Hollywood Tycoon [US Entertainment + Business War]

Perhaps Jed's "curse" had an effect. The weekend box office of "The English Patient" in its first week of release was only US$270 million, ranking eighth on the weekend box office list.After this achievement came out, the dissatisfied Disney producers, Miramax, and Touchstone Films' bosses in Disney all "congratulated each other" and laughed at Jed's bad vision for buying a bad film for distribution.

Seeing the unkind eyes of the Weinstein brothers, Jed shook his head secretly. It seemed that he really overestimated the Weinstein brothers' vision.The reason why Miramax and Weinstein Films have such high achievements in later generations seems to be related to the work of the subordinates.Thinking of this, Jed contacted Meribo and ordered him to poach the distribution departments of Miramax Films and Weinstein Films.Jed is well aware that the annual output of Galaxy Film Production Company is estimated to be about four to five films, plus Luc Besson's Europa Film Company, Galaxy Film Distribution Company also has seven to eight distribution tasks per year. Is the amount of a large film group?Take a look at Miramax and Bowei International, which are owned by Disney in later generations. Which of the two companies does not release [-] to [-] movies a year?

Since the Galaxy Film Production Company cannot meet the demand of the Galaxy Film Distribution Company, Meribo must take its distributors to Europe and Asia to purchase films, or go to some independent film festivals to purchase copyrights.Although Jed has an impression of the commercial blockbusters of later generations, he does not guarantee that he will have an impression of all mid-to-high-end movies, so Jed needs such professionals.You must know that the movies purchased by Miramax are either award-winning or big sellers. This must be inseparable from the quality of the company's staff, so Jed asked Meribo to poach the wall.As for the Weinstein Brothers mocking?Sometimes, the one who laughs last is the one who laughs the happiest.

But when Disney laughed at Jed's lack of vision, Shannity told Jed that Las Vegas casino tycoon Kirk Kerkorian approached him.There is a company under Kerkorian's name called Kerui Xinda Company. Kerkorian is the only shareholder of this company, so he is the chairman of the board of directors, the president and even the chief executive officer.There are many such sole proprietorships in the United States, but Keruixinda is definitely not a company that will be ignored.

This company holds at least 10% of the shares of the three major American automobile companies: General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Daimler AG.Moreover, their most profitable company is the MGM Hotel Group. From the initial MGM Grand Hotel to more than a dozen sub-brands such as Bellagio, Yuntiange, and Dream Farm, they are the second largest gaming company in the world.But Jed didn't have a good impression of Kerkorian, whose success in the casino, hotel, and auto industries didn't earn the slightest respect from filmmakers.

Because it was because of his acquisition of MGM Films in the 70s that led to the decline of the most senior and best film company in Hollywood.If the "Hollywood Antitrust Case" of the year was regarded as seriously hurting the vitality of MGM, then Kerkorian's behavior of selling and buying MGM twice was simply traumatic, causing the entire 70 MGM produced hardly any films in the [-]s.

If it weren't for the 80s, if MGM acquired United Artists Films and produced several films such as "The Graduate" and "Rocky", Jed even thought that MGM would not be able to persist until the new century.Although Jed doesn't like Kerkorian very much, he still has to show his respect for such a billionaire's visit.

At this time, Kerkorian was already 80 years old, but Jed couldn't see any signs of old age in him.Since he is the "gambling king" in Las Vegas, you can imagine how rich his nightlife is.The octogenarian holds various parties in his exclusive suite at the MGM Grand Hotel every day. Young models and actresses all appear on stage, and wine and drugs are freely available... Sometimes Jed has to wonder why this This kind of "old villain" doesn't want to play himself to death?

"My dear Jed, I haven't seen you come to my hotel for a long time! Why, are you dissatisfied with the service of my hotel?" Kerkorian yelled loudly when he saw Jed.At this time, Jed suddenly remembered that before he was reborn, he seemed to be a "little bastard".As long as I have time, I will gamble a few times at the Monte Carlo Hotel, and then take the man to the MGM Grand Hotel to fuck.Speaking of it, I don't seem to be much better than this old bastard.

"Where, the MGM Hotel is always the funniest and most comfortable hotel I have ever seen." Jed's words are not flattering, since he is one of the best casino hotels in Las Vegas, he still has his own where the advantages lie.Jed poured red wine for Kerkorian and lit a cigar. He was quite familiar with this set of dandyism.

"I heard that you opened an entertainment group, and it seems to be doing well?" Kerkorian took a sip of his cigar, "Although it is a Cuban product, it is definitely not a Havana cigar. I will send you some authentic Havana cigars next time." Cigars, those are treasures that Castro can’t put down. ——I came to you this time because I have something to do, I plan to sell MGM, are you interested?”

