The city of Richmond in the northeast of San Francisco Bay.

Pixar's office at this time was located in a nondescript office building in the city.

Simon arrived at Pixar's headquarters at two o'clock in the afternoon, but Jobs did not show up, and was greeted by Pixar's president, Ed Cattermole, a middle-aged man with glasses and a beard, who was the main developer of Pixar's animation software and rendering tools.

Before he arrived in San Francisco, Simon had already heard that due to financial constraints, Jobs had just made a layoff on Pixar after the New Year, and there were fewer than 20 Pixar employees living in the building.

The main protagonist didn't show up, and Simon didn't mind, and spent the afternoon carefully touring Pixar's technical achievements, including John Lasseter's newly hatched Tin Iron Soldier, a 3D animated short film that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film and was the inspiration for Toy Story.

So it wasn't until the end of the day, near the end of the day, that Simon said to Ed Catmoore: "Ed, I proposed to Jobs last year to buy this company, this offer is still valid, you can tell him, anytime he is interested in selling Pixar, you can contact me." ”

The afternoon was very pleasant, and Ed Catmull also felt that Simon was really interested in Pixar's technology, and said, "Simon, do you have to buy our company? If it's just a stake, Steve should be very happy, and we can help convince him." ”

"It's a matter of control," Simon said, shaking his head, "and I don't think Jobs wants to repeat what he did with Apple, and I personally do the same." Ed, you should realize, I was interested in using Pixar's technology to produce 3D animation and develop CG special effects technology related to film, but Jobs's purpose was to produce professional computers for animation production, and the two of us had completely conflicting business philosophies. ”

After chatting like this, Simon shook hands with Ed Catmoore and the others one by one, and left the Pixar headquarters with Jennifer.

The main filming of "Instinct" will take place in San Francisco, and on Tuesday he arrived with several main creators of "Instinct" and spent two days confirming the filming location, and Brian De Palma and others have returned to Los Angeles.

Simon visited the headquarters of Silicon Map in Silicon Valley in the morning, Pixar in the afternoon, and will fly to Park City, Utah, tomorrow for the opening ceremony of this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"Lola Run" only made a splash at the Sundance Film Festival last year with the strong support of Robert Redford, and Redford specially greeted him a few days ago, whether it was a promotion or a personal friendship, Simon could not help but cheer.

Hilton hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Jennifer returned to the living room with a pot of coffee, and Neil Bennett had already done a tap-proof check on the suite.

Enthusiastically helped Neil Bennett put all kinds of instruments into the box, and when the other party left, Jennifer poured Simon a cup of coffee, sat down on the sofa next to him, and said, "It's very similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder." ”

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also better than being eavesdropped, and I feel uncomfortable thinking about those little things in the Plaza Hotel suite," Simon said, putting down the papers in his hand, patting his hand at the female assistant, and said, "Come on." ”

Jennifer's face was slightly red, and she refused: "No, I'm not a kitten." And, it's time for you to call my dad. ”

Simon was not reluctant, smiled and picked up the phone, dialing the number of the Raybould family.

It was already past eight o'clock in the evening in New York, and the phone was quickly connected, and Simon and James chatted about New World Entertainment.

New World Entertainment's stock price rose again today from yesterday's high of $15, closing at $16.75 in the afternoon, with a total market capitalization of more than $400 million. Simon couldn't afford it anymore, and after discussing it with James on the phone again, Simon made a decisive decision to liquidate all the New World Entertainment shares in Westeros.

Simon's acquisition of New World Entertainment is based on Marvel, the company's film and television entertainment assets are secondary.

Since a group of people came together to slaughter the fat sheep, Simon's wisest choice now was to withdraw immediately. If the 7% stake of New World Entertainment is always in hand, the company's stock price will only continue to hold up, and it may even allow New World Entertainment to survive the most difficult period in the future.

Once this happens, it will be even more difficult for Simon to get Marvel.

Westeros' holdings of New World Entertainment stock are all unrestricted outstanding shares, so although the shareholding ratio exceeds 5%, it is not subject to the SEC's shareholding reduction limit.

Early the next morning.

Westeros immediately began selling its shares after publicly announcing the reduction of its holdings in accordance with SEC regulations.

Simon arrived in Park City around 11 a.m. local time in Utah, Janet had also arrived, and had rented an apartment at the same resort last time, and the woman had been busy with the renovation of her Fifth Avenue apartment in New York for some time ago, and returned to the West Coast at this time, mainly to attend the 45th Golden Globe Awards ceremony with Simon next Saturday.

