Burbank.

A screening room at Warner Studios.

Until the end credits, everyone in the screening room was still immersed in the shocking visual journey that had just taken more than two hours.

It was the first in-house preview of the first installment of the Batman franchise, officially titled "Batman: Time to War," and was attended by all the executives of Warner Bros. Pictures and Daenerys Entertainment, including Steve Ross, who took the time to fly over from the East Coast.

After the unexpected end credits, the lights came on, and Steve Rose, who was sitting side by side with Simon, was the first to applaud.

Under the bright light, everyone who still had different expressions of admiration, aftertaste, surprise, and shock on their faces reacted and responded. None of them were posturing to curry favor with Simon. The more people who know the movie, the more they can understand how breakthrough the superhero movie they have just seen has created, and many of the amazing details in the film have never appeared in previous Hollywood movies.

It can be said that the last time it shocked everyone, it was probably George Lucas's "Star Wars".

At this time, everyone couldn't help but have an idea that Simon Westeros's "Batman" would definitely become the object of reference and imitation of Hollywood action movies for many years to come.

In addition to a series of amazing technical details, the plot of the film is also completed in one go.

Simon's finished final cut is 138 minutes long.

Before watching the movie, there were still people who felt that such a duration needed to be compressed, but now, no one has this idea anymore.

From the beginning of the wedge of the film, the compact plot of the whole movie has always firmly controlled the audience's attention, when the subtitles rise, most people's first feeling is just unfinished, and the easter egg at the end of the subtitles also appropriately arouses the audience's desire for a sequel.

When the applause stopped, Steve Ross said to Simon: "I think the sequel can be started now." ”

Simon said: "Actually, from the first part of the project, the sequel has been planned. ”

Steve Ross remembered the easter egg at the end of the film and smiled: "I can't wait to see the second part." ”

After chatting, the staff showed everyone a few posters on the theme of the film, and after a brief discussion, everyone left the screening room.

It was close to noon.

The afternoon was a press conference between the two companies' publishing teams for "Batman," and Simon had other things to do and didn't plan to attend in person. After explaining the matter to Robert Rehm, he walked side by side with Steve Ross to the parking lot of the studio.

Because it was a working day, passers-by on both sides of the road nodded to the two bigwigs from time to time.

After casually dealing with the greetings of the people around him and chatting a few words, Steve Ross said, "Speaking of which, Simon, I want to congratulate you again on becoming the richest man in the Federation." ”

On Saturday, the day Forbes magazine was launched, Steve Ross called him.

Simon just nodded and said, "Thank you." ”

Steve Ross asked, "So, what are you going to do next?"

"Next, I want to take a year off, let go of the company's affairs, be a bystander as much as possible, sort out some things, and learn some things. ”

Steve Ross was stunned, he actually wanted to lead the topic to another place, and when he heard Simon say this, he quickly agreed: "That's good, Simon, you've achieved something that most people can't achieve in a lifetime, and you really should stop and think about it." ”

Simon smiled bitterly: "However, this matter is easy to say, and if you really want to stop, it is not so easy." ”

Not to mention the rest, just the 10-film project that started some time ago, Simon had to spend a lot of time at the helm himself. What's more, there are a lot of other things in the plan that need to be implemented in the next year.

When Janet first heard Simon say that he was going to take a long vacation, she said that he probably wanted to let go, but he might not be able to let go, and it turned out to be true.

Steve Ross laughed when he heard this, nodded sympathetically, and said, "You are still young, you still have a chance to let go." Moreover, if you want to continue to expand your business territory, you must also learn to let go, and it is impossible for one person to take care of everything. ”

Simon nodded earnestly and asked again, "What about you guys?"

Steve Ross knew what Simon was asking and said, "Paramount's attempt to prove that Time Inc. changed its plan to buy Warner Bros. to resist their offer was also rejected by the judge, and the case will be closed by the end of the month unless they can come up with new evidence." ”

Paramount Communications, Time Inc., and Warner Bros. filed a lawsuit, Paramount initially reasoned that it was to protect the interests of shareholders, and provided some documents to prove that Times was the acquiree in the merger and acquisition between Time and Warner, and once this accusation was upheld by the Delaware court, Paramount was able to participate in the bid for Time Inc.

