Another Hollywood-style "accidental" ending, after a full year of tossing and turning, and after multiple acquisitions, the bankrupt MGM Pictures finally accepted Lin's $2 billion cash takeover offer. With the acquisition taking effect, the new MGM company will be restructured within thirty days. The first decision Lin made after taking over MGM was to appoint his former agent, Exx, as president of MGM.

Along with this news, the front pages of major media newspapers and magazines also included the news of Lin Mingyang's withdrawal from Harvard. At first, everyone paid attention to the news that Lin Mingyang had joined MGM, but the news of his withdrawal from Harvard was inconspicuous. However, some media dug up the inside information that Lin Mingyang was in arrears of credits for several courses during his time at Harvard, and the report accused the Harvard school of putting pressure on Lin Mingyang to force him to make the decision to drop out.

This incident was widely spread among Harvard students, but Harvard refused to make any response to the matter, but there was a grapevine that the then president of Harvard shook his head and sighed in his office after receiving the news of Lin Mingyang's withdrawal, and then told his secretary with a wry smile that Harvard's third famous dropout was born.

The principal obviously put Lin Mingyang and Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, and Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, together, the only difference is that Gates and Zuckerberg applied for suspension from school at that time, and neither of them expected future success, and they both had the idea of returning to Harvard to study if they failed; And Lin Mingyang submitted a withdrawal application to Harvard, and he was not prepared to leave a way out for himself at all.

Compared with his two predecessors, Lin Mingyang is undoubtedly much luckier, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg did not have a "behemoth" like MGM movies as a basis when he was his age.

Lin Mingyang has always been the "Spielberg" of the new era in the eyes of Hollywood media. They believe that Lin Mingyang's growth trajectory in Hollywood will follow the "Spielberg" model of success, from director to producer, and finally set up his own film company.

Success is the cradle of ambition, Lin Mingyang is not a guy who is willing to "live under others for a long time", this is the basic consensus of most people of insight in Hollywood, and on the issue of self-reliance, he has more mature conditions at this time than Spielberg back then.

Harvard dropped out, gave up his stake in Facebook, and became the owner of MGM, Lin Mingyang used this series of actions to tell everyone that he is an eternally unique existence in Hollywood, and no one can accurately define him.

This is the first time that Aces has worked in the company since he was appointed president of MGM by Lin Mingyang, and now the entire financial affairs of MGM are in liquidation, and the business is almost at a standstill.

As soon as Ex's car stopped at the entrance of MGM's headquarters, a large group of reporters came up to get up, although the dust had settled on MGM's acquisition, the media coverage of the incident was still in hot pursuit, and everyone was eager to know how Lin Mingyang would save the sick lion.

According to an analysis by The Wall Street Newspaper yesterday, MGM, which is under Lin Mingyang's control, will release four to six films a year in the future, with an average budget of about $50 million each. But occasionally a big-budget film is made, and the annual funding requirement is less than $500 million. But the question is, will MGM, once known for its period blockbuster "Gone with the Wind", become a medium-sized film company? Can this low-cost route be highly profitable in today's Hollywood?

"Mr. Ex, after MGM was acquired and reorganized, will those projects that have been suspended from the backlog, including the next 007 movie, be restarted?"

"Will Mr. Felix focus most of his energy on the management of the company after acquiring MGM, and will he still appear on screen as an actor in the future?"

…… For the first time since he entered the industry, Ex enjoyed the treatment of being frantically besieged by reporters, and he found that being surrounded by a crowd and surrounded by countless cameras and microphones was not as beautiful as he imagined, and even said that he was a little embarrassed when he encountered this situation for the first time.

The reporters' gossip questions gave Ackes a little headache, he used to be just Lin Mingyang's agent, and he could pretend to be confused when he encountered questions that he didn't want to answer, but now he is the president of MGM, and his every move represents the company's image. Even if he hates these reporters in his heart, he still has to make a kind gesture on the surface and deal with them carefully.

