Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 904 903 DreamWorks Animation must be sold in a bundle with DreamWorks, otherwise there is no deal.

"Mr. Fang, I want to ask you, are you really giving up on acquiring DreamWorks?"

Fang Minghua shook his head and sighed, "I am very interested in DreamWorks, but the price is too high. Mr. Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation is priced at $8 million. Who in Hollywood would pay so much money to acquire a department that has only been established for less than a year and has less than people in total?"

"Mr. Fang, you are talking about DreamWorks Animation, which is independent of DreamWorks," Spielberg reminded.

"But in my eyes, if there is no DreamWorks Animation, it is not a complete DreamWorks. An incomplete DreamWorks is meaningless to me." Fang Minghua put down his knife and fork and looked at the other party seriously:

"When Universal Pictures negotiated with you, they didn't care about DreamWorks Animation because Universal Pictures itself has a strong animation department, but I don't, so please understand my feelings."

Mr. Spielberg understood Fang Minghua's bottom line: DreamWorks Animation must be sold in a bundle with DreamWorks, otherwise there would be no deal.

There was a brief silence in the restaurant, with only the slight sound of knives and forks.

After a while, Fang Minghua suddenly spoke again: "Mr. Spielberg, I remember that you and I met in 86. I came to Iowa for a visiting scholar program, and you approached me to adapt my science fiction novel Solar Disaster, right?"

"Yes, after the novel was adapted into a movie, it received very good box office and reputation," Spielberg replied.

"At the same time, Pixar Animation Studios bought the copyright of my novel "Wall-Ex", and director Stecko asked me to help him write a science fiction script "Inception". After the release of these two films, the box office was very good."

"Yes, Inception also won the box office championship that year. Stecko made a comeback," Spielberg also agreed.

But he was a little puzzled, why did Fang Minghua talk about these old stories?
After all, it happened 18 years ago.

Soon, Fang Minghua gave the answer.

"Mr. Spielberg, what I said means only one thing: I acquired DreamWorks. I am not only the boss, but I am also a good writer and screenwriter. I will provide DreamWorks with good scripts!"

"On this point, Mr. Spielberg, you don't have to question my husband's words. The Harry Potter series is enough to illustrate his ability." Song Tangtang also interrupted and added.

Yes
Spielberg knew it, too.

Indeed, Fang Minghua has this huge advantage after acquiring DreamWorks.

Thinking of this, Spielberg said again: "Mr. Fang, I understand that you value DreamWorks Animation very much, but your offer of 3.8 million is a bit low."

Fang Minghua knew that Spielberg had already approved DreamWorks' bundling sale, but he was just a little dissatisfied with the price.

So he laughed and said, “Mr. Spielberg, are you going to negotiate with me today?”

"No, no, I just want to have a casual chat in private, not a formal negotiation," Mr. Spielberg said quickly.

"Whether we are chatting privately or negotiating formally, let me tell you my bottom line." Fang Minghua's face suddenly became serious.

He held up four fingers and said, "Four hundred million, at most, to acquire DreamWorks Animation. This includes the company's debts, so together with DreamWorks, it's 20 billion. You three can discuss it. If you agree, talk to my wife. If you think it's inappropriate, forget it. My wife still has to negotiate with Fox to co-produce Harry Potter. We don't need to waste time here."

Fang Minghua's attitude became tough and the atmosphere at the table became a little awkward.

At this time, Spielberg's wife spoke up in time. She looked at Spielberg with a smile and said, "Dear, you invited Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang to our house to be guests and taste the food I cooked, not to negotiate." "Yes, yes." Spielberg immediately reacted and said to Fang Minghua with a smile, "Mr. Fang, today's dishes are made by my wife. How do they taste?"

"It tastes great." Fang Minghua smiled and looked at Mrs. Spielberg sitting opposite him, and raised his glass again: "Thank you for preparing such a sumptuous meal and this fine wine. My wife and I have spent a wonderful time here."

After lunch, everyone had some dessert together, rested for a while, and then Fang Minghua and his wife said goodbye and left.

Sitting in the back row, seeing Song Tangtang frowning and still thinking about what was said at the dinner table today, he smiled and said, "Okay, don't think about it, relax, spend the weekend in Los Angeles, and then we will return to San Francisco."

"Okay then." Song Tangtang sighed softly.

Taking walks, fishing, and planting flowers, Song Tangtang put down all the work at hand and accompanied Fang Minghua on a leisurely vacation in the manor.

Spielberg was not idle. Although it was Sunday, the three of them gathered in the office of DreamWorks headquarters in Glendale. He explained in detail the conversation with Fang Minghua to the two men, and finally said: "I guess this is Fang Minghua's bottom line in the negotiation."

David Geffen was silent for a while, then asked Spielberg: "What do you mean?"

"I decided to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

As soon as Spielberg finished speaking, Jeffrey Katzenberg jumped up and said loudly: "I disagree! I will not sell DreamWorks Animation no matter what!"

"Jeffrey, wake up!" Spielberg looked at him and raised his voice: "The DreamWorks of today is no longer the DreamWorks of five years ago! Both the parent company and your DreamWorks Animation are heavily in debt!"

"You want DreamWorks Animation to be the next Pixar, right? But let me tell you, Pixar has been targeted by Disney! Look at how closely they are working together now, but in fact Pixar is courting disaster! Sooner or later, it will be acquired by Disney!"

"Okay, let's not talk about the future, let's talk about now. What if Fang Minghua doesn't want to acquire DreamWorks? Continue to negotiate with Universal Pictures? Are you willing to accept a $10 billion acquisition?!"

"I would rather sell DreamWorks for $10 billion than sell DreamWorks Animation as a bundle," Jeffrey Katzenberg muttered.

"You" Spielberg was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"Enough!" David Geffen, who had been silent all the time, suddenly slammed the table. The bang scared the other two people, and they looked at him in surprise.

David Geffen regained his composure and said, "I propose that we convene a board meeting immediately and vote to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

After saying that, he raised his hand: "I agree to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

"I agree." Spielberg immediately raised his right hand.

"Okay, we have two votes, more than half, the proposal is passed." David Geffen ignored Jeffrey Katzenberg and continued, "Steven, notify Song Tangtang and continue the negotiations tomorrow."

"OK, I'll call right away."

David Geffen turned and left the office, leaving Jeffrey with a grim look on his face.

(End of this chapter)