Chapter 241: 2006 Summer Box Office

In the early morning, Charles woke up and found that Kyoko Fukada and Haruka Ayase were not there. After getting up, he discovered that Haruka Ayase was preparing sushi.

Standing there in silk strap nightwear, Haruka Ayase, with a height of 165 cm and an impressive E-cup, just like Kyoko Fukada, was making sushi in a very sexy outfit.

Charles went into the kitchen and hugged the sushi-making girl from behind, kissing her on the neck, "Where's Kyoko?"

"Mm, you woke up, huh?" Haruka Ayase turned her head and kissed Charles on the cheek, "Kyoko left after waking up this morning. She has work. She asked me to keep you company!"

"I see," Charles could only accept it. Last night, it was both Kyoko Fukada and Haruka Ayase, which was a bit overwhelming.

Then, he reached his hands inside her nightwear to feel her magnificence, "They're still growing, huh? Do you think they might reach F or G cup in the future?"

Charles joked while playing around.

"Mm..." Haruka Ayase, breathing heavily, managed to say, "Let's have breakfast first!"

"Mmm," Charles lowered his head and began a passionate kiss with Haruka Ayase in his arms, "Fine, I'll go shower first."

Letting go of Haruka Ayase, Charles laughed and headed toward the bathroom, as Haruka quickly finished making the sushi, catching her breath a few times.

Charles and Haruka Ayase stayed in the villa until noon before Haruka left for the company.

The hot summer movie season was about to end, and the biggest winner was still Disney's fantasy blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

"$400 million in North America, and it's surpassed $500 million overseas already. Impressive!" Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest had grossed $900 million worldwide in less than a month and a half since its release.

"And then, Pixar's and Disney's animated feature Cars also made over $200 million in North America and $400 million overseas!" Phyllis Jones added.

Phyllis Jones was having a comfortable time in Asia, just sending Lily Ying off on a plane to America.

"X-Men: The Last Stand made over $200 million in North America and $460 million worldwide. Our The Da Vinci Code made $217 million in North America and $758 million globally, but couldn't reach $800 million!"

Charles put down the report and then smiled, "The Devil Wears Prada is performing really well. $125 million in North America, and already $118 million overseas. When it finishes its overseas run, it should easily hit $300 million worldwide."

"The Departed has also exceeded $130 million in North America now. Our company will be releasing 300, Saw IV, and The Pursuit of Happiness next. Capet Pictures has a good chance of surpassing $800 million in North America this year, overtaking the six majors!"

Phyllis Jones was excited, as last year Paramount, just scraping by at the bottom of the Big Six, had only an $800 million annual box office in North America.

"$800 million!" Charles thought Phyllis Jones might not have enough faith in 300.

"I heard Mission: Impossible III didn't satisfy Paramount?" Charles asked.

Phyllis Jones nodded, "Mission: Impossible III only made $135 million in North America and $263 million overseas. The $150 million production cost was not low, and the profit split with Tom Cruise's production company is steep. Tom Cruise's asking price is always painful!"

...

While Charles Capet was in Japan paying attention to box office numbers, a discussion meeting was being held far across the ocean at the MPAA headquarters in Los Angeles.

From Disney, Dick Cook; from Sony Columbia, Amy Pascal; from Warner Bros., Barry Meyer; from Paramount, Brad Grey; from Universal, Ron Meyer; and from 20th Century Fox, Tom Rothman.

The six major Hollywood studio heads, previously joined by MGM before it was bought out by Sony Columbia, were members of the MPAA association.

"Looks like everyone has decided?" Disney's Dick Cook glanced helplessly at the others.

The ban on Mel Gibson began. There was no more place for Mel Gibson in Hollywood.

Among the top echelons of the Big Six movie groups, there were many Jewish people, not to mention cinematic giants like Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, who were also Jewish.

With the combined forces of capital power, director influence, actor clout, and company executives, Mel Gibson had no chance.

Dick Cook was worried as Mel Gibson had just finished a movie Apocalypto for Disney, scheduled for release in December.

Due to the recent incident involving director Mel Gibson, the movie's commercial prospects were essentially doomed.

"When you make a mistake, you got to pay the price!" said 20th Century Fox's Tom Rothman, before changing the subject, "Capet Pictures' release The Da Vinci Code made $217 million in North America, second only to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Cars, and X-Men: The Last Stand, and globally, it's only second to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

"Charles Capet, truly a genius!" Universal's Ronald Meyer sighed, as Capet Pictures had collaborated with Universal on many projects before.

*****

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