Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 198 The Mastermind (Thanks to the leader Mi Chong for the reward + update 1)

"Okay, don't be sad."

In the office of the president of Paramount Pictures, Shirley Lansing touched Tom Cruise's cheek, wiped away the tears from his eyes with her fingers, and gently comforted him, "The media is watching him now, he doesn't dare to take action against you again. In addition, there have been a lot of negative news about him in the media recently. His reputation has been ruined, and it will be difficult for his next movie to get support from fans. When his movie loses money, he will not have the energy to deal with you."

Tom Cruise looked up and asked, "Did you arrange for the media to produce these negative stories?"

"You don't need me to arrange it. Link's performance is too outstanding. The seven major film companies have already regarded him as a worthy opponent and an unpopular person. They only need to release a little information, and their media will take the initiative to change their stance when reporting on Link's news and report more negative news about him."

Shirley Lansing ruffled Tom's hair and smiled faintly.

Tom Cruise's eyes lit up, "You mean the seven major movie companies are planning to team up against Link?"

"Last year, Guess What Pictures performed strongly, with total box office revenue exceeding Disney and MGM, ranking sixth in the industry, and net income among the top three. For a company that has only been established for two years, its annual income is not inferior to the seven major studios. If this momentum continues, Guess What Pictures may surpass the seven major studios and become the most profitable film company in Hollywood."

As Shirley Lansing spoke, she couldn't help but think of the young and handsome Asian man. Although he was a competitor, the talent and management he demonstrated made people have to admit that he was a very outstanding and charming man.

Tom Cruise said excitedly, "Guess what? The studio is too strong and has taken away the market share that originally belonged to the Big Seven, so the media group behind the Big Seven has its media outlets report negative news about Link to damage his reputation?

But isn’t this approach too mild? With the power behind the seven major film studios, they can easily make Link and Guess What go bankrupt and shut down, making it impossible for them to continue to gain a foothold in Hollywood.”

The seven major film studios have parent companies behind them, including Time Warner, Viacom, News Corporation, Sony Group, etc., and the main shares of the parent companies are controlled by Wall Street capital.

These capitals control the entertainment and media industries in the United States and the world.

If they join forces and use a little tricks, they can easily crush Link.

Tom Cruise didn't understand why they didn't do this, but just used some entertainment tabloids to attack Link's reputation, which didn't seem to have much impact on Link.

Shirley Lansing shook her head. "You have to understand one thing first. Capital is for profit. Capital will flow to any field that can create profits. Link and Guess What Pictures are currently the most profitable places in the Hollywood film industry. Those entertainment investors want to take over Guess What Pictures and Link to make more capital, rather than destroying Link and Guess What Pictures. No one will make money this way, and this does not conform to the growth model of capital.

But Link held on to his plate and was unwilling to share the cake with others, which undoubtedly angered the entertainment capital. Those capitals would put some pressure on Link through their subsidiaries and force Link to come up with something good.

If Link insists on not sharing, the investors will intensify their efforts and may even consider destroying him and Guess Pictures.”

Tom Cruise nodded, "Link is too greedy."

Shirley Lansing said, "In addition to being greedy, Link is also a smart man. He took the initiative to cooperate with Columbia Pictures, New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Time Warner Group, and Miramax Films, a subsidiary of Walt Disney.

This also led to the investors' reluctance to work together to suppress him and become his open opponents, to prevent Link from choosing one party and rejecting the other when introducing investment in the future. This was also caused by the competition among entertainment capitals.

Link knows this, so he dares to play around with the seven major film studios. But guess what, the film studios are too prominent, and there are too many cakes on the plate. If he continues to hold on to the plate, those people on Wall Street will not let him go. He is walking on a burning cotton rope. "

"Humph, I hope he falls off the cliff soon and gets smashed to pieces."

Tom Cruise said angrily.

Shirley Lansing ruffled his hair and smiled.

While they were chatting, the assistant called and said that CNN was broadcasting an exclusive interview with Link. Shirley Lansing had reminded the assistant last time, so she should be reminded after the show was broadcast.

Shirley Lansing pulled out the remote and turned on the TV.

On TV, Link was sitting on the sofa and talking. He was wearing a dark casual suit, with a neat hairstyle, firm eyebrows, and a straight nose. He looked very mature and masculine.

Shirley Lansing watched Link on TV and suddenly felt that Tom Cruise wasn't that good looking after all.

"Link, can you talk about your relationship problems? I read in the newspaper yesterday that you have more than ten girlfriends and have been involved in scandals with more than 30 female stars, including Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Connelly, Brooke Shields, Sofia Coppola, etc. When I saw these news, I was very envious, no, I should say jealous. I think it's not just me, any man who sees this news will be jealous of you."

CNN host Larry King laughed. CNN is a cable news network under Turner Broadcasting Corporation. It is not currently owned by any media group and its news reports are relatively fair.

Larry King is currently the highest paid talk show host in the United States, with an annual salary of $1200 million. His show 'Larry King Live' is also one of the highest rated television shows.

Link smiled and said, "Yes, any man would be jealous if he had scandals with so many outstanding women, including me."

"Including you? Those news are fake? Link, you have to know that I have worked in the television industry for more than 30 years and have interviewed thousands of celebrities. Ordinary people can't hide their lies from my eyes."

Larry King pointed to the eyes, then to him.

There was a burst of laughter at the scene.

Link pretended to be nervous and sat up straight. "It seems I have to tell the truth."

"Yes, Link, tell me the truth, are you a playboy? If so, I would like to advise the girls in front of the TV to be careful of you and never fall in love with you." Larry King frowned and his tone became serious.

The audience burst into laughter again.

This is the charm of a talk show master. Just saying anything, even if it is not funny, will make the audience laugh.

Link spread his hands and said, "It's all fake news. If you don't believe me, you can use your magical eyes to take a closer look at me. My words can definitely stand up to scrutiny."

Larry Gold pinched his chin with his fingers and stared at him with narrowed eyes, as if he was doing a brain CT scan on him.

The audience burst into laughter.

"Larry, are you done with your inspection? It's almost time for lunch."

Link checked his watch.

"I really can't tell that you're lying. You've passed this test. Then can you tell us who your girlfriend is?"

"I'm single!"

Hush! Many audience members in the audience cheered, and Larry King curled his lips in disbelief.

"Well, it's Monica. We've been dating since early 92, so it's been two years now."

Link spread his hands and said.

"He's lying."

Tom Cruise said, "Last time I saw him he was hanging out with Jennifer Connelly at a bar, they were very close, this guy is definitely not a good guy."

Shirley Lansing shook her head. "Link is a billionaire, worth over 10 billion. It's normal for him to have a few more women."

Tom Cruise frowned, "Should we arrange for the media to interview Jennifer Connelly and a few other women and have them come forward to expose Link?"

"It's useless. Link gave them enough benefits to make them hide willingly. If you want to convince them, you must give them more benefits and be prepared to fail." Shirley Lansing said.

Tom Cruise thought about the previous bet in which he invested millions of dollars to suppress Link, but ended up losing everything. It would be too tragic if he lost again.

　I would like to thank my book friend Mi Chong for the reward. I have spent a lot of money and cannot repay you. I will add more chapters to express my gratitude. I wish you a happy new year, may your assets increase a hundredfold, and may all your wishes come true.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)