Chapter 150: Disney's Troubles

In the hotel room, Arthur handed Vivian Chow an elegantly wrapped box. "Vivian, here's a gift for you. See if you like it?"

Vivian Chow opened it and found a Cartier diamond necklace. "This is so beautiful!"

"Let me help you put it on," Arthur said, leading Vivian Chow to the vanity. He put the necklace around her neck, making her fair neck even more stunning.

"Does it look good?" Vivian Chow asked, smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

Arthur nodded, placing his hands on her shoulders and smiling. "Of course, it looks great!"

"I'm going to the airport soon. We won't see each other for a few months," Vivian Chow said, touching Arthur's hand with a hint of sadness.

"Air travel is convenient," Arthur said, then leaned in to kiss her while his hand slipped inside her shirt, feeling the softness. "If anything comes up in Hong Kong, you can always call me," Arthur whispered close to her.

"I know!"

Arthur nodded, then helped her adjust her clothes and checked his watch. "I should take you to the airport."

On the way to the airport, Arthur handed Vivian Chow a $500,000 check. "Take a good rest in Hong Kong. No need to overwork yourself. Take it," Arthur smiled, gently patting her thigh. 

"Okay," Vivian Chow nodded, then embraced Arthur and kissed him.

After Vivian Chow entered the waiting hall at San Francisco International Airport, Arthur instructed the driver to head to Pixar's headquarters.

When Arthur finished dealing with Pixar's affairs and returned to Los Angeles, it was already mid-October.

"You spent $32 million to buy an animation studio?" Amy Pascal was still shocked by Arthur's big move. "Pixar now only designs some ads and special effects CG, right?"

Arthur smiled. "Don't worry. Pixar will surprise us. Disney is ready to sign a cooperation agreement with them to commission the development of animated feature films."

"True, Jeffrey Katzenberg even called to inquire. Pixar has now terminated negotiations with Disney," Amy Pascal nodded.

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey and Scream provided Orion with over $50 million in cash flow in the North American market. 

At present, Galaxy could be considered financially robust. Soon, The Addams Family would be released, and The Silence of the Lambs had entered the video market, continuously providing funds for the company.

"By the way, what's Scott Rudin doing now?" Arthur asked, thinking of the former film producer he had fired because The Addams Family was about to be released.

"He's still developing projects. What else could he do? The Addams Family was originally Orion's project. What could an external producer like him do?" Amy Pascal didn't care, not giving him any thought.

Meanwhile, at Disney's headquarters, group president Frank Wells' office, Jeffrey Katzenberg sat on the couch with a serious expression.

On the table was a newspaper with an article written by Jeffrey Katzenberg himself, reflecting on why last year's Dick Tracy failed to meet expectations.

Last year, Disney's most successful film was undoubtedly Pretty Woman, led by Jeffrey Katzenberg. 

However, the blockbuster Dick Tracy, led by Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, cost $47 million to produce. Due to ongoing scandals involving director and star Warren Beatty, Disney spent a large amount on marketing. 

Yet, Dick Tracy only grossed $100 million worldwide, far below expectations.

Now, an article reflecting on the first-in-command by the third-in-command of Disney appeared in the newspaper, causing quite a stir and enraging Michael Eisner.

The relationship between Disney's top executive Michael Eisner and third-in-command Jeffrey Katzenberg had almost hit rock bottom.

Caught in the middle, the ever-amiable Disney president Frank Wells had to console both sides.

"Frank, as the head of Disney's animation department, I didn't even know that the animation department was getting a new headquarters?" Jeffrey Katzenberg, not known for his temper, had grown increasingly dissatisfied with Michael Eisner after a string of successes.

Michael Eisner's announcement of the new animation building without informing Katzenberg was a clear attempt to curb and undermine his authority.

Jeffrey Katzenberg had only learned about this from a dinner conversation after the New York premiere of Beauty and the Beast!

Frank Wells sighed, "You used to be good friends. How did it come to this?"

Apart from animation and a few successful live-action films, most of Disney's studio projects were losses.

A series of morale-draining failures reflected the deteriorating relationship between Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Katzenberg began to openly criticize Eisner, complaining about his lack of preparation and not reading scripts before meetings. 

Meanwhile, Eisner directly started to diminish Katzenberg's power and suppress his standing within Disney.

Beneath the calm and harmonious surface, there was already an undercurrent.

"Next month, Beauty and the Beast will be fully released, and you need to oversee it," Frank Wells patted Jeffrey Katzenberg.

"The costly Euro Disney Resort will also open next year. The company cannot afford internal conflicts now!"

Jeffrey Katzenberg looked at Frank Wells, "It's not that I want to fight. Michael is no longer the same. He's becoming more arrogant and conceited. He is now denying everyone's efforts and contributions. Is Disney's revival solely due to Michael Eisner?

The Euro Disney Resort has severely overspent, opposed by farmers around Paris, and how many tourists will come in the cold weather?"

Jeffrey Katzenberg sneered, "If Euro Disney Resort fails to meet visitor expectations after opening next year, Frank, who do you think Michael will blame?"

After all, Euro Disney Resort was personally overseen by Michael Eisner, with Frank Wells assisting him. If it failed, would Michael Eisner blame himself?

*****

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