After the premiere of "A Bug's Life" ended, Kyle didn't leave immediately.
Instead, he met with Katzenberg of DreamWorks Animation at a nearby coffee shop.
"Kyle, just tell me what's on your mind," Katzenberg said calmly, taking a sip of coffee.
Katzenberg was a very proud man, and if anyone else had invited him, he might have scoffed.
However, given Kyle's current status, he had to show him respect.
Kyle said loudly, "I'll be direct then.
I want the overseas distribution rights for the animated films produced by DreamWorks Animation."
"..."
Katzenberg was stunned.
"Young man, are you joking?!" Katzenberg asked, utterly astonished.
"Jeffrey, as everyone knows, our group is currently building overseas distribution channels.
We already have good distribution channels in countries like Mexico and Canada, and my rates and fees are much lower than Paramount's," Kyle said.
"Why don't you mention Europe, Asia, and Australia?" Katzenberg asked playfully.
Upon hearing this, Kyle immediately waved his hand, "Don't rush.
As far as I know, your company's overseas distribution contract with Universal Pictures has less than two years left.
And I am confident that within two years, I can complete the layout of distribution channels in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Of course, you might think I'm joking, but having me as an option doesn't hurt, does it?
It's completely harmless for you and DreamWorks."
Katzenberg nodded.
After all, Page Pictures' cut for film distribution was much, much lower than that of the Hollywood Big Six like Paramount.
Profit was enough to make anyone compromise.
Katzenberg didn't ponder for long and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll give you two years.
We'll talk then."
Cooperate with Page Pictures?
Heh heh!
Katzenberg really didn't believe that Page Pictures could complete the layout of its overseas distribution channels within two years.
One must know that, besides the Hollywood Big Six, only the once-glorious MGM currently had a complete global distribution network.
The others?
Heh heh, not a single one!
His agreement to give Kyle a chance now was merely a perfunctory gesture.
But Kyle didn't care; actions spoke louder than words.
No matter how much was said now, without strength, it amounted to nothing!
Two years later, when "Shrek" was released, it grossed $270 million in North America alone, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in North America at the time.
How could Kyle, with his vampire-like nature, not covet such a massively successful animation, both online and offline?
The "hothead" persona Kyle had established hours earlier was primarily for this moment; otherwise, with Katzenberg's arrogant personality, he would never have given Kyle an inch of opportunity!
At the same time, the massive success of "Shrek" two years later was actually a coincidence!
That's right, it was a coincidence!
DreamWorks Animation didn't place much importance on "Shrek"!
An "anti-fairy tale," "parody" animated film was seen by many as unconventional and niche.
DreamWorks Animation itself didn't pay much attention to it, yet it was this overlooked film that achieved astonishing box office performance!
Kyle was such a shrewd person!
"If I really take over the distribution of 'Shrek,' and it succeeds, with a huge overseas box office, not only will I make a fortune, but it will also elevate Page Pictures' overseas distribution business to a new level."
"If it fails, and the overseas box office flops, then it's no big deal.
After all, DreamWorks itself didn't care much about it, right?"
So, Kyle was very cunning, having considered both sides.
...
A few days later.
The animated film "A Bug's Life" was released!
It was a box office smash!
On its opening day, the North American box office took in $33.2 million, ranking first on Thanksgiving Day's North American box office chart.
This was over $4 million higher than "Toy Story," which was released three years prior and earned $29.14 million on its opening day.
Within a week of its release, it achieved the remarkable feat of exceeding $100 million at the North American box office!
Pixar Animation once again shocked Hollywood!
The two directors of "A Bug's Life," John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, became famous throughout America.
But...
Despite being such an excellent animated film, the subsequent performance of "A Bug's Life" did not meet the expectations of Pixar and the Disney Group.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, the North American box office performance of "A Bug's Life" showed a rapid decline.
The performance was far below expectations!
"What?"
Jobs looked at the Pixar team in surprise: "You mean to say that the final box office for our 'A Bug's Life' will be far lower than 'Toy Story'?"