Unfortunately, this accusation was rejected because of insufficient evidence.

Recently, Paramount has put forward new evidence that Times and Warner Bros. adjusted the acquisition plan to resist Paramount's offer.

This is actually a fact that anyone with a discerning eye can see, but in court, Paramount is destined to have a hard time proving it. After all, it is unlikely that the outgoing Times and Warner Bros. executives would in any case admit that the change in acquisition strategy was to resist Paramount's offer.

The parties did not admit it, and it was unlikely that there would be substantive documents pointing to this, as long as Time Inc. and Warner Bros. came up with some high-sounding excuses to refute it, Paramount was destined to go home.

The two made their way to the parking lot and rushed to a restaurant near Warner Studios for lunch.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, after lunch, Simon and Steve Ross had just walked out of the restaurant when the flashing lights came on not far away.

These days, the media talk about Simon winning the richest man in the federation seems to be boiling, and there happens to be such a ridiculous thing as the 'psychic class' fraud case, although Simon's life rhythm is step-by-step, there are many paparazzi around him to follow the daily life of the new richest man in the federation.

"Simon, think about it carefully, as long as it's an area where Warner is involved, we all have the possibility of working together. ”

"I will, Steve. ”

The two said goodbye, and Simon couldn't help but think about Steve Ross's invitation for a deeper collaboration at lunch.

Speaking of which, not only DC, but also many assets in the hands of Warner are of great interest to Simon, such as Warner's cable TV operation system, and HBO, which is still in the hands of Time Inc.

The future of Hollywood is the world of integrated media groups, and Daenerys Entertainment will find it difficult to gain a foothold in the media field in the future if it does not have its own TV network, so Simon has been thinking about getting involved in the field of television during this time.

However, Warner is not the best partner for the time being.

In the afternoon, Simon was auditioning for the lead actor in "Sleeping with the Enemy", and Simon drove to Fox Studios in Century City in Beverly Hills, where his mobile phone rang.

Jennifer called from Santa Monica and said that Christopher Scars, chairman of Australia's Qintex Group, had contacted him to invite Simon to dinner.

Simon had also heard about the Australian company that was trying to buy MGM these days, and he didn't have much information about it in his memory, so he mentioned it on the phone with Janet, and the woman told him to ignore it the next day, and sent a copy of the information.

Qintex Group is a comprehensive investment company headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, which is somewhat similar to Westeros, and is involved in media, hospitality, retail, tourism and other businesses.

However, the information sent by Janet shows that the Qintex Group has expanded too rapidly in recent years, and its debt ratio has reached a very dangerous level, and it may go bankrupt if it encounters a little situation, and it is impossible to take out $1 billion to buy MGM Group.

Christopher Skars, chairman of Qintex, has nothing more than to pull some unknown capital together to partner with the white wolf.

Janet also relayed her father's assessment of Christopher Skars on the phone, who is likely to go to jail in the next few years for not being able to repay the loan and using too many illegal tactics.

Telling Jennifer to refuse the other party's invitation on the phone, Simon got out of the car in the parking lot of Fox Studios and was about to rush to the administration building when a female voice came from behind him: "Simon." ”

Turning his head, the first thing that caught Simon's eye was four long legs stretched inside white jeans.

These are two women, one is Jerry Hall, who greeted Simon at the last Columbia Pictures party, and the other Simon also knows, named Ella McPherson, one of the most well-known supermodels in North America in recent years, and has a nickname of 'The Body', which shows this woman's devilish figure.

The two girls quickly approached, probably noticing Simon's gaze just now, and both had a smile on their faces.

Simon didn't hide it, stretched out his hand to Jerry Hall, and said, "You two better don't run around, walking on the street like this, many people will definitely hit the lamppost." ”

"You're so domineering, Simon, you're worried that you'll hit the pillar and won't let us go out on the street," Jerry Hall smiled and shook Simon's hand, adding, "This is Ella McPherson." ”

"Hello, Miss Macpherson. ”

"Good afternoon, Mr. Westeros, it's a pleasure to meet you. ”

Ella McPherson responded with some restraint, her eyes curiously looking at the man in front of her.

