American Entertainment: Starting with playing the role of Little Beaver

Chapter 143 Cut in half, sell a weakness

Although both mother and daughter thought Barry Mayer was ruthless, they still decided to help him out and continue to test whether the Xuanming Elders and the Wolf King of Wall Street were actually cooperating. If they were, how close was their cooperation?
As for the reason...

Firstly, since the two sides are allies, it is only natural for them to help each other before any real conflict of interest arises.

Secondly, the two elders of Xuanming and the Wolf King of Wall Street are currently eyeing Miss Beaver. If you can remain calm and collected when everyone is scheming against you, then you don't just have a good mindset, but rather a slow reaction time.

Thirdly, using the excuse of studying Marvel to abandon Resident Evil would allow Ms. Beaver to continue gaining fans...

Therefore, with the direction of the operation confirmed, Ms. Susie Figgis, Vice President of Beaver Entertainment, followed Her Highness's wishes and came to Santa Monica, California, to discuss the deal with Lionsgate.

Yes, that's right, it's about negotiating a deal.

While Lionsgate's offer of $2000 million for all rights is reasonable, considering that the average cost of acquiring the rights to a single character is less than $100 million, $100 million for Thor, Deadpool, Black Widow, and Captain America is an incredibly good deal!

But Isabella wouldn't pay that much money.

It's not that we can't afford it, it's that we don't want to.

It's worth noting that Lionsgate acquired the Marvel rights from Craftsman Entertainment.

Artisan Entertainment is the company that released "The Blair Witch Project".

In 2003, Craftsman Entertainment sought a sale due to poor management and other issues.

Lionsgate then bought it for $2.2 million.

Craftsman Entertainment's copyright library contains over 1000 films, including "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Angel Heart," Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," and the classic romantic dance film "Dirty Dancing."

When Artisan Entertainment, which owns a bunch of classic movies, independent filming locations, and operating bases, is only worth 2.2 million, Isabella must be crazy to spend 2000 million US dollars to buy Marvel's copyrights.

therefore……

"We can only offer a maximum of $1000 million."

"Buy everything for 1000 million."

2005 7 Month 4 Day.

Lionsgate.

Susie Figgis, seated on the sofa in the living room, stated Beaver Entertainment's target price.

When the figure of $1000 million appeared, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer was stunned.

She asked in surprise, "Susie, isn't your price a bit too low?"

"You should know that Marvel's offer to buy back the copyright in 2003 was more than 1000 million."

When Artisan Entertainment sought to be sold, Marvel actually wanted to buy back its rights, but it was unsuccessful because Lionsgate chose to acquire Artisan Entertainment as a package deal, which was more beneficial to Bain Capital, the owner of Artisan Entertainment.

Then, after Lionsgate acquired Artisan Entertainment, Marvel also talked to Lionsgate about repurchasing the copyrights. Their offer was $1500 million, which Lionsgate felt was too low, so they didn't sell. The offer for Carl Icahn was $2000 million.

Yes, in this current deal, Carl Icahn really didn't intend to make a single penny.

He really didn't want to reveal his identity.

But unfortunately...

“Jon, my company president thinks your asking price is a bit out of touch with reality. She thinks $10 million for 20 characters, $500,000 each, is the most reasonable price, because Sony only spent $7 million when they bought Spider-Man. Moreover, Sony didn’t just get a single character, but all the characters in the main Spider-Man magazine, more than 600 in total.”

"No—we sell the main magazine too—"

Jon Feltheimer raised his voice and said, "Deadpool is the main character, Thor is the main character, Black Widow is the main character, Captain America Steve Rogers is also the main character... Uh... Excuse me, who is the president of your company?"

Jon Feltheimer thought Susie was acting strange today!
Yes, the two know each other.

He felt that someone like Susie, a veteran in the industry for decades, shouldn't have said something as bizarre as Sony buying the main comics! Because Marvel has never sold individual characters! And if Marvel really does sell individual characters, then he wanted to know, how do you make movies when you only buy the Captain America character but don't have the Winter Soldier?

Create your own storyline?
If that's the case, then why bother buying Captain America?

Why don't you create your own superhero?

Right?

however……

Under his gaze, Susie smiled. "My company's president is Vivian Carlson."

"Sorry, she is..."

Jon Feltheimer frowned.

He was certain he had never heard of the name before.

