Chapter 254: Perhaps It Was Time to Do Something
Chapter 254: Perhaps It Was Time to Do Something
“What’s your name, and which newspaper are you from?”
“My name is George Nor… Lind. I’m a reporter from Hollywood Online,” George Norson hurriedly made up a fake name halfway through his introduction.
Eric did not realize George Norson was lying. He nodded and asked, “You just said releasing The Others on November 1 was a very stupid choice. So what’s your reasoning?”
George Norson answered confidently, “Very simple. Although November 1 falls during Halloween, and many horror films release around this period, it actually isn’t considered a hot season at all. It can’t even be considered a good release window. The total box office revenue during these weeks is no different from the off-season. Since Disney and Firefly clearly have high expectations for this movie, then releasing it on November 1 isn’t stupidity, what is it? Or perhaps you actually don’t have much confidence in The Others, so you threw it into a release window that’s basically a graveyard for cannon fodder?”
After listening to George Norson’s words, Eric could not help giving the man several extra looks. This middle-aged paparazzo-looking reporter was much better than those people who only knew how to chase celebrity gossip.
“Since you can explain things so clearly,” Eric replied, “then you should also know that every year in Hollywood’s top ten box office rankings, there are always a few films whose release dates are neither during the summer season nor the Christmas season, yet they still manage to force their way into the rankings purely because of their exceptional quality.”
“Mr. Williams, I understand what you mean,” George Norson immediately answered. “For example, Look Who’s Talking, which was released a few weeks ago. TriStar Pictures originally had very little confidence in that movie, which was why they dumped it into the unpopular October season. But now that low-budget film, which only cost a few million dollars, has already earned nearly sixty million dollars at the box office and may even become a competitor to The Others.”
“But, Mr. Williams,” George Norson continued, “you still haven’t answered my question. Those sleeper-hit films were placed in the off-season because nobody thought highly of them beforehand. But The Others is obviously a film both Disney and Firefly place great hopes on. It even won the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.”
Eric smiled slightly, his tone calm but confident. “I already answered your question just now. As long as a film’s quality is strong enough, sometimes it can ignore release windows entirely.”
Ignore release windows?!
George Norson stared in shock, while several more professional reporters in the crowd also revealed astonished expressions.
For Eric to say something like that was simply too arrogant.
In all of Hollywood, no director or producer had ever dared to say such a thing with complete confidence. Most people desperately tried to cram their movies into either the summer season or the Christmas-New Year season because everyone knew that prime release windows meant higher box office revenue.
Yet the Eric standing before them had not only gone against conventional thinking, but had even brazenly shouted the slogan of “ignoring release windows.”
Many paparazzi instantly realized this would become explosive news material. They unconsciously shoved forward harder while stretching their tape recorders even closer toward Eric.
George Norson also knew this would become an extremely controversial topic. He already had the rough outline of an article forming in his mind. Tomorrow, countless people would see the arrogant and conceited side of Eric Williams. And if The Others failed to achieve unexpectedly strong results, then Eric Williams would lose face completely. It might even seriously impact the box office performance of his upcoming New Year films.
Even so, George Norson maintained an innocent-looking expression as he pushed his recorder closer and asked, “Mr. Williams, are you really saying that The Others can completely ignore release window limitations and still achieve high box office results?”
Eric shrugged and nodded. “Since I chose to release the film on November 1, naturally I already have that level of confidence.”
Another wave of commotion broke out among the reporters behind the security line.
After speaking, Eric ignored the crowd and took Virginia’s hand as they walked toward the theater entrance.
“Mr. Williams, could you explain in more detail?”
“Mr. Williams, why are you so confident in this movie?”
“Mr. Williams—”
Amid the reporters’ frantic shouting behind him, Eric led Virginia up the theater stairs without looking back once.
Since the premiere would not officially begin until seven o’clock, the two did not head directly into the screening hall. Instead, staff guided them toward a prepared lounge area where the celebrity guests who had come to support the film were waiting.
As they walked through the VIP corridor, Virginia softly asked, “Eric, was it really okay for you to say something like that just now?”
“Even you don’t have confidence in me?” Eric asked with a smile.
