Chapter 70: Nobody Believed In It

[Chapter 70: Nobody Believed In It]

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

After acquiring Mafia Distribution Company, financial calculations showed that Fifty Shades of Gray could bring the company total revenue of about $43 million, including the $30 million from Fox.

Limited by Corleone Studios, Mafia Distribution Company's strength was too weak.

The $8 million share from the theater chain had only just been received today.

...

With this good news, Charlie, as agreed, led the team consisting of Gert and Melche to Morgan Law Firm, spending the entire day finalizing the cooperation agreement.

When parting, Kirk looked both excited and nervous, fixed his eyes on Charlie's, and shook his hand firmly. "Listen, Godfather, you better fulfill everything in the contract. If you can't acquire Death Row Records, I'm finished! I've bet everything, you know what I mean. I swear, if I'm played, I'll go crazy no matter what!"

"I will. I'll immediately form an acquisition team and start negotiations with Suge," Charlie replied with a smile, not caring about the old man's anxious demeanor.

...

Driving back to the company, Gert happily said, "Boss, your idea is really good. The distribution company is critical for a movie company's growth. There has been no progress from Pierza's side, not even a deal for Canadian distribution. Having a record channel open is a milestone."

Melche added, "Yes, many think Fifty Shades of Gray was just pure luck. With Mafia and Corleone combined, relying on it alone isn't enough to rapidly expand the distribution."

Charlie was in high spirits, slumping in his car seat and stretching.

He could enjoy a brief moment of relaxation and use this gap to write some novel outlines.

...

But the good mood was shattered upon returning to the office and seeing the pitiful Alicia.

She had gotten smarter; besides crying, she didn't cause a scene or lose control.

Charlie felt uneasy and wasn't interested in asking Will for help. He could only do his best to brush off this escort girl.

...

Meanwhile, Harvey started helping Corleone tackle the Lord of the Rings copyright issues.

In Miramax's president's reception room, Saul Zaentz, a Mediterranean balding man with a bushy white beard and small round glasses, reclined on a soft sofa casually flipping through documents.

He focused more on his conversation with Harvey, sounding surprised, "Do you really believe that kid's judgment on Lord of the Rings? Many in the industry mock him, paying $3 million to buy a worthless contract from the failing United Artists."

Harvey smirked with a cigar, "Who knows? If he succeeds, great. If he fails... the more he invests now, the harder he falls. Whether it's a bloody mess or complete disaster, I'm just looking forward to seeing it."

Saul laughed heartily, "How much commission did you take? Now you want to buy the remaining rights from me. As a friend, you gotta give me a better deal."

Harvey shook his head, "I signed a contract with him, these are all without commission."

"Oh really?" Saul was skeptical, "Harvey, we're old friends, I know your character."

"It's true," Harvey shrugged thoughtfully, "Honestly, I have a little hope that guy will succeed!"

Saul was incredulous, stunned a moment, "What magic does he have? He got you taking Eisner's wrath, yet you don't seem to hate him deeply?"

Harvey didn't answer but blew out thick smoke. "Who knows? The guy's interesting. If he were in a different industry, I'd think we could be close brothers."

Saul was baffled, gesturing wildly. "Alright then. If you say so. But becoming good friends with you? I don't think that street-kid can pull it off! What's his nickname, Godfather?"

The old man sneered, "Suddenly bursting into Hollywood, then suddenly getting into huge trouble. Industry friends are just waiting to watch the drama years from now. Eisner is eager to crush an ant."

Harvey's face was strange.

He hoped Charlie would succeed and give the top Hollywood powers a loud slap for the ordinary bottom layers like himself.

But often, those big shots cared nothing under huge interests.

And few would side with Harvey's so-called grassroots anger! Most regular people just took pleasure in dogs biting dogs.

At the same time, Harvey wanted to see that ugly-faced guy crash hard.

Shaking his head to dismiss those thoughts, he smiled, "Enough of that, Saul. What do you think about the project?"

Saul sighed with doubt, "Okay, I don't know what magic that kid has, but if you're willing, I'm somewhat interested in this true story project."

"Man, don't be that way with me. A true story about chasing the American Dream, and it's about a black man. You can't miss the rising anti-discrimination momentum, plus superstar Will Smith. This is a top-notch project."

Saul nodded eagerly.

Indeed, such a project was the holy grail in the independent production market. As soon as word got out, distributors, producers, and actors would flock to it.

Securing some copyright and partial production rights would bring enormous expected profits.

CAA didn't worry; agency companies bundling projects was their limit -- they couldn't participate in film production or distribution.

Not just CAA, even top big studios like Fox or Disney were constrained.

The tentatively named Stockbroker project's production contract was under Corleone Studios.

Now the other party showed sincerity and Saul would definitely join.

Saul pondered a while, "50% investment, 50% production share, and I want you to help convince CAA to give me 50% copyright!"

Harvey looked sincere, "Saul, we've offered plenty. $30 million cost, you investing $10 million means half the investment share. On production, Charlie wants Corleone Studios to hold the lead, as he intends to boost the company's reputation with this movie.

50% copyright is impossible! Will takes 60% copyright; CAA already agreed. This project can't go without him.

You only have 5%; I pushed hard to get that. They agreed to let you purchase it for $3 million for Charlie's sake."

"Then let that kid pay the $3 million," the old man looked kindly but greedily.

Harvey expressionless, stayed silent, quietly watching.

Saul was nowhere near as shameless as Harvey and Charlie. After a few seconds, he cleared his throat, "One million, five hundred thousand, one hundred thousand, fine. I gotta give Peter some compensation; we promised I'd accompany him producing Lord of the Rings."

This was sheer pretense, only fooling idiots.

But Harvey decided to take the $100,000 himself to do Charlie a favor.

Small money, big favor.

"Deal!"

After the negotiation, Harvey personally escorted Saul out, feeling like a heavy burden had lifted. With mixed feelings, he waited to see if Charlie would work a miracle or be shattered.

...

Back at the office, a fierce man stormed in despite the assistants' attempts to stop him.

He was a short young man with a big beard and long hair, looking furious. "Harvey Weinstein, what the hell is that damn Charlie Corleone thinking?

Who does he think he is? A 19-year-old kid developing a multi-million-dollar Lord of the Rings project? It's a massive joke.

And because of my deep love for Lord of the Rings, I convinced myself to play along with that kid, even prepared candies to keep him happy on set!

But after all I've done, what do I get? He won't even meet me and is avoiding me!"

*****

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