August 6th.
Finding Nemo was released in 2,960 cinemas across America.
Thanks to the recent heavy promotional spending and the good word-of-mouth from the premiere, the number of theaters showing the film on its opening day was over 300 higher than the 2,600 theaters estimated when the contracts were signed.
The momentum was excellent!
Unlike the so-called 'death schedule' of July, which was crowded with countless blockbusters and heavy hitters, the early August slot was a rare opportunity, with only two films serving as formidable opponents.
They were:
The movie The Thomas Crown Affair, also known as Stealing the Game, starring the new 007 Pierce Brosnan, produced by MGM Film Company, and released on August 6th;
The movie Bowfinger, starring the famous Black comedy star Eddie Murphy, produced by Universal Pictures, and set to be released on August 13th;
As for the other films released in August, Finding Nemo showed not a trace of fear.
Of course, even including The Thomas Crown Affair and Bowfinger, Kyle and Waterworld Animation were confident they could beat them head-on.
That's how tough they were!
Sure enough... based on the box office data reported at noon, Waterworld Animation had won.
In just a few hours, both the box office and the attendance rate for Finding Nemo were higher than those of The Thomas Crown Affair, which was released at the same time.
"The new 007 really can't beat Nemo the clownfish!" many moviegoers exclaimed from the bottom of their hearts.
"That's for sure!"
Facing a reporter's interview, the head of a box office research agency said, "No child will refuse Finding Nemo. I ask you, how can Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair win?"
Reporters from the WB Television Network and dozens of media outlets across America conducted targeted interviews with many fans as soon as the movie was released.
The answers they received were varied and peculiar.
George: "Oh, you're asking me what movie I choose? Does that even need to be said? Of course, my first choice is Finding Nemo!"
Mulito: "It has to be Finding Nemo! As for The Thomas Crown Affair,
I'll think about it later."
Connelly: "Just for those magnificent visuals, it's worth a movie ticket."
Sean Viel: "I'm a loyal fan of spongebob squarepants, so which movie do you think I'll choose to watch?!"
Ace: "On a rare holiday, I'm naturally taking my beloved babies to the forest park for a picnic. Of course, my babies also love watching movies, and Finding Nemo is the only choice."
Jona: "Finding Nemo! It has to be it! Since Wednesday, my two children have been clamoring to see it. As a mother, I naturally won't refuse my children's reasonable requests."
Dozens of media reporters interviewed nearly a thousand moviegoers.
The frequency of mentioning Finding Nemo was as high as 83%, with a rating of A+;
The frequency of mentioning The Thomas Crown Affair was only 9%, with a rating of only B;
As for other movies released during the same period, they could be described in four words—not worth mentioning!
"Barring any accidents, Finding Nemo will present a sweeping momentum on its opening day. All competitors will be... powerless before it!"
A media reporter said solemnly.
A nearby photographer nodded in agreement, "Unless Pierce Brosnan transforms into 007 Bond, he is absolutely no match for Finding Nemo."
...MGM Film Company.
The production team for the film The Thomas Crown Affair.
A group of MGM executives gathered here, and the atmosphere in the entire conference room was somewhat heavy.
"What should we do?"
The project leader, who was also the vice president of MGM Film Company, Dai Nong Erich, questioned, "You all boast of being Hollywood elites and senior professionals, so why are you all mute now? A tiny Waterworld Animation Company has crushed you? Useless, a bunch of useless people!"
Everyone lowered their heads, their faces embarrassed and filled with shame.
They didn't want this either!
But they really couldn't beat them!
"..."
Everyone was speechless.
It wasn't that they couldn't think of methods; generally speaking, for the sake of the box office, they wouldn't mind using unconventional means to strike at their opponents. However, behind Waterworld Animation was the increasingly powerful Golden Dawn Entertainment Group and the American super-rich Kyle Page!
Unconventional means? Try using one and see what happens.
"Sigh~~"
After a bit of futile barking, vice president Dai Nong Erich also sighed on the spot: "Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate. Even if we lose, we must ensure that The Thomas Crown Affair doesn't lose money."
...The next day.
9:00 AM.
Yesterday's box office results were out!
Finding Nemo took the North American daily box office crown for August 6th with a result of $27 million, without any controversy!
Can Waterworld Animation produce high-quality, high-grossing theatrical animated films?
At the moment the box office results were revealed, no one objected anymore!
In other words, following Disney Animation, Pixar Animation, and DreamWorks Animation, Waterworld Animation Company had risen strongly and occupied an important place in the World of animation.
"America's 4th Largest Animation Company—Waterworld Animation!"
This was the front-page headline of many American media articles early this morning.
This title truly stung the eyes of certain people!
Pixar boss Jobs: "Kyle Page, that guy, he actually pulled it off."
It must be said that Mr. Jobs was slightly unhappy.
Of course, he wasn't afraid. He was an incredibly proud person, someone who wouldn't fear any opponent!
Disney Chairman Michael Eisner: "What a pity! Behind Waterworld Animation Company is Page Pictures, which is capable of distributing films globally. Otherwise, we at Disney might have been able to fight for some of the overseas market profits, but now... there's no chance."
Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of DreamWorks Animation: "We must work much harder, otherwise, who knows when we might be overtaken by Waterworld Animation. I will absolutely not let that become a reality!"
The person most envious was Rupert Murdoch, the boss of News Corporation and Fox Pictures!
"Damn it~!"
"Waterworld Animation Company... why... isn't it under my banner?"
Undoubtedly, at this moment, Murdoch thought of the animation studio under his own banner and the animated film Titan A.E., which was released not long ago. He had pinned high hopes on it, spending nearly $100 million just to create something comparable to Pixar Animation.
But... the film's box office was a disaster!!!
Adding in subsequent profits, peripheral revenue, and box office shares, the total was not even one-third of the production costs.
A bloody loss!
Could a tycoon like Murdoch not have any resentment?
...At the same time.
Waterworld Animation Company.
Kyle faced Stephen Sollenberg, David Messer, and other Waterworld Animation executives, announcing an important decision to them.
"I'm giving you options, I'm giving you stock allocations!"
"Waterworld Animation is about to go public on the U.S. stock market!"