Christian Bale and Jim Caviezer are both great actors who can fully integrate themselves into their roles, which is why Eric is interested in both of them.

Eric doesn't want the superhero to show too much of his own qualities, and if he can make the superhero characters impress the audience, but at the same time make the audience unable to remember their real-life names, that's the best thing Eric wants.

However, both actors also have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For Jim Caviezer, in addition to the well-known "Suspect Tracking", Eric's deepest impression of him is "The Passion of the Christ".

The former "The Passion of the Christ", with a production cost of $30 million, won more than $600 million at the global box office, with a box office return of up to 20 times. Audiences remember Mel Gibson's box office miracle fondly, but few people will notice that the film's leading actor is named Jim Caviezer.

It's just that Jim Caveser's acting style is more restrained. This is fine for Dr. Bruce Banner before the transformation, but for the Hulk after the transformation, it lacks some explosiveness. Of course, if Jim Caviezer is chosen to play Hulk, this can also be compensated for by post-production. After all, Bruce Banner in the transformed state must have been made through CG.

As for Christian Bale. As a child star-turned-actor, although Bell is 25 years old this year, he has actually just broken through the curse of Hollywood child stars, and he has not been as brilliant as he was later.

Eric, of course, is well aware of Bell's potential. Bale will definitely not just be free in figure, and his acting skills can also perfectly express the two states of Bruce Banner before and after his transformation. His only drawback is that he is a little younger.

If it had been before the conversation just now, Eric might still be a little entangled. The strengths of both actors are very obvious, and the flaws are not enough to affect their performance, so Eric admires both of them.

However, when Katzenberg mentioned Warner's side, Eric made a quick decision.

Ticking off Christian Bale's profile, Eric said to the others: "It's him, let the production department finalize the contract with Bale's agent as soon as possible." ”

Realizing Eric's inclinations, between Christian Bale and Jim Caviezer, several others also had their own thoughts. However, after listening to Eric's final decision, everyone did not object, and they turned to Christian Bale's information again.

Katzenberg was a little surprised, and said, "I thought you would choose Jim Caviezer." ”

Eric smiled and said, "I think he's better suited for another role." ”

Katzenberg blurted out, "Bruce Wayne." ”

Eric nodded.

Although Bale's version of Batman is also brilliant, Eric has just suddenly discovered that Jim Caviezer's restrained acting style is obviously more suitable for playing Bruce Wayne, especially Nolan's version of the melancholy, struggling Bruce Wayne. If Nolan can be successfully pushed to the position of director of the "Batman" series, it will be more suitable.

Of course, there is no eyebrow on this matter yet, and Eric didn't talk about it much, and talked to everyone about "The Incredible Hulk" again, and everyone got off work one after another.

It was the end of September, and by seven o'clock, it was already dark in Los Angeles.

Eric and Katzenberg didn't rush home, but dined at the nearby restaurant on the big ship, and talked about some company matters by the way.

"Hasbro has sensed our intentions, and Alan Hasenfield has been calling for the last few days. Although it is a public company, the Hassenfeld family still controls 27% of Hasbro's shares, and if we want to successfully acquire Hasbro, we still have to pass the Hudlingfeld family. ”

In the restaurant, both of them ate quickly, and after filling their stomachs, Katzenberg finally brought up the topic of Hasbro.

Eric didn't let Amy serve coffee to the two of them, feeling the cool breeze blowing on the terrace, he motioned to Katzenberg, and the two of them went to the restaurant terrace together. This terrace overlooks the nearby Mariander Del Rey, as well as the lower deck of the ship, which has now been converted into an open-air café.

After several years of operation, fans' enthusiasm for "Titanic" has gradually cooled, and this large ship model is becoming more and more inclined to the catering business.

When MGM was still in the hands of casino tycoon Cockrian, many people always ridiculed Cockrian for gradually developing MGM into a hotel company.

But in fact, after the acquisition of Disney, the restaurant and hotel business is also a very important revenue of the Firefly Group, which is mainly affiliated to Disneyland around the world in the form of Disneyland hotels, which is much larger than the MGM Grand Hotel in the past, and can bring billions of dollars in revenue to the Firefly Group every year.

Leaning against the railing, Eric looked at the stars of Marina del Rey, not far away, and continued the topic: "What do the Havenfield family mean?"

"Alan Halsenfeld should understand that Hasbro will not be able to resist our acquisition," Katzenberg said. They hope that after the acquisition, Hasbro can continue to operate on its own. ”

Eric immediately shook his head and said, "If that's the case, then what's the point of us buying Hasbro." ”

"That's what I told him," Katzenberg said. ”

Eric thought for a moment and said, "So, if they are willing to assist with the acquisition of the Firefly Group, we can promise Alan Hasenfeld to continue to serve as the CEO of Hasbro, and in fact, it would be a good choice to let the Hudsenfield family continue to run the company." Of course, Hasbro's operational strategy must also be adjusted to serve the overall interests of the Firefly Group. ”

To put it simply, Hasbro is a toy design and distribution company that also has its own toy factory, similar to Hollywood's film production and distribution companies.

Firefly Group's existing toy peripheral business, in addition to the image licensing department, is mainly distributed in hundreds of Disney stores around the world, which is equivalent to a terminal cinema chain company. Of course, the Firefly Group also has its own distribution network, after all, its movie peripheral toys cannot only be sold in Disney stores, but also appear on the shelves of major department stores.

As for the design and production of toys, the Firefly Group is mostly entrusted to toy companies such as Hasbro or other toy OEMs.

Therefore, after the acquisition of Hasbro and a series of integrations, Firefly Group can have a complete toy design, production and sales industry chain, which can undoubtedly further develop the peripheral business potential of Firefly Group's films.

