The Big Picture
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“movie gods”: Kate Kelly, “‘Stealth’ Leaves Sony Grounded at the Summer Box Office,” Wall Street Journal, Aug. 2, 2005.
a profit of about $15 on each disc: Author interviews with home-entertainment industry experts.
“welfare state”: Ben Fritz, “For Movie Producers, a Golden Age Fades,” Wall Street Journal, Jan. 22, 2014.
its stars, director, and producers: Claudia Eller, “Higher Profile Role for Ace Pictures Picker,” Los Angeles Times, Oct. 22, 2003.
peaked at 204 in 2006: MPAA theatrical market statistics reports. http://www.mpaa.org/research-and-reports/
a high of almost $25 billion: From annual home-entertainment spending reports at degonline.org. Accessed June 24, 2017.
“If she doesn’t get it”: Fritz, “Sony Executive Needs More Than ‘Spidey Sense.’”
“comfort zone”: Ibid.
2. Reality Bites: How Everything Went Wrong for the Movie Business
from nearly $22 billion to $12 billion: From annual home-entertainment spending reports at degonline.org. Accessed June 24, 2017. Excludes subscription streaming, which is more equivalent to television than DVD.
International box office exploded: These and other annual box-office statistics from the Motion Picture Assn. of America’s annual Theatrical Market Statistics Reports. Mpaa.org. Accessed June 24, 2017.
DVD sales declines were smallest: From data in a Sony Pictures internal report.
“businesses for the future”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, July 3, 2014. No subject.
Sony made only $57 million: Profit and loss details on Skyfall and other individual movies are from Sony internal documents.
“who else is gonna make”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Barbara Broccoli, Oct. 21, 2014. No subject.
“it was a shitty year”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Bryan Lourd, Aug. 19, 2014. Subject: Re: steve knight update.
“It was two fucking movies”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael Lynton, Nov. 24, 2013. No subject.
“Mark Poppins”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Mark Seed, Mar. 26, 2014. No subject.
more than $250,000 per year: Tatiana Siegel, “New Life for Amy Pascal,” Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 25, 2013.
“Why is everyone freaking out[?]”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael Lynton, Nov. 24, 2013. No subject.
“It’s not so easy”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 24, 2013. No subject.
“and hence confused”: E-mail from Tom Rothman to Amy Pascal, Nov. 19, 2014. No subject.
“The un marvel marvel world”: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, Jan. 22, 2014. No subject.
“I’ve been miserable for two years”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Bryan Lourd, Aug. 19, 2014. Subject: re: steve knight update.
wasn’t about to be fired: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, Nov. 24, 2013. No subject.
“Work is drudgery”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Elizabeth Salt, Sept. 15, 2014. Subject: re: long time, no etc.
“harmful to the company”: When Lynton’s job search was revealed after the hack, it didn’t do any apparent harm to Sony, but it did fuel resentment among those in Hollywood who already believed that he had no passion for their business.
more than $500 million: Details on Lynton’s involvement in Snapchat are from a person with knowledge of the matter.
“Where’s our tentpole?!”: This and other Michael De Luca quotes are from author’s interview.
“jump street merging with mib”: E-mail from Jonah Hill to Neil Moritz, Nov. 6, 2014. Subject: Re: title.
“getting the big ones done”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, Dec. 3, 2013. Subject: concerns.
“so I’m writing you”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, Nov. 6, 2014. No subject.
“enablement sessions”: This and other details of the greenlight process at Sony Pictures are from current and former employees.
more than $100 million domestically: Greenlight projections for Sony movies are from internal documents and interviews with current and former employees.
to demand an update: E-mail from George Rose to Michael Lynton, Oct. 3, 2014. Subject: Re: Amy.
“to agree to”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Alan Wertheimer, Oct. 22, 2014. Subject: deals.
“You know ml will be as rude”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Bryan Lourd, Aug. 19, 2014. Subject: Re: steve knight update.
“3 years I’m done for good”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Elizabeth Cantillion, Nov. 1, 2014. No subject.
3. Inception: The Secret Origin of the Superhero Movie
“ive lost my marbles”: E-mail from Sam Raimi to Amy Pascal, Nov. 4, 2014. No subject.
it made less than $20 million: E-mail from Kathryn Nielsen to Michael Lynton and other recipients, June 13, 2014. Subject: Ultimate Reports.
