"The biggest challenge in adapting 'Batman' is how to showcase Bruce Wayne's power. In the comic book setting, this superhero's intelligence and combat abilities reach the limits of human potential, and he is also backed by vast wealth and various high-tech equipment.
While these can be gradually revealed through the storyline in comics, animation, or TV series, it becomes difficult to highlight them in a film that typically lasts only about two hours. If not handled carefully, Batman could easily become very mediocre".
Inheriting the memories of more than a dozen people, Simon had extremely detailed information about various 'Batman' movies in his mind.
From Tim Burton's first 'Batman' film, Bruce Wayne was almost habitually overshadowed by the villains, and even in the later 'Justice League', Batman, who should have been the team leader, was completely relegated to a marginalized extra, failing to display any of the charm expected of this enduring superhero.
The character of Batman has existed for half a century since his birth in 1939, and there have been several live-action versions, but none have left a lasting impression on audiences.
This was also the main reason Warner Bros. was hesitant to greenlight a film adaptation.
Superman could fly and demonstrate various superpowers, but Batman was, after all, just a mortal.
No one knew what techniques or style to use to bring this superhero to the big screen.
Inside the restaurant.
Terry Semel listened to Simon's analysis and asked, "Simon, do you think you can solve these problems?"
Simon picked up the mineral water next to him, took a sip, put down the glass, and said, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be interested in a 'Batman' film adaptation".
Terry Semel showed a curious expression: "Tell me more".
Simon's underlying plan was to kickstart the DC superhero universe early, linking characters like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Compared to the higher special effects demands of Marvel superheroes, the current technological conditions made it not too difficult to realize the DC universe.
However, he certainly couldn't reveal all of this to Terry Semel, so Simon had prepared an alternative explanation.
"Over half a century of comic creation, Batman has been endowed with too many skills, and choices will definitely need to be made. Therefore, I plan to focus on showcasing Batman's personal combat prowess and his high-tech equipment, such as the Batmobile, Batwing, and so on.
Compared to Bruce Wayne's intelligence and strategy, these elements are most likely to impress audiences. If Warner Bros. is willing to entrust this project to Daenerys Entertainment, I will establish a dedicated special effects and technical team to address these issues".
Terry Semel shook his head, "Simon, your explanation is too vague".
Simon said, "Take the display of personal combat ability, Terry. In my opinion, Hollywood still doesn't have a truly commendable action film. I plan to draw some inspiration from wuxia films from across the ocean. Wuxia films, do you know them?"
Terry Semel nodded, "Roughly, I know a little".
Simon smiled and said, "If you're interested, I can recommend a few films to you. Eastern martial arts have a history spanning thousands of years. Their wuxia novels, similar to superhero comics, tell stories of people fighting for justice and eliminating evil. Moreover, compared to boxing and other combat techniques that largely lack aesthetic appeal, the impact of Eastern kung fu on the screen can be incredibly stunning".
Terry Semel suddenly said, "I remember, Bruce Lee".
"Exactly, that kind of kung fu, like Bruce Lee's".
Terry Semel, however, hesitated, "I still have some impression of Bruce Lee's films, Simon, do you think his kind of action techniques can be used for Batman?"
Simon said, "According to the comic book set up, Batman has mastered over a hundred fighting techniques, a large portion of which are Eastern martial arts. And, of course, I won't just copy Eastern wuxia films. I will tailor a set of action designs specifically for Bruce Wayne".
Terry Semel looked at Simon: "You?"
Simon picked up a piece of cutlery and skilfully twirled it in his hand, smiling at Terry Semel, "Terry, I know some fighting techniques. And, if necessary, I will also hire more professional action choreographers".
With so many classic action scenes in his mind.
Simon's vision for Batman's fighting style was crisp and fierce, and it would be effortless to create a custom action design for Bruce Wayne from the movies, TV shows, and video games in his memory, without even needing to specifically invite an action director.