After the reporters' questions were over, Ex cleared his throat and said: "As we all know, the problem of debt has always been an important factor that has plagued MGM's development, and in this acquisition, Felix has helped MGM settle most of its debt. Starting today, MGM will be a stronger, more competitive company, and we are together with a solid financial foundation and a bright future. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, a reporter immediately asked: "Will MGM seek to develop in the field of television after the reorganization?" ”

The question should have been asked by a professional economic news reporter, and Ex nodded at him and said: "In the field of television, MGM's goal in the future is to become a strong content provider, we will strengthen cooperation with other TV organizations, but will not easily get involved in channel expansion, this is the consensus reached by Felix and I before the acquisition." ”

While the others were still reminiscing about Ex's answer, the reporter immediately asked: "Although Mr. Felix has quit Facebook this time, he still has a global video-sharing site like YouTube in his hands. ”

Ex felt that this reporter was indeed not simple, and Lin Mingyang's general intentions had basically been understood by him. In recent years, MGM has also realized this problem and began to try to develop in other fields, seeking cooperation with television organizations, such as forming a joint venture with CNBC Asia Pacific to launch a movie satellite channel. But it was too late to enter the market, the business was too fragmented, and before it could be used, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

After the acquisition of MGM, Lin Mingyang decisively decided to give up the development of the television field, he does not yet have the financial strength to compete with those TV networks controlled by multinational groups, and he is not optimistic about the future of the TV industry, because the emergence of the Internet is slowly changing people's lifestyles.

Lin Mingyang has always believed that the emergence of the Internet has no less impact on the TV industry than the impact of the emergence of TV on the film industry in the middle of the last century.

"Gossip Girl", invested and filmed by Lin Mingyang, set a precedent for simultaneous TV and Internet broadcasting, the hot clicks on YouTube and the cold ratings of CW TV are in stark contrast, and the new advertising cooperation model relying on network clicks has also been gradually accepted by advertisers, and YouTube's performance increase in the first half of the year is enough to explain everything.

The benefits of seizing online communication channels are self-evident, but MGM can't disclose this strategic intent at this time, so Ex can only shrug his shoulders to the reporter with a slight apology, saying that he can't answer the question yet.

"I can't give you a clear answer about the strategic choice and goal setting for MGM's future development, do you have any other questions?"

"Did Mr. Felix choose you to be MGM President out of trust in your talents, or because of your good personal relationship?"

Someone in the crowd suddenly came up with such a sentence, which roughly means that Ex was able to serve as the president of MGM because he went through Lin Mingyang's "back door".

Ex glanced at the other party with a flat expression, and then asked rhetorically, "Do you know Meyer?" ”

"Of course, he was the founder of MGM's glory and the operator of the most successful film company in history." The reporter was a little puzzled, but still answered truthfully.

"Then you know why he left MGM in the end!" "The least his experience can tell us is that sometimes it's not necessarily a bad thing to have a good personal relationship with the person who actually controls the company... As for my personal ability, the company's performance in the future will give the most objective evaluation! ”

MGM's security guards had separated the reporters and opened a passage into the company building for Exx, and just as Ex was about to end the interview, a reporter suddenly asked in a loud voice:

"Mr. Ex, are the rumors that Felix was forced to drop out of Harvard true? What are your thoughts on this matter? ”

Ex was just about to take a step and stopped, "Unfortunately, after I took over as president of MGM, I will not continue to be Felix's agent... This is the last time I answer your questions as Felix's agent, about the withdrawal of school, the situation is not as complicated as everyone thinks, Felix is just tired of staying at Harvard, so he chose to drop out, the reason is as simple as that! ”

――――"I'm about to be annoyed by the business managers and media reporters of various departments, and you are still in the mood to play games, and you are still in my office!" In the "roar" of Ex high decibels, a thick stack of reports was thrown on the desk in front of Lin Mingyang.

To be precise, the owner of this table should be Ex, but Lin Mingyang "occupied the magpie's nest", not only occupied the other party's seat, but also downloaded the latest version of the game on the other party's computer. Fingers kept flying on the keyboard and mouse, and Lin Mingyang's attention was completely focused on the computer screen at this time, ignoring the stack of reports that Exx had left behind.

Seeing that he was about to get through this level, the computer screen in front of Lin Mingyang suddenly went black and ran out of power!

He slapped the keyboard angrily and cursed "Damn!" ”

Ex shook the power plug in his hand and said angrily, "Then we should be able to talk seriously about it!" ”

Lin Mingyang pushed the keyboard back into place, and then spread his hands: "Okay, what do you want to express?" ”

"Look at the numbers, this is the company you bought with $5 billion!" Ex knocked on the stack of statements on his desk, "Poor management has led to losses year after year, and a huge company can't even get out $20 million in cash for short-term capital turnover at the most embarrassing time... The average annual output of movies is less than 20, and they are all the kind of movies with high investment and low return, which I don't know how the guys in the past ran and actually made MGM to the point where it is today. ”

Ex scolded the former managers and those loser directors, Lin Mingyang did not say anything, MGM was indeed ruined by poor experience and lack of funds, among them, director John Woo, who is familiar with Lin Mingyang, also "made a contribution" - his "Wind Whisperer" invested $115 million, but only got $77 million at the global box office, making MGM lose at least $50 million.

