NCCnovel Chapter 998 A Super Celebrity Who Offered Himself
Chapter 998 A Super Celebrity Who Offered Himself
Ivan Fuller's plan went smoothly.
Three hours later, he held a press conference in a huge conference room at MGM Studios headquarters.
During the process, although the questions from the California media were sharp and difficult, Ivan Fuller handled them with ease.
He wasn't in the film industry before, but he wasn't a newcomer to the business world either. He had temporarily taken over several large companies, and holding press conferences was a regular occurrence for him.
Therefore, when faced with the reporters' difficult questions, he not only remained calm but also displayed a composed and experienced demeanor.
He knew what reporters wanted: sensational stories, conflict, and headlines that would excite readers.
But Ivan Fuller refused to give it to him.
His every answer was like a smooth wall; the reporters' fists could only slide off, finding no point of leverage.
Although Lin Haoran did not attend the press conference in person, he watched the entire event via live television.
Ivan Fuller was very satisfied with his performance, especially with his answers to the reporters' tricky questions.
This press conference wasn't just attended by journalists from California.
As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is home to numerous media outlets from across the country and even the world, many of which have branch offices or resident reporters there.
In addition to local California newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety, reporters from the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, as well as reporters from the BBC, Reuters, and AFP, also rushed to the scene.
The fact that a minor personnel change at MGM could attract so many international media outlets shows that the public relations efforts of the six major companies were indeed effective. They successfully turned the "MGM talent exodus" into a globally watched news event.
But Ivan Fuller's press conference completely disrupted the flow of the event.
At 3 p.m., Lin Haoran met with Mr. Albert Broccoli, the owner of the film production rights to "007".
It's fortunate that this Italian isn't a squid, otherwise Lin Haoran would have had to put in a lot of effort.
The Squid People's Circle is too tight; they are intricately connected and cannot be swayed by money.
But Broccoli is of Italian descent, which makes things much easier.
Italians and Chinese have many similarities: they value family, tradition, and long-term relationships, unlike those who only care about short-term gains.
"Mr. Lin, I don't care who owns MGM. I only care whether the 007 series can continue to be made, and whether MGM Studios will continue to invest in filming in the future!"
After all, this involves the interests of their family.
The six giants had also contacted Albert Broccoli privately, even revealing their plan to block MGM's distribution channels.
The goal, of course, was to create a rift between Albert Broccoli and MGM, to make him feel that MGM was no longer reliable, thus giving them the opportunity to divide up the profits from 007.
The 007 series is a super IP, who wouldn't want to get a piece of it?
However, Albert Broccoli directly rejected collaborations with other Hollywood giants.
After all, UA originally owned the distribution rights and film copyrights for "007". It was only due to poor management and several changes of ownership that UA eventually merged with MGM, resulting in the current situation.
Albert Broccoli has worked with UA and MGM for many years and knows that although MGM has declined, it has never shortchanged him in terms of distribution channels and financial support.
If his next film is made in collaboration with another Hollywood company, then in addition to troublesome legal issues, he will also face complex disputes over the ownership of the 007 series copyrights.
The copyright to 007 has never been owned by a single entity, but rather jointly held by MGM and the Broccoli family. Each party has its own rights boundaries, and neither can do without the other.
If Broccoli dared to collaborate with another company on a 007 film, MGM could halt the project with a single lawsuit; such a lawsuit would likely take three to five years to resolve.
Most importantly, Albert Broccoli had the confidence to refuse to cooperate with other Hollywood companies, even if these six giants blocked MGM's distribution channels.
The reason is simple: since the early 50s, Hollywood's major studios have been forced by the Supreme Court to sell their theater chains and completely separate their exhibition businesses due to antitrust laws, prohibiting the vertical monopoly of "production-distribution-exhibition".
In other words, the six giants do not actually own any cinema chains.
They simply colluded with major theater chains to deny MGM prime time slots and screens, minimizing its screenings.
They can ban MGM, but they can't ban the 007 series.
After all, every release of the 007 series is a global cultural event.
The audience wasn't there for MGM; they were there for 007.
Theaters may refuse to screen MGM films, but they dare not refuse to screen 007 films.
Because the audience will criticize, boycott, and vote with their feet.
Moreover, cinemas are in the business of making money, not turning down profits.
If a long line of people are waiting outside for a James Bond movie, but they leave the screen empty, will the shareholders agree? Will Wall Street agree? No.
Therefore, Albert Broccoli had absolutely no worries about the release of the 007 film.
His concern was that Lin Haoran might reduce investment in films, or even abandon the film business altogether, because MGM was being targeted by the six major giants, turning MGM into a pure film library operation company, which was the most unacceptable thing for him.
The 007 series requires a large financial investment, a top-notch production team, and global publicity and distribution.
If MGM is no longer willing to invest these resources, then the 007 series is truly over.
Lin Haoran wanted to talk to him, which suited him perfectly.
