America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Los Angeles Country Club, on the sunny golf course.@@novelbin@@

Having finished a hole, Thomas drove the electric golf cart, carrying Martin and Danny back to the rest area.

The latter ended the golf topic and, turning back to films, picked up his drink, raised it to Martin, and said, "Congratulations on getting another Best Actor nomination."

Martin raised his glass in response and said, "Last year I just won Best Supporting Actor. It's tough for the character Benjamin to win Best Actor, I have no advantage to begin with, and the role used too much CG technology."

Danny took a sip of his drink and said, "You're still young, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. Warner Bros. will fully support you on their end."

Hearing the nice words from the other party, Martin didn't beat around the bush, "Warner has always been my backbone."

In a quick reply, Danny immediately followed up, "Since you've entered Hollywood, you've been working with Warner Bros. We have great synergy, creating many box office legends."

He smiled and said, "Martin, have you ever considered a closer collaboration with Warner Bros.?"

Martin did not understand and did not speak carelessly, still centering on the Oscars, "Warner is going all out to support me in competing for Best Actor at the Oscars?"

Danny didn't expect Martin to answer like that and was slightly taken aback, replying, "With your acting skills and artistic expressiveness, continuing to work with Warner, the Best Actor award will surely be in the bag for you."

Martin smiled and said, "I hope so."

Danny found that in talking with Martin, he was unconsciously led by his tempo, so he cut straight to the point, "The closer cooperation with Warner Bros. I was talking about is not about the Oscars."

He spoke sincerely, asking, "Martin, are you interested in joining the Warner family?"

Thomas, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked at Danny.

Martin was also surprised and slowly asked, "Aren't I already a member of the Warner family?"

Danny said, "Warner Bros. is interested in acquiring your Davis Film Studio."

Martin nodded lightly and asked, "Like they did with New Line Cinema and Legendary Pictures?"

"Yes," Danny said, "having Davis Studio become a subsidiary of Warner."

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As long as the price was right, Martin was not opposed to being acquired by Warner; since it was a business deal, he asked directly about the price, "I want to know, how much is Warner willing to pay for the acquisition?"

Danny came prepared, "Warner did a systematic evaluation, 150 million US dollars."

He raised his hand to stop Martin from speaking, speaking first, "Your studio was only established five years ago, and counting the upcoming 'Gone Girl,' there are only rights for four movies in the film library. Apart from a marketing and promotion department, the rest is negligible."

Martin was, of course, not satisfied with the price.

Danny hadn't finished speaking, "This includes the rights to film the sequel of 'John Wick,' as well as your trilogy's leading man contract. Of course, Warner will pay your salary and dividends in full! Additionally, the rights to 'Prince of Thieves,' 'Lone Survivor,' and 'The Martian,' as well as other scripts you've acquired, are also included."

"I really enjoy working with Warner and would like to strengthen our connection," Martin's reply was just as direct, "If Warner's offer is right, I can sell the studio to you."

At this point, he couldn't help but shake his head, "150 million dollars, in my eyes, doesn't even buy the sequel rights to 'John Wick,' let alone the adaptation rights for those three novels."

Discussing pure business, Danny spoke to the point, "Whether those three novels will succeed or fail as movie adaptations is completely unknown. Even 'John Wick's sequel comes with significant risk; many successful movie sequels have had poor commercial feedback."

Martin nodded and said, "I have a way to avoid these risks. I'll take the rights to these three novels, the 'John Wick' series, and other scripts with me. To avoid dismissal costs after the acquisition, I'll figure out how to deal with the personnel. The remaining assets of Davis Studio can be sold to Warner Bros. for 150 million dollars."

Danny laughed, "Martin, you know that's not possible."

Martin spread his hands, "Our differences are too vast."

Every product has a price, Danny asked, "What's your asking price?"

"500 million dollars!" Martin believed this price was very reasonable, but he had additional demands, "The production of 'John Wick's sequel would be led by my team."

Danny thought the price was pie in the sky, but he and Warner would have no objections to the latter condition.

Martin hadn't finished speaking, "As for things like salary and profit-sharing, I won't mention them. Further adaptations of several other works must also be led by me, from the budget to the director, and so on, and it all has to be specified in the contract."

Danny couldn't agree; the executives of Warner's related film companies would definitely not consent, he said bluntly, "That's unrealistic, Martin, you know it's not possible in a big company."

In the next ten years, Warner Bros.' executives, each more eager than the last, with Martin still wanting to star in his own projects, it was impossible to give up control.

He said, "Let's not talk about that for now, 500 million dollars is my bottom line."

Danny shook his head, "Your asking price is too crazy, it doesn't fit the market situation."

This initial contact had come to an end.

