Chapter 142: Chapter 142
In a luxurious suite at the Carlyle Hotel, Charles Capet and Eva Green had a sumptuous and romantic French dinner before heading to the bedroom.
"Phew," Eva Green lifted the blanket, taking a few deep breaths, then leaned silently against Charles for a rest.
Charles patted the lady's back, asking somewhat contentedly, "Did you get an audition invitation from MGM to be a Bond girl?"
"Bond girl?" Eva Green shook her head, puzzled. "I heard MGM is still hurriedly picking the next James Bond actor!"
Pierce Brosnan had announced last summer that he was stepping down from the role of the charming spy in the 007 series.
The 007 production team was also looking for a change; after all, Pierce Brosnan had played Bond in four films, his salary was getting higher, he was aging, and the movies' reputations were declining.
"Oh, really?" Charles felt a bit embarrassed. Sony Columbia controlled MGM and got the distribution rights to the 007 series.
"Yeah, the 007 series likes to use European actresses for the Bond girls. If I were a producer, I would surely choose you!"
The production rights for the 007 series had always been with a small company, Danjaq LLC, although United Artists had held the distribution rights since the first 007 film. When MGM acquired United Artists, they also gained the 007 distribution rights.
Now, the Broccoli family runs Danjaq LLC, as the 007 rights were purchased by the elder Broccoli.
All the current 007 series are produced by the elder Broccoli's daughter, Barbara Broccoli, and stepson, Michael G. Wilson.
MGM's earnings from the 007 series meant Danjaq LLC would get a significant share of the profits!
"I don't know. My agent didn't get any news. Besides, many Bond girl roles don't have much depth; they just need to be sexy and pretty!"
Eva Green was both sexy and pretty, indeed quite fitting for a Bond girl, and she had some recognition.
"Casino Royale, Ian Fleming's first 007 novel, and the last of his novels not yet adapted into a Bond film," Charles had some understanding of the complex copyright disputes of the 007 series, but now MGM had completely secured the rights to the Casino Royale novel.
"Forget it, let's rest first! Although Kingdom of Heaven didn't get good reviews, as the exotic beauty in the film, your popularity has significantly increased!"
Eva Green, praised for her alluring beauty in the film, had indeed kickstarted her international fame thanks to her sensual and glamorous appeal.
However, with another weekend ending, Kingdom of Heaven only managed to secure $9.6 million in weekend box office revenue. In its first ten days, it had only grossed $35 million in North America.
Meanwhile, Crash, which premiered the same day, had already grossed $20 million in its first ten days in North America.
Clearly, Kingdom of Heaven's failure was inevitable. Although the overseas market could save a little, the huge losses for the film company were unavoidable.
And in late May, Twentieth Century Fox would release Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in a full global run.
Meanwhile, Charles publicly announced his intention to acquire Marvel and directly offered a price to Marvel's current chairman, Ike Perlmutter.
Previously owned shares plus the portion of stock that Capet Pictures had recently acquired now meant Charles held a significant share, not counting the shares acquired on behalf of ETA.
"So, what's Ike Perlmutter's attitude now?" Charles lazily asked Dona Williams, leaning back in a chair.
"He doesn't want to sell. His stance is quite firm. We offered $850 million, which is roughly a 24% premium, but Ike Perlmutter rejected our acquisition offer," Dona Williams said, then cautioned Charles.
"Boss, there aren't many individual investors left outside. Some shareholders are observing, and it's hard for us to acquire shares on the market now."
"ETA made their move early and obtained shares from several small shareholders. Adding shares from the market, they probably have about 15% now," Charles, although in New York, had stayed in contact with his mother and was well aware of the progress.
"Just like a greedy Jew," Charles understood Ike Perlmutter's thoughts clearly; it was just a matter of the price being too low!
"Let's raise the offer to $900 million and see if he gets tempted!"
By valuing Marvel at 900 million, Charles is willing to buy Ike Perlmutter's 46% shares at 414 million dollars.
Considering Marvel's current market value, this was almost a 40% premium!
Resolving the matter with Ike Perlmutter before the shareholders' meeting would allow Charles to propose fully privatizing Marvel as the majority shareholder at the meeting.
He planned to delist Marvel and forcibly acquire shares from all other shareholders, merging Marvel into Capet Film.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith had been released, and its promotional efforts were extensive. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, along with the love triangle including Jennifer Aniston, had the entertainment reporters swarming.
The movie's topic had remained high, and whether the film was good or not seemed less important. Audiences' attention was focused on the actors.
In Los Angeles, Marvel headquarters, Ike Perlmutter received another offer from Capet Film - $900 million cash for Marvel. Ike furrowed his brows, not understanding why Charles Capet wanted to acquire Marvel.
Why not follow other film companies' lead by obtaining character rights from Marvel and developing them into movies?
He quickly summoned David Maisel, his trusted chief operating officer after partner Avi Arad left.
"Is Charles optimistic about Marvel?" Ike Perlmutter asked, "He sent another offer!"
"Marvel has over 5,000 characters, essentially a rights library. We just don't have our popular characters right now," David Maisel sighed.
"Just like Warner Bros. with DC Comics, keeping the rights means we can develop anytime. He's already the second-largest shareholder, and Avi warned upon leaving that Charles Capet wants Marvel to develop its own movies, investing huge sums in production and distribution!"
Ike Perlmutter sensed David Maisel seemed to support Charles's decision and frowned. "I am not Charles Capet; I can't risk my fortune repeatedly shooting films. And don't forget, I am the majority shareholder!"
*****
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