In August 2005, Hasbro and Capet Pictures jointly announced that they would begin developing a live-action film for "transformers."
Charles finally obtained the film adaptation rights for the transformers toys from Hasbro, not only securing a powerful IP for Capet Pictures but also capturing a future cash cow for Paramount.
As Paramount was the Hollywood studio least adept at developing film series, it was no surprise that they couldn't take the lead in Tom Cruise's "mission: impossible" series.
With the end of the summer box office, some were happy and some were sad. Although Capet Pictures didn't have any self-distributed films released, the success of "mr. & mrs. smith" and "wedding crashers" proved Capet Pictures' film development capabilities.
Capet Pictures' upcoming films this year would all be self-distributed. Matrix Pictures would release "hostel" and "saw iii" in September and October.
Capet Pictures, on the other hand, would distribute three films: "little miss sunshine," "walk the line," and "no country for old men."
Released in August was "little miss sunshine," a warm road movie with no major explosions, a flat plot, ordinary actors, and only 37 cinemas for its opening.
However, when Charles returned to Los Angeles with the "transformers" rights transaction contract, Donna Langley accepted Charles invitation and would resign from Universal to join Capet Pictures before the end of the year.
The live-action "transformers" film features numerous special effects shots, and producer Don Murphy and others immediately began planning and adapting the script.
"J.J. Abrams is very interested in directing the live-action 'transformers,' but he is currently directing 'mission: impossible iii' in Italy and will need to go to China for location scouting in November before he can finish," Phyllis Jones reported to Charles office.
Meanwhile, Donna Williams had just reported that British Red Bus Film Company was willing to sell for $23.5 million.
"First, the adaptation rights for transformers are secured, then Donna Langley agrees to join, and now the acquisition of Red Bus Film Company," Charles smiled unconsciously. These were three good things happening at once.
"Transfer the funds. After that, it will be directly reorganized into Capet International Pictures UK branch, which might become our European headquarters for international business," Charles didn't hesitate at all. This would also allow them to directly participate in the production and distribution of some British films.
Donna Williams nodded. $23.5 million in cash was a small matter for Cape Entertainment, and she immediately left the office to get to work.
Charles knew that "mission: impossible iii" was being operated as a sino-us co-production film, and filming in China was a necessary condition.
"What was the box office in Mainland China last year?"
Phyllis Jones had collected a lot of entertainment information about Mainland China, and quickly responded to Charles question: "The total box office was RMB 1.5 billion, and the Chinese domestic film box office was RMB 1 billion."
"It is estimated that the Mainland China market box office will exceed RMB 2 billion this year."
Charles nodded. Chinese import films were very strict, with only 20 revenue-sharing film quotas and a revenue share of only 13%. Co-production films could follow the Chinese film revenue-sharing model.
"The newly revised 'Film Management Regulations' in China not only stipulate that foreign investment in Chinese cinemas cannot exceed 49%, but also liberalize the distribution licenses for Chinese private film companies, transitioning from a planned economy to a market economy," Phyllis Jones further explained.
"The Chinese market still needs time," Charles still shook his head. This year, the total box office in Mainland China is estimated to be only RMB 2 billion, which is still very small.
Currently, most foreign films entering the Chinese market are still on disc. In terms of cinemas, the number of revenue-sharing and co-production films is too small. While there are many flat-fee films, it seems that very few companies are currently doing flat-fee film business.
"mission: impossible iii" should also be an attempt by Tom Cruise and Paramount.
"The release date for 'transformers' is December 2007. J.J. Abrams joining next year will be perfectly on time," Xia Er was completely worried that if it was released in the summer of 2007, it would be too late.
Phyllis Jones exclaimed, "We are releasing 'iron man' in the summer of 2007, and then 'transformers' in the Christmas slot. That's two big special effects blockbusters in one year!"
Charles sighed inwardly. Are two blockbusters a year a lot?
Compared to the celebratory atmosphere at Cape Entertainment, the mood within DreamWorks was very low. "the island," with a production cost of $120 million, only grossed $30 million at the North America box office after twenty days of release.
David Griffin and Steven Spielberg were now more eager to sell DreamWorks. "the island" alone caused a loss of nearly $80 million.
"Negotiations with NBCUniversal are progressing very slowly!"
Spielberg had originally hoped to get the transformers series adaptation rights from Hasbro, but Capet Pictures swooped in and took them.
Spielberg, who had always maintained a good relationship with Universal Pictures, naturally hoped that DreamWorks could be affiliated with Universal Pictures, making cooperation more convenient.
"Does General Electric's Board of Directors need to discuss it?" David Griffin guessed, Universal Pictures chairman Ronald Meyer had always been supportive.
Spielberg nodded. The price quoted by DreamWorks had kept NBCUniversal's parent company, General Electric, indecisive.
"DreamWorks Animation's stock price has fallen due to poor box office performance of animated features. Currently, our live-action films, except for 'the ring Two' which had good box office, have also been unsatisfactory. 'the island' has made things even worse for us," DreamWorks was also a shareholder of DreamWorks Animation, and David Griffin had long been thinking about his retirement. He was very willing to facilitate the sale of DreamWorks.
Spielberg stood up, his expression somewhat serious, and said, "We at DreamWorks have nearly 60 live-action films, including high-quality films like Oscar for Best Picture, plus the current project plans stored at DreamWorks. Our asking price is not high!"
Of course, what Steven Spielberg didn't say was that he himself was the greatest value of DreamWorks' live-action films.
The DreamWorks film company managed by Spielberg and the DreamWorks film company were completely two different concepts.
"Then let's wait a bit longer. Ronald is also trying to persuade the General Electric Board of Directors. After all, no one wants to miss out on a director like Spielberg," David Griffin, no matter what, was also a DreamWorks shareholder, and the higher the price, the greater his own income would be.
"I hope so!" It had been half a year, and General Electric was still hesitant. Spielberg's own confidence was also fading.