Simon shook hands with Ella McPherson, turned to Jerry Hall, and asked, "Why are you here?"

Jerry Hall said: "I came to audition for a small role, and I happened to meet Ella who also came to audition. ”

"It's over?"

"yes, I was going to go shopping together to see if any man would hit the pillar. ”

"Maybe even a woman will. ”

"Huh," Jerry Hall smiled and asked, "What about you, Simon?"

"It's the same, audition. ”

"Then you must be auditioning someone else. ”

"You're already so beautiful and so smart, I won't praise you more. ”

"I really don't want to, I'm going to faint if I get a compliment from Westeros again. ”

After a few jokes, Simon raised his wrist and looked at his watch, and said, "Then, let's talk when I have time." ”

Jerry Hall hesitated and said, "Simon, when are you done?"

"There's so much going on, and I probably won't be able to finish without sleeping. ”

"In that case, wait a little bit to have coffee together?"

"I'm afraid it's not good, there are too many paparazzi around me recently, and it's not good to be photographed. ”

"It's just coffee, not a date. ”

"It's a pity that the paparazzi don't think so. ”

Jerry Hall didn't dwell too much, and just nodded regretfully when he heard the words.

Simon was about to leave, when Ella McPherson, who had not spoken just now, suddenly said, "Mr. Westeros, can we go over and see how you auditioned?"

Simon paused, glanced at Ella McPherson, and said, "Otherwise, there's going to be a party at Coldwater Canyon on Saturday night, hosted by MA President Jonathan Friedman, you can come over." By the way, did you sign an actor contract?"

"Recently signed, it happens to be in MA. ”

Simon guessed that Jonathan was probably following ICM's strategy of expanding into the fashion industry, and nodded: "That's just right, if you have time, I'll call Jonathan's side and prepare two invitations for you." ”

"That's settled," Ella McPherson agreed, quickly pulling out a business card from her satchel and handing it over, "Mr. Westeros, this is my contact information." ”

Simon took the business card handed by the woman and put it away, and finally nodded goodbye to the two women and walked towards the administration building.

This year's Milan Fashion Week kicked off on September 22, Gucci's Spring/Summer 1990 show was scheduled for September 23, and Simon and Janet were about to leave for Europe on September 20.

Today is Wednesday, September 13th, and there is still a week to go.

Originally, it was planned to start resting after the completion of "Batman", but the reality was difficult to achieve.

"Pretty Woman" has been completed and has begun to enter the late stage. "Ghost Love" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" are both in the process of intense filming, and Simon can't completely ignore it. Gaomen Pictures' key project next year, "The Intersection of Life", also needs Simon's distraction. In addition, the four films confirmed to be released next year in the 10-film plan, "Sleeping with the Enemy", "Shaking the Hand of the Rocking Basket", "Ten Days of Danger" and "The Pink Alliance", all need Simon to be at the helm, and counting the operation of the North American bond market in the coming October, Simon's so-called "vacation" is hardly worthy of the name.

Moreover, this is on the basis of Simon's complete letting go of Daenerys' entertainment television business.

Entering September, four blockbuster reality shows produced by Daenerys Television Company, "Who Will Be a Millionaire", "Survivor", "Big Brother" and "Beverly's Wife" have been released one after another, in addition to six TV series projects, all of which have fallen on Robert Iger.

Fortunately, all four reality shows have laid a good foundation last year, and Robert Iger won't mess up as long as he doesn't mess around.

Simon is still very relieved of Robert Iger.

As for the TV drama business, Simon can't spare any energy to take care of it for the time being, although he expects Robert Iger to bring him some surprises, but he doesn't have too many expectations.

Simon continues to be busy amid the ripples of public opinion on his quest to become the richest man in the Federation, looking forward to a trip to Europe in late September. It's just that as soon as the new week begins, the dispute between Daenerys Entertainment and Whitney Houston's signing of the record label Alista Records has once again become the focus of media attention.