Chapter 218: Honey Trap

[Chapter 218: Honey Trap]

In addition to calling Sherry Lansing, Michael Ovitz privately approached Robert Shaye, the president of New Line Cinema, and the Miramax brothers, Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

He argued that Link and Guess Pictures were being too greedy, taking a slice of the pie from their competitors and disrupting the established order of Hollywood. Ovitz hinted that he was interested in forming an alliance to take on Link and Guess Pictures.

Robert Shaye expressed that the rise of Guess Pictures didn't significantly impact New Line Cinema, stating that their interests didn't conflict, and he was not interested in getting involved in such matters. Harvey Weinstein questioned the benefits, pointing out that even without Guess Pictures, the Big Seven would pocket 90% of the box office. Even if this endeavor succeeded, it wouldn't clearly benefit Miramax.

Ovitz assured them he would be in touch with the Big Seven and promised to offer them certain resources once the deal went through. Weinstein didn't commit on the spot, saying he needed to think it over.

Seeing their lukewarm attitude, Ovitz dropped a hint that the Big Seven had already decided to team up against Link, intending to tear down Guess Pictures. Even if Shaye and Weinstein opted out, it wouldn't be wise to continue working with Guess to avoid becoming a target.

Both Shaye and Weinstein shrugged it off; as subsidiaries of Warner Bros. and Disney, respectively, they felt safe under their parent companies' wings. Regardless of their participation, it wouldn't affect them much. They made it clear they wished to remain neutral in this competition with the Big Seven.

Michael Ovitz accepted their stance and reached out to key clients under the Creative Artists Agency, including Steven Spielberg, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, George Clooney, and Tom Hanks. He informed them about the Big Seven's plans to gang up on Guess Pictures, urging them to be cautious about collaborating with Link.

Hollywood buzzed with the rumor that the Big Seven and CAA were planning to jointly boycott Link and Guess Pictures to stifle their rapid growth. Guess Pictures faced unprecedented challenges; the stakes were high, and bankruptcy was a real possibility.

...

"Tom, is this true?"

In her Beverly Hills mansion, Nicole Kidman pointed at a newspaper article about the crisis surrounding Guess Pictures, looking over at Tom Cruise with concern.

Cruise, lounging with his arms crossed and skimming through a new script, glanced at the paper and scoffed. "Absolutely. It's Michael Ovitz behind this. Last year, Guess Pictures' box office numbers were too staggering, posing a serious threat to the interests of the Big Seven. They couldn't just sit back and watch Link take their cake. They're gearing up to take him down, and it won't be easy street for him or Guess Pictures anymore."

Nicole furrowed her perfectly shaped eyebrows. "But recently, Vanguard Capital and J.P. Morgan helped finance Guess Pictures and became their shareholders. Would they really let the Big Seven just attack Link?"

"Why would you ask such a naive question? Vanguard Capital and J.P. Morgan aren't just shareholders of Guess Pictures; they also hold shares in the Big Seven. Because Link is too short-sighted and issued too little stock, both firms ended up with a meager amount compared to their stakes in the Big Seven," Cruise explained confidently. "Now that the Big Seven are planning to gang up on Guess Pictures, those investment firms won't interfere; in fact, they'd love to see it happen. Regardless of which side wins -- no, Guess Pictures is doomed. If they go under, box office profits revert to the Big Seven. They'll profit from this just the same."

Tom Cruise spoke passionately, his excitement palpable.

Hearing the word "naive," Nicole Kidman looked down, her lashes fluttering. "So, collaborating with Guess Pictures right now could be dangerous?"

"Of course! After this news broke, no company in Hollywood will want to work with Guess Pictures. Actors and directors will feel the same; Guess Pictures is finished," he declared confidently.

"Isn't Link going to fight back?" she asked, a hint of doubt in her voice.

"Fight back? Ha! With the Big Seven teaming up against him, what could he possibly do? What could he use to fight back?"

Cruise laughed darkly.

"He's a billionaire, worth over $1.5 billion," Nicole countered, her voice tinged with concern.

"Pfft! $1.5 billion? That's nothing here in Hollywood! The Big Seven are worth as much as tens of billions. In the grand scheme of Hollywood finance, $1.5 billion is just a blip. If he risks all his assets against the Big Seven, he'll end up with nothing, back to packing juice at the factory, ha!"

As Tom Cruise spoke with increasing glee, Nicole glanced at the newspaper again, nervously biting her lip. "Tom, my new movie project, To Die For, was recently dropped by Castle Rock Pictures, as you know. I wasn't expecting much, but yesterday, producer Liz Gross contacted me and said Guess Pictures is interested in picking it up, wanting me to continue as the leading lady. I accepted."

"What? You want to work with Guess Pictures?"

Tom Cruise jumped up, agitated, and faced Nicole Kidman. "How can you do this? After the betting incident, everyone knows I have a poor relationship with Link, and you, my wife, want to collaborate with him? Have you even considered my feelings as your husband?"

His frustration mounted, and everyone knew Link was a notorious womanizer; any actress who had worked with him had fallen victim to his charms.

Nicole Kidman, known as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, was not exempt from such attention.

There was no way Link, the playboy, wouldn't have ulterior motives toward her. Perhaps Guess picking up To Die For was Link's scheme to get closer to Nicole, even to seduce her. As Nicole's husband, Tom Cruise would never allow that lecherous man to succeed.

With her head bowed, Nicole blinked her long eyelashes, "Tom, To Die For is a significant film featuring a strong female lead, and the role suits me perfectly. It's a fantastic opportunity that I don't want to pass up."

"Don't say any more. No matter how you justify it, I won't allow you to collaborate with Link. You can find other roles -- hundreds of films come out every year in Hollywood, and there's bound to be a part perfect for you. You don't need to cling to one single film."

Tom Cruise spoke impatiently.

"I don't want to be a mere decoration in someone else's movie. I want to play beautiful roles that truly test my acting skills, just like those roles Link helped Monica Bellucci land. Sweetheart, you're way better than Link; you can certainly help me, right?"

Nicole lifted her gaze to meet Tom's, a teasing smile on her lips, a hint of mockery glimmering in her blue eyes.

"You!"

Tom's expression darkened, wanting to scold Nicole but failing to find the words.

*****

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