章節 306: Chapter 306: Marvel's Summar
As Charles prepared to return to the US, the blockbuster season in Hollywood was in full swing.
This year saw a Marvel extravaganza with several Marvel Comics adaptations hitting theaters.
First was Ghost Rider released by Sony Columbia in February. Starring Nicolas Cage, the film had a production budget of $110 million and earned $115 million domestically and $228 million globally.
Spider-Man 3, with a budget of $258 million, brought in $337 million domestically and $895 million globally at the box office, though its reviews were terrible.
Then there was Iron Man from Capet Pictures' Marvel Studios and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer from 20th Century Fox.
After nearly a month in theaters, Iron Man pulled in $220 million domestically and $130 million overseas, with high praise and a budget of $140 million.
In contrast, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, with a budget of $130 million, was released a week after Iron Man. After more than a month, it grossed only $110 million domestically and $240 million globally, with declining reviews.
When Charles returned to Los Angeles, he faced the situation where Iron Man had emerged victorious in the Marvel melee.
In Burbank, near the Los Angeles River, Capet Group's new headquarters had been completed, symbolizing the true rise of Capet Entertainment.
Charles Capet's office was on the top floor, a large and luxurious space with everything one could need. Standing by the window, he felt a sense of command over the world.
"News Corp successfully acquired Dow Jones, right?" Charles asked without turning his head.
Phyllis Jones, dressed in professional attire, stood beside Charles, her figure fully displayed. "Yes, now News Corp owns The Wall Street Journal. However, the editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, along with many branch editors and journalists, oppose News Corp's management. They might go on strike."
"Strike?" Charles scoffed. "They don't know that Rupert Murdoch is looking for an excuse to lay people off, do they?"
"Still, News Corp's stock price has dropped by 8% after the acquisition, and a reform of The Wall Street Journal is inevitable." Listening to Phyllis Jones' analysis, Charles nodded.
Internet news was indeed developing rapidly, but print media's importance was still significant, especially prestigious papers like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
These papers had strong political influence because their readers were the policy-makers.
Internet and new media still needed time to catch up!
"The company has already arranged a grand celebration tonight, and our comedy movie Knocked Up in theaters is doing well, with domestic earnings of $100 million. It's expected to reach $150 million domestically."
"And Iron Man is also expected to reach $320 million domestically!"
Charles smiled. "Marvel Studios has made its mark. Kevin Feige won't feel so much pressure now."
"This, is just the beginning!"
...
In the evening, at the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel, the third-floor banquet hall was bustling with the clinking of glasses, music, fine wine, and beautiful women.
"Charles, since acquiring UFC, you haven't really paid much attention, right?" Evelyn asked her son while holding a wine glass.
"Let Dana White manage it. UFC needs to attract more viewers and sponsors, increase merchandise sales, and bump up TV broadcasting fees," Charles shrugged.
"I'm not interested in this kind of sport. I even find football too rough. I really can't appreciate mixed martial arts!"
"Oh, you don't like it? Then why did you buy it?" Evelyn widened her eyes.
"Well, because it makes money," Charles glanced over at comedian Seth Rogen and director Judd Apatow across the hall.
"You see, I don't watch their gross-out comedies either, but Americans love them. Knocked Up made over a hundred million at the box office in North America alone and has made over 40 million dollars overseas. It'll easily surpass a global box office of 200 million dollars.
The cost of Knocked Up was what? Production costs of 30 million dollars and 16 million for marketing!"
Evelyn nodded, patted her son's shoulder, and said, "This year, even though you failed to acquire the Wall Street Journal, your competition was too strong."
"Oh, by the way, that dirt on Harvey Weinstein I gave you earlier, did you have someone organize it?" Charles leaned closer and whispered to his mother.
Evelyn nodded discreetly and whispered back, "I am still having people investigate. If you want to use it, mom can have someone expose it anytime!"
