America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 106. Northwest Shanxi is in complete chaos.

"Michael Jackson!"

Eric was somewhat surprised when he saw the text message, and then dialed the unknown number.

The call connected instantly, and a soft voice came from the other end, just like when he was being interviewed.

"Hello, this is Michael Jackson, Mr. Cooper Jr.?"

After saying that, Eric was even more certain that the voice was exactly the same as MJ's during the interview, so he could confirm that it was indeed him.

Those who know him know that although Michael's voice is explosive and his dance moves are passionate on stage, he is actually the opposite in real life.

Even when faced with malicious slander, he rarely yells or shouts in anger; he usually just lowers his already gentle voice further.

Hearing MJ's voice for the first time, Eric was a little excited: "Yes, I am Eric Cooper."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a few seconds of quiet. Eric asked, somewhat puzzled, "Michael, are you alright?"

Michael's voice then rang out again: "I'm fine, I just wanted to ask, Mr. Cooper, have we met before?"

"No, many people have asked me this question today, but I've only seen you on TV."

"Oh, thanks. I thought I had forgotten about you." Michael's voice was noticeably more relaxed.

"This afternoon, a friend showed me your interview, and I am very grateful that you were willing to believe me. I really thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Cooper."

"No, don't say that about Michael. I'm just doing what a righteous person should do. You're a good person, a really good person. And just call me Eric. Even though we didn't know each other before, I'd love to be your friend," Eric said softly.

After Eric finished speaking, there was another ten seconds of silence on the other end, followed by a soft sigh.

"I'm sorry, I had already thought about what I was going to say, but suddenly I couldn't say it."

"This is a difficult time for me, but I feel warmth from you. Thank you, thank you so much, Eric."

"However, I also have a request."

"What? Even if you open your mouth, you're still a liar," Eric asked.

"Stop saying things like that, because it will get you into trouble. Many crazy people will not only attack me, but also hurt people connected to me."

Eric laughed heartily: "Michael, do you think I'm afraid? I'm not a celebrity, I don't need to be in the public eye all the time, and I haven't even turned 22 yet. I have muscles and passion in my veins. If anyone wants to attack me, let them come at me. I'll beat them to a pulp!"

"hehe."

Eric's answer made MJ laugh as well.

"Eric, it was a pleasure chatting with you. If you have time, why not come to Dream Farm? You can bring your friends along."

"Wait, let's not. There are often reporters blocking this spot now, and it would be troublesome if we were photographed."

Even if he was having a hard time, he didn't want others to get hurt; that was MJ's personality.

Eric replied decisively, "No problem, I've been wanting to visit Neverland Ranch for a while now. How about this weekend? I can relax for a couple of days."

Although Michael's face couldn't be seen, his excitement was palpable: "Okay, I look forward to your arrival!"

Eric's supportive remarks circulated online that afternoon, but print media coverage began after he woke up from his nap, with over a dozen newspapers publishing them in their entertainment sections.

However, as expected, some newspapers chose to omit the beginning and end of the story. This is their usual practice, especially after Eric confronted people on the spot. It would be strange if they gave him a pleasant look.

This can be seen from the various disgusting headlines.

The Independent: "A fanatic's account of how crazy they would go for that pedophile!"

San Francisco Entertainment News: "A clown who fantasizes about replacing God, a pathetic man who can't find his place."

The New York Times: "Looking down on younger generations and insulting colleagues—that's what Michael Jackson's fans are like."

Salt Lake City Entertainment: "Who's mythologizing Michael Jackson? Praising him will only make more people hate him!"

These dozen or so newspapers almost all dedicated a page to reporting on MJ's story. Besides Eric's interview, there were many other interviews, but without exception, none of them had anything good to say about him.

The interview with Eric barely used a single complete answer from him; it was all just the reporter's own speculation and assertions.

Upon seeing these reports, Eric was naturally furious. He slammed his fist on the table and summoned Chen Xing to his office.

"These disgusting maggots published yesterday's interview video on MGM's official website, and also contacted major TV stations and newspapers to give them a copy of the video as well."

"Okay, boss!"

While this interview video may not do much to clarify the rumors about MJ, we cannot allow those paparazzi to slander him.

After these newspapers were published, those who spoke up for Michael naturally faced criticism and abuse.

Including Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, and others, MGM's official website also experienced a wave of online backlash.

Those who hate MJ, especially the extremists, are impossible to wake up. The website is flooded with all kinds of trash talk, insults, and calls to boycott MGM movies.

The tech team asked whether they should disable comments, but Eric refused.

It's normal to have haters, but he believes there are just as many MJ fans.

As MGM contacted various radio stations and newspapers, many of them were willing to broadcast the entire episode without any cuts, even including his final racist question.

After all, the media outlets aren't all in cahoots; they're also competitors.

Especially when it comes to attracting traffic, when slander can generate traffic, clarification can often do the same. It's like the two extremes of yin and yang; in any case, the media doesn't lose out.

Before evening, Fox News, NBC, the San Francisco Chronicle, AOL, and other media outlets released the original video of Eric's interview, along with their own commentary.

Unlike The Independent and The New York Times, these media outlets, having chosen to cooperate, naturally maintain a neutral stance, neither praising nor criticizing.

So when evening came, MGM's official website was flooded with MJ supporters again.

Especially under the leadership of the MJ official website's fan leader, a group of people launched a counterattack, and the official websites of those newspapers that reported inaccurately began to be bombarded with online attacks.

"Those who go up the mountain should not laugh at the gods who come down," "The media should be fair and impartial," and "Reject racial discrimination" have become the three most common phrases trending online.

The newspaper didn't have Eric's resilience; after being bombarded with criticism, they simply shut down the comment function.

The internet was abuzz with excitement, and the entire northwestern Shanxi province was in complete chaos.

