Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 394 King of California
Originally, after Ron Howard and Brad Pitt withdrew from the Gas Chamber project, Universal Pictures was preparing to select a new director and lead actor to continue the project.

After all, Universal Pictures had already spent $500 million to acquire the adaptation rights to the novel and to hire screenwriters to adapt it.

John Grisham is a renowned thriller author whose previous works, such as "The Pelican Order" and "The Sugar Trap," were both successful.
With $400 million paid for the novel's adaptation rights and an additional $100 million for adaptation, Universal certainly didn't want the project to be shelved.

However, after Sugon acquired MCA, Aaron suspended many projects and sold off a number of them.
However, Aaron also had high hopes for films like "The Gas Chamber," and Ridley Scott, the renowned director who had previously collaborated with Aaron on "The Mask of Zorro," took on the project.

Brad Pitt nodded. "Of course I'd love to work with director Ridley Scott!"

Of course, even if Ridley Scott hadn't directed the film, Brad Pitt wouldn't have refused;
In Hollywood, how do you turn down Aaron Anderson?
Since directing "The Mask of Zorro", Ridley Scott has only directed one action-adventure film in recent years, "The Great Wave" last year.
Universal invited him to direct "The Gas Chamber," and he readily agreed; at least, this is how his agency, ICM, responded!

In addition, the children's family comedy film "Babe" released by Universal last year not only received good reviews, but also achieved impressive box office results;

It grossed $6300 million in North America and $2.5 million worldwide.

Baby Pig tells the story of a farm pig who dreams of becoming a sheepdog. The film is narrated by Roscoe Brown, and the main animal characters are played by a combination of real animals and mechanical puppets.
The San Francisco Chronicle: "Babe is a film that will delight both children and adults, a pinnacle of entertainment, and it even features a cheerful theme song."

"The scenes between the live actors and animal actors in the film are also very realistic, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the story without even realizing it."

The Chicago Tribune: "The film features endearing human and animal characters, and its storyline and visual effects are refreshing. Both young and old viewers will be moved by the plot."

The Houston Post: "The brilliance of 'Babe' lies in its educational value woven into the storyline. Most importantly, these lessons are integrated seamlessly into the plot without sounding preachy, making them especially valuable for child viewers!"

A short while later, Lloyd Bentson Jr., who had come from Houston, stood before Aaron as Dawn's newly appointed director.

Lloyd Bentson Jr., the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, was specifically assigned to handle Dawn's external and public relations affairs.

"Only after coming to Los Angeles did I realize how powerful Dawn is in Hollywood!"

Lloyd Bentson Jr. looked astonished. "Dawn Studios has only been around for a few years, yet it has already surpassed several established Hollywood film studios."

"Furthermore, it quickly acquired Universal."

Aaron smiled. "In the new economic era, Hollywood has many opportunities!"

Lloyd Bentson Jr. thought for a moment, then asked, "Aaron, there's something I don't understand."

"After Dawn acquired Global, former MCA chairman Lou Wasserman also had a considerable political network in Washington, D.C."

“He’s been involved in politics since President Lyndon Johnson. Why don’t you put him on the public relations committee that’s in charge of Dawn?”

Aaron took a sip of his drink. "Lou Wasserman certainly has a lot of political connections; in his early years, he was the leading figure in Hollywood."

"He assisted Jack Valentine in becoming president of the MPAA, and also became president of the Alliance of Film and Television Producers (APPP)."

"In the 1970s, Lou Wasserman controlled the immense power of the MCA, encompassing economic operations, film, records, and other media empires;" "Unfortunately, he lacked ambition and watched as the MCA crumbled amidst the Hollywood wave, and various Hollywood strikes severely diminished his prestige within film producers' associations;"

"If it weren't for Steven Spielberg helping Global Revitalize, it would definitely have fallen behind. Everyone knows how MCA performed before Panasonic acquired it."

"The fact that MCA's stock price only rose during the period when Lou Wasserman was ill says it all."

The old-fashioned, outdated Lou Wasserman has been ruled out by Aaron;
If Panasonic hadn't signed him to a lifetime contract, Aaron would have even shut down MCA Records, the company that provided for his retirement.

“Just as I thought,” Lloyd Bentson Jr. also knew some things about Hollywood. Lou Wasserman, as the number one figure in Hollywood at the time, was challenged by the late Steve Ross, the chairman of Time Warner!

"The White House called, hoping to continue to get Hollywood's support for this year's presidential election."

Lloyd Bentson Jr. offered this reminder.

Aaron nodded. "No problem. Hollywood will definitely support him, and with the US economy improving, the president's re-election is practically a done deal."

"There's absolutely no need to worry. As long as our president has fewer sex scandals, that's all that matters!"

As he spoke, Aaron recalled Monica Lewinsky, whom he had met in the White House corridor.

Lloyd Bentson Jr. smiled. "The advantage this year is indeed significant."

Aaron changed the subject, "Well, what do you think of the renovation of Universal Studios Orlando? I heard there are some problems there?"

Lloyd Bentson Jr. pondered for a moment, "The environmental groups over there are against Universal Studios Orlando occupying nearby mudflats and swamps;"

"They say we've encroached on animal habitats and organized protests; we can send people to lobby the ringleaders."

"These kinds of things are all about competing interests. I'd guess that Disney is backing this up!"

“Yes, Disney has funded a lot of organizations over there,” Aaron understood, after all, Universal Studios and Disneyland are the biggest competitors.

Aaron smiled. "Fortunately, at least the council over there has issued the approval; the expansion of Universal Studios Orlando is inevitable."

"It shouldn't take much time to deal with those people."

Dawn's large investment in Orlando received support from various levels of government in Orlando and Florida.

It greatly helps the local economy and solves employment problems, and members of parliament will do their best to promote it for the sake of their political careers.

Now, Aaron's influence is growing rapidly throughout Southern California, and it's time to turn his attention to Northern California.
In the future, Aaron will become the King of California!

(End of this chapter)