Capítulo 515: Chapter 515: Hasbro
The next morning, Charles left Kate Beckinsale's villa in Sino and specifically headed to Universal Studios.
Hasbro's CEO, Brian Goldner, had arranged to meet Charles at Universal Studios.
The live-action Transformers movies had become wildly popular, significantly boosting Hasbro's performance, so Hasbro decided to hold their appreciation event at Universal Studios Hollywood.
"Charles, choosing to collaborate with you was the perfect decision," said Brian Goldner, hugging Charles Capet when they met.
Charles smiled. Brian Goldner's choice of Universal Studios for their meeting was clear. "Hasbro is pretty confident about moving into Universal Studios, aren't they?"
Brian Goldner nodded, "We've already started discussing the refurbishment of Autobot-related facilities with the heads of Universal Studios Resort. Large robots, experience centers, and specialty stores are all in the design phase!"
"Yes, Universal Studios does lag behind Disney in themed parks, especially with no globally popular princess series," Charles had to admit. After all, he would later need to lead Universal Studios against Disneyland.
Using live-action movie series to compete with Disney's animations, Marvel heroes and Transformers toys were his bargaining chips.
Under Brian Goldner's leadership, Hasbro entered the entertainment and film industry, and the success of Transformers strengthened his resolve.
Hasbro's biggest competitor, Mattel, owned the Barbie dolls beloved by girls worldwide and held the license for Disney Princess series, consistently occupying the top spot as the number one toy company, making it Hasbro's long-time target.
"Charles, it seems like Paramount's film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra didn't meet expectations," Brian Goldner hoped to work with Capet on toy-based movies again. "Are you not interested in adapting Hasbro's Battleship toy?"
"Adapting a toy into a movie requires the toy to have a large fan base and a rich backstory. The Transformers have a complete narrative and a worldwide hit animated series, becoming part of childhood memories for generations," Charles said, turning to look at Brian Goldner with a smile.
"You know why the gap between Hasbro and Mattel is so big?"
"The influence of Barbie in the female market is immense," Brian Goldner sighed.
Hasbro relied on Transformers, despite involving numerous copyright disputes. Originally Japan's Diaclone toy series, Hasbro acquired, designed, and restructured it into Transformers.
Copyright lawsuits with Japan were ongoing!
Charles didn't underestimate Hasbro. Brian Goldner's view of game entertainment fit Charles' taste, demonstrated by their collaboration on Transformers.
However, Brian Goldner's capability didn't match his vision. A toy company's primary task was to expand the toy market, not plunge into film entertainment to take charge of production.
Just because Hasbro participated in the Transformers movie production doesn't mean they could independently produce such a big movie thereafter.
Currently, Mattel was undoubtedly number one in the toy market, followed by Hasbro. LEGO was third, but there was a significant gap between the top two. As for Bandai in fourth place, it wasn't even worth mentioning.
Who could have foreseen that LEGO would grow to surpass both Mattel and Hasbro combined in the future? Although Charles cooperated with Hasbro, he mainly valued Transformers.
Hasbro hadn't yet started its merger spree to catch up with Mattel, which would take years. By then, LEGO would already be thriving.
If Charles ever entered the toy market, his first choice would be LEGO, while his collaboration with Hasbro would be limited to the live-action Transformers movies.
After all, film company brand licensing wouldn't choose just one company.
"Do you have any idea how deep the collaboration between the Transformers series and the Pentagon is? The government was involved from the script to post-production. This kind of large-scale advanced weaponry special effects war movie essentially becomes a political film. Neither the storylines nor the presentation methods can follow the director's vision," Charles said, patting Brian Goldner on the shoulder.
"If Battleship gets made, the U.S. Navy and Air Force will certainly be involved, leading to political implications. Which countries are included and what stances are expressed would be dictated by the Pentagon.
Using naval warships might just turn it into a military PR film, especially since Battleship doesn't have its storyline and would need complete rewriting!"
Brian Goldner smiled, "We only have this plan. We'll adapt the script first and see how it goes."
Initially, after Transformers, as Capet lacked the capacity to develop new Hasbro films, Hasbro worked with Paramount on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
Universal was also discussing cooperation with Hasbro on the big-budget Battleship, but Capet Entertainment was set to acquire NBCUniversal this year, and Brian Goldner had already sensed the conclusion from Charles' tone.
Can you blame Charles? No way. Paramount's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra had been out for three weeks since its August release, but its North American box office grossed only 90 million dollars, and its international earnings had just crossed one hundred million.
It's important to know that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra had a production cost of 175 million, with Hasbro spending an additional $50 million on promotions.
Given the current trends, the global box office would only be around 300 million, and even with toy sales, it wouldn't make much profit!
Universal wanted to develop Battleship, supported by Hasbro and Relativity Media, but it was bound to be a loss-making venture, so why proceed?
In the future, the movie Battleship had indeed impressive special effects, but it didn't make a splash.
It wasn't even as good as the mecha fighter movie Pacific Rim!
"Let's go get some lunch. There will be a grand party here tonight, so let's enjoy a Hollywood night," Charles invited Brian Goldner to lunch with a smile.
Brian Goldner nodded and headed to the restaurant with Charles. "Ever since I got involved in Hollywood filmmaking, I've been impressed by Hollywood's film industry model!"
Charles laughed heartily, "You think Hollywood is like a production line, right? That's Hollywood's commercial standard. European films tout their artistry and disdain Hollywood commercial films, yet they all come to Hollywood in awe. In Hollywood, even the Mona Lisa could be produced on a production line, let alone movies!"
*****
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