Chapter 273: Minions
Christmas 2006 arrived, and Capet Pictures, an independent film company in Hollywood, made a strong mark on the Hollywood box office.
Among the top ten movies in the annual North American box office, there were two from Capet Pictures, while the rest were from the six major studios.
In the top twenty North American box office rankings, except for the five films from Capet Pictures, there were no other movies from outside the six major studios.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, North America, 423 millions of dollars, Disney;
2. Cars, North America, 244 millions of dollars, Pixar Disney;
3. X-Men: The Last Stand, North America, 234 millions of dollars, 20th Century Fox;
4. The Da Vinci Code, North America, 217 millions of dollars, Capet;
5. 300, North America, 210 millions of dollars, Capet;
6. Superman Returns, North America, 200 million dollars, DC Warner Bros.;
7. Happy Feet, North America, 198 millions of dollars, Warner Bros.;
8. Ice Age: The Meltdown, North America, 195 millions of dollars, Blue Sky 20th Century Fox;
9. Casino Royale, North America, 167 millions of dollars, MGM Sony.
10. Over the Hedge, North America, 155 millions of dollars, DreamWorks Animation Paramount;
Among the top ten movies in the North American box office, there were four 3D animated features. Besides DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, and Blue Sky, Warner Bros. Animation also made a mark with Happy Feet. Sony Animation, Universal Pictures, and Paramount all had their own animation departments as well!
"Donna, isn't Chris Meledandri, the head of 20th Century Fox's animation department, about to leave 20th Century Fox?" Charles Capet couldn't hold back anymore when he heard the news while in his office at Capet Pictures.
"He has already terminated his contract and will leave next year. Right now, 20th Century Fox's animation department is mainly focused on Blue Sky Studios," Donna Langley certainly knew what Charles was thinking. "You want him to help us set up our own Capet Animation studio?"
Charles nodded. "Now Disney has Pixar, Paramount has the distribution rights for DreamWorks Animation, and 20th Century Fox has Blue Sky Studios. Sony has had Sony Animation for a while. I reckon Universal has similar plans too."
Donna Langley agreed with Charles's view and added, "Currently, the animation market is mostly about 3D digital animation. This market is sizable; no one would ignore it."
"I don't care what Chris Meledandri thinks. After he leaves 20th Century Fox, he will need a place to rely on. Tell him that Capet Pictures will support him in establishing an independent animation studio," Charles didn't want to lose the father of the Minions. "Capet Pictures allows him to manage the animation studio independently!"
Donna Langley nodded. "Don't worry. I've already contacted him before. Blue Sky Studios' success has led to his cold treatment at 20th Century Fox. He should be willing to start anew."
"Do it as soon as possible. All the six major studios now have their own animation development departments. Capet Pictures can't fall too far behind!"
After Donna Langley left, Charles called his assistant, Phyllis Jones, and handed her a paper with a picture of small yellow figures. "Here, this cartoon character will be our Capet Pictures' mascot from now on. After registration, get a toy company to produce a batch of our mascots."
Phyllis Jones took a look. The image showed some goofy, single, and double-eyed yellow pill-shaped characters. Her eyes lit up, and she cheerfully asked, "These are so cute! Did you design them yourself, boss?"
"Yes, I thought of them. Their name will be Minions. Maybe we can develop movies and toys centered around them in the future," Charles smiled. Regardless of whether Chris Meledandri would join Capet Pictures or not, the copyright of the Minions, from now on, belonged to Capet Entertainment. Charles Capet was the creator of the Minions.
The Pursuit of Happiness grossed $62 million in North America after ten days in theaters.
300 had also been in North American theaters for over a month and had capped off with 210 millions of dollars in North American box office revenue. Overseas, it already surpassed $200 million, and it was estimated to reach 250 millions of dollars in overseas box office finally.
During Christmas, Charles was keeping an eye on 20th Century Fox's fantasy comedy blockbuster Night at the Museum.
This movie, which cost 110 million dollars to produce, was based on a children's illustrated story. Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, and Dick Van Dyke, this comedy blockbuster opened in 3,600 theaters across North America. Although it only earned $30 million in its opening weekend, word of mouth was good. It was a fantasy comedy suitable for family viewing.
In the evening, Charles drove his Mazda RX-7 FD to Los Angeles International Airport to pick up Keira Knightley, who flew in from London.
"Never thought you'd come to pick me up personally?" Keira Knightley was still surprised as she got into the passenger seat.
Charles smiled and took the initiative to buckle up Keira Knightley's seatbelt, then immediately kissed her as he embraced her.
After a while, Keira Knightley, slightly out of breath, reminded him, "Let's get going!"
"Let's go to my beach house in Santa Monica Palisades. It's pretty close," Charles didn't want to take Keira Knightley to a hotel.
"Scarlett isn't staying with you, right?" Keira Knightley suddenly asked.
Charles was taken aback, then slid his hand under her skirt, caressing her thighs. He whispered in her ear, "Do you want me to call her over too?"
"No, don't call her," Keira Knightley quickly objected. The last time in San Francisco had been too wild.
"Alright, she's spending Christmas with her family," Charles smiled, hopped into the driver's seat, buckled up, and stepped on the gas.
"Congrats on the new Capet Entertainment headquarters building. It looks great," Keira Knightley, although in London, had heard a lot about Capet Pictures, one of the hottest movie companies of the year.
"By May next year, the entire Capet Entertainment headquarters will be completed. That's when Capet Entertainment will truly show its fangs!" Charles confidently exclaimed.
*****
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