Smart Enough I

With the production crew on their way, the Creed duo got closer to the well-suited men huddling around.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Sullivan went full British gentlemen on them. Inside his head, what did I do wrong to get the displeasure of unwanted visit is being thought at the same time. "San Fernando Valley is too far from your usual domains."

"I'm sorry for barging without invitation, Mr. Creed." A man in his forties was first to shake Sullivan's hand and introduced himself. "I am Michael Eisner, CEO of Walt Disney Pictures."

After the man named Eisner, the rest followed suit. Alexander got to know the people at that introduction period.

The rest are too Hollywood for his remembering but Eisner, Diller, Ovitz, and Shea are relatively famous names.

Their fame and downfall were too similar and widespread on American gossips.

The four of them are helmsman of their companies but were thrown due to a variety of reasons.

Eisner is the Disney tyrant that was thrown out due to company conflict and mismanagement

Diller was thrown out due to wanting to be an owner and not just puppeteered controller.

Ovitz is a good friend of Eisner but was alos thrown out by said good friend. He jumped between companies until fading out.

Shea is a company owner but was overthrown due to Kidman and polar bears.

For Hollywood insiders, they are legends in their own rights but had a less than favorable send out. Perhaps the others on this group also had the same fate but were too obscure for a normie like Alexander to know.

He knows about movies but he was too blinded with the power dynamic behind it. Given that he is going to linger in Hollywood for a long time, Alexander made sure to scout the competition.

Overall, the conversation was swimmingly harmonious with topics about the economy and business matters. Yet it all felt fake and a prelude to a storm.

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"Mr. Creed, I have to congratulate you on this movie. The horror it brings is quite different than usual." Eisner commented.

"Thank you. Everyone in the crew did their best." Sullivan pushed the glory to diffuse some of their alertness.

"I also have to congratulate you on your previous films. The low cost and high profit model is quite enviable." Old Diller chimed in. "Run Lola Run is an overall success while Home Alone is a miraculous feat."

"Having the 1989 box office champion as the first directed film is something that can't be replicated." Universal President emphasized on the champion part.

"Haha! It is something worth living for indeed." Sullivan would always grin when Home Alone was praised. It practically cemented his multimillionaire status from just a simple millionaire.

Alexander noticed that when Home Alone was mentioned everyone's demeanor perked up and one of their goals might be related to it.

"Are you already planning on producing the sequel this year, Mr. Creed?" Michael Eisner was straight to his target and asked out.

"Oh." Sullivan pondered a bit and slowly asked. "Why should I produce the sequel this year?"

"Of course a sequel should be produced and it should be right away." The other Michael was quick to enlighten him while pointing at Alexander. "Home Alone is perfect for a seasonal series movies. As for why it should be done right away, young Alexander here is already maturing to a fine teen. The Kevin McAllister magic would be lost if he is too old."

"I know that but you never answered my question, why should I produce the sequel this year?" Sullivan smiled at the incessant Ovitz.

"Didn't I already answer it?" Ovitz felt like he was treated as a fool.

The others assumed that old Creed was dodging the Home Alone topic because it was too important for his company.

How could one of their prime goal for attending be shoved off by that tactic? Hence, they pushed on.

"There is no need to hide your plans, Mr. Creed." Friend Michael helped out his Michael friend. "I checked with the Screenwriter's Guild and know that 4 sequels are already written and registered."

"So?" Sullivan just smiled while questioning.

"Well, we from Disney would like to offer help in producing them." Eisner smiled as he offered his assistance.

"Woah there, Michael. Give your mentor some face and let me in on that negotiation." Old Diller butted in and said frankly to Sullivan. "In fact, Mr. Creed. Disney and Fox aren't just the only ones hoping to cooperate on Home Alone? Each of us here want a piece of those high profits you have been getting."

The rest of the well-suited people added with their piece and offering favorable conditions for co-production.

Sullivan sighed at their assaultive auction. They all looked like pitiful fools in his eyes. Alexander, who planned for the sequel secrecy, can't help but smirk involuntarily and almost broke his innocent teen facade.

Sullivan had to play along and slowly murmured as if he was forced. "What if I don't plan to cooperate with either of you guys? Creed Films is doing just fine on our own and the Home Alone series was quite simple from what were expecting to be doing."

The executives and representatives just smiled at the old man's insistence. In their heads, a newcomer in the industry would have no choice but to accept.

Ovitz, who felt that he lost face earlier, was the one to spearhead the aggression. "It is quite simple, Mr. Creed. If you don't agree, then we can simply ruin the Home Alone sequels."

"H-how are you going to do that?" Sullivan acted like he was trouble and asked in curiosity.

"You may not know this but most of Home Alone's cast has already been in the process of being recruited by CAA." Ovitz grinned maliciously. "If you so much as plan to make a sequel without our consent, the McAllister family actors would abruptly be busy with other things."

"You can already imagine how the audience would react when Kevin's family collectively had facial and body transplants due to the replacement of actors." A mid-tier film company representative mocked and joined the majors oppression on the newcomer.

"Are you people sure you are smart enough to lead your companies?" Sullivan smiled at their foolishness.

"What did you say?!"