Leaving the Country Club, Thomas got into Martin's car and asked, "Do you really intend to sell the studio?"

Martin replied, "If Warner Bros. agrees to my terms, selling the studio to them is not out of the question. We can always register a new one."

Thomas had listened to their conversation and knew that Warner wanted the projects in Martin's hands.

After a moment of consideration, Martin said, "Warner Bros. will definitely continue to make contact with the studio. I don't want our relationship with Warner to change too much in the short term; it's not suitable for me to talk to Warner directly. So, when the time comes, you'll represent me in talks with Warner Bros."

Thomas asked, "What about the conditions?"

Martin, roughly recalling how Warner Bros. often made irrationally bold moves in production over the next decade, said, "We can't compromise on the condition of project control."

He tapped the armrest lightly, "As for the price, we can lower it to 450 million dollars."

Hearing these two conditions, Thomas knew it was unlikely they would come to an agreement.

Both sides had different standards of measurement. Warner Bros. had their own set of standards, and Martin was no different.

The disparity in this regard was enormous.

Martin then joined the "Gone Girl" crew to start preparation for the shooting, occasionally training and discussing action scene designs with Chad and Chen Hu, becoming busy with work.

Thomas, representing Martin, negotiated with Warner Bros. personnel several times, but the divergence between both sides remained significant.

By the time the Oscar ceremony began, there was still no sign or possibility of reaching an agreement.

Warner Bros. also showed a certain sincerity, increasing the acquisition funds to 200 million dollars.

But Thomas, representing Davis Studio, insisted on a minimum of 450 million dollars.

Warner Bros. then suspended the acquisition talks, shifting their primary target to Castle Rock Entertainment.

"Success breeds more success, but it can also blind one to their true abilities."

In Kevin Tsujihara's office inside the Warner Building, Jon Berg, who led the negotiations, said, "Martin Davis is overestimating himself. A 450 million dollar asking price is crazier than God!"

Not happy about the failure of his first acquisition after taking office, Kevin said, "I think the 200 million dollar offer was very sincere. Most Hollywood stars don't make that much money in their lifetime."

Jon Berg, being Kevin's brother-in-law, didn't mince words, "I think we should put some pressure on Martin Davis to help him see things clearly."

Kevin Tsujihara was not one to express opinions lightly.

Jon Berg continued, "For the next film, we can put pressure on Davis Studio from the distribution company's side, such as a higher distribution cut, the sequel to 'John Wick' is of a larger scale and more sensitive in terms of publicity and marketing..."

Kevin Tsujihara waved his hand, "You go discuss it with Danny."

He turned his attention to the day's main topic, "How's the progress on 'Gods of Egypt'?"

This was the first major film project that Kevin Tsujihara would have a significant influence on after taking office, and he was particularly concerned about it.

Jon Berg replied, "Ridley Scott has long completed post-production on 'Robin Hood' and has no scheduling issues. We've reached an agreement with him, and he will begin preparations for this project after the Oscars."

Kevin Tsujihara asked further, "There'll be no issues with a 2012 release?"

Jon Berg was confident, "Compared to other directors, Ridley's efficiency is higher. He says the schedule is more than generous."

"The green light has been given for 'Green Lantern.' This project needs to be accelerated too. Stay in touch with Hamada from DC Films." Warner Bros.' key subsidiary was run by people loyal to Kevin Tsujihara, "This step is critical in DC Extended Universe's effort to catch up with Marvel, and we cannot afford to slip."

Jon Berg nodded and said, "Hamada has chosen a very good director, Martin Campbell who has directed 'Golden Eye,' 'The Mask of Zorro,' and 'Casino Royale.' For the male lead, there's interest in Ryan Reynolds, who was extremely well-received in 'The Wolverine.' As for the female lead, although the final choice isn't confirmed yet, one of the candidates is Blake Lively, who has been red-hot in recent years."

All these sounded pretty reliable, and Kevin Tsujihara personally attended the green-lighting meeting for 'Green Lantern.' To catch up with Marvel quickly, Warner Bros. was prepared to pool 200 million dollars for production costs.

After Jon Berg left, he immediately visited DC Films to discuss the details of the project with Hamada.

This film would be jointly promoted by DC Films and Warner Bros. Pictures.

The entire Warner Bros. was full of confidence in the project.

A comprehensive movie universe plan, ample funding, reliable management, and production teams, directors with a wealth of successful experience, more mature CGI technology, and a protagonist welcomed by the market. There were risks, but they were much smaller than what Marvel's 'Iron Man' faced.

Even the management at Warner Bros. believed that Marvel Studios' 'Captain America,' which they were preparing, was at a much higher risk than 'Green Lantern.'