Chapter 262 - Kung Fu, See Kung Fu Again

After learning that the classic Hollywood animation "Kung Fu Panda" was actually "abandoned", Lin Mingyang's mouth grew so big that it could almost fit into a walnut, and he didn't react for half a day.

A confused Jeffrey Kassenberg kindly asked, "Mr. Felix, are you okay?"

Knowing that he had lost his temper, Lin Ming Yang hurriedly shut his mouth, he temporarily suppressed the stupid curiosity in his heart and smiled somewhat awkwardly. He didn't continue to ask because he was worried that more words would be lost, which would instead cause the other party to become suspicious.

Of course Jeffrey Kassenberg wouldn't mind this, since he had already decided to carry the cooperation through to the end, he most wanted to discuss with Lin Mingyang at this time or about the details of the merger and acquisition, but he asked a whole lot of questions and said his own many conceptions, but Lin Mingyang's absentminded answer on the side was more like a scribbled coping with the situation.

Lin Mingyang's impolite behavior initially made Jeffrey Kassenberg angry, but only a fool would tear his face off with Lin Mingyang at this time, and he kept telling himself to calm down. It worked, and after silently chanting it several times, Jeffrey Kassenberg basically got his emotions under control.

During this time Jeffrey Kassenberg thought of a statement circulating in Hollywood, the real management of MGM in fact are responsible for by Eckles, and as the highest controller of the company's power, Lin Mingyang seems to be more focused on their own movie career, business operations were instead put on the back burner by him.

Only this reason could explain that after Lin Ming Yang finalized the framework of the cooperation, his attention to the details of the cooperation was instead less than his interest in a particular movie. After figuring this out, Jeffrey Kassenberg decided to change his strategy and start with the movie that Lin Mingyang was interested in. No matter what, winning Lin Mingyang's favor first, and then negotiating with MGM would go a little smoother.

"Whether it's 'Shrek the Monster' that wants to get back its power to chase people, or the group of animals in 'Madagascar' that were unfortunately transferred out of the zoo and are trying hard to find their way back home, the animation department at DreamWorks has always been committed to producing these kinds of 'schmucks-turned-heroes' stories that are enjoyed by viewers of all ages The animation department at DreamWorks has been working to produce this kind of 'idiot turned hero' animated story that audiences of all ages love. Because everyone has had similar experiences, or similar dreams, and these kinds of blockbuster animated films, which are primarily entertainment, are just the thing to create some kind of empathy for them, or at least resonate with people on a moral level."

Thinking of Lin Mingyang's half-Chinese heritage and all the rumors of his fascination with Eastern culture, Jeffrey Kassenberg quickly found a breakthrough in the conversation. "John Stephenson, the director who once produced Shrek, came to me with this animation idea three years ago; he wanted to make a work that would allow children to enjoy themselves and be educated at the same time, with the central spirit of 'becoming your own hero'. The truth they wanted to explain is very simple, my understanding is that while doing well for yourself, don't always put your hopes on others, as long as you have really put your heart into it, you can get everything you expect, and try to present the best part of yourself... It is based on this kind of idea that they created a round, tired, sluggish, and lovable Giant Panda, whose life was supposed to be a leisurely cuddle of bamboo, but who had a dream inside him that he had never been able to realize, and that was to become an expert in the field of the fighting arts with agility, speed, mental intimidation, and light radiating nerves, and the story of "Kung Fu Panda" was born."

"This is an awesome idea!"

Jeffrey Carsonberg took the initiative to stir up the conversation, Lin Mingyang instead became cautious and commented on point.

Jeffrey Kassenberg sighed softly, "But at the time, there were many people who thought that the whole story showed a stupid idea of 'courage without strategy', so the company hesitated for a long time on whether to make it or not."

Lin Ming Yang naturally scoffed at such a statement, "Doesn't the so-called heroism that Hollywood has always believed in begin with such a claim?"

"In the end, when we decided to make the movie, the controversy over whether or not to use a panda as the main character of the story was all still going on, and the role was finalized thanks to the film's other director, who is an avid Chinese kung-fu fan and the panda is a unique and iconic animal in China, and the combination of the two spawned a legendary tale that takes place in ancient China. "

Jeffrey Carsonberg has gone through so much trouble to introduce the origins of Kung Fu Panda, Lin Mingyang finally couldn't hold back his curiosity: "Then why did you finally give up again, or was it because of the funding problem?"

