American Entertainment: Starting with playing the role of Little Beaver

Chapter 122 Beat the master to death with random punches

Perhaps it's because things have blown up too much?

On the same night that The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times reported on the Fox News scandal, the hosts of an ABC talk show and their invited guests discussed the current storm in North America.

Well, Disney is an ally, after all.

Before Barry Mayer and Robert Iger officially parted ways, helping each other out was actually helping themselves out as well.

The content of the ABC talk show on the evening of May 9, 2004, was roughly as follows—

The first topic the host and guests discussed was whether Chris Columbus disliked Marvel.
When asked by the host, the guest shook his head and said, "I don't think Chris could possibly hate Marvel."

"This is not only because The Hollywood Reporter claims that after the development of Fantastic Four was stalled, Chris, who loves comics, reached a cooperation agreement with New Line Cinema to develop Iron Man, which is in New Line's hands, but also because Chris is a student of Steven Spielberg, and the whole world knows that Steven loves comics."

"Back in the 70s, Steven almost made Superman. He also made Men in Black and Road to Perdition in recent years. Steven has said on several public occasions that his love for comics has influenced many people around him, including Chris. Chris started writing the script for Fantastic Four as early as 94."

"Oh, so you mean that director Tim Story is lying?" the host said with a laugh.

"of course."

The guest nodded very seriously, "And I think he had a motive to lie. Before taking on Fantastic Four, he had never made even one real blockbuster. So when Fantastic Four had problems, he panicked. He was afraid that his incompetence would be known by others, because that would make him disappear from Hollywood."

"..."

The second topic the host and guests discussed was Halle Berry's salary dispute with Fox.

The host asked, "The Wall Street Journal claims that Fox had no intention of offering Halle Berry a high salary, so they came up with a plan: to add a scene to the script for X-Men 3 where Storm goes to Africa to save children, using the excuse of her advocating for her people to entice her to give up the high salary. Once Halle Berry accepted, they would then remove this scene from the script, or perhaps film it but not include it in the final cut. What do you think about this?"

"Oh—I think this is a very shameless act; it's actually fraud!"

The guest exclaimed, "Using a script with two versions is a crime in Hollywood!"

"Then, I want to say that Fox's behavior is blatant racism!"

"Hall of Meyer is an Oscar-winning actress! It's perfectly logical that an Oscar makes her feel she deserves a higher salary, right? If Fox isn't willing to pay, okay, Fox can just say no, but..."

"Fox News made a fake script?"

"Using the pretext of advocating for African Americans to get Halle Berry to give up a high-paying job?"

"Isn't this just moral blackmail driven by racist ideology?"

"Only Fox News would come up with such a scheme if they discriminated against African Americans!"

"Hmm, that makes sense." The host nodded.

Then he added, "So what do you think is the probability that this revelation is true?"

"I believe it's 100% true!"

The guest said, "Because this is a very serious issue, the Wall Street Journal would be sued if it reported something wrong. Fox would sue it. Moreover, this information was revealed by the director of X-Man himself."

“We all know that Bryan Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films, has officially resigned. At the time, there were rumors that he resigned because he wanted to go to Warner Bros. to direct Superman, but now? I think he is fighting for justice!”

"..."

The third topic the host and guests discussed was why Tim Story came from Fox.
Upon hearing this question, the guest immediately screamed, "The answer is obvious! Fox News clearly knows that their behavior is racist! So they're trying to get other companies in the industry to do it too!"

"Because only when everyone is discriminating against them will they not be afraid of their behavior being exposed!"

"Moreover, the cost of their operation is very low. As far as I know, Tim Story's director's fee for the Fantastic Four project was less than one million US dollars. And when Constantine paid half of the cost of Fantastic Four, Fox, which had the distribution rights, could still cover all of its production costs!"

"But they didn't expect that the entire plan would fail halfway through!"

"Also, Tim Story thinks Chris Columbus is discriminating against him? Has he considered this question? If Fox really likes him, why only offer him a million-dollar salary for his camera work?"

"Right?"

"..."

Not everyone has the time to read all the news in the market in one day;

Because not everyone can understand the implications of various messages;

Therefore, when talk shows with commentary elements dissect and analyze current social issues and feed them directly to the public, Fox News instantly became the center of the world's attention! The focus of the storm!
The first to explode were the egalitarians!
They couldn't believe that the problems sparked by Fantastic Four would eventually affect Fox.
Or rather, it's the 21st century, and Fox is still openly engaging in racism?

