America: My Time

Chapter 1174 Comeback
Chapter 1164 A Comeback

In those guys' eyes, this was just a small project, but John saw it differently. Moreover, those guys in Hollywood had been jumping around too much lately, and some had forgotten their authority. John didn't know if they were too eager for 'freedom' or if they were just forgetting what they had learned. Now, some people wanted to cause trouble again, which John found very hard to understand. Even after more than a decade, there were still some foolish guys constantly appearing.

"Boss, those guys are still trying to defy our rules. Cameron has had a significant impact on us this time. We've given him chances time and time again, making many people feel that our era is coming to an end. The CAA guys are the most vocal, and their bundled services are starting to be accepted by many people, including Sony!"

"Sony, it seems they're still restless. Since Akio Morita retired, these guys have forgotten their place. The previous betrayals haven't been resolved, and now they dare to team up with those guys from the CAA to challenge our dominance in Hollywood and attack our core interests. It seems we've been too lenient, letting these guys forget what pain is. In that case, let's teach them a lesson and show them our power. Legendary Entertainment shouldn't have to bear this alone. You, Paramount Pictures, and Phoenix Media should come up with a plan. This time, it's not just Sony, but also Panasonic. Let them know that Hollywood isn't something they can manipulate!"

"What should we do with those bastards from CAA?" At this moment, Robert Iger had a faint worry in his eyes, because there was also the shadow of Youtai Capital behind this matter, which put him under considerable pressure.

"Ignore those guys. Stick to the old rule: blacklist them. Whoever jumps out gets blacklisted. Let those bastards know that we are still the kingpins of Hollywood. If they want to be our enemies, they should be prepared to be blacklisted! Don't worry about anyone causing trouble. If anyone dares to make a scene, we'll make an example of them!"

At this moment, John felt an overwhelming rage rise in his heart once again. There were always some reckless individuals who dared to cause trouble and challenge his bottom line. He couldn't be lenient with these people; he had to deal with them as appropriate!

"There's another thing. The academics are also very dissatisfied with us. They believe that our rules are hindering the development of Hollywood and the development of film art. The Oscars are excluding us!"

"Those old guys from the Academy have jumped out again. It seems they think they're too relaxed. And does the Oscars think they no longer need to give face to us Hollywood giants? Since they want to play, let's play a good game with them. Do they really think we can't live without them now? Pass the word down: we're withdrawing from the Oscars. They don't give us face, and we don't need to give them face anymore. The Vanity Fair Oscars are also canceled. This time, I'm going to teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

Is this just targeting the Oscars and Hollywood? No, John's actions go far beyond this petty calculation. He's also using this opportunity to warn those corporations not to provoke him, or they won't be able to bear the serious consequences.

“Boss, this isn’t a good idea. If we do this, it’s like telling everyone that we’ve fallen out with the Oscars. That would have a huge impact, and people could easily use it as an excuse to attack us. There are quite a few people saying that in Hollywood!” Robert Iger was utterly shocked when he heard John’s words.

"So what? Some people have forgotten the lessons of the past. We don't care what the public thinks or how they see it. This time, we will resolutely fight back against them. If they want to cause trouble, then we'll expose all the shady dealings of the Oscars. Since they want to exclude us, they have no reason to exist. We can still overturn the table very well! Hollywood has never been the domain of art, but the domain of commercial films. Hollywood doesn't have any cinematic art; it's just assembly line production. Those old guys are still living in the past. This time, I will shatter their dreams!"

In fact, this wasn't just a problem with the Oscars; the music industry was also affected. John Woo's actions this time were so ruthless that the record labels were seething with anger, so it was only natural that they would manipulate the awards. Unfortunately, the more they tried to manipulate the awards, the less John Woo would compromise, and he would continue to fight against them!
Organizing an award is no easy task; expanding its influence requires time and effort. However, destroying an award is incredibly simple. With the combined power of Legendary Entertainment, Phoenix Media, and Paramount Pictures, the impact of their simple act of rejecting the Academy Awards would be enormous. After all, the media influence controlled by these three conglomerates is immense, and their combined efforts could completely overwhelm the Academy Awards' influence!

“Boss, if we’re really going to do this, shouldn’t we tell Jack Valentine first? After all, he’s been pretty good to us!” Although Robert Iger also hated those guys, he still respected Jack Valentine, the gatekeeper of Hollywood. Even if they were to retaliate, they should at least warn him so he could be prepared!

“Then inform him and trust that he will make the right choice. It’s not our fault. Blame those guys for being too arrogant, for someone who insists on cooperating with Sony and Panasonic, thinking we’re easy to bully.” John paused here, then sneered, “Perhaps this is also Phoenix Group’s chance to return to Hollywood. Someone wants to have a head-on confrontation with us, so let’s give them a head-on contest.”

"Boss, it won't be easy for Phoenix Media to return to Hollywood. After all, they cut everything off before, and Paramount Pictures took over all of Hollywood's assets."

"Don't worry, Phoenix Group has already made the necessary adjustments. Those guys can't use theaters as leverage anymore. This time, I'm going to take over Disney. I'm going to cut off one of Japan's arms in Hollywood and show them how terrible the consequences of betraying me are! Compared to live-action films, Disney won't provoke such a strong reaction from those guys. Of course, if they don't accept it, then I'll take over MGM. It's easier to acquire than Disney!"