Jeffrey Kassenberg nodded helplessly, "In fact, two years ago, the problem of insufficient funds at DreamWorks had already appeared, the production cycle of animated movies is long, the characteristics of slow cost recovery led to our production funds were constantly cut, in order to ensure the quality, we had to suspend some of the projects on hand that were being carried out, and the production of Kung Fu Panda was at that time suspended."

"If we were to restart the production of this movie, how long would it take for this movie to be completed?" Unconsciously, Lin Ming Yang's tone had already acquiesced to the idea of preparing to invest in this movie.

"With sufficient funds, it will probably take more than a year!" Jeffrey Kassenberg gave a figure very conservatively.

In Lin Ming Yang's memory, the movie Kung Fu Panda should have been released by this time, and it seemed that his appearance had caused the original historical trajectory to shift a bit. Whether from a commercial perspective or from his inner emotional belonging, Lin Mingyang felt that he had an obligation to save this animated movie that had died in the middle. Even though Kung Fu Panda is essentially a Hollywood-style inspirational story, there is something insanely mesmerizing about the Oriental cultural veneer that it is wrapped in.

After making up his mind, Lin Mingyang felt that the implementation of the plan to merge and acquire the animation division of DreamWorks was imminent, and he called Eckles on the spot, eventually deciding to start merger and acquisition negotiations with Jeffrey Kassenberg the next day.

----

Jeffrey Carsonberg was with Spielberg when he arrived and was alone when he left. Although Jeffrey Carsonberg's foot in the wall was his own willingness to take the initiative to send up for Lin Ming Yang to dig out, but the thought of having to meet with Spielberg, Lin Ming Yang always felt a little awkward. He originally wanted to avoid this meeting, but Spielberg took the initiative to find him.

Sitting in the tent, Lin Mingyang didn't know what he should say, and Spielberg didn't take the initiative to open his mouth, so the meeting between the two sides fell into an awkward silence at the beginning.

In the end it was Spielberg who took the lead to break the silence, he first sighed helplessly before slowly saying, "Jeffrey and I have been working together for more than ten years, and to suddenly be separated like this, it feels like it's still a bit uncomfortable."

Lin Mingyang returned, "I believe Mr. Carsonberg is also helpless."

"I know he's full of complaints about me..." Spielberg laughed as if mocking himself, "I shouldn't have just focused on making my own movies in the first place and let the company's affairs go unattended. DreamWorks has come to this point today, in fact, I have to take a lot of responsibility, if I choose to cooperate with other movie companies, perhaps Jeffrey would not have to make such a painful decision...perhaps as he said, I was never only suitable to be a director, and can only be a director."

"Focused people tend to be more likely to succeed, and this has been best proven by you."

Spielberg's eyes, which were never unwavering, suddenly became confused at this moment, "During this period of time I often wondered if what I gave up for the so-called success was worth it."

Lin Mingyang did not answer, a question he could not answer for Spielberg.

"In some ways, Jeffrey is actually very similar to me, he's also a focused and stubborn guy, his biggest goal is to beat Disney in the animated film market...now it seems that he's one step closer to his goal." Spielberg looked at Lin Ming Yang very seriously, "Maybe one day in the future, I will also envy his decision today!"

"I'm actually not as... awesome as you and others think!" The unspoken hints in Spielberg's words made Lin Ming Yang feel a lot of pressure, just saying this sentence made him deliberate over and over again for half a day.

"But the truth is that no one has ever been able to guess your mind, and those who belittled you have all been proved by the facts to be how stupid they are, I can even imagine how many consecutive nights the Disney executives will be unable to sleep after learning about the news of you joining forces with Jeffrey Carsonberg...Disney must be regretting it right now, when they first single-handedly promoted you, but now they have also set up a terrible competitor for themselves."

Lin Ming Yang smiled noncommittally, "In Hollywood there is never that kind of rivalry between you and me, everyone will become a competitor and a partner because of their interests."

"I just hope that in the Transformers series, this partnership of ours can be maintained." The partnership with Disney made up for DreamWorks' shortfall in funding, and in the foreseeable future, Spielberg would have enough money in his hands to make Transformers 3. The only thing he was unsure of was whether Lin Mingyang would be willing to continue to play the lead role.

This is a very headache problem, Michael Bay specially mentioned this matter to him today, at least so far, there is no male star in Hollywood who can well replace Lin Ming Yang, if he refuses to act, it will bring unpredictable losses to Transformers 3.

"If it's the last installment of the Transformers series, even if MGM doesn't participate in the film's investment, I'll still participate in the film as an individual to fulfill my character's mission."

After all, he had pried the other party's wall, so Lin Mingyang could only give such a promise, counting it as a bit of compensation.