Chapter 191: Schindler's List Internal Preview

After spending a simple and happy weekend with Sophie Marceau, Arthur suggested she stay in Hollywood and take on a few more scripts.

In the apartment in Culver City, Sophie Marceau shrugged her shoulders, "You've seen the scripts; they're completely meaningless eye-candy roles with no chance to truly perform. They're too marginalized!"

Sophie Marceau had indeed received some Hollywood script invitations, but as she said, Hollywood still didn't take her seriously.

Arthur smiled, stood up from the sofa, and walked over to hug her. "Then let's start with filming Fanfan."

"By the time A Few Good Men is released this summer, which is still several months away, the preparation work for Fanfan can definitely be completed!"

Once A Few Good Men is released this year, it will undoubtedly boost Sophie Marceau's recognition in Hollywood.

Sophie Marceau nodded, "I'm returning to France in a few days. Tomorrow, I have to go to Quebec in Canada for some events."

"Quebec?" Arthur's mind clicked, seeming to understand, "Oh, that's the largest French-speaking community in North America, the cultural center of French culture in North America. The bordering American states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine also have quite a few French descendants."

Additionally, the official language of Quebec is also French, and in the US states of Louisiana, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, French is the second official language.

"Yes, I'll attend some events in Montreal and then return to France," Sophie Marceau rubbed her cheek against Arthur's, "What about you? When are you planning to go to France, during the Cannes Film Festival?"

Arthur shook his head, "Not that late. I'm starting my tour of Europe right after the Oscars at the end of next month. I should be back home by the time The Bodyguard releases in May, and the Cannes Film Festival is not in my plans."

"Alright, once I return, I'll quickly get Fanfan started. Your Galaxy French Film Company can finally have its first significant project," Sophie Marceau said as she gently stroked Arthur's hair.

"If you're feeling tired, you can delay it a bit. It's not urgent since it will be released next year anyway."

French artistic romance films aren't too difficult to shoot.

As Arthur spoke, he kissed Sophie Marceau on the lips. After the kiss, Sophie Marceau licked her lips, "Hmm, these two days weren't enough?"

"You're going to leave, and I won't see you for at least one or two months. Even if I go to France, work will keep me busy," Arthur said, indicating he would miss her.

"You really are a little tiger," Sophie Marceau said before crouching down...

...

Back in Los Angeles, Arthur just so happened to meet Steven Spielberg, who had returned home after finishing the filming of Schindler's List.

At Century City, Orion's screening room was showing a four-hour rough cut of Schindler's List.

Arthur sat on the sofa with his chin in his hand, alongside Winona Ryder, Steven Spielberg, his assistant Kathleen Kennedy, and others.

After the screening ended, the room fell silent for a moment. Arthur spoke up, "Once the editing is complete, we'll hold some preview or screening events. The company will arrange for the release in August, aiming for more theater screenings then!"

Steven Spielberg nodded in agreement and sighed, "Filming this movie was truly heavy for me. Arthur, I'm going to focus on developing Universal's Jurassic Park next. I'll fully cooperate with the movie's promotion."

"Understood," Arthur then turned to Kathleen Kennedy and reminded her, "Send Steven home to rest for a few days. He needs some quiet time."

"Alright, I think so too. Steven's family is waiting for him at home," Kathleen Kennedy agreed.

After Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy left, Arthur and Winona Ryder returned to his office.

"Arthur, how was the movie?" Winona asked as she sat on Arthur's lap.

"Pretty good. Steven Spielberg's abilities are indeed strong," Arthur responded, "Especially the little girl in the red coat, she really hits you right in the heart!"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Arthur said, patting Winona Ryder on the shoulder. "After filming Emma, didn't you say you wanted to continue shooting The House of the Spirits in England?"

"I'm a supporting role, so I don't have to stay with the crew all the time. Plus, the box office for Father of the Bride was great; I have to come back for the celebration party!"

The comedy Father of the Bride, remade by Disney's Touchstone Pictures, grossed over $80 million in North America and over $100 million worldwide, definitely worth celebrating.

In the evening, Arthur and Winona Ryder attended a party at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in West Hollywood.

Hollywood's Time Warner Group had reorganized its business, with Bell Atlantic acquiring a 25% stake in Time Warner Group.

At the same time, Japan's Itochu Corporation and Toshiba jointly acquired a 56% stake in Time Warner Group, becoming the major shareholders.

Time Warner Group's Co-CEOs, Steve Ross and Nicholas, and COO Gerard Levin were all present.

Sony America Group's CEO Mickey Schulhof and Universal CEO Lew Wasserman, along with Universal Presidents Sidney Sheinberg, were also there.

Arthur clinked glasses with Winona Ryder, Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Ted Ashley, and Joe Silver, head of Warner Bros. subsidiary Silver Pictures, saying, "So now, Time Warner's backbone is Japanese companies?"

Joe Silver just shrugged. He was an independent producer with a long-term cooperation agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures and didn't care who the parent company was.

Ted Ashley took a sip of his drink before speaking, "Anyhow, Universal, Columbia TriStar, and Time Warner are now under Japanese control. Half of Hollywood is dominated by Japanese enterprises!"

Arthur chuckled, "Fortunately, Japan's economy is currently on a downward trend. Otherwise, it might be more than half.

Hollywood's legendary eight major movie studios have indeed had their ups and downs. MGM merged with United Artists and is now owned by the French. RKO, after various splits, officially exited the film industry last year. 20th Century Fox is owned by Australians.

Only the rising Disney and the old giant Paramount are still American-owned!"

Joe Silver blinked at Arthur after a slight pause, "Arthur, Galaxy's growth is quite impressive. The market share of your new films shouldn't be underestimated."

At this moment, Ted Ashley also chimed in, "Arthur, Warner Bros. has always wanted to recruit you. Are you really not interested at all?"

Arthur took a sip of his drink, "Ted, my annual income is dozens of times yours. Why would I join Warner Bros.? Can you make Steve Ross and Nicholas step down?"

Everyone laughed as soon as Arthur said this because it was true. Ted Ashley only managed Warner Bros. Entertainment under Time Warner Group.

Income-wise, he couldn't even compare to Joe Silver, a senior film producer involved in franchises like Predator and Lethal Weapon. Joe Silver didn't participate in many projects annually but had blockbuster series, so his income was incomparable to that of a professional manager.

Ted Ashley sighed helplessly, "Talents like you in Hollywood are rare. Still, Warner Bros. is always looking forward to cooperating with Galaxy."

Joe Silver suddenly leaned closer to Arthur, "You should know that Steve Ross's health is not too good, right? Maybe you really have a chance!"

Arthur was speechless. Did they think he didn't know anything?

It's true that Steve Ross's health wasn't great, but the power struggle between Steve Ross and Nicholas was also real. The former was the chairman of Warner Communications before the merger, and the latter was the chairman of the pre-merger Time Inc.

Especially since Time Warner's third-in-command, COO Gerard Levin, was Steve Ross's chosen successor. Unless something unexpected happened, Nicholas would soon lose the power struggle!

The internal workings of Time Warner were too complex for Arthur to get involved unless he could become a major shareholder of Time Warner.

After Ted Ashley and Joe Silver left, Winona Ryder cheerfully said, "You're really popular now, Arthur. Even Hollywood's big studios want to recruit you!"

Arthur patted Winona Ryder's shoulder and said, "That makes it easier for others to notice me, and Galaxy's projects will be more targeted."

"Oh, what should we do then?"

Arthur smiled confidently, "What can we do? We'll face them head-on. Beat them at their own game..."

*****

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