Lin Haoran was not surprised that the six major giants wanted to block MGM's distribution channels.
These are all things that were expected.
Without even thinking, he directly told Albert Broccoli, "You have absolutely no need to worry about whether MGM will reduce or abandon its investment in the film business in the future!"
The reason I bought MGM Studios is that the 007 series IP plays a significant role in it, so I will not only not reduce my investment in the 007 series, but will actually increase it.
After *Octopussy*, the budget for the next 007 film can be increased by 007% from the current amount. Money isn't the problem; the problem is whether you have the confidence to make a film that is better than all the previous 007 movies.
"Mr. Lin, aren't you afraid of losing money?" Albert Broccoli asked curiously.
“I’m afraid,” Lin Haoran smiled and said, “but I’m even more afraid of not being able to make a good movie. The 007 series has been around for over 20 years and already has a fixed audience and stable box office returns.”
"As long as the movie is well-made, the probability of losing money is very low. Even if it does lose money, it's only a few tens of millions of dollars, which I can afford."
Albert Broccoli was silent for a moment, then said, "Mr. Lin, I've remembered your words, but I'll look at your actions. I won't believe everything you say, but I'll believe whatever you do."
"Then I'll let time prove it," Lin Haoran said with a calm smile.
Based on the current schedule, the premiere of "Octopussy" is scheduled for June, so there's no rush to prepare for the next 007 film.
This film, Octogirl, set in another world, ultimately grossed $1.875 million at the box office, while its total production cost was only a little over $007 million. It can be said to be a super blockbuster and a cash-flow-generating movie.
This is the charm of the 007 series. It doesn't need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on production costs like other commercial blockbusters. As long as the story is solid, the scenes are exciting, and Bond is still Bond, audiences around the world will be willing to buy tickets to see it.
With a production cost of over 20 million US dollars, it yielded nearly 200 million US dollars in global box office revenue, a return on investment of nearly ten times. Looking at the entire Hollywood, there are very few IPs that can achieve this.
The two talked for over an hour in the office, discussing everything from the future of the 007 series to MGM's strategy, and from family to life.
Albert Broccoli didn't talk much, but every word he said hit the nail on the head.
After seeing the other party off, Lin Haoran felt relieved about the 007 IP.
As long as Albert Broccoli and MGM work together, this IP cannot be taken away by anyone.
At 5 p.m., Lin Haoran met with all of MGM's Hollywood employees in a large auditorium in the park. Except for those who were stationed elsewhere or on business trips, all of the remaining nearly two thousand employees were present.
The auditorium was packed with people, some expectant, some nervous, some curious, and some indifferent.
When Lin Haoran walked onto the stage, there was a sparse applause from the audience. It wasn't enthusiastic, but at least some people were clapping.
Looking around, most employees don't seem very loyal. This is normal, given MGM's current situation; getting them to be loyal is indeed difficult.
It's unrealistic to expect employees to be loyal to their new boss, Lin Haoran, right after acquiring the company.
Addressing the MGM Studios employees, Lin Haoran delivered a passionate speech.
He didn't make empty promises or talk about ideals; instead, he told them concretely about MGM's future plans, strategic direction, and everyone's position and value in this plan.
He told them that MGM would not go out of business or leave the film industry; MGM would survive and thrive even better than before.
The six giants' encirclement will not succeed because MGM has its own foundation, its own strategy, and its own confidence.
MGM Studios will never lay off a large number of employees. Those who remain will be witnesses and participants in MGM's revival, not bystanders.
After the speech, the audience erupted in prolonged applause.
It wasn't the kind of perfunctory, polite applause, but rather heartfelt, genuine applause.
Lin Haoran even discovered that the loyalty of many people had improved to some extent.
This shows that the employee meeting he personally convened was indeed effective.
Lin Haoran knew that one speech wouldn't change anything, but he at least gave these people hope.
Where there is hope, there is motivation; where there is motivation, there is a future.
As he left the Great Hall, Ivan Fuller came to greet him.
“Mr. Lin, you spoke very well,” he exclaimed.
"Whether you speak well or not is not important; what matters is whether you do well." Lin Haoran patted Ivan Fuller on the shoulder. "Ivan, the rest is up to you."
He has already made the arrangements at MGM.
Going forward, no matter what tricks the six giants play, MGM will have a countermeasure.
Given Ivan Fuller's capabilities, he can temporarily entrust MGM Studios to the other party for management with peace of mind.
If there are any issues that Ivan Fuller cannot handle, he will contact him at any time.
On the morning of February 9th, Lin Haoran met with Hollywood superstar Sylvester Stallone in one of the company's offices.
This year, Sylvester Stallone did not star in a new film for MGM. This is because Rocky III was just released last year and Rocky IV has not yet been in production, so he is essentially a free agent.
Currently, he is simply using the gap in his career to direct a film called "Dragon and Phoenix" for Paramount, which is not against any rules.
In fact, Stallone has a long-term contract with MGM and is deeply tied to MGM.
