Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 357 Cooperation Negotiation Successful
When Wu Yuchen asked about the investment amount, Spielberg said, "We're prepared to invest $1.5 million in Transformers, and Miracle Pictures will invest $5000 million. What do you think?"

Of the 1.5 million, 5000 million went to Miracle Pictures, which is one-third, or 33.33%. To be honest, one-third isn't a small amount, but Wu Yuchen wanted more. After all, this is *Transformers*!

Transformers had a $1.5 million investment, a global box office of $7 million, and DVD rights sales were incredibly high, exceeding $3 million – a pure money-making project!
Moreover, it wasn't just the first Transformers movie that was a hit; the entire series was very profitable. Although the plot was increasingly criticized as the series progressed, the Transformers box office continued to climb!
From 7 million for the first film to 8.36 million for the second, 11.24 billion for the third, and 11.04 billion for the fourth, all were box office hits. Even the lackluster fifth installment, considered the worst in the series, still grossed 6 million, which, compared to its production cost of 2.5 million, still resulted in no loss.

Its spin-off, "Bumblebee," which cost 1 million yuan to produce, also grossed 4.67 million yuan at the box office!

It's fair to say that every single Transformers movie has been profitable; it's just a matter of how much profit they make. With such a franchise, Wu Yuchen naturally wants to get as much of the profits as possible!

However, Wu Yuchen couldn't show it immediately; he needed a good excuse, otherwise directly seizing market share would arouse Spielberg's suspicion.

Wu Yuchen said to Spielberg, "Steven, 5000 million is not a small amount. I need to weigh it. You know, I value the script of a film very much. I want to see what kind of story you want to make before deciding whether to invest 5000 million."

“Of course!” Spielberg had already made preparations and handed the script to Wu Yuchen.

Afterwards, Wu Yuchen found a place to comfortably read the script, while Spielberg smiled and went about his own business.

After a while, Wu Yuchen closed the script and returned to Spielberg, who smiled and asked, "Wu, how was it?"

Wu Yuchen glanced at the script in his hand, then shook his head slightly and asked, "Steven, is this your final version of the script? If the movie is made according to this script, then I will not invest in it."

Spielberg frowned immediately upon hearing this, then asked with concern, "Wu, do you think there's a problem?"

Actually, this isn't the final version of the script, but rather the second draft. Spielberg also believes there are some issues, but he'd like to hear the opinion of the master writer, Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen didn't hide anything either. He first praised Steven, saying, "Steven, the main storyline is very good. It focuses on 'a boy and his car,' which reflects the themes of adulthood and responsibility."

Spielberg smiled upon hearing this; it was precisely the theme he had suggested. In America, cars represent everything; a driver's license is more important than an ID card, especially for men. Every American boy dreams of owning his own car! Therefore, telling a story about a boy and cars would resonate deeply with Americans, making it an excellent angle. That's why Spielberg had two screenwriters develop the script around this theme.

However, Wu Yuchen then changed the subject and pointed out the problem: "However, this script has a fatal flaw. The entire story unfolds from the perspective of the male and female protagonists, and what's even more deadly is that the Transformers don't have a single line of dialogue. I simply can't believe it!"

Yes, in this version of the script, none of the Transformers have a single line!

Spielberg breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and then explained to Wu Yuchen, "Wu, this is producer Tang Mofei's idea. He thinks that a talking machine would seem ridiculous and make the audience feel very strange."

Wu Yuchen immediately swore: "Bullshit! He doesn't understand Transformers at all! Why is it called Transformers? Because these giant creatures that can transform are the real protagonists! Does he think that all the audience members come to the movie theater to watch a boy pick up girls?"
What they want to see is the Transformers colliding and crashing, they want to see these giants interacting and communicating with humans! They want to see them become our friends!
If Transformers didn't have dialogue, they'd really just be metal lumps! And the movie would lose its soul! I won't invest in a movie that's destined to fail!

Spielberg, upon hearing Wu Yuchen's words, not only wasn't angry, but instead smiled.

"Wu, do you know what? Your thoughts coincide with mine! I also believe that if we don't let the Transformers speak, it's a betrayal of the Transformers fan club! So I really need you, you should join the Transformers project!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head and spread his hands, saying, "Steven, you should know that I don't have time."

Although Wu Yuchen refused, Spielberg was not discouraged and advised, "Wu, we are not in a hurry and it will not delay your filming of 'Batman'!"
How about you become one of the producers? Transformers needs your vision! And I'd like you to oversee the Transformers script and guide the two writers. You're a recognized master screenwriter!

Sometimes a film producer can be credited as a producer. For example, Wu Yuchen could be credited as a producer after investing in the film, but sometimes actual contributions are required.

Spielberg hoped that Wu Yuchen could contribute to increasing the success rate of "Transformers." He also had other ideas. If Wu Yuchen were listed as a producer and screenwriter, that could also be a selling point.

This promotion isn't aimed at the audience, but rather at the major advertisers!

Unlike The Pirate King, which is set on an ancient sea, the movie Transformers takes place in a modern metropolis, making it extremely suitable for product placement!

Since Hasbro and DreamWorks began discussing and planning the Transformers movie last year, they have already listed hundreds of advertisers suitable for product placement in the Transformers movie. They will then select the most suitable advertisers based on the storyline.

Adding Wu Yuchen's name to the list of producers and screenwriters will undoubtedly increase these advertisers' confidence in the film's success!
Although Spielberg didn't say it aloud, Wu Yuchen naturally understood the underlying reasons.

