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Now is not the time to talk in detail, Duke and James Cameron didn't talk for long, the party officially kicked off, this kind of thing does not need to be discussed in detail by two people, as long as they can reach a preliminary intention, there will naturally be professionals to conduct more in-depth cooperation negotiations later. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

Probably because the cooperation during "Titanic" left a good impression on James Cameron, or maybe the expected investment of the king of the world was too high, James Cameron showed a little interest in Duke's investment.

After the party began, Duke also went to a secluded place and directly called his bodyguards to record the incident and inform Tina Fey and Nancy Josephson in time.

Although the party was not held in the form of a formal dinner, there were many tables, and where there were people, there were circles, and in this party with a strong commercial flavor, fame and net worth were the criteria for demarcating circles.

There is no doubt that with Duke's current status, he is naturally a member of the top circle of the party.

After enjoying the well-prepared dinner at the hotel, Duke didn't plan to stay longer, after all, there was still preparations for "Iron Man" to be made tomorrow, but Rupert Murdoch took the initiative to come over, and it seemed that he had something to discuss.

With Mrs. Murdoch leading the way, Duke and Rupert Murdoch went into a reception room on the top floor, where they sat on the sofas on either side of the room after the waiters brought coffee.

"Duke, speaking of which, I have some opinions about you, the majority shareholder of Marvel Comics."

Leaning back on the sofa, Murdoch said in a half-serious and half-joking tone, "It doesn't matter if Marvel doesn't cooperate with the promotion of "Fantastic Four", it still makes so many things. ”

Roughly understanding the meaning of Murdoch's words, Duke showed a helpless smile, "You should know, Rupert, I don't have any authority to participate in the specific work of Marvel Comics. ”

It's true, except for the general direction and the necessary financial issues for people to oversee Duke, a shareholder in Marvel Comics. He won't be involved in operations at all, and he's not good at it.

However, Rupert Murdoch mentioned the "Fantastic Four", and Duke is also very clear.

"Fantastic Four", like "Spider-Man", "Iron Man", "Hulk" and "Captain America", are all Marvel Comics' signature characters. Because of the financial crisis and bankruptcy problems it once faced, Marvel Comics sold the film rights to "Fantastic Four" to Twentieth Century Fox.

Marvel's finances have improved dramatically after receiving funding from Duke, and as the comic book industry's winter has become a thing of the past, so has its business situation. In particular, the success of the "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" movies has made Marvel's senior management completely see the power of their superheroes on the big screen.

As a result, Marvel inevitably wanted to take back the wandering children into their own hands, and after the failure of Ang Lee's version of "The Incredible Hulk", they took back the film rights of "The Incredible Giant", and then set their sights on "Fantastic Four".

But Twentieth Century Fox is not a fool, even if Marvel Comics offered a high enough price to buy back the copyright, it still chose to refuse, and carefully built "Fantastic Four". And it was officially released in July.

Because there is a clause in the film copyright contract signed between Marvel and Twentieth Century Fox that is automatically triggered if the conditions are met - if the box office of "Fantastic Four" is too low, Marvel has the right to take back the film rights at the original selling price - so when Twentieth Century Fox's "Fantastic Four" is about to be released, Marvel has used some small means.

In the comics of a certain world of "Fantastic Four" in July, they not only changed the four people into villains who do all kinds of evil, but also made them hang up in an extremely miserable way.

Maybe the comics played a role, or maybe it was the lack of the vase of Jessica Alba, who no longer knew where she had gone, and the box office of "Fantastic Four" did not meet the expectations of Twentieth Century Fox. However, it has also received $100 million at the box office in North America so far, and has not activated the buyback clause of Marvel Comics.

Duke knew about it, but he didn't mean to intervene, it was just a small thing for him.

Rupert Murdoch only briefly mentioned it. Then it was thrown aside, after all, compared to what is going to be talked about below, "Fantastic Four" is nothing at all.

"Duke, I heard that the three-way negotiations between Duke's Studios, Pixar Studios, and Time Warner are in the final stages?"

After the conversation left "Fantastic Four", Rupert Murdoch turned directly to Time Warner, "If this negotiation is done." Time Warner's strength will become even stronger. ”

Knowing that the other party still had something to say, Duke just looked at Rupert Murdoch.

The media mogul didn't let him wait either, and was quick to say, "I have an idea about Time Warner." ”

Duke raised his eyebrows slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm just a director......"

