Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 522 Did you poison him?
Buckingham, headquarters of Dawn Global International (UK) Films.

Aaron sat on the sofa, looking at Graham Bradstreet, the head of Dawn International's UK branch, and said, "ITV in the UK has a variety show going on air next month called 'Who Can Be a Millionaire'."

"I looked into the rules and I think this show is bound to be a huge hit. Dawn TV needs the American rights to 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'!"

“No problem,” Graham Bradstreet nodded. “I will negotiate with ITV to purchase the rights.”

Dawn owns the AMC cable television network and also co-operates the USA cable television network with Paramount, both of which broadcast their own variety shows and reality shows;

Aaron is absolutely certain that after "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" airs this year, television stations from other countries will definitely come to discuss purchasing the rights for adaptation next year.

What Dawn needs to do now is to buy the ideas from the UK in advance!
"Is MGM about to start filming 'The World Is Not Enough'?"

Aaron appears to have met producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson at Pinewood Studios in Buckingham.

"Yes, The World Is Not Enough is the 19th film in the series!"

Graham Bradstreet is certainly very interested in the 007 series;

Moreover, MGM is currently embroiled in a copyright lawsuit with Sony Columbia over the rights to "Thunderball" (007).

After all, Sony Columbia wanted to do what Warner Bros. did back then and make a 007 spin-off called "Cruise Missiles".

"By the way, it seems like MGM hasn't made any other big moves since acquiring PolyGram?"

Aaron tapped the table, then suddenly asked.

Graham Bradstreet smiled slightly, "Sigland is burdened with a huge amount of debt because of this acquisition, and PolyGram's music industry isn't so easy to integrate."

"Moreover, due to the impact of the financial crisis, PolyGram's business is also experiencing some problems!"

Aaron nodded. "How's the preparation for Anthony Minghella's new project, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley,' going?"

"The casting is almost complete. Matt Damon will play the male lead, and other actors include Jude Law and Cate Blanchett!"

Graham Bradstreet responded quickly.

"Sure enough!"

Both "Shakespeare in Love" and "Entrapment" are being filmed normally, and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is about to start filming;
Now that Dawn's film, music, and publishing businesses in the UK are doing well, Aaron can finally rest easy.

As for MGM's acquisition of PolyGram, even if it integrates the other party's film and music industries, Aaron is not too worried.
With the rise of the internet, the traditional record industry is bound to enter a period of decline. As for movies, MGM is not much of a threat, and there are no television stations or similar media outlets. Faced with such losses, the Seagram Group cannot sustain itself for long!

In mid-July, the French team defeated the Brazilian team 3-0 in the World Cup final to win their first-ever World Cup trophy!
However, the Brazilian team encountered an unexpected event before the start of the match. Ronaldo, the Brazilian national team's main striker, suddenly fell ill in the hotel, convulsing strangely and foaming at the mouth.
Although Ronaldo insisted on starting, he was in poor form and even suffered cramps on the field, which made this World Cup a major mystery.

Aaron had already returned to New York from London. At their holiday home in East Hamptons, Long Island, Aaron sat on the sofa with Christina Yerry in his arms. "Do you think the French poisoned Ronaldo?"

Although this World Cup earned Aaron a net profit of nearly $1000 million, Sophie Marceau received $1500 million and Monica Bellucci received six or seven million dollars.

But the situation that occurred with the Brazilian national team before the finals makes it hard not to wonder. "Aaron, that's just a conspiracy theory," Cristiana Yerry laughed.

Aaron smiled, took out a check for $200 million and handed it to the other person, "Here you go, this is what we won during the World Cup!"

Whether it was a conspiracy or not, Aaron didn't care at all; he just wanted to win money.

"Wow, that's amazing! You won a lot of money after just one trip!"

Christina Yerry, of course, wouldn't hold back with Aaron; she now regrets not paying attention to the French World Cup.

New York, Manhattan, Dawn Tower, Aaron's office.

"Did we win the bid for the film rights to 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' when Dr. Seuss's widow auctioned them off?"

Dr. Seuss was one of the most outstanding children's literature writers and educators in the United States in the 20th century, and he authored and illustrated more than 60 books.

Early on, he refused to sell the film rights to his books because he was unhappy with the film adaptation of his work, "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T".

Now, seven years after Dr. Seuss's death, his widow is preparing to sell the film rights to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"!

"We started at $5 million and eventually won against companies like 20th Century Fox and Disney by bidding $9 million."

Dawn Steele smiled. "The Grinch" had been adapted into an animated film in its early days, and it was quite successful.

"In addition, Audrey Geisel also demanded a 4% share of box office revenue, a 50% share of merchandise revenue, and a 70% share of book-related revenue."

"Furthermore, the actor playing the lead role of the Grinch must be one of Jack Nicholson, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, or Dustin Hoffman;"

"As for the director, I don't have very high requirements!"

20th Century Fox persuaded Jack Nicholson to star in the film, while Universal reached an agreement with Jim Carrey.

Fortunately, the ultimate winner was Dawn Global.

Aaron chuckled. "Audrey Geisel is really greedy!"

"Alright, find someone to adapt the script as soon as possible, after all, we spent so much money to buy the copyright."

He then flipped through the projects in his hand, "The two projects from Twilight Studios, 'American Pie' and 'Final Destination,' can be put into preparation as soon as possible!"

American Pie is a teen sex comedy, while Final Destination is a thriller/horror film.
The script for "American Pie" was an original script written by a new screenwriter, which Universal acquired for $75, while the idea for "Final Destination" was inspired by the writers of the "X-Files" series that aired on FOX.

"Neither film has a high budget, and 'American Pie' will be able to start filming soon."

"The script for 'Final Destination' can be completed this year, but the film's producers and directors are currently helping FOX prepare for 'The X-Files Season 7,' which is estimated to start filming next year!"

(End of this chapter)