After Ex had scolded enough and his mood calmed down, Lin Mingyang said: "If MGM didn't have such and such problems, it wouldn't be our turn to sit here and judge it today." It's useless to complain about that now, I spent so much money to buy this company, it should have something of value left, right? ”

Lin Mingyang asked about this, and Ex's face finally looked better: "MGM has the largest film library in Hollywood, of which 4,100 movies are its most valuable assets, and the number of this film library has decreased after several changes, but it can still bring MGM about $500 million in revenue every year." ”

"And what about MGM's brand value now?"

Lin Mingyang asked this because MGM produced a large number of luxury productions during the golden age of the 20s and 40s of the last century, which left a deep impression on people all over the world, especially the lion's roar that symbolizes the surname. Although MGM is no longer able to keep up with this era, the value of the brand should still be there.

Ex sighed helplessly: "There is no MGM name in the six major film companies recognized by Hollywood now, and I have to say that MGM has really declined over the years!" ”

Lin Mingyang had been prepared for this, he didn't have any loss on his face, but laughed hehe: "Then you are the first captain of the big ship MGM sailing to the revival channel, maybe you can really surpass Meyer in the future and become the best manager in the history of MGM and even Hollywood." ”

"So you've found a way to get our lion to roar again?"

Ex looked at Lin Mingyang with anticipation, but Lin Mingyang shrugged: "Not yet, but I like your metaphor very much, let the roar of the lion resound all over the world, this is my goal... I heard that there is a special saying about this MGM factory logo, the lion's roar represents the reading power of the production, MGM is only responsible for the distribution, and the reading power production factory logo will be brought later; Roar Two is MGM's own property right movie; Three Roars is the blockbuster of the year. ”

"I asked the person in charge, and that's complete nonsense!" Ex was a little dissatisfied and diverted his topic, and continued: "I can try to improve the company's management, but MGM needs excellent movies the most, and good works are the way for film companies to survive... The company is yours, and I am only responsible for helping you manage it. Filmmaking is your forte, so you'll have to do it yourself! ”

Although he has always had idealistic fantasies, Lin Mingyang had to face the reality at this time, "How many themes are left that the company can use now?" ”

Ex shook his head: "MGM's two highest-grossing themes over the years, one is the 007 series, and the other is "Sister and Brother Agent" starring you and Jolie. Both of these themes can have a sequel, but they are not the best choice right now! ”

Lin Mingyang proposed: "I only signed a contract with Disney for the first episode of "Twilight", and we can shoot the rest ourselves!" ”

Ex still shook his head, "Unless the second episode can start filming immediately, it won't be able to solve the near fire!" ”

At this moment, Lin Mingyang was also a little embarrassed, in this clueless situation, it was impossible for him to come up with a script immediately. Just when the two were at a loss, someone suddenly knocked on the door outside the office.

"Didn't I tell you, Cord? Nothing important, don't come and bother me! Ex was upset, and when he saw that it was his assistant Cord who pushed the door in, he reprimanded him.

Cod explained with an aggrieved face: "There is an old man in the company, saying that he wants to see Mr. Felix!" ”

"Looking for me?" Lin Mingyang was stunned there.

Ex wrinkled and asked, "Are you sure that person isn't the fan who came to him for an autograph?" ”

"He claims to be Stan, and says he's known Mr. Felix before!" ”

Ex snorted angrily: "Now there are not many people in the United States who don't know Felix!" ”

"Then I'll send him away?" Cord asked in a whisper.

"Wait!" Lin Mingyang suddenly stood up and stopped Cod, who was just about to leave, "You just said his name is Stan, so what does he look like?" ”

Codd described the man's face.

Lin Mingyang clapped his hands excitedly, this sudden move startled both Ex and Cord in the office.

Ex looked at Lin Mingyang with a puzzled face, "Do you really know that person?" ”

Lin Mingyang explained: "That is an interesting old man, the old man who saved a little girl when Spider-Man and the Green Goblin fought in "New Spider-Man 1", and the pedestrian who ran across the road in "New Spider-Man 2", are all played by that old man! ”

"An extra?" Ex was suddenly out of interest.

"In the movie, he is really just a trick, but in reality he is Spider-Man's 'dad', and he has a lot of children, such as the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Daredevil, X-Men..."

As the loud comic characters were reported in turn, Ex's expression began to change from disdain to surprise, and finally the whole person froze, "You mean... That old man is the famous cartoonist Stan Lee? ”

(To be continued)