Made In Hollywood

Now is not the time for detailed discussions. Duke and James Cameron hadn't talked for long before the party officially kicked off. Such matters didn't require lengthy talks between just two people; once they reached a preliminary agreement, professionals would naturally take over to conduct more in-depth negotiations.

Perhaps it was the good impression left by their collaboration during Titanic, or maybe the expected investment from the King of the World was just too high James Cameron showed a certain interest in Duke's investment.

After the party began, Duke went to a secluded spot and called over his bodyguards, instructing them to record the matter and promptly notify Tina Fay and Nancy Josephson.

Although the party wasn't held as a formal banquet, it was divided into many tables. Wherever there were people, there were cliques. In this business-heavy party, fame and wealth defined the social circles.

Undoubtedly, with Duke's current status and position, he was naturally among the top-tier circle at the party.

After enjoying the carefully prepared dinner by the hotel, Duke originally didn't plan to stay long, as there was still preparatory work for Iron Man tomorrow. But Rupert Murdoch came over proactively, seeming to have something to discuss.

Led by Mrs. Murdoch, Duke and Rupert Murdoch entered a reception room on the top floor. After a waiter served coffee, they sat down on opposite sofas.

"Duke, to be honest, I have some grievances about you being a major shareholder of Marvel Comics," Murdoch said half-jokingly, half-seriously. "It's one thing that Marvel didn't cooperate with the Fantastic Four promotion, but they caused a lot of trouble."

Understanding Murdoch's meaning, Duke gave a helpless smile. "You should know, Rupert, I have no authority over Marvel's specific operations."

This was the truth. Apart from the big picture and necessary oversight of finances, Duke, as a Marvel Comics shareholder, was not involved in management, nor was he skilled in that area.

But Duke was well aware of the Fantastic Four issue Murdoch mentioned.

Fantastic Four, like Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Captain America, was a flagship character of Marvel Comics. Due to previous financial crises and bankruptcy, Marvel had sold the Fantastic Four movie rights to 20th Century Fox.

After Duke's investment, Marvel's financial situation greatly improved. With the comic industry's winter passing, operations steadily improved. Especially after the success of the X-Men and Spider-Man movies, Marvel's upper management fully realized the power of their superheroes on the big screen.

Thus, Marvel inevitably wanted to reclaim their wandering children. After Ang Lee's Hulk failed, they regained the movie rights to The Hulk and then set their sights on Fantastic Four.

But 20th Century Fox was no fool. Even if Marvel offered enough to repurchase the rights, they refused and carefully crafted Fantastic Four, releasing it officially in July.

Because of a clause in the Marvel-Fox movie rights contract if Fantastic Four box office was too low, Marvel had the right to buy back the rights at the original sale price—Marvel used some small tricks when Fox's Fantastic Four was about to release.

In a July comic of the Fantastic Four world, Marvel turned the four characters into villains and killed them off in a tragic way.

Perhaps the comic had some effect, or maybe the absence of Jessica Alba (whose whereabouts were unknown) played a part, Fantastic Four box office did not meet Fox's expectations. However, it still reached $100 million in North America, so the buy-back clause wasn't triggered.

Duke knew this but had no intention to intervene; it was a minor matter to him.

Rupert Murdoch only mentioned it briefly, then set it aside. Compared to what they were about to discuss, Fantastic Four was insignificant.

"Duke, I heard that the three-party negotiations between Duke Studios, Pixar Studios, and Warner Bros. are at the final stage?"

Changing the topic from Fantastic Four, Murdoch went straight to Warner Bros. "If this negotiation succeeds, Warner Bros.' strength will become even greater."

Knowing Murdoch had more to say, Duke just watched him.

The media tycoon didn't keep him waiting and soon said, "Regarding Warner Bros., I have a proposal."

Duke raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment before replying, "I'm just a director..."

