Made in Hollywood

Robert Iger didn't stay too long. After a brief chat with Duke, he left the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The topic between the two did not involve too much between Walt Disney and Duke and Warner Bros. People in Hollywood now know very well that Pixar Studios is really going to break away from the Disney system.

Although the negotiations with Warner Bros. and Duke Studios are still wrangling, Steve Jobs' attitude has gradually become clear. If there are no major surprises, this negotiation will definitely succeed.

"He really just came to see you?"

In the suite, Tina Fei slowly turned the cup in her hand and asked curiously, "Or is there another purpose."

"We've worked with Walt Disney before, but now..."

Leaning back in his high-backed chair, Duke slowly shook his head, "The Pixar pie is so big, it's so big that any collaborator can turn against each other, and it's been too long since we've worked with Disney. "

How did the enemies he targeted in the past come about? It was some people who put their hands on his plate and grabbed the cake.

In the same way, in the case of Pixar Studio, Duke used his status as a major shareholder of Apple to have a certain influence on Steve Jobs, and has produced a sharp contradiction with Disney.

In particular, Disney's regal Michael Eisner, lost the Pixar studio has a great impact on his future.

At the Disney shareholder meeting at the beginning of this year, a considerable number of Disney shareholders have raised their dissatisfaction. If Michael Eisner's past performance is not brilliant enough, he may even be voted by a considerable number of people.

According to Disney's rules, Michael Eisner must resign once the voting shares cast a 40 percent vote of no confidence.

Although today's Walt Disney is no longer the Disney of the Disney family. And Michael? Eisner ambitious, but not to the point of surname Eisner.

"Iger is a talented man."

Between Tina Fey and Tina Fey, Duke has always spoken directly, "He's also an ambitious person."

The former Robert Iger became the CEO of Walt Disney after Michael Eisner stepped down, and led the entire group to acquire Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm successively. The opening of a new era of fairy tale movies once brought Walt Disney to the position of the world's No. 1 media group.

How could such a person have been willing to endure Michael Eisner's exclusion.

He hasn't left Walt Disney yet, so he must have a plan. For the same reason, he came to see Duke to bring the relationship between the two sides closer again. And not just for the past friendship.

Unless Duke was stupid, he would believe that Robert Iger simply came to see him.

A Walt Disney as powerful as it once was, is undoubtedly not in line with Duke's interests. Today's Disney is under the pressure of Michael Eisner for many years, and the management is still working together.

If Michael Eisner stepped down. The arrival of Robert Iger, who is a layman in filmmaking, but has a softer personality and is better at marketing, may be a boon for Disney...

Duke and Robert? Iger contact more times. Clearly this is a very capable man.

"Are you going to help him?"

The only person who could ask such a direct question in front of Duke was Tina Fey. "Help him squeeze Michael Eisner out?"

"How can we help?"

Turning his head to look at the female assistant, Duke picked up the water glass, took a sip, and thought about it for a while. Only then said, "If it is the CEO of Warner Bros., I have the ability to help him, and our hands can't reach Disney."

He is indeed high enough and powerful in Hollywood, but he is not the center of the world.

Tina Fey suddenly changed into a joking tone, "If he can get back the Pixar studio, it shouldn't be particularly difficult to squeeze Michael Eisner out."

Duke shook his head slowly, "I don't want Robert Iger to succeed."

"Um..." Tina Fey thought about it and understood what Duke meant, "A fast-growing Disney doesn't do us any good..."

Speaking of this, she seemed to think of other things, and suddenly changed the subject, "By the way, Duke, I heard a gossip."

"What news?" Duke asked.

"Walt Disney wants to invest heavily in China to build the largest Disneyland in Asia."

After Tina Fei finished speaking, she explained a few more words, "According to Hollywood's estimates, China's economy is developing very fast, and within ten years, it may become the second largest film market in the world, and their national conditions are special. It's not easy to get a company's film to enter."

Fingers lightly clasped the armrest of the chair, Duke's brows slowly wrinkled, if he was just a pure director, such a question would not have to be considered, but he is a major shareholder of Warner Bros., and holds a huge amount of Marvel shares, some things cannot be ignored.

