Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 545 Summer Redstone

That evening, in a bar near Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Aaron and Wang Zhuxian sat on a sofa watching a singer perform on stage.

"You mean, Jack Cheng's collaboration with Disney on a project called 'Shanghai Noon,' which tells the story of a Manchu princess who escapes the palace and goes to America, and then palace guards are ordered to travel thousands of miles to find and rescue her?"

Aaron seemed to have some recollection of the movie, but not a very deep one.

"Yes, and Jack Cheng is also one of the producers of this film; he wanted to have more power during filming."

"You know, Jack has never been a big fan of Hollywood action scenes."

The success of "Rush Hour" was also partly due to the fact that Dawn Universal entrusted the filming of the action scenes to a Hong Kong production team!

Aaron nodded. "Hollywood really only films scenes of muscle-bound men fighting each other. Stallone and Schwarzenegger are both declining in popularity."

"The action movie genre featuring muscular men is not as popular as it was in the 1980s."

The current Hollywood action film market prefers new action films starring actors like Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage!

"By the way, is Media Asia Films interested in Golden Harvest's film library?"

Aaron suddenly asked.

Wang Zhuxian looked puzzled. "Golden Harvest's film library?"

"Yes, Golden Harvest is having a tough time right now, and Raymond Chow's real estate investments have failed. Their biggest asset, Jack Cheng, has shifted his focus to Hollywood."

"Golden Harvest will probably sell its film library to raise funds!"

Aaron originally planned to have Dawn Universal acquire Golden Harvest's film library, but then he realized that these were all Chinese-language films.
Dawn Global's focus is definitely on Hollywood, so it would be better to let Media Asia Films acquire it.

"Golden Harvest has one or two movies, and those are definitely not cheap!"

Wang Zhuxian never actually considered acquiring Golden Harvest's film library.

"Don't worry," Aaron smiled, reaching out to stroke the woman's thigh. "It's estimated to be around HK$1.5 million to HK$2 million. With these assets, Media Asia Films will have a solid foundation."

"In the future, Media Asia is likely to become the leading film company in Hong Kong!"

Wang Zhuxian thought for a moment, "Huanya can probably come up with about HK$1 million. The rest can be obtained through bank loans."

In recent years, Media Asia Films has collaborated with Best Partners Production Company to produce many profitable films and has made some money.

"Yes, that's perfectly fine. Just have someone from Media Asia Films keep an eye on things; Golden Harvest will definitely be more willing to sell its film library to a local film company."

"Media Asia currently has film and television production, artist management, and videotape and VCD distribution businesses. It would be best if they could also find a way to set up a cinema chain and handle the distribution themselves!"

As far as Aaron knows, Media Asia Films' films are all shown in Golden Harvest cinemas, which is not as convenient as having its own cinemas.

At that time, the distribution of Dawn Universal's works in Hong Kong can be handed over to Media Asia Films.

Wang Zhuxian smiled, "Okay, I'll go back and discuss it with the others in the company as soon as possible!" Even if we can't create our own cinema chain, forming a joint cinema chain is still an option.

"Yes, as you know, I established Haihua Real Estate Company in China, invested in the Shanghai World Financial Center, and am now preparing to build a large shopping mall;"

"Next, we plan to develop high-end riverside luxury residences in Shanghai. I am very optimistic about the future of China's real estate market."

"Since you'll be focusing on mainland China anyway, real estate investment is a good option!"

After the turn of the millennium, China's economic development will be very strong, and Aaron certainly won't miss out.

Wang Zhuxian nodded. "I've never given up on investing in real estate. I have properties in Hong Kong and Taipei."

……

While Aaron was vacationing in Hawaii, Liberty Media acquired Viacom's 50% stake in USA Cable Network for $26 billion in cash and by assuming some of its debt.
With the addition of the 50% stake in USA Cable that it had already acquired from Dawn, Liberty Media has made USA Cable Network a wholly-owned subsidiary!

In Viacom's headquarters office in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, Sumner Redstone sat on a sofa, looking at his assistant, Philip Dorman, beside him.

"Has Robert Johnson of BET Entertainment not given us an answer yet?"

Philip Dorman was originally Summer Redstone's personal lawyer, but over time, he became one of his confidants.

His deliberate joining of Viacom's board of directors created a significant rift between Sumner Redstone and his children.

Sumner Redstone is now at odds with his brother, wife, son, daughter, and nephew because of Viacom!
Philip Dorman shook his head. "Robert Johnson owns more than 60% of BET, and BET is currently the highest-rated minority television network among African Americans."

"We suspect that Robert Johnson is holding out for a higher price."

Sumner Redstone simply waved his hand. "No rush. I recently received a message from Lawrence Tish, the former chairman of CSC Networks."

"Aaron Anderson went to Pittsburgh and met with Michael H. Jordan, the chairman of Westinghouse Electric."

Philip Dorman's expression changed. "Is Dawn planning to take action against CBS Television?"

Sumner Redstone nodded. "Dawn just acquired the Starz pay channel from Liberty Media, in addition to their existing AMC cable network."

"Now, it's perfectly normal for Dawn to take action against CBS. Aaron Anderson won't give up owning a national wireless broadcasting network!"

Sumner Redstone and Aaron Anderson share the same idea; they would not give up owning a national wireless broadcasting network.
Time Warner owns CNN, Disney owns ABC, and News Corporation owns FNC—all national news networks. Other Hollywood media groups are left with only NBC and CBS as options.

After a moment's thought, Philip Dorman finally spoke up and asked, "Sir, what are your thoughts?"

Sumner Redstone paused for a moment, then said, "As soon as possible, assemble a team to thoroughly investigate CBS Group's assets and liabilities."

"Although Dawn is currently at its zenith, Viacom cannot fall behind. When the time comes, let's have a proper competition with them!"

After all, Barry Diller, who competed with him for Paramount back then, was simply not up to the task; an opponent like Aaron Anderson was much more interesting…

(End of this chapter)