High-Speed Pursuit Series Plan
After hanging up the phone, Ron Mayer forcefully stubbed out his burnt-out cigar in the ashtray, as if to put a perfect end to the conversation.
The flush of excitement had not yet faded from his face.
"The Killer World— " he murmured, chewing on the word, his eyes growing brighter.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately grabbed another phone and dialed his secretary.
"Schedule me a meeting with the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, as well as Remington, Colt, and Glock— "
"Tell the CEOs of all the firearms companies we've worked with," Ron said firmly, "About the current profitability of this project and our future plans."
Three days later, in the luxurious conference room on the top floor of Universal Pictures.
On one side is Ron Mayer and his team of Universal executives.
On the other side were executives from major firearms companies.
"Gentlemen, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come." Ron Mayer personally poured a cup of coffee for the head gentleman, an elderly man with gray hair and a serious expression.
This is Wayne LaPierre, the mouthpiece of the NRA, the National Rifle Association.
"Ron, tell me about your results." Wayne took a sip of coffee.
"Mr. Wayne, and everyone else, please take a look." Ron smiled and sat back down in his seat, gesturing for his assistant to turn on the projector.
On the huge screen, the first thing that appeared was a series of glaring numbers.
"Opening weekend box office: US dollar 32 million."
"The arcade machine of the same name, with an initial batch of 25,000 units, sold out within three days, and additional orders exceeded 8,000 units."
"Mr. Tom Kalinske's exact words were, 'The coins the arcade machines ate last weekend alone are enough for us to fund a sequel.'"
A slight commotion arose in the conference room. The CEOs of the firearms companies exchanged glances. They had obviously heard about these figures as well, but hearing them from Ron carried a completely different weight.
Then, the scene changes.
Sales reports from gun stores across the United States were clearly displayed.
"Next, here is the data provided by your subordinates, which you should all have already reviewed."
"Remington, your tactical accessory sales increased by 300% last week."
"Glock, your custom modification business is getting a lot of calls."
"Colt, your classic M1911 is seeing more inquiries from young people than in the previous five years combined."
Ron's voice echoed in the quiet conference room, each word like a bullet, precisely hitting the spot of excitement for everyone present.
"Gentlemen, this is no longer just a movie or a game." Ron stood up, his hands resting on the conference table, leaning slightly forward. "This is a cultural phenomenon, a new trend sweeping across America. Young people are no longer satisfied with just going to the shooting range and hitting a few stationary targets; they want gunfighting," they want to be John Wick.
The CEO of Remington, a robust middle-aged man, couldn't help but speak up, "So, you didn't just call us here today to show off your achievements, did you?"
"Of course not," Ron laughed. "I called you all here to discuss the future development of this project."
He then elaborated on his concept of a "Killer World" in a more commercially persuasive manner.
From the "High Table" to the "Continental Hotel," from assassins specializing in various weapons to diverse combat aesthetics.
The conference room was completely silent.
Everyone was stunned by this grand, almost insane, blueprint.
They've seen sequels before, but turning a killer story into an infinitely expandable "world" is a completely different approach.
"You mean—" Wayne Lapierre was the first to react, astutely grasping the political value, "Through this series, we can continuously project to the public a more professional—"
A more disciplined gun culture?
"That's right." Ron snapped his fingers. "No longer the abuse of street thugs, but the professional tools of top assassins. Every gun has its story; every tactic has its aesthetics."
"I understand." Glock's CEO suddenly laughed. "If the second movie features a female assassin skilled in dual-wielding pistols, and she happens to be using our new G19 that we're preparing to release next year, then—"
"Then your fee for getting credit will have to be calculated based on the lead actor's salary," Ron added half-jokingly.
A knowing laugh erupted in the conference room.
They understood completely.
This is no longer a simple insertion of GG; it's a deep integration, a joint creation of popularity.
"On behalf of the NRA, I support this plan in principle," Wayne LaPierre stated. "A positive and constructive symbol of gun culture is of paramount importance to us."
"We are willing to participate in the investment of the sequel." Remington's CEO said without hesitation.
"Our R&D department can design a prop gun specifically for the movie, as long as you can make it look cool enough," the Colt representative followed up.
For a moment, promises of co-investment, sponsorship, and technical support resounded throughout the conference room.
A massive alliance comprised of Hollywood giants, gaming tycoons, and firearms industry conglomerates quietly took shape at this moment.
Ron Mayer looked at his partners, who were itching to pull out their checkbooks, and could no longer hide the smile on his face.
He knew that from this day forward, the John Wick series would no longer have any financial worries.
Tokyo, Sega Headquarters.
In the Operations Managing Director's Office, Nakayama Takuya leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.
The table was covered with photocopies of newspapers and market reports faxed from North America.
The Los Angeles Times ' headline was simple and direct. "John Wick: A Killing Weekend That Started with US dollar 32 Million!"
Below are a few lines of smaller print that describe in detail the long lines forming in front of arcade machines at the movie theater and the surge in customers at the gun shop.
It's done.
Even with all his confidence in the memories he brought back from the future, when this concept, which was nearly twenty years ahead of its time, truly ignited the market, the sense of accomplishment in turning his idea into reality still gave Nakayama Takuya a sense of peace.
His biggest concern is that audiences in this era, still immersed in muscle men and heavy firepower, will not be able to accept "gunfighting," a style that emphasizes efficiency and skill.
In hindsight, he had worried unnecessarily.
Or rather, he underestimated the terrifying destructive power of the word "handsome" in any era.
With the Hollywood buzz temporarily subsided, Nakayama Takuya's attention returned to Japan.