Chapter 130: Box Office Champion

[Chapter 130: Box Office Champion]

The explosive box office performance of Wrong Turn stunned everyone in Hollywood. Corleone Studios was no longer just a lucky newcomer; it was rising as a quality independent film studio!

George Clooney appeared on Saturday Night Live, draped in a Batman cape and brandishing a spiked leather whip. "I'm Batman, maybe even the cowboy -- come on, you miserable humans!" he joked as he promoted Batman & Robin and Wrong Turn. The production companies behind both projects coordinated for cross-promotion to boost their profiles.

...

In Norwood, Massachusetts, at the National Entertainment Theater president's office, Senior Assistant Vice President Jimmy was getting reamed by his boss. "Are you kidding me? One of this month's hottest movies, Wrong Turn, isn't showing in our theaters! I almost got torn apart by the managers because they almost got attacked by rabid fans! I heard you met with Corleone Studios' boss in Las Vegas during the business conference? Why don't we have a distribution contract with them?"

Jimmy did not dare mention his own arrogant attitude back then, regretting it deeply. "Boss, that was my oversight. I'll fix it immediately!"

After turning away, Jimmy was visibly frustrated. Damn it, how did that young guy actually pull off such a success? Now I have to apologize to that company. This really sucks!

...

At Fox, early in the week, McCarny was reliably slumped in his chair, gazing dreamily at the ceiling. Benjamin Albert presented some data: "Wrong Turn's box office has significantly boosted the international film market. Our distribution companies in the UK, Germany, and elsewhere have reported interest from local partners who want to strengthen marketing and quickly sign distribution deals to set release dates."

"Good!" McCarny nodded distractedly, then scanned the room. "Earlier today, I received a call from Peter Cherning at corporate headquarters, asking whether the Horror Theme Park plan could work."

"Mr. Murdoch has heard of it too?" Tom Rothman asked.

"Yes!" Jim Gianopoulos, head of international distribution, chimed in, "It's actually a promising idea. If we owned a Horror Theme Park that could become a cultural icon, there would be so many possibilities. For Mr. Murdoch, it would be a rare and valuable project."

Tom frowned. "Disney, with decades of animation legacy, was able to build Disneyland only in major metropolitan areas. Compared to that, a Horror Theme Park's revenue and social impact would be much smaller."

"Though Corleone started with a very good launch," Benjamin added, "for it to succeed, not only must the movie series stay strong, but the park itself must operate flawlessly. More importantly, Disney got there first. From any angle, Disney is more favored by investors, local governments, and partners."

McCarny sighed heavily. "Alright, enough of that. Today, we talk about Charlie Corleone! That guy keeps surprising us beyond expectations. He's not short on funds or channels now. But he started out with the Fox label, then Disney swooped in! We need to improve international distribution agreements. I want Corleone's future ten years' international contracts, not just loose deals for a few films."

Tom awkwardly coughed and shook his head. "That'll be tough. Charlie's got big ambitions; he won't let us tie him down."

McCarny leaned forward. "Then negotiate as favorable a contract as possible. We just wrestled Miramax from Disney; can't give up another powerful Godfather!"

...

Even before Wrong Turn's release, Corleone was generating massive industry interest. The actual first weekend box office only increased the spotlight on this company.

Quality content combined with brilliant marketing made it impossible to underestimate Corleone! At 19, Charlie's youthful look no longer served as a cover.

Fox, Disney, even Miramax's Harvey and those working with Corleone eagerly wanted to make Charlie their big cash cow.

The upper structure of Hollywood's entertainment companies was already crowded! Any emerging person or company below would be contractually bound tightly and ruthlessly by the six major studios while they were still weak.

But Charlie's prior savvy, resilience, and networking had laid a solid foundation for Corleone Studios in just a few months, before Wrong Turn even screened.

They had secured funds and distribution channels. Charlie's flexible business tactics meant even with only Fifty Shades of Gray under their belt, Corleone had accumulated industry weight comparable to Steven Spielberg's decades of experience.

By the time Fox and others realized it, they could no longer bind Charlie cheaply.

Actually, if not for the perfect timing of leveraging Fox and the strategic acquisition of Mafia Distribution Company amidst fierce competition, Corleone wouldn't have secured millions in channel revenues.

While Fox, Disney, and others still dominated by taking most profits generated by Corleone Studios, they couldn't treat Charlie like a mere employee anymore.

...

Wrong Turn's success surpassed even Charlie's expectations. He thought Corleone would only skyrocket after Lord of the Rings. But mixing realistic cases with Horror Theme Park strategies had Disney, Jason Trumm, and Frank Giustra's teams taking notice, making the film a box office hit.

This brought immense pressure and attracted many film companies circling like sharks, but it also built great prestige for Corleone Studios.

...

As time passed and Thanksgiving weekend arrived with new box office results, Wrong Turn's allure grew.

The Chicago Tribune entertainment section published the Thanksgiving three-day box office rankings:

At November's end, the North American market shook hard. Star Trek: First Contact, released last week, dropped 42% to $14.36 million, ranking third, cumulative $51.85 million.

101 Dalmatians, a live-action adaptation of the 1961 animation, opened in 2,400 theaters across North America with a $26.5 million weekend.

Wrong Turn topped the chart.

This new horror movie, adapted from the same title and released by Mafia, Buena Vista, and Miramax, was in its second week. Thanks to strong word of mouth and the Horror Theme Park plan announced by Disney and Calgary's local government, along with chilling games like campus hide-and-seek, it attracted many holidaying teenagers.

Unexpectedly, with a record 3,140 theaters, it grossed $29.88 million and claimed the weekend box office crown!

Its box office grew instead of declined in the second week, with a cumulative $61.12 million domestically. But due to horror's niche appeal, CinemaScore predicted a sharp drop in week three.

*****

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