Global Film Emperor

Chapter 547 Mickey Never Plays the Defensive Role!

On September 21, Disney officially signed an agreement with the British film company Universal Brothers, investing $20 million in cash to acquire a 20% stake in the company.

"This investment marks Disney's first cross-border investment in a small film company in nearly three years, rather than a full acquisition. The offer price exceeds the market valuation by 7%. This move clearly shows Disney's optimism about Universal Brothers. The two parties first made contact in the first half of this year and finally finalized the cooperation after five months."

“Following Disney’s film investment direction and development trajectory in recent years, it is clear that Disney’s purpose is obvious. In recent years, the number of Disney’s blockbuster films has been much less than before 2020, the films have received lower word-of-mouth, and the audience is more youthful. The plans of its subsidiaries to create new IPs have also failed one after another. Moreover, as many as seven films have lost money this year, with the most disappointing film losing as much as $16 million. Such results are bound to make this year’s financial report look bad, and the board of directors will certainly not be satisfied. For Disney’s senior management, finding a suitable leader to achieve good results is an urgent problem to be solved. Obviously, they have their eyes on Universal Brothers, a newly established film company with only a few films.”

"Let me briefly introduce this small company. The equity structure is very simple. Currently, only four parties hold shares in the company. First, there is Mickey Taylor, the leader who founded the company and the only director who has produced any works so far. Second, there is Lu Ze, a Chinese actor who has starred in all of the company's works. Third, there is Gambiano Films, an Italian film company that invested last year. Finally, there is Disney, the investor in this instance."

According to sources within Disney and Marvel, the project for a new "Punisher" film has been confirmed. While the investment has been approved, the appointment of the director and actors has not yet been finalized. It is highly likely that Marvel has developed an interest in director Mickey Taylor.

“The problem with Mickey Taylor is that his recent films have all been solely funded by Universal Brothers. After becoming the company's owner, he never worked for anyone else until Gambiano Pictures invested in him. This changed the situation. Lu Ze, who, like him, only acted for his own company, starred in the directorial debut of Gambiano Pictures. This film was also shot by Mickey Taylor's cinematographer, which made it possible for Mickey to direct a Disney film.”

"Therefore, the editor speculates that Disney is most likely making early investments in the new film, using funds to provide a platform for exchanging resources with Mickey. In other words, Mickey will most likely become the director of a Disney project within the next year, and he will be entering the North American market and theaters for the first time. This is a powerful alliance. If Mickey can really overcome the difficulties of commercial films not adapting to the local market and generate revenue for Disney, then this former European superstar will have a larger platform to showcase his outstanding film skills. As a film enthusiast, the editor will continue to look forward to it."

"Global Times Entertainment Edition"

……

"The Punisher? You never told me about it."

“I didn’t want to take the role, so I didn’t say anything. I have my own projects, why would I make a superhero movie?”

Mickey spread his hands, feigning innocence, and lifted the overturned wooden bowl on the table. The amber-colored liquor rippled slightly in the square-mouthed glass, and smoke rose. He waved his hand to fan away the smoke, removed the cigar from the glass, picked up the glass, sniffed it lightly, then took a sip. He frowned, poured out his masterpiece that he had been waiting for for more than half an hour, and answered Lu Ze as he poured the liquor again.

"But you still accepted it, didn't you?"

“What can we do if they don’t accept? We’re just a small company, do you dare to refuse Disney? They know our company is in financial straits right now, they’ve studied us thoroughly, they’re using sugar-coated bullets, I have no choice but to accept, and... I don’t want to stay in the UK for the rest of my life, I want to go out.”

Lu Ze was only slightly surprised. In fact, he had already guessed Disney's purpose. They must have their eyes on someone, and that person was most likely not him.

Mickey was telling the truth. It's really hard to refuse an invitation from a big company like Disney. For a behemoth like Disney, it's really hard to escape their clutches, especially for a small film company like ours with only a good reputation. If we really had to refuse, we would be ashamed to say that in their eyes, Universal Brothers wouldn't be a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but just a withered leaf on the road. They would be crushed to pieces by the passing trucks without them even noticing.

Since Lu Ze can already foresee the future of refusing investment, the benefits of accepting it are obvious and need no further explanation. After all, it's Disney! The only concern is that the company's actual control will fall into the hands of the other party, and they will be able to make all the decisions about what to film, since it's Disney!
The Punisher has not only disrupted Mickey's filming plans, but has also put considerable psychological pressure on him. After all, he doesn't have a second chance. If the box office doesn't turn a profit, he might lose not only the North American market, but also the actual control of the company.

"I have to get my twenty million back..."

He muttered to himself, his right leg shaking uncontrollably. He exhaled a puff of cigar smoke, then took a big gulp of whiskey. The strength of the straight drink instantly flushed his face, and he rubbed his drooping head with both hands.

This was a rare sight for Lu Ze; the last time he saw Mickey was the day he persuaded Lu Ze to go to England with him.

