Chapter 423: Agent Carter?

Capet Pictures' executives, Evelyn Capet and Ari Emanuel, were discussing Michael Jackson.

"Buying the music rights company shares from Michael Jackson is tough. ATV Music Publishing owns songs from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley," Ari Emanuel said, acknowledging Capet Pictures' interest in Michael Jackson.

Evelyn smiled, "Can we persuade Michael to join us? His management team is a mess right now."

"We can try. Although Michael's financial situation is terrible with high debts, he's still the King of Pop. He'll never lack income once he starts working," Ari Emanuel understood Michael Jackson's influence well.

"The main point is how to convince him to join an agency. He's been managing his own career."

"Previously, many artists collaborated with AEG, and now we can approach AEG. This concert marks Michael's comeback, and a successful performance will certainly prove his commercial value," Evelyn suggested.

"Also, AEG covers Michael's performance expenses. Charles said Capet Pictures is willing to guarantee Michael!"

Ari Emanuel nodded, "If Charles is willing to guarantee, there should be no problem. Convincing AEG shouldn't be hard."

"The issue is that Michael Jackson's reputation is very bad now. How can Capet Pictures recover its investment? How can we restore his reputation?"

"Charles doesn't own TV stations or major newspapers. Capet Entertainment is still lacking in media presence."

Evelyn frowned. This was indeed a big problem as Michael Jackson had been criticized by many media due to the child molestation allegations.

With many ill-intentioned people fanning the flames, Michael Jackson's negative news was widespread.

"I'll ask Charles about it," Evelyn believed Charles was sincere in wanting to help Michael Jackson and might have another plan.

"Alright, we'll talk to AEG, Capet Pictures, and Michael Jackson's team all together," Ari Emanuel felt reassured knowing Capet Pictures was involved, reducing pressures from Sony.

After their discussion, Evelyn went straight home, curious about how Charles might help restore Michael Jackson's reputation. She called Charles.

At that moment, Charles, who was kissing Gao Yuanyuan on the sofa, answered his ringing phone. "It's my mom."

"Mom, what's up?"

"Mom wants to know, can you help Michael Jackson deal with all the negative news?"

"Mom, do you really think Michael Jackson would harm kids?" Charles asked, smiling.

"That's not important. What matters is that the media publishes stories that many people see!"

"My strength is in movies. I don't believe Michael would harm kids, so I can write a script based on this kind of case," Charles had thought of a movie ever since he decided to help Michael Jackson.

"The Hunt. Kids aren't always innocent. When they lie, the consequences can be severe!"

"Movies, huh? Gotcha," Evelyn hung up the phone in her Bel Air villa, smiling.

Her son certainly knew his stuff.

...

Michael Jackson's issues weren't a big deal for Charles. As a film company, the most important thing was to release popular movies.

Slumdog Millionaire had been in theaters for over a month, but its North American box office was just about $20 million. With such a limited release, it wasn't easy to rake in the big bucks.

Warner Bros.' Body of Lies only earned about $12 million in its opening weekend in North America. It wasn't making much of a splash.

In Westwood, Los Angeles, Charles picked up Israeli actress Gal Gadot in his Audi R8 after she had returned from Tel Aviv, Israel, upon finishing the filming of Fast & Furious 4. This time, she was back in L.A. to shoot some magazine covers.

"Hey Charles, isn't that the current President of the United States?" Gal Gadot asked as they passed by the Mann Village Theatre, noticing a striking movie poster.

"Oh, W.," Charles glanced at it and explained, "It's just a biographical film distributed by Lionsgate. Josh Brolin plays President George W. Bush. With the presidential election coming up early next month, it doesn't really mean much."

Unless it's something like Fahrenheit 9/11, which is filled with conspiracy theories, political biopics don't hold much market in America.

Well, making fun of the president and government officials is pretty much standard. There are just too many talk shows, variety shows, and reality shows doing that.

"I heard the U.S. presidential elections cost a lot of money. Is that true?" Gal Gadot asked again.

Charles nodded, "Yeah, they do burn through quite a bit of cash. Isn't it the same in Israel?"

