America: My Time

Chapter 1175: Bow down and admit your mistake
Chapter 1165 Bowing Down and Admitting Mistakes

"Admit your mistakes? How laughable! They're living in the past, thinking that admitting their mistakes will end everything. It's ridiculous. Times have changed. These old guys are obsolete. Do they really think they can control Hollywood, that they can dominate the Oscars? Hollywood belongs to the giants, to commercial films, not to these stubborn old fogies. This time, no one can plead for me. I won't accept it! Don't waste your breath. Those old guys aren't worth it!" John shook his head as he looked at Francis Ford Coppola. He respected him, but respect didn't mean he would compromise.

Hollywood is a place of interests, and there's no reason for him to give up just because of Francis Ford Coppola. This time, it's not as simple as it seems on the surface, so John can't let those old guys off the hook just because of personal relationships. This battle is related to his plans in Hollywood and the development of the three major media and entertainment groups.

"I know, and I didn't intend for you to compromise. I'm just going through the motions to avoid those old guys saying I'm heartless. You're right, they really should be phased out. They're still living in the past, still talking about so-called art, without even looking at what's become of art films these days. Hollywood is now dominated by commercial films. However, Phoenix Group's return to Hollywood this time has made many people uneasy. You personally control three major Hollywood giants, and your influence in the industry is too great!"

"So what? Am I wrong? Besides, I've already retreated behind the scenes. What can they do even if they have all sorts of ideas? Do you really think the White House, the Donkey, or even those guys from Oil Capital would dare to fight me head-on at this time? It's not that I underestimate them, but even if I gave them the chance, these guys wouldn't have the guts." John's words were unpleasant to hear, but they were the truth. At this moment, no one dared to step forward.

John handled everything flawlessly, ensuring Phoenix Media's return to Hollywood left no room for his enemies to maneuver. However, if anyone were to cause trouble at this time, bringing up the three major media groups, John would have a reason to retaliate, a reason to target them. This time, he was targeting Japan, and could easily portray them as Japanese lackeys. In contrast, the American public would much rather see themselves in control of Hollywood than see those Japanese guys controlling it!

Francis Ford Coppola was well aware of this, but he couldn't say it aloud, nor could he bring it up openly. Unless things escalated to the point of a complete falling out, no one would use this as an excuse. Not only did Francis Ford Coppola understand this, but everyone in Hollywood's upper echelons did, which is one of the reasons why Phoenix Media was able to acquire MGM so easily!

“John, I have no problem with this, but you have to give Jack Valentine some face. After all, he's the president of the Motion Picture Association of America, the gatekeeper of Hollywood! I believe it won't be long before he's persuaded, and he'll have no choice but to step in. You should understand that!”

“Of course I know, but there’s no result that satisfies me. Even if he steps in, it won’t work. I don’t believe that old guy doesn’t know what those bastards are doing. Besides, this matter isn’t just about Hollywood. There are problems with the Grammys too. These guys are targeting me directly. So it’s not a problem that anyone can solve by stepping in. Without enough sincerity, this matter won’t end. Hollywood is just the beginning!”

As soon as John finished speaking, Francis Ford Coppola couldn't help but sigh. As a celebrity in the circle, he naturally knew how fierce the conflict of interests was, so he was unwilling to get involved. He just had to step in to go through the process and give those old guys an explanation!
"By the way, you need to tell that guy Cage to behave himself and stop causing trouble!" Suddenly, John thought of Nicolas Cage again. If it weren't for Francis Ford Coppola's influence, the three major media groups would have already taken action against him and given him a chance. But this guy was ungrateful and insisted on causing trouble, joining in with those guys and expressing his dissatisfaction with Universal Pictures and Paramount.

“I’ve already warned him, and he’s realized his mistake and apologized to Robert Iger. I never expected this guy to be so stupid, jumping out to cause trouble just because those old guys egged him on!” Francis Ford Coppola was also having a headache with Nicolas Cage. He knew very well that Universal Pictures had only given this guy a chance on the 'Rock on the Rock' project because of his reputation!

"That's good. There are some things that can't be done. For your sake, let's leave it at that. To be honest, he's not an easy guy to deal with. If he continues like this, he'll give you a real headache!" John was well aware of Nicolas Cage's neuroticism, but he didn't expect that this guy would be persuaded to do such a foolish thing. If it weren't for Francis Ford Coppola intervening, this guy would have been blacklisted long ago!
“John, it’s dangerous for you to keep pushing this big-budget film project forward. And using these domineering methods to suppress those talent agencies and actors will backfire. Many people are unhappy with your overbearing behavior!”

"So what? Hollywood isn't something they can control. If they don't want to accept it, they can leave. If those guys like Donkey dare to cause trouble, Hollywood will cease to exist. The three major media groups will all leave Hollywood. I'm not joking. Oregon is also a good option!" John didn't care about the resistance from those talent agencies. No matter how many big-name actors they controlled, he didn't need to. With power over the entire industry chain, John didn't need to consider those guys' thoughts or care about the actors' thoughts. The only ones who were dissatisfied were the big-name stars, but they were just 'ants' in front of Hollywood giants. John didn't want to see talent agencies affect Hollywood, and he didn't want to see film companies being held hostage by those stars.

Every year, some fools succumb to temptation and make negative comments about Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures, but they never really cause any trouble. John doesn't think these guys will succeed this time either, and this time it's not as simple as it seems. If anyone tries to play dirty, John wouldn't mind teaching them a lesson.

"John, there's one last thing. Cameron called me and asked me to plead with you to give him more time. What do you think about that?"

"Cameron is still stubborn and insists on pursuing so-called perfection. I've given him enough chances and given him enough face. You're a director too, you should know what he's done. His behavior is extremely bad in this industry. The company's plans can't be abandoned because of him, so there's no room for negotiation. Perhaps it's time to make a decision. Giving each other some time is a good thing! When you have time, try to persuade him not to act on his own whims. What he's done is very inappropriate."

As soon as John finished speaking, Francis Ford Coppola nodded. He knew John was right. If John hadn't been good-natured, Cameron's behavior would have infuriated many film companies. If he succeeded this time, all would be well; if he failed, he might have no place in the industry. No film company would want a director like him. Don't be fooled by the fact that everyone calls John a Hollywood tyrant; many directors are willing to work with Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures!

“I’ll try to persuade him, but I’m afraid he won’t listen at all. You know how stubborn he is.” Francis Ford Coppola shook his head, his face full of bitterness. Anyone who knows Cameron even slightly knows that his stubbornness is evident in his continued presence at Legendary Entertainment. If he were at any other film company, things would have gone wrong long ago!

"Let him be. He should take a break after this project is over. It's not that I'm so dissatisfied with him, but he has crossed the line for Legendary Entertainment. He's not unaware of the sacrifices Legendary Entertainment, Phoenix Media, and Paramount Pictures made for this project, but he still only considered his own thoughts and not the film company's. Robert Iger has complained to me more than once that this project has completely exhausted all his previous goodwill!"

Although box office revenue is a key metric in Hollywood, Cameron's reputation isn't great. Over the years, everyone knows how stubborn he is. This Titanic project has caused many people to have opinions about him. If he still wants to direct for Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures, it's likely that no one will be willing to work with him again. He can't find a single producer who would accept him as a director. That's the reality right now!

When things got to this point, John was patient, the three major media groups were patient, and everyone was waiting for the project to end. Even if the project succeeded, no producer would work with Cameron again for several years. This was the consensus of the three major media groups, and even the consensus of Hollywood. Everyone was afraid of his persistence!

(End of this chapter)