Chapter 755: Shift the Blame!

Spielberg and Bob from Paramount Pictures convened a meeting, a gathering they'd forewarned the Knoves about, extending an invite to Martin. Though Martin and Spielberg were familiar, Martin hadn't crossed paths with Bob much.

"I tagged along with Martin to see 'Jack the Giant Slayer' last week. Dreadful from start to finish, plot holes, style clashes, and characters as thin as paper," Bob lamented.

In the conference room, Nolan cast a meaningful glance at Martin before turning to Bob and Spielberg. "The debacle of 'Jack the Giant Slayer' stems from Jon Berg's audacious yet misguided creative vision, his insistence on a radical new production model," he asserted.

Spielberg, having endured the film due to Berg's connection, concurred. "Berg's model is sheer madness; failure was inevitable," he added.

Bob shook his head, bewildered. "I can't fathom what Berg was aiming for."

Nolan posed a troubling question, causing Bob and Spielberg's expressions to darken. "What if Berg interferes with our project in a similar manner?"

Martin, yet to fully integrate into the group, remained silent, absorbing the tension.

Nolan continued, his gaze lingering over Martin. "Since Berg's appointment, he's botched numerous high-budget ventures at Warner Pictures. Not a single sequel or major project under his helm has succeeded," he divulged.

"But we're tied to Warner Pictures by contract, and they're adamant about sticking with Berg," Bob interjected.

Nolan's focus shifted back to Martin. "We can leverage the failure of 'Jack the Giant Slayer' to oust Berg from his position," he proposed. "With other investors onboard, we can pressure Warner Bros. into removing Berg, potentially causing internal upheaval."

Spielberg, nursing his own grievances against Berg, found solidarity in the group's frustration.

"'Jack the Giant Slayer' is emblematic of Hollywood's tendency towards flashy, shallow productions," he remarked.

With tensions mounting and investors seeking recourse, Spielberg turned to Martin. "I heard a whisper from Warner, a hint that 'Jack the Giant Slayer' traces back to you?" he inquired.

Martin admitted, "I did explore fairy tales as potential projects, including 'Beauty and the Beast' with Disney. While I dabbled with scripts, Warner ultimately greenlit the project, though I opted out."

He shrugged. "I'm unsure how word got out, but Warner has invested significantly, and if Davis Studio persists, it could spell trouble."

Spielberg and Bob processed the information differently.

Warner Pictures had somehow intercepted Martin's project plans, leading to the catastrophic failure witnessed today. It wasn't the first time; previous projects like "Pharaohs and Gods" and "Dark Places" suffered the same fate under Warner's intervention.

As they exchanged glances, a shared concern emerged: perhaps Martin's seemingly promising projects harbored hidden pitfalls.

"Who can discern fact from fiction?" Spielberg mused aloud, eyes flickering towards Martin.

With a silent agreement, they opted to steer clear of the topic, knowing it would only invite more scrutiny. Warner Pictures and Annapurna Pictures served as cautionary tales.

"Martin's explanation suffices," Bob concluded. "They'll understand. No need to stir the pot further; let time work its magic."

Martin, grappling with past misfortunes, silently resolved that it was all unintentional.

The impromptu meeting adjourned, leaving Bob and Spielberg to depart in succession.

Martin lingered, exchanging a few words with Nolan before exiting. Outside the Warner Studio entrance, he grabbed a few newspapers, skimming through the entertainment section. Headlines screamed of "Jack the Giant Slayer" box office disaster, with "People" magazine mercilessly lambasting Jon Berg.

Meanwhile, in the confines of the Warner Building, Kevin Tsujihara faced his brother-in-law Jon Berg and Daniel, the distribution head, with a heavy heart. "What went wrong with this project?" he inquired.

Jon Berg, ever quick to deflect blame, cited unfavorable reviews and outdated promotional strategies. However, it was clear the burden of failure weighed heavily on him once again.

"The film's poor quality is to blame for the bad reviews!" Daniel interjected, refusing to shoulder the weight of potential losses amounting to $300 million. "Can 'Jack the Giant Slayer' rely solely on hype to salvage its reputation? Audience perception hinges on the film's merit!"

Jon Berg, sensing the tide turning against him, scrambled for a scapegoat. "The distribution company failed to organize a test screening for 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' denying us the chance to refine it based on feedback!" he offered, desperation evident in his tone.

Daniel snapped back, his frustration palpable. "You're the one who blocked the screenings, confident the film would succeed upon release!"

Turning defensive, Jon Berg shot back, "My editing method is flawless! Every new technique requires time to mature, unlike your rushed release..."

Interrupting the escalating exchange, Kevin Tsujihara intervened. "Enough. Stop arguing."

Both Daniel and Jon Berg fell silent at his command.

"You both prepare for the afternoon group meeting," Kevin instructed.

As Daniel exited the meeting room, he couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized.

True to form, Jon Berg soon slipped into Kevin Tsujihara's office.

A sense of dread washed over Daniel as he realized Jon Berg's familial ties to Kevin.

Returning to his office, Daniel pondered his next move. Despite "Jack the Giant Slayer" only completing its first week at the North American box office, the inevitable losses loomed large, demanding accountability.

Under normal circumstances, responsibility would fall on someone from the production company. But these were anything but normal circumstances.

As Daniel deliberated, his phone rang. It was his old friend Louise Meyer, inviting him for a chat.

After a brief contemplation, Daniel agreed, rendezvousing with Louise at the Smoke House restaurant's morning tea area half an hour later.

Louise sipped her black tea, studying Daniel's downcast expression. "What's troubling you? You look like you're in a tough spot."

Daniel sighed heavily. "It's the latest big production, it's turned into a disaster."

Understanding flickered in Louise's eyes. "Kevin Tsujihara and Jon Berg are aiming to pin the blame on you?" she surmised.

Daniel shot her a knowing look. "You're quite well-informed."

"I've been with Warner for nearly twenty years," Louise revealed. "And we've known each other for over a decade, haven't we?"

Reflecting, Daniel nodded. "I've been frequenting Warner Brothers for more than ten years."

Louise adjusted her black-rimmed glasses. "So, leaving Warner Brothers isn't on your agenda."

Daniel paused, gathering his thoughts. "Some things aren't solely up to me."

Louise cut to the chase. "Word on the street is Kevin Tsujihara and Jon Berg are set to pin the 'Giant Slayer debacle on you, holding you accountable for its failure."

This wasn't the news Daniel anticipated, but he maintained his stance. "The blame doesn't rest with me."

Louise didn't mince words. "If you don't take action, the blame will fall squarely on your shoulders."

Meeting Daniel's gaze, she inquired, "You came to me today with something on your mind?"

She continued, "Hollywood's major players are undergoing restructuring. Many conglomerates are streamlining their operations. Take Disney Pictures, for example, they're consolidating their distribution and production arms under one leadership."

The implication wasn't lost on Daniel. "You represent more than just Pacific Pictures, don't you?"

"Of course not," Louise asserted. "Aside from Pacific Pictures, there's Martin's Davis Studio, the Nolans' Colter Pictures, DreamWorks, Paramount, Castle Rock, and more, over a dozen entities that either collaborate with or have ties to Warner. They've all suffered under Jon Berg's mismanagement."

A realization dawned on Daniel. "It seems Warner Pictures' delayed payments have rubbed many the wrong way."

Louise nodded knowingly. "Jon Berg diverted funds to 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' banking on its success to settle debts after its release. Now that plan has backfired."

Daniel found solace in the prospect of self-preservation.

Louise offered a wry smile. "We've known each other for over a decade, and in times like these, having backers in Warner's upper echelons can make all the difference."