In particular, the super IP "Mabinogi" is owned by MGM in terms of both copyright and distribution. Even though MGM is in a difficult situation now, it is impossible for him to betray MGM at this time.
It wasn't because of contractual restrictions, but because he was unwilling.
Rocky is an IP he created himself. From the script to the screen, every word and every shot is imbued with his hard work.
MGM gave him the opportunity to go from a poor boy to a Hollywood superstar, and he will not turn away from MGM when it is in its most difficult time.
Lin Haoran was well aware of this, so he met with Stallone not to persuade him to stay, but out of respect.
As the boss, since he had come to Hollywood and met with Albert Brocco, the screenwriter of the 007 series, he naturally had to meet this meritorious figure who had brought countless honors and box office success to MGM.
This is not a routine matter, but a matter of basic respect.
Having spent so many years navigating the business world, Lin Haoran understands one principle: the more difficult the times, the more important it is to make those who are truly important feel valued.
Sylvester Stallone is one of the truly important people at MGM, not because he is irreplaceable, but because his very existence is a banner, telling everyone: MGM is still here, the core of MGM is still here, and the soul of MGM is still here.
The two sides had a very pleasant conversation, and Lin Haoran even suggested that Stallone start planning the filming of "Rocky 4" ahead of schedule.
Like the James Bond series, even if the six major studios block MGM's distribution of the Rocky series, they cannot stop these two major IPs.
Stallone readily agreed.
Having just seen Sylvester Stallone off, Lin Haoran was preparing to leave the MGM Studios headquarters campus, planning to take Liu Xiaoli for a road trip in Los Angeles, since he was already planning to return to Hong Kong in the next day or two.
However, just as he was about to leave, Ivan Fuller walked in.
“Mr. Lin, a young man named James Cameron insists on seeing you. I originally planned to have security remove him, but he said he is a director and brought a script. The company is currently short-staffed, so I allowed him to come in. However, whether you see him or not is up to you, Mr. Lin.”
Lin Haoran stopped in his tracks as he was about to leave.
“James Cameron?” He turned to look at Ivan Fuller, his mind racing to recall the name.
In another world, this name is legendary: Terminator, Alien 2, Titanic, Avatar—each a classic in film history, each a box office phenomenon.
But it was 1983, and Cameron had just finished directing his first film, Piranha II, a movie that even he himself was reluctant to admit was bad.
He is not yet the "King of the World," but just a young director carrying a script and running into walls everywhere.
"Where is he?" Lin Haoran asked.
“Right at the park entrance, the security guards wouldn’t let me in,” Ivan Fuller said. “He said he was introduced by a friend and that I would definitely be interested in his script.”
I originally wanted him to leave the script, but he insisted on seeing you in person. He seemed quite sincere, so I came in to tell you.
"Let him in!" Lin Haoran said with a smile.
When he acquired MGM, he had already planned to snatch the Terminator IP ahead of time.
Unexpectedly, by sheer chance, the other party has come knocking on our door.
This is not a coincidence at all.
After directing his debut film, "Piranha 2: Breeding," he was fired by the Italian production company after only two weeks of filming. He was stripped of his final cut and the final film was drastically edited, resulting in extremely poor reviews. All the Hollywood studios labeled him as someone who "only makes B-movies," and no one was willing to give him any directing opportunities.
Now, he can't even afford the rent, he's so poor he has to stay on his friend's couch, and his wife is even getting a divorce from him.
He had already written the first draft of the script for "Terminator" last year, and he took the script to all eight major Hollywood studios, and even visited many small and medium-sized film companies. However, no company was willing to take his script, let alone let him direct it.
Following the acquisition of MGM Studios, Ivan Fuller mentioned at yesterday's televised press conference that MGM will increase investment, support new talent, and seek creative film projects in the future.
Cameron overheard this and, clinging to his last hope, returned to MGM headquarters with the script that had been thoroughly read.
The entire Hollywood community knows about MGM's predicament.
That's why James Cameron didn't want to miss such an opportunity.
Soon, there was a knock on the office door, and then Ivan Fuller's assistant walked in with a young white man carrying a briefcase.
Without needing an introduction, Lin Haoran knew that this must be James Cameron.
James Cameron wore a faded suit with loose threads on the cuffs and a tightly tied tie, as if he had prepared it specifically for this meeting.
His leather shoes weren't dirty, but the heels had obvious wear marks, and he was slightly unsteady when walking.
James Cameron is very young now, only 29 years old, about the same age as Lin Haoran.
Facing Lin Haoran, a super-rich man who frequently appears in the news, Lin Haoran could still see through his unease at a glance, even though he tried his best to appear natural.
Who could have imagined that this seemingly destitute young man would one day become one of Hollywood's greatest directors, creating cinematic legends like *The Terminator*, *Titanic*, and *Avatar*, winning an Oscar for Best Director, and achieving box office success? (End of Chapter)