the high box office of the passion of the christ as a foundation, Capet Pictures directly borrowed 85 million dollars from Morgan Stanley this Time, adding to last year's 15 million dollars for a total loan of 100 million dollars.
"Boss, 50 million dollars has already been transferred to the mr. & mrs. smith film account," Donna began to report as soon as she entered Charles's office.
"Henry has also finalized the film adaptation rights for no country for old men, at an acquisition price of 1.1 million dollars!"
"1.1 million dollars, acceptable!" Charles had no major objections to the price, then stood up and walked to the window, looking at Hollywood Hills across the Los Angeles River.
"As for Pacific Theatres, sign the acquisition contract immediately after the investigation confirms there are no issues."
"Around the middle of next month, we can sign the contract!" It was now the middle of next month, which meant about ten days.
Donna Williams said, also coming to the floor-to-ceiling window to admire the distant mountain view.
"the passion of the christ's North American box office has already reached 300 million dollars, and its overseas market has reached 200 million dollars," Charles said, embracing Donna Williams from behind, kissing the Lady's face, and continuing,
"For the film revenue from Europe, I don't plan to repatriate the funds. We'll establish company overseas accounts in the UK and the Eurozone. The euro is appreciating, and keeping it in Europe will be beneficial for us."
Donna Williams has a background in economics and is currently pursuing her master's degree at UCLA, so these simple financial issues do not stump her.
Charles also trusted her more, after all, she was his closest person, and he would also persuade her. Every year, Charles gave her two to three hundred thousand dollars for expenses; she also had high-end fashion and sports cars.
As for her living arrangements, she spent most of her Time residing at Capet Manor in Beverly Hills, after all, she was Charles's personal assistant!
Today, Donna Williams was dressed as a fashionable urbanite: a half-skirt, white shirt, and a khaki trench coat over it.
"Okay," after responding, Donna turned and kissed Charles. Donna certainly knew that the pound sterling was not part of the Eurozone.
Taking off her trench coat, the two embraced and kissed, then sat on the sofa. Seeing the Lady's Fendi boutique attire, Charles thought of something.
"Do you remember Lauren Weisberger's novel the devil wears prada? It was published this year and sold very well," Charles said, holding the Lady in his arms and looking down to remind her.
"Oh, are we going to develop a movie?" Donna looked up and asked, not minding Charles's hand ravaging inside her bra.
Charles shook his head, "It's not Time yet. The novel still needs to ferment, but we can find someone to start collaborating with the author on the script adaptation, just like with the da vinci code!"
"Next month, it would be best to successfully acquire Pacific Theater Chain Company. Philip has already contacted large cinema chains like Regal Cinemas, Carmike Cinemas, and AMC Theatres. Capet Pictures will establish its distribution channels this year!"