Hollywood Hunter

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Richmond, northeast of the San Francisco Bay.

Pixar's office at this time is located in an unassuming office building in the city.

Simon arrived at Pixar headquarters at two o'clock in the afternoon. Jobs did not show up. The person in charge of receiving him was Pixar President Ed Catmull. This middle-aged man with glasses and a beard was the creator of Pixar's animation production software and rendering tools. Main developer.

Before he came to San Francisco, Simon had actually heard that due to financial constraints, Jobs had just made a layoff of Pixar after the new year. At this time, there were fewer than 20 Pixar employees living in this office building.

The main character did not appear, and Simon didn't mind. All afternoon, he spent the whole afternoon carefully visiting a series of technical achievements of Pixar, including the "Tin Tin Soldier" that John Lasseter had just begun to brew. This 3D animated short film not only won the Oscar for the most Award for Best Animated Short Film, and the inspiration for the later Toy Story.

So it was not until after get off work time, when Simon was about to leave, that Simon said to Ed Catmull: "Ed, I suggested to Jobs to buy this company last year, and this offer is still valid, you can tell him, any If he wants to sell Pixar, he can contact me."

The afternoon was very pleasant, and Ed Catmull also felt that Simon was really interested in Pixar's technology. He heard the words: "Simon, do you have to buy our company? If it's just a stake, Steve The husband should be very happy, and we can also help convince him."

"This is about control," Simon shook his head. "I think Jobs doesn't want to repeat his experience at Apple, and I personally do the same. Ed, you should realize that, I'm interested. The purpose is to use Pixar's technology to make 3D animations and develop CG special effects technology related to movies, but Jobs's purpose is to produce professional computers for animation production, and our two operating philosophies are completely conflicting."

After chatting for a while, Simon shook hands with Ed Catmull and others again, and left Pixar headquarters with Jennifer.

The main filming of "Instinct" will take place in San Francisco. On Tuesday, I came here with several main creators of the "Instinct" crew. It took two days to confirm the filming location of the film. Brian de Palma and others have returned. Los Angeles.

Simon visited Silicon Figure's headquarters in Silicon Valley in the morning, Pixar in the afternoon, and will fly to Park City, Utah, tomorrow for the opening ceremony of this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"Lola Run" only made a blockbuster through the Sundance Film Festival last year with the strong support of Robert Redford. Redford also specially greeted him a few days ago. Whether it was a promotion or a personal friendship, Simon was always there. Impossible not to attend.

Hilton Hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Jennifer returned to the living room with a pot of coffee, and Neil Bennett had already conducted a wiretap inspection of the suite.

He enthusiastically helped Neil Bennett put various instruments into the box, and when the other party left, Jennifer poured a cup of coffee for Simon, sat down on the sofa next to him, and said, "This is very similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder. "

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also better than being eavesdropped. Thinking of those little things in the Plaza Hotel suite makes me feel uncomfortable," Simon said, put down the document in his hand, clapped his hand at the female assistant, and said, "Come on."

Jennifer blushed slightly and refused: "No, I'm not a kitten. Besides, it's time for you to call my dad."

Simon was not reluctant, picked up the phone with a smile, and dialed the number of Raybold's house.

It was already more than eight o'clock in the evening in New York, and the call was quickly connected. Simon and James chatted about New World Entertainment.

New World Entertainment's stock price rose again today relative to yesterday's high of $15, and it closed at $16.75 in the afternoon, with a total market value of more than $400 million. Simon can't afford it even more now. After discussing with James on the phone again, Simon made a decisive decision to liquidate all the New World Entertainment shares in Westeros.

The fundamental purpose of Simon's acquisition of New World Entertainment is Marvel, and the company's film and television entertainment assets are still second.

Since a group of people came together to slaughter the fat sheep, Simon's wisest choice now is to withdraw immediately. If you keep holding the 7% stake in New World Entertainment, the company's share price will only continue to firm, and it may even allow New World Entertainment to survive the most difficult period to come.

Once that happens, it will be even more difficult for Simon to get Marvel.

The shares of New World Entertainment held by Westeros are all unrestricted tradable shares. Therefore, although the shareholding ratio exceeds 5%, it is not subject to the restriction on the shareholding reduction of SEC.

Early the next morning.

After Westeros publicly announced the reduction of its holdings in accordance with SEC regulations, it immediately began to sell its shares.