In fact, Hollywood didn't even have professional action directors at this time; this profession only really took off in the late nineties as filmmakers from across the ocean entered Hollywood, and Hollywood action films only started to become watchable after that.
Currently, the action scenes in Hollywood movies were basically at the level of drunken street brawls.
Terry Semel, however, remembered Simon's incident from the end of the year before last, where he single-handedly broke the leg bones of five youths.
He immediately stopped doubting that this young man could design specialized action sequences for Batman.
Still, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of awe: what else couldn't this newcomer to Hollywood do?
"Simon, if I understand correctly, you just implied that you want to take on the entire production of 'Batman'?"
"Exactly. I will personally write the script and personally direct this film. Terry, you know, I always like to have complete control over my projects. So far, the films I've produced have all been very successful".
Terry Semel asked, "What about that film contract you owe Disney?"
"I plan to buy out my directorial contract with Disney recently. If Disney doesn't agree, then it will be after 'Batman'. The contract doesn't stipulate that I must fulfil my Disney contract before making other films".
Due to the success of 'Run Lola Run', the contract Disney signed with Simon was very lenient.
This was actually the treatment many A-list directors in Hollywood received.
For example, Steven Spielberg's four-picture deal with Universal after 'Jaws' was still unfulfilled, yet he frequently collaborated with Paramount and Warner Bros. over the years.
"Since you already have so many ideas, Simon, what about the budget?How much money do you plan to spend on this movie?"
Simon blurted out, "50 million dollars".
Terry Semel was visibly startled: "For one film?"
"Of course".
Simon nodded, understanding why Terry Semel would ask that.
Ten years ago, the production budget for 'Superman' was $55 million, setting a record for film production costs at the time.
But in reality, the $55 million investment for the first 'Superman' actually covered material for a trilogy, and even in the original timeline, 'Superman Returns' in 2006 was still using footage shot by Marlon Brando back then.
Hollywood film budgets were already showing an explosive trend, but films with budgets reaching $50 million were still few and far between.
In Simon's plan, he intended to spend the next six months or so refining all aspects of 'Batman's technical issues, and Daenerys Entertainment would also establish its own special effects studio, much like Lucas did when making 'Star Wars'. All of this would require a huge investment of capital.
On the other hand, Simon's quoted budget of $50 million was also meant to try and push Warner Bros. out of the project as much as possible.
In the original timeline, Tim Burton's 'Batman' had a production budget of only $35 million, and that was even with Warner Bros. bringing in British record giant PolyGram as a co-investor.
This also meant that after the first 'Batman' was successful, Warner Bros. had to continue to involve PolyGram as a profit-sharing investor in many subsequent sequels.
Furthermore, to save on budget, Warner Bros. even signed one of the most lopsided all-channel profit-sharing contracts in Hollywood history with Jack Nicholson, who played the Joker.
After the success of 'Batman', Jack Nicholson reportedly earned over $50 million from film box office, video sales, merchandise, and other channels.
This salary record wasn't broken until after 2000.
After the film's success, the Batman IP became a goldmine, and outsiders found it hard to understand why Warner Bros. would make such a series of foolish decisions.
But the reason was actually very simple: ultimately, Warner Bros. at the time had no confidence whatsoever in a 'Batman' movie.
To be fair, Simon actually felt that Tim Burton's 'Batman' had very few highlights and was even quite bad.
Michael Keaton's portrayal of Bruce Wayne completely lacked any of Batman's demeanour, the lead actress Kim Basinger's acting was off throughout, and even the acclaimed Joker was only at Jack Nicholson's average level.
To be even more critical, Jack Nicholson's Joker was only outstanding because the protagonist was so bad, making him look good by comparison.
So, why was Burton's 'Batman' so successful?
The reason was actually very simple.
As a superhero character that had existed for half a century, 'Batman's popularity in the hearts of Americans was very similar to 'Journey to the West' across the ocean.
Everyone knew that Bruce Wayne embarked on the path of fighting crime because he witnessed his parents being murdered by thugs as a child, just as people across the ocean knew that a certain monkey sprang from a stone.
