Obviously, led by JAY-Z and Braun, a group of people is uniting to stop the rapid expansion of Leon's business empire.
Street Jesus either withdraws his tentacles or faces suppression from all sides.
The scope of suppression might not be limited to business but could also include physical destruction.
JAY-Z paid a heavy price to get rid of the negative impact of Diddy's arrest, donating $10 million in political contributions to the New York Democratic Party in one go.
However, this is just the beginning, far from the end. He has been completely controlled by Senator Charlie, like a dog on a leash.
This kind of political donation is like ancient annual tribute or tax; it's indispensable every year.
Every time JAY-Z thinks of this, he grinds his back molars in anger. He still hasn't fully figured out the undercurrents behind "Diddy's arrest," but it definitely has something to do with Leon.
After returning to New York, Leon has been trying to communicate with Sony Music executive Saburo Kitano, hoping the other party can help connect with SIE President Shuhei Yoshida.
Obviously, the Japanese learned the essence of the ancient art of "Tai Chi" (dodging/delaying) from their Eastern Big Brother. They neither refused nor agreed immediately.
Leaving a sentence "I'll think about it again" and then no follow-up.
This situation lasted until September 20th. Leon lay on the swivel chair with a worried face. He had entrusted this matter entirely to Phil, who had a good relationship with Saburo Kitano.
If there is still no result, he must adjust his strategy by the end of September at the latest and find another way regarding IP.
"Damn it..." Leon spun the Knicks championship ring on his hand and cursed.
Most Japanese companies are extremely cautious about IP authorization, always worrying that partners earn more from IP than themselves.
On the other hand, they must be cautious and cautious when doing business with their American Daddy; they have really been harvested too much.
The 1980s was the golden age of Japan. At that time, "the Japanese economic system is superior to the European and American style, and Japan is the center of the future world economy" almost became a global consensus.
After 1965, the trade balance between Japan and the United States reversed. The United States had a deficit in payments to Japan, and the deficit expanded all the way, causing discomfort to the United States.
Facing the strong rise of its "son," its "American Daddy" naturally didn't want to see it.
So in 1985, the Japanese were forced by their American Daddy to sign an agreement known to later generations as the "Plaza Accord."
The core content of this agreement is only one: Japan agrees to the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar.
On the surface, the depreciation of the US dollar against the yen seems to be a manifestation of the strong yen, but in reality, it is not so beautiful. In 1987, Japan's per capita GDP surpassed the United States. Tokyo land prices once exceeded 10 million yen per tsubo. Impressionist painter Van Gogh's Sunflowers was bought back to Tokyo for 5.82 billion yen.
The Japanese watched the yen in their hands become more and more valuable, while the large amount of real estate they hoarded in the United States depreciated greatly, so they chose to sell one after another.
Selling caused a stampede; the harder they sold, the less valuable it became.
At this time, the Yankees entered the market again to acquire real estate, harvesting the Japanese clearly back and forth. They still have lingering fears today.
Click—Just when Leon had a headache, the office door was pushed open.
Phil sat on the sofa with blurry eyes; the smell of alcohol on his body could be smelled from three meters away.
Leon looked down at his watch. It wasn't even 11 AM yet. He couldn't help sighing: "It's a miracle that God hasn't taken you away yet..."
"Hmph, because God has the ability to see through vanity. He understands my true spiritual world. Those guys hiding under masks, devils walking in the world often act in the name of God." Taking advantage of the alcohol, Phil replied.
"I should have reminded you not to come near my office when drunk."
Leon knocked heavily on the table with his fingers. The crisp sound brought back some rationality to the other party.
"I did it all for you... Look what I brought you?" Phil said, "The Japanese matter is settled. Kitano will personally come forward to talk to Shuhei Yoshida, allowing us to get Sony's IP authorization at the most favorable price!"
"Really?" Leon felt it was too good to be true. Phil settled this matter in just two days.
If Shuhei Yoshida is willing to cooperate, it not only means that Sony's classic IPs such as Men in Black, Spider-Man, and God of War have the opportunity to show their faces in Ready Player One.
Relying on his influence in the industry, Tsuburaya Productions, the Japanese tokusatsu company that created the historical classic Ultraman, is unlikely to refuse authorization.
"Very good, how did you do it?" Leon calmed down slightly and lit a cigarette.
He previously asked Bonnie to send emails to Saburo Kitano, but got ambiguous replies.
For this reason, he even personally hinted on the phone that he was willing to pay the other party $200,000 as a "consultation fee."
But still failed to move the Japanese.
"Money is not omnipotent. Those Japanese don't lack money at all. Kitano holds a large amount of Sony stocks and owns more than a dozen properties in Tokyo." Phil shook his finger. "To move a person, you have to know what his inner desire really is, and I am a master of insight into human nature."
