Conquer America, Start with a Boxing Champion

While Link was watching the art exhibition, Ms. Mandy was drinking coffee with Lionsgate CEO Steven Bewkes at the Lionsgate headquarters on 12th Street in Santa Monica and chatting about the casting of "The Hunger Games." thing.

Yesterday, she talked with "The Hunger Games" chief producer Nina Jackson and director Gary Ross, and the two supported continuing to use Jennifer Lawrence as the heroine.

But Lionsgate Films disagreed and put pressure on the crew.

If the Palm Bay agency cannot change the opinions of Lionsgate executives, the crew will have no choice but to replace them.

"Apologize?"

Ms. Mandy looked at President Steve Bewkes opposite and sneered, "Mr. Bewkes, did I hear you correctly? You said you want Link to apologize to Harvey Weinstein?"

"Ms. Gomez, don't get me wrong. This is what the board of directors means. Several shareholders were lobbied and opposed our decision to use artists from Palm Bay Agency. I need to be responsible to the board of directors."

President Bix explained.

"President Bix, I have talked with Ms. Nina Jackson and Director Gary Ross. They firmly believe that Jennifer is the best choice to play Katniss. With her, this movie will be successful. Someone else will play Katniss." Nice, the effect is much worse than Jennifer, according to director Gary Ross.

President Bix, I heard that the development of Lionsgate Pictures has not been good in the past two years. "The Hunger Games" is Lionsgate's annual key project with a production cost of hundreds of millions. If there is a loss, the development of Lionsgate Pictures will definitely be affected. Be hit hard and even go bankrupt.

It can be said that the movie "The Hunger Games" is extremely important to Lionsgate, so I hope you will think carefully before making up your mind to change roles. "

Ms. Mandy said with a serious expression.

When President Bix heard her words, the muscles in the corners of his eyes twitched unconsciously.

The development situation of Lionsgate Films this year is indeed not as good as the previous two years, but it is not serious enough to be on the verge of bankruptcy.

But in the words of CEO Mandy Gomez, without Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games" is 100% losing money, and "The Hunger Games" is losing money, just like Lionsgate Pictures is 100% bankrupt.

Jennifer Lawrence seems to be Lionsgate's savior.

He sighed inwardly, it was rumored that Link Baker's former manager was a difficult character, and now it seemed that was indeed the case.

"Mr. Bix thinks I'm alarmist?"

Ms. Mandy looked at the other party, with a disdainful smile on her round face, "I don't think what I said is exaggerated. I am also the president of a company. As the helm of the company, I think the most important thing is to have independent operations. Management power means that no one person can dictate the company’s decisions.

Even if it is a decision made by the board of directors, when mistakes occur, we have the right to defend it instead of accepting it without reason, because we are CEOs and our responsibility is to find ways to make the company profitable and satisfy investors.

If the attitude of any outsider can affect a company's decision-making, I think this kind of company won't be too far away from bankruptcy, right?

President Bewkes is a veteran and has more experience in this area than I do. I believe President Bewkes understands what I mean. "

President Steven Bix frowned. He naturally understood what Ms. Mandy meant, and he was also unhappy with the board of directors' indiscriminate interference in the company's specific projects.

But as the president, he is also a senior worker. He needs to be responsible to the board of directors and get the support of the board of directors in his work. He cannot turn a blind eye to the proposals of board members.

In addition, the reason why he did not contradict the board of directors on this matter is also very simple.

This is Hollywood, and there are so many actors. No one is indispensable or irreplaceable. Except for a few veteran actors, top movie stars, and ordinary actors, before they become famous, they have to rely on movies to make their achievements, not actors to make movies.

Because Jennifer Lawrence is an insignificant role, compared to the attitudes of the board members, he thinks the latter is more important, so he supports the board of directors on this matter.

"Ms. Gomez, I think the key to this matter lies with Mr. Link Baker. Many producers and film companies have already announced that they will not cooperate with him. We are also doing this to avoid risks."

President Steven Bewkes explains.

"Risk? Can Harvey Weinstein be called a risk?"

Ms. Mandy smiled disdainfully, stood up and said, "I am very disappointed with your decision by Lionsgate. As a public company, Lionsgate has a stronger influence in Hollywood than Weinstein Pictures.

