Simon made a deal with Robert Galvin, and Westeros received a $30 million deposit that night.

At the agreed price of $70, the total value of the 4.13 million shares is close to $290 million, and counting the 570,000 shares previously sold, Westeros will recover more than $320 million in total after liquidating Motorola shares.

Motorola couldn't wait to announce the news of buying back Westeros' shares that night. Still, the company's share price inevitably fell below $60 the next day. In the days that followed, the media was still clamoring for comments about the deal, but Simon had completely put the Motorola affair behind him.

Compared with the initial investment of about 250 million US dollars, more than 320 million US dollars have been recovered in just over two months, which is a big profit in any case.

At the same time, Simon also launched plans to acquire New World Entertainment.

In order to keep the acquisition costs as low as possible, James Raybould devised a strategy of first buying enough shares from the circulating market at a low price and then making a public offer, and the initial buying process took two weeks, without Simon's personal watch, and he returned to Los Angeles after New Year's Day.

The year 1988 was officially introduced.

Hollywood here.

Robin Williams' "Good Morning Vietnam" was released on a very small scale on four screens on December 25, and quickly attracted unanimous praise from North American film critics, with Hollywood's authoritative Variety magazine hailing the film as "an exciting on-screen journey", and Robin Williams' own performance caused a strong response.

Although it has not yet been opened on a large scale, the hot sales of "Good Morning Vietnam" can already be expected, and it is obviously impossible for Daenerys Films to let the other party sign the "Dead Poets Society" film contract at a low price.

But.

Simon's main concern is still "Rain Man".

After the first meeting, Tony Tomopoulos, the chairman of Luen Am, asked Simon to come forward with him after Christmas to discuss the film collaboration, and Simon did not return to Los Angeles until after New Year's Day.

During this time, Simon also heard that Michael Owitz had recommended the project to Michael Eisner again, hoping that Disney would work with United States, but things didn't go down.

After asking Amy in detail about the day of the meeting, Simon also had a rough idea of why Robin Williams suddenly changed his mind and why Ovitz re-recommended "Rain Man" to Eisner.

However, Simon's current influence has not yet reached the point where Spielberg's fancy of a project will attract strong attention and even coaxing, and Eisner, a Disney helmsman who definitely does not lack personal judgment, will naturally not invest in a film that the entire Hollywood is not optimistic about because of Simon's possible fancy.

Tomopoulos wanted to talk to Simon in person, but Simon didn't come back at all, and he made a lot of money on Wall Street again.

After all, Luen Mei still didn't dare to undertake this project alone, and after New Year's Day, Daenerys Pictures looked very calm, but Tomopoulos couldn't hold back and took the initiative to call Amy.

Before Simon returned, Amy and Tomopoulos finally came up with a rough cooperation plan after two days of negotiations.

Luen Mei Pictures sold the rights to "Rain Man" and "The Hobbit" to Daenerys Pictures for $2 million, "Rain Man" was produced by Daenerys Pictures alone, MGM-Luen Mei acquired the omni-channel distribution rights of "Rain Man" in North American theaters, videotapes and television broadcasts, and Daenerys Pictures retained the overseas distribution rights.

Other details include MGM-Luen America's guarantee of 1,000 guaranteed screens on December 16 at the end of the year, Daenerys Pictures will be responsible for the publicity costs of "Rain Man", and MGM-Luen Mei will receive 15% of the North American theatrical box office as a distribution commission.

To put it simply, it's a contract that's very biased toward MGM-Luen America.

With almost no cost to Luen Mei Pictures, it can get 15% of the net box office revenue of "Rain Man" in North America, with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, two first-line celebrities, and the hot Christmas schedule on December 16, even if the film is bad in the future, it will be no problem to cheat back one or two million dollars from the audience.

Moreover, for the subsequent distribution of videotapes and television broadcasts, Luen Mei also insisted on sharing as an agent, which once again reserved space for 'operation' for future distribution operations.

MGM headquarters in Beverly Hills.

Tony Tomopoulos signed his name on the contract, looked up at Simon Westeros who bowed his head across the conference table to sign, even though he still felt that this matter was a little strange, but there was still some emotion in his eyes to look at the fat sheep.

But.

Tomopoulos didn't know if it was self-consolation.

As a veteran producer who has been in Hollywood for decades, Tomopoulos is not short of his instincts when it comes to film.

After his pre-Christmas meeting with Amy, Tomopoulos also considered leaving Daenerys Films alone to make Rain Man altogether. However, when he consulted with the owner of MGM-Luen Corp. Kirk Cockrian about the project, he was directly vetoed.

Luen Mei does not have much money on its books now, and if it wants to produce "Rain Man" on its own, the company can only adopt the model of copyright pre-sale and bank loan for financing.

The whole of Hollywood is not optimistic about this project, and it is naturally impossible for Luen Mei to get too much pre-sale funds from theater operators. Then, most of the film's production budget can only be obtained through loans. Including the investment in future issuances, Luen Mei will be saddled with at least $20 million in debt.

$20 million may not be much for Simon Westeros, who is now making a lot of money, but it is difficult for United Pictures to bear the risk. Once the project fails, the Luen Mei label is likely to fall silent again.

After the signing ceremony and a brief luncheon, Simon and his party left Beverly Hills to return to Santa Monica.

Inside Simon's SUV.

Amy looked at Simon, who was looking through the contract, and said: "Regarding "Breaking Bad", Columbia Pictures insisted on $7 million and refused to cut the price again. Simon, if you think you can, you can sign the contract tomorrow. ”

In Simon's memory, Drew Barrymore, who bought the rights to the TV series "Breaking Bad" in advance, easily earned $120 million through the reruns of the TV series and the release of DVDs after the release of the movie version.

$7 million, in the eyes of many people, is a sky-high price, but Simon doesn't think it's high at all: "Sign it, in addition, you recently contacted Warner about "Batman", and the copyright of "Superman" in the hands of Alexander Salkinder." ”

Amy was a little confused: "You're not going to buy DC, are you?"

Simon shook his head helplessly and said, "When I was in New York, I contacted Steve Ross and wanted to talk about it in person, but I was directly rejected on the phone, and I also gave Ross an offer, but I didn't get a response." ”

Steve Ross is the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. and controls the entire Warner Bros. system, and Warner Bros. Pictures is only a part of Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner has not yet merged with Time, but the two sides began negotiations last year.

Amy asked, "So what should we talk about about it?"

Simon thought for a moment and said, "Contact Warner first and get the copyright of "Batman", even if it's only half of it." But it had to be ensured that Daenerys Pictures was in full control of the project. Take "Batman", and then you and Alexander Sarkinder contact "Superman", even if it is to throw money, we will snatch the copyright of "Superman". By the way, there is also "Wonder Woman", and by the way, the copyright of this female superhero was also taken down. ”

Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman.

If you can hold the DC Cinematic Universe triumvirate in your memory, you can basically control the entire DC.

Amy listened to Simon's words with some excitement, and said with a smile: "Do you want "The Flash"?"

Simon paused, came to his senses, and said with a smile: "Warner is not stupid, in this way, you make sure to get "Batman" in your hands first, which is the most important thing, and don't mention anything else." ”