He asked slowly, "Tina, how many profitable Disney parks are there?"

"Except for California and Florida, they are basically at a loss." Tina Fei said while recalling the relevant information, "If you only consider the income of the parks, the overseas Disney parks are not operating very well. Disney has always Wants to transfer some shares of two Disney parks in Paris and Tokyo to relieve financial pressure.”

In fact, Duke is very clear that the cost of maintaining a Disneyland is too great, and the purpose of Disneyland's construction has never been as simple as a pure park.

For example, it is more like a huge platform. The Disney sales town in front of Disneyland is the focus of Disney’s revenue generation.

The transfer of shares in Disneyland has always excluded Disneytown.

"It's a stepping stone."

Standing up and walking a few steps in the living room, Duke quickly thought of other aspects, "Building a Disneyland requires a huge investment, and not only Disneyland, but also the surrounding hotels and other supporting facilities, Disneyland. The investment effect that can be driven is likely to exceed $30 billion.”

"In any country..." Tina Fey said, looking at Duke, "This is an investment that cannot be refused."

She looked a little puzzled, "Hong Kong already has a Disneyland."

"But the existence of this Disneyland is more meaningful." Duke stopped, stood in front of the hotel window, looked west, and said, "If such a large investment can be achieved, Disney will definitely receive preferential treatment from the government over there. , its products can even enter each other’s markets across the board, such as movies and movie peripherals…”

Just not pulling too long with the North American release time can bring huge revenue to a film.

In the future, will there be any Hollywood movies that will be delayed by a month in the opposite market?

"It's not good for us." Tina Fei immediately thought of the key. "The other party has a quota for the number of movies imported each year. If Disney gets too much share, our movies..."

She immediately thought of the big universe plans of Marvel and DC, which are super investment of hundreds of millions or even 200 million US dollars. If the opposite market is really as attractive as estimated, Disney will definitely damage their side. Interests.

Walking back to his seat, Duke sat down slowly, frowning and thinking about the future. After Disney released the big move of Disneyland, it was undoubtedly a huge success, and the investment was actually not as high as imagined. .

The most typical is undoubtedly funds, even the Walt Disney Group, it is impossible to spend such an amount of funds for the construction of a Disneyland.

If he remembered correctly, the Disney Group’s funds for the construction of the Disneyland came from loans from several state-owned banks of the other party. Disney only used future income as collateral. In fact, the amount of its own funds used is almost negligible.

All this can be said to have something to do with Robert Iger, and it all happened in his office.

"Tina, let people stare at Iger." Duke looked at the female assistant, "A chaotic Disney is what we need."

The best situation is that Robert Iger and Michael Eisner fight to the death, which will inevitably affect Disney's performance and operations.

He then said, "You go back to Los Angeles to see Doug Walter, just say it's my idea, can Warner consider building a Warner World on the other side, and if so, let them contact each other first Next, reveal some relevant information."

Tina Fey immediately understood Duke's thoughts, "Squeeze out Disney on more favorable terms?"

"It's best to squeeze out..."

Duke sighed softly. Although Warner World is also very famous, its popularity on the other side is far from comparable to Disneyland.

The two discussed a few more details. Tina Fey had just called Duke's business jet captain and was about to go back to the room to pack up when a crisp knock on the door suddenly rang.

Tina Fey went over and opened the door, spoke to a member of the crew, then closed the door and walked back with a beautiful invitation in her hand.

Duke looked at the gilt design and asked slightly curiously, "Who sent the invitation?"

"Someone invited you to the premiere."

After walking over, Tina Fey handed the invitation letter to Duke, "This is specially sent by David Ellison to invite you to the premiere of "Air Combat Heroes" in New York. "

"He really has a heart."

Duke opened his eyes and put it aside, "It seems that David Ellison is very confident in his new film."

"I heard he had a role in the film," Tina Fey asked. "Are you going?"

"Of course." Duke stood up, "Why not?" (To be continued ~^~)

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