Shortly after the New Year holiday, Matthew walked into the office building of Sky Dance Film Company in Burbank. David Ellison had arranged a meeting with him to discuss the "Fast & Furious" series.
"Sky Dance Film Company's marketing department, along with a professional survey firm I commissioned, conducted a market study specifically on the 'Fast & Furious' series," David Ellison said, getting straight to the point when he saw Matthew. "Car racing movies indeed have a broad audience in North America."
Matthew, sitting on a European-style sofa, withdrew his gaze from the luxuriously decorated reception room and asked, "David, are you set on this?"
David Ellison looked at Matthew and said intentionally, "I trust your judgment."
Of course, this was just talk. He added, "We'll each invest half and jointly acquire the rights to the 'Fast & Furious' series."
His purpose was simple: by doing this, Matthew would be tied to the "Fast & Furious" series, sharing the risk with him.
David Ellison indeed considered Matthew a friend but understood that in business, friendship takes a backseat. Shared interests provide more security than personal connections.
If he were to buy the series rights alone, what would happen if Matthew bailed when things went south?
After a few seconds of contemplation, Matthew firmly said, "Okay, as long as Universal Pictures' asking price isn't excessive, I think I can manage the funds."
"Great!" David Ellison exclaimed.
As long as Matthew invested, David Ellison didn't worry about Matthew not putting in the effort. If things went wrong, Sky Dance Film Company could afford the loss, but Matthew might suffer significantly.
Matthew could see David Ellison's thinking but found it understandable. When millions of dollars are at stake, even Larry Ellison would consider the risks and rewards.
"David..." Matthew brought up an old topic, "What if Universal Pictures doesn't let go?"
"I've seriously considered your suggestion," David Ellison said, having done substantial investigative consultation. "Leonidas has already died at Thermopylae, so you can't appear in the sequel, right?"
Matthew nodded lightly, "The sequel to '300 Spartans' won't involve me."
David Ellison sighed, clearly having made up his mind. "Let's do this, Matthew. We'll take it in two steps."
Matthew waited for him to continue.
"First, we'll try to buy the sequel rights to the 'Fast & Furious' series from Universal Pictures," David Ellison said earnestly. "Ideally, Universal Pictures would sell us the sequel rights directly."
He continued, "Convincing Universal Pictures won't be easy. If the first step fails, we'll use the sequel rights to '300 Spartans' as leverage."
Matthew interjected, "You mentioned last time that Universal Pictures was interested in the sequel rights. Is that confirmed now?"
David Ellison nodded slowly, "I've looked into it. With the success of 'Sin City' and '300 Spartans,' the industry has great confidence in Frank Miller's graphic novel adaptations. I also told you last time that many companies are eyeing the sequel to Frank Miller's '300 Spartans,' and Universal Pictures is one of them."
He reluctantly added, "If we succeed in the first step, we won't initiate the second."
"Agreed," Matthew concurred. "I also hope we can secure the sequel rights to the 'Fast & Furious' series with just funding."
Despite saying this, he doubted it would be easy.
David Ellison said, "I'll have someone engage in substantive negotiations with Universal Pictures."
Matthew thought for a moment and then said, "Have someone contact Helen. Since it's a joint acquisition, we should reach an agreement between us first."
David Ellison couldn't help but laugh, "That makes me feel more at ease."
Matthew didn't say much more. Since it was a business cooperation, it was best to put the agreement in writing.
The two then discussed more details. Matthew spent almost the entire day at Sky Dance Film Company before leaving.
The next day, Helen Herman and David Ellison's representative made contact, quickly reaching an agreement and signing a formal contract.
Simultaneously, Sky Dance Film Company's bald CEO Robert Layton submitted a proposal to Universal Pictures to acquire the sequel production rights to "Fast & Furious," offering as much as $30 million.
As Matthew expected, Universal Pictures didn't deliberate much and directly rejected Sky Dance Film Company.
However, there was a silver lining. When Sky Dance Film Company raised the offer to $40 million, Universal Pictures didn't entirely shut the door on negotiations and continued to engage with Sky Dance Film Company.
