Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 589 Treating me as a tool

In late July, Dawn's sequel blockbuster "Rush Hour 2" was released, opening in 3100 theaters and grossing $65 million in its opening weekend.
Its opening weekend box office results set a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a comedy film in the United States!
However, Zhang Ziyi, whom Aaron remembers, is not in "Rush Hour 2". After all, she only rose to fame this year for playing the female lead in Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home".
Rush Hour 2 was filmed last year, but Zhang Ziyi got a supporting role in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Meanwhile, another romantic comedy was released at the same time as "Rush Hour 2", which also received good reviews;
"Runaway Bride" is directed by Gary Marshall and stars Al Pacino and Julia Roberts, basically the same cast and crew as the blockbuster film "Pretty Woman"!

"Runaway Bride" opened with $2600 million. Julia Roberts has made many films over the years, with varying quality.
Because several projects that were suitable for her were snatched up by Aaron, Julia Roberts has not yet become the number one actress.

Meanwhile, the salary dispute between DreamWorks chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg and Disney has finally come to an end.
After several years of protracted negotiations, the case finally ended with Disney paying Jeffrey Katzenberg $2.8 million in compensation.

Michael Eisner's attempt to steal a chicken ended up losing the rice instead!
When Jeffrey Katzenberg left Disney, he only hoped that Disney would compensate him with $6000 million in cash.

Michael Eisner refused, arguing that Disney was not obligated to pay compensation, and subsequently received a lawyer's letter from Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Afterwards, Michael Ovitz joined Disney as president, responsible for handling his contracts, and persuaded Jeffrey Katzenberg to accept a $9500 million settlement;
Unfortunately, Michael Eisner disagreed, and after a legal battle between the two sides, Disney offered to pay Jeffrey Katzenberg $1.15 million to settle the dispute early last year, but Katzenberg then refused.

Now, Disney has to pay the other party $2.8 million to settle this matter!

Burbank, Dawn Headquarters.

Lloyd Bentson Jr. came into Aaron's office and handed him a document about Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

"What does this mean?" Aaron glanced at it; it contained some negative and satirical reports about Madeleine Albright.

Lloyd Bentson Jr. said somewhat helplessly, “Washington wants us to be the first to report this, in order to alleviate some of the current pressure!”

Madeleine Albright became U.S. Secretary of State in 1997, and was the first woman to hold that position.

A Czech-Jewish woman, an extreme hawk, and a proponent of power politics, she orchestrated the Kosovo War, a crime of unimaginable proportions.

Aaron scoffed, "Are they going to use her as a shield?"

"What use is she? She's just a spokesperson for a military-industrial conglomerate!"

Lloyd Bentson Jr. shrugged. He knew Aaron didn't want to get involved in domestic political maneuvering, but still cautioned, "Madeleine Albright was the US representative at the UN before becoming Secretary of State; her style was too tough."

"She was a key figure in the Somali War, the Rwandan genocide, and the Kosovo War, among others, and is currently the subject of intense international discussion."

“Especially since there are negotiations with China, so some people want to use her to divert attention.”

Aaron tapped the table. "When we acquired CBS, the Republicans played a big part, so there must have been some political exchange involved."
Since Clinton admitted to his sex scandal with Monica Lewinsky, he has become a laughing stock in the United States.

“This is kicking a man when he’s down,” Aaron just smiled. “FOX definitely has this material, and they’ll definitely report it.” “Give it to CBS News. Eric Ober will handle it himself. How he reports it will determine the pressure he’ll face!”

The repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act has been passed by a congressional vote, and the Wall Street financial groups have achieved their goal.
The Democratic Party is certain to lose the presidential election next year, and this is just a campaign rally.

“Understood,” Lloyd Bentson Jr. nodded, knowing full well that Aaron Anderson had not yet fully taken control of CBS News.
Eric Ober and his group of high-ranking Jewish officials have a large amount of influence behind them, and Aaron also wants to use external forces to deal with them.

With CBS losing public trust, Aaron can reform CBS at the board meeting, since that involves huge interests!
After Lloyd Bentson Jr. left, Aaron leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, and muttered, "These guys, they really treat me like a tool, huh?"

He then shook his head. Just wait and see. Before long, he would have complete control of CBS, the national wireless broadcasting network, which would become his sharpest weapon in the future!

In the afternoon, Tom Williams came to Aaron's office to discuss matters such as the opening ceremony of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

"Invite more Hollywood A-list stars. Jack Cheng and Will Smith go without saying, but Bruce Wesley, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Winslet are all very popular in Japan."

"Oh, and Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jackson, Madonna Ciccone, and some local Japanese stars are also going."

"In addition, I will be meeting with Governor Gray Davis, who should also be attending, given the extensive economic cooperation between California and Japan."

"Universal Studios is another shining example of California's success!"

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is Universal Studios Resort's first overseas expansion, so it's definitely something to be taken seriously, and the goal is to gradually close the gap with Disneyland.

Tom Williams nodded. "News from Osaka indicates that all preparations are complete."

"All the promotional activities are going very smoothly!"

"By the way, Euro Disneyland in Paris is planning to build a new Disney Studios park nearby, seemingly to expand Disney's influence in Europe?"

Aaron smiled. "Another expansion. Michael Eisner's emphasis on Disneyland is truly undeniable!"

Tokyo DisneySea is under construction, and now Disneyland in Europe is planning to build a Disney Studios area?

"Forget it, those noble Europeans aren't particularly interested in American culture; the state of Euro Disney is proof of that."

"Universal Studios has already started a project to adapt the Harry Potter novel into a film of the same name, which is expected to happen in the future."

"There will be a surprise then!"

(End of this chapter)