The city of Richmond in the northeastern part of San Francisco Bay.

Pixar's office at this time was located in an inconspicuous office building in this city.

Simon arrived at Pixar headquarters at two o'clock in the afternoon, but Jobs did not show up. The person responsible for receiving him was Pixar President Ed Catmull. This middle-aged man with glasses and a beard is the director of Pixar animation production software and rendering tools.

Main developer.

Before coming to San Francisco, Simon had actually heard that due to financial constraints, Jobs had just laid off Pixar employees after the New Year. At this time, there were less than 20 Pixar employees living in this office building.

The real owner didn't show up, and Simon didn't mind. He spent the whole afternoon carefully visiting a series of Pixar's technical achievements, including "Tin Soldiers", which John Lasseter had just started to prepare. This 3D animated short film not only won the Oscar

It won the Best Animated Short Film Award and was the inspiration for the later "Toy Story".

So it wasn't until after get off work time, when Simon was about to leave, that he said to Ed Catmull: "Ed, I made a suggestion to Steve Jobs to buy this company last year. This offer is still valid. You can tell him that any If he wants to sell Pixar, he can contact me."

We had a great time getting along with each other in the afternoon. Ed Catmull also felt that Simon was really interested in Pixar's technology. Hearing this, he said: "Simon, do you have to buy our company? If you just take a share, Steve

My husband should be very happy, and we can help convince him."

"This involves the issue of control," Simon shook his head and said, "I think Jobs definitely doesn't want to repeat his experience at Apple, and I personally do the same. Ed, you should have realized that I'm interested.

Jobs' purpose was to use Pixar's technology to produce 3D animations and develop CG special effects technology related to movies, but Jobs' purpose was to produce professional computers for animation production. Our two operating philosophies were completely conflicting."

After chatting for a while, Simon shook hands with Ed Catmull and others again, and left Pixar headquarters with Jennifer.

The main filming of "Basic Instinct" will take place in San Francisco. On Tuesday, several of the main creators of the "Basic Instinct" crew came here and spent two days confirming the location of the film. Brian De Palma and others have already returned.

Los Angeles.

Simon visited the Silicon Graphics headquarters in Silicon Valley in the morning, visited Pixar in the afternoon, and will fly to Park City, Utah tomorrow to attend the opening ceremony of this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"Run Lola Run" only became a blockbuster through the Sundance Film Festival last year with the strong support of Robert Redford. Redford even specially greeted him a few days ago. Whether it was a promotion or a personal relationship, Simon said

It's impossible not to support him.

Hilton Hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Jennifer returned to the living room with a pot of coffee, and Neil Bennett had already conducted an anti-eavesdropping check on the suite.

After enthusiastically helping Neil Bennett put various instruments into boxes, Jennifer poured Simon a cup of coffee, sat down on the sofa next to him, and said, "This is very much like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder is better than being bugged. I feel uncomfortable when I think of those little things in the Plaza Hotel suite," Simon said, putting down the documents in his hands, clapped his hands towards the female assistant, and said: "Here."

Jennifer's face turned red and she refused: "No, I'm not a kitten. Besides, it's time for you to call my dad."

Simon didn't force himself, he picked up the phone with a smile and dialed the number of Raybould's house.

It was already past eight o'clock in the evening in New York, and the call was quickly connected. Simon and James chatted about New World Entertainment.

New World Entertainment's stock price rose again today compared to yesterday's high of $15. It closed at $16.75 in the afternoon, and its total market value has exceeded $400 million. Simon could no longer afford it now, so he discussed it with James on the phone again.

Simon made a decisive decision to liquidate all New World Entertainment stocks in Westeros Corporation.

The fundamental purpose of Simon's acquisition of New World Entertainment is Marvel, and the company's film and television entertainment assets are secondary.

Since a group of people have come together to slaughter the fat sheep, Simon's wisest choice now is to withdraw immediately. If he keeps holding the 7% shares of New World Entertainment, the company's stock price will only continue to be strong, and may even be

Let New World Entertainment survive the most difficult period ahead.

Once this happens, it will be even more difficult for Simon to get Marvel.

All New World Entertainment shares held by Westeros are unrestricted tradable shares. Therefore, although the shareholding ratio exceeds 5%, it is not subject to the SEC's shareholding reduction restrictions.

Early the next morning.

After the Westeros Company publicly announced the reduction of its holdings in accordance with SEC regulations, it immediately began to sell its shares.

Simon arrived in Park City at around 11 a.m. local time in Utah. Janet had also arrived and rented an apartment at the last resort. The woman had been busy decorating the Fifth Avenue apartment in New York some time ago. At this time

Returning to the West Coast is mainly to attend the 45th Golden Globe Awards ceremony to be held next Saturday with Simon.

The opening ceremony of the Sundance Film Festival still starts at 1 p.m.

After Simon arrived in Park City, he briefly settled in and rushed to the Park City Egyptian Theater where the opening ceremony was held.

Due to the great success of "Run Lola Run" at the Sundance Film Festival last year, Park City was obviously much more lively this year. If Robert Redford hadn't made arrangements in advance, Simon and the others might not even be able to squeeze into the packed Egypt.

theater.

