Chương 249: Chapter 249: Taking Over United Artists
With the formal announcement from MGM Chairman Harry Sloan: Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise and his partner Paula Wagner would be taking over the 80-year-old United Artists film studio!
Paula Wagner took on the role of overseeing daily operations at United Artists, including the early development and production of film projects. Tom Cruise was responsible for film production and creativity. Their preliminary plan after the takeover was to produce four films a year, with MGM handling the marketing and distribution of these films.
Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner had founded their independent production company, Cruise-Wagner Productions, in 1993.
Since independent production companies often have limited financial resources and access, they usually seek to partner with major film studios for film promotion and distribution. In the past, they had always cooperated with Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Viacom.
After Tom Cruise's 14-year partnership with Paramount ended in August this year, Paramount did not renew their contract with Cruise-Wagner Productions.
In a beachfront mansion in Malibu, Charles and Megan Fox sat on the sofa watching the news on TV - Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner taking over United Artists.
Tom Cruise declared his admiration for the 80-year-long history of United Artists and felt honored to be part of the company's tradition.
"Didn't Mr. Sumner Redstone slam Tom Cruise again a few days ago?" Megan Fox, not usually interested in this, asked.
Charles smiled, saying, "Tom Cruise has indeed had too much negative news these last two years. He shouldn't have fired his longtime agent Pat Kingsley."
"Regardless, Pat Kingsley was good at PR," Megan replied.
At the end of 2004, Tom Cruise ended his collaboration with Pat Kingsley, believing she was focusing too much on Nicole Kidman. He made his sister his agent instead.
In the end, it turned out professional matters should be left to professionals. Pat Kingsley had maintained Tom Cruise's image for years, and it had suffered greatly recently.
Moreover, Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone recently criticized Tom Cruise in an interview with Vanity Fair in New York: "As a boss, seeing Cruise in the studio is 'embarrassing'!"
Sumner Redstone mentioned he had decided to let Cruise go last year: "When did I decide to let him go? I don't know. Was it when he attacked Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants on The Today Show? When he jumped on the couch on Oprah? When he replaced his agent with his sister? His actions were unacceptable to my wife, others, and me."
Sumner Redstone also mentioned that his wife, Paula, started disliking Tom Cruise first.
The harshest criticism was about Tom Cruise's reckless spending. Sumner Redstone angrily stated, "Cruise has wasted too much money, and his embarrassing behavior caused Mission: Impossible III to lose at least $100 million!"
Megan Fox followed the news because Tom Cruise was a Hollywood superstar and Sumner Redstone was a top entertainment tycoon.
"Seems like stars don't have much power in front of film studio bosses," Megan Fox sighed, hugging Charles tightly for a sense of security.
Since the contract ended in August, apart from Paula Wagner's comments on Paramount, Tom Cruise hadn't made any statements.
"Heh, the power of capital is infinite!" Charles said, gently rubbing Megan Fox's thigh, "Remember, be careful what you say in front of reporters. Some things shouldn't be said casually."
"Look at Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise; they're top Hollywood stars. Tom Cruise was even first in Premiere magazine's March list of powerful Hollywood actors this year," he continued. "But see what happened once there was a rift with Paramount? They had no way to fight back!"
Charles had already warned Megan Fox to be cautious before she started filming Transformers. After all, she was just a small-time actress back then.
Who knew how Megan Fox would change after her overnight fame with Transformers' success?
Even his mother, Evelyn, worried she might lose herself. For someone like Megan Fox, on the fringes of Hollywood, the joy of overnight fame came with a high risk of losing one's way.
Megan Fox smiled, snuggling into Charles. "A lot of papers now say I've latched onto Charles Capet, but I don't care!"
The trailer for Transformers was already released in two versions, and sexy Megan Fox had garnered some attention.
After all, the live-action Transformers had high anticipation, and many people were looking forward to it.
Charles smiled; Hollywood had plenty of beautiful women, but how many could resist the temptation of fame?
Charles had known Megan Fox for a long time, and she was only 20 this year. Early on, Charles had filled her vanity with beachfront mansions, sports cars, and jewelry!
In the evening, at Tom Cruise's luxury villa in Beverly Hills, he had just hugged his several-month-old daughter when he received a call from Paula Wagner.
*****
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