America: My Time

Chapter 1029 The Donkey Begs for Peace
Chapter 1019 The Donkey Begs for Peace

Today's Hollywood is led by Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media. They are the most powerful forces in Hollywood and the most influential media and entertainment groups in the world. Warner Bros. is no match for them. If they want to leave Hollywood, how can those guys in California not be furious? How can Donald not be furious?

"You two are in such a hurry to see me, it's not because of things in the US, is it? If so, then we have nothing good to offer. It's not that I'm being disrespectful, but some people have gone too far, and I have to fight back. Since California can't accommodate us, and Hollywood can't accommodate Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media, then we'll just leave. Oregon is also a good option. Moreover, I've received invitations from Nevada and Las Vegas. They are sincerely inviting Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media to relocate there, and they've offered many attractive conditions. Plus, I have my own businesses there. It's hard for me to refuse such an invitation!"

"Damn it, what are those guys trying to do? They can't even handle their own internal problems, and this kind of thing has happened. How are we supposed to persuade John now!" George Lucas was furious upon hearing John's words. This was something he hadn't known before the trip!
“Mr. John, we know that some people have gone too far, but Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media’s departure from California and Hollywood will have a huge impact on the entire American film industry. As the president of the Film Association, I have to step in and persuade them, because such a situation has a huge impact and may even affect the United States’ global influence and interests!”

"You're exaggerating. Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media don't have that kind of power. Besides, Hollywood isn't just about these two media giants; there are many other big names in Hollywood! If I remember correctly, ever since I entered Hollywood, I've never had a peaceful time. There have always been people causing me trouble, time and time again, endlessly. We've talked to each other, and I've warned those guys, but nobody takes my words seriously. So, it's not my fault that things have escalated to this point. It's no use coming to me!"

After John finished speaking, Jack Valentine had no choice but to turn to George Lucas, a man with whom John had a good relationship, to persuade him. In Hollywood, many knew of John's close friendship with George Lucas; if Lucas intervened, John would attend those parties. In the United States, only Morgan possessed such influence.

Many people know that John doesn't accept invitations to parties, especially in recent years, and he rarely attends them. He's almost never seen at Hollywood parties. If it weren't for the fact that John's name is always at the top of Hollywood's power rankings, many people in Hollywood would probably forget he exists!
“John, don’t make things difficult for Jack. He has no choice. After all, this matter has blown up too much. Two major media groups want to leave California together. It’s not just difficult for him, it’s difficult for us in the industry as well. Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media account for half of the entire US film market. If you leave, is there any need for Hollywood to exist? You can tell us what your demands are, and we can discuss it. There’s no need to make a scene like this!”

“George, you should be aware of the conflict between me and Oily Capital, and you should also be aware of the conflict between me and Donkey. Every time, it’s not me who causes trouble, but they who provoke me. This time, they’re using actors as an excuse again, and they’re also inciting the Actors Guild to step in. There are also those greedy agencies that want to overturn the rules set by Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group. If California continues to use some nonsensical people as an excuse, then there’s nothing to talk about between us. They’ve created their own problems, so they should clean them up themselves. It has nothing to do with me.”

“I understand, but you also need to consider the hardships we face in this industry. We're not as big and powerful as Legendary Entertainment or Phoenix Group. We can't withstand this kind of impact. Besides, most people in the industry are on your side. It's just a few people who have stood up to support those guys. You don't need to make everyone suffer together!”

“George, I know you've been dragged into this for nothing, but I have no choice. I don't have the energy to keep entangled with those guys. You know my character; I've always avoided trouble and given everyone face. When that guy Barrydiller left for Paramount, did I target him? Did I retaliate against him? But what did those guys do? Was he behind this whole mess? And Steven Spielberg, how did Universal treat him? When he was in trouble, when he was repeatedly rejected when he wanted to film Schindler's List, Universal gave him the opportunity. Do you really think it was Robert Iger's consent? It all came to me; I personally gave my approval. But how did he repay us? Not only did he not give us a satisfactory return, but if he had even a little bit of humanity, he wouldn't have done this. He wouldn't have ruined Robert Iger. He got his way, but you should know how much pressure Robert Iger was under. What do you think I should do?”

George Lucas was fully aware of this situation, and he had even tried to dissuade the other party, but it still happened. Clearly, the other party valued the interests of their oil capital rather than those of Hollywood. Perhaps they believed John wouldn't dare remove the two major media groups from Hollywood, given the significant impact. Before George Lucas could speak, John continued, "Alright, George, I know your predicament, but this is not something you can control, and you can't decide everything. If those guys really want to make peace with me, let the people in charge do it. You cannot satisfy my demands; this is not a Hollywood matter!"

Anyone with even a slight understanding of the current situation in the United States knows that this matter is not actually a Hollywood affair. However, George Lucas had no choice but to come and meet John to discuss the matter, as he had to repay a favor. In contrast, Jack Valentine, the gatekeeper of Hollywood, was in a much heavier mood.

The person who can make the decision is not someone that just anyone can make the decision for. Moreover, he was prepared before coming, and even the donkey was prepared. Those oil-rich capitalists were prepared, and California was prepared!

“Mr. John, we can’t make the decision ourselves, but we can communicate with them by phone. I believe the California authorities will give you a satisfactory explanation; they don’t want to see this situation happen either!”

"Explain? What explanation can they give me? This isn't just a California issue, and I don't have a good impression of California either. My investments have hit roadblocks at every turn, and no one has given me a satisfactory explanation. The storm that hit Silicon Valley severely damaged my investments, and Western Energy was forced to sell its gas-fired power plants. There are many more things, but I won't go into them. Do you think I need to communicate with them? They don't even have sincerity, so what's the point of talking?"

In Jack Valentine's view, his appearance as president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) already showed a lot of sincerity. If this matter were merely a Hollywood issue, then he certainly showed sincerity. However, this matter involves much more than just Hollywood; it involves far more complex issues. Therefore, his appearance lacked sincerity.

“John, you’re putting us in a difficult position. We’re here solely for the development of Hollywood, not for those people. We don’t want to get involved in your feuds, and neither does Jack. We just want to protect Hollywood and prevent it from collapsing, because that would have a huge impact on many people! If you agree, we’ll give you an answer regarding California’s talent problem, and California will give you an answer!” George Lucas had no choice but to continue persuading, and he directly focused the matter on Hollywood, not wanting to discuss any other issues.

“George, this is a matter. What’s the use of California giving me this explanation? It’s completely useless. Even if I give you face, it won’t help. What’s going to happen will happen. You have to pay the price for doing something wrong. Even those guys in Japan gave me a satisfactory explanation for doing something wrong. Mitsui paid the price for their stupidity by selling Sapporo Beer to me. Do you think they can get away with this Hollywood matter without paying any price?”

At this moment, John took out Mitsui. The previous incident with the GPS navigator had caused quite a stir, and the American public knew about it. Those guys in Japan had paid a price, and now the donkeys in California weren't willing to pay any price. How could that be? Moreover, John made it very clear that he had suffered considerable 'losses' in California. Since they were going to settle accounts, they should settle them properly!
Since those guys prioritize profit, everything revolves around profit. They won't let go until they see enough benefit, and this applies even to this Hollywood matter. They want sufficient compensation, and some people have to pay the price. To think Hollywood is a playground for donkeys, to think they can control everything in Hollywood—that's a joke!
(End of this chapter)