Made In Hollywood

"Walt Disney used to be just a brand focused on the animation industry, but since the end of the last century, they have continuously shifted towards becoming a media conglomerate, and have basically succeeded."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly reversed, with Duke speaking and Rupert Murdoch listening.

"I believe you are well aware that while Walt Disney maintains its advantage in children's content, it is steadily advancing into the adult market, encroaching on a considerable part of the market that originally belonged to us."

The rise of any media company inevitably harms the interests of the established powers.

Although Rupert Murdoch neither nodded nor spoke in agreement, Duke could see a look of approval on his face.

"Have you heard, Rupert?" Duke threw out a piece of news. "Walt Disney has reached a preliminary cooperation intention with Steven Spielberg. If nothing unexpected happens, Disney Pictures will become the distributor for DreamWorks' live-action studio."

This means Walt Disney will gain the greatest supplement in the weakest area of live-action projects.

"Disney's foundation in North America is solid enough." Rupert Murdoch finally spoke. "Even if we target it, the effect won't be too obvious."

"That's true." Duke agreed with his words, then shifted his tone, "What about emerging markets?"

"Which emerging markets?" Murdoch was a bit puzzled.

Duke pointed west, hinting, "Rupert, the country across the Pacific that you've always wanted to enter."

"You probably know better than I do the vastness of that market." Before Murdoch could answer, Duke continued, "Regarding other aspects of the media industry, I'm not too familiar. I'll just talk about the film industry I'm involved in films and related products. These are the main pillars of Fox's performance. Now, the film markets in North America, Europe, South America, and even Southeast Asia are basically mature. Even if there's growth, it won't be explosive."

Looking at Murdoch who was thinking, Duke picked up his coffee cup, took a sip, and said, "Everyone in Hollywood has long reached a consensus on where the final explosive film market will be."

Murdoch seemed about to say something, but Duke raised his hand to stop him. "I understand your concerns, Rupert. Right now, the revenue share for films there is indeed pitifully low, but don't forget the WTO memorandum on films and other cultural products. It will take effect in a few years, and the Hollywood film revenue share will increase to 25%. Besides, box office is always only a small part of our film income. Once films enter that market, it means opening a broad sales channel for other related products."

Hearing this, Murdoch slowly nodded, "What does that have to do with us targeting Disney?"

"Because even if the WTO memorandum starts, there will still be a quota on the number of films introduced, and that quota is very small compared to Hollywood's huge film output."

At this point in time, unless someone is very naive, they could see the potential and vastness of that market. Duke's words, though serving another purpose, were all based on the most basic facts; otherwise, how could they move someone like Rupert Murdoch?

He stated in a matter-of-fact tone, "If a distribution company can win favor over there, it will undoubtedly get more import quotas. Rupert, you have had a lot of dealings with those people; you should know the characteristics of that market."

Murdoch sighed softly, "Unlike here, favors mean more over there."

At this, he glanced at the woman beside him. Duke noticed the gesture since there have always been rumors that Murdoch married her to leverage her identity, but the effect was basically zero.

"Disney plans to build the largest Disney park in all of Asia over there." Duke said calmly. "The investment involved will reach tens of billions of dollars."

Once this was said, Murdoch immediately understood Duke's meaning, "Disney's approach is quite clever."

"Indeed." Duke looked at him with a serious tone. "If Disney really reaches an investment agreement, it's not hard to imagine their products flooding into that market."

This is not imagination but a fact that has already happened once.

"What do you intend to do?" Murdoch asked.

Duke was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I've also been there and have done some basic research on their film and related industries. By my calculations, in at most eight to ten years, they will become the second largest film market after North America. I am a major shareholder of Marvel and Warner Bros, and have also invested in many fairly popular film series..."

The Harry Potter series, Mission: Impossible series, The Matrix series even Murdoch would feel envious of these. Owning the copyright and continuing to invest in these film franchises, wanting to maximize profit is only natural.

