Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 474 European Commercial Films

Universal's comedy film "Liar Liar," starring Jim Carrey, grossed $1.8 million in North America and $1.2 million overseas, for a total global box office of $3 million.
Jurassic Park: The Lost World has grossed over $220 million in North America and over $600 million worldwide!
Moreover, with "Men in Black" and "Air Force One" currently showing in theaters, Dawn's box office dominance remains strong.

Next up is the action blockbuster "Face/Off," directed by John Woo and starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta, which will be released soon.

That night, in a bar in West Hollywood, Aaron was having fun with Jennifer Connelly when they ran into Charles Johnson, the chairman of the Franklin Templeton Foundation!
"Aaron, congratulations! Your profits in the Southeast Asian market must have been quite good this time, right?"

Charles Johnson smiled and clinked glasses with Aaron.

"We're just small-time players. The real big winners are specialized hedge funds like Quantum Fund and Tiger Fund!"

Aaron did earn a lot, mainly because he was bold and wild enough.

"By the way, how's the Saks Fifth Avenue department store project going?"

Aaron commissioned the Franklin Templeton Fund to acquire Saks Fifth Avenue department store.

Charles Johnson took a sip of his drink. "There are potential buyers over there, and we're conducting an asset assessment."

"At that time, we will acquire the shares from the shareholders. According to our investigation, as long as you own more than 35% of the shares, you can become the major shareholder of Saks Fifth Avenue!"

Aaron tapped his knee with his fingers. "Saxophone Fifth Avenue, it's worth at least a billion dollars, right?"

Charles Johnson nodded. "We have over 30 stores across the United States, all located in prime locations in major cities."

"A billion dollars, no less."

Aaron smiled. "Looks like this time, I'll have to prepare at least $4 to $5 million!"

Furthermore, Aaron is currently planning to build an NFL team in Los Angeles, which also requires a large amount of funding.

Charles Johnson shrugged. "Perhaps not so many. Saks Fifth Avenue is having its share of trouble."

"Once you complete the acquisition, you can integrate and go public, so you shouldn't lack funds."

After all, Aaron had the successful experience of the Victoria's Secret lingerie brand, and the shareholders of Saks Fifth Avenue would not object to Aaron's acquisition!

"Well, there's still time. My plan is to officially acquire it early next year."

After all, Aaron had more important things to do next!
"Understood. After hearing about Southeast Asia, you've set your sights on South Korea."

Why not Hong Kong?

Charles Johnson was somewhat puzzled, given that Hong Kong had just returned to China and the real estate market was in a serious bubble.

Aaron shrugged. "It's hard to say. I'm worried because Hong Kong has returned to China. My opportunity lies in South Korea..."

The Los Angeles night was a dazzling display of neon lights, a scene of extravagance and decadence. Aaron, who had returned to his Malibu beach villa with Jennifer Connelly, was somewhat disheartened.

“Honey, I’ve read the script for Chicago. My role is fine with dancing.”

Jennifer Connelly, wearing a sexy bikini, approached Aaron by the pool in the villa's courtyard.

"Yes, you're familiar with working with Catherine Zeta-Jones."

"Anyway, the filming time can be longer; it's Dawn's first musical film!"

Aaron, leaning back on a beach chair, pulled the sexy Jennifer Connelly into his arms; her 34D figure was incredibly hot.

Jennifer Connelly nestled in the man's arms and kissed him. "You know Luc Besson's sci-fi film, 'The Fifth Element,' right?"

"It received good reviews and performed well at the box office. After its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, it grossed $2.6 million worldwide!"

This French science fiction film, directed by Luc Besson and starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, and others, can be considered a benchmark for European commercial blockbusters.
With its grand and exquisite film scenes, dazzling visual effects, and colorful film style, "The Fifth Element" not only broke French box office records but also became a representative work of the fusion of French art and commerce.

Although The Fifth Element achieved remarkable success, it performed poorly in North America, grossing only over $6000 million and receiving numerous negative reviews.
Empire: "The Fifth Element is a film unlike any other before it, defying genre conventions. Its weakness lies in its conceptual overload, its excessive comedic elements, and its loss of control over the story."

The Hollywood Reporter: "Luc Besson and Gaumont have produced a chaotic American blockbuster, The Fifth Element, which is visually monotonous, aurally overpowering, and a collection of flawed elements and some rather silly ones!"

The Chicago Tribune: "The film is so clumsy and absurd that he was not surprised when he learned that the script was written by the director when he was a teenager."

The New York Times: "The Fifth Element proves Luc Besson's ambition and technical expertise have made him one of France's most renowned young directors, but also one of its worst nightmares. The film prioritizes empty excitement over reason, neglecting plot coherence!"

Aaron stroked the woman in his arms, casually unhooking her bikini and feeling her 34D. "Commercially speaking, *The Fifth Element* is definitely a success, and it's a landmark film for European cinema."

"At least it's a French-style Hollywood blockbuster, setting a good example for European films to compete with Hollywood."

Of course, The Fifth Element was definitely a mess for Hollywood filmmakers and the French art scene;
Hollywood thinks it's not commercial enough, while the French art scene thinks it's overly commercial.

"By the way, Luc Besson married Milla Jovovich, the lead actress in 'The Fifth Element,' right?"

Aaron suddenly asked, after all, that was the future female lead of "Resident Evil"!
"Yes, he and this young Russian actress completely hooked up while filming 'The Fifth Element'."

Jennifer Connelly smiled, after all, Bruce Willis, the male lead, had also said in an interview that Luc Besson and Milla Jovovich were inseparable on set!
"Léon: The Professional, plus The Fifth Element—two Hollywood-style films;"

"Luc Besson's title as France's top commercial director is now a certainty..."

(End of this chapter)