As a producer, he provided the concept for "Transformers," meaning he supported Spielberg; as a screenwriter, he guided the script's direction; and at the same time, he used his name to increase his chances with advertisers. Wu Yuchen looked at Spielberg in silence for a few seconds before speaking:

“Steven, if what you say is true, a one-third investment share is far too small…”

Wu Yuchen's meaning is very clear: after doing all this, he is confident that he will increase the success rate of "Transformers", so he wants a larger share of investment.

Spielberg understood Wu Yuchen's meaning and asked, "Wu, how much do you want?" "50%," Wu Yuchen replied directly.

"Oh, no, no! Wu, 50% is too much. Our DreamWorks has already prepared so much in the early stages, it's impossible for us to give you half of the share!"

The Transformers project is a significant IP, and although it carries risks, it's ultimately a DreamWorks-led project. Spielberg also believes that with Wu Yuchen's involvement, the chances of Transformers' success will definitely increase, so he doesn't want to give up too much of his share.

After some back-and-forth negotiations, it was finally agreed that Miracle Pictures would contribute $1.5 million to the $6000 million Transformers movie, which would give them a 40% stake.

Although it was only a 6.67% increase from one-third of the initial amount, Wu Yuchen was still quite satisfied.

Most importantly, he secured the investment rights for the subsequent Transformers series for Miracle Pictures, ensuring that Miracle Pictures would not be abandoned after the Transformers franchise became a hit.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Steven!" After the conversation, Wu Yuchen smiled and extended his hand to Spielberg.

Spielberg also shook hands with him: "I also hope this will be another pleasant and successful collaboration for us!"

Securing the rights to "Transformers" was undoubtedly a very exciting thing for Wu Yuchen. Upon returning home, he and Scarlett Johansson embarked on a joyous celebration!

Whether it's being a dutiful daddy disciplining his disobedient daughter, a master taming a wild horse, or taking his obedient dog for a walk in the garden, Wu Yuchen thoroughly enjoys it all!

After its opening weekend, "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" grossed 1.62 million yuan, but failed to break the opening weekend record of 1.69 million yuan set by "Pirates of the Caribbean 2".

It's not that fewer people came to see "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" than "Pirates of the Caribbean 2," or that audience enthusiasm had decreased. It's simply due to the number of screenings.

《海盗王3》时长167分钟，而《海盗王2》的时长则是151分钟，也就是说第二部比第三部短了16分钟！

也就是因为这短的16分钟，导致了有不少当初一天为《海盗王2》排7场的电影院，只为《海盗王2》一天排6场！
可以算算时间，《海盗王2》7场是1057分钟，而《海盗王3》6场就是1002分钟，实际上没差太多。

However, this means that *Pirates of the Caribbean 3* had one-seventh fewer screenings in its opening weekend compared to *Pirates of the Caribbean 2*! In this situation, even with over a hundred more theaters showing compared to the second film, it would be difficult to make up for the difference. The box office reaching 1.62 million was actually achieved only because audiences were more enthusiastic than when watching the second film!

However, Wu Yuchen didn't have much regret about whether or not he broke the record, since the opening weekend record for "The Pirate King 2" was also his, the great director Wu!

Just because of those extra 16 minutes, it's unlikely that the total box office of "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" will catch up with that of "Pirates of the Caribbean 2". The number of screenings in theaters has a significant impact on casual viewers, especially when the duration is extended.

Despite the large fan base of "Pirates of the Caribbean 3," casual viewers are a crucial force for any film. Fewer screenings mean fewer casual viewers, and this is something that is difficult to compensate for with the same film quality.

At this time, Wu Yuchen had returned to the "Batman" crew and devoted most of his energy to filming "Batman". At the same time, he also took some time to communicate with the two screenwriters of "Transformers" every night, guiding them in the direction of script creation and giving his own opinions.

Time passed slowly, and it was already August. After finishing his busy day of filming, Wu Yuchen returned to his hotel room and stretched. At that moment, Anne Hathaway pressed her body against Wu Yuchen: "Darling, would you like me to help you relax?"

“Of course~” Wu Yuchen said with a smile.

Anne Hathaway pulled Wu Yuchen's head into her arms, resting it against her soft, high breasts, and then gently massaged him with both hands.

In the past two weeks, her film "The Princess Diaries 2" was released, and it has already grossed $76.8 million in North America, with breaking $100 million being a certainty. Anne Hathaway came here partly to share the good news with Wu Yuchen, and partly to whisper sweet nothings in his ear, hoping to secure her next project.

Anne Hathaway, now with the Spider-Man trilogy and two standalone box office hits, the Princess Diaries, has already entered the ranks of A-list actresses. She also starred in Li An's Brokeback Mountain, an Oscar-contending film that will further enhance her resume.

Her next film will be one where she showcases her star power and solidifies her position as a top-tier actress, making it equally important.

As Wu Yuchen lay in Princess Annie's arms, enjoying a gentle massage, he stroked her smooth, delicate thighs and asked, "Annie, have you been in contact with Jessie lately?"

Anne Hathaway said with a smile, "Jessie's filming for 'Step Up 2' is nearing its end. I think it'll be finished in the next few days, and she'll definitely come to see her Daddy Wu right away!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and nodded, "Okay, when she arrives, I'll introduce you to a new friend~"

Anne Hathaway's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "Oh? A new friend? Who is it? From China?"

Wu Yuchen said with a smile, "Annie, we need to keep some mystery to create a surprise. You'll find out when the time comes."

His Batman film is almost finished filming; shooting started in April and has been going on for four months now. After filming wraps, he'll take a few days to relax and then bring Scarlett Johansson over so Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba can give her a run for her money!
(End of this chapter)