Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 527 Marvel Acquisition Progress

July 10, 7 p.m. Los Angeles time.

Fu Yibai's flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

Zhang Xinyu returned to China ahead of schedule as arranged by him, and did not bring any entourage on this trip to Los Angeles.

A black Cadillac Escalade was parked at the VIP exit of the airport.

Fu Yibai got into the car and gave an address.

The car weaved through the evening traffic of Los Angeles and entered Beverly Hills, stopping in front of Fu Yibai's villa.

Fu Yibai opened the car door, and the warm California breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers, rushed towards him.

The lights in the villa were on.

Fu Yibai entered the password and pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the villa, Anne and Scarlett were sitting on the sofa watching television.

Hearing the noise at the door, he looked towards the doorway.

"pay!"

Anne was the first to react, immediately getting up and lunging forward.

"pay!"

Scarlett followed closely behind.

As soon as Fu Yibai closed the door, before he could even speak, the two women rushed into his arms.

Annie cupped Fu Yibai's face in her hands and kissed him.

The kiss was passionate and urgent, carrying all the longing and desire that had accumulated over the past few months.

Scarlett waited for Annie to finish, then pushed her away and took Fu Yibai's embrace alone.

Fu Yibai tried to bring the situation under control, but the two women gave him no chance to catch his breath.

Scarlett kicked off her slippers and pulled Fu Yibai toward the middle of the living room.

"Why did it take you so long to come see us?"

Anne gently bit his lower lip, leaving a faint tooth mark.

"We won't let you get away with this."

The temperature in the living room continued to rise.

A thin layer of mist condensed on the glass of the floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the lights of Beverly Hills outside.

The madness of the night rolled from the sofa to the carpet, and then from the carpet to the big bed in the master bedroom upstairs.

That night, the two women channeled their months of longing, yearning, and loneliness into the most primal and passionate action.

It wasn't until 2 a.m. that the three of them collapsed, exhausted, onto the large bed in the master bedroom.

Annie rested her head on Fu Yibai's left arm, her cheek pressed against his chest, her breathing gradually becoming calmer.

Scarlett curled up to his right, one leg draped over his waist, her short, golden hair damp with sweat and plastered to her forehead.

Anne stirred in his arms, then lifted her head and kissed his chin.

Are you hungry?

"A little."

"I'll go make something to eat."

Anne sat up in bed, grabbed the white shirt that had been tossed on the carpet, put it on, and walked out of the bedroom barefoot.

Scarlett rolled over to his right, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and mumbled something that Fu Yibai couldn't hear.

The sound of spatulas clattering and Annie humming an unknown tune drifted from the kitchen.

A dozen minutes later, Annie returned to the bedroom carrying three plates.

A pot of spaghetti, a vegetable salad, and three glasses of orange juice.

She placed the tray on the bench at the foot of the bed, then climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged opposite Fu Yibai.

Scarlett sat up, picked up her fork, twirled a ball of pasta, and stuffed it into her mouth.

"The taste is just so-so."

Scarlett's mouth was full of noodles, and she mumbled something.

"If it doesn't taste good, then don't eat it."

Anne rolled her eyes at her, but a smile was clearly on her lips.

After finishing their meal, the three of them went back to bed.

This time, there was no intensity or urgency like before, only a gentle aftertaste.

Annie hugged Fu Yibai from behind, her cheek pressed against his shoulder blade.

Scarlett nestled in his arms, drawing meaningless circles on his chest with her fingers.

"How long can you stay this time?"

Scarlett's voice was muffled.

"Three or four days."

There are still jobs waiting for me back home.

"It's too short."

Anne whispered something behind him, tightening her grip on his arm.

Fu Yibai did not answer.

He simply pulled both women into his arms at the same time and kissed each of them on the top of their heads.

I slept without any dreams.

The next morning at 10:00 AM.

Fu Yibai departed from the villa and headed to the franchise film studio.

Margaret was waiting for him in her office.

On her desk were two thick folders, next to a freshly brewed cup of black coffee.

"Boss, it's been a long time."