Susie's smile widened. "She's Isa's mother. She didn't change her surname after marrying Isa's father, so... you can call her Mrs. Haywood if you want. She thinks the children are being irresponsible and wasting money."

"..."

Jon Feltheimer choked.

When Susie brought up Isabella's mother, saying that Isabella's mother controlled Isabella's spending, Jon Feltheimer really couldn't say a word about sticking to his own principles.

Because he knew that when a mother wants to discipline her child, she won't negotiate, so...

"Susie, please sit here for a while. I need to go and discuss something with my colleagues."

"Okay, you're busy."

Before Susie could finish speaking, Jon Feltheimer rushed back to his office to make a phone call.

After Carl Icahn learned everything...

"Then let's sell it for ten million."

The Wolf King sighed, "Let's try to sign the contract with them within three days and get them to transfer the money within a week."

Carl Icahn did not want his plans to encounter any complications.

This fire sale sent Jon Feltheimer's heart pounding; he felt as if he had been drawn into a massive conspiracy.

At that moment, all he wanted was to get away as quickly as possible.

Upon learning that 1000 million could buy all the copyrights, Isabella and her mother exchanged a knowing smile.

That's right.

They deliberately cut the price in half.

Only by negotiating the price down to half can you find out whether the Marvel copyrights actually belong to Lionsgate.

Only those who are not present and who hold the copyright are afraid of making a big fuss will accept such a low price.

Once in...

You'll see if Lionsgate gives you a huge bribe!

"So...you called Barry Mayer and asked him to leak the information?"

Isabella looked at her mother.

"it is good."

Vivian nodded without hesitation.

Since someone really wanted to cause trouble, Isabella didn't hold back. On the day she signed the contract with Lionsgate, a reporter "ambushed" Susie downstairs at Lionsgate and asked her why she was frequently visiting Lionsgate.

Although Vivian didn't mention Carl Icahn to Susie, she did tell her that she would arrange for a reporter to interview her.

And they hoped she would tell the truth.

So...

"Oh, Beaver Entertainment is currently in talks with Lionsgate about a deal involving Marvel's copyrights..."

“Yeah, just like you said, Isabella is very interested in Marvel…”

"What was the outcome?"

"The fact that I can stay in California for this long proves that we have reached a concrete agreement!"

"Yes, yes, we've acquired the rights from Lionsgate. 'Iron Man' will be a beginning, but certainly not the end... As for the production strategy? Who will Isabella play? I don't know either..."

To be honest, when Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer learned that media outlets were interviewing Susie Figgis downstairs at Lionsgate, asking her why she was there, he felt like the sky had fallen.

Because he had been trying his best to avoid the fact that his boss knew about his 'casual' sale of the Marvel rights.

And the media were conducting interviews right outside their house?

Isn't that like using a super move right up to someone's face?

and so……

"Have you figured out which media outlet it is?"

Jon Feltheimer looked at his assistant with great annoyance.

Warner.

The assistant shrugged and spread his hands in a very nonchalant manner.

"..."

Jon Feltheimer was taken aback when he heard the name Warner.

After pausing for several seconds, he finally let out a heavy sigh.

"Hey--"

He leaned back on the sofa, face up.

At that moment, he felt as if he were dead.

On the left is Time Warner, on the right is Carl Icahn, how the hell are you supposed to play this game?!

Isabella had no idea of ​​Jon Feltheimer's predicament.

Even if she knew, Miss Beaver wouldn't really care.

Because what she wanted to see most right now was the reaction of Ted Turner, Steve Case, and Carl Icahn.

And this...

The day after the successful interview, Warner Bros. announced that Beaver Entertainment had acquired the Marvel rights from Lionsgate, and immediately, the news caused a stir in North American public opinion.

Marvel fans are the happiest—"Oh~ I didn't expect Miss Beaver to like Marvel comics so much?"

"Oh my god~ Isabella bought a bunch of copyrights? Does this mean that Marvel movies are really saved?"

"Oh my god—I'm so excited—because Isha seems to be the first person to decisively collect the copyright after saying she likes a comic! Before, no matter what kind of director or producer they were, no matter how much they said they liked a comic and wanted to film or produce it, they would never buy the copyright with their eyes closed like Isha!"

"Yes, yes! Judging from the current situation, Isha really wants to make a Marvel movie!"

DC fans felt a pang of sadness—

"Isn't Isaac Warner Bros.? Harry Potter is with Warner Bros., so why doesn't she make DC movies?"