Through the smoke, light reflected off the red back of the leather seats, with black bookshelf panels superimposed behind them. In the blur, Lu Ze seemed to see a vampire carrying Mickey on his back, constantly drooling over Mickey's hard work.

The pain of being forced to create is the source of losing creative inspiration. Just by looking at him, you can tell that his mind is blank. Lu Ze couldn't help but feel worried for his old friend.

He got up, went around to the back of the desk, pushed away his wine glass, leaned against the desk, and slapped Mickey's shoulder with his palm. Mickey didn't look up. Lu Ze wanted to say something, but swallowed his words. After a moment of silence, he said, "Either put 'Nothing to Hear' on hold for now and focus on that one. Give your mind some space. Otherwise, how will you have time to solve this problem?"

"put?"

These words seemed to ignite his anger. He was already somewhat sensitive and easily angered, and he had a morbid control over the company and his work. It seemed that his resentment had been accumulating for days, until Lu Ze's words of compromise once again provoked him.

He slammed his fist on the table with a loud thud, the force of which almost made Lu Ze bounce up. He looked up at Lu Ze, not to vent his anger, but because he was unwilling to let his own son go to the landlord's son instead of taking care of him. He wouldn't stand for it!
"Why should I? Screw him, let him wait. I'll deal with his mess when I'm done with this!"

"But didn't you already take on this job?"

"Yeah, but I changed my mind, is that not allowed? I'll just be a liar!" "They changed their attitude after taking the money, I guess they're not in a good mood over there."

Mickey suddenly jumped up and slapped Lu Ze's shoulders hard with both hands. He didn't let go and kept squeezing Lu Ze's shoulders. Lu Ze's shoulders didn't have much flesh to begin with, so he couldn't resist the force at all. He grinned and said something as Mickey squeezed him.

"If it's bad, it's bad. They only change their tune after taking the money. Have you ever seen someone change their tune before taking the money? I took the money! I'm going to increase the investment in my movie! This money is mine! They can't control how I spend it! And I have to do it. I want them to know that I, Mickey, am not someone to be trifled with. They can't just make me do whatever they want. Before paying me, didn't they go to the streets of Liverpool to find out what kind of idiot I, Mickey, am? They dare to give me money? Kesha!"

"what?"

Seemingly having heard the loud noise, Kesha remained on guard. Mickey simply shouted out the window, and the next second a head popped out of the downstairs window, twisting its neck and looking at Mickey with a puzzled expression.

"Call the agency and tell my assistant to speak with Disney right now! Tell them to finish my business first, and I'll deal with theirs later. Don't listen to their complaints. Be firm! Tell them to do whatever they want! If they keep pressuring me, I'll just take the money and run!"

"you sure?"

Kesha wasn't stupid either; he was at least more shrewd than his brother and could tell right from wrong. He was afraid that Mickey was just being stubborn in the heat of the moment, and that he wouldn't back down once Mickey really turned on him.

"he~"

Mickey didn't speak, but just stretched his head, closed his lips, and made a guttural sound. Just as his lips were about to burst open, Mickey instinctively hid in the room.

"Have my assistant book me a ticket to the United States! The fastest one possible!"

"Okay, okay, I got it!"

Mickey shrank back into his room, opened the bottle of whiskey, and without even using a glass, gulped down a mouthful before turning to speak to Lu Ze, who was still somewhat dazed.

"Talking over the phone isn't going to work. I'll have my assistant notify them first, and then I'll go meet them in person and confront them. Anyway, they won't refund the money, and they can't take it back. I can't let them keep it in their hands, or I'll be a dog in the future. I need to show them what I'm all about! I'm the boss in everything. They want to make money but they want to boss me around. What a load of bull. What do you think about me going up there and punching them?"

"not so good."

"So what if I go to jail? It's not like I haven't been before. Suing them is just a waste of their time. I can focus on polishing 'Nothing to Hear' while I'm in jail. They're the ones who should be worried. Anyway, I can't let this disrupt my plans happen. If there's a first time, there will be a second, and they'll be even more ruthless. I'll go over there first and show them what I'm capable of. No matter what, he'll have to sign the contract, or he'll be fired from the board of directors. He'll be the one who's scared if something goes wrong. Aren't you running for team leader? Let's split up and get to work as soon as we get back!"

Lu Ze admired Mickey's dog-like face. He could turn on you in a second, and he wouldn't hesitate to criticize you, no matter if you were in a moral low ground or a moral Mariana Trench. He would never forgive or regret it. It was as if he was so angry that he would stay angry until he died. I bet if this guy had been slapped as a child, he would have gotten up from his wheelchair and fought back if he recognized the person when he was almost in the grave. Even with his legs disabled, he could still grit his teeth and deliver a flying kick. This kind of person is really strange.

Lu Ze could only say that...

"Row……"

"It's settled then. I'm going to teach him a lesson about what it means to be an uninvited lad! Let's go!"

Where to?

"Hospital."

"Why are you going to the hospital? Who are you going to fight with again?"

"I need to get my equipment serviced first. I think I fractured my hand; I heard a sound just now."

"..."

(End of this chapter)