Chapter 135

The Oscar party organized by Vanity Fair was always so extravagant, luxurious, with the best photographers, top-notch dresses, perfect makeup, and fame within easy reach!

Parmesan cheese, Burgundy winter truffles, Miyazaki beef with lobster, caviar, shrimp, crab legs, Moroccan spiced vegetable tagine, yuzu ravioli, dried fruit jam dark chocolate, and more.

As for drinks, they had top-quality brandy, tequila, and a variety of champagne and red wines.

"Congratulations, how do you feel now?" Charles asked after clinking glasses with Ang Lee.

"Like a dream, I still can't believe this is real!" Ang Lee had just given an interview media reporters.

At this moment, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi Deng appeared at the Vanity Fair party to congratulate Ang Lee.

As a top Hollywood media mogul, Charles politely greeted Rupert Murdoch.

Although Charles did not have good feelings about the News Corporation, he didn't have much of a chance to fight back now.

"Charles, your rise in Hollywood over the past two years has been amazing," the 74-year-old Rupert Murdoch still looked robust.

Charles smiled, "I'm still learning, and the future is still far ahead!"

Rupert Murdoch nodded and then, with a smile, said, "You have a good sense of the commercial aspects of films. How about leading Capet Pictures to join 20th Century Fox?

"I believe with the platform of 20th Century Fox, you will thrive, and under your leadership, 20th Century Fox would reach new heights!"

Charles smiled internally, Old Fox! Is this a recruitment or an acquisition? Leading Capet Pictures to join 20th Century Fox means swallowing Capet Pictures whole!

Shaking his head, he said, "Mr. Murdoch, I grew up in East L.A., too laid-back to lead such a behemoth like 20th Century Fox. I just want to run my own Capet Pictures and make the films I want to make."

Rupert Murdoch seemingly didn't catch Charles's implication, continuing to smile, "20th Century Fox also has the independent label Fox Searchlight Pictures, which can make the films you want;

And you're still young, don't you want to become the head of one of the world's biggest film companies?"

Charles shrugged, "Unfortunately, I don't have enough experience now. How could I manage it well?"

As the chairman of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch would not spend too much time persuading Charles since 20th Century Fox is just one segment of his film entertainment group.

After chatting a bit more, Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng left the party.

"What a big shot indeed!" Charles felt a bit envious. Fox Television, 20th Century Fox, and numerous newspapers, magazines, and media outlets under News Corporation.

Rupert Murdoch could be considered the most powerful mogul in Hollywood now, with only Viacom's Sumner Redstone able to compete with him.

However, in terms of assets, the Redstone family couldn't match the Murdoch family! After all, the News Corporation's global presence couldn't be rivaled by Viacom.

"Charles, congrats! I can't believe our collaboration is ending like this," James Schamus approached Charles, looking a bit conflicted.

Capet Pictures now distributed its own films, no longer needing Focus Features' distribution channels, as they both dealt with the North American market.

"James, cheer up, we still have opportunities to work together. If there's a high-budget film, we can still join hands!" Charles smiled, comforting James Schamus.

James Schamus bitterly nodded. Would you really come to Focus Features for a high-budget project? You'd likely seek a film investment company or a major studio with global distribution.

After all, Focus Features, under Universal Pictures, primarily targeted independent and foreign films, with strict budget limits.

At the midway point of the Vanity Fair dinner, Charles Capet took Scarlett Johansson back to the seaside villa in Santa Monica Palisades.

...

Meanwhile, in Harvey Weinstein's Malibu beach villa, Harvey, who had just vented his frustrations on his young girlfriend, was angrily complaining to his brother, Bob Weinstein.

"That Charles Capet, he doesn't respect me as a senior and even dares to threaten me not to make any moves!"

Bob Weinstein looked puzzled, "What did you do this time to get involved with Charles Capet again?"

"Our negotiation price with Disney hasn't been settled yet. Michael Eisner may not be the chairman anymore, but he's still the CEO. Our main job now is to secure our rightful benefits from Disney!"

Harvey's fat face jiggled with a menacing look as he shouted, "Is there any way to teach him a lesson?"

Bob Weinstein looked at Harvey like he was an idiot, "Are you playing with women so much that your brain's gone soft?"