Leon listened without saying a word with a cigarette in his mouth, quietly watching the old geezer posture.
The old geezer's words and deeds often appear contradictory. On one hand, he drinks excessively, swears constantly, and hangs out with cheap streetwalkers all day.
On the other hand, he once said that he donates to the Children's Charity Foundation every month.
Of course, Leon doesn't believe a single punctuation mark of these words. Only he knows whether he has done these things.
But judging from the surface alone, Phil indeed doesn't have much luxury consumption.
He earned at least millions of dollars from Apocalypse Music's business, but still drives that unremarkable Audi Q5 in New York.
At the same time, he firmly resists all behaviors that inflate the market price of sex services, only eating cheap seafood near Manhattan Beach.
"Don't keep me in suspense; I really want to hear it." Leon said.
"It's very simple. You have to know that although these Japanese don't lack money, they are not happy in the US. They feel they have never received respect." Phil spread his hands. "I took him to the craziest nightclub in Brooklyn and booked all the white girls there."
"You settled him with just women?"
"I let those white girls lie on the ground, crawling at Kitano's feet like treating a king. No matter what he wants to do tonight, they can't resist," Phil said with a smile. "I handed him two whips and gave those two whips cute names respectively, one called 'Little Boy' and one called 'Fat Man'. You can't imagine his expression when waving the whip..."
"You are a genius." Leon couldn't help giving a thumbs up.
Kitano was bewitched by Phil's magic, and what happened later followed logically.
He soon got drunk in the pleasure of domination, accepted the $300,000 consultation fee, and patted his chest promising to settle his brother-in-law.
After Phil left, Leon took a nap in the office as usual.
At 2 PM, James Wan came to Apocalypse Music at the agreed time. Besides a female assistant, there was a tall bearded man beside him.
Deep eyes, tall figure, full beard, looking just like Sean, full of geek temperament all over.
"The Ultraman series IP is half settled." Leon greeted James Wan and his party to sit down and instructed Bonnie to hand everyone a cup of coffee.
"Great, I can't wait to show my skills." James Wan waved his fist excitedly. He had waited for this moment for a long time.
A Chinese director getting the opportunity to direct a big-budget sci-fi movie; except for Ang Lee who won the Oscar, no one has done it yet.
"The most important thing next is the leading role issue. We don't need any big-name actors. Jeff suggested we hold an audition event." Leon said.
Although Ready Player One spends huge amounts on CGI special effects, the advantages are also very obvious.
It doesn't need a luxurious cast lineup to boost the box office, and even doesn't need many actors in the whole movie.
There are fewer than thirty characters needing live-action performance in the film, saving at least tens of millions of dollars in actor salaries compared to traditional commercial films.
"No problem, I try not to interfere with actor casting, especially the leading actress." James Wan revealed a wicked smile.
Rumors about Megan Fox, Amber Heard, and other female stars flirting with Leon to get this role can be seen everywhere in tabloids.
Sleeping with actresses is an implicit power of film investors.
"The audition matter may have to be handed over to your team. Apocalypse Pictures lacks professionals." Leon said, "I will let Lion's Den Media cooperate with you as much as possible to do a good job in publicity."
"No problem." As an experienced director, arranging such an event like an audition is simply a piece of cake for him.
But he always felt something was wrong. After hesitating for a while, he still spoke his thoughts: "Want to hear my suggestion?"
"Of course."
James Wan cleared his throat and said: "If you want to develop in the film industry, a professional team is essential. Apocalypse Pictures must have specialized creative departments, production departments, post-production departments, marketing and distribution departments, as well as finance and legal departments. This is very important to you; you should understand what I mean, Leon."
"I understand."
Although the other party didn't speak too bluntly, the meaning between the lines was easy to understand.
Producing a CGI sci-fi movie with a budget of over $100 million has broken away from the scope of petty fights. It's not just about filming the movie well on set; scheduling and coordination outside the set are equally important.
Apocalypse Pictures must establish a complete management team; only in this way can it cope with the cumbersome work in the future.
"I lack professionals with relevant film industry experience around me. Can you think of a way for me, James?" Leon asked.
"Of course, no problem!" James Wan seemed prepared long ago, snapping his fingers. "As a friend, I am happy to do anything for you. Apocalypse Pictures is like my second home, the place where my life restarted... just..."
Listening to the other party bragging around the bush, Leon already knew what the other party would say next.
Might as well ask directly himself: "You want a guarantee, right?"
James Wan was stunned for two seconds, then whispered, "That's right. Listen, friend, I don't want to appear too greedy, but I have a hunch that after this movie is made, we can become a great company. Working with you always makes me feel comfortable..."
