America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 345, Section 343: Establishing New Industry Rules

"Breaking news: Eric Cooper's $30 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm is complete."

"Star Wars and Indiana Jones have changed hands. The first Star Wars TV series, The Mandalorian, will be released soon."

"Star Wars creator George Lucas sold the company and became MGM's second-largest individual shareholder."

George Lucas announced that he is entering a semi-retirement phase and will focus his energy on experimental films and establish a foundation to support newcomers in creating experimental films.

"MGM has its own special effects factory. The last piece of the puzzle has been completed, and this lion has grown wings."

Eric Cooper announced that there would be no major restructuring of Lucasfilm's existing personnel structure, and that the company is willing to increase investment and upgrade its technology and equipment.

"Another major earthquake is happening in Hollywood. Lucasfilm, founded in 1971 and with a 35-year history, is about to welcome its new owners."

With Warner Bros.' acquisition imminent, and Eric Cooper's aggressive purchase of Lucasfilm at this critical juncture, will it have a new impact on the antitrust assessment?

"With a series of acquisitions, Eric Cooper is reshaping the Hollywood landscape; the emperor is about to ascend the throne!"

Eric's $30 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm immediately caused a sensation in the American entertainment industry.

It sparked widespread discussion among Star Wars fans and Indiana Jones fans.

Fans and moviegoers are generally very optimistic about this deal because their thinking is simple: all they want is a good story.

As for who wrote this story, that's not important.

It's clear that the Star Wars prequel trilogy has nearly exhausted George Lucas's creative energy.

A man in his sixties, whose interests have long since faded from Star Wars, seems far less reliable than a young man in his twenties.

What's more, this young man has a whole host of titles.

He is the youngest screenwriter in Emmy history, the youngest screenwriter in Golden Globe history, and the youngest screenwriter in Oscar history.

He's also won the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the MTV Awards, and all the major American awards, both commercial and artistic.

If they weren't so focused on European awards, they would definitely have won all three major awards.

Besides being a storyteller who knows what young people want to read, he is also the world's richest man and admits to being a fan of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

With his triple identity as a billionaire, screenwriter, and fan, there's simply no one in the world more suitable to buy him than Eric Cooper.

"Eric, you've really played a cruel joke on the world. You acted way too fast."

Eric laughed heartily: "With Facebook's successful IPO, I have an abundance of funds at my disposal. If it weren't for Weta Digital's New Zealand government backing, I would actually prefer to buy your company."

Peter Jackson laughed as well: "To be honest, I'd be very tempted by the offer if you were willing to trade MGM shares for it, but unfortunately, I can't make the decision."

"Tell me your thoughts, what are you thinking? You're not exactly an honest guy."

"As I told the media, we will make Industrial Light & Magic bigger and stronger. In addition, I promised Lucas that we would retain his company name and logo."

"Heh. Lucas's ambitions have long since shifted. Seriously, where do you plan to start? How much money do you plan to invest?"

"What are you doing? Are you trying to trick me into telling you something?"

Peter Jackson didn't mince words: "That's right. The only major visual effects companies on the market are Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic. I don't mean to look down on other companies, but they really are far behind."

"Last year, MGM was Weta Digital's biggest financial backer, but now that you've bought Industrial Light & Magic, we need to redefine the rules, Eric."

"Business is business, and friendship is friendship. I understand."

"Then tell me your thoughts."

After a moment of silence, Eric finally spoke: "How about this, let's arrange a time to meet. I'm not an expert, I need to consult a professional."

"No problem, how about this weekend? I happen to have a resort in Quebec, we can go skiing and cool off."

"Wait, you can ski?"

"Hey! Young man, just because I've gained weight now doesn't mean I used to be fat."

"Hehe... See you then."

After hanging up the phone, Nicole looked at him curiously: "I think I heard the word 'fat.' Who were you talking to? Were you talking about us?"

The other girls also looked over.

Eric quickly denied it: "What are you saying? You guys are being too sensitive. I'm not a body-shaming person."

