Chapter 357: Summer Releases

Arthur prepared the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding for Winona Ryder. After all, it had been a long time since Arthur had written a script.

Returning to romantic comedies this time, he must have been well-prepared, and Amy Pascal also liked the script very much!

There was no issue with casting Winona Ryder as the female lead. For the second female lead, she strongly recommended Drew Barrymore.

Arthur certainly didn't want to offend her. Besides, Drew Barrymore was quite good too. She had filmed Scream 2 with Galaxy and also made a cameo in Winona's Little Women.

In Glendale, Winona Ryder took the script of My Best Friend's Wedding from Galaxy. Since she was currently filming another movie, this film wouldn't start for at least a few months.

"Arthur, Rumble in the Bronx is out now," Yu Feihong came to Arthur's office. "The opening box office is $10.5 million!"

After the summer break, Yu Feihong stayed at Galaxy's headquarters for an internship. Such opportunities are rare and precious for many people.

Rumble in the Bronx was promoted by Galaxy in the commercial film model and opened in over 1,500 theaters.

"$10.5 million, not bad. Jackie Chan has succeeded this time," Arthur smiled. The production cost of Rumble in the Bronx was less than $10 million.

According to this trend, the North American box office would not be less than $30 million.

"Next year, plan to release Jackie Chan's Armour of God II: Operation Condor and Police Story 3: Super Cop in North America."

These two movies had been in Galaxy's possession for years. Although they had been released on videotape before, now that Jackie Chan was famous, it was time to plan for their release.

"Okay."

"And, after Rumble in the Bronx is released, Jackie Chan's other action movies should have a certain market too. Contact Golden Harvest to see if they can buy a few more of Jackie Chan's films back."

Hollywood is full of business people, and Arthur wouldn't think others couldn't see Jackie Chan's potential.

"Ah, then I'll go inform right away. See you!" Yu Feihong said hurriedly as she was about to leave.

"Hey, no need to rush. Didn't you say you were going to visit Yellowstone Park? Not going now?"

"I am too busy now, I'll go when I have some time again. What I'm learning here isn't even available at school," Yu Feihong said and gave Arthur a kiss on the cheek.

"See you!"

Arthur smiled while sitting in his chair, touching his face. 

Wondering if Kate Beckinsale, interning in the UK, would also be like this since Galaxy UK was also undergoing reorganization?

Next, with Bad Boys starting filming in Miami, Legends of the Fall was also about to be released.

Forrest Gump was still hot, sweeping the summer box office. After a month and a half in theaters, the North American box office had reached $100 million!

However, Forrest Gump also ran into even stronger competition, Disney's animated feature The Lion King, which was released in mid-June.

After three weeks in theaters, The Lion King grossed $100 million in North America.

By the end of the month, under the witness of a lawyer, Arthur Smith's Galaxy Sports purchased 75% of the NHL hockey team Los Angeles Kings from Bruce McNall for $100 million.

Arthur was still somewhat unsatisfied though, and planned to gradually buy out the shares held by other shareholders.

Arthur, holding the reins of both the NBA Los Angeles Galaxy and the NHL Los Angeles Kings, was full of ambition!

At the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Arthur, holding Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was there to promote Legends of the Fall, attended the ball together.

"Hey, spotted a familiar face," Arthur pulled Catherine Zeta-Jones to Philip Anschutz.

"Mr. Anschutz, good evening, and welcome to the ball," Not bad, this was the ball held to celebrate Galaxy Sports becoming the major shareholder of the Los Angeles Kings.

Philip Anschutz smiled, "Congratulations, Arthur!"

Helplessly, Anschutz Entertainment had originally planned to buy the Kings in full for $100 million, but Galaxy Sports swooped in midway, offering more.

Although Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr. had discussed and were willing to raise their offer, Galaxy Sports made an all-cash purchase, and Bruce McNall didn't hesitate at all!

Arthur blinked, "Mr. Anschutz, you might consider the two NFL teams in the Los Angeles area. But, the Los Angeles Raiders are a bit more difficult. The Memorial Coliseum needs to be repaired, and the Raiders want it refurbished after the repair, but the city government doesn't have that much money!"

Philip Anschutz shook his head, "The Memorial Coliseum requires repair first and then refurbishment, which is quite costly. And besides, Al Davis has never changed the owner since founding the Raiders, and now he's planning to move the Raiders back to Oakland."

Arthur smiled, "Isn't there still the Los Angeles Rams? Angel Stadium of Anaheim can still be used, you just need to find a way to manage the Rams properly. Moreover, the Walton family's son-in-law, Stan Kroenke, from Missouri, is contacting the Los Angeles Rams' owner to buy part of the team's equity and then move the Rams to Missouri."

The Rams' attendance at Angel Stadium was too low, incomparable to the co-stadium-sharing MLB team, the Los Angeles Angels.

"Mr. Anschutz, you wouldn't want the Rams to leave Los Angeles, would you? This could be your golden opportunity," Let Philip Anschutz compete with Stan Kroenke, now that would be a sight to see!

"Or, you could try acquiring the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers?"

*****

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