"Please sit down."

Fu Yibai sat down opposite her, his gaze falling on the two folders on the table.

"Let's talk about the progress of Marvel's acquisition first."

Margaret pushed the first folder in front of him.

"The acquisition negotiations for Marvel Entertainment have entered the final stage."

The other party's core demand is to retain some autonomy in operation. We agree to allow Marvel some independence in creative aspects, but finance and distribution must be integrated into the franchise system.

"What's the price?"

"Marvel asked for $2.5 billion, but we negotiated it down to $2 billion."

Margaret opened the folder and pushed a shareholding structure table in front of Fu Yibai.

"Marvel Entertainment's current shareholding structure is quite dispersed."

Apart from the founding team holding approximately 15% of the shares, the majority of the remaining shares are held by several investment institutions.

We have already acquired approximately 17% of the shares through the secondary market. Combined with the transfer agreements reached with five institutions, if the final round of negotiations proceeds smoothly, Franchise Entertainment's shareholding will reach 51%, achieving absolute control.

Fu Yibai picked up the equity structure table and glanced at it.

Is there still room to reduce the price of 2 billion?

"There's not much room for maneuver."

Margaret picked up her coffee and took a sip.

"Although Marvel has had a tough few years, The Avengers has still grossed over a billion dollars worldwide."

This achievement gave them confidence at the negotiating table.

I've spoken with their CEO three times, and two billion is the lowest price they can accept.

"Then let's go for two billion."

Complete the transaction as soon as possible.

"clear."

What will happen to Marvel's management team after the acquisition?

Do you have any ideas?

"Yes, Kevin Feige will remain president of Marvel Studios, and he will continue to lead the creative aspects."

However, financial approvals and distribution channels are now integrated into the franchise system; Marvel no longer raises funds independently, and all investment decisions for projects are ultimately made by us.

Margaret pulled an organizational chart from the folder and placed it on the table.

"I'm planning to replace the heads of both Marvel Television and Marvel Comics; their performance has been too mediocre in recent years."

"Have you chosen a candidate yet?"

"I plan to poach talent from DC Comics."

Regarding Marvel Television, I'm considering having the drama series division of Franchise Studios take direct control and integrate Marvel's IPs into our drama series development system.

Margaret opened the second folder.

"This is the detailed personnel adjustment plan. Please take a look."

Fu Yibai read through the entire document, paused for a few seconds on the appointments for several key positions, and then nodded.

"The plan is fine, proceed at this pace."

"clear."

"Once Marvel is integrated, we can start making Avengers 2."

Yes, Scarlet Witch can also be launched now.

The Scarlet Witch will be played by Elizabeth Olsen.

"Elizabeth Olsen?"

Margaret recalled the name and remembered who the other person was.

I also understand why my boss chose that person.

"clear."

Margaret noted this down and then shifted the conversation to Franchise's two key projects for the year.

"The Hunger Games" is scheduled for global release on the third Friday of July.

The film is set to open in 4,100 theaters in North America during its opening weekend, and will be distributed in 68 countries and regions overseas.

The total marketing budget is US$120 million, with US$60 million allocated to North America and US$60 million to overseas markets.

"What about the pre-sale data?"

"Pre-orders in North America have been open for two weeks, and the total pre-order amount has now exceeded $38 million."

Pre-sales have also begun in the UK and Australia, totaling approximately 12 million.

The film is scheduled for release in China on July 27th, a week later than in North America, and has already secured a quota for imported revenue-sharing blockbusters.

"good."

Fu Yibai was very satisfied with the pre-sale data.

The production cost of "The Hunger Games" was $140 million, plus $120 million for marketing and promotion, for a total cost of $260 million.

With pre-sales in North America reaching nearly $40 million in just two weeks, this momentum suggests that the opening weekend box office is likely to exceed expectations.

"The Martian" is scheduled for release on December 21, during the Christmas season.

Post-production is in its final stages, all special effects shots are complete, and the soundtrack recording will be completed in London next week.

Matt Damon's schedule works out perfectly; he'll begin coordinating the global promotional campaign in October.