Since its acquisition by Time Warner, Warner Bros. has released two animated feature films for Pixar Studios, namely "Cars Mobilization" and "Rat King".

The former has average evaluation, but the box office is not very good. The latter has a very professional reputation and has a much better box office than the former.

However, everyone in Hollywood knows that the profitability of animated movies has never been on the box office. "Car Story" is a typical example in this regard. The global box office of this film released in the summer of 2006 was only more than 400 million US dollars, and the revenue brought by peripheral toys and dolls has exceeded 1 billion US dollars.

The well-known "Rat King" has received numerous praises from the media, but its profitability can only be said to be average. Not to mention "Car Story", it is incomparable to Pixar Studios' last movie "Superman Family" released by Walt Disney.

In the eyes of many purely senior movie fans, these animated feature films cannot be viewed from this standpoint.

But Duke and Time Warner have never planned Pixar Studios for professional reputation, not Oscars' best animated feature films, but only commercial gains.

There was a time when Duke thought about intervening in Pixar Studios' business, with the goal of canceling the project "Robot Vari".

There is no doubt that "Robot Walli" is Pixar Studio's most classic animated feature film, and Duke himself also thinks so, but the relatively cold themes and content of the film are not so popular in the market.

The box office of this film was good in the past, but the surrounding income was a bit confusing.

Most of the people who are willing to pay for animated movies are minors, and the audience of "Robot Vari" is not minors at all. Many adult audiences will pay for movie tickets, but not many people are willing to pay for money around.

A good movie may not necessarily bring high income.

However, Duke did not interfere with the project "Robot Walli".

First, he promised Steve Jobs that he and Warner would not interfere too much in Pixar's business; second, when Pixar Studio was acquired by Time Warner, the project had already started.

Of course. These are nothing in the face of sufficient commercial interests.

The most important point is that "Robot Wall" may not be able to bring high profits like "Car Mobilization", but it will not lose money.

"Steve, long time no see."

Walking into the VIP lounge at the premiere theater, Duke finds Steve Jobs and shakes his hand. "You look much better."

Steve Jobs waved his hand indifferently, "It's just a little problem."

"We are close partners now, and I don't want to see anything wrong with you."

Although some words were not very appropriate, Duke still reminded him, "I think Western medicine is more scientific."

"Maybe." Jobs obviously didn't want to talk about this topic.

Duke sighed in his heart. He no longer mentioned this aspect. Strictly speaking, this involves faith. He would only give a simple reminder that he would not be stupid enough to persuade Steve Jobs to be such a stubborn person.

The other party can't even listen to the words of his family, how could he listen to the advice of an outsider?

Besides, if Steve Jobs really has an accident, Apple will continue to move forward. Even if countless people are accused of it, they still prove their strength with their solid performance.

Moreover, after Jobs left, it would be more convenient for Duke to intervene in Pixar Studio.

To be precise, whether Jobs is present or not is of no significance to Duke.

With his personality, of course he would not do those thankless things.

Although Pixar Studios is acquired by Time Warner, to some extent, it is Steve Jobs' personal kingdom.

Many members of the Time Warner Board, including Duke, are actually planning to reform Pixar Studios’ personnel, such as upgrading Ed Kaml to the head of the entire Warner animation business. John Lassett is the creative director of the animation of the entire group…

This is indeed a promotion, and Ed Camel and John Lasset will have greater power. But transferring them away can break the current situation of Pixar Studio's relatively independent situation.

In fact, starting with "Rat King" and "Robot Walli", Time Warner and Duke have the same concerns, worrying that Pixar Studios will go further and further on the cool route.

Under the introduction of Steve Jobs, Duke then met Pixar Studio's famous Five Tiger Generals. They can be said to be the most famous directors in the animation film industry, such as Andrew Stanton, Brad Bird and others who also intend to make progress in live-action movies.

Brad Bird is also one of the candidate directors for Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible 4.

“Hi, Duke.”

Some strange greetings sounded from one side, Duke quickly turned around and grabbed the other party's hand that reached over, "Hello, Martin, I didn't expect to see you here."

He really didn't expect Martin Scorsese to come to the premiere of Pixar Studios' movie.

