Chapter 592: The Final Piece

In the summer release of July, the hottest movie was definitely the action, suspense, and sci-fi blockbuster Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt starring!

The next weekend, Inception had a $42 million box office in North America with a 32% drop; Meanwhile, Despicable Me's next weekend had a $33 million box office, with a 42% drop.

In its ten days of release, Inception's cumulative North American box office reached hundred million dollars, while Despicable Me's ten-day box office also crossed hundred million!

However, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Post, and the New York Observer all reported on the similarities between Inception and the Japanese anime Paprika.

Christopher Nolan was barraged with questions from reporters about whether he borrowed elements from Paprika or knew director Satoshi Kon?

Christopher Nolan consistently stated, "I have never seen the Japanese anime Paprika, nor do I know Satoshi Kon!"

"Then why are several scenes in Inception over 90% similar to those in Paprika?"

"Satoshi Kon is battling cancer and is receiving treatment in the hospital. Director Nolan, won't you give him an explanation?"

...

"Is Satoshi Kon really dying?" Charles lay on the bed in the vacation villa in South Lake Tahoe, listening to Phyllis Jones's phone call.

"Yeah, it's cancer, late stage, now it's critical," Phyllis Jones was very certain over the phone.

"No wonder," Charles noticed that Christopher Nolan was facing considerable criticism recently,

"But it doesn't seem to affect Inception's box office much. Warner Brothers really spared no expense promoting Nolan's film!"

Ivanka Trump, lying in Charles's arms, saw Charles discussing company matters again, and promptly kissed his chest, going down.

"Boss, we can guide the Japanese media to raise a voice, put the focus on Satoshi Kon. He has previously voiced a desire for fair treatment..."

Charles suddenly took a deep breath, reached out, and placed a hand on Ivanka's head, "It can be done. Push out the news of Satoshi Kon's near-death as much as possible. Even if we can't label Nolan a plagiarist, people should know he definitely copied!"

After hanging up the phone, after a while, Ivanka lifted her head, licked her lips, "Inception is obviously plagiarism, no one said anything about it?"

In the past few days, Charles and Ivanka specially watched Inception, but Ivanka seemed to prefer the Minions in Despicable Me!

"Selective perception. How can Hollywood matters be called plagiarism? That's coincidence!" Charles said while massaging the back of the girl.

"Yeah," Ivanka didn't care much, "Recently, it seems Universal Orlando Resort's traffic has been incredibly high. They're all heading to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?"

"Correct, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter became the most popular spot as soon as it opened. Once Transformers and Marvel World open, it should continue to attract visitors," Charles, despite his discontent with J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, had to acknowledge the results.

"Alright, I need to get back to New York and meet with the golf course designer for the Blue Demon course redesign," Ivanka said, getting out of bed, "I'll return when Jerry Brown's formal campaign begins."

"It's almost August, I need to check on my team as well," Charles got out of bed too, "In November, I'll join you in Las Vegas for your birthday!"

"Sure..."

...

After Ivanka flew back to New York, Charles didn't return to Los Angeles right away. Instead, he stayed in San Francisco, because Nomura Securities' CEO, Shinji Uchiyama, and Lily Ying had come to San Francisco.

"The exchange rate dropped to around 1:1.19. We invested a total of $3.5 billion," Lily Ying introduced with a smile at the West Pacific Union Bank's San Francisco office, "Nomura Securities invested $3.3 billion, yielding about $800 million, paying us $320 million in commissions. We invested about $200 million, and the yield was roughly $49 million. After taxes, etc., our net profit is also over $250 million!"

Charles nodded, "So Nomura Securities' yield also exceeds $300 million, and now the dollar to yen exchange rate has fallen below 90. Nomura Securities can make another profit in the forex market. No wonder Shinji Uchiyama reacted like seeing his own father when he saw me!"

Lily Ying laughed, "It's all from the European market anyway. Besides, Nomura Securities also provided a 50 billion yen loan to Universal Studios Japan."

"Indeed, now the euro is starting to appreciate, we can stockpile more!"

"That's good, I already have over EUR560 million in liquid assets. Now that Arsenal is selling players, the club isn't short of money," Charles also gave Lily Ying a substantial commission, $20 million.

The 3D animation market and movie-themed resorts were skyrocketing. Plus, with streaming service Netflix that Charles planned early on, couldn't Capet Universal unify Hollywood's future?

*****

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