ps: Thank you to book friend ‘Lao Gan Daddy’ for your monthly ticket support, thank you very much!
This is the second chapter, there is another chapter tonight!
Chapter 769 New Line Cinema
…
After the waiter poured half a glass of red wine for Spielberg, he said: "Mr. Liu, you invited me out today just to treat me to a sumptuous lunch, right? And lunch at the Plaza Hotel in New York is not cheap.
!”
Faced with Spielberg's cold humor, Liu Dong smiled calmly, clasped his hands and placed them naturally on the white tablecloth, "Of course it's not just a lunch!"
After a pause, Liu Dong continued: "I have carefully considered your suggestion last night, and I decided to invest in the movie "The Lord of the Rings"!"
"real?"
Spielberg was surprised.※%※%,
This was not his first time soliciting investment for "The Lord of the Rings" directed by his friend, but among the many people he had invited before, Liu Dong was definitely the one who agreed the fastest.
"Of course!" Liu Dong nodded affirmatively.
"However, you have not actually investigated the details of the production of "The Lord of the Rings". Is it too hasty to decide to invest now?" Spielberg hesitated.
If he hadn't known about Liu Dong's special relationship with Del. Roosevelt and Donald Trump, Spielberg would never have said much at this moment.
"There is no need to investigate. I believe Mr. Spielberg's vision will definitely make you a good movie!" Liu Dong complimented.
"Haha, thank you for Mr. Liu!" Spielberg twitched the corner of his mouth and smiled slightly awkwardly.
In fact, he is not optimistic about "The Lord of the Rings" at all. Otherwise, let alone 40 to 50 million, he would have invested even 100 million!
But this situation must not be discussed with Liu Dong. Otherwise, the other party will think that he is cheating him, which is definitely not the result Spielberg wants to see.
Of course, Liu Dong also had some speculation about this situation. Otherwise, there were so many investors in Hollywood, and it would be impossible for them to extend an invitation to him, a stranger from the East.
Even if it weren't for the purpose of finding a new way out for Ivanka, and if she was familiar with Hollywood and could get started quickly, Liu Dong would never invest in any "Lord of the Rings" movies!
"By the way, I invite you to come over today. In addition to investing in "The Lord of the Rings", is there anything else you need help with?" Liu Dong said.
"What is it, please tell me? As long as it is within my ability, I will definitely not refuse!" Spielberg, who was feeling a little sorry for Liu Dong's trust, said quickly.
However, he was afraid that Liu Dong would put forward some conditions that he could not fulfill, so Spielberg still added a suffix!
"It's like this. When investing in movies, you must have a movie company, right? I happen to be quite interested in the movie industry. So I plan to acquire a good movie company...!"
"Acquiring a movie company?" Spielberg didn't expect that Liu Dong meant this.
"That's right!"
After Liu Dong nodded affirmatively, he continued: "However, because I am not in the film industry myself, and I don't know much about Hollywood, I hope Mr. Spielberg can help me and recommend a good hotel.
Independent Film Company!”
After listening to Liu Dong's words and thinking for a while, Spielberg said: "I don't know what kind of film and television company Mr. Liu wants. There are about six film companies in Hollywood that have formal office space, certain production capabilities and publicity capabilities.
There are more than a dozen! Some are worth tens of billions of dollars, while some are worth just a few million!"
"A market value of tens of billions?" After being surprised, Liu Dong shook his head, "Forget about tens of billions of dollars. I can't afford it now. Can you recommend me a film company worth no more than 150 million US dollars?"
Bar!"
Without a loan, US$150 million is the largest amount of idle funds Liu Dong can come up with. After all, there will be a Christie's auction to attend later. In order to ensure that he gets the Yuanmingyuan animal head, he will have to set aside tens of millions.
USD cash.
"$150 million?"
After thinking for a while, Spielberg said: "If Mr. Liu wants to buy a good film company, according to your conditions, I think New Line Cinema is a perfect fit!"
"New Line Cinema?"
"Yes, New Line Cinema is an independent production and distribution company established in 1967. At the beginning, it mainly distributed European and local low-cost horror films to American universities. In 1979, it entered the production industry and mainly invested in filming.
A low-cost horror film. In 1990, after purchasing the Hong Kong-Hong Kong Golden Harvest film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" from O, which it did not dare to distribute, and achieving great success, it became an independent film distribution company with widespread influence. In the late 1990s, it was
Before the acquisition by Warner Group, New Line had maintained a steady filming schedule and was profitable every year!" Spielberg said.