"What about age? If we get old, will you still love us?"

Eric replied without hesitation, "Of course! As long as you stay by my side, I will stay with you through thick and thin."

Theron pretended to vomit: "That kind of cheesy talk sounds so fake. Don't you men all like young girls?"

"Who said that! That's a one-sided understanding women have of us men. Elizabeth was indeed very young, but if Nicole had married young, she would have been old enough to be my mother, and I still love her very much!"

"Go to hell!"

Nicole threw a pillow at her.

"Hahaha... I was just giving an example. We men have never liked young women, but rather beautiful ones."

"If there were a woman who was as smart, beautiful, gentle, generous, lovely, sexy, charming, and elegant as you all..."

"Even if she were 50 or even 60 years old, I would still admire her."

With each word Eric uttered, the women's smiles deepened, though they outwardly complained about how cheesy it was, they secretly wanted it to be even more cheesy than anyone else.

"Wait, who were you talking to on the phone just now?"

"Peter."

"Peter Parker! My God! Honey, you can actually communicate with Spider-Man?"

Before she could finish speaking, Mary interrupted her, and the six sluts burst into laughter.

But let them laugh at us, that's what home feels like.

After spending more than a year together, their relationship grew stronger and stronger. When Eric was resting, the group would comfort each other.

Based on my observations, Nicole's favorite person is Elizabeth. The two of them often comfort each other, perhaps because Nicole has always wanted children.

Wait, this seems even stranger.

Anyway, this combination was somewhat unexpected for him; Eric had thought that Neeko and Theron would get along best.

Charlize Theron is about on par with Gadot and Ashley, while the others are relatively fewer.

Mary loves playing with Gadot the most, but when you think about it, Gadot is actually the busiest one.

Eric guessed it was because she had always maintained a good habit of exercising, so she had a certain amount of muscle and looked somewhat masculine.

With Eric gone, she naturally became the best replacement.

"Ahem. It's Peter Jackson, that big-bearded guy. He invited me to go skiing in Quebec this weekend and talk business."

"Skiing? Can I go?" Olsen asked hurriedly.

"You? You can't ski."

"If I don't know how, I can learn. I have a lot of athletic talent, that's what my teachers say."

"But I don't have time to study with you, maybe next time."

Charlize Theron lifted her chin: "I can teach Elizabeth. I'm very skilled; you'll see when we were filming Inception."

"I want to go too. Filming is too rushed, I haven't had enough fun yet." Charlize Theron also raised her hand.

Gadot, Ashley, and Mary exchanged glances and stared at Eric with wide eyes.

"No way, you're all going?"

"I really went there to discuss business, not to fool around."

"We're really going to have fun, not get involved in your business, and this seems to be the first time we've gone on vacation together."

Eric considered it for a moment. Canada's entertainment industry was very underdeveloped, whether it was film or music, it was roughly equivalent to the United States in the late 80s.

Last year, the total box office revenue of the film industry was only $15 billion, less than one-tenth of that of the United States.

The reason is obvious: all the talent has been drawn to Hollywood. Anyone with a dream and ability will choose to come to California. Who would stay in backward Canada?

The industry's backwardness has led to a slump in the paparazzi profession, with perhaps not a single breaking news story to be heard in a year.

So bringing all six of them along might not be a problem; it shouldn't generate any negative publicity.

"Since you're so eager to go, how can I refuse? Let's treat it as a family vacation."

Yes!

The girl jumped up happily and pecked Eric on the cheek.

Boo!

Gadot also kissed the other cheek.

mua!

Ashley kissed him on the nose, and Mary bit him on the neck, leaving a tooth mark.

Theron leaned closer, and a red mark appeared on Eric's forehead.

Finally, Nicole gave him a French kiss.

On Friday afternoon, a private plane was about to take off.

Although it was Eric's plane, it was the first time the crew had ever seen him bring so many beautiful female celebrities on board.

Even seasoned captains with extensive flying experience were stunned, let alone others.

When the flight attendant came to bring them drinks and food, Eric was brazenly groping Theron's body.

