A decade later, as the internet became increasingly developed, the doors of information blockade opened.
Thus, a popular meme emerged: Israel is America's father, and the Jewish People control America.
There is some truth to it, but it's not entirely absolute; it's mostly a jest.
Just as America is divided into two parties, the Jewish People are also divided into two major factions—Zionism and Diaspora Judaism.
Most of the Jewish People living in Israel are Zionists, and many ordinary Jewish People still live according to the tenets of Judaism.
On the American side, it's Diaspora Judaism, which is completely indifferent to Zionism. The only connection between the two sides is that they are all Jewish People.
Diaspora Judaism enjoys finance, public opinion, and high-tech internet, and is very resistant to its half-sibling, Zionism, who likes to engage in war.
After all, it is now a time of global peace, and war is despised. If Zionism is criticized, then I will also be implicated.
But what's interesting and contradictory is that the Anglo-Saxon military-industrial capital in the United States strongly supports Israel, hoping to profit from war through its 'little daddy.'
Anglo-Saxon capital supports the Republican Party, which is the conservative party, so the Jewish People of Diaspora Judaism support the Democratic Party, which is the liberal party.
As far as the current United States is concerned, the Diaspora Jewish People are mainly concentrated in two major areas: finance and media.
Finance goes without saying; the Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Goldman Sachs, Lehman, and other banking and financial groups all have their big hands in it.
In terms of media, there are old newspapers like New York Times and Newsweek, as well as some TV stations and entertainment news industries.
Overall, the Jewish People's influence in the financial sector far exceeds that in the media and public opinion sector.
Because times are changing, the print newspaper industry is rapidly declining and will soon exit the historical stage within three to five years.
Online media is an emerging force that the Jewish People cannot control. Google, Yahoo, and others are mercenary; they help whoever gives them money and traffic, essentially acting as mercenaries.
Compared to a decade later, the Jewish capital's control over public opinion is much weaker now, far from the extent of being able to block anyone they want in the future.
And Eric's opponents are a small group of these people. While they are very strong when united, they are far from invincible.
As long as he defeats them this time or fights them to a draw, these people will have to bow down and make way for him in Hollywood in the future.
The plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport. Eric did not leave with everyone else, but exited through a private channel.
This saved a lot of trouble, and many reporters who had been waiting for a long time ended up empty-handed.
Bale, Theron, Nicole, Ken Watanabe—
Now, Oscar Best Actor and Actress and other big-name actors are no longer effective. Without finding their target, these paparazzi dispersed.
Nicole smiled helplessly, "If it were before, we would have been asked questions for at least half an hour, and it might even have caused traffic jams."
Theron shook her head, "But now we don't even catch their eye. Everyone's attention is on Eric. I wonder if he has left."
Everyone was silent. Since the two statements were released yesterday, public opinion had exploded.
Especially within the Hollywood circle, big and small stars were all curious, waiting, gossiping, bewildered, and worried.
All of them had received calls from friends, wanting to inquire about insider information.
But they all remained silent. Nicole and Theron were feigning ignorance, while the others, although filming with Eric, clearly found this matter beyond their scope of understanding.
Online discussions were equally intense.
"Who can tell me what's going on? What's happening with The Big Six and MGM? It looks like they're about to fight!"
"It's not 'looks like they're about to fight,' they've already started. The fact that the statements were issued proves that they've discussed it many times privately, but the result must have been unsatisfactory to both sides."
"I don't understand. What exactly is going on? Because of Mel Gibson? I admit he's very talented, and I also like 'Braveheart.'"
"But he's just a rough old man in his middle age. Why would he become Helen? Are The Big Six and MGM going to launch a Trojan War for him?"
"Hahahahaha. This analogy is both vivid and apt. Mel Gibson is Helen, The Big Six are like the Greek allied forces led by Agamemnon and Menelaus, and MGM is like Troy, besieged for ten years."
