Chapter 618: Lucasfilm

"Disney acquired Lucasfilm for 4 billion dollars, using a mix of cash and stock." Charles had been having a good sleep on the Star ship in the morning when this news jolted him awake.

"Mad, how did it happen so fast?" Charles couldn't help but utter a swear word when he got the call. Although he knew that negotiations had been going on behind closed doors for a while, the immediate press conference made it a done deal, leaving Charles without any hope.

Climbing out from between four white arms in bed, Charles threw on a robe and went to the living room. He turned on CNBC and lit a cigarette. Disney CEO Robert Iger and Lucasfilm Chairman George Lucas were being interviewed by reporters.

Robert Iger: "We will manage Lucasfilm following the Pixar model. Star Wars is one of the greatest American IPs, and Disney will start planning for the seventh Star Wars film."

George Lucas: "I believe Disney can take good care of Lucasfilm because Star Wars is like my child. Handing over Star Wars to Disney makes me feel at ease..."

Disney was in a rush, likely feeling the heat from the Marvel series in Hollywood. Charles always knew Disney had a better chance of acquiring Lucasfilm than he did. But now that it happened, he did have some opinions on George Lucas's choice, likely with some help from Steven Spielberg and Steve Jobs.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were long-time friends. And Steve Jobs, who had cancer at the time, had bought Pixar - which was once Lucasfilm's computer animation division -for $10 million in the 1980s.

"Wow." Charles exhaled, watching as America's beloved Star Wars was snatched up by Disney.

"Honey, what are you looking at?" Britney Spears, tired and wearing a scanty nightgown that barely covered her curves, walked over. Her exposed, sexy legs moved slowly towards him.

"I'll head back to the company this afternoon. Disney is developing the seventh Star Wars, so we need to come up with a plan," Charles said, leaning on the couch as Britney sat beside him and took the cigarette from his mouth for a puff.

"Mad about it?" Britney smiled, knowing it wasn't a secret that Charles Capet wanted to buy Star Wars.

"Mad? Just a bit annoyed," Charles shrugged.

With Disney acquiring Lucasfilm in late September 2010, other film companies also worried it would become Disney's next Pixar, increasing the industry's focus on Disney.

...

That evening, a Bugatti Veyron stopped in front of Hollywood Boulevard's Roosevelt Hotel. Charles exited the car while a valet took it to park.

"Mr. Capet, this is a celebration party for Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. Any comments on Star Wars joining Disney?" Reporters at the hotel entrance didn't care about much else but Charles showing up at the celebration.

Charles took off his sunglasses, donning a radiant, Italian-made silver-gray suit, and looked at reporters, shaking his head.

"What do I have to say? This isn't the moment for Capet Universal to voice opinions. It's about how other Hollywood film companies can narrow the gap with us. Next year, Capet Universal's lineup includes The Avengers, Transformers 3, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, The Hangover Part II, The Incredible Hulk 2, Fast & Furious 5, and Skyfall."

As Charles listed these sequels, the reporters took deep breaths, realizing just how strong Capet Universal really was. Avatar couldn't release every two or three years, but Capet Universal's IPs were a constant stream.

"So, Charles, do you think the new Star Wars series Disney is developing can compete with Marvel movies?" another determined reporter asked.

"Marvel Comics and Star Wars are both very influential American IPs. Which is better? That depends on the results," Charles said before entering the hotel, uninterested in the reporters.

With beautiful music, stunning dances, abundant food and drinks, and sexy ladies, a Hollywood party never lacked these elements.

"Charles, welcome." Disney Chairman John Pepper approached Charles, his face radiating the joy of Disney's successful Lucasfilm acquisition, showing its critical importance.

"Congratulations, John," Charles shook hands with John Pepper.

With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Orlando studios opening just recently, Disney acquiring Lucasfilm and planning Star Wars-themed areas at Disneyland didn't seem far off. Charles acknowledged that while box office wasn't a worry, consumer products were the focus.

John Pepper called a server to bring drinks. Taking a sip, he smiled. "The pressure from Capet Universal is immense on us at Disney."

"The film industry is the group's locomotive. Capet Universal owns several enviable movie IPs. Without change, the gap between Disney and Capet Universal will only widen," John Pepper acknowledged.

Charles looked towards Disney CEO Robert Iger chatting with George Lucas in the distance. "Pixar, Lucasfilm - Disney's strategy is impressive."

John Pepper nodded, "But some regrets also come with it. After acquiring Pixar, Robert's top desire was to acquire Marvel Entertainment. Unfortunately, it already belonged to you, Charles."

Closing his eyes momentarily before reopening them, Charles said, "Good thing I took a risk to acquire Marvel back then. Otherwise, we'd see a Disney owning Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm."

'Such a depressing thought.'

John Pepper felt relieved, "Good thing Lucasfilm belongs to Disney. But Charles, you must be cautious in the future."

"Hollywood is interesting only with competition," Charles smiled, pondering over John Pepper's confidence. Who was behind it? George Lucas? Robert Iger?

*****

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