Of course, Eric's acquisition of Hasbro naturally has another intention, that is, the copyright of the "Transformers" series.

In the contract a few years ago, after negotiations, Hasbro retained a 30% investment in the "Transformers" series, which was also an expedient measure that Eric had to make in order to win the rights to the "Transformers" movie, but considering the huge box office potential of the "Transformers" series of movies, this 30% investment rights must be recovered.

Katzenberg listened to Eric's words, nodded approvingly, and said: "In terms of price, Alan Hassenfield's offer is $3.5 billion, which is 60% higher than the current market value of Hasbro, and in the recent period, Hasbro's market value is only about $2.2 billion, and they obviously know that Fireflies are not short of money now." ”

Eric smiled and said, "If that's the case, we don't need to agree to any conditions at all. ”

The 60% premium is higher than many hostile takeover offers.

As a publicly traded company, even though the Halsenfeld family still holds control of Hasbro, according to the rules of the market, the Firefly Group proposes a hostile takeover, and as long as the price is right, the Halsenfeld family is completely irresistible.

After all, while the name 'hostile takeover' always sounds a bit derogatory, in reality, the company's shareholders can get more out of it.

"So, $3.5 billion is definitely not possible," Katzenberg said, "and the final transaction price will definitely be within $3 billion." The key now is that we have to complete this acquisition before the end of the year, which can save the company a lot of tax in disguise. ”

"Look at the operation. Actually, sometimes, I don't approve of companies adjusting their business strategies in order to avoid taxes. ”

"But this time it is definitely very appropriate, the expenditure of about 3 billion US dollars, according to the calculations of the finance department, can save the company at least 5 to 600 million US dollars in taxes, and we have no reason not to save this money. ”

As the two chatted like this, Eric looked at the lights on the other side of Marian Del Rey for a moment, turned around casually, and looked at the open-air café on the plywood, and was suddenly caught by a figure.

Katzenberg noticed the change in Eric's expression, followed his gaze, smiled, and said, "Otherwise, Eric, let's do it today, I think I should go back." ”

The matter was almost discussed, and Eric did not hold back, saying, "I'll send you down." ”

The two of them left the cafeteria together and made their way to the plywood lobby, where Katzenberg waved at Eric and headed for the stairs leading to the studio, where his car was still there.

It's dinner time, and with the rise of fame in recent years, restaurants on big ships usually need to book a week in advance, so the hall is a little overcrowded.

Seeing Eric appear alone, some of the guests who were eating were obviously a little impatient, but they all remained reserved and did not come up.

Speaking of which, many guests who come to the Big Boat Restaurant often look forward to the opportunity to meet the big names of the Firefly system, and no matter how bad they are, they hope to meet some big Hollywood stars.

Instead of satisfying the expectant gaze of the diners, Eric took a seat down the hall and walked straight to the deck, quickly finding a seat that he had just seen.

There was a man and a woman sitting at the round table in the corner, and Eric naturally had little interest in the middle-aged Latina man with a slightly dark complexion, but looked at the woman's still habitually straight back, and the well-cut blouse and dark blue jeans made her feel that unusually tall figure even when she was sitting.

The middle-aged man sitting facing this side of the hall had just noticed Eric's figure, and when Eric approached and confirmed that the Hollywood tycoon was indeed coming to his side, he reacted and quickly stood up respectfully.

The woman who was talking to the middle-aged man realized something, and turned around curiously, and the moment she saw Eric, there was a little joy in her eyes, and then there was a flash of resentment, and then it was replaced by coldness.

Eric ignored the middle-aged man who stood up, and with a smile on his face, he carefully examined Catherine Bigelow's delicate countenance, which seemed to be completely resistant to the erosion of time.

After "Red Alert", the two have seen each other very little in recent years, and Eric doesn't know if Catherine is deliberately hiding from herself, but I heard that she has returned to San Francisco to live for a long time, and she has not even made any more films in recent years, but has only served as a producer in some solo films.

Eric's own work is getting busier and busier, and before he knows it, the relationship that he had just grown close to in Australia suddenly became estranged again.

"You?"

After staring at each other for a moment, Catherine finally reacted, but only spat out a word.

Eric walked over, pulled out a chair and sat down at the round table, and said, "What are you talking about?"

Catherine saw Eric sit down without her permission, and there was a dissatisfied expression on her face, but she couldn't help but think in her heart that this little man was still such a scoundrel. However, feeling that her idea seemed to be too ambiguous, the woman hurriedly took a sip of the coffee in front of her, but did not answer Eric's meaning.

After Eric sat down, the middle-aged man on the opposite side also sat down carefully, stretched out his hand to Eric and said, "Hello, Mr. Williams, I'm Braulio Mantovani, I'm from Brazil, and I'm talking to Ms. Bigelow about a script. ”

"Oh," Eric nodded politely, turned back to the woman, and smiled, "So, you're finally planning to make a new movie?"

She wanted to respond with a sentence What does this have to do with you, but she felt that it was too rude to say this, and even a little like a little girl and, angry, so she just nodded: "Hmm." ”

Eric didn't seem to feel the coldness of the woman, and said, "What kind of script, tell me about it, everyone is still looking forward to your new movie." ”

Catherine still held the coffee cup in her hand, and when she saw Eric chasing after her, she raised her chin and said, "Let Blau tell you." ”

Braulio Mantovani obviously realized something at this time, and he wanted to leave immediately, but hearing Catherine say this, Eric Williams turned around with curiosity, and he could only bite the bullet: "Mr. Williams, this is an adaptation of a movie, called "City of God", which tells the story of a group of children in Rio de Janeiro who grow up in a hostile environment of violence, drug equality, and equality. I hope this film will draw the world's attention to the harsh living conditions in the slums of Rio. Oh yes, I still have an original here, and maybe, um, not very well translated. ”