“and wrong casting”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, Mar. 26, 2014. No subject.
“They just kicked our ass”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, May 12, 2014. Subject: Re: Pineapple Express.
“eaten by Marvel”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Jeff Robinov, Nov. 10, 2014. No subject.
one that caught his eye: Details on the Spider-Man movie rights before Marvel’s bankruptcy come from author interviews with knowledgeable people and Ronald Grover, “Unraveling Spider-Man’s Tangled Web,” BusinessWeek, Apr. 14, 2002.
an astounding 62 percent of Marvel’s total profits: Estimate from an internal Sony document.
Marvel in late 1996 filed for bankruptcy: Details on Marvel’s bankruptcy are from Dan Raviv, Comic Wars (New York: Broadway Books, 2002).
Landau put together a $500 million offer: Details on Sony’s bid for Marvel are from author’s interview with Yair Landau as well as Raviv, Comic Wars.
An Israeli veteran of the Six-Day War: Ike Perlmutter’s early biography is from Raviv, Comic Wars.
Perlmutter agreed to buy all its fixtures: This and other details about Ike Perlmutter are from author’s interviews with people who have worked with him.
“all the products and the other rights”: Raviv, Comic Wars.
“Nobody gives a shit”: This and other details of Sony’s purchase of the film rights to Spider-Man are from author’s interview with Landau, as well as other people involved in the process.
“delusional”: John Lippman, “Sony Plans New Bond Films, but MGM Claims to Own 007,” Wall Street Journal, Oct. 14, 1997.
“The idea is to do it now”: Michael A. Hiltzik, “Studio Rights to Spider-Man Are Untangled,” Los Angeles Times, Mar. 2, 1999.
“I remember seeing a cut”: Author’s interview with Landau.
$442 million in profits: This and other details on Spider-Man movies’ financial results, as well as money flowing between Sony and Marvel, are from Sony internal documents and author’s interview with current and former employees of both companies.
A Newsweek article: Stephen Levy, “Sony’s New Day,” Newsweek, Jan. 27, 2003.
“they’re getting all the benefit”: This and other Avi Arad quotes are from author’s interview.
“What’s the meaning of this?”: Author’s interview with Landau.
$3.2 million condo: Dawn Chmielewski, “Ike Perlmutter Holds the Reins of Superheroes at Marvel,” Los Angeles Times, Aug. 16, 2012.
Peter Parker would be a heterosexual male: Sony internal documents.
Both sides were regularly auditing each other: Details on Marvel’s clashes with Sony are from author interviews with knowledgeable people at or close to both companies.
4. Revenge of the Nerds: The Rise of Marvel Studios
he wanted to spend $80,000: Author’s interview with Avi Arad.
slash the salary: Raviv, “Comic Wars.”
It took an outsider: Unless otherwise noted, details on the history of Marvel come from author interviews with Amir Malin, Avi Arad, David Maisel, and others who have worked at or with Marvel.
“Why don’t you finance your own pictures?”: Author’s interview with Amir Mali
n.
“Ike’s scared of the film business”: This and other quotes are from author’s interview with Avi Arad.
“This is an opportunity worth billions!”: This and other quotes are from author’s interview with David Maisel.
“you would really turn to?”: Geoff Boucher, “Ka-pow, Spidey! Marvel Studios Taps Second-String Superheroes to Grab Box Office,” Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2006.
“Steel cannot fly”: Author’s interview with Arad.
selling Marvel stock worth nearly $60 million: Steven Zeitchik and Ben Fritz, “Marvel’s ‘X’ Man Makes Cushy Exit,” Daily Variety, May 31, 2006.
The clashes intensified: Peter Sciretta, “The Incredible Hulk: The Truth About Edward Norton vs. Marvel,” Slashfilm, June 14, 2008. http://www.slashfilm.com/the-truth-about-edward-norton-vs-marvel/
as their next target: Details on Disney’s purchase of Marvel are from author’s interviews with Bob Iger and David Maisel.
“I like this man”: Author’s interview with a knowledgeable person.
“He’s great”: Author’s interview with a person with knowledge of the conversation.