Simon arrived in Park City at about 11:00 a.m. local time in Utah. Janet had also arrived and rented an apartment at the last resort. The woman had been busy with the renovation of the Fifth Avenue apartment in New York some time ago. At this time Returning to the West Coast, mainly to join Simon for the upcoming 45th Golden Globe Awards next Saturday.

The opening ceremony of the Sundance Film Festival still starts at 1 p.m.

After Simon arrived in Park City, he simply settled down and rushed to the Park City Egyptian Theater where the opening ceremony was held.

Park City is clearly bustling this year, thanks to the success of "Lola Run" that started with the Sundance Film Festival last year.

A lot, if it weren't for Robert Redford's advance arrangement, Simon and several people might not even be able to squeeze into the full Egyptian theater.

In some early chats, Simon also learned from Redford that compared to last year, the number of films registered at the Sundance Film Festival this year has doubled directly.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the number of screening halls used for the screening of participating films in the next ten days has increased to 10 instead of 3 as last year. Park City does not have so many theaters, many of which are temporary reconstructions. It is said that some films that were not shortlisted also built their own screening halls, hoping to attract the attention of the media and filmmakers during the film festival.

After the opening ceremony, the opening film this time is also quite weighty.

Adapted from Milan Kundera's novel The Unbearable Lightness of Life, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche in Prague Love. Because "Prague Love" producer Saul Zaenz holds the rights to "The Lord of the Rings", Simon noticed the film some time ago.

"Prague Love" is set to be released on February 5 and is distributed by Orion.

For the promotion of the film, Saul Zaenz and other main creators also came to Park City.

After the opening ceremony of the film festival, everyone rushed to the Sundance Institute headquarters at the foot of the ski resort to attend the official opening party of the film festival. Simon met Saul Zaenz under the introduction of Robert Redford.

Sol Zaenz is in his sixties this year, with a thick white beard and habitually pursed lips, looking a little unsmiling.

The well-known Hollywood producer started as a record company in his early years. In 1975, his first film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and many other awards. In 1984 The "Mozart Biography" once again attracted the attention of Hollywood with an excellent score of 8 out of 11 Oscars.

For a Hollywood filmmaker, being able to produce two Best Picture Oscars in his career is definitely an honor to show off a lifetime.

at the party.

After introducing each other, Saul Zaenz said: "Simon, I know you are very interested in "The Lord of the Rings", and I also heard that you have obtained the copyright of "The Hobbit". However, unless you can provide A workable production plan. Otherwise I wouldn't have given you the rights to The Lord of the Rings."

Simon and Sol Zaenz stood in the corner of the hall together. Hearing the words, he shook his head and said, "Sol, if I can't get the copyright, I definitely can't invest in the development of this project in advance."

Saul Zaenz shrewdly said: "You can make The Hobbit first."

"But I prefer to make the "Lord of the Rings" series first," Simon said, hesitating for a moment, then looking at Sol Zaenz seriously: "Saul, I know you may not be short of money, and I know that too. That might be a little abrupt. But, to show my sincerity, $10 million, what do you think?"

Although there was some noise at the party, Saul Zaenz completely heard Simon's offer.

$10 million? !

Subconsciously, he wanted to ask a question, but Sol Zaenz knew that he had heard it right.

but.

how can that be.

Hollywood's current top novel or screenplay copyright offer is about $1 million, and Simon Westeros directly increases the market price tenfold.

However, feeling that the young man was throwing money at himself, Saul Zaenz wanted to show an angry expression, but his face was more of surprise and disbelief.

No one in Hollywood would buy the rights to a novel for $10 million, and few people in the world would. After all, $10 million is enough to make a very good movie in this day and age.

Saul Zaenz actually heard that Simon had previously purchased the copyright of the "Charlie's Angels" TV series with huge sums of money. Although the specific transaction price has not been disclosed, it must not be the rumored $10 million. Moreover, that transaction also included the copyright of more than 100 episodes of TV series, which is a real asset, but "The Lord of the Rings" is only a film and television adaptation right with an uncertain future.

After hesitating for a while, Sol Zaenz still couldn't be ruthless and refused directly: "Simon, I need to think about it."

"Of course," Simon nodded, "but, Sol, I hope to get your reply before the end of this weekend."

Sol Zaenz shook his head and said, "This is too urgent."

Simon insisted: "I don't want to wait too long."