"How can you deal with Charles Capet? Do you know how much capital he controls? Do you know Capet Pictures is negotiating a large commercial loan on Wall Street? Do you know the combined box office of the six movies Capet Pictures has released is sky-high?"

"Do you know how many investment institutions are lining up to give him money? If you mess with him, Miramax's profits for the last two years won't be enough to cover the profit of one of his movies. You're just a dumb fat pig playing with women!"

Bob Weinstein practically shouted at Harvey. The relationship between the two brothers was terrible, and Bob, who was focused on making money, had long been dissatisfied with Harvey wasting money on indie films and PR stunts.

"Bob, shut up! Dimension Films is your responsibility, and it hasn't made much money either!" Harvey, dressed in a bathrobe, stood up and roared.

"The Scary Movie series, the Mimic series, and the Hellraiser series are all profitable low-budget films, right? And you used the profits to invest in those artsy films!" Bob didn't want to continue arguing and turned to leave but looked back at the door and said, "If you get caught in a big scandal, don't expect me to face it with you. Charles Capet is a billionaire, not some no-name actress or small-time model you can threaten or throw money at to settle things."

"Think with your hormone-filled brain about the consequences of offending a wealthy and energetic young man!"

Bob left the beach villa, fuming. The negotiations with Disney were not going smoothly.

Disney wanted to retain the Miramax brand and its rights library completely, but their offer for Bob and Harvey's shares was unsatisfactory.

...

The 2005 Oscar ceremony ended in such a context. The movie Million Dollar Baby was the biggest winner, but the excellence of Brokeback Mountain was undeniable.

For the media, the Oscar ceremony was big news with plenty to report, and audiences paid close attention to Oscar entertainment news.

However, Charles didn't care much about the Oscars. What mattered was box office and profits.

Capet Pictures' various film projects were progressing steadily. The Da Vinci Code, after several months of preparation, finally held a press conference to announce the start of filming.

But because it involved sensitive topics like Jesus's secrets and religion, The Da Vinci Code faced many controversies from the beginning. Protests and letters from the Catholic League and ministry groups made it one of the most controversial films of 2005-2006.

In Charles's office, director Ron Howard actively responded to questions about the film, reassuring that The Da Vinci Code wouldn't dwell excessively on religious issues, emphasizing the film's focus on thrilling suspense instead.

"A far-fetched, heretical novel?" Charles muttered as he turned off the TV and walked to the office window, sighing. It seemed that Capet Pictures was involved in controversial films these days.

The Passion of the Christ, Brokeback Mountain, and now The Da Vinci Code. At least they stayed clear of Fahrenheit 9/11.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Phyllis Jones asked, puzzled.

Charles shook his head. Capet Pictures couldn't give the impression that it thrived on controversy. The sequel to The Da Vinci Code should be handed off.

Hogging the limelight, especially with such controversial material, wasn't wise. Collaborators were necessary. Besides, the sequel or prequel, Angels & Demons, wasn't as thrilling as The Da Vinci Code.

"Can the crew shoot inside the Louvre?" Charles asked.

Phyllis nodded, "Mr. Brown and director Howard met with the French president, Jacques Chirac, in Paris late last year. After an hour-long meeting, they got permission to shoot in the Louvre. They'll film after hours or on Tuesdays when the museum is closed.

However, the 'Mona Lisa,' the Louvre's centerpiece, won't be the original but a precise replica for filming."

Charles nodded, noting the importance of the Louvre scenes, especially the "Mona Lisa" painting as a crucial prop.

"However, the key scenes set in Westminster Abbey didn't go smoothly. Shooting there wasn't allowed. But Lincoln Cathedral, with a structure very similar to Westminster Abbey, welcomed the crew. They signed filming agreements with both Lincoln Cathedral and Rosslyn Chapel," Phyllis continued.

"I hope Nicolas Cage doesn't disappoint as Robert Langdon this time."

Nicolas Cage's treasure-hunting adventure film National Treasure had already grossed over $300 million worldwide.

Charles hoped The Da Vinci Code would achieve even greater success. After all, National Treasure was an original script with a $100 million budget.

The Da Vinci Code, based on a bestselling novel, also had a $100 million budget, with Capet Pictures putting up $30 million in cash and financing the remaining $70 million.

*****

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