After the Independence Day holiday, Matthew left North America and followed the crew to the Far East to continue promoting Inception. Due to the lack of a simultaneous global release, many overseas markets wouldn't begin screening the film until mid-July. For example, across the Pacific, due to some newly implemented regulations, Inception wouldn't be shown until August.
Whether in the past or now, the authorities across the Pacific never explicitly declared any protectionist policies, but anyone with a bit of insight knew that these protections were real.
Such market protection measures are quite common. Many countries and regions around the world have them, and it's not exclusive to that area.
As the market across the Pacific rapidly expanded and negotiations between the two sides for film imports began to reach preliminary agreements, no one involved in big commercial productions could ignore that enormous market of over 1.3 billion people.
"You guys are focusing on that market," Helen Herman said, glancing at the clouds outside the plane window, then at Matthew sitting across from her. "I'm focusing on that market too, so I'm planning to open a branch office over there."
Matthew knew Helen Herman had business in that region, so he wasn't surprised. He asked, "Do you need my help?"
Helen Herman slowly shook her head. "If I do, I'll let you know in advance."
"Do you have a plan to break into that market?" Matthew reminded her. "Any outsider trying to enter a new market will face some degree of resistance."
The entertainment industry on both sides of the Pacific operates completely differently. In Hollywood, talent agencies essentially act as service providers. Because of the Talent Agencies Act, even large agencies like CAA sometimes find themselves relatively powerless when dealing with top-tier actors. After all, no agency can sign long-term contracts with actors, and it's common for actors to switch agents or agencies.
In fact, stars like Tom Cruise, Martin Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio have already moved away from using agents and instead rely on managers, who they trust more and offer more flexibility.
On the other hand, across the Pacific, stars are often at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with talent agencies. Some sign almost indentured-servant-style contracts before they become famous, leading to endless trouble once they do.
The Hollywood system is very difficult to implement over there.
Helen Herman said calmly, "Don't forget, I represent Nini's interests in Hollywood." She remained very clear-headed. "I won't let Angel Agency become a disruptor; I'll integrate into that market instead. Representing Nini has made one thing very clear to me: Hollywood's allure is enormous."
Matthew understood what she meant.
As expected, Helen Herman added, "I remember you once mentioned the term 'exporting talent for domestic success.' That makes a lot of sense. As long as I can place actors from there into Hollywood productions, my branch office won't lack for clients."
"You learn quickly," Matthew remarked with some admiration.
Some truths exist whether you admit them or not. There are many people across the Pacific who want to break into Hollywood. Even if they don't stay there, they aim to return as talents who have 'exported and re-imported' their fame.
In reality, many of those who achieve this enjoy great success.
The crew's private business jet suddenly encountered turbulence, and the flight attendant's voice reminded them to fasten their seatbelts. Matthew and Helen Herman quickly complied, and after the plane stabilized, they resumed their conversation.
"I have some good news for you," Helen Herman changed the subject. "Brad Pitt's house in Los Angeles has been repossessed by the bank."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "That is good news."
Helen Herman continued, "His bank accounts have all been frozen by the lenders, and it's said he can't even pay his hotel bills."
"What about Plan B Entertainment?" Matthew asked.
"The banks and several loan institutions are in the process of legal proceedings," Helen Herman explained calmly. "It's expected to be resolved within two or three months. Unless Brad Pitt can repay the loan collateralized by shares during this period, Plan B Entertainment will have a new owner."
Matthew asked curiously, "Do you think he can repay it?"
Helen Herman said something that was common knowledge in the industry. "In Hollywood, when someone falls into the water, hardly anyone throws them a lifeline. Instead, they throw stones."
Matthew nodded lightly. This phenomenon wasn't exclusive to Hollywood; it was a universal truth. People love to add to the success of others but rarely help those in need.
"Poor Pitt," Matthew sighed.
Helen Herman glanced at him but said nothing more. She knew all too well how thick-skinned Matthew could be.
"Apparently, Brad Pitt even went to Angelina Jolie for help again," Helen Herman added, "but she refused."
