章節 399: Chapter 399: A Song of Ice and Fire
Capet Pictures released Vicky Cristina Barcelona in August, and it floundered in the North American market, grossing only over $17 million after more than half a month. However, it performed decently in the European market, exceeding $50 million!
At night, under the starry sky, Charles lay in the courtyard of his villa, gazing at the moon. His phone rang - it was Phyllis Jones, who had returned to America.
"HBO also contacted George Martin. They hope to collaborate on adapting the novel A Song of Ice and Fire into a grand series. Our company has studied this. Collaborating with HBO is not a bad choice; HBO's production team is quite reliable.
George Martin seems to trust HBO's development capabilities more. Currently, HBO is working with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks on developing the most expensive American TV series in history, The Pacific, with a budget exceeding 200 million dollars for the first season!"
Listening to Phyllis Jones' report on the phone, Charles thought for a moment and said, "Hehe, a few years ago, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks' collaboration with HBO on Band of Brothers kicked off the trend of high-budget, high-quality American TV series. Now, they're making another similar war epic, The Pacific?
Let's develop A Song of Ice and Fire with HBO. For the first season, get the big director Ridley Scott to direct it. A Song of Ice and Fire is also an epic series. I believe Ridley Scott would be interested!"
"Alright, I got it."
Charles put down his phone.
"Charles, here you go!" Shortly after, Lin Chi-ling handed Charles a glass of champagne. Her white spaghetti strap nightdress barely covered her stunning figure.
With a good figure and looks, Lin Chi-ling had successfully transitioned from a model to an actress.
Given Charles' status, securing endorsement deals from European and American brands was quite easy.
After all, Charles' mother, Evelyn Capet, was a top executive at East Asia International. She wielded substantial star and corporate resources. The merger between East Asia International and two of Hollywood's Big Five talent agencies was also underway, promising even greater status in the future.
...
In the evening, Charles had dinner with Liu Yifei, whom he had met in America.
"Long time no see!" Charles poured a glass of champagne for the lady.
"Thanks. I heard you came to China before the Olympics?" Liu Yifei asked Charles.
Charles nodded, "I stayed in Korea for almost a month. I didn't watch the Olympics in Beijing. I returned to Beijing at the end of last month."
"By the way, in a couple of days, would you like to go to Hong Kong with me? I have a yacht there."
"Ah, I have to check with my mom, or she'll look for me."
"Oh, sure..."
...
In Burbank, Los Angeles, Capet Entertainment's television division was in talks with Ridley Scott about adapting the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire into a TV show.
Roger Anderson, head of Capet Television, specifically reported the adaptation plan, which had the highest budget for any Capet Television series so far, to Donna Langley.
"HBO is really generous," Donna Langley glanced at the cooperation agreement. The offer from HBO for the first broadcast rights was quite high.
"I heard Charles had people contact George Martin a few years ago, but he didn't budge. This year he was finally convinced and got Ridley Scott to be the producer and direct the first season. Not bad," Roger Anderson had been discussing the adaptation with Ridley Scott recently.
After Roger Anderson left, Donna Langley asked her assistant, "Do you know where our boss is right now? Still in Korea?"
The assistant shook his head, "Mr. Capet went to Hong Kong this month. But Evelyn Capet came back to LA from Australia the day before yesterday!"
Donna Langley nodded. With the company about to start building studios in Montreal, Canada, and Georgia, they still needed Charles' input.
"No updates from Phyllis either?"
The assistant shook his head, "The boss instructed the purchase of the North American rights to a drama film called The Wrestler at the Venice Film Festival. Other than that, no new instructions!"
The Wrestler was directed by Darren Aronofsky and starred Mickey Rourke and Evan Rachel Wood. It was a low-budget drama that participated in the Venice Film Festival this year.
Mickey Rourke, the lead actor, was already a veteran Hollywood star and played Whiplash in Iron Man 2.
The movie depicted the rise and fall of a professional wrestler from the 1980s. With a production cost of $7 million, Capet Pictures spent $4 million to buy the North American rights to The Wrestler.
...
Meanwhile, in New York, Dona Williams was watching various currency transactions with a focus on the euro, pound, and yen.
The former One Worldwide Plaza had become the Capet Center Building. Dona Williams saw the impacts of bankruptcies, layoffs, and companies with poor performance almost every day.
Still, Dona Williams paid little attention to the waves of bankruptcies and unemployment on Wall Street. Recently, she had been fixated on General Electric (GE).
Formed at the end of the 19th century from the merger of Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston Electric Company, General Electric had been one of the world's largest manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment for years.
Producing everything from aircraft engines and power generation equipment to medical devices and chemical products, GE's product range had reached 250,000 types.
Before the new millennium, GE, led by Jack Welch, was valued at $580 billion, making it the world's largest company.
After the tech bubble burst, GE's value fell below $200 billion. Jack Welch stepped down, and Jeff Immelt took over as chairman and CEO.
After Jeff Immelt took office, he greatly expanded the commercial finance sector, allowing GE Capital to grow rapidly.
However, the global stock market crash triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis also hit General Electric. GE Capital became GE's sore spot.
Bulking up in too many areas while expanding rapidly in commercial finance led to GE's problems.
As a leading industrial group that neglected its energy and manufacturing business, GE's restructuring had become urgent.
Shedding unnecessary assets was Jeff Immelt's current strategy.
NBC Universal, owned 80% by GE, was considered one of these unnecessary assets, and Dona Williams had been instructed by Charles to keep a close eye on GE's stance on NBC Universal during the stock market crash.
The remaining 20% of NBC Universal was held by its former owner, Vivendi.
...
Meanwhile, Charles was sunbathing on a yacht in Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong, with Liu Yifei who had also come to Hong Kong.
"This yacht is beautiful," Liu Yifei said, dressed lightly yet wearing a long shirt over her bikini.
"It's alright. This one's called Starlight. I have another in LA called Stardust, which is about two-thirds bigger than this," Charles said, using his hands to measure the size.
Liu Yifei nodded, contemplating quietly while sipping her drink.
Charles walked over and sat down, "The Kingdom of War didn't do well both critically and at the box office. That must've been tough for you?"
The lady nodded, "It's my first movie, a big US-China co-production with two big international stars. The result is hard to accept."
Charles nodded too. Liu Yifei had a very high starting point, her godfather was really rich.
However, it seemed her godfather had been reported for tax evasion these past two years and recently got taken away as the evidence was compelling.
Charles sighed, patted her shoulder, and reminded her, "I heard you have some conflicts with top entertainment companies. What's your plan?"
Liu Yifei, looking downcast, gazed at Hong Kong Island, "My mom said I should try developing in Hong Kong."
Charles frowned, "The Hong Kong entertainment scene is already in decline. You should focus on honing your acting skills. There are very few pure actors these days. In terms of public recognition, no young actress can really match you now.
Opportunities will come. I'll have Red Fruit Entertainment keep an eye on you. ETA can also lookout for suitable roles for you!"
Liu Yifei looked up at Charles, smiled, and asked, "Are you helping me because you want to date me?"
Charles sniffed a bit, caught off-guard, and replied, "Isn't it obvious?"
"But there's more to it," Charles said as he stood up, "You really need to work on your acting."
No matter what, artists like Liu Yifei who have upright values and a real interest in acting are very rare.
"Thanks!"
*****
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