However, John didn't want to acquire MGM because MGM no longer held anything of value for him. In contrast, Disney still had many assets he wanted! Phoenix Media wanted to return to Hollywood, and acquiring Disney was far more advantageous than acquiring MGM. Moreover, acquiring Disney could deliver a fatal blow to the Japanese, forcing them to relinquish their profits from Disney theme parks. Of course, successfully acquiring Disney wouldn't be easy; there would be resistance, and the Japanese wouldn't easily back down. That's why John chose MGM as an alternative.

"Boss, it's best to just give up on Disney. Those guys in Japan won't give up easily. In comparison, MGM doesn't have as many problems, and MGM's situation is more dangerous now. It can be acquired for a very small price. You can even negotiate the acquisition directly with them. I believe they won't refuse! If Phoenix Media wants to return to Hollywood, the best option is to act decisively. The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for Phoenix Media!"

Hearing this, John frowned slightly. He trusted Robert Iger's judgment. After all, this guy had been in charge of Legendary Entertainment for more than a decade and knew everything about Hollywood. Moreover, Disney was making money now, and it wouldn't be easy to get those greedy guys in Japan to give up. In comparison, MGM would be much easier.

What Phoenix Media lacks is not its heritage or reputation, but the opportunity to get involved in Hollywood. It would be a good thing if it could make a comeback and quickly complete the acquisition of Hollywood giants, at least ensuring that Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures remain the dominant forces in Hollywood without the help of the Japanese.

The betrayal by Sony and Panasonic has impacted John's business not only in electronics and semiconductors, but also significantly in the entertainment sector. If it weren't for the betrayal by Disney and Columbia Pictures, Hollywood wouldn't be facing such serious trouble, and so many companies wouldn't dare to stand up against Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

“You’re right. Now is not the time to fuss over those guys. Even if we want revenge, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. There’s no need to start a major war with them now. Acquiring Disney is definitely not a good choice. Those guys in Japan won’t give us that opportunity. In comparison, MGM is much easier to acquire!”

John wasn't one to ignore advice. Since Robert Iger could say such a thing, it proved that his plan had problems. Therefore, giving up Disney was the best option. Moreover, if the acquisition of MGM was completed at this time, those guys in Hollywood would surely have an even more amazing performance!
"Xi Zhao, make the arrangements and get people ready to take over MGM Studios!" John quickly made a call to Hong Kong, instructing Huang Xi Zhao to prepare. As for the acquisition of MGM Studios, it wasn't a problem. John didn't believe that greedy guy would refuse his offer. If he did, he would have to bear John's wrath.

Before Robert Iger could even launch his counterattack against the Academy Awards, John had already begun acquiring MGM Studios. Faced with John's assertive attitude, MGM Studios quickly changed hands without any trouble.

Soon Phoenix Media returned to Hollywood, and MGM Studios officially became a member of Phoenix Media. When this news spread, the entire Hollywood was shocked. Although many people wanted to stop it, they had no reason to. Now that John had stepped back from the spotlight, even if they wanted to use monopolies to target John, they couldn't.

Those guys originally thought that with the addition of Columbia Pictures and Disney, they could limit the development of Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures, but they were wrong. Phoenix Group's comeback directly ruined their plans.

Just as the Hollywood guys were shocked by this news, new information soon emerged: the three major film studios withdrew their films from the Oscars, directly showing their intention to abandon the Oscars. As soon as this news came out, the Academy Awards suffered a heavy blow. The three major film studios were withdrawing, and the Vanity Fair party was also canceled. This series of events caught those old guys from the Academy off guard.

Although the three major media groups did not directly issue a statement to blacklist those who jumped out, smart people know that this was bound to happen. However, the target of the three major media groups is not those people, but the Academy Awards. They are openly and legitimately going to deliver a fatal blow to the Academy Awards!
If the Academy Awards cannot resolve this crisis and persuade the three major media conglomerates again, then the Academy's reputation will plummet. If the three Hollywood giants all withdraw from the Oscars, will the Academy still have any reason to exist? Will its influence remain? As John said, Hollywood has never been the domain of art films, but rather the domain of commercial films. The Academy Awards and those old guys from the Academy want to control the Hollywood giants? They're just overthinking it; they're too arrogant and have forgotten that it's no longer the domain of art films!

When the three giants made their move, it was like the sky was falling. Although many people wanted to step in and resolve the crisis, they were all told it was impossible. At this point, even the gatekeeper of Hollywood did not speak out, because he knew that this was not the decision of the three Hollywood giants, but the decision of their boss.

At this point, even Donkey wouldn't dare to criticize the three giants. After all, they weren't just the three giants of Hollywood, but also global media giants with immense influence. If Donkey offended them, he would face all sorts of underhanded tactics from these media giants in the future. Anyone with a brain knew that this incident must be related to John, but who in Hollywood was qualified to sit down and talk with John?
Few, very few. Those who had connections with John remained silent. They were unwilling to waste their favors on those old guys from the Academy. After all, many people were also very dissatisfied with these old guys, believing that they were the sinners of Hollywood. They did not think there was anything wrong with the Big Three's counterattack at this time, because it was not they who started it, but those foolish guys.

(End of this chapter)