Chapter 905 A Panda Who Knows Kung Fu
The next day, the two sides started a new round of negotiations.
After a week of bargaining, the two parties finally reached an agreement: Xijing Investment will acquire DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation for US$1.9 billion, of which US$975 million will be paid in cash, and the remaining US$925 million will be paid by Xijing Investment to DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation. 925 million in debt.
The news spread quickly, and major media outlets in the United States rushed to report on it. Among them, "Entertainment Weekly" commented: Universal Pictures' years of hard work and emotional cultivation are not worth investing in an afternoon tea in Xijing, at Fang Minghua's estate in Amber Mountain. , talking and laughing, this huge deal was easily concluded.”
Of course, NBC TV station said in a more exaggerated tone: "Be careful! The Chinese are coming! This time they enter Hollywood, not the actors but their capital."
DreamWorks executives and members of the negotiation team held a cocktail party to celebrate, and Wu Tianmin was also invited to attend. As the vice president of Film and Television and general manager of North America, he was not involved in the acquisition of DreamWorks.
Phillips, the president of Xijing Investment, was invited to participate. After all, he was acquiring DreamWorks in the name of Xijing Investment.
Of course there is Fang Minghua.
The cocktail party was held in the lobby on the third floor of the hotel where the negotiation team stayed. Everyone was beaming with joy and drinking wine.
Fang Minghua was wearing a black suit and holding a cocktail while chatting with Spielberg. Next to him was David Geffen, who was over 60 years old.
"Mr. Spielberg, you are also asked to direct the "Harry Potter" movie." Fang Minghua said.
Spielberg sighed deliberately: "I thought I could escape. It seems I can't escape."
"This shows that you have a fate with Harry Potter." Fang Minghua said with a smile.
"That's right, don't worry about fate, I will take the picture well."
"I believe it. Come on, I wish you a great box office success." Fang Minghua raised his wine glass and the three of them clinked.
Fang Minghua then said to David Geffen: "Mr. Geffen, the development of "Harry Potter" peripherals and derivatives depends on you."
David Geffen immediately said: "Don't worry, this is a cash cow, and DreamWorks' turnaround depends on it!"
Fang Minghua smiled slightly. David Geffen could see this clearly, but in terms of economic benefits, the box office revenue was far less than those of these peripherals and derivatives.
In fact, up to now, Shengshi Film and Television and DreamWorks have not started negotiations on co-producing "Harry Potter", but anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is a certainty.
Both companies basically belong to Fang Minghua, what's there to talk about? It’s just some specific cooperation details.
At this time, a man in his early fifties with thinning hair also came over holding a wine glass. It was one of the three giants of DreamWorks: DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
In previous negotiations, Katzenberg made a request: DreamWorks Animation continues to exist independently as a subsidiary of DreamWorks, and Fang Minghua agreed.
From the bottom of his heart, he has no intention of canceling DreamWorks Animation. This is a trump card against Pixar Animation and even Disney in the future, and it must be strengthened rather than weakened.
When Katzenberg saw Fang Minghua, he asked: "Mr. Fang, when will the 100 million yuan you promised to DreamWorks be available?"
Fang Minghua smiled and said, "Tomorrow."
According to Fang Minghua's promise during the negotiation, after purchasing DreamWorks, Xijing Investment immediately injected $300 million into it, of which $100 million was directly given to DreamWorks Animation.
Katzenberg immediately beamed: "That's great! I will restart "Shrek 2" tomorrow!"
"Katzenberg, you are too anxious." Spielberg joked: "I remember you were on vacation recently."
"Starting tomorrow, vacation ends!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
At this time, Spielberg said again: "Katzenberg, after filming "Shrek 2" is completed, what are you going to film?"
Katzenberg was a little confused and didn't understand why Spielberg asked this.
Spielberg added: "Our current boss, Mr. Fang, is an excellent writer and screenwriter. Don't you want to ask him for materials or scripts?"
Oh?
Is this old boy Spielberg planning to conquer our army?
Katzenberg also understood and immediately asked Fang Minghua about the company's follow-up shooting plans. Fang Minghua had no choice but to reply: "Originally, I wanted to discuss this matter when we have a meeting in the future. Since Spielberg mentioned it, I will share my thoughts."
At this point, Fang Minghua paused: "I heard that the Atlanta Zoo has a panda donated by the Chinese, right?"
"Yes, her name is Lun Lun. She is very cute and round. She is very popular in the United States. My little granddaughter even asked me to take her to Atlanta to watch it." Katzenberg replied.
"Well, indeed, pandas are also very popular in our country." Fang Minghua replied, and suddenly the conversation changed: "Katzenberg, besides pandas, what else is very popular in your country?"
Katzenberg was stunned. He didn't know what medicine Fang Minghua was selling in his gourd.
"Kungfu! (Kung Fu)!" David Geffen suddenly said, holding a wine glass in one hand and posing like a white crane with its wings spread out, and everyone suddenly laughed.
This old man is quite interesting.
"How about a panda who knows kung fu as the protagonist of the animation?" Fang Minghua answered with a smile.
"KungFuPanda?" Katzenberg's eyes lit up.
As a senior animated film producer, he deeply understands the importance of an excellent animated character to a film.
Think about it.
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
A silly giant panda performs Chinese Kung Fu every move. How interesting is that image?
"Mr. Fang, after I finish filming "Shrek 2", I will film "Kung Fu Panda"! You must write the script for me!"
"Hey, my subordinate has spoken, and I, the boss, have to listen." Fang Minghua said with a deliberate sigh.
The three of them laughed again.
After the reception, Shengshi Film and Television, headed by Wu Tianmin, started licensing negotiations with DreamWorks for the "Harry Potter" movies and surrounding derivatives.
This time, Fang Minghua persuaded Song Tangtang not to participate and let her return to San Francisco. She had been busy for so many days and was really tired and needed a good rest.
Song Tangtang did not refuse and took a flight back to San Francisco the next day.
Fang Minghua did not go back. Although the acquisition was settled, DreamWorks' internal adjustments were urgent. In this regard, he, the boss, could not be the boss.
In addition to detailed discussions with the Big Three, Fang Minghua also established middle-level leaders in the DreamWorks department to listen to their opinions and suggestions.
Finally, senior leaders were convened to decide the future reform direction of DreamWorks.
Increase the production and production of movies, cartoons, and TV series, immediately stop investment in records, books, toys, and consumer products, shrink the front line, and the departments involved must also be rescinded and adjusted. The layoffs must be unambiguous.
At the same time, a new design department is added, which is responsible for the design and development of "Harry Potter" peripherals and derivatives.
In the future, the development and production of "Harry Potter" peripherals and derivatives will be one of DreamWorks' three major products, along with movies and cartoons.
This afternoon, an organizational adjustment plan was held, which was implemented by DreamWorks CEO David Geffen.
Naturally, some people are happy and some are worried about these reform measures, but these are not what Fang Minghua has considered.
He was sitting in his office thinking about something, and suddenly something occurred to him. He picked up the phone on his desk and called David Geffen.
"David, please come to my office."
Within a few minutes, David Geffen came to Fang Minghua's office: "Mr. Fang, what's the matter?"
"Please sit down."
Fang Minghua pointed to the sofa next to him.
When David Geffen sat down, he said: "How much do you know about Marvel?"
(End of chapter)