Furthermore, they even used racial discrimination as a weapon, attempting to morally blackmail the Black actress.

"Oh—Fox actually used a fake script to deceive Halle Berry? This behavior is absolutely disgusting!"

"Dxxn! Fox News is a scam!! They deserve to go to hell!!!"

"How come a garbage company like Fox has survived this long? They should have gone to meet Satan after the failure of 'Cleopatra'! This world shouldn't have such a disgusting, shitty company!"

"..."

Equal rights advocates are roaring.

Racists, however, remained silent.

It's not that they like Black people, but that they also think Fox's current behavior is somewhat despicable.

Using a script with two versions to deceive people is not just a moral issue, but a violation of the law.

So if they support Fox on this issue, wouldn't they become accomplices to lawbreakers?

After doing this, how are they supposed to continue arguing with those stupid leftists?
That being the case...

A pause or two?
Wait and see what happens?

Play it by ear?

At this moment, racists may remain silent, but that doesn't mean others will shut up.

For example, the media.

After learning that Fox had made a big splash, media figures from all walks of life flocked to Fox headquarters, surrounding it.

They wanted to get firsthand information.

Of course, everyone knows that Fox's mouth isn't so easy to pry open.

Therefore, while besieging Fox News, countless media figures also approached Halle Berry, wanting to know the truth of the matter.

then……

"M-Fxxk!!! Fox really did give me a script to save African children!!!"

"Fox Chairman Tom Rothman did tell me that if I was willing to accept a lower salary, they would help me let more people in the world see the land of Africa!!!"

"Before the whole thing came to light, I was already thinking about whether or not to sign it!"

"What? You're asking me if I can give you a rough estimate of how much the contract Fox offered me differs from the salary I asked for?"

"Although I don't know which reporter you are, I want to say that you don't need to ask so tactfully!"

"Because there's nothing more to discuss between me and Fox!"

"There are no more trade secrets between me and Fox!"

"So, I can tell you straight up, I asked Fox for twenty million! But Fox wasn't willing to give it! They were only willing to give me five million! Plus a promise to revise the script! But—"

"Flower Q!"

"No one would believe the words of these capitalists!"

"They're a bunch of vampires!!"

"A bunch of bastards who deserve to go to hell!!!"

wow——

Halle Berry's words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back, igniting the entire North American continent!
Admittedly, Halle Berry's demand for $2000 million in salary for the X3 project was a bit excessive.

Because right now, even Hugh Jackman, the most popular actor in the X-Men franchise, isn't getting that money.

But if Fox thinks Halle Berry is asking for too much, then they don't have to give it to her!
Fox doesn't lack options!
In this way...

Why did Fox have to come up with a storyline about Storm going to Africa to save children to trick them into signing a contract?
Isn't this just exploiting the fact that Black people are in a bad situation to disgust Halle Berry?
So when Halle Berry admitted that Fox did indeed try to use race to pressure her about her salary—

African Americans in North America immediately went berserk!

"Dxxn! Let Fox die!"

"Kill these heartless capitalists!"

"The new century has no need for pirates!"

Down with Fox! Down with News Corp!

On the very day the news broke, African Americans in North America chanted deafening support slogans!

Then, the African American Assistance Association of California went so far as to issue a red alert and stage a protest march on May 10!

Because the event happened suddenly, the number of participants in this march was not as large as in previous large-scale events.

Even so, tens of thousands of people still participated.

Then, when the headquarters of the African American Confederate States of California was located in San Francisco, while Fox News was located in Los Angeles, the protesters marched all the way south! The massive convoy from north to south drove with the momentum of an attack on a stronghold!
After the Century City shopping mall near Fox was surrounded by an angry mob...

In other words, the Black Emperor has not yet taken power, and zero-dollar purchases are not popular. Otherwise, they would have demolished the Fox Building!

And all of the above is just the beginning.

If California can organize marches, why can't other places?

Right?

what?
Some people say that organizing a march is troublesome because the people who participate in the march also need to make a living.
It's okay!

Two hundred US dollars a day for one person!
As long as African American organizations, affirmative action organizations, and relief organizations in various places can report their activities, then Warner will pay out directly!
Who the hell doesn't have a charitable foundation?
Or, why do the wealthy individuals categorize and specify their research directions when establishing charitable foundations?
That's simply because charitable foundations have different research focuses, and therefore delve into different areas of power.