Chris Hemsworth was paid $150,000: Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit, “How Marvel Went from Near-Bankruptcy to Powerhouse Game-Changer for the Entire Movie Industry,” Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 2, 2010.
He earned more than $50 million: Kim Masters, “How Marvel Became the Envy (and Scourge) of Hollywood,” Hollywood Reporter, July 23, 2014.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming—Why Sony Gave Up Its Most Valuable Asset
“I am sure you are getting this”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, July 15, 2014. Subject: Re: Give Marvel back the rights to Spider-Man.
were $159 million: This and other financial details on Spider-Man movies are from Sony internal documents.
“rich universe”: Ben Fritz, “Why Can’t Marvel’s Movie Superheroes Be Friends?” Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2014.
“No superhero team up here”: E-mail from Jeff Robinov to Amy Pascal, Nov. 10, 2014. No subject.
a deal in 2011: Details on Sony’s amendment to its arrangement with Marvel are from Sony internal documents and people with knowledge of the negotiation.
“In a million years I would never advocate”: E-mail from Alan Fine to Michael Lynton, July 31, 2014. Subject: FW: Spider-Man 5 Fwd: Amazing Spider-Man 2 script.
Under the 1998 deal: E-mail from Andrew Gumpert to Michael Lynton and others, Oct. 31, 2014. Subject: Spidey univ time frames.
Perlmutter needed to convince Sony: Details on negotiations for Marvel to reclaim the right to produce Spider-Man movies, and final deal, are from people involved in the negotiation.
He targeted Lynton: E-mail from Ike Perlmutter to Michael Lynton, Nov. 4, 2014. Subject: Marvel Announces Phase 3 Slate!
“get the fuck out of here”: A person with knowledge of what occurred at the lunch.
He approached Hirai: A person briefed on Iger and Hirai’s discussion.
“right babysitter for this moment”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael De Luca, Sept. 12, 2014. No subject.
“Can’t go back to marvel”: E-mail from Jeff Robinov to Amy Pascal, Nov. 10, 2014. No subject.
“Michael had no ego”: Author’s interview with Michael De Luca.
Sony had already given up: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, Aug. 2, 2014. Subject: Re: Fury Publicity.
“the Marc Webb experience”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael Lynton, Nov. 14, 2014. No subject.
paying him $6 million: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Matthew Tolmach and Doug Belgrad, Mar. 18, 2014. No subject.
6. Star Wars: The Decline of the A-List
“Michael seems to have gotten annoyed”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, Aug. 18, 2014. Subject: Re: brief but imp updates
“make us very much money?”: Ibid.
Made Sony a $179 million profit: Financial details on The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and other movies in this chapter are from Sony internal documents.
and Grazer 10%: Some Angels & Demons compensation details are from e-mail from Andrew Gumpert to Amy Pascal and others, June 10, 2014. Subject: inferno caa proposal.
it would make a profit of about $50 million: Some financial details on Inferno and the Da Vinci trilogy are from e-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, Oct. 29, 2014. Subject: Fwd: Inferno.
“This is getting pricey”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, July 30, 2014. No subject.
“the most talent-friendly studio in town:” Patrick Goldstein, “The Studio Report Card,” Los Angeles Times, Feb. 8, 2009.
“My goal is to have”: Ibid.
“it was our strategy”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, July 3, 2014. No subject.
“I want to be the biggest movie star”: This and other details on Will Smith’s early career are from Rebecca Winters Keegan, “The Legend of Will Smith,” Time, Nov. 19, 2007.
“really means to produce movies”: Tatiana Siegel, “Smith, Lassiter Bent on World Conquest,” Variety, Dec. 12, 2008.
“Home is a place”: Dana Harris, “Sony, Overbrook Ink,” Daily Variety, Jan. 30, 2002.
$20 million against 20 percent: Details on Sandler’s and Smith’s compensation and perks are from current and former Sony employees and people close to the stars.
lost $42.5 million: Financial details on Adam Sandler and Will Smith movies come from Sony internal documents.
“I think one of the answers”: E-mail from Michael De Luca to Amy Pascal, Oct. 30, 2014. No subject.
“very difficult”: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, Sept. 22, 2014. Subject: Re: Candy Land.
“You said yourself”: Ibid.
“back on track”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to James Lassiter, Feb. 12, 2014. No subject.
