“Dingfeng Entertainment is going crazy this year!”
Whether it is the media, financial professionals, or movie fans, they all have the same voice in their hearts. It was just over a month ago that they announced their plans to acquire MGM, more than a week after they acquired D2, and they are planning to acquire Lucasfilm again.
.As early as four or five years ago, Summit Entertainment was just a small company that could not produce even one movie a year. Now it wants to swallow up the largest special effects company!
This is definitely the most important news this year, after the news of the acquisition of MGM.
When it comes to Hollywood, it is a place that is constantly changing. Film companies ebb and flow, and owners change from one company to another. Acquisitions are not a big deal.
In 1985, News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox Film Company. In 1989, Sony acquired Columbia Pictures for US$5 billion. In 2004, Universal Pictures merged with NBC Television Channel. In 2005, Sony acquired MGM for US$5 billion. In 2005,
Paramount Pictures acquired DreamWorks Movie Studio (non-animation division). In 2005, the Weinstein brothers left Disney's Miramax Pictures to start a new venture. In 2006, Walt Disney acquired Pixar Animation Studio for US$7.4 billion. In 2008
Warner Bros. Pictures merged with New Line Cinema.
Hollywood stories have never been short of ups and downs.
But it's different when it comes to Summit Entertainment. Sony, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount are all big companies that have been around for decades, but Summit Entertainment is a small company that has only emerged in the past three or four years.
In people's minds, the name Summit Entertainment did not exist in Hollywood a few years ago.
But this is the company that acquired Marvel Comics for US$4.1 billion in 2009 and became the North American and global box office champion in 2010. In 2011, it announced the acquisition of MGM, and now it wants to swallow up Lucasfilm.
It's like the waiter serving tea and water at a cocktail party suddenly took off his apron and said he was a certain tycoon. The contrast was too great.
Even if we look back, Summit Entertainment's parent company, Dream Chaser Entertainment Group, was only established in 2005, and its development time was too short.
It is this contrast that attracts attention.
The attention is almost comparable to that of a presidential election.
Shao Shuaijun, who was preparing to finalize "Nighthawks: Reflection" in the past few days, had to postpone the crew for another day and rushed to Santa Monica to attend this press conference. He is the big *OSS behind Summit Entertainment. He
Only by attending can we show the importance we attach to George Lucas and Lucasfilm.
The press conference was held at 10 o'clock in the 18-story building of Summit Entertainment. Originally, Shao Shuaijun thought that Lionsgate Pictures would be the first to move in, but he didn't expect that it might be Lucasfilm.
Shao Shuaijun arrived early and went to the lounge to meet with George Lucas. As a legendary director, George Lucas single-handedly created the glory of "Star Wars", but starting in 2005, he announced his retirement and would no longer direct.
movie, and turned to behind-the-scenes creation.
Because George Lucas does not often attend public events, and Shao Shuaijun is also a low-key figure, the two have not met in formal occasions.
"Mr. Lucas, I'm glad to meet you. I grew up watching your movie "Star Wars" and I'm very excited to meet you in person." Shao Shuaijun held Lucas's hand and shook it vigorously.
.
"Haha, I'm honored to be able to grow up with a great director." Lucas was still very handsome when he was young, with a beard and very charming. Now that he is old, his hair and beard are all gray, and his face is also...
He gained weight, wore glasses, and looked much kinder.
"I never thought I would be able to work with you one day."
"Me too. I've been working with the old guys in Hollywood for a long time, and I've been faced with the smell of decay all day long. I also want to change my taste." Lucas said a little tiredly.
This time Summit Entertainment was able to successfully acquire Lucasfilm. In addition to providing sufficient money, it also allowed Lucas to invest in Summit Entertainment. The big reason was that Lucas intended to retire completely. In 1983, Lucas
After divorcing his ex-wife, he has been living a single life. Since he had no children, he adopted two children.
Four years ago, after thirty years of single life, George Lucas finally met his true love, Melody Hobson, chairman of DreamWorks Animation. In his later years, Lucas was very
I cherish this relationship, so I decided to give up the tedious business and focus on love.
After Summit Entertainment proposed the acquisition, Lucas readily agreed.
With respect for the legendary figure, Shao Shuaijun chatted with Lucas about his proud work "Star Wars".
The "Star Wars" series has produced a total of six movies, namely "Star Wars: A New Hope" in 1977, "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1983, and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" in 1995.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, 2002's Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and 2005's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, as well as an animated film called The Clone Wars
》.
In addition to movies and animations, Lucasfilm has also launched dozens of "Star Wars" series of games.