"Ten years? Don't joke. Troy could withstand attacks for ten years without being breached because it's a myth. If MGM goes to war with The Big Six, it's questionable whether it can last a year, because we are in the real world."
"Agreed! I bet MGM will retract its statement within three days. Eric Cooper is too young; he thinks too highly of himself. This statement is like a crime of passion. He'll regret it immediately after he calms down, then retract it and apologize in one go."
"Eric Cooper is simply crazy to shelter Mel Gibson, that racist. He must be an anti-Semite too."
"I identify the commenter above as a radical Jewish Person. You always like to beat others with a moral stick, but never reflect on your own atrocities in the Middle East. Standing on the moral high ground all day, don't you feel cold?"
"The Jewish People use World War II as an excuse to disguise themselves as victims, as if the whole world owes them, but only Hitler and the Germans owe them. Other countries and peoples do not owe them."
"I hate hypocrites the most, disgusting!"
"I feel like everyone is misunderstanding something. MGM's development is very good. Why do you think that once war breaks out, The Big Six will crush MGM? Can't it be that MGM breaks through the encirclement and dominates Hollywood?"
"Haha. The internet is indeed a gathering place for fools. Look at MGM's stock price. Since that arrogant Eric Cooper threw out his statement, its stock price has been falling continuously. It has already dropped by almost 5%. This is a lesson for that self-important young man!"
"Perhaps hope is slim, but don't forget this is Hollywood, a place that produces cinematic dreams. In movies, the weak protagonist always overcomes powerful enemies, and audiences love such plots. Anyway, I really hope to see MGM take them down!"
"Yes, me too!"
"Me too."
"Just do it!"
While everyone was waiting for the drama to unfold, the heads of The Big Six also gathered at Disney CEO Michael Eisner's mansion.
"I'm a bit confused. Is this world changing too fast? Or is the young man too confident in himself?" Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer said with a chuckle.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer sneered incessantly. He truly hadn't expected to get a chance for revenge so quickly.
He had been criticized and humiliated because of Michael Jackson's matter, and this time he was determined to make the other party experience the same feeling.
"Gentlemen, let's discuss your thoughts. Many people are watching. Eric Cooper is openly opposing us. What should we do?"
The old men exchanged glances. Paramount CEO Brad Grey looked hesitant. He was the youngest of the six, only 46 years old this year.
Paramount and MGM had no grievances, and the transformers copyright dispute was merely normal business behavior in his eyes, so he was not very willing to get involved in this struggle.
Moreover, Paramount had been struggling for the past few years, with only the Mission: Impossible IP supporting it, placing it at the bottom among The Big Six.
So Brad Grey didn't want to and didn't have the energy to deal with these matters. What he needed to do most now was to revitalize the company.
"I think we should contact Xia Li Cooper. The kid is ignorant, but he's an experienced old helmsman. Just let him rein in his son."
Hearing this, Howard Stringer smiled without humor, "Brad, when did you become such an indecisive person? This isn't like the you I know."
"You can fire hundreds of employees at once, and they also have children, but you didn't give those people a chance."
"Moreover, Xia Li Cooper has officially announced his retirement. He can't control that kid Eric Cooper, that's obvious to everyone."
After being rebuked, Brad Grey also said sarcastically, "You're right. Otherwise, Eric Cooper wouldn't have been allowed to run wild, causing Sony's stock price to plummet by 8 billion, making many people look foolish and embarrassed."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Now MGM's stock price has only dropped by 5%. How can it compare to Sony?"
With his wound reopened, Howard Stringer immediately glared at the other party, while the other three sat back and watched the show.
Seeing this, Michael Eisner quickly stepped forward to stop them. "We are here to deal with others, not to fight among ourselves, even though the six of us have our own conflicts."
"Brad, Howard, we are here to discuss how to deal with MGM, not to argue."
"I hope everyone can unite their forces and crush MGM. It will benefit all of us."
"At least there will be one less competitor in the market. For over a year, you've seen how aggressive this lion has been."
