Just as Duke was returning to Los Angeles to negotiate a new film project with Warner Bros., another remarkable thing happened in Hollywood - Michael, who was once unbeatable and hyped by many gossip media as the emperor behind Hollywood? Ovitz, who was forcibly fired by Walt Disney and swept away.

And one of the most important reasons for dismissal is Michael? Ovitz is ill-equipped to handle a media company as large as Walt Disney.

The former emperor of CAA, before he realized his ambitions, was defeated in a complicated personnel struggle and could only withdraw from Disney.

Like the fierce competition in Hollywood, there are complex struggles and compromises within the major studios, and they are also fighting each other for sex, money and power.

If you want to get to a high position, there is never a smooth road.

Just the only surprise to Duke was that he was surprised by Robert? Iger got the news from there to Michael? Eisner-headed board fired Michael? Ovitz also has the most direct reason - he has no vision, and the project "Chicago" that he vetoed was a big hit all over the world!

If taken literally, there is no Chicago, Michael? Ovitz may also sit a little more time as Disney's CEO.

Of course, Duke was not so naïve as to understand exactly where the core of the matter was.

Michael? Ovitz is certainly not big enough to control a media company as large as Walt Disney, but Michael? Eisner had chosen his childhood friend. It doesn't mean to just set up a puppet, but how can a person like Ovitz, who was once in power, be willing to be a puppet?

Power is a poison. Even more so than money and beautiful women can allure men.

In the face of a struggle for power, it is normal for a pair of childhood friends to turn against each other.

Originally, the contradictions between the two sides were still limited to a certain range, but Michael? Eisner's surgery changed the word.

Earlier the year before last, Michael? Eisner had an operation for a heart problem, and after the operation, Michael? Ovitz took advantage of Eisner's wife's trust or other reasons that had not been circulated to take control of Eisner's hospital room. Except for Ovitz and Eisner's wives, not to mention Disney's top management. Not even Eisner's lawyer was able to see him in person......

Originally belonged to Michael? Eisner's power, according to Disney's rules, naturally passed into the hands of Ovitz, but the good times did not last long. Eisner's recovery was extremely fast, and after his comeback, the two tore the last of their faces.

According to Duke's speculation, "Chicago" is just a small trap that Eisner has laid for Ovitz.

Michael? Ovitz left Disney and couldn't return to CAA, he didn't have any shares in his hands, and Duke was looking forward to him going back, so Martin? Bob and Ino? Martin will inevitably not hand over the power in his hands, and the CAA, which is already suffering from constant internal friction because of the power struggle. It will be even more exciting.

It's a pity for Ino? Martin's own holdings and the shares he has won have always been limited, and he has not been able to transfer Martin? Bob stepped down.

Duke will not forget about the potential and even recognized enemy over there, and the other party is just being killed by Ino? Martin couldn't get distracted. He believes that given the chance, Martin? Bob would bite him like a viper waiting for an opportunity.

And he also has that ability and strength.

Michael who left Disney? Owitz received a large severance payment, combined with a large net worth and deep connections, and soon set up an entertainment agency, which he is said to have convinced Sony Entertainment. Help them bring a terrifying monster to the screen.

In addition to his busy film work, Duke also got good news from outside the film. Steve? Jobs returned to Apple earlier this year with the huge success of Pixar Studios.

For investments other than films, Duke finally put most of his heart at ease.

By the end of April, Warner Bros. had completed the pre-review of "The Matrix" as quickly as possible in the program, and will be fully involved in the investment and promotion of the film.

Meanwhile, Duke and Robin? Grande officially set up the film project, set up a hacker studio, and used the shares of Warner Bros. in his hand as collateral to borrow $20 million from the bank, plus $20 million directly transferred from his books, with $40 million, accounting for half of the cost of the overall production of "The Matrix".

Twentieth Century Fox did not participate in the investment in the end, their funds were extremely tight, and the two super blockbuster "Life and Death 2" and "Titanic" have already made Fox anxious, the former is okay to say, it will be launched at the beginning of the summer, and the latter is a 'pit'......

As a result, Warner Bros. will not only account for the remaining $40 million in investment, but will also become the film's North American and overseas distributor.

"Our competitor Fox has fallen behind!"

As in other films, the press conference announcing the project was followed by a celebration of the event, Warner Bros. CEO Jeff? Robinov looked full of ambition at this point, "Guys, we've tied Hollywood's best young directors to Warner's chariot!" ”

"I'll make a toast to it."