The opening ceremony of the Sundance Film Festival still starts at 1 p.m.

When Simon arrived in Park City, he simply settled in and rushed to the Egyptian Theater in Park City, where the opening ceremony was held.

Due to the success of "Lola Run" starting with the Sundance Film Festival last year, Park City is clearly a lot more lively this year, and if it weren't for Robert Redford's advance arrangement, Simon and his family might not even be able to squeeze into the full Egyptian theater.

In some chats in advance, Simon also learned from Redford that the number of films registered for this year's Sundance Film Festival has directly doubled compared to last year.

Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, the number of screening rooms dedicated to the participating films in the next 10 days has increased to 10 instead of just three last year. Park City doesn't have so many screening rooms, and many of them are temporary renovations. It is said that some of the films that were not shortlisted have also set up their own screening halls, hoping that the film festival will attract the attention of the media and film companies.

After the opening ceremony, the opening film this time is also quite weighty.

Milan Kundera's adaptation of The Unbearable Lightness of Life and starring Daniel Day Lewis and Juliette Binoche in Prague Love. Because Saul Zaynz, the producer of "Prague Love", holds the rights to "The Lord of the Rings", Simon noticed the film some time ago.

"Prague Love" is confirmed to be released on February 5 and will be distributed by Orion.

For the promotion of the film, Saul Zaynz and other main creators also came to Park City.

After the opening ceremony of the festival, everyone rushed to the Sundance Institute headquarters at the foot of the ski resort to attend the official opening party of the festival, where Simon met Saul Zaynz on the recommendation of Robert Redford.

Saul Zaynz is in her sixties, with a thick white beard and a habitual pursed mouth, looking a little unsmiling.

The well-known Hollywood producer started as a record label in his early years, and in 1975, he participated in the production of his first film "One Flew Over the Asylum" won many awards such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, and in 1984, "Mozart" once again made Hollywood look at it with its outstanding results in 11 and 8 in the Oscar.

For a Hollywood filmmaker, being able to produce two Oscars for Best Picture in his career is definitely an honor to boast about for a lifetime.

At the party.

After introducing each other, Saul Zaynz said, "Simon, I know you're interested in The Lord of the Rings, and I've heard that you've got the rights to The Hobbit. However, unless you can provide a practical production plan. Otherwise, I wouldn't have handed over the copyright to The Lord of the Rings to you. ”

Simon and Saul Zaynz stood in the corner of the hall together, shook their heads when they heard this, and said, "Saul, if I can't get the copyright, I definitely can't invest in the development of this project in advance." ”

Saul Zaynz shrewdly said, "You can make The Hobbit first." ”

"But I'd rather make the Lord of the Rings series first," Simon said, hesitated for a moment, looked at Saul Zanz and said seriously, "Thor, I know you may not be short of money, and I know that it may be a bit abrupt to say so. But what do you think of $10 million to show my sincerity?"

Although the party was a bit noisy, Saul Zaenz fully heard Simon's offer.

$10 million?!

Subconsciously wanted to ask a rhetorical question, but Saul Zaynz knew that he had heard correctly.

But.

How is this possible.

Hollywood's current top or script copyright offer is about $1 million, and Simon Westeros has directly increased the market price tenfold.

However, sensing that the young man was beating himself with money, Saul Zaynz wanted to show an angry expression, but his face was more just surprised and incredulous.

No one in Hollywood is going to spend $10 million to buy the rights to a copy, and few people in the world do. After all, $10 million is enough to make a very good movie in this era.

Saul Zaynz actually heard that Simon had previously purchased the copyright of the TV series "Breaking Bad" with a huge amount of money, although the specific transaction price was not disclosed, but it certainly could not be the rumored $10 million. Moreover, that deal also included the rights to more than 100 episodes of the TV series, which is a real asset, but "The Lord of the Rings" is just a film and television adaptation right with an uncertain future.