Saul Zaenz hesitated for a moment, then said: "Simon, since you have obtained The Hobbit, you must know that this copyright actually includes a fixed share clause, and the production company will need to pay for movies, TV, etc. in the future. 7.5% of all net profits go to the Tolkien Heritage Foundation."

Simon nodded and said, "I know."

Saul Zaenz said: "Then, if you want to get the copyright, I also need a sharing contract, at least 5%."

Simon refused without hesitation, saying: "Saul, I have already paid 10 million US dollars, and it is impossible to give you another share. Maybe you will think that since Simon Westeros is willing to offer a astronomical price of 10 million US dollars, he will definitely Wouldn't mind paying a little more. But I can definitely promise it's only $10 million, and it's only for this weekend. After the weekend, I'll calm down and start over from scratch. Also, if you agree to the deal, Also had to sign a non-disclosure agreement never to reveal our transaction price."

Saul Zaenz listen

With Simon's words, he couldn't help thinking in his heart.

If he cooperates with other film companies, Saul Zaenz knows that he can only get a copyright transfer price of about one million US dollars, and maybe the sharing clause is easy to negotiate. However, even if the film company earns more than 200 million US dollars according to the 5% net profit share, he can obtain the same income as Simon Westero's offer at this time.

What's more, the Tolkien Legacy Foundation only took 7.5% of the net profit, and he just changed hands, it is impossible to talk about 5%, maybe only one or two percentage points at most. Taking into account the factor of the 'Hollywood Ledger', the chances of the future share income reaching Simon Westero's offer of $10 million at this time are even slimmer.

After a moment of silence, Sol Zaenz raised his glass to Simon and said, "Simon, I will give you an answer before leaving Park City."

Simon took out a business card from his suit pocket, and asked for a pen from Janet's handbag beside him to write down the address of the resort where he was staying, and handed it to Sol Zaenz: "Sol, I'm looking forward to it. Good news to hear."

Janet had just been listening quietly to the conversation between Simon and Saul Zaenz, and when Saul Zaenz walked away almost in a trance, the woman took Simon's arm and said with a smile: "$10 million, That's the price of a top-of-the-line mansion on Fifth Avenue."

In memory, due to the malicious arrears of New Line Pictures, the famous Hollywood 'Old Lai', Peter Jackson, Saul Zaenz, and the Tolkien Legacy Foundation, etc., all because of the proceeds of the "Lord of the Rings" series and their differences. The amount involved in each lawsuit has reached more than 10 million US dollars.

Although I don't know the exact amount of Sol Zaenz's share in the original time and space, it would definitely be very cost-effective if we could completely buy the adaptation rights of "The Lord of the Rings" for $10 million.

Simon thought about this, stretched out his hand to gently embrace the woman, and said, "A lot of things don't seem to be going well recently, everyone thinks Simon Westeros is a fat sheep, I suddenly want to try, if I also think of myself as a fat sheep. Fat sheep, will some things get easier?"

Janet felt the faint sense of frustration in Simon's tone, and she leaned over and gently taped the man's face with her face, saying, "You are not a fat sheep, Simon, those guys who treat you as a fat sheep will definitely be in the future. Find out that you're an idiot."

Simon smiled and said: "This is also what I worry about."

Janet was a little puzzled: "Why?"

Simon was about to explain when Robert Redford came over from the crowd, greeted him, and asked, "How's it going?"

Hollywood gossip travels fast, and it's no secret that Simon's interest in the rights to The Lord of the Rings.

Hearing Redford's question, Simon shook his head and said, "Sol promised to think about it."

"The adaptation rights of many classic Hollywood novels need to be honed, and it is useless to hurry," Robert Redford comforted, rubbing the wine glass in his hand, and said: "Simon, there is actually one thing, during this time we accept There are a lot of scripts, some of them are really good. I was wondering if you can invest in a few, even one, they are all very talented directors or writers, just like you, just lacking opportunities. And, these The cost of the project is not too high, about two or three million.”

Simon is actually very interested in making some very interesting independent films. Daenerys Pictures can also support some direct line filmmakers through this kind of project. Before Redford can continue, he nodded readily and said: "This I'll be in Park City on the weekends, Bob, just get the script delivered to me, and I'll pick a few to invest in."

Although he was already quite sure, Robert Redford did not expect Simon to agree so simply. However, he didn't hesitate and said with a smile, "I'll have someone send you the script tomorrow. In addition, if you need it, I can help you."

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