After the older woman left, Ao Mei asked with some concern if there would be any leaks.

Eric chuckled and waved his hand: "Don't worry, they've all signed confidentiality agreements. They won't even tell their families a word."

"If the news leaks out, we'll face millions of dollars in compensation, not to mention that I'm paying them twice the industry average."

Why hire older flight crew members?

"Besides their experience, what naturally attracts them is that they have families and children to support."

"Having a family makes you vulnerable, and you'll cherish this job more, making you easier to manipulate."

"Capitalists are despicable!" Theron angrily complained.

"But you're enjoying the resources of the capitalists. Come on, let me check if your relatives have left yet."

"Don't move! I want to watch a movie."

"The movie is playing there."

Elizabeth followed the instructions, took out the disc, flipped through it, and her face showed utter helplessness: "OMG! Don't you have any other types of movies here?"

"Father and Son" and "Time Will Tell"—why are they all films from the San Fernando Valley?!

Eric slapped his forehead: "Sorry, I remembered wrong, it's the other side."

Theron wriggled in Eric's arms: "Wait, let's look at the first one, it sounds pretty good."

The journey was pleasant, and a few hours later the plane landed at Montreal Airport.

As expected of a country with a vast land area and sparse population, even in a relatively large city like Montreal, the flow of people is not high.

They then drove directly to the resort area, where Carroll had already rented a large villa.

After settling in, Eric checked the time: "I'm going to see Big Beard. You guys get some rest."

"Now?"

"He's at a manor not far away; it's a quick drive there. We can stop by and mooch a meal off him, and finish our talk early so we can go skiing tomorrow."

"Then come back early and drink less."

Nicole came over and straightened his clothes. Although she was the oldest in the family, she was also the most caring.

Eric nodded, went out and got into the back seat of the car. The bodyguard stepped on the gas and sped away. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the bearded man's resort.

"Haha. Look who's here! Welcome, welcome! I've prepared authentic New Zealand lobster and lamb for you. I'm sure you'll love it."

"I should say I prepared it; you only did a few touches," the bearded man's wife, Fran Wells, rolled her eyes.

"Hehe. What you made is the same as what I made, at least I bought the ingredients."

"Hmph! Just wait a few more minutes, it'll be ready to eat soon. Eric, what would you like to drink?"

"Brandy? Whiskey? Or try some of New Zealand's most authentic white wine."

"Okay, but just half a glass is fine. Flying is tiring, and I don't want my head to hurt too."

"You're overthinking it, young man. Drinking will only make you sleep better."

Soon, the fragrant dishes were served, and paired with white wine, they tasted really good.

"Peter, I think you're right. It's time to redefine the rules."

The couple's expressions turned serious: "What are your thoughts?"

"Okay, I'm asking you, how can we make more money?"

The couple looked at each other, and Eric tapped the table lightly: "It's simple, a legal monopoly."

"You and I, Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic, we should abandon the competitive attitude and work together."

"First, we need to increase communication between the two sides, whether it's about technology or customers, and break down barriers between them."

"I know Weta Digital is more technologically advanced, but I have more customer resources, so you won't be at a disadvantage."

"Secondly, we need to present a unified front and communicate the same message. We should avoid price wars. Weta Digital should appropriately lower its prices, while Industrial Light & Magic should appropriately raise its prices."

"But if we do that, customers won't choose us; they'll choose those smaller companies instead."

"That's right, that's my third point: we'll work together to take down those small companies."

"To put it bluntly, working in special effects is all about salary and interest."

"I can afford the salary, and Industrial Light & Magic is also upgrading, and I'm sure the future belongs to special effects."

"Therefore, I need to recruit more people, and I can assure you, Peter, that he will not poach people from Weta Digital."

"Small companies like Blue Sky Studios are my target."

"I have the world's best equipment, and I offer the highest salaries in the industry. I don't believe they won't switch jobs."

"Once we've wiped out all the competitors, bingo! This piece of the pie is yours and mine."

(End of this chapter)