During some chats in advance, Simon also learned from Redford that compared to last year, the number of films submitted to the Sundance Film Festival this year has doubled.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the number of screening halls used for screenings of participating films in the next ten days is no longer the mere three last year, but has increased to 10. Park City does not have so many screening halls, and many of them are

Temporary reconstruction. It is said that some films that were not shortlisted also built their own screening halls. It is expected that the film festival will attract the attention of the media and film producers.

After the opening ceremony, the opening video this time is also quite important.

"Love in Prague" is adapted from Milan Kundera's novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" and stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche. Because of the producer of "Love in Prague" Saul Zahn

Zi holds the copyright to "The Lord of the Rings", and Simon has noticed this movie some time ago.

"Love in Prague" is confirmed to be released on February 5 and will be distributed by Orion.

To promote the film, Saul Zaenz and other main creators also came to Park City.

After the opening ceremony of the film festival, everyone rushed to the Sundance Institute headquarters located at the foot of the ski resort to attend the official opening party of the film festival. Simon met Saul Zaenz under the introduction of Robert Redford.

Saul Zaenz is in his sixties, has a thick white beard, habitually purses his lips, and looks a little unsmiling.

This well-known Hollywood producer started out as a record company in his early years. In 1975, he participated in the production of the first movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", which won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and other awards. In 1984

"Mozart" once again attracted the attention of Hollywood with its outstanding results of 8 out of 11 Oscar nominations.

For Hollywood filmmakers, being able to produce two Oscar-winning films in their career is definitely an honor that can last a lifetime.

at the party.

After introducing each other, Saul Zaenz said: "Simon, I know you are very interested in "The Lord of the Rings", and I also heard that you have obtained the copyright of "The Hobbit". However, unless you can provide

A practical production plan. Otherwise, I will not hand over the copyright of "Lord of the Rings" to you."

Simon and Saul Zaenz stood in the corner of the hall together. Hearing this, he shook his head and said, "Saul, if I can't get the copyright, I definitely can't invest in developing this project in advance."

Saul Zaenz shrewdly said: "You could make The Hobbit first."

"But I prefer to make the "Lord of the Rings" series first," Simon said. He hesitated for a moment, looked at Saul Zaenz and said seriously: "Saul, I know you may not be short of money, and I also know

It may be a bit abrupt to say this. But to show my sincerity, what do you think of US$10 million?"

Although the party was a little noisy, Saul Zaenz fully heard Simon's quote.

$10 million?!

Subconsciously, he wanted to ask a question, but Saul Zaenz knew that he had heard correctly.

but.

How can this be.

The current price of the top novel or screenplay copyright in Hollywood is only around US$1 million, and Simon Westeros has directly increased the market price tenfold.

However, sensing that this young man was throwing money at himself, although Saul Zaenz wanted to show an angry expression, his face was mostly filled with surprise and disbelief.

No one in Hollywood would spend $10 million to buy the copyright of a novel, and few people in the world would do so. After all, $10 million is enough to make a very good movie in this era.

In fact, Saul Zaenz also heard the news that Simon had previously purchased the rights to the TV series "Charlie's Angels" with a huge amount of money. Although the specific transaction price was not disclosed, it certainly could not be the rumored US$10 million. Moreover, that transaction

It also includes the copyright for more than 100 episodes of the TV series. This is a real asset, but "The Lord of the Rings" is just a film and television adaptation right with an uncertain future.

After hesitating for a long time, Saul Zaenz still couldn't make up his mind to refuse directly: "Simon, I need to think about it."

"Of course," Simon nodded and said, "But, Thor, I hope to get your reply before the end of this weekend."

Saul Zaenz shook his head and said, "This is too urgent."

Simon insisted: "I don't want to wait too long."

Saul Zaenz hesitated for a moment and said: "Simon, since you have obtained "The Hobbit", you must know that this copyright actually also includes a fixed share clause, and the production company will need to pay for movies, TV shows, etc. in the future.

7.5% of net profits from all aspects go to the Tolkien Legacy Foundation."

Simon nodded and said, "I know."

Saul Zaenz said: "Then, if you want to get the copyright, I also need a sharing contract, at least 5%."

Simon refused without hesitation and said: "Thor, I have already paid 10 million US dollars, and it is impossible to give you another share. Maybe you will think that since Simon Westeros is willing to offer the sky-high price of 10 million US dollars, he must

Wouldn't mind paying a little more. But I can definitely guarantee that it's only $10 million, and it's only for this weekend. After the weekend, I'll calm down and start this thing from scratch. Also, if you agree to the deal,

We must also sign a confidentiality agreement and never disclose our transaction price."

After listening to Simon's words, Saul Zaenz couldn't help but make calculations in his heart.

If he cooperates with other film companies, Saul Zaenz understands that he can only obtain a copyright transfer price of about one million US dollars. Perhaps the sharing terms are easy to negotiate. However, even if it is based on a 5% net profit sharing

, the film company must earn more than 200 million US dollars before he can obtain a profit comparable to Simon Westeros's price at this time.

What's more, the Tolkien Heritage Foundation only took 7.5% of the net profit share. He just changed hands. It is impossible to talk about 5%, maybe only one or two percentage points at most. Considering the "Hollywood Ledger"

Factors, the chance that the future profit sharing will reach Simon Westeros’ current offer of US$10 million is even slimmer.

After a moment of silence, Saul Zaenz raised the wine glass in his hand to Simon and said, "Simon, I will give you an answer before I leave Park City."
To be continued...