So far, the "Star Wars" series has earned US$4.4 billion in box office, US$3.8 billion in DVD and other post-theater media revenue, and its derivative revenue has reached a huge US$20 billion. It can be said that it has earned all the limelight. Just Planet
This brand of Zhanzhan is worth 1 billion US dollars!
In addition to the "Star Wars" series, Lucas also produced four movies in the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" series and other movies.
"I think "Star Wars" has been silent for too long. Although there have been derivatives such as animations and games, it has been five years since the last movie. Does Mr. Lucas still plan to continue this series?
?" Shao Shuaijun asked.
Lucas smiled: "Shao, call me George. I have conceived the follow-up to "Star Wars" and I really hope to continue to launch it. I already have the concept and creativity of the new trilogy. After the acquisition, if you
If you like, I can serve as the art consultant for the new trilogy."
"That's great. I love Star Wars very much and I will actively promote the filming of the new trilogy!"
Just as they were about to have a chat about the new trilogy, Mitchell personally came over to inform the two of them that they were going to a press conference. The old man and the young man put the topic aside and walked towards the hall talking and laughing.
When we arrived at the press conference, it was really crowded. Reporters from all over Hollywood were here. Reporters from all over the world were also here. Financial reporters from Wall Street were also here. Chinese media also came as if they had organized a group. The scale was so large.
Rare in the world.
The press conference was hosted by Mitchell himself, and was nothing more than an introduction to the specific circumstances of Summit Entertainment’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, as well as its motivations and future plans.
When it came to the media question-and-answer session, reporters immediately started bombarding them with questions: "Mr. Lucas, what made you agree to this acquisition plan?"
Lucas replied: "I wanted to retire a few years ago. I wanted to live a life away from the film industry and not have to worry about the company. I really wanted to put my company in a place where I could protect it."
Among the big companies, Summit Entertainment is such a company with a brilliant future, and I feel relieved to hand over the company to them."
"Mr. Shao, why did Summit Entertainment want to acquire Lucasfilm? Is it the company's decision or your proposal?"
Shao Shuaijun replied: "It is the company's decision and my proposal. ILM is what Summit Entertainment desires. We want to create a superhero movie, which requires very complex special effects technology. With the support of ILM, we will be more calm. At the same time, I am in the United States
Everywhere I went I saw traces of Star Wars, so I thought, maybe we should buy it and let the movie legend of Star Wars continue!"
"Mr. Shao means that the Star Wars series will be restarted?"
"Why not? I just talked about this with Mr. Lucas later. We both believe that there are only six Star Wars movies, which is too few. We have to make seven, eight, or nine movies to make Star Wars more popular."
To create an enduring brand. Mr. Lucas has agreed to serve as artistic consultant for the new trilogy."
Lucas said: "The happiest thing for me over the past 35 years has been allowing generations of children to enjoy "Star Wars". Now, I am handing Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers. I have always believed in "Star Wars"
The franchise will live on forever beyond me, and it is important that the franchise evolves during my lifetime. I have full confidence in Kathleen Kennedy leading Lucasfilm. With Summit Entertainment as its new home, Star Wars will continue to be vibrant.
And it will become more prosperous. The brilliant prospects of Summit Entertainment will give Lucasfilm more development opportunities in the future, opportunities to enter the United States, enter China, and enter the world."
Kathleen Kennedy was the former co-chairman of Lucasfilm. George Lucas sold Lucasfilm and became a shareholder of Summit Entertainment, and will no longer hold any position. Summit Entertainment agreed to the acquisition request, and Kathleen Kennedy
Will be promoted to president of Lucasfilm and join the ranks of top executives.
When answering reporters, Mitchell Bruce said enthusiastically: "Lucasfilm has fully demonstrated George Lucas' extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm and visual imagination. This transaction will bring world-class creative products,
The greatest family entertainment series of all time, under Summit Entertainment's vibrant and thriving multiple platforms spanning Asia and the Americas, the value and effect of both will be maximized!"
A reporter asked: "After acquiring Lucasfilm, does Summit Entertainment have any bigger plans?"
Mitchell replied: "Our next step will be to focus on the merger and acquisition plan of MGM. Now we are in further discussions with Sony. We will work together to make MGM shine and regain its glory!"
At the end of the press conference, standing in front of a huge Star Wars poster, Shao Shuaijun was in the center, Lucas was on the left, and Mitchell was on the right, all three together.
Click click click!
The flash faithfully recorded this historical moment and spread it to all parts of the world.
"This is the "Star Wars" handover ceremony!" (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!)