After hesitating for a while, Saul Zaynz still couldn't refuse directly: "Simon, I need to think about it." ”

"Of course," Simon nodded, "But, Thor, I'd like to hear back from you before the end of the weekend." ”

Saul Zaynz shook his head and said, "It's too rushed. ”

Simon insisted: "I don't want to wait too long. ”

Saul Zaynz hesitated for a moment and said, "Simon, since you have obtained "The Hobbit", you must know that this copyright actually includes a fixed sharing clause, and the production company will need to pay 7.5% of the net profits of film, television and other aspects to the Tolkien Heritage Foundation in the future. ”

Simon nodded and said, "I know." ”

Saul Zaynz said: "Well, if you want to get the copyright, I also need a share contract, at least 5%. ”

Simon refused without hesitation and said, "Thor, I have already paid $10 million, and it is impossible to give you another share." You may think that Simon Westeros would not mind paying more since he was willing to offer a sky-high price of $10 million. But I can make sure in no uncertain terms that it's only $10 million, and it's only for this weekend. After the weekend, I'll calm down and start from scratch. In addition, if you agree to the deal, you must also sign a non-disclosure agreement and never disclose the price of our deal. ”

Saul Zaynz listened to Simon's words, and couldn't help but think about it in his heart.

If he cooperated with other film companies, Saul Zaynz knew that he would probably only get a transfer price of about $1 million for the rights, and perhaps the terms of the share would be easy to negotiate. However, even according to the 5% net profit share, the film company can earn more than 200 million US dollars, and he can get the same income as Simon Westeros quoted at this time.

What's more, the Tolkien Heritage Foundation only took 7.5% of the net profit share, and he just changed hands, and it was impossible to talk about 5% at all, maybe only one or two percentage points at most. Factoring in the 'Hollywood ledger', the chances of future revenue reaching Simon Westeros' $10 million offer at this time are even slimmer.

After a moment of silence, Saul Zaynz raised the glass in his hand to Simon and said, "Simon, before leaving Park City, I will give you an answer." ”

Simon took out a business card from his suit pocket, and asked for a pen from Janet's handbag beside him to write down the address of the resort where he was staying, and handed it to Saul Zaynz: "Saul, I'm looking forward to hearing the good news." ”

Janet had just been quietly listening to Simon and Saul Zaynz's conversation, and when Saul Zaynz walked away almost in a trance, the woman grabbed Simon's arm and said with a smile: "$10 million, that's the price of a top mansion on Fifth Avenue." ”

In my memory, due to the malicious default of New Line Pictures, a famous Hollywood 'old man', Peter Jackson, Saul Zaynz and the Tolkien Heritage Foundation and other parties have gone to court against them because of the proceeds of the "Lord of the Rings" series, and each lawsuit involves more than 10 million US dollars.

Although I don't know the specific amount of Saul Zaenz's share in the original time and space, if you can completely buy the adaptation rights of "The Lord of the Rings" for $10 million, it will definitely be very cost-effective.

Thinking about this, Simon reached out and gently hugged the woman, and said: "A lot of things don't seem to be going well recently, everyone sees Simon Westeros as a fat sheep, I suddenly want to try, if I also think of myself as a fat sheep, will some things become easier." ”

Janet felt the faint frustration in Simon's tone, leaned over and gently pasted her face on the man's face with her face, and said, "You're not a fat sheep, Simon, those guys who treat you as a fat sheep will definitely find out that they are stupid in the future." ”

Simon smiled and said, "That's what I'm worried about as well." ”

Janet was a little puzzled: "Why?"

Simon was about to explain when Robert Redford walked over from the crowd, greeted him, and asked, "How's the talk?"

Hollywood gossip is always fast-moving, and it's no secret that Simon is interested in the rights to The Lord of the Rings.

Hearing Redford's question, Simon shook his head and said, "Saul promised to think about it." ”

"Many Hollywood classic adaptations need to be polished, and it's useless to rush," Robert Redford reassured, rubbing the wine glass in his hand, and said: "Simon, in fact, there is one thing, we have received a lot of scripts during this time, and some of them are very good. I'm wondering if you can invest in a few, even one, they're all very talented directors or screenwriters, like you, they just don't have the opportunity. Moreover, the cost of these projects will not be too high, about two or three million is enough. ”

Simon is actually very interested in making some interesting solo films, and Daenerys Films can also support some filmmakers through this kind of project, and without waiting for Redford to continue, he nodded briskly: "I'll be in Park City this weekend, Bob, just have the script sent to me, and I'll pick a few for investment." ”

Although he was already very sure, Robert Redford still didn't expect Simon to agree so simply. However, he didn't hesitate, and said with a smile: "I'll have someone send you the script tomorrow, and in addition, I can help with the distribution if you need it." ”