Chapter 158

As the economic, cultural, historical, and entertainment hub of the UK, London's developed entertainment industry attracted numerous tourists each year.

With the high development of the UK, it certainly played a crucial role in Charles' overseas asset layout. This time, Charles visited to gain some insights.

Specifically, Charles searched for villas near Knightsbridge, southwest of Hyde Park in Kensington, as he planned to invest in properties in London.

In a suite at the Riverside Plaza Hotel, east of London, Charles stood by the window overlooking the Thames River at Canary Wharf.

As part of London's new financial district project, Canary Wharf wasn't far from the old financial district, the City of London.

"It won't be long before Canary Wharf becomes the financial center of the UK," Charles supported London's approach of concentrating skyscrapers in a small area.

Many major Western cities designated specific areas for constructing skyscrapers, resulting in a high land usage rate per capita.

"Boss, London is the second-largest international financial center after New York. It doesn't levy overseas income tax on the wealthy, attracting many rich individuals to invest here every year!" Phyllis Jones, though not as smart as Dona Williams, still knew some basic facts.

Charles smiled, "Indeed, the influx of assets from wealthy individuals from Russia, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions into the UK and its overseas territories is immeasurable!"

"Boss, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston officially divorced. Angelina Jolie is three months pregnant with Pitt's child!" Phyllis Jones said, putting down the newspaper.

"It won't affect our Mr. & Mrs. Smith, will it?"

"What effect? Mr. & Mrs. Smith has almost ended its run, grossing over 180 million in North America and over $300 million overseas!"

Charles was curious about the couple's partially hidden relationship; now, they no longer needed to hide anything.

Capet Pictures earned $60 million from the box office of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Compared to the $55 million spent, the box office revenue alone helped the company recoup its costs.

Future profits from the DVD market and TV rights would easily bring in several tens of millions of dollars!

"Though I think Brad Pitt was quite unfair to Jennifer Aniston, Brad and Angelina Jolie are a perfect match," Phyllis said, sticking her tongue out.

Charles laughed. Jennifer Aniston was also quite beautiful when she was younger, but she aged quickly.

"Seems like Rachel's charm can't compete with Angelina Jolie," Charles shook his head.

"Boss, should we attend the London premiere of Underworld: Evolution? Afterward, the cast will also go to Berlin to promote the film," Phyllis reported.

Charles shook his head; it wasn't a Capet Pictures film. Meeting Kate Beckinsale would be enough.

"Berlin," Charles thought for a moment, then instructed, "Indeed, we need to visit Berlin next. Our collaboration with Constantin Film is quite good; I want to pay a visit to Germany."

German artists were quite different for Hollywood; they rarely collaborated, and few became famous in Hollywood.

Charles had no particular thoughts about the German entertainment scene, nor did he care about World War I or World War II; He was not interested in German film tax rebate funds and subsidies, but rather in the development of the German film industry.

Phyllis Jones understood, though she saw her boss's desire for the German Film Investment Fund and EU Film Fund in his eyes.

"Boss, what about Dona?"

"She'll stay in London to look for properties. We can't always stay in hotels when we come to London!" Charles said, smirking. When he had more money, he intended to make a big splash in London.

Meanwhile, Wedding Crashers, a dark horse, achieved extraordinary results with over $200 million in North American box office and $80 million overseas.

After deducting $28 million in marketing costs and Universal's 10% distribution commission, Capet Pictures earned $45 million from Wedding Crashers.

Together, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Wedding Crashers brought Capet Pictures over $100 million in cash flow just from the box office.

Who says movies don't make money? It depends on whose movies they are.

Underworld: Evolution was now an important project for lead actress Kate Beckinsale. After the failure of the Universal blockbuster Van Helsing, she found herself sidelined from mainstream Hollywood films.

Fortunately, Kate Beckinsale had a powerful man behind her, Charles Capet!

In a villa near Notting Hill, an exhausted Kate Beckinsale said, "I thought I'd only be doing low-budget indie films, but you gave me a role in Iron Man. Charles, thank you! I've even signed with ETA Management after terminating my contract with my former agent."

Charles hugged Kate, sighing, "You were just unlucky. Pearl Harbor hindered your romantic films, and Van Helsing blocked your action movies."

"Hollywood is like that; it doesn't give you many chances!"

Charles knew Kate wasn't getting good projects, and those low-budget indie films weren't promising.

"Mandate Pictures sent me a horror thriller script, Vacancy, with a $5 million budget. I was thinking of taking it," Kate said, feeling the ups and downs. "But now with Iron Man, I need to take time to read the comics!"

"A $5 million horror thriller? Darling, you've had it rough!" Charles kissed her, saying, "Don't worry, after Iron Man next year, your career will definitely take off again."

"Marvel signed me for seven films. Do they really need that many?" Kate asked, puzzled.

"Oh, it's a whole series. Iron Man alone will have several films, and there will be other superhero series too," Charles tapped her back and laughed,

"You'll be part of the Marvel Universe I'm building. As for Vacancy, if the script is good and you like it, go ahead. Otherwise, don't bother."

Kate nodded, smiling, "I already declined. After a cameo in your The Departed, I soon got the lead role in Iron Man, so I understand what you mean."

Charles nodded, "Good to know!"

*****

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