Box Office Flops, Merchandise Rocks

In the blink of an eye, July 22nd arrived.

Hard Candy had already completed its opening weekend in theaters. Although Zucker and the others had put in effort and invested heavily in promotion, they were like a clever cook with no rice – with only 300 screens, there was no way to achieve high box office numbers.

Topping this week's box office chart was A Time to Kill, produced and distributed by Time Warner. It opened the same weekend as Hard Candy and grossed $28.5 million in its opening weekend.

Even though Independence Day had been in theaters for nearly 20 days, as the North American box office champion of the year, it still possessed considerable box office potential. This weekend, it once again took in $27.35 million, ranking second.

Courage Under Fire, produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox, raked in $25 million this weekend, ranking third.

The Spitfire Grill, The Nutty Professor, Eraser, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and other films ranked fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively, with each grossing over $15 million this weekend. Other films, such as The Frighteners, White Squall, and Sunset Park, also achieved respectable box office numbers this weekend.

"Holy crap!"

"These movies are all in the top 40 North American box office hits this year. What am I supposed to do against them!"

Zucker stared at the box office data, gritting his teeth.

$1.327 million!

That's right, this was the box office performance of Hard Candy in its opening weekend!

"Boss, with so many blockbusters out now, it's understandable that our Hard Candy doesn't have an advantage," Victor said.

Zucker nodded and smiled, "It's fine, I'm just saying. At least we're close to breaking even."

Director Zack Snyder also breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as the film doesn't lose money, I can account for myself."

"Hahaha!"

Hearing this, Zucker patted Zack's shoulder and laughed, "Zack, congratulations, your first film is a success. Well, aside from the box office, I can still make a profit from the DVD and videotape rights."

The box office for Hard Candy was indeed not high, but when you think about it, it wasn't that little either.

Buddy, this is the blockbuster-filled summer season!

Even though many blockbusters had been in theaters for more than a week, or even two, their appeal to audiences was still far greater than niche films like Hard Candy. Grossing over a million dollars was already quite remarkable.

There was no other way, Hard Candy had a low budget!

Including production costs, promotion, and film prints, the total didn't exceed $1.6 million. The projected box office for this film was around $5 million. The box office split alone was enough to recoup the costs, and any subsequent licensing and copyright sales would be pure profit.

Even if the profit wasn't much, it was still profit.

Of the three films that began preparation concurrently, Hard Candy had now been released, leaving only Wrong Turn and Juno.

Wrong Turn was a gory horror film, so it was naturally scheduled for a Halloween release.

Juno was a youth comedy, a family-friendly film. The movie hadn't finished filming yet and was expected to be released during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

"Boss, I have another piece of good news to tell you," Victor suddenly said.

"Oh? What is it? Hurry up and tell me," Zucker urged.

Zack Snyder, standing nearby, also showed a look of interest.

Victor continued, "Boss, didn't we acquire the online merchandise licensing rights for Independence Day a while ago? The good news I have is about that."

Upon hearing this, Zucker immediately said, "Of course, I remember. Those vampires at 20th Century Fox charged me $1 million. Heh, I bet they're regretting it now."

"That's right!" Victor laughed. "They must be regretting it. In less than 20 days, our cumulative sales of Independence Day merchandise on the Amazon Store have exceeded $5.5 million."

Slap slap~!

Zucker couldn't help but slap his thigh and exclaim, "Those bastards at Fox must be stunned. They thought they could take advantage of me, but it's not that easy."

Zack, standing beside them, couldn't help but ask, "So, does that mean we'll make a lot of money?"

Victor nodded and smiled, "It's not about making a lot of money, it's about making big money. By the end of this month, the online merchandise for Independence Day is expected to bring the company at least $2 million in profit."

As his words fell, even Zack, who didn't understand much, knew that Wald Pictures was about to strike it rich!

A profit of $2 million in the first month alone. In the coming period, although the popularity of Independence Day would gradually decline, with a two-year licensing period, Wald Pictures would definitely earn a considerable amount of dollars.

Zucker was going to get rich!

The ancients said, "Good fortune never comes singly, nor does misfortune." Zucker felt that this saying held true.

Because the global copyright for Got Talent had finally been successfully registered!

This meant that Zucker had struck gold again.

"Victor, immediately arrange for someone to go to England, to the BBC, and discuss the copyright for Got Talent with them," Zucker said at once.

"Understood, boss."

Victor acknowledged and then left the office to arrange for someone to go to England.

Zack curiously asked, "Mr. Wald, what does the copyright for Got Talent mean? Is it a new movie?"

Zucker shook his head and smiled, "Zack, how many times have I told you, just call me Zucker. As for Got Talent, it's not a movie, but a variety show I planned, which I intend to sell to the BBC."

"Oh..."

Zack indicated that he understood, but he was tactful enough not to ask further questions.

Damn it!

He didn't ask further, but it made Zucker spit out a mouthful of old blood.

Big Brother, why didn't you ask if I still had any performances left!

Doing this, how am I supposed to show off anymore!

It was clear that Zack Snyder couldn't imagine how much profit "Got Talent" would bring to Zucker.

Hundreds of millions of dollars!

Meanwhile.

In an office at 20th Century Fox, two people were gritting their teeth and cursing Zucker for being dishonest.

"The online merchandise for 'Independence Day' actually sold nearly $6 million in revenue in 20 days?!"

"Based on the profit margin, Wald Pictures could earn at least $2 million this month!"

"Damn it! We lost big time!"

"Yeah, we shouldn't have only charged $1 million in licensing fees back then. We should have multiplied it several times, no, or we shouldn't have sold the license at all. We are 20th Century Fox! If we had operated it ourselves, the online merchandise sales for 'Independence Day' would have definitely far exceeded $6 million!"

They regretted it!

But it was too late to realize their mistake!

The hefty $30 million penalty for breach of contract made them utterly unable to break it. Watching their own big prize being snatched away by Zucker, the feeling was indescribably frustrating.

They hated Zucker to death in their hearts!

If Zucker were here, he would definitely tell them, "Stop making a fuss, guys. This is only because it's 'Independence Day,' the box office champion in North America this year. If you try this with other films, see if they can sell well online?"

Dream on!

It would be impossible with other films.

Of course, they wouldn't think that way at this moment. They thought Zucker had taken advantage of them!

Time slowly passed.

In the blink of an eye, a week went by.

The employees who went to Britain to negotiate the copyright for "Got Talent" returned to Los Angeles, bringing back news that was neither good nor bad.

"You're saying people from the BBC are interested in our 'Got Talent,' but they're unwilling to pay much?" Zucker said, looking at Martha in front of him.

Sister Martha nodded, "Yes, their attitude is very firm. They absolutely won't agree to revenue sharing, and even if they buy the copyright, it won't exceed 3 million pounds."

3 million pounds?!

Are they trying to send away beggars!

"If I remember correctly, the British sold the copyright for 'Got Talent' to America's NBC television station for a whopping $70 million," Zucker couldn't help but curse the BBC for being shameless.

How to break this deadlock?

Zucker immediately fell into deep thought.

<>First update delivered.