[According to the U.S. antitrust system, although since the split of AT&T in 1984 until now, the U.S. judiciary has rarely interfered with those powerful companies that occupy a dominant market position, such as the failure of Microsoft's spin-off case, such as Intel at its peak...... But it is difficult to say that this kind of enterprise that operates through capital rather than natural monopoly can pass the review of the US Antimonopoly Bureau! The author loves Nolan's version of "Batman", the super cool "Watchmen", "Superman: Man of Steel", "The Flash" and other superheroes, and the acquisition of DC Comics to monopolize the American comic market This bridge has to open a more obvious golden finger! In addition, the author deeply hates the three generations of domestic dramas, and will also spend a lot of money on the support of China's entertainment industry, Huayi Brothers and Guangguang Media are just a small step! 】

On April 13, 2002, Song Chen, who didn't want to sleep long at night, sent another takeover offer to Time Warner AOL for $900 million.

Time Warner, who was originally between selling and not selling, heard that Song Chen had raised the acquisition fee by $120 million, and at the same time was ready to go home. Parsenkin knew that this price was close to Song Chen's bottom line!

However, he still felt dissatisfied, so he made an appointment with Song Chen in his office and said, "Mr. Song is going back to Mountain View?" ”

Song Chen said helplessly: "I've been in New York for nearly a month, and I've accumulated a lot of important texts over there in Mountain View, and I can't delay it indefinitely!" However, this trip to New York generally lived up to expectations, except for DC Comics! ”

"That's why I asked you to meet!" Richard said with a spring breeze on his face, "When you go back to California this time, you will continue to send someone to talk to us about the acquisition!" ”

Song Chen groaned slightly, shook his head and said, "Mr. Pasenkin, trust is mutual, otherwise it will be a disaster!" From $780 million to $900 million. I've shown enough sincerity; On the contrary, the sluggishness and greed of Time Warner's board of directors makes me feel that your company has no intention of selling DC Comics at all, and if it weren't for the fact that Mr. Pasenkin you are a respectable person in America, I would have thought you were watching me laugh! ”

"How is that possible!" Richard, of course, flatly denied it, "Believe me, I'm trying my best to ask for your request!" This increase in the purchase price is undoubtedly a very important statement and a testament to your respect for DC Comics! ”

Respect? Song Chen said with a smile: "It seems that you were not satisfied with the $780 million cash acquisition at the beginning!" ”

"That's true!" Richard said confidently, "Time Warner is not Chenxing Culture Group, and our chairman of the board of directors does not have the status of a decisive person like you!" We all need to explain to investors, so the slowness of the decision-making mechanism is essential. You know, cross-border acquisitions can take as little as a few months, or even a year or two! ”

Is this a hint of a lack of patience? Song Chen mocked: "Of course, I know that some important acquisitions have been delayed for a long time, but DC Comics is not a technology company, there is no sensitive technology, and the US government will not always remember that I am a Chinese!" Even if the U.S. government wants to block it, you still don't want to make a decision to agree to it, but now it seems that you still don't want to take a stand on this acquisition! ”

Richard? Parsons froze. I couldn't help but laugh dryly: "Of course I welcome any valuable mergers and acquisitions!" ”

"Oh?" Song Chen looked directly at the other party with dark eyes, and said with a faint expression, "Mr. Parsons, let's abandon some meaningless perfunctory and pretextual words. It's time to be open and honest about topics of mutual interest! What do you mean by worthwhile? ”

"$1.2 billion in cash!" Richard? Parsons slowly threw a number.

The sudden price increase of 300 million US dollars made Song Chen's eyebrows tremble slightly, and he said lightly: "You guys are really lions with big mouths!" ”

The sarcasm of the other side, Richard? Parsons didn't care. He grinned and said, "We are businessmen, and the ultimate goal of businessmen is to maximize profits!" Mr. Song, I think the reason why you want to buy DC Comics. It is nothing more than the hope of getting an inexhaustible library of film and television copyrights, which is a very important resource for the nascent film company! We at Time Warner are not short of money, and if there is no attractive price, how can I close this deal? ”

"Uh-huh, $1.2 billion!" Song Chen Dynasty Richard? Parsons glanced at it, "I can indeed get this money, but it's too expensive!" How about $1 billion? ”

Richard? Parsons shook his head and said lightly: "It's you who insist on buying DC Comics!" I guess since you value DC Comics superheroes, there must be a reason we don't know! We don't intend to speculate on what you think, but if you're going to get DC Comics from us, you're going to pay a price! I'm sure you should have known this for a long time! ”

Song Chen was silent.

