章節 547: Chapter 547: Skydance
Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible series and the Star Trek series were some of the few super IPs that Paramount had.
Charles Capet had initially planned to get involved in the Mission: Impossible 4 project because the failure of Mission: Impossible 3 made Paramount hesitant to invest heavily in the series.
Moreover, Paramount often collaborated with other film companies on movie projects. As for the conflict between Capet and Viacom, when there's profit to be made, even great enmities can become alliances!
Unfortunately, Paramount partnered with a rich second generation, David Ellison from Skydance Media.
Teaming up with Skydance Media came with fewer expenses than collaborating with other film companies.
In the Capet mansion on Beverly Hills, Charles called Donna Langley to inquire about Skydance Media.
Charles had known for years that David Ellison founded this film company and that the first film they prepared, Flyboys, was a colossal failure.
However, there hadn't been much news about Skydance Media and David Ellison in recent years!
"Megan Ellison, Larry Ellison's daughter, also wants to get into the film industry. It's no surprise that David Ellison is returning to Hollywood," Donna Langley said casually over the phone.
"Hollywood definitely welcomes such hot money, but Paramount's bid was higher than usual," Donna Langley continued, "Not every deep-pocketed investor has the same standards. Are you interested in David Ellison, Charles?"
"Hehe, if he's willing to spend money, it's not bad for Universal to have an extra investor. However, these rich kids also have dreams of their own. We'll see how things go," Charles wasn't overly concerned. The shareholders of Capet Pictures included many investment funds.
With Charles Capet's golden reputation, they never lacked funding for movies!
"So, how are the Universal Studios Resort bonds performing?" Charles asked.
"They've reached $2.5 billion. Anne plans to raise at least $3.5 billion this time. We'll need funds for buying back shares from Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Japan, as well as for expansions," Donna replied.
Chief Financial Officer Anne Depp was in New York overseeing the bond issuance.
"Oh, that's fine. There are indeed a lot of places that will need money in the future," Charles supported the idea, as Capet Group's current debt was low, and the potential was significant.
"By the way, how are your talks with George Lucas? I've already met with Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks Animation," Charles asked.
"George Lucas has a good relationship with Disney CEO Robert Iger, who has long proposed acquiring Lucasfilm," Donna replied. "And George Lucas has promised Robert Iger that if he retires, Lucasfilm would only be sold to Disney."
To develop Universal Studios, Charles needed a lot of hit IPs, and Star Wars' influence in America was undeniable.
"Promised?" Charles scoffed. "Can't he see the future of Capet Universal? It's all about profit. Maintain a good relationship with George Lucas, and when the time comes, we'll offer him a higher price than Disney. Let's see what he chooses!"
After hanging up, Charles poured himself a glass of wine. As he took a sip, Gal Gadot walked in after taking a bath.
Her loose robe and long hair, along with those long legs, were quite the sight.
He poured the lady a glass of wine. Gal Gadot accepted the glass, adjusted her hair, and said, "Thanks!"
"So, how does shooting in Hollywood feel different?" Charles asked with a smile.
Gal Gadot took a sip, put down the glass, and wrapped her arms around Charles' neck. "I've shot three movies in Hollywood: Fast & Furious 4, Captain America, and Knight & Day. I've been to over 12 countries!"
"Hollywood movies are way more advanced than Israeli ones!" she continued.
Charles slid his hand under her robe and felt the softness, whispering, "Fast & Furious 5 is already in the works. It's my favorite IP at Universal. With this series, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in Hollywood!"
The Fast & Furious series was the IP Charles valued the most at Universal, but Universal had more than just this IP now.
Marvel Productions and Capet Pictures' films were distributed by Universal, so the resources allocated to the Fast & Furious series weren't as generous as before!
Although Gal Gadot wasn't the lead in the Fast & Furious series, she was an important member of the main cast.
Now that Capet owned Universal, Charles planned to increase her importance appropriately. Having a beautiful woman in the series shouldn't be wasted!
Vin Diesel was one of the producers of Fast & Furious, but Charles wouldn't let him take the reins without supervision.
As for Paul Walker, since he loved racing, Charles figured it was best to prepare a replacement in advance!
"Charles," Gal Gadot, feeling aroused by the teasing, kissed his neck.
"Mhm," Charles leaned over her, parted her robe, and started kissing her chest.
Lying on the couch, Gal Gadot felt the sensations and smiled, "And there's Captain America. Marvel's films are getting a lot of attention right now, so I'm pretty lucky."
"You deserve it," Charles said before kissing her lips...
...
In Burbank, at Disney headquarters, CEO Robert Iger's office.
"Robert, Capet's Donna Langley visited Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco the day before yesterday. They're very interested in Lucasfilm," George Lucas said over the phone from San Francisco.
Robert Iger wasn't surprised. Capet's next strategy was to promote Universal Studios, and everyone knew it.
It would have been surprising if Lucasfilm, with its Star Wars IP, hadn't gotten Capet's acquisition notice!
"George, I've always believed Disney is the best home for Star Wars. When it comes to commercializing IPs, no one does it better than Disney," Robert Iger said confidently. "Not even the Favored Son of Hollywood!" His confidence was backed by the fact that Star Wars' main profit came from commercial licensing of the IP.
"Don't worry, I've already made it clear that Disney would be the home of Star Wars after my retirement, but it seems Capet won't give up easily," George Lucas replied.
"They're heavily investing in Universal Studios. It must be putting pressure on Disneyland, right?"
Facing George Lucas' question, Robert Iger just smiled, "Don't worry, George!"
...
*****
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