As soon as these words came out, he was interrupted by Murdoch, "Duke, don't be so modest, who doesn't know your importance to Warner nowadays, you are not only the largest individual shareholder of Warner Bros., but the revenue generated by the film projects related to you is also a heavyweight ...... in the entire Time Warner"

He looked at Duke, his old face looked extremely serious, "If this three-way negotiation is completed, you will become one of the major shareholders of Time Warner, although I don't know the specific content of the negotiation, but I think that you and Steve Jobs will inevitably ask for a seat on Time Warner's board of directors." ”

"And ......," he seems to want to completely expose the other side of Duke hidden under the director's coat, "you have initially revived DC Comics, and introduced Marvel Comics into the Warner system, if these two systems can achieve the expected success, your voice in the entire Warner system will become important." ”

"And you can also influence that Steve Jobs guy......"

Hearing this, Duke couldn't help but show a helpless smile that he only understood, he could indeed impress Jobs with interests and other means, but if he could really influence the other party, it was really too high for him.

"With Time Warner's equity and board seats, and the ability to influence the performance of the entire Warner through its commercial operations, Duke, you will be a key point for Time Warner."

The eyes that should have been dizzy were full of fine light, Rupert Murdoch stared at Duke for a few seconds, and suddenly sighed, "Originally, you should have been a partner in News Corporation, but that idiot ...... Townsend Rothman"

After listening to Rupert Murdoch say a few more words, Duke took a sip of his coffee, put down the coffee cup, and said, "Rupert, what do you want to do?" ”

"I want to acquire Time Warner!"

Hearing Murdoch's words, Duke was not shocked, looked at him, and said, "Why should I support you?" Your chances of success are low. ”

Since it involves business negotiations, he doesn't mean to beat around the bush.

Duke was not shocked, Murdoch was a little surprised, in his eyes, Duke was too calm, but he didn't show it, and said, "If you don't try, how can you succeed?" ”

"The current Time Warner is not the Time Warner of the past."

As if to show his determination and confidence, Murdoch said lightly, "Time Warner is not a news corporation, its shares are scattered in the hands of thousands of shareholders, anyone who can hold five percent of the shares can be called a major shareholder, as long as it can win the support of major shareholders, this acquisition is likely to be completed." ”

There is no doubt that if the three-way negotiations between Duke Studios, Pixar Studios and Time Warner are completed, Duke and Steve Jobs will become the majority shareholders of Time Warner in Rupert Murdoch's mouth.

"What about the Justice Department's Antitrust Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission?"

Why was Duke not shocked, because he had seen the news that Murdoch wanted to acquire Time Warner, "This is the media industry, how can they sit back and watch such a behemoth appear." ”

"There's always a way." Murdoch just smiled.

Of course, Duke can hear the meaning of this sentence, and after living in North America for so many years, he knows very well that many federal agencies are actually not as clean as they imagined.

Rupert Murdoch said arrogantly, "Duke, don't you think that we can create a new situation in the world media industry together, which is a great innovation that can leave a name in history?" ”

Duke shook his head directly, he was not interested in this kind of name that had no real benefits.

This conversation has long involved business negotiations, Rupert Murdoch is not stupid, knowing that words alone cannot impress Duke, and said, "If the merger is launched, I will buy the shares of Time Warner and Warner Bros. that you are about to get at a premium, and you can get the power outside of all the studios of News Corporation, all your project companies will give full support, and you can share 30% of all the proceeds of the movies you make!" ”

Hearing this, Duke suddenly thought of another thing, "Rupert, you want more than that, right?" If the Marvel movie is successful, is it also in your plan? ”

"Why not?" Murdoch's words were very direct, "Duke, you know that News Corp cannot come up with so much cash flow, and the transaction with you will inevitably take the form of share exchange, and you will not only be a shareholder of the group, but I will also leave you an important position on the board of directors." ”

Duke was silent for half a minute before he said slowly, "I'll think about it." ”

"Hopefully we can continue to work together." Murdoch laughed.

"We have an opportunity to work together right now." Duke suddenly changed the subject, "Rupert, although the rise of the Internet has brought certain changes, but the media market is so big, the rise of new companies will definitely damage the interests of News Corp and Time Warner, I think compared to the future merger and acquisition cases that do not know when it will be realized, sniping those newly rising media groups, is the top priority, such as Walt Disney!" ”

(The Marvel-Fox dispute over the Fantastic Four is something that happened this year, to borrow it below.) (To be continued.) )

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