Hearing that Kerkorian asked him to buy MGM so lightly, Jed almost choked to death with the red wine in his mouth.If you say that Jed is not moved, it is absolutely a lie.What is MGM?It is simply a symbol of American movies, which is why every time MGM goes bankrupt, someone is willing to take over. No one wants to see the symbol of American movies really become a history.Not to mention the various assets of MGM, just the 180 Oscars and the huge copyright library are worth Jed's start.

But the question is, how much is Kerkorian going to sell it for?At the beginning, Sony Group spent 50 billion US dollars to acquire MGM. Even if it does not need 50 billion US dollars now, Jade estimates that it will be no less than 30 billion US dollars.How could Jed afford this money?Unless it is Jade who sells iron to buy MGM, but if this is the case, the company under Jade will face at least ten or even 20 years of debt period, let alone getting involved in the Asian financial crisis. Sustaining is a problem.

"MGM is too big, and the current Galaxy movies can't stand it." Jed could only shake his head and politely rejected Kerkorian.

"That's a pity." Kerkorian looked a little gloomy, but then he asked, "So are you interested in taking a share? Not only MGM movies, but also my MGM hotel."

Seeing that Kerkorian recommended his company so enthusiastically, if Jed hadn't been reborn from later generations, he would have suggested wondering if he was on the brink of bankruptcy and had to cash out.But there is definitely something tricky about this unconventional approach.

Jed asked: "Mr. Kerkorian, we don't speak dark words. I want to know why you asked me to invest in MGM Movies and MGM Hotels? Although MGM Movies can't make ends meet, but based on it It is still an excellent asset in terms of film library and real estate; and your MGM Hotel is booming in Nevada, and it is said that it will soon enter Michigan and Illinois. At this time, you will let others I can't help but wonder what your purpose is?"

"Purpose?" Kerkorian laughed slightly sarcastically, "I've heard that Mr. Sherman in Los Angeles is a 'madman in the investment world', with a unique vision and courage...why can't I see mine? What is your intention?" Kerkorian pressed the cigar on the locations of Hong Kong and Macau on Jed's wall map, "You have contacts here, and I want to enter the market here, or even the market further north. So I would like to Give you shares, let you stand on the same chariot as me."

"I can't answer you about MGM for now, but about MGM Hotel, I still need to talk to my partner. Finally, Hong Kong doesn't accept casino hotels, and Mr. He in Macau doesn't seem to welcome him either. Outsiders," Jed replied.

"That's why I need you." Kerkorian stood up. "If you can bring MGM to Hong Kong, Macau, or even further north, I can give you 10% of the shares for you to distribute. In the end, MGM can also be a pure hotel and resort."

After speaking, Kerkorian left Jed's office with his charming little secretary, while Shannity said from the side: "Tourism is obviously a sunrise industry in the future. If MGM Hotel is willing to do pure hotels and resorts, then we have great potential in China and even Asian markets. Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Sanya and other cities are all things we can explore, especially Sanya, which I am very optimistic about. A resort was built there. In addition to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and even Indonesia on the Indochina Peninsula are all good places to invest.”

"The degree of opening up in mainland China has not met our expectations. I guess there is no hope for the next five years." Jed is very clear about the pace of opening up in mainland China at that time. "Hong Kong and Macau can try to enter, but that Macau The king of gambling is not easy to fool. As for the Indochina Peninsula, after we finish our tossing next year, I don’t think we will be able to get up for ten years. ——And the most important point is that our loans from the five major banks are for next year’s yellow Project Sparrow', that's the top priority."

"Okay, I see." Although Shannette was a little impulsive about the future of MGM, she also quickly understood what her company's focus was. "Anyway, this kind of joint venture negotiation can't be negotiated for a year or two. I will try my best to hold him back. ——As long as our plan is good enough, they are reluctant to give up."

Jed thought about it. If the agreement was really reached in 1998 or 1999, it would indeed be a good idea to enter the Chinese market and even the Asian market in the new century.So he nodded and said, "Just follow the plan you just planned."

"The English Patient" has been released for five weeks at this time, but the weekend box office is still hovering around the top ten, so it has been recognized by Disney as an unprofitable movie.But soon the nomination of the Golden Globes made Disney fall through the glasses. Unexpectedly, "The English Patient" was not only loved by the Film Critics Association, but also mainstream film awards couldn't put it down.

"The English Patient" became the most popular film in this year's Golden Globe Film Awards with seven nominations, and immediately made the Weinstein brothers, who had been watching good shows, swallow a fly.