In Li Hualong's memory, there are many well-known big directors named Steven? Spielberg, George? Lucas and James? Cameron and so on, he vaguely remembered that few of the films these directors would direct in the future hit the streets, and as for the facts, he couldn't study them now.

Li Hualong is convinced that even if there is a risk in making a movie with these directors with guaranteed box office, the risk is controllable, as long as you trust them, you will definitely be able to get rich returns.

After Li Hualong bought Universal Pictures and Universal Studios from MCA Universal, he was not ready to publicize, he didn't want the outside world to know about the change of boss of Universal Pictures, but he didn't get his wish, Hollywood movie giant Universal Pictures changed the boss of such a big thing, it is impossible to keep it secret, and the mainstream media in the United States has widely reported the matter.

A reporter from Time magazine wanted to interview Li Hualong, but Li Hualong refused, saying that he hoped to have the opportunity to be interviewed by Time magazine again in the future.

Before Li Hualong officially signed the agreement to acquire Universal Pictures and Universal Studios, Xi Chongjian had already met with the top management of these two departments on behalf of Li Hualong, and Xi Chongjian did a great job, giving a detailed introduction to Li Hualong's situation and letting these executives know that as long as they follow Li Hualong, they will definitely be able to succeed in the future.

After Xi Chongjian's lobbying, the top management of both Universal Pictures and Universal Studios decided to change their bosses, and they would not resign.

While in New York, Mr. Lee held a conference call with Universal Pictures executives in Los Angeles, and he made it clear that the next few years would come. He will continue to inject development funds into Universal Pictures, and his goal is to make Universal Pictures the world's highest-grossing film company at the annual box office.

Li Hualong stayed in New York for more than a week, during which time. He spent nearly $2 billion on his acquisitions of Universal Pictures and Universal Studios, as well as his purchase of shares in listed companies in the United States.

Although Li Hualong spent so much money, he still has a lot of cash in his hands, some of which he owns to buy shares of listed companies in the United States, and the other part will be transferred to Hong Kong one after another to own the shares of the acquired companies. It is used for the purchase of land, as well as for real estate development.

Li Hualong not only reached an agreement with the Hong Kong government to pay the land premium for the buildings built in Pokfulam and the pasture in the eastern foothills of Lantau Island, which is owned by the dairy company. He also bought some land around two ranches from the Hong Kong government, and the two huge projects will have a gross floor area of more than 30 million square feet, mainly residential, with a small number of buildings to be used for commercial (shopping malls, hotels, etc.). The Pok Fu Lam site will not be developed for more than eight years, while the Lantau East foothill site will last for 15 years.

New York is a global financial center, and the money invested by Li Hualong in the New York stock market can hardly affect the downturn in the New York stock market, but the price of the 20 or so stocks he bought has not risen by more than 5 percent, and nearly half of the stocks continue to fall.

Leaving New York, Li Hualong and Chen Sisi came to Los Angeles again.

Li Hualong originally wanted to work with director Steven? Spielber met when he learned that he was working on Massa's Vineyard in Massachusetts to prepare for the start of filming of Jaws. In order to avoid affecting Spielber's work, he abandoned the idea.

When he arrived in Los Angeles, Li Hualong met with the executives of Universal Pictures. He gave Steven? Spielber made a phone call and told him that he had read the script for "Jaws" and was confident in the film, and said that he could increase the budget for the film to $15 million.

Previously, the filming budget for Jaws was nine million dollars. Steven? Spielber naturally welcomed the increase in his shooting budget. He is the director of this film, and if the budget is larger, he has better room to play.

Lee Hualong and Steven? After Spielber finished the phone call, he asked the executives of Universal Pictures about George? Lucas's recent situation.

"George is preparing a science fiction film that tells the story of interstellar warfare, and 20th Century Fox is ready to invest in making this film."

Li Hualong was stunned when he heard this, thinking that he was going to snatch food from the tiger's mouth this time.

Does Universal Pictures executives know George? Lucas contacted the phone number, and after Li Hualong got the number, he took the liberty of giving it directly to George? Lucas made a phone call, introduced himself, and invited him to dinner.

George? Lucas agreed to Li Hualong's invitation, and before that, he had already seen reports about Li Hualong in the newspaper and was very interested in the Hong Kong film giant.

In the past 20 years, a total of 76 films produced by Huayi Brothers Pictures have been released in the United States. Lucas has seen more than a dozen of them, and he especially likes the two movies "Enter the Dragon" and "Game of Death" starring Bruce Lee, and laments Bruce Lee's untimely death.

……

For and George? Lucas had more topics to talk about when he met, and Li Hualong found the video of "Rice Country Style Painting" and watched it carefully before meeting him.

Li Hualong is not just a film businessman, he really likes movies, he has starred in movies, he has also directed movies, he is also a person in the film industry, he and George? Lucas had a common topic and had a great conversation.

"George, do you have any new plans?" Li Hualong asked knowingly, "I really hope to be able to cooperate with you." ”

"I'm preparing to make a science fiction film that Twentieth Century Fox has promised to invest in, and this film tells the story of the war between humans and aliens."

"It's interesting." Li Hualong deliberately exuded an expression of interest, "In China, there are many mythological stories, and some creatures that do not have the characteristics of human appearance are endowed with human characters, and these mythical characters are like aliens. When I was a child, I fantasized about being able to meet immortals who could fly to the sky. ”

"If I have the chance, I will definitely listen to Chinese mythological stories."