$15 million against 15 percent of the gross: Details on Will Smith’s negotiation and compensation for Concussion and from interviews with knowledgeable people and e-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, July 8, 2014. Subject: Re: Concussion.
“I don’t know what to do with that”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to James Lassiter, June 5, 2014. No subject.
“fired with the last movie”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael Lynton, June 5, 2014. Subject: Re: ha ha ha.
Lynton pressured his executives: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Doug Belgrad, Feb. 22, 2014. Subject: Re: Pixels sensitivities.
“It was brilliantly funny and engaging”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Michael Lynton, May 31, 2014. No subject.
“dimwitted”: Justin Chang, “Film Review: ‘Pixels.’” Variety, July 22, 2015.
7. A Star Is Born: Netflix, the New Home for Movie Stars
about $30 million per year: Details on the Sony-Netflix-Starz arrangement from Ben Fritz, Joe Flint, and Dawn Chmielewski, “Starz to End Streaming Deal with Netflix,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 2, 2011.
Kevin Spacey movies had long done well: Details on the use of data to greenlight House of Cards from David Carr, “Giving Viewers What They Want,” New York Times, Feb. 24, 2013.
“It’s incredible how consistent”: Ted Sarandos quotes are from author’s interview.
Netflix had been prepared to pay about $1 billion: Ben Fritz, Joe Flint, and Dawn Chmielewski, “Netflix Offered $300 Million-Plus, but Starz Wanted Higher Consumer Prices,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 1, 2011.
theater attendance had been falling: Data from National Association of Theatre Owners. http://www.natoonline.org/data/admissions/
Sony lost more than $10 million: Sony internal documents.
Sandler got word that Netflix: Details on the deal-making for Adam Sandler with Netflix, as well as Brad Pitt’s War Machine and Will Smith’s Bright, come from author interviews with people close to those projects.
Netflix wrote a check for more than $90 million: Some details on the sale of Bright to Netflix from Mike Fleming Jr., “Netflix Commits $90M+ for David Ayer–Directed Will Smith–Joel Edgerton Pic ‘Bright.’” Deadline, Mar. 18, 2016. http://deadline.com
/2016/03/netflix-bright-will-smith-90-million-deal-david-ayer-joel-edgerton-max-landis-1201721574/
“I was after the creative freedom”: Peter Bart and Mike Fleming Jr., “‘Bright’ Scribe Max Landis and Director David Ayer Tell Why $90M+ Netflix Deal Wasn’t Just About $$$,” Deadline, Mar. 22, 2016. http://deadline.com/2016/03/max-landis-david-ayer-will-smith-90-million-dollar-netflix-gawker-hulk-hogan-verdict-1201724354/
8. Frozen: Why Studios Stopped Making Mid-Budget Dramas
“I just made the worst decision”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Matt Tolmach, Nov. 19, 2014. No subject.
“In man gram machine”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 20, 2014. No subject.
a healthy profit of about $45 million: This and other films’ financial details in this chapter are from Sony internal documents.
“I would take that bet everyday”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, Nov. 7, 2014. No subject.
“There just is no floor anymore”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Tom Rothman, Nov. 24, 2013. Subject: Re: I really feel for Stacey.
“If ever there was a fact pattern”: E-mail from Andrew Gumpert to Amy Pascal and Doug Belgrad, Nov. 5, 2014. Subject: Fw: Jobs RENT A SYSTEM is the way to go.
“We need Megan”: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Scott Rudin, Nov. 8, 2014. No subject.
Inside Annapurna’s offices: Information on Annapurna and Megan Ellison is, unless otherwise noted, from author interviews with people who have worked with her; and from Ben Fritz and Steven Zeitchik, “Megan Ellison Is Energizing Indie Film World,” Los Angeles Times, May 8, 2012; Vanessa Grigoriadas, “Caution: Heiress at Work,” Vanity Fair, Mar. 2013; and Michael Cieply and Brooks Barnes, “Silicon Valley Scion Tackles Hollywood,” New York Times, Aug. 28, 2011.
“The kind of movies”: Fritz and Zeitchik, “Megan Ellison Is Energizing Indie Film World.”
estimated to be worth $62 billion: Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/profile/larry-ellison/. Accessed June 25, 2017.