Chapter 367: The Door That Wouldn't Open

"Which of Hasbro's toys does Sony Entertainment want the film adaptation rights for?"

Compared to books or video games, film adaptation rights for toys were almost non-existent. Even the few that did exist, like Mattel's Barbie dolls, weren't truly meant to be movies—they were just extended commercials to sell more toys.

Duke knew there was one toy franchise out there that would eventually conquer the global box office.

He certainly remembered the franchise. But since toy movies weren't very popular at the moment, and his attention was tied up with The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter Series, he hadn't been in any rush. He just never expected someone else to beat him to the punch.

The problem was, the studio making the move wasn't DreamWorks or Paramount Pictures.

However, Tina Fey's next words set his mind at ease.

"It's the G.I. Joe franchise," Tina Fey said after a moment's thought. "Word is that Sony Entertainment has already reached a preliminary agreement with Hasbro."

Duke nodded. Thinking it over, he wasn't entirely surprised.

Much like Hollywood's strict greenlighting process, the major studios weren't stupid. They were constantly trying to expand their territory while cementing their current dominance. It wasn't surprising that Sony Entertainment had set its sights on G.I. Joe.

First, it was an authentically American toy, not a foreign import like Godzilla.

Second, G.I. Joe had once been Hasbro's best-selling line, holding massive influence across North America.

Finally, adapting Hasbro's other trump card, Transformers, was simply too difficult. With current cinematic technology, shooting a live-action version would require writing an astronomical check, whereas a G.I. Joe movie could be produced relatively cheaply.

Curling his fingers, Duke tapped lightly on the table in front of his seat. He mused for a full five minutes before finally speaking.

"Tina, have Nancy reach out to Hasbro," he said.

"Are we joining the bidding war for the G.I. Joe rights?" Tina Fey asked, clearly misunderstanding.

Duke shook his head. "We don't want G.I. Joe. Tell Nancy to negotiate with Hasbro for the film adaptation rights to Transformers!"

Though still a bit puzzled, Tina Fey pulled out her work log and quickly jotted it down. Then she asked, "You want to make a live-action movie?"

"Not right now." Duke picked up his coffee cup and paused before taking a sip. "This is a future project."

It wasn't impossible to film with current technology, but the price would be exorbitant. Even a few years from now, the CGI budget required to animate the robots would remain an astronomical figure.

Then there was the director. The man notorious for ruining childhoods seemed to be in a rather triumphant phase of his career right now. It was best to wait a few more years.

Of course, in Duke's mind, even modified, the film had to center on the story between humans and the Transformers. Without human involvement, the audience's immersion would be a major problem.

Besides, if the majority of the footage featured only Transformers, how many hundreds of millions would the production cost stack up to?

This wasn't a film where Optimus Prime and Megatron could just appear whenever they wanted. Every single visual effects shot would burn through massive piles of cash.

Take Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Its visual effects relied heavily on practical sets and props, with many scenes of the Hogwarts School of Magic shot using miniatures. It all served one purpose—saving costs!

After getting off the plane, Duke bypassed his room at the Hilton Hotel and headed straight from Heathrow Airport to the studio lot in Northampton. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone had just started pre-production, and the various sets on the lot were nothing more than bare frameworks.

If the Harry Potter Series was going to become a true cash-generating industry chain, the film project was the absolute cornerstone. And to ensure the movie grabbed the public's attention and popularity, its quality had to be guaranteed.

The script was co-written by Joanne Rowling and professional screenwriters. This ensured it stayed as faithful to the main plotline as possible while adding appeal and promotional buzz to the film.

"Rowling is over on the other side, helping design the house crests and school uniforms."

Inside the production office, Duke met with Robin Grande. The two didn't waste time on pleasantries; Grande dove straight into the crew's current progress. "The open casting calls have already begun. Registration and auditions are running simultaneously," Grande said. "We've been flooded with applicants, especially for the child actors. Even after cutting ninety percent in the first round, we still have hundreds of finalists."

As he spoke, he handed over a list. Duke took it and skimmed through the pages. The child actors didn't actually matter much. Even though he didn't spot Emma Watson's name while flipping through, he didn't voice any opinions. Either way, this was a classic case of the roles making the actors.

"There are also some actors recommended by agents or our British industry contacts who aren't on this list," Robin Grande added. "Compared to these kids with insufficient acting experience, Chris and I are leaning more toward using the recommended candidates."

Duke handed the list back to him. "You guys make the call."

Robin Grande then walked Duke through the rest of their preparations, placing special emphasis on the most critical issue of pre-production: the funding.