"It has been acquired?" Liu Dong frowned.
"Yes, but although New Line Cinema has been merged into Time Warner Group, it has always retained independent operating rights. Recently, due to the production of "Lord of the Rings", New Line Cinema's eo Bob Shaye and Time Warner Group
The top management of the company is very unhappy, and there are already faint rumors within Time Warner that it is selling off New Line! So, if Mr. Liu can come up with a reasonable price, I think it won’t be a big problem for you to buy New Line Cinema! In addition, if Mr. Liu can come up with a reasonable price, I think it won’t be a big problem for you to buy New Line Cinema.
, New Line Cinema is also the producer of "The Lord of the Rings"!"
After nodding thoughtfully, Liu Dong continued: "If I want to buy New Line Cinema, how much will it cost?"
"New Line Cinema's film library has approximately more than a hundred films, including horror classics such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Return of the Dead," and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," as well as "The Man in Disguise,"
With blockbuster movies such as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "Blade Runner" and "Rush Hour", the total assets should be around US$100 million. However, due to the production of "Lord of the Rings", New Line's debt is now relatively serious.
Reaching US$145 million! However, if Mr. Liu is willing to bear the debt, he should be able to buy New Line Cinema from Time Warner Group at a relatively low price!"
After thinking for a while, Liu Dong said: "It sounds good, but can Mr. Spielberg help me collect information about New Line Cinema? I want to decide this matter as soon as possible!"
"This is no problem!"
This couldn't be easier for Spielberg, one of the most famous film directors and producers in Hollywood, who controls DreamWorks and has been in the film industry for more than 20 years.
"Then I'll say thank you in advance!"
"Haha, Mr. Liu is too polite!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Dong took a sip from his wine glass and then smiled and said: "In addition, if I win New Line Cinema, I will officially enter Hollywood. If Mr. Spielberg's movie starts shooting, I will need investment."
When the time comes, we hope you can consider us!”
"There is no problem with this. If Mr. Liu is willing to invest, I will welcome it!" Spielberg agreed very happily, not only repaying Liu Dong's favor for agreeing to invest, but also being willing to expand his own network.
After all, the young man in front of him is not an ordinary person, but a wealthy man who has close connections with the top wealthy families in the United States.
"Haha, then I'm looking forward to good news!"
…
Spielberg acted quickly and made a phone call in the middle. By the time the three of them finished lunch and were about to leave, his assistant had already handed Liu Dong a detailed document about New Line Cinema.
"What do you think?" Liu Dong asked after returning to his residence and waiting for Ivanka to read the information.
"Without "The Lord of the Rings", this is a very healthy film company. It mainly shoots niche horror films and distributes outstanding foreign films. Although there has never been a super-grossing film, the company's business policy has always been very clear.
, profits can also be guaranteed! However, the investment in "The Lord of the Rings" has put a big burden on New Line. Even though we have invested 70 million US dollars, it still has not been released! If we take over later, I am afraid we will have to invest heavily!"
Seeing the worried look on Ivanka's face, Liu Dong smiled and comforted: "It doesn't matter if you invest some money, it's only tens of millions of dollars! However, there is a first time for everything, and New Line Cinema wants to develop in the future.
To grow, we can’t always make niche horror movies. In Hollywood, the audience for 100 movies is very large around the world, so we can’t determine whether it will make a profit or not before the movie is made!”
"That's right!" Ivanka nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay, you can think about how to successfully run a film company at home. I'll go out and contact you about the acquisition!" Liu Dong stood up as he spoke.
"Don...!" Ivanka said quickly.
"What's up?"
After some hesitation, Ivanka said: "After the company acquisition is completed, can I work as a deputy manager for a period of time? After all, I have no experience in the film industry. If I take the helm of such a large film company right from the start, I'm afraid.
I can’t do it myself! And I still have to finish my studies at Wharton, so I don’t have that much time to manage the company!”
Looking at Ivanka's anxious and hopeful eyes, Liu Dong smiled and nodded.
"Of course, no problem, honey! As long as you are happy, whatever you want is fine!"
"Hehe, Dong, I knew you were the best to me!"
With Ivanka's sweet kiss, Liu Dong walked out of the room, sat in the Porsche, took out his mobile phone and called Zhang Fan.