"If Disney takes too much market share, the films I invest in and Fox's works will be squeezed." Duke naturally positioned himself on the side of 20th Century Fox. "Rupert, my idea is: why can't we squeeze out Disney?"

"You mean obstruct Disney's plan to invest and build the Disney park?" Murdoch immediately understood Duke's meaning.

Duke said directly, "I've reached consensus with Warner Bros and Time Warner, and have already proposed building a Warner World over there, with a total investment amount even more than Disney's."

"But after all, we are a step behind Disney, and Warner World's reputation in Asia is far inferior to Disney Parks."

Hearing Duke's words, Murdoch slightly twitched his mouth and said, "So, you want me and News Corp to join in?"

"Yes," Duke admitted, "If it were only Time Warner alone, we wouldn't have enough confidence, but with your participation, we have a great chance to squeeze out Disney."

As early as the 1990s, Rupert Murdoch ambitiously wanted to enter that market across the ocean. Although to this day, almost all attempts have ended in failure even Phoenix Television did not succeed Murdoch certainly left behind extensive connections there.

Murdoch smiled but said nothing.

"This is beneficial for both of us," Duke understood that without enough benefit, the other side wouldn't be tempted, "I will take responsibility to persuade Warner. As long as the investment plan succeeds, News Corporation will occupy a significant share of the investment, and Warner World can also be called Warner Fox World. Using works and famous movie characters from both companies, supporting a theme park will be more than enough."

"The other side is a society built on personal connections. Although this won't completely erase their suspicions, under similar conditions, they will definitely prioritize introducing our products."

At this point, Duke emphasized, "These products are not just movies. Rupert, don't you want Phoenix Television to appear anywhere in that country?"

From any perspective, targeting Disneyland is overwhelmingly advantageous for both Duke and Murdoch.

But Murdoch still did not speak, only looked at Duke.

Duke sighed silently, realizing that trying to appeal through friendship or closeness was useless. To move the other side, only concrete benefits worked.

"James Cameron has a new project, but the investment is too high, resulting in excessive risk, so Fox rejected it."

Of course, Duke was not a fool, "I know you still have some confidence in James Cameron. The biggest concern is investment risk. Rupert, I can share the investment risk with Fox."

That was not all; Duke continued, "As long as I remain the largest shareholder of Marvel Comics, I will try to prevent Marvel from reclaiming the film rights of X-Men and Fantastic Four."

Rupert Murdoch stood up, clearly preparing to end the discussion, "I will consider your proposal, Duke."

Duke nodded and also stood up, walking out with Murdoch and his wife.

He knew very well that decisions involving future business strategies and huge sums of money would make even Rupert Murdoch cautious. If Murdoch agreed on the spot, Duke would doubt his sincerity.

The party ended here. When Duke left, he specifically walked alongside James Cameron. Although they were not close, they were not enemies either, and there was still potential for cooperation. Besides, discussing new film technology always provided common ground.

In the past, Duke had considered making an Avatar-like film but eventually gave up.

Regardless of whether James Cameron truly had the initial concept for Avatar over a decade or two ago, Duke faced many technical challenges.

To shoot this sci-fi blockbuster, James Cameron had been preparing for years, continuously filming 3D documentaries deep underwater, cooperating with Sony Electronics and IMAX to improve filming technology, and holding numerous patents.

Making a film is not as simple as copy-pasting. Understanding Avatar's production is one thing; actually producing it is another. Without Cameron's many years of preparation, don't even think about it.

If given about five years, Duke was confident he could make the film, but he couldn't spend so much time and energy on just one movie.

To put it simply, although he was categorized as a technical director by outsiders, he was not a technical fanatic like James Cameron.

After the party, Duke left related matters to Warner, Tina Fey, Nancy Josephson, and others to negotiate, while he continued preparing Iron Man. After more than four months of preparation, official filming began in Los Angeles.