Hollywood New Century

Buying a private winery for $4.5 million in Napa Valley is not worth mentioning to Simon. If it wasn't for Tong Liya, Simon wouldn't even bother to care about it.

At the beginning of the year, Hollywood was lively and crazy. The annual Golden Globe Awards for Film and Television and the Academy Awards of the Film Academy were all where various film institutions and filmmakers spent their energy.

The Marvel adaptation movie "Iron Man" released by Xinghai Pictures itself became popular from last year's Christmas period, and it was also the biggest winner of the Christmas period.

And this year's "Thor" has also been scheduled for the summer, and the "Iron Man 2" project has also been launched!

In the past 2008, Simon's career was almost fully developed, especially the thriving Xinghai Films.

In Burbank, the Xinghai Grand Theater in the Xinghai Entertainment headquarters area on Ventura Avenue, held a large entertainment dinner.

Not only to celebrate the completion of the Xinghai headquarters, but also to celebrate the good results of the previous year. The high-level executives of various film companies, movie stars, singers, fashion and financial investment, the grand scene does not lose the Oscar Awards dinner.

On the red carpet, the Hollywood actresses and most of the male stars in black dresses are of course the focus.

Warner Bros., Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Sony, Disney and MGM and other major studios aside, Legendary Entertainment, Relativity Media, etc. have high-level executives to attend the dinner.

In the hall, the shuttle waiters kept delivering drinks to the guests, and Katy Perry and Taylor Swift of Star Records also sang as guest performers.

In a corner of the hall, Sony Columbia Pictures chairman Amy Pascal is talking with current MGM CEO Harry Sloane.

"'Subway Horror' has been set for release in June this year. It is a blockbuster with an investment of 100 million US dollars and Denzel Washington as the starring role. Columbia is very confident in this film," Amy said. Pascal is the head of Columbia Pictures, and MGM is still controlled by Columbia. Of course, he should be concerned about MGM's performance.

The "007 Wars Quantum of Solace" produced by MGM last year was very good at the box office, but this is the only film that has been shot, and the distribution rights are also in the hands of Columbia Pictures.

And this year's "Metro Horror" was also invested and produced by MGM and Columbia, with a budget of 100 million US dollars, which is definitely a blockbuster for MGM.

After Harry Sloane listened to Amy Pascal's words, there was still no sign of letting go of the knitted brows.

"Now MGM's first-phase debt repayment time is approaching, and the company's current operating funds can barely make ends meet..." Harry Sloane was helpless, Sony Columbia did not continue to inject capital after holding MGM, still Lending abroad in the name of MGM.

Now, the performance of MGM in the past two years is really bad, and the debt is getting higher and higher year by year.

"Don't worry, the 007 series is gaining momentum now, and isn't the Lord of the Rings prequel "The Hobbit" series co-developed with New Line in preparation?" Amy Pascal, who is in charge of Columbia Pictures, of course knows MGM is just a tool owned by Sony to promote Blu-ray HD DVD.

"It's only been a few years since the establishment of Xinghai Pictures, look at how popular the films they produce are. Not only that, but also in terms of awards, the current situation, with Marvel's Xinghai Entertainment has surpassed MGM," Amy Pascal said to herself, or to current MGM chairman Harry Sloane.

MGM, which is not enterprising and does not seek flexibility, is still living in its former glory, and the rigid film system is completely unable to keep up with the times.

Harry Sloane was also slightly embarrassed, and his eyes turned to Simon Pike not far away, who was only 27 years old and is now a major Hollywood tycoon.

On the other side, Jean Mayer, president and chief operating officer of Universal Pictures, is talking to Ryan Kavallaug, founder and chairman of Relativity Media.

Universal Pictures is part of NBC Universal Entertainment, and its parent group is General Electric.

Jean Mayer is currently likely to be promoted to become the chief executive officer (CEO) of Universal Pictures, replacing the current Universal Pictures alliance chiefs Mark Schmugg and David Lindy.

Although Mark Schmugg and David Lindy took over for Stacey Snyder, who left DreamWorks in 2006.

However, the current chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment, Jeff Zucker, is not satisfied with Mark Schmugger and David Lindy. difficulty.

"Ryan, Relativity Media is interested in Roger Pictures? Are you also planning to enter the film distribution industry?" Jean Mayer proposed to Ryan Kavallaug of Relativity Entertainment to acquire the genre film production and distribution company under Focus Pictures. There are still some surprises in Rogge Films, but it is also reasonable.

Last year, Relativity Media raised another $1 billion from Wall Street Paul Singer’s hedge fund in exchange for equity. Otherwise, how could Relativity Media increase its investment in Sony and Universal.

Ryan Kavallaug smiled casually and said: "We have been in the film industry for a few years, and we have kept in touch with all major Hollywood film producers. It has always been in the investment and production stage;"

"At present, due to the financial tsunami, many investors have reduced their quotas, and Relativity Media has to make its own contribution to the film market. After we have a distribution network, we can better support the creation and investment of films;"

"Moreover, Rogge Films also meets our requirements in all aspects. The finished film is mainly made of small investment, which is suitable for our new type of film and television company."

Jean Mayer smiled and said, "I understand that Universal Pictures' decision to sell Rogue Pictures was also considered."

Now each film company does have the means to reduce the number of films, and the label of Roger Pictures and the film projects it holds are indeed the means for Universal Pictures to withdraw funds.

Since Relativity Media has ideas and funds, Jean Mayer certainly will not refuse this kind of conversation.

"Ryan, I can't believe that Hollywood seems to be lively again now. Xinghai Film Co., Ltd. has been involved in film distribution last year, and now you Relativity Media seem to be full of confidence, which is really good!" Jean Mayer smiled, film distribution needs capital support , Xinghai Pictures has it, and now Relativity Media seems to be not bad money.

"Mr. Mayer, let's go over there and talk slowly!" Ryan Kawarauger pointed to the sofa in the corner with a smile.