Rhode Island, Hasbro Headquarters, Press Conference.
Alan Hassenfeld gestured, and a reporter from the New York Entertainment News immediately stood up and asked, "Mr. Hassenfeld, rumors say Paramount is also seeking the transformers copyright. Why did Hasbro choose MGM instead of Paramount?"
Hassenfeld's face darkened. What was this? Starting with trouble right away. Are entertainment reporters always so tactless?
However, he still replied, "MGM and Paramount are both excellent film and television companies. In fact, either would have been a fine choice. The reason we ultimately settled on MGM is because my family is very fond of tom and jerry."
"So, this was a choice based on sentimentality rather than production capability?"
Hassenfeld chuckled, "Isn't sentimentality a bonus? Otherwise, why would all of you be here today? transformers itself is a symbol of sentimentality. Of course, Paramount is also a very capable company, as I've already said!"
"But tom and jerry now belongs to Warner Bros., and many of MGM's classic works now belong to Warner Bros. Why not approach Warner Bros. then?"
What a stupid question from a stupid reporter, clearly trying to stir up trouble. Not only was Alan Hassenfeld's face dark, but everyone from MGM also looked displeased.
Kirk Kerkorian sold MGM many times back then, though he always bought it back after each sale.
However, after some transactions, Warner Bros. chose to keep a portion of the classic films and TV shows, adding them to its own library, and only sold the inferior ones back to Kirk Kerkorian.
This included classics like tom and jerry, Waterloo Bridge, and gone with the wind.
This incident was MGM's eternal pain. To reclaim these classic works, perhaps the only way was to acquire Warner Bros., but for the current MGM, that was tantamount to a pipe dream.
Alan Hassenfeld didn't even want to bother with this reporter: "Excuse me, you've asked enough questions. One question per person. Next!"
A reporter from the Long Island Herald raised his hand and asked, "transformers is the childhood of children worldwide, and countless people are awaiting its live-action adaptation. Does MGM have confidence in making it well?"
Eric secretly nodded. Now these were normal questions. Was that previous guy perhaps bribed by Paramount to cause trouble?
Eric turned on his microphone: "That's a redundant question. We absolutely have confidence in making transformers well. We will find the best director and screenwriter, and cast the most suitable actors. It will be a big production!"
"Can you tell us about MGM's investment and projected box office?"
Given that the other party was being reasonable, Eric didn't mind answering one more question.
"MGM plans to invest no less than 500 million US dollars, and I'm talking about production costs. Presenting the Autobots on the big screen will require a lot of special effects, and we are well-prepared."
"As for the box office, I project around 700 million US dollars, but this is just my expectation. Everything will only be known after the movie is released."
As soon as these words were uttered, the scene immediately erupted. Everyone involved in entertainment was well aware of film box office figures.
It's important to remember that it's only 2002, not the era of box office explosions. What does 700 million US dollars signify? It's definitely a standard that only top-tier blockbusters can achieve.
Even in Hollywood, films grossing over 700 million US dollars worldwide only number one or two per year.
The 1998 box office champion was Armageddon, with a global box office of 530 million US dollars.
The 1999 box office champion was Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, with a global box office of 270 million US dollars.
But the runner-up, The Sixth Sense, had a global box office of 720 million US dollars, not reaching 700 million.
The 2000 box office champion was Mission: Impossible 2, with a global box office of 460 million US dollars.
The 2001 box office champion was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, with a global box office of 740 million US dollars.
The runner-up was the lord of the rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, with a global box office of 980 million US dollars.
The third place was Monsters, Inc., with a global box office of under 600 million US dollars.
And as of 2002, only spider-man's box office has surpassed 700 million, reaching 350 million US dollars. Even the usually strong Star Wars couldn't do it.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones only had a global box office of 530 million US dollars, far less than the first installment, and far from George Lucas and 20th Century Fox's expectations.
In five years, Hollywood had only produced four films with box office exceeding 700 million. The formidable nature of this number is self-evident; it aims for the annual champion title.
Eric's bold statement not only caused Hasbro to frown, but even Xia Li Cooper's heart skipped a beat.
That was too big a claim. Even if Cameron were here, he wouldn't dare casually boast about a 700 million box office.
Meanwhile, reporters instantly aimed all their cameras at Eric, and some were already asking questions, disregarding order.
Eric, however, smiled and remained silent. One answer was enough; saying more would be a waste of breath. This statement would surely be in the newspapers tomorrow. As for whether people would scold or praise him, the market would provide feedback.
After the reporters pressed for a while and saw no effect, the scene gradually returned to calm.
The press conference continued. More than half an hour passed, and more and more questions were thrown out, until the host announced that time was almost up and there was only one question left.
Eric pointed to a young Asian man standing in the back row. He had been raising his hand for a long time, but he was too short to get attention.
"Hello, Mr. Eric, I'm a reporter from American Entertainment Online. I'd like to ask about the casting, what are MGM's plans? Do you already have potential candidates, or are you planning open auditions?"
Eric took a sip of water and said, "Both. The female lead and male second lead have already been decided. MGM has found the most suitable people."
"But other roles haven't been decided yet. We welcome all actors to audition, but for the male lead, I have one requirement: the age should preferably not exceed 24, or at least still retain a youthful appearance."
The reporters' eyes lit up as they quickly jotted down notes—this was big news. The young Asian man eagerly followed up, "Mr. Eric, can you reveal the female lead's identity? I think many transformers fans would want to know who she is."
"That question is not convenient to disclose for now. I can only say that she is the one MGM has been searching for for a long time, and she will definitely not disappoint everyone's expectations."
After saying that, Eric muted his microphone, and the press conference concluded. Everyone began to leave, but reporters continued to loudly inquire.
"Mr. Eric, is it Natalie Portman?"
"Keira Knightley, it's her, right?"
"Kirsten Dunst, it must be her, right?"
"Charlize Theron? Is it Charlize Theron?"
"Angelina Jolie?"