Chapter 508

When Charles Capet returned to Los Angeles, it was already late August. The incident of Kanye West grabbing the microphone from Taylor Swift was just a minor episode in his eyes.

To him, whether people saw it as retribution or just table talk, it was none of his concern.

In the afternoon, on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 in Malibu, a white BMW Z4 hardtop convertible drove north along Zuma Beach.

Lounging in the car were none other than Charles Capet and Emma Roberts, heading to Leo Carrillo State Park.

"Charles, how come you had the time to take a drive with me today?" Emma Roberts said, her blonde hair flying in the wind, dressed in sexy shorts and a simple T-shirt.

"Oh, isn't it because I hadn't seen you for a long time since we parted in London? Recently, I came back to Los Angeles and had some free time," Charles said while taking in the Pacific scenery on the side. "I also seemed to have forgotten the joy of driving!"

Emma Roberts nodded, "The scenery at Leo Carrillo State Beach inside the park is unique. There are many rocks to explore and admire. We should head over to the reefs later!"

Soon, Charles and Emma arrived at Leo Carrillo State Beach. After parking the car, Charles held Emma's hand and they climbed the rocks.

"Great view, isn't it," Charles said, taking off his sunglasses, bracing his waist against the sea breeze, feeling quite delighted.

Emma leaned against a rock and pointed towards the beach scenery, "This beach must be one of the most frequent filming locations in Hollywood movies, probably just second to Santa Monica Beach."

Charles walked over to Emma. At her height of less than 5'3", he indeed looked tall and imposing.

He wrapped his hands around her waist and laughed, "I heard you were involved in the filming of that love comedy directed by Rob Marshall, Valentine's Day?"

Emma nodded, "Yes, my aunt introduced me to it. It was just a cameo. I've been involved in quite a few films this year." However, Emma had grown somewhat bored with the teen idol roles she kept getting.

"Charles, I'm an adult now and want to film some other types of movies," said Emma, who was always stuck in low-budget love comedies, only required to be in love and look pretty.

"Do you have a script already?" Charles inquired.

Emma nodded, "Yes, there's a rather serious screenplay in the works right now!"

Indeed, having the famous Julia Roberts as a mentor meant Emma never had to worry about resources.

"Charles, when we go back tonight, can you help me look at the script? It's my first serious film, and it's a project of Joel Schumacher," Emma said, pinching Charles's waist.

"No problem," Charles said, lowering his head to kiss Emma. Despite being under 5'3", she managed to make herself look like she was 5'7".

In the evening, Charles indeed went to Emma Roberts's place to look at the script. Joel Schumacher, having directed Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, and Veronica Guerin, had experience with both commercial and storyline films.

Whether it was a low-budget storyline film or a high-budget commercial film, he had successful experiences.

In Emma's mansion on Hollywood Hills, Charles stood by the window, gripping the script tightly.

"This Twelve has a very serious theme. It's a niche story film that will help you with the transition."

Twelve was a very serious crime-themed movie, and it could be Emma Roberts' first step in shedding her teen idol image. Whether she would take a second step, Charles couldn't say.

Emma smiled, "Capet's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has been out for two months, and it has grossed over $400 million in North America and even more globally. It should be this year's champion, right?"

Saying this, Emma reached out to stroke Charles's abs, her face full of infatuation.

"This year's champion, probably," Charles said while keeping an eye on James Cameron's Avatar. However, 20th Century Fox had scheduled its release for mid to late December, so most of its earnings would probably count for next year.

...

After Disney Studios' exec Dick Cook resigned, Rich Ross from Disney's TV division officially took over as chairman of Disney Studios. Right after taking over, Ross initiated reforms, announcing that Miramax Films would be downsized by at least 70%, reducing its annual releases from 6-8 films to a maximum of 3.

Moreover, all Miramax's marketing and advertising responsibilities were handed over to parent company Buena Vista International. Miramax's role as an independent distributor was eliminated, turning the company, founded by the Weinstein brothers, into just an independent label under Disney.

After the Weinstein brothers left Miramax in 2005 and established The Weinstein Company with the Dimension Films label, last year's Harvey Weinstein scandal had left The Weinstein Company practically nonexistent, with only Bob Weinstein's Dimension Films barely hanging on.

With Rich Ross announcing the fate of the independent film king Miramax, Daniel Battsek, who took over as chairman after the Weinstein brothers' departure, quickly resigned. With him gone, all six planned films, including Last Night starring Keira Knightley, The Debt starring Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington, and The Tempest based on Shakespeare's play, were shelved.

Clearly, Disney had begun winding down Miramax, and the internal purge at Disney Studios was far from over.

*****

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