One of Warner Bros.'s executive vice presidents was the first to raise his glass, and while the protagonist of Pai Duì was still outside dealing with the media, Warner's executives were the first to raise their glasses.

These high-level leaders are gradually dispersed, Robert? Solomon suddenly found Jeff? Robinov.

"Did you hear that, Jeff?"

He looked stern at Jeff? Robinoff shouted into a no-man's corner, "Duke got the film rights to Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", the Duke Studio is already preparing for the film adaptation, I have heard people say, Charles seems to have joined it." ”

"I've got some news about it, too." Jeff? Robinoff nodded seriously, "Duke and Charles went to Australia some time ago, except for visiting Sydney, they should be preparing for this." ”

He understood what Solomon meant. "Robert, I've got a plan, I'll talk to Duke about it."

Suddenly there was a commotion at the entrance of the banquet hall. A lot of people are around, Jeff? Robinov just glanced over there, changed his face to the most enthusiastic smile, and strode up to meet it.

Duke? Rosenberg deserves the same thing any studio CEO does, isn't he?

With that in mind, Jeff? Robinov walked through the crowd and saw Duke on the other side. He opened his arms and hugged him hard. Seems extremely enthusiastic, as if the two of them are friends who haven't seen each other for many years.

As long as he can continue to work with Warner Bros., let alone hug, even if it is like Michael? Ovitz like that. Climb on the table and tap dance, Jeff? Robinov was also willing.

After a brief hello, Jeff? Robinoff watched Duke greet others, and his heart was really full of emotion, the ordinary young man who fought for opportunities in front of him back then has now become a super director who wants to fight for opportunities for Warner, and it has only taken a few years in between?

The other party's face is still young and firm, but with a little more maturity, and there is no lack of confidence in his dark eyes. It's like when he rejected the promotion of "Life and Death" and still walked out full of fighting spirit.

Only those who are confident, determined, tenacious, hard-working and truly talented can succeed in Hollywood, and isn't the young director opposite the best portrayal? It seems that from the day I saw it. He has never lacked the essential elements of a successful person.

After a lap of entertainment, Duke turned around and found Jeff? Robinov, the other party was standing next to him, as if waiting for him specifically.

The two also had a tacit understanding, walked to a quiet corner together, and sat on both sides of the table. Straight to the point.

"Duke, I heard you're going to adapt Tolkien's magnum opus?" Jeff? Robinov asked.

"That's right."

Although it is still in the stage of secrecy. However, once the preparation of the film is accelerated, the news will spread soon, and Duke has no denying it at all, "Trilogy, one-time shooting." ”

"Are you so confident?" Jeff? Robinov frowned slightly, "This is recognized as the most difficult work to adapt in Hollywood, and some people have tried it in the past, but they all ended in failure, and it is too risky to shoot a trilogy at once!" ”

"I can't say I'm going to make it." Duke just smiled, "But every director always has to try something different, and always make something impossible possible." ”

Hear Duke, Jeff? Robinov nodded heavily, past achievements are the most powerful evidence, think about this time last year, how many people thought he could successfully adapt "Chicago"? How many people think that his rash transformation can be successful? Even he decided to release "Chicago" in order to take a long-term view, and even prepared to lose money.

The result? The film grossed $185.5 million in North America, and the global box office is now as high as $325.75 million, and it is still accumulating, Warner Bros. and Warner Records just took a share of the box office and peripherals, and got a profit of $30 million, which still has room to rise.

And the revenue from the Duke Studio, the director opposite, is even more amazing, and the two sides have just shared the overseas box office, Jeff? Robinov remembers very clearly that just by adding up the North American box office and overseas box office profits, Duke Studios has already received $45 million, and the surrounding profits are close to $20 million, and the two figures will continue to rise, what a terrifying film investment-to-income ratio.

Not to mention anything else, let's just say that "The Matrix", which has just been officially established, if it weren't for the fact that Twentieth Century Fox was so tense that the capital chain was close to breaking, how could they not participate in the investment?

If there is anyone in Hollywood who can successfully turn Tolkien's masterpiece into a movie, Jeff? Robinov believes that this person is not Duke? Rosenberg is none other than that.

"Duke ......"

Jeff? Before Robinoff's words could be spoken, he was interrupted by Duke raising his hand, "Jeff, Warner has always been the most supportive partner for me, and I am now also a shareholder of Warner Bros., as long as there is a need, my preferred partner will definitely be Warner, I can tell you very clearly, Nancy will then talk to you about the global release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy." ”

Speaking of this, Duke suddenly changed the subject, "I think we can work together further to create a project as lucrative and terrifying as Star Wars!" (To be continued)