For example, foundations that research civil and criminal justice system reforms can legally fund legal scholars to write papers supporting the abolition of drug trafficking and the death penalty, or to give lectures.

For example, foundations that research promoting transparent, effective, and accountable government can legally support scholars who advocate the benefits of liberalism for the people, and isn't liberalism the best breeding ground for capital?

For example, if a foundation researching equality finds that the equality movement needs funding, can't they legally provide it?

To put it bluntly, the real way charitable foundations operate in the hands of the wealthy is to wield power, cloaking themselves in legality while engaging in illegal activities, and shifting all the consequences and responsibilities onto the local government.

As the saying goes, no one can resist power. When a person is rich enough, he will definitely pursue it.

So, when Warner Bros. only needed to throw out a million dollars to mobilize thousands of people to protest and boycott Fox...

The entire North America was thrown into chaos. On May 11th, African American and civil rights organizations in New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta also put on marches!
On May 12, protests against Fox News and boycotts spread to Miami and Seattle!

When the North American public deeply resented Fox News's actions—

American Idol, which aired on the same day, suffered a huge blow!

This show, which has tens of millions of viewers, didn't even reach five million viewers on its new season premiere!

Because whoever looks at you is the executioner!

We're waiting for July 13th to arrive...

Following Halle Berry's outcry, more than fifty African American celebrities have spoken out against Fox News!

Under Warner's financial offensive, anti-Fox protests have erupted in more than 20 states across North America!

As the conflict escalates, the political scene in North America is also in turmoil!
A state senator from Illinois took advantage of the Democratic Party's platform to deliver a public speech!

In his speech, this man, who had already qualified to run for Senate in March of this year, stated—

"I will do everything in my power to win the parliamentary elections this July..."

"If I am fortunate enough to become another African American senator after Hiram Rewells, I will do everything in my power to work for the benefit of all African American brothers and sisters, and I will never allow the arrogance and bullying of Fox News to appear before African American brothers and sisters again..."

"Before that, I hope our African American brothers in North America can unite, because our fellow countrywoman, Halle Berry, needs our help... Halle Berry is a noble person who would rather sacrifice her own personal interests to speak out for our community. We cannot allow such a person to be wantonly bullied by capital..."

The speech was broadcast on public address.

How many people are listening in total?
This is difficult to quantify.

But within two hours of the speech ending, Fox headquarters in Century City was subjected to a powerful attack.

People started throwing Molotov cocktails inside.

This fact prompted the Governor of California to step in and try to quell public anger, but...

The governor of California is just going through the motions.

Because the current governor of California is named Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Their main base is in Hollywood, my friend!

Furthermore, all of his famous intellectual property rights are now in the hands of Warner Bros., my friend!
So……

My job is to keep an eye on the situation and make sure the Fox building isn't actually set on fire.

As for the rest?
I can't be governor for the rest of my life.

But Warner can give me a lifetime pension.

hee hee~
The increasingly intense boycotts have left Fox in a state of utter chaos.

When Rupert Murdoch discovered that Fox's stock price had plummeted by 21% in just a few days since the incident, from a peak of $59 billion at the beginning of the year to the current $46 billion...

He summoned Tom Rothman, chairman of Fox Studios, directly to News Corp.'s headquarters in New York.

"Tom, if this storm doesn't pass soon, Fox is doomed."

On the evening of April 13, 2004.

Murdoch looked at his loyal subordinates with a haggard expression.

His eyes were bloodshot! His eye bags were dark and swollen!

He hasn't slept for days!
After Barry Mayer threw his punch, he was already trying to control the situation, but...

He couldn't control himself!
This is not only because once a media storm starts, it is difficult to extinguish, but also because Warner's revelations are true. This has led his allies to go into hiding, as no one wants to get burned and be branded as a racist.

Then, without allies, without support, all alone, this was actually not the most brutal problem Murdoch faced.

The truly cruel reality is that the capital power Warner is currently mobilizing is simply beyond his ability to contend with.

Currently, WarnerMedia's media is attacking him;

Disney's media is also attacking him;
Then, since Chris Columbus was Steven Spielberg's man, in order to keep DreamWorks at Universal, GE directly took control of NBC and helped Warner Bros. to crush Fox.
And CBS...