"That's right! Isn't this another internal power struggle within Warner Bros.? Isaac was clearly closest to Warner Bros.! DC could have directly embraced Isaac! And now? Isaac's gone to Marvel? Oh—No—"

"I think DC missed a huge opportunity! Because the lead actor in 'Batman Begins' is Christian Bale, and Christian and Isaac Basil had worked together on 'The Voice'! So, if Christian had extended an invitation to Isaac, there would have been a high probability that Isaac would have joined DC! But he didn't extend an invitation, nor could he, because 'Batman Begins' was such a poor success. When DC couldn't even do a good job with the opening of 'Batman,' why would Isaac go? Furthermore, I think this might even be the real reason why Isaac acquired the rights from Lionsgate?"

“Oh—I feel the same way—I also think Isabella’s sudden acquisition of Marvel rights is related to DC! Because at the premiere of Azkaban, Isabella said that the cartoon beaver could be combined with Warner Bros.’ rights, which proves that she is not against DC. And now, she keeps acquiring Marvel rights? This may be because she is extremely disappointed with DC…”

Marvel and DC fans were screaming deafeningly.

Isabella's fans, like beavers, peeked around curiously.

The anticipation from Marvel fans filled them with joy.

'Hmm, very good. These guys all see Miss Beaver as their savior.'

The wailing of DC fans brought smiles to their faces.

'Oh dear, these poor souls yearning for a new life.'

Yes~~~
Although Isabella's determination to make Marvel movies is most related to her fans, at the moment, Isabella's fans are not the loudest group on the market, because right now they can just lean back in their chairs, shake their little feet, and eat sunflower seeds to reap a lot of joy.

This logic is easy to understand, right?
When the 'world' was yearning for Isabella to spread the gospel, wouldn't those who had long admired Isabella be praised for their good taste? Otherwise, why would they have liked her so long ago?
Right?

If you can have fun lying down! If someone will lick your feet while you're lying down! Then why bother standing up?

Right?

hee hee~
The peaceful scene even made Isabella, who was paying attention to the outside world, wag her tail.

It feels great to be needed.

Equally delighted were Ted Turner and Steve Case, who beamed with joy upon learning that Isabella herself had leaked the news of acquiring the Marvel rights.

"Oh! Ted! It seems your judgment was quite accurate; Isabella really loves Marvel!"

"Hahahaha—to be honest, Steve, I was a little nervous when I made that judgment because I was afraid I was wrong! But looking at the current situation...we've already won, haven't we?"

“Oh—Ted—you’re being too modest—and then, I’d like to say, yes! As long as we can get Marvel shares, we can immediately reap this victory, and Marvel shares…we could have them by next month at the latest…”

"Yay! Starting next month, Time Warner will be our toy!"

At this moment, Ted Turner and Steve Case felt they had the victory in their grasp!
Or rather, they're already fantasizing about how to kick Barry Mayer's ass!
In their vision, Barry Mayer would have to bend over and hug his legs, sticking out his buttocks while curling himself into a ball, because only in this way could Barry Mayer roll smoothly out of Warner Bros. after they launched a flying kick!

what?
Some people say that their ideas are somewhat insulting.

Oh--

Honey--

The fact that they took the initiative to kick Barry Mayer away was already a huge favor to him!

Keep in mind, Barry Mayer is just a professional manager! He's merely the Ross family's external representative! If Barry Mayer hadn't caused them so much trouble over the years, he wouldn't even have the right to be kicked out by them!
However, just as Ted Turner and Steve Case were counting down the days, eagerly anticipating acquiring their Marvel shares and embracing a bright future, their laughter faltered the next day.

Because on this day, USA Today released the following news:
Isabella Leaving Resident Evil for Marvel Movies?

The article is not long, but in summary: According to an unnamed source, Isabella's embrace of Marvel characters came at a price, which was that she completely abandoned the Resident Evil IP.

This news caused a huge stir...

Uh, okay.

It's not that exaggerated.

Although Isabella is currently one of the world's top celebrities—

Yes, now, no matter who stands in front of Miss Beaver, she dares to say she's a top star;
However, the Resident Evil IP has relatively limited global influence.

This isn't just idle talk. While the Resident Evil IP is number one in the horror game category, it's still far from being a top player in the entire gaming industry. Up to 2005, all versions of the first and second installments—including director's cuts, shake-screen versions, and remakes—had only sold a combined 1300 million copies worldwide. Meanwhile, truly major IPs like Mario sell 2000 million copies per game, and even slightly less popular titles like Sonic sell tens of millions.

