The weekend before Christmas belonged entirely to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This is one of the two most suitable periods of the year for family-friendly films to premiere. Combined with a lack of strong competitors, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone swept away the lukewarm box office trend that had lingered since the events of 9/11, sparking an overwhelming wave of movie-going enthusiasm.
"This is a lively adventure film. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and humor, yet it feels exceptionally fresh and brings a breath of fresh air to the audience."
"The magical world created in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone makes one marvel at J.K. Rowling's imagination. The film offers a full experience of Harry's wonders in the magical world."
The media was filled with positive reviews. Even the harshest critics acknowledged that the most important aspect of a family-friendly film is its entertainment value.
There is no denying that Chris Columbus's style leans heavily toward children, making Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone somewhat juvenile. However, this has its advantages—family-friendly films must primarily attract the younger audience.
Even with G-rated or PG-rated films, few parents would allow young children to watch movies alone. As long as a film can capture children's interest, it often means at least two, three, or even more tickets sold per family.
Just like Chris Columbus's early 1990s film Home Alone, an outstanding family film's potential is astonishing. Coupled with Warner Bros.' promotional efforts over the years, the Harry Potter series had already amassed a huge fan base and supporter group.
On its North American premiere day, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone grossed $33.55 million in over 3,600 theaters, breaking the $32.24 million single-day record set by The Fellowship of the Ring earlier in the summer.
The following Saturday, the young wizard continued his magical sweep of the box office, earning $34.58 million—breaking the record set just the previous day.
Although Sunday's enthusiasm cooled slightly, with a daily gross of $25.66 million, it still managed to break another record held by The Fellowship of the Ring, setting a new North American weekend box office record of $93.79 million!
Simultaneously, in the UK, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone also saw explosive success, grossing $26.09 million in its first three days!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone set a near-perfect start for the entire series!
"Duke, collaborating with you…"
In a Warner Bros. conference room, Doug Walter looked at Duke with glowing admiration. "It's undoubtedly the best decision Warner Bros. has made since the 1990s!"
With Jeff Robinov set to transfer to a group position next year, Doug Walter, who oversaw the highly successful The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was almost guaranteed to become Warner Bros.' next CEO.
In hindsight, he had fully learned from Jeff Robinov's path to securing the CEO role—firmly and resolutely supporting Duke Rosenberg's projects!
Now, he was about to reap the rewards.
Rumors within Warner Bros. suggested that becoming the company's CEO wasn't difficult—just build a good relationship with Duke Rosenberg and fully support any project he was involved in.
As a beneficiary of this dynamic, Doug Walter believed there was some truth to these rumors.
He wouldn't dismiss his own hard work and network as contributing factors, but Duke's support was undoubtedly his greatest asset in the competition.
Although Duke rarely spoke during board meetings, who could ignore the weight of his words?
"Doug, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has indeed surpassed our expectations," Duke said, glancing at Doug Walter, who seemed lost in thought. To remind him, he added, "But this success also brings potential risks. We can't delay negotiations with Rowling any longer."
Doug Walter snapped out of his thoughts and nodded solemnly at Duke. "I understand."
"Disney and Fox have both approached J.K. Rowling's agent," Duke added. "Especially Walt Disney—they've reportedly offered a series of terms more generous than ours."
Duke had also heard similar rumors. "We need to finalize the contract with Rowling as soon as possible. No matter how many books remain in the Harry Potter series, they must belong to us!"
The first weekend's $93 million box office was noteworthy, but Duke was even more concerned about the merchandise. Over the same three days, Harry Potter-related products had generated over $100 million in North American sales alone!
For this franchise, box office earnings paled in comparison to merchandising profits.
A knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and the secretary ushered J.K. Rowling and her agent into the room.
"Hi, Duke. Hi, Doug."
Radiant and brimming with energy, Rowling seemed several years younger.
"Hi, Jo…"
Duke, his usual self, greeted her and nodded at her agent.
The purpose of this meeting was clear. Duke wasted no time with small talk. Once Rowling and her agent were seated, he went straight to the point. "Jo, when do you plan to start writing the fourth book in the series?"
"I've already outlined the plot." Rowling tapped her temple. "Once Chamber of Secrets is complete, I'll officially start writing."
"I've been waiting so long for the fourth book." Duke sighed, then pivoted back to business. "You mentioned the series would consist of seven books. It's time we discussed the remaining four."
"That's what I'm here for." Rowling's intentions were straightforward. "Our collaboration has been great so far, and I'd like to continue if possible."
She then turned to her agent. "You can discuss the specifics with DeJot."
Duke exchanged a glance with Doug Walter, both aware this negotiation would be tough.
Nevertheless, Duke believed Rowling's primary partner would remain Duke Productions and Warner Bros. A complete fallout would necessitate major changes in subsequent films, not to mention potential legal disputes over copyrights with Warner Bros.
However, Rowling undoubtedly held the upper hand in these negotiations.
Before the production and release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Duke Productions had tried to negotiate for the entire series' rights but was consistently rebuffed.
It was evident Rowling and her team were waiting for the film's release to gauge market reaction before adjusting their demands.
Once an ordinary housewife, Rowling now had years of experience under her belt, along with agents and PR managers. She wouldn't be easily outmaneuvered.
Harry Potter's massive success was evident, and no one in her position would fail to maximize their benefits.
Duke knew one thing for sure: Rowling would likely reclaim the 1% revenue share she had given up to keep production in the UK, starting with the second film.
In the past, Rowling was the only writer to make it onto Forbes' list of the world's wealthiest solely through writing.
This negotiation would inevitably be a long, contentious battle over interests and profits.
After Rowling and her agent left, Duke stayed behind to discuss strategies with Doug Walter.
"Beyond Rowling's team's own demands," Duke observed, "other companies' interest will only raise their expectations, putting us at a disadvantage."
Doug Walter considered this. "Fox is manageable; their focus is on the X-Men series and the company's UK scandals. Our main pressure comes from Walt Disney."
"So, Doug…" Duke was blunt. "Reach out to Steve Jobs. At the very least, we need to keep Disney's management occupied."
"Pixar Studios, huh?" Doug Walter's desire was evident. "Animation has always been Warner Bros.' weak point. If we could acquire Pixar…"
"If we can persuade Steve Jobs to let go of Pixar…" Duke stood to leave but added before departing, "Doug, you'll have my full support."
Leaving Warner Bros., Duke instructed his driver to head to Los Angeles International Airport to catch a flight to New York for Christmas. Though the city had yet to recover from its trauma, his mother and girlfriend were there.
Close to the airport, his phone rang—it was Ivanka Trump.
"Still not on the plane?"
Hearing her familiar voice, Duke smiled. "About half an hour to go. Don't worry, darling; we'll see each other soon."
"Dad wants me to tell you he's planning a grand Christmas party and would like you to attend."
Switching the phone to his other hand, Duke thought for a moment. "No problem. I'll be there."
"I'll pick you up at the airport."
Ivanka Trump left him with that and hung up.
Since 9/11, airport security had become much stricter. Even private planes faced new restrictions. Previously, such measures would have been criticized for infringing on freedom. Now, no one objected. The North American continent was no longer the invulnerable land Americans once believed it to be.
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