Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 556 The Controversial Woman

Just one week after its launch, the euro rose to 1.189 against the dollar before starting to fall.

Aaron was finally relieved, because he remembered that after the euro was introduced, it continued to fall for a long time, and even after the euro banknotes were introduced, the downward trend could not be reversed!
At the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Aaron met Rupert Murdoch in Hong Kong. Murdoch had come to Hong Kong specifically to oversee the expansion of Asia Satellite Television.

However, Aaron spotted a Chinese woman with Rupert Murdoch, a very controversial figure!

This is the famous Wendi Deng. Are 68-year-old Rupert Murdoch and 31-year-old Wendi Deng already together?

"Aaron, Hong Kong is really lively this year! You're here too, and Michael Eisner is here as well!"

Rupert Murdoch and Aaron sat down together on a nearby sofa, a smile playing on their lips.

"Oh, Michael Eisner has arrived in Hong Kong so soon?"

Aaron wasn't really sure, since the team he had sent hadn't even arrived yet.

"Yes, we've come, but we didn't bring many people with us!"

Aaron nodded. "Hong Kong now wants to revive its economy and focuses on developing tourism, planning to build either Universal Studios Hong Kong or Disneyland Hong Kong."

“I met with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Michael Eisner, a few days ago. I think that’s why.”

“I see. No wonder it alarmed Michael Eisner and you,” Rupert Murdoch said, not too surprised.

Hollywood, namely Disneyland and Universal Studios theme parks, is the most famous. As for Paramount and Warner Bros.' main theme parks, they are far inferior to these two!

Rupert Murdoch looked at Aaron. "What are your thoughts on Hong Kong?"

"Is there enough space here to house a large movie theme park?"

Aaron shook his head. "I don't know. After all, it mainly depends on tourists from mainland China; relying solely on tourists from Hong Kong isn't enough."

"However, it's a pity that there are still quite a few barriers between the mainland and Hong Kong!"

"Oh, so you mean you don't want to build a Universal Studios in Hong Kong?"

"It's hard to say. I recently received an invitation from ZH City on the mainland, hoping we would consider building a Universal Studios resort there!"

"Zhuhai is also a special economic zone in China, but it's not as dazzling as Shenzhen. However, it has a good geographical location, facing Hong Kong across the sea to the east and connected to Macau to the south."

"As you know, Macau will also be returning to China at the end of this year."

As Aaron spoke, he unconsciously tapped his knee with his fingers.

Rupert Murdoch smiled. "From what you're saying, it seems you're more interested in Zhuhai, since it's on the mainland!"

"Yes, the mainland region, backed by Hong Kong and Macau, has a much larger market."

As he spoke, Aaron sighed, "Unfortunately, in mainland China right now, people's incomes are too low. Even in Shanghai and Beijing, it's difficult to support consumption."

"And what about other cities?"

Such large-scale theme parks require various supporting facilities, including airports, trains, subways, and urban expressways, as well as hotels and various shopping and consumption centers.
Currently, there is no city in mainland China that meets the requirements!
Rupert Murdoch took off his glasses and wiped them. "Universal Studios and Disneyland are getting more and more competitive now; "In California, Florida, and even Japan, neither of you is willing to give in!"

Aaron shrugged. "There's nothing we can do. Disneyland is always one step ahead of us. I'm just trying to catch up."

"By the way, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is scheduled for a summer release, will it be delayed?"

Rupert Murdoch shook his head. "Of course it won't be delayed. This is a major production for 20th Century Fox this year."

"I'm really envious of Lucas's Star Wars IP!"

Rupert Murdoch's lips twitched. "I'm even more envious than you!"

It's important to know that 20th Century Fox only has the distribution rights to the Star Wars series; the intellectual property belongs to George Lucas's Lucasfilm.
Americans know just how massive the consumer market for Star Wars products is.

What upset Aaron even more was that Lucasfilm had always had a partnership with Disneyland, not just with the Star Wars franchise;

Lucasfilm's Indiana Jones series also has an Indiana Jones Stunt Show at Disneyland!
"Alright, Aaron, I'll have to excuse myself now. We'll get together again sometime."

Rupert Murdoch stood up, spoke, and headed towards the hotel entrance, where Wendi Deng seemed to be waiting for him.
A moment later, Wang Zhuxian came over. "Was that Mr. Rupert Murdoch from News Corporation?"

Aaron smiled. "Yes, it's him. This guy is now obsessed with getting his TV station broadcast in mainland China."

"He also came to China last year and visited several cities!"

Wang Zhuxian nodded. "Is the Chinese woman next to him Chinese?"

Aaron thought for a moment, "I guess so. She immigrated to the United States from China and got involved with Rupert Murdoch last year."

Wendi Deng is definitely a remarkable person. In the late 1980s, she met an elderly American couple and obtained a student visa with their help. She then went to the United States to study and lived with the elderly couple. She then had a relationship with the old man.

The 53-year-old man divorced his wife, married Wendi Deng, who was in her twenties, obtained a U.S. green card, and officially entered American society.

The good times didn't last long. While in college, Wendi Deng met a new boyfriend, divorced him, and entered Yale University's business school with his financial support.
After graduating from Yale School of Management, he returned to Hong Kong to work at Asia Satellite Television, where he met Rupert Murdoch!
Wang Zhuxian understood all this, of course. In recent years, so many Chinese have immigrated to the United States, and many young women have married American men.

"So, has Media Asia acquired Golden Harvest's film library yet?"

Aaron asked.

Wang Zhuxian nodded, her tone filled with undisguised excitement, "The acquisition is complete. The price was $2500 million. The rights to 172 films owned by Golden Harvest now belong permanently to Media Asia Films."

"Starting this year, Golden Harvest will significantly reduce its film production business and shift its focus to cinema operations!"

Aaron wasn't particularly interested in Golden Harvest. "I heard that Jack Cheng helped Golden Harvest make a romance film, right?"

"Furthermore, he will be collaborating with Disney on the adventure film 'Shanghai Noon' this year."

"Yes, as a Lunar New Year film, it was filmed after we finished filming 'Rush Hour 2' last year. Next month is the Chinese New Year, so it's perfect for the release!"

"It seems that many actors from Hong Kong who went to the United States this year have new projects to film..."

(End of this chapter)