On AK Films' side, Warren and Bemahadi noticed this situation and suggested that Eric hire an online army.

However, after careful consideration, he refused. He was now on the side of justice, so it was better not to use such methods for the time being.

The practice of hiring online trolls is too difficult to conceal and is too easy to be exposed.

The comments on MGM's official website now present three completely different styles.

The above is a rant, demanding that Eric retract his remarks, calling him a fool, an idiot, and a pedophile like MJ, and even attacking MGM's century-old brand.

These haters threatened to stop watching any MGM-produced films or TV shows and called on their friends and family to boycott them.

The following comments expressed support, praising Eric as a righteous person who dares to speak the truth, and stating that they would lead their family and friends to support MGM's film.

At the same time, they angrily denounced the people above as racists and social trash.

Interspersed among them are many bystanders who have no stance; their attitude is "whatever," and as long as "The Walking Dead" and "Transformers" are exciting enough, they will definitely watch them.

As for justice or injustice, race or race, what does it have to do with me?

As long as the movie is good, even if the actors are really scumbags, it won't stop the joy that the work brings.

Saturday arrived amidst this barrage of insults and back-and-forth. After several days, both sides' fighting spirit weakened, and the online abuse gradually subsided.

And just in the last few days, the third episode of The Walking Dead aired.

This episode features a zombie attack on a survivor camp, with hundreds of zombies swarming in under the cover of night.

Blood, viscera, and screams flowed freely, and the thrilling scenes once again boosted the ratings to a new level, with 1170 million people watching online at the same time.

So all this talk of boycotts is bullshit. As long as your quality is high enough, the audience will naturally choose you.

They're cursing while watching; they say one thing but do another!

At that moment, a Lamborghini was speeding recklessly on the highway to Santa Barbara.

Mike's Dream Ranch is located in Santa Barbara, not far from Los Angeles, about 150 kilometers north along the road.

Early this morning, Eric picked up Gal Gadot and Elizabeth Jr., and the three of them headed to Neverland Ranch together.

"No, honey, if we keep kissing, the traffic police will come looking for us."

Gadot's lips finally left Eric's, her eyes brimming with a lingering, almost watery gaze.

"My birthday is April 30th in two days, Eric!"

"Yes, honey, I know what that means, but there's a little one coming up, so you'd better be a little more reserved."

Gadot turned to look at Elizabeth in the back seat and smiled at her.

Although she is only 14 years old, the environment of the entertainment industry has made her more mature than her peers. She could vaguely guess what the two were talking about.

Elizabeth looked at Gadot with a hint of envy: "It's okay, you can continue. Just pretend I'm not here."

Although she said that, she definitely had to behave properly in front of the children.

Gadot chatted casually with Elizabeth, and when she learned that Elizabeth's parents had divorced when she was very young, she felt a pang of sympathy and patted Elizabeth's head.

"Actually, it's nothing. I'm used to it. Even though my parents can't be together anymore, their love for me hasn't diminished."

"Sometimes one of them is with me, sometimes two of them take me out, and there's Ashley and Mary too, so I'm very happy and content."

"You have such a good attitude, Elizabeth." Gadot was somewhat impressed with the young girl.

"Gadot, how's filming Happy Death Day going? You only rested for a short while before joining the crew again. Is your body able to handle it?"

Eric had his reasons for asking that question; just over ten days after filming for Transformers wrapped, she joined the cast of Happy Death Day.

Eric hadn't communicated with her beforehand, and Gadot originally planned to go back and spend some time with her family, since she had been away from home for more than half a year. Naturally, the two things conflicted.

Finally, after being persuaded by Eric, she accepted the role.

For Hollywood actors, it's normal to have one movie a year or one movie every two years, and two movies a year is considered highly productive.

Jessica Chastain, who films five movies a year, is known as a workaholic, and Alicia Vikander is also known as a workaholic because she films five movies a year.

For Hollywood actors, it's common to take a one- or two-month break after finishing a film.

"Fortunately, I am in good health. However, the crew has only just started working, so perhaps it takes time to get used to each other, which is why the progress has been slow this week."

"Director Russell is a very demanding person, and I have to meet his requirements."

"You don't sound too good. Are you having a bad time with the Russell brothers?" Eric asked, pinching Gadot's thigh.

Grabbing the man's hand and stuffing it into the ripped hole in her jeans, Gadot blinked and replied, "It wasn't unpleasant. He didn't yell at me, but he made me keep reshooting until he was satisfied."

"I feel more comfortable filming with you and Patty, at least you guys don't have that cold face like director Russell."

Eric chuckled a few times: "Gadot, that's the state of most directors. They are different from me. Some have good tempers and some have bad tempers. For example, James Cameron is a well-known tyrant on set, but countless actors want to act in his movies."

"You can't just make my films. The Russo brothers are just the first. In your career, you will encounter many more directors who are completely different. Some people just like to torture actors, so learn to adapt and adjust."

Gadot nodded gently: "I understand. I was just thinking that it would be great if I could keep acting in your movies. You would be the director and I would be the lead actress. It would be as fun as filming 'Transformers'."

"hehe."

Watching the two chatting and laughing, Elizabeth in the back seat couldn't help but feel a pang of envy: "When will I be able to act with Eric? I wonder if he'll direct the movie he's talking about."

More than an hour later, the Lamborghini slowly stopped in front of an iron gate. The gate was magnificent and beautiful, and yellow tulips were in full bloom on both sides of the road.

I made a phone call to Michael, and soon a sightseeing bus arrived, driven by none other than the King of Pop—Michael Jackson.

The door opened, and MJ, dressed in red, smiled and opened his arms: "Welcome, welcome to my home!"

Thank you Luciferhx for the 100-coin donation, thank you boss.

(End of this chapter)