章節 360: Chapter 360: End of the First Quarter
The Harvey Weinstein scandal, which had lasted for more than half a month, finally lost some media heat as the spotlight shifted to Bill Cosby's drug assault case.
The Pennsylvania State Court accepted the sexual assault accusations from four victims against Bill Cosby, and the evidence was substantial.
As for Harvey Weinstein, he was at his home in New York, heartbroken. Weinstein International Pictures was on the brink of collapse, and he had become a public pariah.
"Bob, is there really no chance for me?" Harvey Weinstein asked his brother.
"Sign it," Bob Weinstein handed him a share transfer agreement. "Your shares can get you $40 million in cash, plus your real estate is worth about $70 million. That should be enough for your legal fees and all those settlements. You need to resolve things with those women as fast as possible, or you'll spend the rest of your life in prison!"
Moreover, Harvey Weinstein's wife, Georgina Chapman, filed for divorce and would take a portion of his assets.
There was no place for him in Hollywood anymore.
Speaking of which, Harvey Weinstein had it much worse than Mel Gibson, but considering all he had done, this was still a relatively good outcome.
...
Burbank, Capet Headquarters.
Charles and his mother Evelyn sat on the office sofa, sipping champagne and savoring the pleasure that power brought.
"You guys move fast," Evelyn had to admire the power of Hollywood capital. Harvey Weinstein gave up just like that!
"The European entertainment circle has always been chaotic; scandals like this don't cause much stir," Charles casually tossed aside a newspaper, with headlines about Roman Polanski's past with a minor.
"And you, did you get the ticket? You spent a lot of money suppressing Harvey Weinstein and secretly funded those young stars to sue him. You've surely upset some conservative forces in Hollywood!" Evelyn knew her son well.
"It's about done. Rupert Murdoch will support Capet Pictures becoming a formal member, and he'll persuade Paramount to support me too," Charles smiled.
"Plus, our relationship with Universal is good; they've always supported us. Sony won't oppose this either; they never do in such matters. And with the support of the MPAA chair, Capet Pictures becoming the seventh formal member of the MPAA association has no more obstacles!"
Evelyn nodded. "So, what about the Hollywood Women's Club? What's your plan?"
"They've shown their hand this time," Charles narrowed his eyes, watching closely. "But they've also gone too far. Whether or not Woody Allen assaulted his adopted daughter, this year Midnight in Barcelona is set to release.
He's been targeted too, which affects Capet Pictures. I supported the Hollywood Women's Club, but with conditions. The murky practices in the entertainment industry won't just disappear.
Some people are so presumptuous. That woman is his ex-wife Mia Farrow, right? Woody Allen will sue her for slander!
I've said it before; feminism only works if I hold the knife. Otherwise, I will stop it. Halt all covert support for the Hollywood Women's Club."
Charles stood up and added meaningfully, "If they want to ride the wave of feminism to benefit themselves, they need my approval first!"
Evelyn nodded. "Don't worry; most actresses understand this, and the agencies understand even better. Let Mia Farrow's fate serve as a warning."
Evelyn wouldn't allow her actresses to go beyond her control; ultimately, it's about the interests involved!
As for Charles's approach of using feminism as a tool, did it matter?
Those women whom Harvey assaulted had either received exchanged benefits before or were simply taken advantage of by Harvey too many times. This time at least, they could get necessary compensation from the publicly hated Harvey Weinstein.
By April, the news about Harvey Weinstein had also ended. The other affected actors and directors were either doing PR or signing confidentiality agreements with victims in private, settling with money.
But director Woody Allen filed a suit against his ex-wife Mia Farrow in the Los Angeles State Court; Bill Cosby was on trial at the Philadelphia State Court.
...
New York, Manhattan, at Charles's villa by the Hudson River, he tightly embraced Eva Green, who was straddling him, both of them locked in a passionate kiss.
When their lips parted, Eva Green leaned weakly against Charles. "Congrats! You got the French Legion of Honor, and this month you'll be going to the Presidential Palace for the ceremony!"
During last month's late Easter, the French government selected members for the Legion of Honor. Charles Capet was named a recipient of the French Legion of Honor, the highest accolade granted by the French government.
"Nicolas Sarkozy was elected the President of France last year, right?" Charles embraced Eva Green, basking in the post-coital bliss; he didn't really care about the Legion of Honor.
However, Charles had indeed cooperated closely with the French entertainment industry over the past few years. La Vie en Rose had even catapulted Marion Cotillard to an Oscar win for Best Actress!
"I have to go to promote Thor releasing on the 6th next month, traveling worldwide. Otherwise, I could accompany you to France for the ceremony," Eva Green smiled.
"Ceremony? You think I'll go?" Charles asked, a bit puzzled since he hadn't decided yet.
"Oh, you're not going?"
"We'll see," Charles really wasn't concerned, but his mother being a French-American, Capet Entertainment's strong business in France, and the benefits thereof, warranted some thought.
Moreover, the French movie The Intouchables was about to start filming, and he could check that out.
Last year, Capet Pictures' Juno grossed $150 million in North America; it had now grossed over $70 million overseas, all for a small budget of $7 million.
Taken, released in February, also grossed $145 million domestically and globally 230 million for a mere $25 million low-budget movie.
Last month, Cloverfield, a mockumentary released in March, had grossed $80 million domestically and $95 million overseas. "Queen B" Odette Annable's popularity seemed solid!
Gossip Girl's first season high ratings had pushed Blake Lively and Odette Annable into the spotlight.
"Alright, down now. Let's go eat something!" Charles patted Eva Green, who was still on top of him.
*****
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