However, after thinking about it, Duke guessed the reason.

After Martin Scorsese left Michael Orwitz, the "Walker", which was used to win the Oscar for Best Director this year, was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.

Duke thought Martin Scorsese wanted to mention Oscars in a vague way, but he didn't expect that what he said was nothing to do with the Oscars, and it was a completely different thing.

"Duke, no matter what, Michael and I are old friends," Martin Scorsese sighed and whispered, "You have been entangled for so many years, and there is no need to..."

Duke probably guessed what Martin Scorsese wanted to say, and raised his hand to interrupt him, "Martin, the clients of the artist management company are I, AA and William Morris, and it has nothing to do with me."

Speaking of this, he pointed to Leonardo DiCaprio who had just walked in, "Sorry, I have something to look for Leo."

Not to mention Martin Scorsese, even Spielberg spoke in person. Duke would not give up the opportunity to disintegrate Michael Orwitz.

And even if he gives up, the three major brokerage companies that have already dug up many high-quality customers from the artist management company will give up their profits that are within their reach?

Michael Orwitz has been in this circle for too many years, and countless people want to completely trample him.

Even the Lions will grow old on the day, and the artist management company did not become the second AA after Michael Orwitz packaged projects one by one but failed to meet expectations. What he and his company must be facing is a situation of inherent forces flocking and strangling.

There are not many nostalgic people like Martin Scorsese.

“How is it done?”

Walking to Leonardo, Duke asked directly, "Are you ready?"

"The preparations are basically done." Leonardo and Duke fists and said, "Make sure you get the nomination first. Now Matt Damon is building momentum. If he gets the nomination, my chances will be smaller."

In a video, the chances of getting nominated for two best actors are very small.

Leonardo seemed to be inconfident, "I'm considering whether to switch to the best supporting actor."

"This is not a good idea." Duke shook his head directly, "You have no hope for the best supporting actor."

Death is far more powerful than any public relations and favors. Next year's Oscar's best supporting actor can be said to be an award that basically has no suspense.

Duke gently patted Leonardo on the arm, "I will support you with all my strength."

"Thank you." Leonardo then joked, "It's a pity that you have limited influence within the academy."

"Let's go, it's almost time to show."

The two walked towards the cinema, and Duke said as he walked. "I really can't affect the old men at the core of the academy, but there are always a few tickets in my hand."

Like Charles Rowan, Robin Grand, John Schwartzman, Anna Prinz, etc., they are now also members of the academy.

But just like what Leonardo said. Duke and his team did not attach much importance to Oscars, and their relationship with the core level of the academy can only be said to be very ordinary.

In fact, Duke is very clear that Leonardo may have a low chance of winning the best actor. Some discrimination in the academy often ignores the advantages of the discriminated party.

Sit in the seat. Duke threw Oscar aside and focused on the upcoming "Robot Wallet".

Although many details of this film have changed, it is not much different from Duke's impression, and the film is indeed very exciting. Especially the role of Walli on Earth is definitely an Oscar-level performance in animated films.

But the problem with the film is also very obvious. Pixar Studio's animated feature film is not too child-oriented. "Robot Wall" can be said to be completely deviant from the child-oriented approach and is simply an animated film made for adults to watch.

No matter how mature the North American film market is, the largest audience of animated films is ultimately minors, especially peripheral products.

This animated feature film won a box office of US$64 million from nearly 4,000 theaters in North America in three days on its first weekend. This result is definitely impressive. If you only look at the box office, "Robot Wall" is definitely a work that will inevitably sell well.

However, in the revenue of animated movies, Robot Walli's performance is very average. Although peripheral products are not ignored, they are far lower than Warner's expectations.

Moreover, the popularity of this animated feature film has not changed to a stable box office trend due to the cold theme of the film. The box office fell by nearly 50% the next weekend, and only received more than 32 million US dollars.

Based on the box office of the first weekend and the extremely high market reputation, the final North American box office of "Robot Wali" will surely be close to or even exceed US$300 million. However, based on the decline of the next weekend, the final North American box office of the film is around US$220 million.
Chapter completed!