Chapitre 252: Chapter 252: MGM Troubles
At the Hilton Garden Inn, Hollywood, MGM held a large party for the new owners of United Artists, Cruise/Wagner Productions.
Despite Tom Cruise's controversial news over the past couple of years, he remained a top A-list star in Hollywood with significant influence.
Many big names from the entertainment industry attended to show support, including movie company executives, producers, directors, actors, and various media and fashion industry figures.
Of course, the event was also attended by bankers and investors from Wall Street.
"Cheers! With Cruise at United Artists, MGM has more to look forward to," Charles Capet smiled as he clinked glasses with MGM Chairman Harry Sloan.
Harry Sloan smiled back, "Capet Pictures has had the most dazzling year, with a perfect summer season!"
"Capet Pictures is still too young. One year of success is not enough to prove anything," Charles replied, despite having no particular thoughts about MGM. However, MGM's vast film library was indeed valuable.
Moreover, one of the most popular commercial movie franchises, 007, was very alluring.
Harry Sloan shrugged, "Now we're controlled by Sony and Wall Street. The distribution rights for the new 007 belong to Sony Columbia. MGM urgently needs to develop good projects."
MGM was now just an independently managed distributor, handling North American distribution on its own, while international sales were mostly handed over to 20th Century Fox.
As for the home entertainment market for the film library, Sony Columbia was in charge.
Charles looked at Harry Sloan and saw that MGM was indeed in a tough spot. The sharks from Wall Street didn't care about MGM's long-term plans; they were only interested in visible short-term profits.
"What about The Hobbit series? The lawsuit between New Line and Peter Jackson is likely to continue for a while. Aren't New Line and you guys planning to develop it?" Charles asked. After all, last year, Peter Jackson sued New Line over dissatisfaction with the profit distribution of the Lord of the Rings DVD sales.
Out of frustration, he announced he was abandoning the making and directing of The Hobbit series.
Harry Sloan said helplessly, "The production rights to The Hobbit are with New Line. MGM has the distribution rights, but New Line is now focused on their children's fantasy blockbuster The Golden Compass. We just have to wait."
The search for a new director for The Hobbit had already begun, but it would definitely have to wait until New Line finished their big project The Golden Compass.
Charles smiled wryly. The only things he found interesting about MGM now were its film library, the distribution rights to the 007 series, and the distribution rights to The Hobbit.
The film library and 007 were being used by Sony Columbia to promote their Blu-ray high-definition DVDs. And who knew when they would be able to develop The Hobbit?
After chatting with Harry Sloan, Charles ran into 20th Century Fox President Jeffrey Godsick.
X-Men: The Last Stand had performed better in the North American market this summer compared to The Da Vinci Code, and 20th Century Fox had completed the X-Men trilogy.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer would be released next year and had naturally become 20th Century Fox's key project.
"Charles, Marvel's Iron Man is going to have some tough competition next year," said Jeffrey.
"Competition? The more, the merrier. It helps Marvel Comics rise. It's not good to always be under DC Comics' thumb.
Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four aren't in my hands. Warner Bros. has Batman and Superman," Charles said with a smirk. "I can only make do with Iron Man."
Jeffrey Godsick heard the jest in Charles's tone and smiled a bit. After all, who asked Marvel to sell off rights to their characters all around back in the day?
"I heard you guys are also planning to develop a spin-off for the X-Men series?" Charles asked.
Jeffrey nodded, "Indeed, that's the plan. The trilogy is over, and we need to develop new heroes."
"I heard from Kevin that it'll be Wolverine?"
Jeffrey nodded again, "Wolverine is very popular right now, and developing a solo film for him is a viable option."
Marvel might not have much say in the development of character rights sold to other companies, but they could participate in the movie production.
20th Century Fox's intention to develop a standalone Wolverine movie wasn't a secret to Capet Pictures.
Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and the entire X-Men series - 20th Century Fox held a lot of Marvel characters.
Fortunately, after Charles purchased Marvel, he regained some character rights for Artisan Entertainment and halted 20th Century Fox's acquisition of Deadpool.
After a while, Charles chatted with the new head of United Artists, Paula Wagner, and Tom Cruise.
"Congratulations to both of you. United Artists is a storied Hollywood company. I wish it great success under your leadership!" Charles congratulated.
"Thanks, I have faith in United Artists," said Tom Cruise. No sooner had he finished than someone else approached, and he excused himself to greet them.
Charles saw that it was David Beckham and Victoria. "Isn't he playing for Real Madrid in Spain?"
Well, David Beckham was now on the fringes at Real Madrid. Leaving at the end of the season seemed inevitable.
He'd likely come to explore the MLS and the American market, having also become good friends with Tom Cruise.
"Charles, do you think we have any suitable projects to collaborate on?" Paula Wagner suddenly asked.
"Collaboration? Always a possibility," Charles replied, looking at the new head of United Artists. "I heard United Artists secured a $500 million credit line from Merrill Lynch. Money isn't a problem now, right?"
Paula Wagner chuckled, "I can't think of Charles Capet ever needing money? If you wanted, people would line up to fund you."
Charles laughed, "The Mission: Impossible series is already an established one. Despite the poor reception of the second and third movies, I'm sure neither you nor Paramount would abandon it. I'm quite interested in being part of the development for Mission: Impossible 4."
"Mission: Impossible 4?" Paula Wagner's lips twitched, "You're serious?"
Now, didn't he know the relationship between Tom Cruise and Paramount? He definitely did that on purpose!
*****
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
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