Therefore, the 'explosive' report released by USA Today did not cause much of a stir in North America.

As for the global outcry?

That would be even smaller.

The news only circulated briefly within the gaming, film, and novel communities, and then...

Gone.

Yes, that's also the key reason why six Resident Evil movies couldn't beat the box office of one Mario movie.

From a broader societal perspective, even the most influential figures in niche fields, no matter how much they rave about, are still considered niche.

However, do people in North America and around the world care about the Resident Evil series?
This matter is not important.

Because every topic in this world can be used to attract attention through hype.

For example——

When news broke that Resident Evil had been cancelled, entertainment reporters in North America set their sights on Milla Jovovich and Paul Anderson, hoping to glean some interesting information from them.

Despite being furious at the paparazzi's relentless pursuit, as they felt that making Marvel movies might be the real reason Beaver Entertainment abandoned Resident Evil, they dared not say it outright.

They are also afraid of capital.

They were also afraid of dying.

Therefore, when faced with a barrage of cameras and microphones, the only answers they could give were "I don't know," "I just heard about it," "We need to verify," and "We can only answer this question after we get confirmed information."

These words fail to capture the public's attention.

Therefore, Barry Mayer chose to intensify the interviews and let the paparazzi give the two of them a hard time.

Immediately afterwards...

"Mira! There are rumors that Beaver Entertainment canceled Resident Evil because of you. They think you can't carry the box office and are just box office poison. What do you have to say about this accusation?"

"Mira! Some people say that Beaver Entertainment canceling Resident Evil is related to your desire to give up on the film industry. There are rumors that you just want to focus on 'Jovovich-Hawk' now. Is that true?"

Milla! How much has the disappearance of Resident Evil affected you? Will it change your film career?

"Mira! I heard your personal brand is opening a showroom in Manhattan? Can we talk?"

"Mira! Are you planning to break into the Forbes rich list in the next few years? Are you ready to officially go into business?"

"Mira! I heard your brand 'Jovovich-Hawk' is in financial trouble? You're about to go bankrupt?"

"Mira..."

"Mira..."

"Mira..."

The influx of paparazzi caused Milla Jovovich's blood pressure to spike!
At that moment, she felt as if she were walking on the streets of India, not the streets of America!

Because the excrement and urine that can be seen everywhere really stinks!
The incessant chattering questions gave Milla Jovovich a terrible headache!

As the saying goes, lies don't hurt, but the truth is the sharpest knife!

When she was really on the verge of bankruptcy, she couldn't stand hearing the rumors about it!

After being asked questions about her own brand and Resident Evil for what felt like the umpteenth time, she completely snapped.

Instead of walking, stand still.

He took a deep breath and turned away angrily.

He shouted at the paparazzi who were surrounding him—

"M-Kxxk!!! Are you guys out of your minds???"

"Why are you asking me if the Resident Evil project has been cancelled? Go ask the copyright holders!"

"And then! Since you're all so eager to know the answer to this question, then I'd like to say—"

Yes! This series has been cancelled!

"And! I knew about it months ago! Right when 'Apocalypse' was first released!"

"Beaver Entertainment believes this project has no chance of being profitable!"

"They also have no way to save this project!"

"So I chose the simplest method!"

"I've finished speaking!!! Do you have any more questions???"

"Aha——"

The heart-wrenching scream made Milla Jovovich's face turn red and the veins in her neck bulge!
The cathartic revelation thrilled the paparazzi watching!

At that moment, everyone knew they had uncovered a major scoop!

At this moment, everyone knew that the Western entertainment industry was about to experience a major upheaval tomorrow!

As for the reason?

The following day, major media outlets across the United States ran headlines that were sure to grab people's attention—

[Veteran Hollywood actress Milla Jovovich accuses Isabella Heywood of being magically absent!]

["Die if you don't make a profit! Milla Jovovich says Isabella Heywood, 'Miss Beaver,' is a vampire!"]

[Can she do "The Voice of China" but not "Resident Evil"? Isabella also has areas she's not good at?]

[Marvel Yes! Resident Evil No? Analyzing the reasons for Isabella's success over the years through her choices! She may not be as magical as we imagine! She's just an ordinary person!]

【…】

(End of this chapter)