Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 407 Funded Congressmen

With the conclusion of the 68th Academy Awards, the Oscars generated considerable buzz due to Christopher Reeve's attendance.
Braveheart, which won Best Picture and Best Director, is the only film that did not win any acting awards but won Best Picture.

On the Dawn side, after acquiring Amazing, they delisted Amazing and spun it off, selling off its credit card company, sticker company, and other businesses.
Firstly, to reduce debt, and secondly, to streamline personnel and operations, a number of surprisingly high-paid management personnel were purged.

With Marvel Comics' publishing declining, developing movies to boost toy and comic book sales is the best way forward!

"Spider-Man and X-Men are the most well-known franchises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Universal will focus on these two series going forward and accelerate preparations accordingly."

"The most important thing is to have a good script."

"Burbank, Dawn Global Headquarters," Aaron said to Dawn Steele.

"We've been preparing for Spider-Man for a long time, and there's a lot of anticipation in the market!"

Early preparations began long after Dawn acquired the adaptation rights to Spider-Man, but the script never satisfied Aaron.

Of course, there's also the reason that the filming techniques didn't meet Aaron's requirements.

"Is Warner Bros. preparing for the fourth Batman & Robin movie?"

Aaron asked.

Dawn Steele nodded. "The actor playing John Wayne has been replaced. Val Kilmer has been replaced by television actor George Clooney, the star who rose to fame with 'ER'."

"Not only that, I heard that Warner Bros. spent $2500 million to invite Schwarzenegger to play the villain Mr. Freeze!"

Using top stars in supporting roles has always been a tradition of Warner Bros. and DC, with examples including Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Tom Lee Jones, and Jim Carrey.

"$2500 million, Schwarzenegger?"

Aaron laughed, "Actually, there's no need for that. Superhero movies are mainly about special effects; an engaging plot is more important."

"The requirements for the actors are not high!"

Aaron glanced at Dawn Steele. "You all need to remember, in superhero movies, actors are there to serve the role."

“The actors who match the heroes serve the roles they play, rather than relying on the actors’ fame to attract people.”

Besides, new actors are easier to manage and more compliant. And with the Marvel Universe coming up, actors will need to sign more contracts with Marvel!
Dawn Steele nodded. "New Line wants to make a film about Blade. Should we license this kind of marginal character?"

"New Line's idea is that international distribution can be handed over to Dawn, and at the same time!"

Aaron thought for a moment and said, "That's feasible. Dawn has the international distribution rights, so it's a collaboration between Surprise and New Line."

"Furthermore, Marvel Studios takes 5% of the film's profits, and toy-related derivative products also belong to Marvel."

"New Line only got the production rights and North American distribution rights for Blade. Everything else belongs to Marvel. Marvel will also be involved in the production, after all, they can't let New Line make arbitrary and messy adaptations!" Just like the previous Fantastic Four, which was a completely random and messy adaptation.

Moreover, New Line Cinema didn't have the capability for international distribution. After all, within Time Warner, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. were on equal footing!
At this stage, if Dawn wants to quickly establish Amazing's reputation, it's too slow for Dawn to do it on its own. It's also possible for other film companies to develop this unknown character.

"Then, a North American release?"

Aaron shook his head. "Forget it. New Line Cinema is a large independent distributor in China. If we don't let them distribute it domestically, they won't come to make 'Blade'!"

Actually, Universal could have made Blade themselves, but their next major projects are Spider-Man and X-Men.
Universal originally had its own blockbuster to develop, and also wanted to support Marvel Studios. They could have let Marvel Studios help New Line Cinema develop "Blade" to gain experience first.

Aaron wasn't against other film companies developing Marvel movies, as long as they retained the distribution rights; however, it's clear that other film companies weren't very willing.

A company like Carlock's, which didn't distribute films but was still able to invest in and produce blockbusters, was unique. Now Carlock is bankrupt!

In the afternoon, Aaron arrived in the city center, where a group of people were protesting the Defense of Marriage Act, which President Clinton had just signed, in Pershing Square.
Because the current Protection of Marriage Act defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the provisions for unions between one man and one woman mean that same-sex couples cannot enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples in areas such as taxation, insurance, inheritance, and immigration.

Los Angeles councilwoman Ollie Phillips, a supporter of gay rights, said, "Aaron, can't we do something about it?"

Aaron smiled. "In the United States today, out of 535 members of Congress, only 81 opposed the Protection of Marriage Act, and not a single state recognizes homosexuality, let alone legalizes it."

"Our president also supports the legalization of same-sex marriage, so what?"

In a highly open city like Los Angeles, there are still some people who support the legalization of same-sex marriage, while most other states support the proposal!

Besides, it's only the 1990s, and the Democratic Party is just starting to emerge. How can it shake this conservatism?
Ollie Phillips looked at Aaron. "Don't you also support homosexuality?"

Aaron shrugged. "I have no objection. Marriage is a personal matter. I don't care whether it's a man marrying a woman, a man marrying a man, or a woman marrying a woman."

"I wouldn't object to a person marrying a dog, as long as they like it, but I can't help them with the legal aspects!"

Shouting slogans is fine, but taking actual action is another matter.

Ollie Phillips laughed. "Aaron, is all capital like yours?"

Aaron looked at the other person and said, "To become a qualified politician, you must utilize all resources."

"Right now you're just a county council member in Los Angeles. Next, I'll sponsor you to become a state legislator. Then, whether you enter government or run for Congress, it all depends on how far you go."

Ollie Phillips nodded; Aaron's support for her was also for the sake of future returns.

Someone like her wouldn't even know how much Aaron had funded.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country, and its importance is self-evident. The competition is also greater. If Ollie Phillips wants to continue to climb the ladder, she will need a lot of money and resources!

(End of this chapter)