Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 386, "Internet Horror," is released.

In the fourth week of the summer movie season, Guess What Films' first summer film, The Internet, was released. It grossed $4814 million in 2447 theaters in its opening week, becoming the top-grossing film of the week. It earned $800 million more than the second-place film, Mission: Impossible, which grossed $4023 million this week.

The third-place film, "Batman Forever," grossed $2608 million this week, bringing its total to $1.91 million. It is poised to become the first film to surpass $200 million at the North American box office this year.

Fourth place went to Universal Pictures' "Dragonheart," which grossed $1502 million in its opening weekend.

Following the release of "The Internet," competition in the North American film market intensified, with the eight major film studios launching aggressive promotional campaigns and vying for box office revenue across the board. This led to a sharp decline in box office revenue for films produced by independent film studios, as well as a significant reduction in their media exposure.

Media outlets are again reporting on the “battle of the eight major film studios, leading to the bankruptcy of smaller film companies.” The magazine “Complete Cinema” predicts that mergers and acquisitions in the film industry will become more severe in the next five years, with more than 80% of smaller film companies going bankrupt.

As a result of these comments, Guess Movies has faced considerable criticism and accusations, with many arguing that the company shouldn't have been so assertive in the film market and shouldn't have released so many movies.

Guess what the film studio is saying. They simply continue to promote the movie and use various methods to increase the popularity of "The Internet".

Thanks to the efforts of the publicity department, "The Internet" has gained even more popularity and its box office performance is also very good, with the potential to become the third film to break 100 million yuan at the box office during the summer season.

"Damn it!"

In the Miramax Films office, Harvey Weinstein angrily slammed a file on the floor. The data in the folder scattered like snowflakes and drifted to the ground. The data contained the box office figures for Miramax Films' new movies this week.

After Miramax Films was acquired by Disney, with the support of its parent company, Miramax Films began to increase its film production starting in 94. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, the production department completed the production of 12 films, making it the second most prolific independent film company after Guess Movies.

If these 12 films are box office hits, Miramax Films can rise to prominence and gain a foothold in Hollywood, and the Weinstein brothers can earn a significant share of the producer revenue.

However, of the six films released by the company this year, only the two films released at the beginning of the year performed reasonably well at the box office. "Laughing Gun" has reached more than 1800 million yuan at the box office and "From Dusk Till Dawn" has reached more than 2300 million yuan. All the other films were failures.

The romantic film "Jane Eyre," released in March, only grossed 560 million at the box office, while the New Zealand film "Drunk" only grossed 1.4.

"The Funeral Procession," released in April, only grossed over 330 million yuan in six weeks. Two other films he had high hopes for, "Love Woman" and "The Turbulent Times," also performed poorly at the box office and received lukewarm reviews.

Guessing Pictures released seven films in the first half of the year. Although the first three films did not perform well at the box office, starting with Trainspotting, each of Guessing Pictures' films has been better than the last.

"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" has grossed over $70 million in North America and over $150 million worldwide; "Dangerous Games" has grossed over $80 million in North America and is expected to gross no less than $90 million; "The Internet," which was released this week, has grossed over $40 million in its opening week and is firmly in the $100 million mark in North America.

The combined North American box office of all Miramax Films' releases in the first half of the year couldn't match that of either "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" or "Dangerous Games".

This sense of frustration infuriated Harvey. He paced back and forth in his office several times with his hands behind his back, then picked up the phone and called Ovitz, Langmeyer, and Baridiller, inviting the three of them to a private meeting over the weekend. He said he was preparing to really take action against Link and hoped they would lend a hand.

"Almost a month has passed, and you still haven't found an opportunity to deal with Link?"

Michael Ovitz asked in surprise.

“Mike, this is a matter for all of us, so of course we should decide it together.”

“No, no, Harvey, this is not my business. You should know that I am just the co-president of Disney Studios, an employed manager. Even if Disney goes bankrupt and becomes a pile of garbage, it has nothing to do with me, and I will not suffer much loss. Why would I risk going to jail to do such a thing?” Ovitz said.

Harvey frowned and said, "You already agreed last time, and you even swore an oath before the idol." "No, I just heard you say it and swore to keep it a secret. I never said you would team up with me to deal with Link. I won't do that; it wouldn't do me any good."

Ovitz vehemently denied it.

Harvey gritted his teeth in anger, his fat face wrinkling and greasy. "Michael, we said last time that for the sake of the tribe, we had to get rid of Link and destroy Guess the Movies. How can you say it's not in our best interest?"

“I never said that. I am not a racist and I would never have such extreme thoughts. You'd better not contact me. Also, I advise you to give up on doing this. Disney plans to establish a deeper partnership with Guess the Movies, and Link has agreed to direct Disney's sci-fi blockbuster Deep Impact.”

In the future, we will be partners with Link. Losing him would be detrimental to both of us. Think about it carefully. Finally, let me reiterate: this matter has nothing to do with me, and please don't call me about it again.

Beep beep~ Ovitz hung up the phone.

"Fake!"

Harvey, his face grim, cursed and took a deep breath. He picked up the phone again and called Langmeyer and Baridil. He had originally thought that Ovitz was not a racist and therefore would not participate in the action against Link.

Unexpectedly, like Barrydiller, Langmeyer stated that he was merely a company administrator and that even if Universal Pictures and Fox went bankrupt, it would have nothing to do with them. He said their term was only three or four years and they would not take risks for the film company. He also advised him not to be too extreme and not to do anything illegal, and that dealing with Guessing Pictures should be done slowly.

Harvey angrily hung up the phone. He had been deceived by the three men. They hadn't objected to his suggestion at the party; they were just going through the motions, using him as a tool to kill Link, and then shirking all responsibility afterward.

Upon hearing that he had asked for help, the three quickly changed their tune and said they wouldn't get involved.

If he had immediately had someone kill Link after the last gathering, the three of them would probably have been able to deny everything afterwards, and might even have used him as a scapegoat.

"These three damn bastards, how dare you lie to me."

Harvey picked up the ashtray on the table and smashed it hard against the corner of the wall.

"Harvey, what happened?"

Bob Weinstein pushed open the door and walked in, glancing at the shattered ashtray—the second one Harvey had broken this year.

"fine!"

Harvey sat down and took a deep breath. He pulled out a cigar and cut off the tip with a cigar cutter. "I got word that Michael Ovitz wants to kill Link. Do you think we should get involved?"

"Kill Link?"

Bob looked shocked and shook his head. "This is too risky. Let's not participate. But if they really kill Link, it will be very beneficial for us." Bob suddenly became excited. "Avitz and the others are really planning to kill Link?"

Harvey narrowed his eyes. "Whether it is or not, I will make it a reality. They want to cooperate with Link, but I will not let them have their way."

(End of this chapter)