Just after the New Year's holiday, Matthew walked into the office building where Burbank Sky Dance Films was located. David Ellison asked him to discuss the "Fast and Furious" series.

"The marketing department of Sky Dance Film and the professional survey agency I commissioned specifically conducted market research on the "Fast and Furious" series." David Ellison did not talk nonsense when he saw Matthew and directly got to the point. "Racing and drag racing movies do have a wide audience in North America."

Matthew sat on a European sofa, retracted his gaze from looking at the luxuriously decorated reception room and asked, "David, are you making up your mind?"

David Ellison suddenly turned to Matthew and said deliberately, "I believe in your vision."

Of course, this is just to say, and he added another sentence later, "We each invested half of the money to jointly purchase the copyright of the "Fast and Furious" series."

His purpose is very simple. In this way, Matthew will be tied to the "Fast and Furious" series and share the risks with him.

David Ellison did regard Matthew as a friend, but he understood one thing: the position of friendship in business operations should be pushed back, and friendship is far less than the common interests to be insured.

If he bought the copyright of this series sole proprietorship, what should Matthew do if the situation is not good?

Matthew thought for a few seconds and said firmly, "Yes, as long as Universal Pictures is not too much, I guess I can make up the money."

"Okay!" said David Ellison.

As long as Matthew can delay investment, he will not worry that Matthew will not do his best. If he fails, Sky Dance Film will be able to afford such a sum of money, and Matthew will probably vomit blood.

It is not difficult for Matthew to see David Ellison's thoughts, but he thinks it is normal. It involves investment of tens of millions of dollars. Even if it is Larry Ellison, he will also consider risks and returns.

"David..." he reiterated his old words, "What if Universal Pictures doesn't let go?"

"I have seriously considered your suggestions." David Ellison had a substantial investigation and consultation. "Leonida has died in the hot spring gate. You can't appear in the sequel in the future, right?"

Matthew nodded slightly, "The sequel to the "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors" series will no longer have anything to do with me."

David Ellison sighed, clearly determined, and said, "Let's do it, Matthew, we'll split into two steps."

Matthew didn't speak, and waited for David Ellison to continue.

"We first try to buy out the sequel rights of the Fast and Furious series from Universal Studios." David Ellison said seriously, "The ideal situation is that Universal Studios will directly sell the copyright of the sequel to us."

He continued, "It is not easy to impress Universal Pictures. If the first step is not working, we will use the sequel to "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors" as a bargaining weight."

Matthew then answered, "Last time you said Universal Pictures was interested in the sequel copyright, and now you confirm it?"

David Ellison nodded slowly, "I have specifically investigated that "Sin City" and "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors" have been successful in succession. The industry is very confident in the adaptation of Frank Milan's illustrations. I told you last time that many companies are staring at Frank Milan's sequel to the sequel to "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors", and Universal Pictures is one of them."

He was still a little reluctant, "If the first step can be done, we won't start the second step."

"Yes." Matthew agreed, "I also hope to get the sequel rights to the Fast and Furious series with funds alone."

That being said, he probably isn't that big.

David Ellison said, "I then had a substantial contact with Universal Pictures."

Matthew thought about it and said, "Let me ask Helen to discuss it. Since it is a joint venture, we will reach an agreement first."

David Ellison couldn't help laughing, "I'll feel relieved."

Matthew didn't say much. Since it was a business cooperation, it would be better to put the agreement on paper.

Afterwards, the two discussed more details, and Matthew stayed at Sky Dance Pictures for nearly a day before saying goodbye to leave.

Starting from the next day, Helen Hermann and David Ellison's representatives contacted each other, and the two sides quickly reached an agreement and signed a formal contract.

At the same time, Sky Dance Pictures' bald ceo Robert Leston also submitted an intention to acquire the sequel production rights of "Fast and Furious" to Universal Pictures, with a quotation of up to $30,000.

It was similar to what Matthew expected, Universal Pictures did not make much consideration at all and directly rejected Sky Dance Pictures.

However, one thing made Matthew and David Ellison more pleased. After Sky Dance Pictures saw its offer rise to $40,000, Universal Pictures did not completely close the door to negotiations and was still maintaining contact with Sky Dance Pictures.

According to Matthew and Helen Hermann's speculation, Universal Pictures seems to have some idea of ​​Sky Dance Pictures.