Li Hualong raised his glass, and George? Lucas touched his glass, took a sip of red wine, savored it, and drank it into his stomach.

"George, can you tell me the outline of the story?"

"Absolutely." George? Lucas smiled slightly, "The whole story has a huge and long thread. The story features the evil and brutal Galactic Empire, the righteous men gathered under the banner of freedom, and the conspiracy planned in the secret room. There are samurai who are proficient in martial arts, and there are brave and beautiful princesses......"

George? After Lucas briefly told the story outline of "Star Wars", Li Hualong smiled: "This story is great, it definitely needs to use new technology, right?" ”

"Yes, in order to make this movie well, I am going to set up a film special effects company."

"What is the budget for investment in this film?"

"Star Wars will be shot in three parts, and Twentieth Century Fox is willing to invest eight million dollars in the first film."

"Eight million dollars?" Li Hualong shook his head. "It's too little, and the money isn't enough to make this movie perfect. After I read the script for Jaws. It was decided to increase the budget for the film to $15 million. George, you've seen my report in the newspapers, right? ”

"Yes." George? Lucas nodded.

"I'm the richest man in Hong Kong, I'm willing to invest huge sums of money in making movies I love, and Universal Pictures is now my private company. In the next 10 years, I won't take a dollar from this company, I won't sell a stake in the company to anyone else, and if the company doesn't make a profit, I'm willing to inject $200 million into this company, and 200 million dollars can make 10 films, one a year. George, let me invest in Star Wars. ”

George? Lucas was stunned when he heard this, and said, "I have already negotiated with Twentieth Century Fox. ”

"You haven't signed a contract yet, have you?"

"Nope."

"It's good if you don't have it. To compensate for the losses of Twentieth Century Fox. I am willing to pay 200,000 dollars to Twentieth Century Fox. ”

"This ...... How much are you willing to invest in Star Wars? ”

"The first part will invest 15 million dollars, and in addition, Universal Pictures will invest 5 million dollars to set up a movie special effects company. Provide technical support for Star Wars. Regardless of the box office performance of the first part, even if it is a loss, Universal Pictures is willing to invest $20 million to shoot the next two films...... These conditions can be written in the contract. ”

"Mr. Li, you haven't read the script of Star Wars yet, you just listened to the story outline I said, and you invested. Don't you think it's risky? ”

"Haha, George. It's been 25 years since I invested in my first film, and in those 25 years, my studio has invested an average of 20 films a year, and I know how to judge whether a film will be successful or not. After listening to your story, having already seen your directed "Rice Country Painting", I believe in your talent, "Star Wars" may become a landmark film in the history of cinema, and I don't want to miss the opportunity to participate in this film. George, would you like to give me this opportunity? ”

"I do, and I hope we can witness the success of Star Wars together!" George? Lucas smiled confidently.

After dinner, George? Lucas said goodbye to Li Hualong and left the hotel.

Li Hualong returned to the bedroom and chatted with Yang Meng for a few words, and he gave a message to Adam, the CEO of Universal Pictures. Jordan made a phone call and told him that Universal Pictures was ready to invest in George? "Star Wars" directed by Lucas, and before that, 20th Century Fox was working with George? Lucas talks about investing in the film, and he asks how to settle the matter.

"Boss, they haven't signed yet, George? Lucas chose to work with Universal Pictures, not caring about 20th Century Fox. ”

"I'm already with George? Lucas said, pay $200,000 in compensation to 20th Century Fox, if the other party is willing to settle on this matter, then accompany them $200,000, if you are unwilling, the other party wants to take the legal route, we just need to accompany, and this matter will be handed over to you. Tomorrow, George? Lucas will go to Universal Pictures to negotiate a contract, and you will receive him. ”

"Boss, don't worry, I've got it done."

During Lee Hualong's time in Los Angeles, Universal Pictures and George? Lucas signed multiple deals, and Universal Pictures bought the rights to three Star Wars films and acquired the rights to develop a sequel prequel to the company's lead by George Brown. Lucas directed three Star Wars.

20th Century Fox settled with Universal Pictures after receiving $200,000 in "damages."

George? Lucas was very interested in film special effects, and originally planned to set up his own film special effects studio, but Li Hualong invited him to form and serve as the manager of the film special effects department of Universal Pictures. Lucas came up with the idea of starting a movie special effects company with Universal Pictures.

Li Hualong is very willing to be with George? Lucas co-founded a film special effects company, after all, this can make George? Lucas is more dedicated to managing the company.

After getting permission from Li Hualong, George? Lucas rallied a group of like-minded young people and founded Industrial Light & Magic, Universal Pictures, and George Magic? Lucas each owns 45 percent of ILM, and the remaining 10 percent is owned by the company's employees.

The establishment of ILM Film Special Effects Company officially opened the prelude to the entire Hollywood film special effects industry, and since then has changed the concept of film production in the whole world.

When that's all ready, George? Lucas's next step was to start casting actors.

Li Hualong is quite interested in the selection of actors by Hollywood film companies, but he has a lot of things to do, and it is impossible for him to stay in the United States for a long time.

On April 10, Li Hualong and Yang Meng left Los Angeles and returned to Hong Kong.

Soon after Li Hualong returned to Hong Kong, he selected two accountants from his own company to send to the United States, one British Caucasian and the other Hong Kong Chinese, and asked them to work in the Global Media Group together with Xi Chongjian and others.

Li Hualong has no idea of changing the management of Universal Pictures for the time being, and he hopes that these people can work hard and witness the rise of Universal Pictures with him. (To be continued)