President Bix is ​​the helmsman of Lionsgate, and his influence in the entertainment industry is not much less than that of Harvey Weinstein. However, when facing Weinstein, he is trembling, cowardly and gives in, and has no independence at all. disappointing. "

President Bix's face turned extremely ugly when he heard her words. Mandy said that he was trembling and cowardly when facing Harvey, which was tantamount to pointing at his nose and calling him useless as a president and a coward.

If he was scolded by a man, he could scold him back, but now it was a lady with a good image and temperament who said such words, which made him feel even more ashamed.

“In addition, President Bix, I don’t know who you are sending a message to, asking Link to apologize to Harvey Weinstein, and now please send my message back.

It is absolutely impossible for Link to apologize.

Who is Link? He is an Olympic champion, a world boxing champion, a top singer in the world's music scene, an idol of the times, an American dream, a billionaire, and the number one philanthropist in the entertainment industry for two consecutive years.

You want a heroic figure like him to apologize to a scumbag who was accused of rape?

Oh, this is so ridiculous, Mr. Bix, I bet if you have children, if you tell them this, they will be ashamed of what you are doing now.

goodbye! "

Ms. Mandy nodded politely, picked up her small satchel, and left with her secretary.

"This woman"

President Steven Bix pointed at Ms. Mandy's back, his face turned dark. He just came to pass a message for someone, but he was scolded and didn't even have a chance to talk back. This woman is too Stronger.

"Mr. Bix, are you okay?"

The assistant quickly came over to support him and asked.

President Bix took a few deep breaths and leaned back in his chair to think for a moment.

He took out his cell phone and called Jon Femele, chairman of Lionsgate and the company’s largest shareholder.

He expressed his support for the decision of the production team of "The Hunger Games", believing that Jennifer Lawrence is more suitable for the heroine. If it is replaced by another actor, it is likely to cause certain losses to the project. If the board of directors is willing to bear the losses, he has nothing to say.

Chairman Femele pondered for a moment and said that he would continue to discuss with several shareholders and asked him to keep an eye on the "Hunger Games" crew. This project is very important to the company and try to avoid mistakes.

Putting down the phone, Steve Bewkes still heard the words of President Mandy Gomez in his ears, such as being trembling and cowardly giving in. He cursed in his heart that this woman had such a vicious mouth, and hoped that he would never see this woman again in the future. .

He told his assistant that if anyone from the Palm Bay Brokerage Company came again, they would say they were not here.

——

"Hey Link, are you busy?"

After Ms. Mandy left Lionsgate Pictures, she called Link and asked him where he was. Link said he was watching an exhibition at the Getty Art Center. Ms. Mandy couldn't help rolling her eyes. His leg was broken, but he still had time to watch the exhibition.

Well, who makes him the big boss.

"Mandy, how are your negotiations with Lionsgate going?"

Link asked on the phone.

"It was very unsuccessful. I just said a lot of nice things to President Bix, but they refused to give in and asked you to apologize to Harvey Weinstein. I said this was impossible, and then the negotiations broke down. Jennifer needs to start again. Find another role.”

Ms. Mandy leaned on her seat and looked out the car window at Lionsgate Pictures, which was slowly retreating.

"Is that so? Mandy, don't worry, I'm planning to acquire Lionsgate Pictures, and this matter isn't over yet."

"What?"

Ms. Mandy wanted to lie down on the seat and take a rest, but when she heard his words, she straightened up immediately, "Link, are you kidding me? Are you buying a movie company for a movie role? Even if you like Jennifer, you still can't. There’s no need for this, right? It costs hundreds of millions to acquire Lionsgate. If you make a wrong decision, you’ll lose everything. Think again and don’t be impulsive.”

Link smiled on the phone and said, "I have thought about it. The current share price of Lionsgate Pictures is only US$8.9, and the total market value is less than US$700 million, including liabilities. Acquisition of Lionsgate does not put much pressure on me.

In addition, this company specializes in thriller movies. In the past few years, it has successively acquired two distribution companies, Triangle Entertainment and Artisan Entertainment, as well as Debmar-Mercury TV program production company. The acquisition of this company can also increase the publicity of Palm Beach Pictures. Issuance capabilities. "

"Is this so? Can the acquisition be successful?"

Ms. Mandy asked.

"We are negotiating with Lionsgate's third-ranked shareholder and there is no big problem."

Link said confidently.

"Well, I don't know whether I should advise you or not. Anyway, be careful."

Ms. Mandy tried to persuade her, hung up the phone, and looked back at the Lionsgate logo, wondering whether Link would succeed.