So, this superhero, who had existed in the hearts of several generations of Americans, was brought to the big screen for the first time in a proper, high-budget live-action film format.
Many people, even those completely uninterested in comics, might still go to the cinema simply because they had heard Batman's name so many times since childhood.
Not to mention the fans who grew up with the comics.
Therefore, the first time 'Batman' was brought to the big screen, as long as the film wasn't too bad, it was destined to be a big hit.
Tim Burton's films always carried a peculiar innocence that was simply not suitable for superhero movies.
'Batman's success was purely a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Later facts proved this point: Burton's directed sequel, 'Batman Returns', had a budget more than double the original, but its box office plummeted compared to the first film.
The subsequent 'Batman' sequels, which continued Burton's style, were each worse than the last, eventually completely failing after 'Batman & Robin'.
The Batman IP was not revived until many years later by Nolan, and then, unsurprisingly, DC was led into another major pit by Nolan.
At this moment, in a restaurant near Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, after confirming that Simon intended to invest a massive 50 million dollars in 'Batman', Terry Semel indeed showed a hesitant expression.
Simon noticed Terry Semel's expression and did not appear too eager.
The two quietly began their meal.
After two or three minutes, Terry Semel spoke again, "Simon, Warner Bros. is very much looking forward to you directing 'Batman,' but we don't intend to completely let go of this project. At the very least, we definitely want to participate in some of the investment, and in that case, a 50 million dollar production budget is too high".
Simon shook his head, "Terry," For a superhero movie like 'Batman', we can only gain audience recognition if we are willing to invest more. Just like 'Superman', the first 'Superman' had a production budget of 55 million dollars and achieved a global box office of 300 million.
Last year's 'Superman IV', Cannon Films slashed the budget to 17 million dollars, and the North American box office immediately dropped to just over 15 million, with no splash overseas".
Terry Semel was clearly more aware of these situations than Simon.
He remained silent for a while upon hearing this, then said, "How about this, Simon, why don't you write the script first, and we can jointly evaluate it. Perhaps it won't require 50 million dollars".
"According to my plan, 50 million dollars is the minimum, it will only be higher, never lower," Simon shook his head and said, "Terry, I know Warner Bros. can't bear the investment risk of 50 million dollars, which is why I plan to do it myself.
Entrusting 'Batman' to me, perhaps I can produce another annual box office champion like 'Run Lola Run'. Of course, the distribution rights will definitely belong to Warner Bros. This is a win-win situation".
Terry Semel considered it for another moment and said, "Simon, if you plan to produce 'Batman' independently, that's fine, but Warner Bros. will only grant Daenerys Entertainment the filming rights; the copyright will still belong to us".
Simon asked, "Like 'Superman IV,' a collaboration between Cannon Films and Salkind?"
For 'Superman IV' during last summer's blockbusters, Cannon Films only obtained the filming rights for Superman; the copyright is still with British producer Alexander Salkind.
Terry Semel nodded, "Exactly".
Simon shook his head: "Terry, I can't build up the film only to be kicked out by Warner Bros".
Terry Semel denied, "We definitely wouldn't do that".
Simon said, "How about this: we sign a five-year licensing agreement. If Daenerys Entertainment fails to launch a sequel within five years, the copyright reverts to DC".
Terry Semel thought for a moment and said, "Five years is too long, three years at most, and Warner Bros. needs to retain the investment rights for sequels".
Simon insisted, "Three years is too short, it must be five years. And if Warner Bros. wants investment rights for sequels, Daenerys Entertainment must also retain certain distribution rights".
The two haggled back and forth for more than ten minutes, finally roughly settling on a cooperation plan.
Daenerys Entertainment obtained the 'Batman' copyright, with the usual five-year copyright term.
If Daenerys Entertainment failed to launch a sequel within five years, the copyright would automatically revert to DC.
However, many details regarding sequel investment and distribution rights, as well as future merchandise profit distribution, had not yet been finalized between Simon and Terry Semel.