[Chapter 279: No Rush, Let's Play a Little]
Charlie crossed his legs and looked very relaxed as he gulped down water, laughing, "In business partnerships, you never get favorable treatment by playing it low-key. Our usual strategy is to offer a better future to get the other side to give us a break. What's their ultimate goal?"
Pierre thought for a moment. "Maybe to swallow us up or completely control us. Always keeping the upper hand in the cooperative competition, suppressing us."
"Exactly!" Charlie chuckled lightly. "When our ambition is written all over our faces and we keep breaking through blockades, almost ready to soar free, there's no way they'll keep looking at us with confidence and ease. In such a situation, our choice is to crazily show our strengths to the world, create huge advantages in public opinion, and attract countless resources from the public."
"Also..." Charlie smiled softly, "a few subtle but effective moves on the side to prevent them from fully uniting. I've actually been doing that from the start, though the details vary. Now, can you guess when the Big Six will fully unite tightly?"
Pierre pondered seriously for a while. "Maybe our horrific box office this year already forced them to unite?"
Charlie shook his head. "Strictly speaking, never!"
Pierre was speechless.
The boss was an excellent film producer, but why did he always think with such a serious scientific mindset?
It was just a little fun philosophical question; it shouldn't be here in this conversation.
Looking at Pierre's frowning face, Charlie laughed heartily, "Alright, no kidding. In my understanding, for the Big Six to cooperate to some extent is tight unity, right? First, a union-wide strike stopping any projects. Second, a unified federal government pressure on the media and film industry. Lastly, a foreign country's film industry fully invading Hollywood, trying to dominate all American film, entertainment, and media. Until it's do or die, there's always visible gaps inside."
Pierre summarized in his own words happily, "So, boss, you think Lion Corleone's situation is actually quite decent?"
"Yes, everything's thriving. The hardest times for a company group are at startup and at the peak. I should also correct one point. Life and death means that the guillotine is already hanging over your head."
Charlie frowned, thought for a long time, and said slowly, "That's generally it. But just take it as interesting talk; things are relative, and it's hard to find universal truths.
Alright, let's forget the boring topics. Just follow your instincts. Saw comes out in November, right?"
Pierre listened attentively like a student at first but rolled his eyes slightly at Charlie's last sentence. The boss sounded like a real godfather, rambling mysteries that made heads spin.
Luckily, when they moved to specifics, Pierre shook his head and said, "Yes, the Saw project was completed by Mr. James Wong a few days ago. Lions Gate Studios delivered the project fully to Mafia Distribution. The plan is to release it on Halloween."
"Show me the progress on Michael and Fox negotiations," Charlie said.
Pierre stood and got the organized fax materials from the desk.
Charlie held a corner and read carefully.
---
The data showed no progress.
Corleone's proposal of a limited 5-year deal on some projects, excluding Southeast Asia and the UK, was rejected completely.
Disney and Fox teamed up, planning to divide Lion Corleone's international distribution rights.
They even made outrageous demands, wanting to co-develop Harry Potter and the bedtime story series of films.
Michael's assistant was very professional, filtering the negotiation records.
Pierre and his clerks organized the data, clearly showing the other side's extremely tough attitude.
They demanded to completely terminate all cooperation except Horror Theme Park, including TV network distribution and media partnerships.
These words clearly conveyed they didn't want to loosen the ropes tied to Lion Corleone but wanted to tighten them even more.
Lion Corleone had no choice. Not just them -- no Big Six member could fully break ties.
This wasn't child's play; just because you're bullied doesn't mean you stop playing with others.
If you want to in, you have to keep playing with others. Otherwise, alone, stepping back, your friends won't see a future for your ambition and will retreat too.
Once you're in the arena, you're not in control of yourself!
Charlie looked down at the paperwork and asked, "How about negotiations with Kerkorian?"
During the board meeting, Charlie suggested using MGM-United Artists to break the deadlock -- i.e., United International Pictures.
On one hand, these three, or even the Big Five, directly or indirectly, would get a portion of Lion Corleone's international distribution rights. Everyone having a piece meant no one truly controlling it.
This maintained solid channels to keep developing projects and blockbusters. Inside the company, executives, shareholders, and industry peers still trusted Lion Corleone.
On the other hand, through United International Pictures, they could establish future international distribution channels.
Charlie was always too greedy, always thinking so far ahead.
But Pierre shook his head, "No. MGM-United Artists only gave verbal promises, saying Kerkorian's health was not good recently."
Charlie rolled his eyes.
Nonsense. That old man eats, drinks, plays ball, and has women around.
This old guy truly had patience.
MGM-United Artists was running on fumes. The Big Six hated them deeply and would never allow the Big Seven or Eight again.
Their internal situation was terrible, with huge debts, like pouring gasoline on a fire, yet still had time to tangle with him.
Charlie understood Kirk's intentions clearly.
They wanted Lion Corleone to attract the Big Six's battle power but feared Lion Corleone getting too strong and no longer needing MGM. Plus, they wanted to swallow Lion Corleone themselves by revitalizing MGM.
Charlie negotiated back and forth, hoping Kirk would provide resources and influence, becoming a good friend like other shareholders who couldn't dictate terms.
At the same time, Charlie had his own plans to swallow MGM-United Artists' film library and resources.
If memory served, after Kirk's third play, MGM-United Artists would cash out and retreat, losing its influence in the film industry forever.
The old man wasn't in a hurry, and neither was Charlie. Let's just play with them for now.
*****
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