"Definitely not the same. When America changes presidents, the whole world pays attention," said Gal Gadot, placing her hands on her thighs.

Charles shook his head and lightly touched Gal Gadot's long legs with his right hand, "How did shooting Fast & Furious 4 go for you?"

"Honestly, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Maybe this is the career I should stick with," said Gal Gadot, who had only acted in Israeli TV shows before. Her role in Fast & Furious 4 came because of her traditional Jewish background.

"It could be. There aren't that many Israeli actors in Hollywood. Most are Israeli-Americans, though there are quite a few Jewish people," Charles shrugged off the topic, as he wasn't very interested. The Jewish influence between Israel and the U.S. was complex.

He did recall that Natalie Portman was born in Israel, though she emigrated to America with her parents when she was very young.

Gal Gadot sighed, "True, I did get a bit of a head start because of that, but Hollywood is really competitive. I still need opportunities!"

Charles chuckled. DreamWorks, the studio that most represented Jewish influence in Hollywood, was already in its twilight years.

Still, many high-ranking executives in the big six film companies were of Jewish descent, and when the Jewish influence was strong, they all flaunted their Jewish heritage.

Back at the beachfront villa in Santa Monica Palisades, Charles had arranged a lavish and romantic dinner.

Pouring a glass of wine for Gal Gadot, Charles sat down with a smile, "Israel also needs Hollywood stars to represent it. Jewish capital is everywhere in the U.S., and Hollywood is no exception. Maybe you'll become Israel's pride in the future!"

In the future, after becoming Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot would indeed make all of Israel proud, being dubbed "Israel's Ambassador" and "Pride of Israel," much like the Australian media referred to Nicole Kidman as "Australia's finest export."

"For now, I'm just a newbie. I don't even know if I'll make it in Hollywood," said Gal Gadot, not thinking that far ahead just yet.

She had been introduced when she auditioned for Quantum of Solace last year, but the producers didn't pick her.

"Hey, isn't Quantum of Solace coming out next month?" Gal Gadot asked, remembering her first role audition since coming from Israel, even though she didn't get it.

Charles nodded, "Yep, Quantum of Solace and Twilight release just two weeks apart."

This fall and winter, aside from those two, DreamWorks' 3D animated movie Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was also on Charles' radar as an important release.

As for movies like Australia, starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, or Tom Cruise's wartime epic Valkyrie, they didn't catch Charles' interest.

After dinner, they quickly moved into a more intimate mode, and Gal Gadot's long legs gave Charles the pleasure he was looking for.

The next day was the weekend, and Charles decided to take Gal Gadot on a yacht outing to Santa Catalina Island. Since he had spent a weekend there with Emily Blunt before, Charles had developed a liking for Avalon on Santa Catalina Island.

The beautiful scenery, low human traffic, and close distance were the draw for Charles. In Hollywood, Gal Gadot was still a minor figure, so accompanying Charles wouldn't attract much attention.

At an open-air bar on the hillside in Avalon, Charles leaned back in his chair drinking beer as Gal Gadot propped her head up, enjoying the nearby performance.

"By the way, Marvel Studios is planning to shoot Captain America next year. You should go audition for the female lead!" Charles remarked, his gaze fixed on the performers nearby.

"The female lead in Captain America?" Gal Gadot turned her head in surprise. Having launched hits like Iron Man and Thor, Capet's Marvel Studios had elevated the Marvel series to new heights.

"Can I do it?" Gal Gadot felt doubtful as she was just a newcomer and this was a lead role, not a supporting one.

"The female lead is a military agent. You've served in the Israeli military, so you have a natural edge in firearms and combat skills," Charles said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Gal Gadot leaned in for a kiss.

"You're tall and have that military vibe," Charles continued after the kiss ended.

"In the Marvel series, the lead actors' fame isn't a big factor. What's important is if they fit the role!"

Gal Gadot's eyes lit up, "Then I better start preparing!"

Charles nodded. When he gave his word, there usually were no issues.

Suddenly, Charles got up and walked over to the nearby performers. Taking out a $20 bill from his wallet, he placed it in their box.

*****

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