Hollywood Director 1992

"Seven" continued its reign at the box office, with North American earnings reaching $161 million.

Based on the current growth, it won't be difficult for the film to surpass $200 million in North America. There's also a good chance it could catch up to "Forrest Gump," reaching $300 million or even more.

Despite the joint suppression by the seven major studios, "Seven" managed to achieve such high box office numbers, which undoubtedly mocked Michael Ovitz and others.

It mocked the futility of their actions.

"Continue the hype for me, no matter how much it costs. I want him completely discredited, I want him to be utterly disgraced," Michael Ovitz roared into the phone in his office, his expression becoming extremely ferocious.

"Michael, let it go. The Simpson murder case is too hot. We can't suppress it, nor can we stop Guesswork Pictures from using the case to promote the movie. The success of 'Seven' is a foregone conclusion. What we can do now is accept reality and cut our losses in time. Continuing to spend money suppressing this movie will only result in more financial losses," Lang Meyer advised.

"Let it go? I won't agree to that."

He lost a bet to Link last year. This year, he joined forces with the seven major studios to gang up on Link, but he still lost?

He was unwilling to accept this.

"In May, we tried to suppress 'Speed,' but we failed. In July, we mobilized more resources and concentrated all our efforts to suppress 'Seven.' If we fail again, what will others think of us? Will they think we're incompetent? No, I must win. I, Michael Ovitz, absolutely refuse to be an incompetent person."

After the success of "Seven," Michael Ovitz hadn't rested well for many days. Heavy bags hung under his eyes, and fine lines crisscrossed on his forehead and around his eyes. He appeared very manic.

"But what else can you do? Use the media to proclaim that Link is the murderer?"

Lang Meyer shook his head. "It's useless. Even if Link, a person of his status, would do such a stupid thing, those lawyers would get him acquitted. You're throwing money at him now, engaging in a public opinion war. Are you richer than Link? Besides, you're spending money to hype him up as a murderer, promoting the movie by associating it with murder. There's no benefit to doing this, so why do it?"

Michael Ovitz clenched his fists tightly. "Are we just going to watch Link's new movie be a huge success, watch him make a lot of money?"

Lang Meyer said, "What does it matter? Link is still in Hollywood. We'll have more time and more opportunities to deal with him in the future. As long as we seize the right opportunity next time we strike, concentrating our power to attack Link's vital points, we might be able to destroy him in one fell swoop."

Opportunities?

Michael Ovitz narrowed his eyes, thinking of Nicole Kidman's honey trap. Perhaps this was an opportunity.

But to accept this defeat, to accept the fact that he joined forces with the seven major studios to suppress "Seven" but suffered a crushing defeat, he couldn't swallow the anger in his heart. He wished he could have Nicole Kidman immediately sleep with Link and have Tom Cruise catch them in the act, then use the media to completely discredit Link.

Unfortunately, this was somewhat difficult to orchestrate.

Knock, knock, knock!

Michael Ovitz's secretary knocked and entered, bringing him the latest news.

Due to the recent suspicions that Link was the murderer, Link walked into the Los Angeles Police Department this morning to proactively explain the situation to the police and request a public statement from the police stating that this matter had nothing to do with him.

Bang!

Upon hearing this news, Michael Ovitz picked up the ashtray full of cigarette butts and slammed it forcefully on the floor.

"That bastard is hyping things up again. We've all been used by him."

Indeed, when Link's car appeared at the police station, dozens of media reporters tracked and reported on the scene.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Link entered the police station at 10:23 AM and exited at 10:41 AM.

According to sources, Link spoke with Police Chief Robert Luna and Sheriff Foreman, who was responsible for investigating the case, after entering the police station. The entire process lasted about 14 minutes, and Chief Luna personally escorted Link out.

Chief Luna gave an interview to reporters in the police station lobby, stating that it was impossible for Link to be the murderer. There was no evidence in the evidence collected by the police that implicated Link. He asked everyone not to spread rumors and wrongly suspect innocent people.

Because Link was a billionaire and a globally renowned figure, and the 'Simpson murder case' was currently no less popular than the 1992 presidential election.

When two important news elements were linked together, it became big news.

This matter was quickly reported and reprinted by major media outlets across the United States, attracting a great deal of attention and discussion.

On the 17th day after the Simpson murder case occurred, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the preliminary investigation results. The main suspect in the case was still Simpson. On the day of the crime, he was in the villa next door, had the time to commit the crime, and had the motive to commit the crime.

In one piece of evidence released by the police, two items were related to the movie "Seven."

Three days before the crime, Simpson and his friend Collins had watched the movie at a community theater. Simpson praised the movie as great and liked Morgan Freeman's performance.

The red word 'Greed' on the wall, after expert examination, was written with spray paint, not the victim's blood.

According to neighbors, this red word had existed for several days, not the handwriting left by the murderer on the night of the crime. It was possible that several days before the crime, a "Seven" fan passing by the villa casually left the graffiti.

After the release of "Seven," this kind of graffiti had appeared in many places, belonging to a popular culture and not considered an abnormal phenomenon.

Finally, the police announced that the red word 'Greed' on the wall of the crime scene was not related to the case.

However, Simpson had watched "Seven" three days before the crime. Would the murderer's killing plot involved in the movie stimulate him, arouse his impulse to commit the crime, and thus imitate John Doe's killing?

The police did not rule out this possibility.

After the police made a statement, Link and Guesswork Pictures temporarily got rid of the suspicion of committing the crime.

Despite this, the media was still full of arguments about Link's guilt.

World Entertainment Weekly commented that even if Link didn't kill anyone, Simpson watched "Seven" before committing the crime and was stimulated by the movie, which is why he became so extreme and did such cruel things.

Link's movie was suspected of inciting crime, and he was not innocent at all.

Some media also claimed that "Seven" promoted violence, was prone to inducing crime, and should be banned from screening.

In order to clarify these rumors, reverse the negative impact brought to him and the company by negative public opinion during this period, and also to promote the movie.

Link and the crew took the time to participate in interviews and talk shows with multiple media outlets, publicly discussing "Seven" and the Simpson case storm.