Chapter 129: Galaxy Movie Theater

With the launch event for Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard, it signaled that filming was about to begin.

The historical blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, also starring Kevin Costner and currently showing, had grossed $100 million at the box office in less than a month!

The Bodyguard featured one of the biggest stars from both film and music industries, which had a significant impact.

"Can Whitney Houston act?" Amy Pascal asked with a smile in the backstage lounge of the launch event.

Arthur shook his head, "No, but I arranged for five stand-ins for her, and there will be dialogue and expression coaches accompanying her on set.

The Bodyguard is purely a commercial film, a collision between a music diva and a movie star. The story lacks depth; otherwise, this script wouldn't have been rejected by various companies dozens of times."

Additionally, The Bodyguard would be the first film to be distributed under the Galaxy label.

Movies like The Silence of the Lambs, Scream, and The Addams Family were still distributed under the Orion label.

Later, Arthur planned to use Galaxy as the main commercial label and Orion as the label for arthouse films or genre movies!

Amy Pascal pursed her lips, "The launch event, at least, was very successful with enough buzz!"

Arthur smiled, "This is Kevin Costner's action film; don't worry. By the way, how is Columbia TriStar's attitude towards The Silence of the Lambs?"

"They are of course willing, offering $30.5 million for the overseas video and television market, plus $23 million from box office revenue share," Amy Pascal was indeed very excited. "The Silence of the Lambs has brought in $50 million from the overseas market for us!"

"Not bad," Arthur knew that the overseas box office share also deducted some other expenses, leaving $23 million which was quite good.

Columbia TriStar had also previously paid a $3.5 million advance, which had to be deducted as well.

Combined with the earnings from Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, the two movies had brought in over $100 million in cash for Galaxy.

The biggest winner from The Silence of the Lambs was certainly Galaxy, truly reaping both fame and fortune!

"By the way, what were the opening results for Terminator 2: Judgment Day?" Arthur asked, a movie that premiered on Independence Day a few days back.

"Opened in 2,274 theaters, grossing $31.7 million over the first weekend; the movie's reviews are quite impressive," Amy Pascal quickly responded.

"James Cameron is indeed excellent with these grand scenes. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is undoubtedly the top contender for this year's highest-grossing film," Even 20th Century Fox's Home Alone 2 would be unlikely to outperform this sci-fi action blockbuster!

After leaving the launch venue, Arthur arrived at a large Macy's department store at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue in East Hollywood.

Jennifer Connelly was waiting with the store manager for Arthur, "You really want to buy two floors and build a giant multiplex?"

Arthur nodded, "I am unsatisfied with Orion's distribution capacity, so I've had someone invest in a chain cinema company called Carmike."

"A company that has been around for ten years, targeting cities with populations under 200,000. Since the 1960s when AMC (American Multi-Cinema) built the first multiplex, all chain theaters are now pursuing the multiplex model. But generally, they have 2-5 screens, which is not my vision of a multifunctional theater!"

Currently, there were many theater chains in America, with AMC not being in the top tier.

"Mr. Smith," shortly, Galaxy's CFO Annie DeP accompanied the theater manager over.

Arthur nodded and pointed out, "I plan to invest $10 million to buy these two floors and build a super multiplex."

"A super multiplex?" The theater manager, David Pollack, was surprised, "How many screens? What kind of theater requires a $10 million investment?"

"Eighteen, nine on each floor, each with 200 seats, and I want each theater to have stadium-style seating for the perfect viewing experience. There will also be various consumer amenities like shopping, entertainment, and dining within the mall..."

Arthur's idea surprised everyone present; an 18-screen theater with stadium seating?

Currently, most multiplexes only had three to five screens, distinguishing them from the previous grand hall and theater models, with seating arranged parallel.

David Pollack hadn't imagined this, as the first stadium-style cinema would be built by AMC in Dallas some years later, reshaping the US theater market with a wave of mergers and acquisitions...

Soon, Arthur finalized the decision for Galaxy's first flagship theater: Hollywood Galaxy Theater!

"Carmike's chain cinema size isn't big, concentrating in small cities and communities, which can be considered an art house chain," Annie DeP handed Arthur a report.

"45% of shares, $25 million!"

Arthur smiled, "Looks like you negotiated well; Carmike now has about thirty theaters. Agree to it; once Galaxy Theater is built, everyone in the cinema business will understand what a groundbreaking endeavor this is!"

Arthur planned to unveil the stadium-style seating theater model ahead of time, which was sure to cause a sensation in the theater industry.

The 90s were a golden era for America's film industry, with a necessary increase in the number of screens.

Although theaters weren't Galaxy's main business, a distributor couldn't do without its own controlled theater channels.

Investing in chain cinemas was to enhance Galaxy's distribution capabilities, and Carmike, set to become America's fourth-largest theater chain, was worth the investment.

At least, now the first stadium-seating super multiplex belonged to Galaxy, and with Galaxy's investment, Carmike's development would certainly improve.

In the evening, Arthur and Jennifer Connelly returned to Palisades, "How is it? Is the assistant job very easy?"

Jennifer Connelly smiled, "I consider myself as an intern now, I still need time to adapt!"

Arthur nodded with a smile, hugging Jennifer Connelly from behind, "Being my assistant means you can often stay by my side, isn't that nice?"

"Do you want me to quit acting?" Jennifer Connelly said, raising her head to kiss Arthur.

"No need, act if you like it," Arthur didn't mind. His current assistant was an experienced woman over 40, whose professional capabilities were unquestionable.

Jennifer Connelly couldn't take over these tasks immediately; she was responsible for other aspects!

*****

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