"Yes, sir."
Market analysis expert Russell said in a deep voice, "Based on the current performance in the North American and overseas markets, the North American box office for 'A Bug's Life' will be below $170 million.
As for the overseas market, there is currently less data, but the overall trend is not optimistic."
Jobs was displeased!
John Lasseter and the others were also a bit deflated.
"Toy Story" had a production cost of $30 million and achieved a North American box office of $190 million, breaking a series of animated film box office records.
However, "A Bug's Life" had a production cost of up to $70 million, and its marketing and distribution costs were also significantly higher than "Toy Story," yet its current box office performance was far below expectations.
Do you think Jobs could be in a good mood?
"Boss, we don't need to worry too much; at least a few months ago, our merchandise licensing had already made a huge profit," analysis expert Russell consoled.
As his words fell.
The expressions of everyone around immediately brightened considerably.
"Yes, we made a fortune from merchandise licensing a few months ago."
"That's right."
"At an average price of $2.35 million per state, we sold $117.5 million in the 50 states of the US alone."
"And this is just for merchandise licensing in America!"
"If I remember correctly, in various overseas countries, our 'A Bug's Life' merchandise licensing also brought in $200 million, in addition to subsequent sales dividends."
As everyone present calculated, they realized that even if the box office performance of "A Bug's Life" was not as good as expected, Pixar and the Disney Group still made a huge profit.
Everyone's mood improved considerably.
Lasseter shook his head and smiled wryly, "But those retail and chain stores that acquired the merchandise licenses are probably going to lose a lot."
That's right, Lasseter guessed correctly.
In fact, the owners of those movie merchandise chain stores across America were already cursing Pixar and Disney to death.
They lost a lot!
...
Utah.
Dieter Merchandise Chain Store.
Monell, who had acquired the "A Bug's Life" license in Utah for $3 million, was almost in tears!
"Damn Pixar!"
"Damn Disney!"
"A piece of shit 'A Bug's Life'!"
"It's been 9 days. It's been exactly 9 days since 'A Bug's Life' was released, and my 15 merchandise chain stores haven't sold much 'A Bug's Life' merchandise.
It's far, far less popular than the 'Toy Story' merchandise.
No, it's not even in the same league."
Monell specifically hired a statistics company to conduct an audit.
He was horrified to discover that on the "A Bug's Life" licensing project, not only would he not make money, but he would lose at least $1.5 million.
At this moment, Monell felt like dying!
"Heh heh, you were so arrogant, now you know how to regret it, don't you?"
Francis, who also operated a merchandise chain store in Utah, mocked Monell extensively.
At the auction a few months ago, Francis had regretted losing the bid for the "A Bug's Life" license, but now he only felt fortunate.
At the same time.
Kyle's old friend, Mr. Billy, who also made a living in Utah.
He was also very scared at this moment!
"'A Bug's Life' is a total dud; there's no need to compete for its license at all!"
These were the words Kyle had once said to Mr. Billy.
Mr. Billy now sighed, "It's a good thing I listened to Kyle, otherwise this whole year would have been for nothing."
...
At the same time.
California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, New York...
Many merchandise distributors who had acquired the "A Bug's Life" merchandise license were filled with regret and cursed incessantly.
"'A Bug's Life,' go to hell!"
"What a piece of shit, it completely screwed me over!"
"Damn it, I stocked over a million dollars worth of goods, and now I've only sold less than 150,000.
I've lost a fortune!"
"And Jobs swore up and down that his Pixar was the world's number one animation company.
But now? I'll believe it when pigs fly!"
Jobs and Disney's ancestors were cursed terribly in recent times.
Many distributors and owners of merchandise chain stores had worked for nothing this year, and some, like Monell, the owner of Dieter Merchandise Chain Store in Utah, even filed for bankruptcy directly.
The huge pit of "A Bug's Life" caused many people to lose a lot!
When Kyle received this news from the media, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
However!
Kyle didn't pay too much attention to it, as he was busy selecting a director for "Spider-Man."