On the top floor of Universal Studios' office area affiliated to Universal Studios, Ron Meyer paced back and forth in his spacious office. A department director behind him didn't say anything, just waited quietly.

"How big do you think the Fast and Furious series may be able to win back the market?" Ron Mayer stopped and looked back at the director, "Can it exceed 50%?"

The director smiled bitterly, "Fifty percent? Ron, this is impossible." He explained in detail, "Fast and Furious first part has a box office of $140,000 in North America, the second part has a $120,000 in $50,000 in the second part, and the third part has a $50,000 in less than $50,000 in the third part."

He picked up the coffee cup, took a sip, and said, "Like the box office, the reputation of the trilogy is getting worse and worse. The third "Tokyo Drift" is already a recognized bad movie. On the contrary, the investment is getting higher and higher, so we terminated the follow-up plan."

Ron Mayer turned around, pulled away the chair and sat down, asking, "Does this sequel to this series mean much to us?"

"It's almost meaningless." The director said the truth, "Now the copyright of the trilogy is in our hands. Like those old movies that no one cares about, it can only benefit from long-term TV playback and disc rental operations."

Ron Mayer held his chin with one hand, as if he was considering something carefully.

The director said again, "In fact, if the price is appropriate, we can consider Sky Dance Film's transaction."

"Tell me." Ron Mayer pointed his chin.

"In the beginning, Sky Dance Film wanted full copyrights for the "Fast and Furious" series, and the copyrights of the trilogy in our hands were also included," the director said in detail. "But after we directly refused, Sky Dance Film adjusted its strategy. They only asked for the copyright of the sequel production of the "Fast and Furious" series, and did not require the copyright of the trilogy."

He smiled, "If the transaction is reached, we can retain the copyright of the trilogy. The copyright operation and revenue of the trilogy will not be affected in any way. We just sell the sequel production rights of the series to Sky Dance Pictures. Their current bid is as high as $40,000, which will be a pure profit for the company."

Universal Pictures is more cost-effective no matter how you count it.

But Ron Mayer did not make any statement. The six major Hollywood companies are very cautious in selling the copyright of any of their films and even the copyright of the sequel. They do not consider the price at all.

Universal Pictures has not been able to re-production and achieve great success in the past. The most typical one is the Mummy series.

I think that other companies or producers also bought the sequel rights of "Mummy" and other monster movies from Universal Pictures. If the sequel production rights were sold at that time, there would not be the glory of "Mummy" and "Return of the Mummy".

It is not impossible to sell the copyright of the sequel production, but there must be enough profits.

"Ron, what do you think?" the director asked at this time.

"Let's talk with Sky Dance Films." Ron Mayer said slowly, "I met Frank Miller in New York some time ago. He is already creating a comic about "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta" sequel to "The Rise of the Empire", but according to the previous contract, the right to purchase the sequel to the sequel to the movie is in the hands of Sky Dance Films..."

The director immediately understood what Ron Mayer meant, "You mean to let Sky Dance Pictures and David Ellison exchange the copyright of the sequel to "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta"?"

Ron Mayer nodded and said, "I have confirmed from Frank Miller that if Sky Dance Pictures does not give up, they have the copyright for the sequel for ten years. Of course, if it is not adapted within five years, it will be considered automatically given up."

But Universal Pictures cannot wait for five years. Moreover, with the success of two adaptations of "Sin City" and "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors", Frank Miller's works are very popular. Even after the expiration, Universal Pictures will have to face fierce competition from other companies. It is better to grab the copyright of the sequel directly from Sky Dance Pictures.

Such a sequel to a super-selling movie is much less risky and more valuable than the sequel to the "Fast and Furious" series.

"There is one more thing to pay attention to," Ron Mayer reminded, "This negotiation must be kept strictly confidential in case the news leaks and attracts other companies."

The director nodded and understood Ron Meyer's intention. After all, "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta" was too successful.

Ron Meyer discussed with the director for a while and determined his bottom line. Sky Dance Films must exchange the copyright of the sequel to "Fast and Furious" through copyright fees and the sequel to "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors".

After all, Sky Dance Pictures got the right to buy the sequel to "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors". It has not yet begun negotiations with Frank Miller on the copyright fee for the sequel. If Universal Pictures can get it, it is impossible for it to pay the fee by itself.

Matthew and David Ellison want to plot the copyright of the sequel to the "Fast and Furious" series in Universal Pictures, while Universal Pictures wants to get the sequel to the "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors".
Chapter completed!