Heads Up Hollywood

Tom Rothman was in a bad mood.

He thought that after he squeezed out Bill McNick and became the butler of 20th Century Fox, he would give advice and be high-spirited.

Unexpectedly, Tang En stabbed him in the back.

As soon as Bill McNick left Fox, he became the president of Dunn Films. He also took in all the employees fired by Fox and formed a new team to serve Dunn Films.

If these are normal workplace interactions, then a week after Twentieth Century Fox announced the cancellation of the "Drug Network" project, Bill McNick announced that Dunn Films would invest 52 million US dollars in Steven Soderbergh The new film "Poison Net" is the most direct slap in the face.

Using the platform of Tang En Pictures to slap 20th Century Fox in the face?

Skate the jokes of the world!

However, Dunn Walker is a lunatic who runs wild and unconstrained, and Bill McNick is not a character who admits defeat.

With Tom Rothman's current position, chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, it stands to reason that there is no need to worry about such trivial matters.

But Bill McNick is different. He is in Hollywood and has huge network resources!

Among other things, the two big directors standing behind him are enough to make Tom Rothman jealous-James Cameron and Roland Emmerich.

For the "Titanic" project, James Cameron once received great support from Bill McNick. It can be said that without Bill, Cameron would have left the crew long ago.

As for Roland Emmerich, that is a greater affection.

When he filmed "Independence Day", Bill McNick gave him full support, and even made him the fourth person to enjoy the film after Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and James Cameron. The major director of commercial films with final editing rights.

And Roland Emmerich did not live up to expectations. "Independence Day" had a global box office of more than 800 million U.S. dollars, making it the box office champion of the year.

Now, James Cameron is preparing his new film, and it's almost time to approve the project; Roland Emmerich is teaming up with Mel Gibson for Columbia Pictures' film "Patriot", the next film, cooperation Subject will always choose Bill McNick.

After losing two important partners in a row, it is difficult for any CEO to explain to the board of directors.

Tom Rothman sat in the office thinking for a long time, and finally set his sights on Tang En—the young man who made him angry, annoyed and helpless.

It is necessary to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Tang En Pictures!

Tang En Pictures is just a film studio and does not have a distribution department. As long as the two companies establish a cooperative relationship, even if Cameron and Emmerich choose Dunn Films to establish a film project, wouldn't Fox still be needed to distribute the film in the end?

You can use this method of cheating to explain to the board of directors.

Tom Rothman personally called Tang En, and his tone was very polite, "Tang En, do you have time? Let's have a drink together?"

"I'm sorry, Tom, I'm busy with the post-production of "Spider-Man", and I really don't have time." Tang En's voice was full of helplessness, as if he was sorry. .

Tom Rothman is not an idiot. He suppressed his anger and forced a smile: "Spider-Man? Haha, I have seen the trailer, it is very exciting! This must be a very good movie! I heard that there is no Propaganda work? This is not acceptable, it will delay major events."

The corner of Tang En's mouth curled up, and he immediately understood the other party's intentions, and said calmly: "I don't need to worry about it, you know, I just hired Bill as the president of Tang En Pictures, the company's operations are all He is dealing with it, and I am only responsible for checking the content."

Tom Rothman almost exploded with rage, this Twain, he doesn't know what to do!

He was the dignified butler of 20th Century Fox. He personally called to show his favor, but Twain tried every means to evade and repeatedly refused. Do you really think that with just a few movies, you can gain a firm foothold in Hollywood?

"Twain, Fox wants to release "Spider-Man", what do you think?" Tom Rothman's voice became cold all of a sudden. Although it was a questioning tone, it was clearly tinged with threats.

Tang En didn't seem to be able to hear it at all, and he said haha, "Tom, what I just said may not be clear, let me say it again. I talked about it when I hired Bill as the president of Dunn Pictures. He is responsible for the distribution of the film. Although I You are the boss, and you have no right to intervene."

Tom Rothman was not stupid, he was angry, and said coldly: "McNick has handed over the distribution rights of "Spider-Man" to other companies, right?"

Tang En still smiled, "I guess so? I don't know too well. How about this? I'll go and ask. If the contract hasn't been signed yet, I must hand over the distribution rights to Fox. What do you think?"

"Huh?" Tom Rothman raised his eyebrows, and was silent for a moment, "That's it, I'll wait for your news."

...

After hanging up the phone, Tang En looked at Bill McNick on the sofa with a wry smile, noticing that his face was calm.

