Global Best Actor: Starting with Picking Up Attributes in America

Chapter 449 Internal and External Troubles

China Dragon Film Studio Headquarters

Rob slammed the tablet computer in his hand onto the ground.

The screen was shattered into pieces.

"Those ungrateful bastards!"

He was trembling with rage, his eyes bloodshot as if he wanted to devour someone: "If it weren't for the boss, Fox would have gone bankrupt long ago, and Tom Rothman would be begging for food! Now they're turning around and biting us!"

Lee So-yeon sat beside her, her face extremely pale.

She held a document in her hand: "Fox just sent a formal notice terminating all cooperation with us. They have also joined forces with the three major North American theater chains to demand that all our movies be removed from the shelves. Weta has also sent a lawyer's letter saying that they want to take back our 30% stake."

"besides----"

Her tone grew even heavier: "Three of the investors in 'Dragon Soars Across the Seas' have already withdrawn their funding, and the remaining ones are also watching and waiting. The agents of a few foreign minor stars with small roles just called and said that if President Chen doesn't wake up within half a month, they will terminate their contracts."

Rob slammed his fist on the table: "Let them terminate the contract! At worst, we'll just stop making 'Dragon Soars Across the Seas.' The world won't stop turning without them!"

"But we simply can't afford the penalty for breach of contract right now."

Li Suyan looked at him, her eyes filled with helplessness: "And if it really comes to that, the Chinese dragon will truly be finished."

Robert slumped into the chair, ran his hands through his hair, and closed his eyes in pain.

He tried everything.

I issued more than a dozen statements to clarify, but the platform limited the reach of them and nobody read them.

He went to negotiate with Fox, but was stopped at the door by security guards and didn't even get to see Tom Rothman.

He sought help from other Hollywood companies, but none dared to offend Disney, and they all refused to see him.

He even went to Spielberg, who, while sympathetic to their plight, could only helplessly say, "I'm sorry, Rob. Disney is determined to ruin Chen Xun this time, and there's nothing I can do to help you."

The only ones who stood up for them were their true friends.

Jackie Chan tweeted: "Chen Xun is the most outstanding young man I have ever met. His character and talent are beyond doubt. I will always support him!"

As a result, the tweet was throttled, and the comments section was filled with insults from trolls.

Vin Diesel changed his Twitter profile picture to a photo of himself with Chen Xun, captioned: "Family forever!"

As a result, Disney threatened to cancel all his subsequent roles in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Christine shut down her social media accounts: "I will not post anything until Chen Xun wakes up. I will sue those who spread rumors to the bitter end."

Robert sat in the empty conference room, holding the newly printed cash flow report in his hand.

The company has only $1.2 million in available working capital.

What does this mean?

"Dragon Fighter" has already prepaid $3 million in actor deposits and venue rentals. If filming cannot start within half a month, the penalty for breach of contract alone will amount to $5 million.

Fox News filed a lawsuit demanding $8 million in damages from China Dragon for unilaterally terminating the partnership.

Weta Effects has applied to the court for a mandatory buyback of its shares.

Once the verdict takes effect, the core assets they bought for $55 billion will be handed over to others for nothing.

Even more devastatingly, the three major North American theater chains jointly removed all of Chen Xun's films from their shelves, turning what used to be tens of millions of dollars in copyright revenue each month into nothing overnight.

Fox also cut off distribution channels in 17 European countries, completely paralyzing Star Entertainment's global distribution system.

"Mr. Luo, the bank is pressing for loan approval!"

The CFO pushed open the door, his face ashen: "They say the value of our collateral has shrunk by 70%, and they demand that we repay the $10 billion loan within three days, or they will apply to freeze all our assets."

Rob suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot: "Why didn't you say this when you were begging us for the loan?"

"Disney is putting pressure on us from behind."

The CFO's voice was trembling with tears: "All the banks have received notices from Disney that anyone who dares to lend us money is making an enemy of Disney. Right now, not a single institution on Wall Street dares to invest a single penny in us."

Rob slammed his fist on the conference table.

He has been traveling all over Hollywood for the past two weeks.

Former close friends and business partners have all distanced themselves from me.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; when a drum breaks, everyone beats it.

This is the most realistic survival rule in Hollywood.

Robert closed his eyes and sighed.

He understood that he couldn't possibly protect Chen Xun's empire on his own.

There was only one last thing he could do.

Seeking assistance from within the country.

That evening, Rob made a video call to the chairman of China Film Group and the CEO of Alibaba Pictures.

The moment the call connected, this man, who had once been a high-spirited figure in Hollywood, had tears welling up in his eyes for the first time.

"President Wang, President Zhang, please, please help China Dragon."

Rob's voice was hoarse: "As long as the company and 'Dragon Soars Across the Seas' can be saved, I'll agree to any conditions."

On the other end of the phone, the two exchanged a glance, their faces showing an expression of expectation.

In fact, they had been waiting for this call for a long time.

From the first day Chen Xun fell into a coma, they were holding meetings to study the asset and equity structure of China Dragon.

Chen Xun's global distribution channels, Fox Searchlight's copyright library, Weta's shares, and "Dragon Fight"

This super IP is something they've always dreamed of.

When Chen Xun was around, they could only be small shareholders, watching him lead them to make money.

Now that Chen Xun has fallen, it is the best opportunity for them to expand their influence, completely control China Dragon, and open up overseas markets.

Moreover, they stand on the moral high ground.

They came to rescue Chen Xun and help the Chinese Dragon overcome its difficulties.

Whether it's netizens in China or people in the industry, they all say they are righteous, not that they are taking advantage of the situation.

Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Mr. Wang, the general manager of China Film Group, cleared his throat and said in a heavy tone, "Robert, what is our relationship with Chen Xun? We watched him grow up, and China Dragon is our life's work. Now that he's in trouble, we can't just ignore it."

Mr. Zhang from Alibaba nodded in agreement: "That's right, money is not a problem. We can invest in China Dragon, but as you know, the company's situation is too dangerous right now. The money we invest must be guaranteed."

Robert's heart sank.

"We discussed it."

Mr. Wang took out a pre-prepared agreement and waved it at the camera: "China Film Group and Alibaba will jointly invest $50 billion in China Dragon Film Group. In exchange, each of our companies will increase its stake by 15%."

Robert's pupils contracted sharply.

The original shareholding structure was that Xunxing Entertainment held 60%, while China Film Group and Alibaba each held 20%.

If this condition is met, after the capital injection, Xunxing Entertainment's shares will be diluted to 30%, with China Film Group and Alibaba each holding 35%, becoming the joint largest shareholders.

From now on, China Dragon Film, which was built by Chen Xun, will no longer belong to the Chen family.