As soon as he said this, Murdoch interrupted, "Duke, no need to be modest. Nowadays, who doesn't know your importance to Warner? You're not only the largest individual shareholder of Warner Brothers, but the revenue generated by your related movie projects is heavyweight in all of Warner."

Looking at Duke, the old man's face turned extremely serious, "If this three-party negotiation completes, you will become one of Warner's major shareholders. Although I don't know the details, I guess you and Steve Jobs will definitely demand seats on Warner's board."

"And…" He seemed to want to expose Duke's hidden side beneath the director's guise. "You've already initially revived DC Comics and brought Marvel into Warner's system. If these two systems achieve expected success, your influence within Warner will become crucial."

"Moreover, you can influence that guy Steve Jobs…"

Hearing this, Duke couldn't help but show a helpless smile that only he himself understood. He could indeed use incentives and other means to sway Jobs, but honestly, to say he could really influence him was giving himself too much credit.

"Controlling shares and board seats of Time Warner, and being able to influence Warner's overall performance through business operations Duke, you will become the key point of Time Warner."

Those eyes that should have been clouded with age were instead shining with brilliance. Rupert Murdoch stared at Duke for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed, "Originally, you were supposed to become a partner of News Corporation, but that idiot Thomson Roseman…"

After Murdoch said a few more words, Duke picked up his coffee, took a sip, and after putting down the cup, said, "Rupert, what exactly do you want to do?"

"I want to acquire Time Warner!"

Hearing Murdoch's words, Duke was not shocked; he glanced at him and said, "Why should I support you? The chance you'll succeed is very low."

Since this was a business negotiation, he didn't beat around the bush.

Duke was unfazed, while Murdoch was somewhat surprised. In his eyes, Duke was overly calm, but he showed nothing, continuing, "How can you succeed if you don't try?"

"Time Warner now is not what it used to be."

As if to demonstrate his determination and confidence, Murdoch said lightly, "Time Warner is not News Corporation; its shares are dispersed among thousands of shareholders. Anyone holding five percent of shares can be called a major shareholder. As long as you can gain the support of major shareholders, this acquisition has a chance to be completed."

Without a doubt, if the tripartite negotiation among Duke's studio, Pixar, and Time Warner were to conclude, Duke and Steve Jobs would become major shareholders of Time Warner in Murdoch's eyes.

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

Duke wasn't shocked because he had seen the news about Murdoch trying to acquire Time Warner before. "This is the media industry how could they just stand by and let such a behemoth appear?"

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

Duke clearly understood the meaning behind this sentence. Having lived in North America for many years, he knew very well that many federal agencies were not as clean as imagined.

Rupert Murdoch, quite boldly, tempted him, "Duke, don't you think that together we could open a new chapter in the global media industry a historic feat to be remembered?"

Duke shook his head directly; such fame without practical gains did not interest him.

This conversation had long been about business negotiation. Murdoch, also not stupid, knew mere words couldn't sway Duke, so he added, "If the acquisition moves forward, I will buy the Time Warner shares you're about to get and the Warner Bros. shares you hold at a premium. You can obtain power independent of all the movie companies under News Corporation. All your project companies will get full support, and you'll share thirty percent of the profits from the films you produce!"

Upon hearing this, Duke suddenly thought of something else. "Rupert, you want more than this, don't you? If the Marvel movies succeed, isn't that part of your plan?"

"Why not?" Murdoch's words were straightforward. "Duke, you know News Corporation can't provide that much cash flow. Our deal will inevitably be share-swap based. You won't just be a shareholder of the group; I'll also ensure you have an important position on the board."

Duke was silent for a good half minute before slowly saying, "I will seriously consider it."

"Hope we can cooperate going forward." Murdoch smiled.

"We already have cooperation opportunities now." Duke suddenly shifted the topic. "Rupert, although the rise of the internet has brought some changes, the media market is still limited. The emergence of new companies will definitely harm News Corporation and Time Warner. I think, compared to an uncertain future acquisition, the urgent task is to strike at those newly rising media groups for example, Walt Disney!"

.....

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