Chapter 275: Samuel Goldwyn Films

Arthur certainly knew about the East Coast-West Coast gangsta rap rivalry; after all, they were all a group of violent gangsters.

In his past life, the East Coast-West Coast rap feud also resulted in many deaths. But Arthur didn't care; with Galaxy Records now leading Death Row Records, he would be the future king of West Coast hip-hop.

As for those East Coast guys, as long as they behaved, there wouldn't be a problem. If they dared to misbehave, they'd surely be powerfully suppressed!

In the morning, Arthur woke up in the hotel bed with Nicole Kidman in his arms. "Nicole, you are truly a sexy enchantress. It's no wonder so many men in Hollywood want you."

Nicole Kidman, still sleepy, replied, "I guess my current status is pretty attractive?"

"What status?" Arthur asked.

"As Arthur Smith's woman, isn't that a pretty big draw?" Nicole Kidman whispered in Arthur's ear.

"Surely quite a few people want to go after Arthur Smith's woman, right?"

"I'm not the President of the United States or a member of the British royal family," Arthur scoffed, turning and pinning Nicole underneath him, kissing her chest a few times.

"Early next month, I have to go to Sydney for the premiere of Speed. Is there anything I need to take care of?" Nicole Kidman asked, running her fingers over Arthur's body.

"What do you need to take care of?" Arthur raised his head.

"Oh, it's about Village Roadshow Pictures," Nicole Kidman propped her head up and looked at Arthur.

Arthur smiled, "Village Roadshow has produced a few movies these past two years, but they don't quite fit the American market. It's only natural for Galaxy to set up its own distribution office in Australia. Besides, Village Roadshow always makes low-budget films now, and I'm not really interested.

Anyway, there aren't many big stars coming out of Australia these days. Mel Gibson doesn't really count as an Australian, and you're pretty much the face of Australian stars," Arthur said, ruffling Nicole's hair, "If any Australian directors come up with a good script, you'd definitely be the first choice!"

Currently, the Australian stars Arthur could think of like Russell Crowe, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Jackman, and Cate Blanchett were probably still working within the Australian scene.

Hollywood is an international market; who would know them if they didn't come here?

"Got it," Nicole Kidman felt very comfortable with Arthur Smith's protection. She handled both art films and commercial films well. The promotional scale of Speed gave her a lot of confidence!

...

With the arrival of May, the intense summer box office battle was about to begin. But the current hit film Indecent Proposal, after three weeks in North American theaters, had already brought in $70 million.

Estimated projections showed that Indecent Proposal would surely cross the $100 million mark in North America, giving newly appointed Paramount President Sherry Lansing a strong start.

However, the biggest news in Hollywood was the bidding war between Sumner Redstone's media giant Viacom and Barry Diller's QVC network for Paramount.

Of course, compared to Viacom, Barry Diller's QVC was much weaker in every aspect.

But, just as when Sumner Redstone acquired Viacom, his wife filed for divorce again.

According to marriage laws, if Sumner Redstone divorced, he would have to split half of his assets, which he absolutely couldn't allow. Last time Sumner managed to appease his wife, and now he had to do it again.

Sumner Redstone was raising funds and negotiating with Paramount's board while publicly declaring to the media: "There is no divorce, my marriage is rock solid!"

Everyone knew that both Viacom and QVC would need heavy borrowing to acquire Paramount, and Sumner's declaration was mainly to alleviate Wall Street's concerns about him.

...

At the Hollywood Hilton Garden Inn, Arthur met Catherine Zeta-Jones again because Galaxy's new film Legends of the Fall was progressing quickly.

Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones had already confirmed their participation!

"Arthur, thank you," Catherine Zeta-Jones was thrilled upon receiving the news. As soon as she got the call from the production crew, she flew to the United States without delay.

Legends of the Fall was a $30 million Hollywood production, not like the TV movies she had been involved in previously.

Excited to work with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones could hardly sleep!

"Alright, you'll probably be shooting in Canada, so it'll be easier for us to meet," Arthur said, kissing Catherine Zeta-Jones on the face, noting how much more beautiful she had become.

"I can always fly to Los Angeles to meet you," Catherine Zeta-Jones said, looking at Arthur with desire. If it weren't for being at a party, she would have started undressing him.

Afterward, Arthur met with Tom Rothman, the president of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

"Tom, long time no see!" Arthur said with a smile as he shook hands with Tom Rothman. As Samuel Goldwyn II's assistant, Tom Rothman was quite capable.

When Arthur founded Galaxy Films, he approached Tom Rothman hoping he would join, but at the time, Tom Rothman preferred Samuel Goldwyn Films.

"Arthur, good evening," Tom Rothman felt a pang of emotion. Samuel Goldwyn Films, founded in the late 70s as an independent film company, had become a notable distributor; yet it was no match for the meteoric rise of Galaxy.

Arthur glanced around, "Samuel Goldwyn Films seems to be putting a lot of effort into this Shakespeare adaptation, Much Ado About Nothing."

Much Ado About Nothing, directed and acted by Kenneth Branagh, was a romantic comedy feature packed with stars. It featured Kenneth Branagh's wife Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington, and Michael Keaton among other Hollywood actors!

Tom Rothman smiled, "Who wouldn't envy Galaxy Orion's three consecutive Oscars for Best Picture?"

Samuel Goldwyn Films developed Much Ado About Nothing with an eye on next year's Oscars.

Arthur nodded and then spotted Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves. Although he didn't see Denzel Washington, he did notice a young and beautiful actress from the Much Ado About Nothing crew.

*****

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