For a long time, Richard? Parsons thought that the big boy might shake his head and choose to retreat, but he finally slowly spit out one word: "Good!" ”

I really agreed! Is that why he loves those virtual superheroes? Richard? Parsons looked stunned for a moment before he said, "That's enough for me to give an account to the board!" ”

On April 16, 2002, the legal representatives of Time Warner and Chenxing Culture Group drafted a document of intent to acquire the company. The next day, Song Chen and Richard? Parsons signed an agreement of intent to acquire the company in the presence of hundreds of media outlets around the world.

On April 20, 2002, the U.S. antitrust regulator did not initiate an antitrust investigation within the statutory waiting period (generally one month, (15 days for cash transactions)), which means that the acquisition was deemed to have been approved by the U.S. antitrust investigation.

On April 21, 2002, Song Chen and Richard? Parsons signs the order agreement! This means that Ike, who has just taken office as the president of Chenxing Culture Group, can't do it? Mr. Perlmut has brought DC Comics, once an enemy, into management!

At the press conference, Song Chen, who was wearing a suit, stood up, handed his hand to the other party and said indifferently: "After that, I will send Ike, the president of Chenxing Culture Group?" Mr. Perlmut and the group's legal staff have completed the finishing touches and hope to finish it before June! Congratulations, Mr. Parsons! ”

Richard? Parsons said bitterly: "In front of you, no one dares to make this transaction a success, wait and see!" ”

Song Chen smiled, under the flickering magnesium lamp, Song Chen did not announce any shocking plans, but left the venue under the escort of the bodyguard. On the second day, he met with the main managers of Marvel Comics and DC Comics at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and arranged his long-planned superhero plan, asking the creative team and Chenxing Pictures to start recruiting screenwriters, preparing to bring Marvel superheroes to the screen one by one, and formulate the first phase of the Marvel World plan, that is, the Avengers; Of course, there are also Superman and Batman, who have been famous for a long time in DC, and the Justice League, which has a more prominent political color!

Not only that, Song Chen also asked the presidents of Marvel Comics and Marvel Entertainment to license the game image copyright of their superheroes (including stand-alone and online games) to Chenxing Games.

This decision is not abrupt, but Marvel Comics president Allen? Out of professionalism, Fan En still asked: "I know that Chenxing Group already has a relatively mature internal trading organization to coordinate prices, Marvel Comics and Chenxing Games are all affiliated to Chenxing Culture Group, we want to know what the distribution mechanism is, how much income can we get from Chenxing Games or Chenxing Entertainment?" The relationship between these two companies is a bit complicated! ”

"Chenxing Games and Chenxing Entertainment have different positions in the group, but I think there will be changes soon, as for the game distribution between you and these two companies, we need to convene three companies for in-depth discussions in the future!"

Song Chen smiled humorously, and he was very excited to acquire Marvel Comics and DC Comics at the same time, and at this moment he had a sense of pride in the cultural world of Europe and the United States! "I'm thinking of a great online game that will engage the whole world! When the time comes, you will share in this glory as witnesses! ”

Great online game?

Benefiting from this acquisition, just from Paul? Dan, who took over the power of DC Comics' president and editor-in-chief in Levitz's hands? Didio couldn't help but muttered about Song Chen's self-confidence in his heart. However, considering that this big boy has created countless miracles, he is somewhat honored, he asked: "I heard that after Marvel Comics belongs to Chenxing Culture Group, is it ready to implement a new salary distribution mechanism?" ”

Song Chenchao Ike? Permut nodded, then said, "This matter, Ike?" Perlmut will hold a joint meeting, and then you will be aware of the change and have your say! Considering that the headquarters needs me to go back as much as possible, I won't participate! Perlmut, when the time comes, you will organize the minutes and the building into an electronic document, send it to the strategic planning office by email, and they will pass it on to me! ”

"I understand!"

Song Chen pondered for a moment and then said: "Regarding the Avengers and Justice League plans, wait until you discuss the new income distribution plan and hand it over to me for confirmation before announcing it together, and you must remain silent during this time!" ”

"I see!" Ike? Perlmut's face was flushed, as if he was drunk, and he still hadn't recovered from the happiness of being at the helm of Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

Song Chen nodded, and was about to end this meeting, when he suddenly heard Dan? Didio muttered: "By the way, boss, the director Christopher, who once directed "Chasing the Murderer in the White Night"? Nolan and David? S. Goyer came to the door with the script for "Batman", Warner Bros. had been hesitant until then, and your acquisition was pending at the time, so it dragged on until now...... Chenxing Pictures is still preparing, there should be no suitable director and script yet, should you let him try? ”

Yes? Happiness so suddenly? Did Nolan start filming "Batman: The Mystery of the Shadows" as early as 2002? Song Chen raised his mouth and said for a long time: "It seems that I need to postpone my return for a few days!" ”

Belch! All the high-ups present were stunned. (To be continued......)