The theme going round and round is plainly profit. James Wan's ambition is no longer limited to box office sharing; he longs to get a part of Apocalypse Pictures' shares.
"No problem, I can transfer a part of the company shares to you. You don't have to pay a penny; just arrange lawyers and financial personnel to go through the motions at the tax bureau." Leon agreed immediately, surprising everyone.
"You're not joking, are you, Leon?" James Wan's eyeballs almost fell to the ground, not expecting it to be so easy.
"Of course, you are not only an outstanding artist but also my friend. You deserve more."
Leon's words moved James Wan into a mess, light flashing in the corners of his eyes.
Apocalypse Pictures is completely a shell now, with no administrative staff, and only one decent film Straight Outta Compton.
The movie has completely explained the story of N.W.A from establishment to destruction; there is almost no possibility of launching a sequel.
James Wan's joining will not only not shake Leon's interests but can empower this company instead.
He is proficient in every link of the movie from script to distribution, has a professional shooting team, and repeatedly creates box office myths.
This cooperation model is very common in the film industry. David Geffen, Spielberg, and Katzenberg co-founding DreamWorks is the most typical success story.
The three had a clear division of labor, undertaking every link of a movie from investment initiation to official shooting, and then to PR publicity.
Emerging from the gap between old film giants, becoming a force that cannot be ignored in the film industry in the 90s.
If he can firmly bind James Wan with Apocalypse Pictures by transferring shares, it is simply a huge win for Leon.
Because of joy, James Wan didn't refuse the cigar handed over by Leon. He, who never smoked, learned to smoke, choking into tears even without inhaling into the lungs.
After a transaction, both sides felt they won big.
Both sides verbally agreed that James Wan would occupy 10% of the adjusted Apocalypse Pictures shares and personally direct at least three movies within five years.
But there are regulations on dividend distribution. James Wan's shares can only participate in DVD sales and streaming revenue sharing, and cannot directly benefit from movie box office and IP licensing led by investors and the main creative team.
This dividend distribution method is not uncommon in partnership-based independent studios.
Wait until the lawyer team drafts the written contract, and the official signing can be done soon.
"This matter is worth a drink." Leon took a bottle of expensive-looking white wine from the wine cabinet and poured a glass for everyone.
James Wan never had the habit of drinking during the day, but this time he never thought of refusing.
His grin reached his ears, not expecting to complete the identity transformation from Party B to Party A in a few words.
"You mentioned to me before, it's best to invest in more low-budget horror films or drama films, actively participate in international film festivals to accumulate prestige for the company." Leon continued to attack while the atmosphere was happy, eager to squeeze more value from the other party.
"That's right, you must not underestimate horror films. They can easily create ten times or even hundreds of times the return."
"I never underestimate horror films." Leon clinked glasses with the other party and took a sip of wine.
The Saw and Insidious series both achieved huge success. James Wan completed everything from script to directing; he is a real horror film master.
Considering the long shooting cycle of Ready Player One, while horror films usually only take a few months to shoot.
If James Wan can pull out another high-quality horror film while shooting Ready Player One, then this 10% share transfer is already worth it.
Leon logically stated his thoughts, and James Wan agreed readily.
Creating value for Apocalypse Pictures is equivalent to creating value for himself.
"Just..." James Wan took a sip of wine and changed the subject: "We need more people with ability and ideas to join. Relying on one or two directors to fight alone won't work."
What he could think of, Leon had thought of long ago.
Even if James Wan's physical function is squeezed to the limit, shooting movies without sleep or rest for a year, he can only produce two, at most three movies a year.
Even if every movie produced is a masterpiece, it is difficult to make a splash in the highly competitive market. "Maybe you can introduce more capable young directors to join our big family. I fully trust your vision," Leon said.
"There is an outstanding young man right in front of you." James Wan said, "No... young is relative to me. In fact, he is much older than you."
"Who?" Leon looked around and finally rested his eyes on the reticent bearded man.
"Yes, Robert is a bit shy." James Wan patted the bearded man's shoulder. "This is Mr. Robert Eggers, one of the members of the Insidious series script team, and also a writer and designer. He alone is competent as a director, screenwriter, costume designer, and aesthetic consultant."
The bearded man hurriedly got up to shake hands, leaning forward, daring not look directly into Leon's eyes. "Hello... Mr. Leon."
"Don't be too restrained, Robert. Mr. Leon is not as difficult to get along with as rumored by the media." James Wan turned his head and said to Leon with a smile: "I didn't exaggerate a bit. Robert is very talented. To some extent, he is my student."
"I can see he is indeed very talented..." Leon shook hands with Robert, showing enough respect for this film all-rounder.
In his impression, it seems that every guy with a geek temperament has some extraordinary abilities.