"Brad, I know you're facing difficulties right now. As long as you cooperate well, Disney will lend you a sum of money."
"When?"
"Immediately!"
"Okay, then I have no objections." Having received a concrete promise, Brad Grey shrugged.
Michael Eisner nodded, "Alright, then let's all give our opinions. Since Eric Cooper wants to challenge us, as elders, it's time to teach him a lesson."
"Michael, a lesson can be given, but I hope no force will be used. I know you have deep connections."
"Of course, it's a civilized society now. Barbaric behavior no longer suits our status, doesn't it?"
"Preferably so. It's enough to hit Cooper's boy commercially. Don't forget Xia Li Cooper can also call people from Las Vegas. Equal damage is not advisable."
"Hmm, that's my thought too. Let me just briefly suggest that since we're dealing with Eric Cooper, the best way is to crush his company."
"My idea is very simple: gather everyone's strength to launch a joint attack on MGM, targeting every one of MGM's movies and every one of its TV series."
"Everyone should bring out their trump cards. We need to reschedule. There will certainly be some losses in the process, but everything will be worth it."
"This battle concerns the honor and prestige of our Big Six companies. I hope everyone can cooperate seriously!"
Hearing that they would use joint sniping tactics, the other five nodded in silent anticipation.
Generally speaking, competition between film companies involves sniping at each other's works, especially their meticulously prepared, high-budget A-list productions.
The specific operation involves releasing their own ace IP in the same slot as the opponent, thereby crushing the opponent at the box office.
When two films are released in the same slot, audiences naturally face a choice. Many people won't watch both films simultaneously, but will choose one.
Then audiences will consider various aspects of the film, such as its theme, special effects, and reputation. This includes many opportunities for manipulation, such as bribing critics and media to discredit the opponent.
However, this approach also faces a problem: the box office potential of the release slot is very large, and two major productions may not reach the carrying capacity limit.
This is related to the overall economic strength of the country, especially since the United States' economic strength is still number one in the world.
For example, if the box office cap for July is $3 billion, MGM releases a major production, and Disney also releases a major production, both films are expected to gross $500 million.
Even if other smaller company films are also competing, the huge potential is still enough for both MGM and Disney to be fully satisfied.
In such a case, even if the goal of sniping can be achieved, the effect is limited.
So, how can one achieve the sniping effect? Naturally, by bringing in several allies to snipe together.
If two aren't enough, The Big Six can all jump in, with seven major films simultaneously crowding into one release slot to battle it out. What would be the result?
Most likely, everyone would either not make money or lose money, thus achieving the sniping goal, which is akin to 'harming the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of one's own.'
However, MGM is only one company, while The Big Six are working together.
The former must fight constantly, while the latter is a relay battle. It's clear who has the advantage.
The happiest ones in the process will be the audience, who will enjoy a feast.
"Barry, what do you think?" Michael Eisner looked at Barry Meyer.
Barry Meyer nodded slightly, "I have no objection."
"Howard?"
"No objection."
"Brad?"
"I also have no objection."
"Rylin?"
"That's my thought too."
"Oliver?"
"I'll listen to you this time."
Michael Eisner smiled, "Good, then it's settled. I'm naming this plan 'Operation Leo'!"
Ring.
No sooner had he finished speaking than his phone began to ring. He picked it up and saw it was his secretary.
The call lasted a long time. Michael Eisner was first puzzled, then his expression suddenly changed after a while.
"Michael, what happened? You don't look so good."
The old man frowned deeply, "MGM has news again. So this is why Eric Cooper wants to go to war with us."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Michael Eisner turned on the TV and randomly skipped to an outdoor program.
In New York, Times Square, on a huge screen, Lionheart Network's advertisement was playing.
A male lion was seen running across the screen. It traversed jungles, crossed rivers, spanned canyons, and finally charged to the highest peak, letting out a thunderous roar towards the vast sky!
"Roar for your dreams!"