Virginia quickly shook her head. “No, of course I believe in you. But unexpected things can happen with anything. What if… what if…” She hesitated before continuing, “Then people would definitely laugh at you.”
Eric reassuringly squeezed her hand. “Relax. There won’t be any ‘what if.’”
Virginia opened her mouth to say more, but Eric had already pulled her into the lounge.
After greeting the many celebrity guests who had come to show support, about ten minutes later Disney CEO Michael Eisner also arrived.
“Eric, I heard about what you said on the red carpet,” Michael Eisner said immediately upon meeting him.
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Eisner, don’t tell me you think my words were inappropriate too?”
Michael Eisner shook his head. “I just think what you said was too risky. Actually, even I’m curious why you insisted on releasing this movie on November 1. I already followed your plan, so you should at least explain the reason to me now, shouldn’t you?”
“Let’s talk over there,” Eric said, pointing toward a sofa set against the wall not far away.
Michael Eisner nodded and followed Eric over. Although many people in the lounge wanted to approach them and build connections, seeing the two clearly deep in discussion, they tactfully refrained from interrupting.
“Actually,” Eric began, “I had this idea a long time ago—probably before Sleuth was released.” He glanced at Michael Eisner and continued, “Back then I thought, since there would be five films connected to me releasing one after another at the end of this year, why not create a beautiful grand slam miracle during this release season?”
“Grand slam… miracle?” Michael Eisner repeated the two key phrases from Eric’s words, unable to understand at first. The term “grand slam” was usually associated with sports, not movies.
Eric did not keep him guessing long.
“Mr. Eisner, The Others releases on November 1. With the huge amount of promotion we’ve invested in it, taking the weekly box office championship for two weeks won’t be a problem. Then Home Alone 2 releases on November 17. Last year the first movie held the weekly box office championship for ten straight weeks.”
“I’ve already looked at the competing releases. Only Lethal Weapon 2 and Back to the Future Part II are capable of competing against Home Alone 2, but those films obviously can’t match Home Alone 2’s audience appeal. Even if the sequel’s box office drops somewhat, securing five weeks at number one still won’t be a problem.”
“Finally, at Christmas, Sleepless in Seattle takes over the weekly championship. I already checked—there aren’t any major blockbusters releasing this Christmas season, so I can continue holding the top spot. As long as no unexpectedly strong film appears, I may be able to maintain this momentum all the way into February.”
“And once we market this entire concept publicly, the films participating in this ‘relay race’ will all receive increased attention simultaneously. Their box office performances will also mutually reinforce one another.”
As Michael Eisner listened to Eric’s plan, shock filled him completely.
The young man beside him was clearly trying to dominate the entire New Year season.
A weekly box office champion film could generally claim at least thirty percent of the weekly revenue. Combined with the earnings of films not sitting at number one, the figure would rise to at least forty percent.
Based on an estimated six hundred million dollars in total year-end box office revenue, those films together could potentially seize two hundred forty million dollars.
At first glance, that number did not seem particularly terrifying. It had not even reached the total box office earnings of the first Home Alone film from last year.
But one must not forget that after the New Year, those films would still have another one to three months of theatrical revenue ahead of them. Their final totals would definitely not fall far short of another two hundred forty million dollars.
Averaged out, five films—each potentially earning at least one hundred million dollars.
If that truly happened, then Firefly alone would occupy at least five positions in the annual top ten box office rankings.
That was clearly something that would make the seven major studios lose face completely.
Even though Disney itself stood to profit from the situation, Michael Eisner found that he could not feel excited at all.
Perhaps… it was time to do something.
Without understanding why, that thought suddenly surfaced in Michael Eisner’s mind.
After glancing several times at the ambitious young man beside him, Michael Eisner pursed his lips, patted Eric on the shoulder while offering a few encouraging words, then stood up and left.
Eric, meanwhile, remained seated on the sofa for a while longer.
Because just now, he seemed to have seen something unusual flicker through Michael Eisner’s eyes. However, he could not quite grasp what it was.
After revealing his wildly ambitious plan to Michael Eisner, even Eric himself had become somewhat excited. Thus, he had not carefully analyzed the deeper meaning hidden within that fleeting look in Michael Eisner’s eyes.