Chapter 565: Shanghai Universal Studios Resort

Charles received the approval for the construction of Shanghai Universal Studios Resort. The Shanghai government had planned a 20 square kilometer Shanghai International Tourism Resort Area.

Shanghai Universal Studios would begin construction on a 4 square kilometer area within that region.

He couldn't wait and flew directly from Seoul to Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Transformers 3 production team had also arrived in Shanghai for filming.

Capet Pictures specifically sent people to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Shanghai International Tourism Resort Area.

At a villa in Pudong Jiugen Hall, Megan Fox, who had followed the crew to China, took a bath and saw Charles sitting on the sofa.

"Charles, Shanghai Universal Studios won against Disney this time," the sultry Megan Fox directly sat in Charles's lap.

"Disneyland," Charles also laughed. Capet Pictures collaborated with the Shanghai International Tourism Group to establish the Shanghai Universal Studios Resort Group.

For the real estate company shares, the ratio was 60:40 in favor of the Chinese side, while for the operating company's shares, the ratio was 45:55 in favor of Capet.

Compared to Disney's demand for at least 70% operational control, Capet Studios was much more sincere. Moreover, Capet Universal charged only one-seventh of the high design fees of Disney's Imagineering, and Capet Universal was more willing to employ local workers and prioritize sourcing materials from China.

Otherwise, with Disney's world-renowned reputation, Universal Studios would have had a hard time getting Shanghai's favor.

Megan Fox embraced Charles's neck and kissed him, "How long will you stay here?"

"Not long, need to head back soon," Charles replied. He was still concerned about MGM, with the auction ending on May 1, and wanted to see if MGM would undergo bankruptcy reorganization this time.

While saying this, Charles slipped his hand under her nightrobe, feeling the softness and thinking clearly:

Shanghai Universal Studios Resort would start construction next year.

Tokyo Disneyland in Japan was strong, but it was a franchise with authorized operation, and its profits weren't Disney's.

Europe's Disneyland Paris continued to incur losses, providing little help to Disney. However, Disney's two parks in the United States were powerful, with one park alone able to outperform two Universal Studios.

For now, Charles could only hope that the Shanghai and Osaka Universal Studios in Asia would give Capet more confidence.

Before long, passionate Megan Fox straddled Charles...

...

After handling the Shanghai Universal Studios contract, Charles prepared to return to the United States in early April.

On his private plane, Charles went to the cabin lounge, kissed Lin Chi-ling, and sat together on the sofa.

"Weren't you supposed to have some cameo scenes in The Green Hornet? Heading to America now?"

"It's not my turn to shoot yet. I was planning to go to America in mid-April, not many scenes," Lin Chi-ling, who had a role in The Green Hornet, answered. The Green Hornet had started filming in March in the United States.

Charles nodded, "No worries, treat it like a vacation to America," he said as he began making out with the beautiful woman in his arms.

...

Los Angeles, Burbank, Disney Headquarters.

Thomas Staggs, Chairman of Disneyland Resort, went to the office of Disney CEO, Robert Iger.

"Has Charles returned?" Robert Iger asked, putting down the Los Angeles Times and looking up.

Thomas Staggs nodded. "Capet now operates Osaka Universal Studios, and they are planning to invest 50 to 60 billion yen for renovations. Charles Capet is the one who cares the most about Universal Studios Resort in recent years!"

"The Harry Potter World at Orlando Universal Studios is about to open too," Robert Iger felt the pressure.

Capet's movie box office was strong, boosting their overall performance, while Disney lagged a bit behind in this area.

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 was rebooted, and Alice in Wonderland achieved spectacular results, second only to Avatar this year. So far, it has grossed over $300 million in North America and over $800 million worldwide!

"The opening of Harry Potter World at Orlando Universal Studios will surely attract a batch of tourists. You need to watch out for that," Robert Iger instructed.

After Thomas Staggs nodded and left the office, Robert Iger asked his assistant to summon the Chairman of Disney Studios, Rich Ross, to discuss further.

...

On the other side, Lin Chi-ling, who had come to Los Angeles with Charles, went to the set of The Green Hornet in New York to experience the atmosphere of filming in Hollywood.

In March, Capet Pictures' Taken 2 had a flourishing box office, with North America grossing 120 millions and global box office 315 millions of dollars so far.

Compared to Universal's Green Zone, which premiered around the same time, Taken 2 performed much better. Green Zone currently earned only $33 million in North America and $85 million worldwide!

Taken 2 had a production cost of $45 million, while Green Zone had Matt Damon and a production cost of $100 million.

Back-to-back failures of The Wolfman and Green Zone left Universal with another high-risk project, Robin Hood, set to release in May with a massive $200 million investment!

"Good evening, Michael!" At the Capet Dome Theater on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, Charles ran into Michael Jackson at the premiere of The Hunt.

"Good evening, Charles," Michael Jackson seemed very pleased, warmly hugging Charles. "Thank you so much. I've seen The Hunt three times, and I must say it's a terrific movie!"

Charles smiled, "Glad you like it. People are indeed complex creatures."

Michael Jackson nodded, "Last year, my concerts in London were a success. This year, I'm preparing a new album, and I'll be going on a world tour in the second half!"

"A world tour sounds great," Charles gave him a thumbs up, thinking Jackson must have earned quite a bit from last year's 20-show run in London. Even the King of Pop could use some cash.

Watching Michael Jackson smile for interviews with reporters relieved Charles. Preparing for a world tour indicated his health was much better!

The Hunt was merely a low-budget art film, although it featured Oscar winner Adrien Brody and had a theme song by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Such films wouldn't garner much box office revenue.

Similar to the February release of the American remake, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, which only made slightly over $10 million in the North American market. It earned $46 million globally, with Japan contributing $20 million.

After the red carpet, Emma Roberts, who had a cameo role in The Hunt, seemed still excited.

"Charles, was this film made for Michael Jackson? The plot is just too obvious," Emma Roberts asked in good spirits, sitting in the passenger seat.

"I'm a fan of Michael Jackson, and I was very angry about how he was wronged! More or less, and the script genuinely is pretty good," Charles admitted he liked the script too.

However, without Michael Jackson's incident, Charles probably wouldn't have thought of producing such a low-commercial-value script.

"Let's go celebrate your return at the Avalon Club," Emma Roberts suggested.

Charles nodded. The Avalon Club was one of Los Angeles' top nightclubs, a favorite spot for many Hollywood stars.

"By the way, aren't you filming the fourth season of Gossip Girl? Haven't you started yet?" Charles suddenly remembered, placing his hand on the woman's thigh.

"Ah, I took a leave to come back to Los Angeles. I'm already filming, just back for three days, then I'll fly back to New York to continue," Emma Roberts smiled.

Gossip Girl, as a trendy youth drama, suited Emma Roberts' public image well.

Soon, Charles and Emma Roberts arrived at the Avalon Club, getting a VIP booth near the stage.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.