Not to mention that Sumner Redstone also wanted to acquire DreamWorks.

Take the competitive relationship between CBS and FOX as an example.

They want to kill Fox too!

When three of the four major broadcast television networks in the United States are attacking Murdoch, even if he were now the old Londoner in the Union Jack, no, even if he were now the old American in the Stars and Stripes, he couldn't withstand it!
So……

"Boss, I'm resigning."

Equally exhausted, Tom Rothman took a deep breath and voiced his boss's desire: "I orchestrated everything related to Halle Berry, and I take full responsibility. It was my prejudice against Black people...it was my racism..."

"Oh—Tom—"

Rupert Murdoch looked at Tom Rothman with a regretful expression.

Although the old man's eyes were full of reluctance, his words were heartless.

"Because you have caused significant losses to the company, all incentive clauses we previously signed are hereby nullified."

"Furthermore, the company will pursue your legal responsibilities."

"We will take you to court..."

The cruel, ruthless act of discarding someone after they've served their purpose sent a shiver down Tom Rothman's spine.

But in the end...

He nodded anyway.

"Ok."

The simple answer seemed like a helpless scapegoat, yet it also sounded like a reluctance to leave a place one had cultivated for many years.

Just as he pursed his lips, slowly stood up, intending to leave News Corporation, which could no longer accommodate him...

Watching his retreating figure, Murdoch added, "We won't really sue you..."

"The next year..."

"Let's find a place to relax..."

“Start a company in Australia a year from now, and I will invest 100 million in you.”

The nine-figure compensation made Tom Rothman pause in his tracks.

After a short while, they set off again.

Although the heaviness remained, the pain had lessened considerably.

Murdoch also let out a heavy sigh as Tom Rothman left.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his face.

As he put it back on, the clearer disaster information made him clench his teeth—

"Damn Barry Mayer!"

"Damn Robert Iger!!"

"Damn Isabella Heywood!!!"

He angrily tore the report in his hand to shreds!

The hoarse roar sounded like a broken bellows, making a whooshing sound!

At that moment, he wished he could transform into a wild wolf and bite all his enemies to death!

but……

He can't.

He took a few breaths and called for help again.

The person who came this time was Gail Berman, president of Fox Broadcasting Group.

Yes, Tom Rothman's departure wasn't the only price Fox paid.

Or rather, when everyone wanted Fox dead, Fox couldn't survive without revealing something.

what?
Some people asked Fox why raising the white flag would bring about a real truce?

Very simple.

Capital is weak; it loves to plunder, but it fears you actually going to self-destruct with it.

Therefore, once Murdoch conceded defeat, any attempt by other companies to continue the fight would only result in mutual destruction.

Murdoch can accept death!

but……

Which family would be willing to go to hell with him?
Right?

After a brief conversation with Gail Berman, on May 14th, 21st Century Fox held its first press conference since the crisis began. At the conference, a Fox spokesperson announced—

"As confirmed by the Group's Independent Investigation Committee, Fox Film Corporation Chairman Tom Rothman seriously violated the Group's egalitarian values ​​in his decision-making regarding the operation of the X-Men 3 project..."

"Tom Rothman has now taken responsibility for his mistakes and has officially resigned from all positions within Fox Corporation today..."

"Because the values ​​of equality are in the vital interest of every individual, Fox has no intention of publishing works that undermine unity. Therefore, effective immediately, Fox will conduct a rigorous self-examination of its content departments..."

"Any creative work that violates human rights or equality will be terminated..."

"Since X-Men 3 and Fantastic Four are the origin of this incident, after careful consideration, the group's board of directors has decided to indefinitely suspend production of X-Men 3, effective immediately, until internal corrective measures are completed. Furthermore, the cooperation with Constantine will be terminated, and investment in Fantastic Four will cease..."

"Due to a major personnel reshuffle within the group, the broadcasting company's compliance executive will be overseeing compliance reviews at the film production company. Consequently, broadcasting projects under his supervision will be suspended..."

"American Idol Season 3 has been suspended..."

"The resumption date will be announced separately..."

Fox News voted.
-
(This is the source of information that led Matthew Vaughn to accept the director's position for X3.)

(This is a screenshot of Matthew Vaughn's exposé of Fox, sourced from The Hollywood Reporter on October 14, 2023.)
(End of this chapter)