After signing the agreement, Michael handed over the script and looked forward to Xiang Nan's evaluation.
Xiang Nan immediately opened the script and started reading it.
Yes, it was the "Dances with Wolves" that he knew.
This movie was directed and starred by Kevin Costner in 1990. Not only did it earn more than 300 million U.S. dollars at the box office, it also won Best Director, Best Actor, Best Movie, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, With seven awards including Best Editing and Best Sound Effects in the bag, it can be said to be both fame and fortune.
Kevin Costner officially became famous in Hollywood because of this, becoming the most popular artist in the early 1990s.
However, it is a blessing and a curse. Perhaps it was because he was so successful that he was blindly arrogant. When filming "Waterworld", he acted arbitrarily and took matters into his own hands, which resulted in a huge box office loss and caused him to fall from the throne. , once reduced to a situation where there was nothing to film.
As the old saying goes, a blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise.
…
Xiang Nan glanced at ten lines, quickly read the script, and then looked at Michael Blake.
Michael suddenly felt nervous. He pursed his lips and asked anxiously, "Charles, what do you think of it?"
"To be honest, the script is pretty good." Xiang Nan nodded.
When Michael heard this, his face suddenly lit up. He submitted his work to many companies, but when they heard it was a western, they threw it back to him. Even those who took it over after reading the script commented that it was nonsense and had ulterior motives.
Because "Dances with Wolves" reveals the ruthless persecution and massacre of indigenous peoples by the United States during its westward expansion. The aborigines in the film are simple and kind-hearted, while the white people in the film are cruel and brutal...
In the United States in the 1980s, such a script was definitely considered treasonous and extremely incorrect. Therefore, even if he wrote it well, no company was willing to invest in it.
It's like writing a movie for Hollywood now with the Ku Klux Klan as the protagonist. No matter how good the script is, no film company would dare to make it.
It was the first time that Xiang Nan received such a good review, so Michael was naturally very excited.
"However, it is a bit difficult to film this script." Xiang Nan then added, "I believe you also know why."
Michael was stunned for a moment, then nodded awkwardly.
The script "Dances with Wolves" was a bit unlucky, something he had known for a long time. However, he didn't want to change it. Because in that case, the theme and tone of the entire movie would change, which would be more uncomfortable for him than killing him.
"So, even if I buy it, I won't invest in production in a short period of time. I also need to see which direction the trend is." Xiang Nan added.
"Look at the wind direction?" Michael Blake blinked.
"Yes, I want to adapt it first and see everyone's reaction after publishing it." Xiang Nan explained, "If everyone thinks it's good and the protests aren't that loud, then we'll talk about the production."
If Xiang Nan was a WASP (white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, that is, an upper-class American) or a Yutai, there would be no need for such trouble. Once you get the script, you can just start producing it.
But he is of Chinese descent, so this story is a bit sensitive for him. Therefore, he needs to explore the path first, and if the wind direction is good, he will shoot again. If the wind blows, postpone the project.
When Michael heard this, he nodded.
It would also be a good thing for him if the play gets published. If it becomes popular, no need to mention it, fame and fortune will come. If it's not popular, he can give up.
"Okay, I'll ask my agent to discuss the specific matters with you." Xiang Nan then said, "Don't worry, I will give you a reasonable price."
"Thank you, Charles, I don't know how to thank you." Michael said immediately.
…
Xiang Nan later bought the script of "Dances with Wolves" for US$150,000.
Michael Blake was responsible for adapting it, and then Xiang Nan helped him contact the publisher for distribution.
Xiang Nan speculated that since the movie "Dances with Wolves" is so popular, it must also be a best-seller.
Michael's incident also reminded Xiang Nan, who then sent his agent to buy Stephen King's "The Shawshank Redemption", Robert Lord Lund's "The Bourne Supremacy", and CBS's "Mission: Impossible" etc., the film and television adaptation rights of the series.
These IPs have not attracted enough attention yet, but in a few years, their value will increase exponentially.
In fact, what Xiang Nan wants most is Marvel Comics. It has more than a thousand superheroes and more than a thousand super IPs, which is absolutely a priceless treasury.
But things are going pretty well for Marvel right now. In the 1980s, under the background of economic downturn, people were more inclined to cheap entertainment. Sales of movies, comics, and records have all increased.
Coupled with Marvel's authorized video games, peripheral products, and the launch of trading cards and other businesses, the company has been profitable year after year. So at this time, even if Xiang Nan proposed to buy it, Marvel would offer a sky-high price.
But the current computer special effects technology is not developed enough and cannot perfectly demonstrate the superhero world. The adapted movies can at most achieve the same effects as Warner's "Superman" and "Batman", which Xiang Nan thinks are unqualified.
So he was prepared to wait a few more years. Wait for computer special effects to develop for a while, wait for Marvel's business to be in crisis, and then find a way to buy it.
…
In December, "Crocodile Dundee", which Xiang Nan invested in Australia, was also officially released in Australia.
He invested in that movie when he was filming "The Best of Us" in Australia, with a total investment of less than five million US dollars.
Xiang Nan didn't pay much attention to this movie. In his opinion, if the movie can sell for $10 million, it would be considered good. After all, how many people can watch a movie produced in Australia?
Unexpectedly, after the movie was released in Australia and New Zealand, it did well at the box office, taking in US$15 million.
Such results surprised Xiang Nan.
He then helped broker a deal to get Warner Pictures to help distribute the film in the United States.
What surprised him even more was that this wild adventure film produced in Australia was actually very popular among American audiences.
After its release, the box office has remained high. In the end, it actually achieved a box office of 170 million U.S. dollars, and the global box office was as high as 360 million, which made Xiang Nan feel incredible.
When he originally invested in the film, he had no idea it would be such a hit. I just thought this movie was interesting, so I gave it a try.
He never expected that this movie would bring him such a big surprise.
After investing five million US dollars in exchange for more than US$100 million in profits, Xiang Nan felt like he was possessed by the God of Wealth.
