Chapter 383

For the situation involving DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, Charles Capet didn't have much to say. After all, Steven Spielberg was someone who prioritized profit above all else, and working for Paramount was indeed difficult for him.

After Phyllis Jones left Charles' office, Capet Pictures' COO, Michael Lynn, came in to talk about it.

"Having Capet Pictures distribute for DreamWorks?" Charles listened to Michael Lynn's idea, and to say he wasn't interested would be a lie.

But he shook his head and said, "It's tough. Spielberg's grand gestures are too much for us to handle, and for us, investing in DreamWorks has too low a return on investment!"

Michael Lynn smiled wryly, "Charles, you can't use your standards to judge this. Your movie projects are just too phenomenal. However, we actually don't need other movie projects at the moment. We already have over ten planned movies for next year!"

Charles nodded, "But, I heard that this collaboration with DreamWorks and Reliance Entertainment from India has another purpose for coming to Hollywood?"

Reliance Entertainment wasn't just collaborating with Steven Spielberg; independent production companies of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Nicolas Cage were also in touch with Reliance Entertainment.

Michael Lynn laughed, "Hollywood now needs Asian capital. The Indian movie market is very unique, with Hollywood films accounting for less than 10% of its market. Moreover, since 2005, the number of movies produced in India and shown in theaters annually exceeds 1,000. This year, our Slumdog Millionaire might make a mark in the Indian market!"

In the 80s, Hollywood entered the blockbuster era with the introduction of VHS tapes and VCDs, dramatically increasing movie costs with a significant influx of Japanese capital.

In the 90s, with the advent of DVDs, the movie industry got even hotter, attracting investments from Wall Street banks, insurance companies, and German capital.

After the millennium, the German government continuously amended film fund tax relief laws to close loopholes. The internet bubble and 9/11 economic downturn fostered collective investments in Hollywood.

Now, during another global financial crisis, with heavy losses in Europe and America, new Asian capital has caught Hollywood's eye. Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern investments are all potential targets.

For Hollywood, this external capital represented gullible but wealthy investors, with Hollywood offering nothing but some illusory international hype in return.

Charles sighed, "India's languages, races, and religious beliefs are too diverse, making it hard for foreign films to succeed."

Bollywood movies are characterized by one word: variety.

"Our movies distributed in India are also handled by local companies. But India is a huge market with over a billion people," Michael Lynn reminded him.

"Stick to the old method. Sign exclusive distribution deals with local distributors in different regions. As for developing Indian local films, we'll consider it if the opportunity arises." 

If there's another film like Slumdog Millionaire, it would definitely be worth developing.

"But, Capet Entertainment is very welcoming of Indian capital!"

Upon hearing this, Michael Lynn exchanged smiles with Charles.

Hollywood's accounting skills made even Wall Street accountants feel inferior. Foreign investors practically never came out unscathed.

What they needed was international renown, to leverage Hollywood's global influence to expand their brand value. Being credited in Hollywood films was what they sought!

As for the rest, they shouldn't overthink; profitable areas wouldn't seek them out.

...

In the evening, Charles attended a business cocktail party at the Plaza Hotel.

Charles, with the seductive Ivanka Trump on his arm, was having a great conversation with Steven Ross, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust.

"Congratulations, Charles. Wayne finally sold the Miami Dolphins to you," Steven Ross said. He wasn't particularly interested in the Dolphins themselves; his main aim was to develop real estate around Dolphin Stadium.

But a billion dollars in cash? No way to compete!

"Mr. Ross, I'm planning to build an urban entertainment complex in Miami Gardens, with the Miami Dolphins as a brand booster. We could work together on that!" Charles had his own real estate company, and Dawn Investments, under Capet Capital, had a Dawn Realty company.

Steven Ross nodded, "That's a good proposal!"

The two clinked their glasses.

"Spent a billion to buy the Miami Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium; another billion on One Worldwide Plaza!"

After Steven Ross left, Ivanka clung to Charles's arm a bit tighter, "So, what's next on your agenda?"

Charles shook his head, "Don't know yet, we'll see how things turn out!"

Shorting the real estate market, Charles made more than 12 billion dollars in profits, with $5 billion given to Lily Ying to buy U.S. Treasuries. After spending another billion, he still had nearly $6 billion left.

Previously, Charles had borrowed PS1 billion from British banks for two years of short-term loans to acquire Arsenal and for Lily Ying to buy U.S. Treasuries for the first time.

Now, over PS50 million remained in CSE Group's account, reserved for Arsenal's summer transfers and loan interest repayment.

After all, Arsenal had won the Premier League this year and signed new sponsorship deals, significantly boosting their revenues. Moreover, Charles had repaid Arsenal's PS200 million debt earlier, so Arsenal wasn't short of money.

Charles wasn't going to keep U.S. dollars on hand. The nearly $6 billion in cash would definitely be spent, but not in Europe.

Charles was waiting for the U.S. stock market to continue sinking for a good buy.

When the dollar surged, Charles could directly convert U.S. Treasuries into dollars, so he wouldn't lack dollars to buy U.S. stocks at the bottom.

*****

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