Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 905: A Panda Who Knows Kung Fu

The next day, the two sides started a new round of negotiations.

After a week of bargaining, the two sides finally reached an agreement: Xijing Investment will acquire DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation for US$19 billion, of which US$9.75 million will be paid in cash and the remaining US$9.25 million will be paid in the form of Xijing Investment accepting US$9.25 million in debt from DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation.

The news spread quickly, and major American media outlets competed to report it. Among them, Entertainment Weekly commented: Universal Pictures' years of careful planning and emotional cultivation were no match for Xijing Investment's afternoon tea. In Fang Minghua's manor at Amber Mountain, this huge deal was easily concluded while chatting and laughing.

Of course, NBC said in a more exaggerated tone: "Watch out! The Chinese are coming! This time they are entering Hollywood not with actors but with their capital."

DreamWorks executives and members of the negotiation team held a cocktail party to celebrate, and Wu Tianmin was invited to attend. As vice president of film and television and general manager of North American operations, he was not involved in the acquisition of DreamWorks.

Phillips, president of Xijing Investment, was invited to attend, after all, the acquisition of DreamWorks was made in the name of Xijing Investment.

Of course there is also Fang Minghua.

The cocktail party was held in the lobby on the third floor of the hotel where the negotiation team was staying. Everyone was in high spirits and toasting each other.

Fang Minghua was wearing a black suit and holding a cocktail while chatting with Spielberg. Next to him was David Geffen, who was over 60 years old.

"Mr. Spielberg, you were even asked to direct the Harry Potter movie," Fang Minghua said.

Spielberg sighed deliberately: "I thought I had dodged it. It seems I can't."

"This shows that you have a connection with Harry Potter." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"That's right, don't worry, I will take good pictures."

"I believe it. Come, let me wish you a big box office success." Fang Minghua raised his glass and the three of them clinked their glasses.

Fang Minghua then said to David Geffen: "Mr. Geffen, the development of Harry Potter peripherals and derivative products is now up to you."

David Geffen immediately said, "Don't worry, this is a cash cow. DreamWorks' turnaround depends on it!"

Fang Minghua smiled slightly. David Geffen saw this clearly, but in terms of economic benefits, the box office revenue was far less than these peripheral and derivative products.

In fact, up to now, Shengshi Films and DreamWorks have not started negotiations on the co-production of "Harry Potter", but anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is a foregone conclusion.

Both companies are basically owned by Fang Minghua, so what is there to discuss? It's just some specific details of the cooperation.

At this time, a man in his early fifties with sparse hair came over with a glass of wine. He was one of the three giants of DreamWorks: Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation.

In previous negotiations, Katzenberg made a request: DreamWorks Animation should continue to exist independently as a subsidiary of DreamWorks, and Fang Minghua agreed.

Deep down, he has no intention of canceling DreamWorks Animation. This is a trump card that will be used to deal with Pixar Animation and even Disney in the future, and it must be strengthened rather than weakened.

Katzenberg asked Fang Minghua as soon as he saw him, "Mr. Fang, when will the 100 million yuan you promised to give DreamWorks be in place?"

Fang Minghua smiled and said, "Tomorrow."

According to Fang Minghua's promise during the negotiations, after purchasing DreamWorks, Xijing Investment immediately injected US$300 million into it, of which US$100 million was directly given to DreamWorks Animation.

Katzenberg immediately beamed: "That's great! I'll reboot Shrek 2 tomorrow!"

"Katzenberg, you are too anxious." Spielberg joked: "I remember you were on vacation recently."

"Starting tomorrow, the vacation will end!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

At this time, Spielberg asked again: "Katzenberg, after you finish filming Shrek 2, what are you going to shoot?"

Katzenberg was a little confused and didn't understand why Spielberg asked this.

Spielberg added: "Our current boss, Mr. Fang, is an excellent writer and screenwriter. Don't you want to ask him for materials or scripts?"

Ah?
Is this old guy Spielberg planning to defeat our army?
Katzenberg also understood and immediately asked Fang Minghua about the company's subsequent filming plans. Fang Minghua had no choice but to answer: "I originally wanted to discuss this matter in our future meetings. Since Spielberg mentioned it, I will tell you my thoughts."

At this point, Fang Minghua paused and said, "I heard that the Atlanta Zoo has a panda donated by us Chinese, is that right?"

"Yes, his name is Lun Lun. He is chubby and very cute. He is very popular in the United States. My granddaughter even asked me to take her to Atlanta to see the cat," Katzenberg replied.

"Yes, indeed, pandas are also very popular in our country." Fang Minghua answered, and suddenly changed the subject: "Katzenberg, besides pandas, what else is very popular in your country?"

Katzenberg was stunned. He had no idea what Fang Minghua was up to.

"Kung fu!" David Geffen suddenly said, holding a wine glass in one hand and making a pose of a white crane spreading its wings, and everyone laughed.

This old man is quite interesting.

"Then how about a panda that knows kung fu as the protagonist of the animation?" Fang Minghua replied with a smile.

"Kung Fu Panda?" Katzenberg's eyes lit up.

As a veteran animation film producer, he deeply understands the importance of an excellent animation character to a film.

think about it.

A silly-looking giant panda practicing Chinese Kung Fu, how interesting is that image?
"Mr. Fang, after I finish filming Shrek 2, I will film Kung Fu Panda! You must write the script for me!"

"Well, my subordinates have spoken, and as a boss I have to listen." Fang Minghua said with a deliberate sigh.

The three of them laughed again.

After the cocktail party, Shengshi Film and Television, headed by Wu Tianmin, started licensing negotiations with DreamWorks for the "Harry Potter" movie and surrounding derivative products.

This time, Fang Minghua persuaded Song Tangtang not to attend and asked her to return to San Francisco. She had been busy for so many days and was really too tired and needed to rest well.

Song Tangtang did not refuse and flew back to San Francisco the next day.

Fang Minghua did not go back. Although the acquisition was settled, internal adjustments of DreamWorks were urgent, and as a boss, he could not just sit back and do nothing.

In addition to detailed discussions with the Big Three, Fang Minghua also set up middle-level leaders in the DreamWorks department to listen to their opinions and suggestions.

Finally, a meeting of senior leaders was held to decide the future reform direction of DreamWorks.

Increase the production of movies, cartoons, and TV series, immediately stop investment in records, books, toys, and consumer products, narrow the front line, and the departments involved must also be revoked and readjusted, and there must be no ambiguity in the layoffs that need to be made.

At the same time, a new design department was added, which is responsible for the design and development of Harry Potter peripherals and derivatives.

In the future, the development and production of Harry Potter peripherals and derivatives will be listed as DreamWorks' three major products along with movies and cartoons.

This afternoon, a meeting was held to discuss the organizational restructuring plan, which will be implemented by DreamWorks CEO David Geffen.

Naturally, some people are happy about these reform measures while others are worried, but this is not what Fang Minghua considered.

He was sitting in his office thinking about something, when suddenly he remembered something and picked up the phone on his desk to call David Geffen.

"David, please come to my office."

A few minutes later, David Geffen came to Fang Minghua's office: "Mr. Fang, what's the matter?"

"Please sit down."

Fang Minghua pointed to the sofa next to him.

When David Geffen sat down, he said, "How much do you know about Marvel?"

(End of this chapter)