"Are you looking at me as a joke?" Tang En rolled his eyes.

Bill McNick shook his head, "If you're scared, I can quit."

Tang En sneered, "A mere Tom Rothman can't scare me! Tell Universal Pictures to make the signing ceremony bigger, and Tang En Pictures' executives will attend together!"

Bill McNick took a deep look at him, "Twain, you should have thought it through. If you do this... it's tantamount to declaring war on Fox."

The corner of Tang En's mouth curled slightly, his face was flat, and his tone was sonorous, "Bill, since I dare to let you manage Tang En Pictures, it means that in my heart, you are more important than 20th Century Fox!"

Bill McNick had a complex expression on his face, and after pondering for a long time, he let out a long sigh.

His tone was calm, but his expression was as solemn as an oath, "I will block the wind, frost, snow and rain! Tang En, my request is very simple. You must keep making excellent movies. This is the root of Tang En Pictures!"

...

Tom Rothman looked at the headline on the front page of "The Hollywood Reporter" "Universal Pictures and Tang En Pictures reached a three-year strategic cooperation", and the big photo of Tang En and Lon Meyer shaking hands with a smile below, his scalp was furious Numb.

asshole!

The bastard!

The brighter Tang En's smile in the photo, the angrier Tom Rothman was.

He really didn't expect that Tang En would really dare to play tricks with him, and reached a strategic cooperation with Universal Pictures!

Since "Titanic", Twain has been cooperating with 20th Century Fox. He is Fox's largest partner and earns more than 100 million US dollars from him every year.

Now, just as Tom Rothman took office, Tang En turned to cooperate with Universal. Isn't this a slap in the face?

Isn't this telling the board of directors of 20th Century Fox that he is not capable enough to control Twain?

"If you don't let me have a good time, then don't think about it either!"

Gritting his teeth angrily, Tom Rothman called his assistant directly, "Is Disney still targeting Twain?"

"Yes, Disney's media has been breaking the news about Twain's private life. It's just that the men and women are unmarried, and their influence is limited. But I heard... Disney issued a strict order to prohibit its TV stations from reporting any news related to "Spider-Man". .”

Tom Rothman blinked, and the corner of his mouth was cold, "That's good, inform the TV department, Fox's TV station, that it is not allowed to report any movie produced by Dunn Films, and it is not allowed to report any positive news of Dunn Films. News, especially Spider-Man, must be banned!"

"Is this... so good?"

The assistant looked surprised. This is destroying the independence of the TV station's work.

"Just ask for it like this. If anyone has an opinion, come to me directly!"

Tom Rothman was furious. He made up his mind that he had to teach Tang En a lesson and let him understand the basic principles of living in Hollywood!

"By the way, what number is our "Titan A.E." scheduled for?"

"July 14."

Tom Rothman pondered for a moment. He remembered that Tang En said that "Spider-Man" couldn't keep up with the May schedule due to late-stage problems, and it would be scheduled in mid-June or late-June.

"What's Disney's big A-list production this summer?"

The assistant looked it up for a while, ""Sixty Seconds" starring Nicolas Cage costs 100 million US dollars, and there are two animations."

""Sixty Seconds"..."

Tom Rothman mused, half-closed his eyes.

He knew that Tang En's commercial films were extremely lethal, and he was not so arrogant that he wanted to compete with "Spider-Man" with a "Titan A.E." with an investment of 75 million US dollars.

But... what if you add Disney's "Gone in 60 Seconds"?

"Spider-Man" didn't have any big stars, but "Titan A.E." starred Matt Damon and Drew Barrymore, and "60 Seconds" had an action superstar like Nicolas Cage.

If the two companies join forces... they may not be able to give Tang En a fatal blow!

As the promoter of the loan, Tom Rothman knew best how much Twain paid for "Spider-Man".

Tom Rothman didn't know how much money Twain had now, he only knew that if "Spider-Man" failed at the box office, then Twain and Twain Pictures would go bankrupt!

In order to teach Tang En a lesson, even if the box office of "Titan A.E." suffered some losses, it would not hesitate!

Presumably Disney also thinks the same way, right?

The dignity of a big company cannot be challenged by a small film studio.

"Get in touch with Joe Ruth, I want to talk to him."

Tom Rothman quickly built a large net to encircle and suppress Tang En.

Joe Ruth, head of Disney production and chairman of Disney's Touchstone Pictures.

Tom Rothman is very confident. He wants to convince Disney to join forces and teach Tang En a profound lesson!