According to Matthew and Helen Herman's speculation, Universal Pictures seemed to have their own agenda with Sky Dance Film Company.
In the top office of Universal Pictures' headquarters, Ron Meyer paced back and forth. A department director stood quietly behind him, saying nothing.
"What are the chances of the 'Fast & Furious' series reclaiming the market?" Ron Meyer stopped and looked at the director. "More than fifty percent?"
The director smiled wryly, "Fifty percent? Ron, that's impossible." He explained in detail, "The first 'Fast & Furious' made $140 million at the North American box office, the second $120 million, and the third less than $50 million."
He took a sip of coffee and continued, "Like the declining box office, the trilogy's reputation has worsened. The third film, 'Tokyo Drift,' is widely regarded as a flop. Meanwhile, production costs have only increased, which is why we halted further plans."
Ron Meyer turned, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Does the sequel have much significance for us?"
"Almost none," the director said candidly. "We hold the trilogy's rights, but it's like those old movies that no one cares about. We can only profit through long-term TV broadcasts and DVD rentals."
Ron Meyer rested his chin on one hand, seemingly deep in thought.
The director added, "If the price is right, we could consider Sky Dance Film Company's offer."
"Explain," Ron Meyer prompted.
"Initially, Sky Dance Film Company wanted the full rights to the 'Fast & Furious' series, including the trilogy," the director explained. "After we refused, they adjusted their strategy, asking only for the sequel rights."
He smiled, "If the deal goes through, we keep the trilogy rights, and the rights management and profits remain unaffected. We would only sell the sequel production rights for $40 million, which would be pure profit."
No matter how you looked at it, Universal Pictures would benefit more.
But Ron Meyer showed no sign of commitment. Hollywood's major studios were cautious about selling any film rights, especially sequel rights. Without a compelling price, they wouldn't consider it.
Universal Pictures had previously revived dead franchises with great success, the "Mummy" series being a prime example.
Years ago, other companies or producers sought to buy the sequel rights to "The Mummy" and other monster movies. If Universal Pictures had sold those rights, there wouldn't have been the successful "Mummy" and "Mummy Returns."
Selling sequel rights wasn't out of the question, but it required substantial benefits.
"Ron, what's your take?" the director asked.
"Have someone negotiate with Sky Dance Film Company," Ron Meyer said unhurriedly. "I recently met Frank Miller in New York. He's working on the '300 Spartans' sequel comic, 'Rise of an Empire.' However, according to the previous contract, Sky Dance Film Company holds the film adaptation rights for ten years..."
The director immediately understood Ron Meyer's meaning, "You mean to exchange the '300 Spartans' sequel rights with Sky Dance Film Company and David Ellison?"
Ron Meyer nodded and added, "I confirmed with Frank Miller. If Sky Dance Film Company doesn't forfeit, they hold the sequel rights for ten years. If not adapted within five years, it's considered an automatic forfeit."
Universal Pictures couldn't wait five years. With the success of "Sin City" and "300 Spartans," Frank Miller's works were hot properties. Even after five years, Universal Pictures would face fierce competition from other companies. It was better to directly secure the sequel rights from Sky Dance Film Company.
A sequel to a blockbuster like "300 Spartans" had far less risk and more value than the "Fast & Furious" sequels.
"One more thing to note," Ron Meyer instructed. "Keep the negotiations strictly confidential to prevent leaks and competition."
The director nodded, understanding Ron Meyer's intent. After all, "300 Spartans" was a major success.
Ron Meyer and the director discussed further, setting their bottom line. Sky Dance Film Company must exchange the sequel rights to "Fast & Furious" with the film adaptation rights and a fee for the "300 Spartans" sequel.
After all, Sky Dance Film Company only had the purchase rights for the "300 Spartans" sequel. They hadn't negotiated the adaptation fees with Frank Miller. Universal Pictures wouldn't bear those costs.
While Matthew and David Ellison aimed to acquire the sequel production rights to the "Fast & Furious" series from Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures sought to secure the "300 Spartans" sequel rights.
Both sides seemed to have found common ground for an agreement, but the process wouldn't be as smooth as it appeared.
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