"Looks like they've really cut ties for good," Matthew said knowingly.
Helen Herman leaned back in her seat. "It's Jennifer Aniston who's been helping him. Rumor has it she gave Pitt a few thousand dollars for living expenses and temporarily lent him an apartment in North Hollywood."
Matthew sighed, "I wonder if Pitt regrets it."
"Regret?" Helen Herman shook her head immediately. "According to Aniston's agent, Pitt asked Jennifer to help him pay off his debt, at least to save Plan B Entertainment."
"I thought Jennifer Aniston remarried?" Matthew rubbed his fingers thoughtfully. "She wouldn't be foolish enough to help him with that, would she?"
Helen Herman remained indifferent. "That would take close to a hundred million dollars. Who has that much cash lying around?"
Even for Matthew, coming up with such a large sum of money at once would be difficult. Assets and cash flow are two very different things.
"Jennifer Aniston refused," Helen Herman clearly had done her research. "Aside from providing temporary housing and a small amount for basic living expenses, she doesn't want to be entangled with Brad Pitt anymore."
Matthew knew full well that Pitt's troubles were just beginning. Right now, he was only dealing with the loans from Cloud Atlas. Once John Carter finished its run, the creditors and financial institutions linked to that film would surely come knocking as well.
In Matthew's mind, he had already mentally marked off Brad Pitt's name with a big red "X."
After chatting a bit about Brad Pitt, Matthew and Helen Herman quickly shifted the conversation to the box office performance of Inception. Its North American opening weekend grossed $88.9 million, a figure that left everyone pleased.
While it didn't break $100 million in its opening weekend, that figure was exceptional for an original film. In fact, $88.9 million was higher than the opening weekend of the mega-blockbuster Avatar.
Of course, neither Matthew, Helen Herman, the production team, nor Warner Bros. expected Inception to surpass Avatar's astronomical box office performance.
The goals for Inception were more grounded—securing the top spot for the summer box office in North America.
This wasn't an easy task. Films released earlier, like Toy Story 3 and Iron Man 2, had both grossed over $300 million in North America.
But with Matthew involved, no one doubted Inception could hit at least $300 million in North America.
Moreover, this summer had seen many big-budget flops.
Without major franchise sequels crowding the market, aside from Iron Man 2, there weren't as many comic book heroes flying across the screen. Ambitious films like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and John Carter had bombed at the box office, leaving the 2010 summer season feeling somewhat lackluster.
In this quiet summer, films like Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3, and Inception stood out. Especially Inception, which benefited from the superstar-director duo of Matthew and Christopher Nolan. From the day production began, it had garnered attention from movie fans. The steady stream of promotional trailers and viral marketing campaigns meant Warner Bros. spared no expense in promoting this original work. For a film that wasn't aimed at family audiences and didn't rely on flashy action scenes, this was a significant investment.
For Matthew personally, the success of this film would be a cherry on top, further cementing his status as one of Hollywood's top-tier stars.
But the person most affected was Christopher Nolan himself.
This was Nolan's first original A-list production. Its box office success would directly influence his future projects.
Nolan had further plans for original big-budget films, so Inception couldn't afford to fail. This was one of the main reasons he sought collaboration with a genuine superstar.
In the past, he had worked with Leonardo DiCaprio; now, he had chosen the even more commercially valuable Matthew.
From this perspective, Nolan was a director with a strong commercial sense.
Warner Bros. had set a minimum target for Inception: a North American box office of no less than $250 million, with a global gross of at least $500 million.
Anything less, and the film would risk losses, especially if merchandise sales underperformed.
Luckily, Inception had a strong start. The primary task now was to maintain momentum in the North American market and open up overseas markets.
In today's Hollywood, where blockbuster production costs often exceed $150 million and marketing expenses easily surpass $100 million, relying solely on the North American box office to break even was unrealistic.
Theoretically, a film with a combined production and marketing cost of $250 million would need a North American gross of at least $500 million to break even, but how many films reach that mark?
This is why the overseas market is becoming increasingly important to Hollywood.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]