Chapter 285: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

In the small meeting room of Capet Pictures, Charles, Donna Langley, and Kevin Feige were discussing the issue of Universal Pictures holding the rights to the Hulk.

"According to Universal, they can give us the character rights, but they want to keep the distribution rights for Hulk's solo movies?" Charles looked at the two, furrowing his brow.

"Are they planning to develop another one?"

Donna Langley sighed, "I've already talked with Barry Meyer. Universal definitely doesn't want to give back the only Marvel hero they have in hand."

"Wasn't the hit they took from the 2003 Hulk enough?" Charles shook his head. It was all just a matter of interest exchange, after all.

"Universal's idea is that the new Hulk project set to release next year can be made by Marvel Studios, while Universal will handle the production and distribution costs, and Marvel will get a percentage of the film's revenue. Future Hulk films can follow this model, and Marvel can also use the Hulk character as they like.

Or, the Hulk series can be co-produced by Universal and Marvel, with both companies sharing the film's revenue based on their investment ratio, each taking half. Of course, Universal will handle distribution and take an 8% commission on the box office."

That was the outcome of Donna Langley and Barry Meyer's discussion.

Charles chuckled, "Universal is interesting. The previous Hulk was a failure after all!"

If Sony proposed a similar model for Spider-Man, Charles would have agreed, considering how in his previous life, Sony, disappointed with The Amazing Spider-Man not meeting revenue expectations, negotiated with Marvel to have Marvel Studios make a new Spider-Man, allowing Spider-Man to join the Avengers.

At that time, Marvel Studios could get 20% of the film revenues from Sony, though they also had to cover 20% of the costs. Distribution would definitely belong to Sony.

Unfortunately, Marvel later wanted half of the series' film revenues, to which Sony couldn't agree.

Because every Marvel series film needed to give Marvel Entertainment 5% of the film's revenue, even though Marvel Studios originally split from Marvel Entertainment, no exception could be made.

Adding that up, Marvel would get 55% of the film revenues, so it was normal for Sony not to agree!

"I want to fully own Hulk. Universal doesn't really want to start it, they're just trying to gain benefits from seeing us develop Iron Man and Thor back-to-back," Charles really didn't want Universal to hold the distribution rights for Hulk's solo movies.

"What if we sell the sequel rights to The Da Vinci Code to Universal? They should have no problem giving us the complete rights to Hulk, right?" Charles pondered for a moment and said.

"The sequel to The Da Vinci Code?" Donna Langley was not only surprised, even Kevin Feige was equally astonished.

The Da Vinci Code was a global blockbuster that grossed seven hundred million dollars worldwide, second only to Disney's phenomenal sequel Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest last year.

"Charles, you should know how much revenue The Da Vinci Code brought us last year?"

Donna Langley didn't believe Charles would be unaware of such details. A $100 million production cost, with seven hundreds of millions at the global box office!

"Boss, if Universal funds the production of the new Hulk while keeping distribution rights, I could use Hulk in our own movies anytime!" Kevin Feige was actually quite inclined towards Universal's proposal.

Charles smiled, "I know this, but to keep the Marvel Universe complete, some benefits can be sacrificed."

"Hulk is a very important character in the Marvel Universe. His solo movies will always be plenty. If Universal holds the distribution rights for the Hulk series, that's too much control!"

"But there's no need to use the sequel of The Da Vinci Code for this. We are currently negotiating with Dan Brown for the adaptation of Angels & Demons," being novels by Dan Brown, Capet Pictures held the movie adaptation rights.

"Donna, I'm considering that while Angels & Demons is indeed exciting, it doesn't compare to The Da Vinci Code. It definitely won't reach the heights of the previous film!" Charles remembered that the sequel (which is actually a prequel, as the events in Angels & Demons occur before The Da Vinci Code) only grossed less than five hundred millions worldwide in his past life.

"Most likely, Angels & Demons will have a higher production cost too, right? Besides, Ron Howard's directing style isn't suitable for entertainment films. The success of The Da Vinci Code was mainly due to the thrilling conspiracy of the Catholic Church and the novel's suspense."

"Indeed, Dan Brown, as the producer, has already increased the budget for Angels & Demons to 150 million. The film's lead actors' pay and the filming locations abroad have all been enhanced," Donna Langley thought Charles' analysis made sense. Even though Angels & Demons wouldn't match The Da Vinci Code's success, it would still earn money.

Charles nodded and decided, "Let's give it to Universal then. At the same time, get the complete rights to Hulk from them, and negotiate the production rights for Angels & Demons properly!"

Perfect, Charles thought. Selling Angels & Demons to Universal wouldn't only bring in a large sum of cash but would also allow them to regain the rights to Hulk, killing two birds with one stone!

Having made up his mind, Charles couldn't be opposed by Donna Langley and Kevin Feige.

Regarding the sale of Angels & Demons for Hulk rights, there was no disagreement.

In fact, Hulk in Universal's hands was just a chicken rib, while Angels & Demons was big visible profit.

Consider the success of The Da Vinci Code; besides Charles, who would think Angels & Demons couldn't replicate its frenzy?

For example, Disney's 2005 children's fantasy blockbuster The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe grossed 745 million globally.

Try buying the sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian from Disney. Regardless of whether they sell, how much would it cost you?

Of course, Dan Brown's novels The Da Vinci Code or Angels & Demons could not be compared to the legendary British literature of The Chronicles of Narnia.

But now, the movie rights for Angels & Demons surely held value, and it was believed Universal wouldn't let go of such an opportunity.

*****

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