Reborn in Hollywood

Chapter 151 Copyright Buyback Rejected

Li Rui placed the script outline on the coffee table and asked in a calm tone, "You want to take this role?"

Jessica took the script back and started flipping through it as she spoke.

"The Invisible Woman character is quite interesting. Superhero movies are all the rage right now. Fox's X-Men was pretty good, and Fantastic Four is a long-established Marvel IP. Plus, director Tim Story directed 'Queen of the Taxi,' which had decent reviews."

After a moment's thought, Li Rui realized that it was perfectly normal for Jessica to want to act in the role.

Any actress on the rise would be tempted by an offer to star in a superhero movie.

Moreover, Fantastic Four is an ensemble piece, and Invisible Woman is one of the core characters with a significant role and a good character design. As long as the film doesn't flop, it will greatly boost her career.

The problem is that this movie is sure to flop.

The problem with the original Fantastic Four wasn't the actors; it was the script and the direction.

Fox has absolutely no idea how to make superhero movies.

They turned Fantastic Four into a bizarre family comedy with terrible action scenes, a broken plot, and it flopped both critically and commercially.

But Li Rui couldn't tell Jessica directly that the film would flop.

He needs to find a way to solve this problem at its root—not by preventing Jessica from acting, but by preventing Fox from directing it.

"When is the audition?" Li Rui asked hurriedly as soon as he thought of this.

Jessica glanced at her schedule. "Late August, the exact date hasn't been set yet."

Li Rui nodded. "Then you get ready. I'll go make a call."

He stood up, went to the balcony, and closed the door.

I found Philip's number on my phone and dialed it.

I answered the phone after it rang twice.

"Raphael, what is it?"

"Did you know Fox is going to make a Fantastic Four movie?"

Philip paused for a moment. "I know, they've been preparing for this project since last year. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Li Rui leaned against the balcony railing. "The copyright to Fantastic Four is held by Fox?"

"Yes, it was sold in the 90s, bundled with X-Men and Daredevil. What, you want to buy it back?"

"right."

Philip paused for a moment. "Raphael, that might not be easy. The Fantastic Four is the most valuable Marvel IP that Fox owns besides the X-Men. They won't let go easily. Besides, the project has already started, and the actors are already auditioning. Asking them to stop now would be like letting them throw away all the money they've already invested."

"I know. That's why I need you to help me arrange a meeting with someone from Fox."

Philip thought for a moment, "The person in charge of this project at Fox is Chairman and CEO Peter Chenin. He's not a very easy person to talk to. He's been at Fox for almost ten years and has access to the best resources in Hollywood. He's not someone you can easily sway."

"Let's make an appointment first."

"Okay, I'll give it a try."

Li Rui hung up the phone and stood on the balcony looking at the sea in the distance.

Jessica appeared behind him without him noticing. "What's wrong? You look terrible."

Li Rui turned around. "It's nothing, just company business."

Jessica looked at him and said, "You don't want me to take on the Fantastic Four?"

"It's not that I don't want you to take the role, it's just that this film might not be successful."

"What do you mean?"

Li Rui carefully considered his words. "Fox doesn't have much experience making superhero movies. X-Men was built from scratch by Bryan Singer. Changing directors and teams might not yield good results. As for the Fantastic Four IP, even Marvel itself hasn't dared to make one. It's really hard to say what Fox can do with it."

Jessica leaned against the doorframe, smiling as she retorted, "Are you afraid I'll take on a bad movie?"

Li Rui did not deny it.

Jessica laughed and said, "It's just an audition. I'm not guaranteed to be selected. Besides, even if I am selected, I can't control whether the box office is good or not."

Li Rui reached out and pulled her over, putting his arm around her waist. "I'm not afraid you'll take on bad movies, I'm afraid you'll waste your time. At this stage of your life, it takes half a year to film a movie. If it flops, it'll be a year of wasted time."

Jessica leaned against his chest. "So, what do you think I should answer?"

Li Rui looked down at her and said, "Let me take care of the copyright issue first."

Jessica paused for a moment, "Copyright?"

Li Rui didn't explain, but kissed her on the forehead. "Let's go inside, it's cold outside."

The next morning, Li Rui was running in the gym when Philip called.

"Rafi, we've made an appointment."

Li Rui pressed the pause button. "When?"

"Tomorrow at 3 PM, at Fox headquarters, Peter Chenin will personally come. I've inquired about it, and he attaches great importance to this project. Fantastic Four is one of Fox's key projects for the next three years, with a budget of 100 million. The director and lead actor are already in talks."

"Okay, you'll come with me tomorrow."

"There's one more thing."

Philip lowered his voice, "The audition invitation for Jessica was sent by Fox, which means they already thought she was a good fit for the Invisible Woman role."

Li Rui hummed in agreement.

This shows that Fox's casting direction is the same as the original. Jessica is exactly the Invisible Woman they envisioned.