"The initial thirty million dollars in startup capital is running low," he said, sounding a bit anxious. "Duke, I've communicated with the Harry Potter Studio. The second round of funding from both Duke Studio and Warner Brothers hasn't arrived yet. If we don't have the funds..."

He stopped there.

Having prepped multiple films, Duke naturally understood the importance of funding. "Don't worry, Robin. The funds will be in place soon."

He turned to Tina Fey. "Remind me to communicate with Jeff Robinov."

After chatting about a few more pre-production hurdles, Duke took a quick walk around the lot, led by Robin Grande. The sets were only in their infancy, offering little to actually see, but the crew was bustling in and out. It was clear the entire pre-production was moving forward at a tense but orderly pace.

As they passed the studio gates, Duke noticed even more reporters and paparazzi being kept at bay outside than when he had entered.

This was classic British literature. To attract such massive attention and heavy investment for adaptation from Hollywood definitely meant a great deal of interest and hype for the British, who had always maintained an inner sense of superiority.

Of course, the growing crowd of reporters was definitely also due to Duke. He had been tailed by paparazzi ever since he left Heathrow Airport.

In the most gossip-obsessed country in the world, home to the craziest paparazzi, evading the media's line of sight was hellish in difficulty. It wasn't just the paparazzi blanketing every transit hub and major venue, but also the enthusiastic cooperation of the public. A significant number of Londoners were exceptionally proactive; upon spotting a celebrity, their first thought wasn't to ask for an autograph or stare, but to call the tabloids for a quick payout before charging forward like crazed fans.

"Ever since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was officially greenlit," Robin Grande said, looking toward the studio gates. "This place has become Fleet Street's main battlefield. It's even busier than 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace."

He sighed. "Compared to their British peers, American entertainment reporters are truly civilized."

"That's fine too." Duke also turned to look in that direction. "As long as we toss them some inside information every now and then, the film can maintain a certain level of heat."

Robin Grande strongly agreed. "That's the only benefit I can think of."

As they spoke, the two walked through the bustling lot and into the costume design studio. Joanne Rowling was there. As the original author, being able to turn the fantasy world in her head into real images through film—coupled with the crew ultimately choosing to shoot in her home country—left the single mother thoroughly thrilled.

During their earlier conversation, Robin Grande had also heavily mentioned Joanne Rowling. She was involved in almost every aspect of the film's prep work, paying special attention to the designs for the costumes, wands, and various crests.

"Hi, Duke."

Nowadays, Rowling was already a star author, and her social skills had gradually become honed. "It's a pleasure to see you. I've been hoping you would come by and offer some feedback."

"It's great to see you too, Jo."

Shaking her outstretched hand, Duke swept his gaze over the various costumes and crests hanging in the design studio. "You guys are doing an outstanding job. I have every reason to believe this will be a great film."

"Thank you." Rowling smiled.

Currently, only the first three books had been published, and the Harry Potter Studio only held the rights to those three. While their contract gave the studio the right of first refusal for the sequels, once the film truly became a smash hit and merchandise sales took off, Joanne Rowling would easily take back the initiative.

This was completely unavoidable. To think they could sign the rights for the sequels under the previous terms with Rowling—how could there be even a sliver of a chance?

Even if Joanne Rowling was foolish enough to agree, her agent never would!

Business had always been complicated and full of mutual deceit. Even though Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was only just beginning its prep work, Duke was already taking precautions and considering the future.

After all, once this franchise succeeded, the revenue it could generate would be truly staggering.

He vaguely remembered that after Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone became a massive hit, Warner Brothers had sold some character image licensing rights alone at a comic convention for the astronomical price of 1.2 billion dollars!

The Harry Potter phenomenon later became not only a major research topic in the film industry, but also a subject of analysis in the economic sector. More than one financial media outlet predicted that by the twentieth anniversary of the Harry Potter movies, the industry chain tied to Harry Potter would generate a hundred billion dollars in output value.

Faced with an industry chain of that scale, let alone Duke, anyone else in the world would be incredibly tempted.

It was no exaggeration to say that Rowling would be a cash machine for him and Warner Brothers in the future.

After chatting with Rowling here for a bit, Duke went to the adjacent set construction shop and met with Chris Columbus. This director, full of childlike wonder, truly was Hollywood's expert on family-friendly cinema.

Before leaving, however, Duke still reminded Robin Grande, "If Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is successful, you'll need to scout for another suitable director. Chris won't stay in London long-term, nor does he fit our requirements for the sequels."