"No rush, no rush. I said it before; Harvey Weinstein is no longer qualified to be my opponent. Meanwhile, our Democratic candidate Barack Obama still has his biggest rival in the party, Hillary," Charles chuckled and continued, taking another sip of his drink.
"Look, the subprime mortgage crisis has erupted, and the real estate market collapse is already affecting the real economy. The government is devaluing the dollar, and the Federal Reserve is beginning another round of interest rate cuts to cope with it.
Obviously, an economic crisis is looming. The weak dollar policy is indeed draining blood from the world, but the U.S. is also in recession. People will not continue to support Republican governance. Next year's election will have the Republicans just as spectators.
But if the Democratic win is too easy, how will Barack Obama realize our importance?"
Evelyn understood, "If Harvey Weinstein's dirt gets exposed, it will definitely cause an earthquake in Hollywood, which will affect the Democratic party as allies. And Hillary's faction has deep ties with the Jewish Hollywood forces represented by Harvey Weinstein. It's bound to splash onto her!"
Charles laughed, "By then, Obama, supported by Silicon Valley and the black community, will also get the support of feminists under my strong backing. Hollywood's assist will also be added to him. We had discussed using this incident to control the direction of feminism.
The only concern was the internal pressure from Hollywood. But now, a bigger crisis has come, enough to cover up Hollywood's purification actions."
"The economic recession triggered by the subprime crisis?" Evelyn obviously knew what Charles meant. Charles had shorted Fannie Mae for a while, and its stock price hovered between 50 to 60 dollars. The stock market persevered because the government publicly guaranteed to boost public confidence.
But with falling house prices and accumulating bad debts at the banks, how long could the government words stabilize the stock market?
"Just wait, then we will be seen as the embodiment of justice, the messengers of cleansing, the saviors of Hollywood women!" Charles continued to smile.
"You, no wonder you decided so promptly to let News Corporation acquire your Dow Jones shares," Evelyn laughed too.
"You were planning to use the Wall Street Journal under News Corporation to send Harvey Weinstein to hell!"
Evelyn sighed inwardly, her son seemed to have changed a lot over the past few years, becoming more complex as his status rose.
News Corporation's TV channels and newspapers were the most important voice for Republicans in Hollywood. Thus, the Wall Street Journal would be very willing to use this dirt to strike a blow at the Democratic party's key Hollywood figures.
"What has that got to do with me? That's the reporters' investigation. I would only call for Hollywood to respect women and stay away from sexual harassment," Charles wore an innocent look.
"Over the past few years, Capet Pictures has developed quite a few female-led films, with female directors, actresses, and writers, working with us a lot!"
"True, the Hollywood Women's Club is basically in our hands now. I have a bunch of actresses who joined, and Columbia Pictures Chairwoman Amy Pascal and your prominent assistant Donna Langley are now the chairwoman and vice-chairwoman," Evelyn said, glancing at her son.
"When the time comes, we'll establish a support group for the club to help those powerless and voiceless women."
Charles wasn't stupid. Help with what? Of course, with legal and media voice channels.
"Mom, I have to remind you, everything has its pros and cons. Feminism can be our sharp weapon within limits, but it is a double-edged sword.
If it's too sharp, it can hurt ourselves. Hollywood male dominance has been strong for many years; it's hard to change. When feminism crosses the line and affects my interests, I will stand on the side of my interests!"
Evelyn smiled, "Don't worry, the top women in the club are seasoned veterans, not brainless starlets. They know it's safest to hold the handle.
A weapon uncontrollable by them won't be allowed to exist by everyone!"
Charles nodded, "Indeed, women are harshest to other women."
"Did David Beckham transfer to the LA Galaxy Club?" Charles asked.
This January, David Beckham announced that after his contract with Real Madrid ended, he would move to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy.
"He officially joins next week, and his wife has already bought a mansion in Beverly Hills. He signed a 32 million dollar five-year contract with LA Galaxy," Evelyn wasn't very happy since David Beckham's U.S. agency was CAA.
*****
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