If he can't get the rights back, Jessica will most likely take the role.

Then wait until next month to join the crew and shoot a film that flops both critically and commercially, wasting more than a year and getting the blame for being the "lead actress in a bad movie".

He won't let that happen.

"See you tomorrow."

2:30 PM, August 11th, Century City.

The headquarters of 20th Century Fox is a gray-white glass curtain wall building, with the American flag and company flag flying on the flagpole at the entrance.

The parking lot was full of cars, and several men in suits hurried by, carrying briefcases.

Li Rui parked the Mustang in the parking space, and Philip got out of the passenger seat, holding a folder in his hand.

"Peter, how much do you know about Chenin?" Philip asked.

Li Rui locked the car door. "I've looked at his information. He's the chairman and CEO of Fox Group. He joined Fox in 1992, started in the television business, and rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful people in Hollywood."

Philip nodded. "He's not only a Fox man, but also a close confidant of Murdoch. Within News Corp., he's one of Rupert Murdoch's most trusted executives, and his words carry a lot of weight."

The two entered the building, where someone was already waiting at the front desk.

A young woman in a black suit approached with a professional smile.

"Mr. Li? This way, please. Mr. Chenin is waiting for you on the eighth floor."

The elevator went up, the doors opened, and the corridor was covered with a dark gray carpet. Posters of Fox movies from over the years, such as Titanic, Star Wars, and X-Men, hung on the walls one after another.

The meeting room door was open, and there was already someone sitting inside.

Peter Chenin was in his early fifties, with gray hair, wearing frameless glasses, a dark blue suit, and a tie that was tied meticulously.

He sat at the head of the long table, a stack of documents spread out in front of him, and a pen in his hand.

Seeing Li Rui enter, he stood up and extended his hand.

"Raphael Lee, I've long admired you."

Li Rui grasped his hand. "Mr. Chening, thank you for taking the time."

"Please sit down."

The two took their seats. Philip sat next to Li Rui and placed the folder on the table.

Cherning leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping across Li Rui's face. "I heard you wanted to talk about the copyright for the Fantastic Four?"

Li Rui nodded, "Yes, I want to buy back the rights to the Fantastic Four from Fox."

Cherning tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Raphael, the Fantastic Four is a significant asset for Fox. We've been preparing for this project for over a year; the director has been cast, the script is finalized, and the actors are auditioning. Your offer to buy it back now is tantamount to asking us to retract the path we've already paved."

return."

Li Rui met his gaze, "I know, so I'm willing to offer a reasonable price."

"How much?"

"Twenty million."

Chernin laughed, a laugh that was indeed sarcastic.

"Raphael, Fox bought the rights to the Fantastic Four in 1993. More than a decade later, considering inflation, IP value appreciation, and the market popularity of Marvel movies, do you think 20 million is enough?"

Li Rui leaned back in his chair. "So, how much do you think is appropriate?"

Chening put down his pen. "We won't sell the rights. Fantastic Four is a key project for Fox for the next few years. The budget is $100 million, with marketing and distribution to be calculated separately. We are optimistic about this series and will make at least three movies. This will not change because of any other offer."

Philip spoke up from the side, "Mr. Chenin, the Marvel copyrights are currently in Raphael's hands. The Fantastic Four are part of Marvel. If the copyrights could be unified, it would be beneficial for the Marvel Cinematic Universe." Chenin raised his hand to interrupt him, "Mr. Philip, I understand your position, but Fox is not a charity. We paid for the copyrights and have been investing in them for years. Now that the project is about to start, it's not appropriate for you to try and reap the rewards."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Li Rui looked into Cherning's eyes, his Force stirring within him.

He could sense the man's will—firm, clear-headed, and flawless.

She's not the type to be moved by a few words.

Chenin continued, "Raphael, I suggest you focus your energy on integrating MGM, rather than eyeing what Fox has. You're a smart man; you should know what you should and shouldn't do."

Li Rui stood up. "That's settled then."

Chenin stood up and extended his hand. "I hope we can talk about something else next time we meet."

Li Rui grasped his hand. "Maybe."

As they walked out of Fox headquarters, Philip followed behind, his expression grim.

"It seems Peter Chenin isn't planning to back down."

Li Rui opened the car door. "His decision alone doesn't count."

Philip paused, then asked, "What do you mean?"

Li Rui got into the driver's seat. "Fox is above News Corporation. Chening is Murdoch's man, but Murdoch is the one who calls the shots."

Philip walked around to the passenger seat and sat down. "You want to see Murdoch?"

"right."

"Rafael, Murdoch is a hundred times more difficult to deal with than Chenin. He's a global media mogul, controlling News Corporation, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times. Are you sure you want to talk to him?"

Li Rui started the engine. "How will we know if we don't try?"

The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic flow of Century City.

Li Rui held the steering wheel with one hand and took out his phone with the other, scrolling to Paulson's number.

I answered the phone after it rang twice.