Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 437 The Abandoned

For Dawn, the achievements in 1996 were quite remarkable, but for other companies, such as Disney, it was a painful experience.

In the middle of the year, Disney poached Jamie Tuthers, a television executive from NBC, which caused quite a stir, and the lawsuit over Jeffrey Katzenberg's salary is still ongoing.
In addition, Michael Eisner finally made up his mind to fire President Michael Ovitz.

In fact, Disney's top executives all understand this: Michael Ovitz doesn't have many good days left.
Michael Ovitz had few friends and supporters at Disney, and no one was willing to risk offending Michael Eisner to defend him as president.

In November, Disney's Touchstone Pictures' "Ransom" opened in 2676 theaters in North America, grossing $34 million in its opening weekend.

This crime thriller, directed by Ron Howard and starring Mel Gibson, is a remake of the 1950s film of the same name and has received high praise.

After all, Ron Howard gave up Universal's "Gas Chamber" project to direct this film!
The protagonist of "Ransom" is an airline owner with a fortune of hundreds of millions. He lives in a luxury apartment near Central Park in New York. One day, he takes his son to the park to visit a science exhibition, but unfortunately, the child is kidnapped. The kidnappers demand a large ransom, and the protagonist and his wife are willing to do anything to rescue their child!

The San Francisco Chronicle: "A kidnapping movie unlike any other, it's certainly a pleasant surprise, and overall it's a good story."

In Burbank, Disney headquarters, in Michael Ovitz's office, "Ransom Storm" is arguably Disney's most successful film of the year.

Universal's "Rush Hour" has grossed over $1 million at the North American box office in just one and a half months.

"Aaron Anderson, what a troublesome guy!"

Michael Ovitz is now living a life of misery at Disney, feeling deeply saddened by Michael Eisner's distrust and alienation.

Michael Eisner had been pitching Michael Ovitz to Sony, but Ovitz and Sony didn't seem to click.
Moreover, Michael Ovitz still has confidence in Disney, believing that as long as Michael Eisner can turn the situation around, and as long as Michael Eisner says a few words of support to the board or the media, the current situation can still be improved.

But Michael Ovitz had asked Michael Eisner to speak on his behalf on several occasions, but Michael Eisner refused each time!
Just as Michael Ovitz was pondering whether he could reconcile with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner's assistant, Twak, suddenly arrived at Michael Ovitz's office.

"Mr. Michael Ovitz, at the board meeting just held, you were fired by Disney!"

"What? I'm fired?" Michael Ovitz was caught off guard and stood up in surprise, his face flushed.

"I want to see Michael Eisner; I want to hear him say those words in person!"

"Calm down, this is the board's decision."

Michael Eisner's assistant left after relaying the message to him.

In the office, only a dejected Michael Ovitz remained, feeling deeply hurt, angry, and betrayed by Michael Eisner.
He simply couldn't believe that Michael Eisner had been manipulating everything behind the scenes. Their friendship spanned over thirty years, and Eisner had been instrumental in his joining Disney. He felt he had to confront Michael Eisner and get to the bottom of things.

In the evening, Michael Ovitz arrived at Michael Eisner's office.

"You're firing me?"

"This is the board's decision. You are not a good fit for Disney. Sony might be a better fit for you."

“Sony again? No, I’m not going anywhere. Before I came here, you made all sorts of promises to me. You can’t fire me. You should give me more time to integrate into Disney. I’m not giving up!” Michael Ovitz was agitated. If he left Disney now, it would be a joke, a joke for the entire Hollywood.

“My friend, you should calm down. Adults need to know how to control themselves. Your departure from Disney is the board’s decision, and no one can change it,” Michael Eisner said, frowning as he looked at the other man.

If Michael Ovitz could join Sony America as president, it would be a cost-effective and prestigious solution, but the other party just won't cooperate.

The firing of Michael Ovitz is a done deal. If he doesn't join Sony America, Disney will have to pay him a substantial amount in breach of contract fees, which also shows that recruiting him last year was a mistake!

"No, I won't leave. I'll chain myself to my desk."

"You're trying to make me a laughingstock in Hollywood!"

Michael Ovitz was completely agitated by Michael Eisner's callous dismissal.

"You will definitely leave. The compensation committee will calculate your salary, bonuses, and severance pay!"

Michael Eisner then left his office, leaving Michael Ovitz alone.

With Thanksgiving approaching, Disney announced some major news: with the mutual consent of both parties, Mr. Michael Ovitz has resigned as president of Disney!

The fact that the former CAA president was ousted from Disney after only a year and a half immediately shocked the entire Hollywood.

Think back to his glorious days at CAA, only to end up with the same fate as Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Jeffrey Katzenberg and Michael Ovitz were both people abandoned by Michael Eisner;
Now Jeffrey Katzenberg, together with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, has founded DreamWorks SKG, which remains a prestigious name. But for Michael Ovitz, can he create another brokerage firm similar to CAA?

At Los Angeles International Airport, Aaron picked up Cate Blanchett, who was visiting for the first time. She had finished filming her scenes for the movie "Road to Heaven"!

"Aaron, you actually came to pick me up in person?"

After Cate Blanchett got into the car, she hugged Aaron and kissed him.

Aaron pulled Cate Blanchett into his lap and said, "My woman, of course I'm here in person!"

As they spoke, the two began to kiss passionately.

A moment later, Aaron pulled his hand out of the woman's arms. "Alright, let's go back now!"

“Hmm,” Cate Blanchett nodded.

Aaron then drove Cate Blanchett directly to his seaside villa on Colonial Boulevard in Malibu.

(End of this chapter)