Capítulo 163: Chapter 163: Donna Langley
After Halloween 2005, Donna Langley, who had left Universal Pictures, joined Capet Pictures as president.
In Charles Capet's absence, she was in charge of all operations at Capet Pictures, causing Charles, who initially planned to stay in London, to return directly to Los Angeles.
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Wedding Crashers aside, Little Miss Sunshine, Hostel and Saw III - Capet Pictures really did well," said the newly recruited Donna Langley, praising various projects at Capet Pictures.
"I'm very confident about Walk the Line releasing this month and No Country for Old Men next month," Charles said with a strong sense of assurance in his tone.
Donna Langley nodded and smiled, "I'm more interested in the movies you're releasing next year. The budget for The Da Vinci Code isn't low, and 300 has wrapped up filming. It's close to reaching A-level production!"
As for The Departed, Universal Pictures was responsible for its distribution.
"Will Smith's The Pursuit of Happiness has also started filming in San Francisco. Right now, the company's key projects are the live-action Transformers and Marvel Studios' Iron Man," Donna Langley said seriously. "Both are special effects blockbusters with production costs nearing a hundred million dollars. Capet Pictures is clearly making big moves!"
"You also know the Marvel Universe; I'm confident in making Marvel a treasure trove," Charles laughed. Capet Pictures, now an independent film company, playing around with such big-budget productions was no less than New Line Cinema's endeavor with The Lord of the Rings.
"Warner Bros.' rebooted DC film Batman Begins had good reviews and box office results. Maybe Marvel Comics will get a makeover in your hands," Donna said, her confidence in Capet Pictures stemmed from Charles.
Even though Marvel Comics didn't have the Spider-Man and X-Men series now, Marvel Studios' new Avengers universe might shine brightly.
"What does Universal think about the Hulk?" Charles suddenly asked. It's been two years since Hulk in 2003, and without releasing a sequel by 2008, the rights would revert to Marvel.
Donna Langley shook her head, "Currently, Universal has no new plans for the Hulk. Maybe they'll wait until after Marvel Studios releases Iron Man!"
"But, settling Robert Downey Jr. for the lead in Iron Man, is it really okay?"
Wasn't Tom Cruise interested in playing Iron Man? Or Nicolas Cage, who has always liked superheroes?
"This is Robert Downey Jr.'s final chance. If he doesn't turn his life around, his acting career is over," Charles laughed,
"His agent says he's clean now, and he repeatedly assures he won't relapse. The Iron Man character fits his acting style well, and he's willing to sign a series of conditions. Also, Robert Downey Jr.'s acting talent and the promotional buzz he brings are enough!"
Donna Langley chuckled. Charles explained so much because Robert Downey Jr. was swamped in scandals, low-cost, and compliant.
If the Iron Man movie failed, it wouldn't bankrupt Capet Pictures, but Marvel Entertainment would suffer a significant blow.
"But Charles, you went to Europe this year to prepare for entering the overseas distribution market. Have you thought it through?" Donna Langley knew that the overseas distribution market was resource-intensive,
"Bringing the German film The Lives of Others to North America shouldn't be a problem. But I also saw Capet International Pictures' French branch investing over 20 million dollars to produce a French film, La Vie en Rose. Such films don't have a large market in North America!"
Hollywood pursues commercial movies, while the market for art films mainly relies on Europe. Clearly, the box office for La Vie en Rose would primarily be in Europe, particularly France.
"The overseas market's box office grows every year, and Capet Pictures' productions aren't just for local romantic comedies. The European market has always been Hollywood's turf," Charles frowned,
"I know it's challenging, but expanding the overseas distribution market is essential, at least to establish a foothold in key European markets first!"
"Charles, I'm just worried you'll follow DreamWorks' old path. Now, the acquisition talks between DreamWorks and Universal Pictures have been ongoing for over half a year, with no agreement on the price!"
Donna Langley, previously at Universal, was aware of many negotiation points with DreamWorks.
Universal Entertainment Chairman Ronald Meyer had been persuading the GE board to accept David Geffen and Steven Spielberg's conditions, while NBC Universal Chairman Bob Wright thought the price was too high.
"DreamWorks' financial losses are largely due to their overambitious expansion - DreamWorks Films, DreamWorks Television, DreamWorks Records, and Internet entertainment. Revenues from a single source, leading to high debts and the need to sell out!"
Facing Donna Langley's advice, Charles nodded and comforted her, "Don't worry. Those at DreamWorks were investors who didn't focus much on running the company; it was all funded by investors. Their debt ratio even reached 120%!"
"Universal pressing down the price for DreamWorks?" Charles laughed and then said mysteriously, "Viacom's newly split Chairman Tom Freston and his subordinate, Paramount's Chairman Brad Grey, are quite interested in DreamWorks."
Donna Langley nodded, "That depends on if Paramount is willing to shell out over 1.5 billion dollars."
"Since Sherry Lansing left, Brad Grey's approach has been much more aggressive. They've reduced collaborative distribution projects with other studios and frequently greenlighted higher movie budgets."
Under Sherry Lansing, Paramount strictly controlled production budgets and often cooperated with other studios, sharing North American or overseas distribution rights to reduce risks.
Although risks were shared, so were the profits - less fitting for one of the world's top six film studios, which couldn't even outdo DreamWorks' box office.
Charles squinted his eyes and smiled, "Sumner Redstone is personally heading to Paramount. With Tom Freston and Brad Grey's support, taking DreamWorks from Universal isn't that tough."
Donna Langley laughed, "But Spielberg would need to be willing to work for Paramount. Anyway, I'll head back to the office now!"
After Donna Langley left the office, Charles leaned back in his chair. His Capet Entertainment would be like DreamWorks? That's just a joke.
*****
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