Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 91, Part 1

At the same time, news also came from Chen Zheng's side.

"Mr. Fu, I've made up my mind."

Chen Zheng's voice was calm on the phone.

"I'm joining."

"it is good."

Fu Yibai didn't say anything more.

"I need you to do two things for me over the next month."

First, build a team.

Second, complete the acquisition of Franchise Films.

"clear."

July 12, a conference room at a law firm in downtown Los Angeles.

Representatives of Franchise Entertainment's shareholders, the interim CEO, and lawyers for several major creditors sat on one side of a long table.

Fu Yibai sat on the other side, next to Chen Zheng and the two merger and acquisition lawyers he had hired.

The negotiations lasted for a full four hours.

Ultimately, the two sides reached an agreement on a price of forty million US dollars.

Fu Yibai acquired 100% equity of Franchise Films in cash, assumed all its debts, and injected US$100 million as operating capital.

The shareholder representative of the franchise company breathed a long sigh of relief as the signature was made.

Fu Yibai simply closed the pen cap calmly, stood up, and shook hands.

After the acquisition, Fu Yibai did not return to China immediately, but instead went to Hollywood to find professional talent and build the team for New Franchise Films.

Fu Yibai did not rename Franchise Pictures, since the name Franchise Pictures still had some recognition in Hollywood compared to a new name.

While Fu Yibai was restructuring Franchise Films, Chen Zheng also began to conduct preliminary research and contact with some technology companies according to Fu Yibai's instructions.

Fu Yibai's vision is not limited to the film industry. With a cash flow of one billion US dollars, it would be too short-sighted to limit his vision to the cultural and entertainment industry.

Chen Zheng was very efficient. Within a week, he compiled a list of potential companies covering the fields of chips, the Internet, and emerging software. Fu Yibai was particularly interested in the technology of several of the startups.

July 15, Top floor office of Franchise Films.

Fu Yibai stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city lights below.

On the desk behind him lay the list of technology companies that Chen Zheng had just delivered, next to which was an asset valuation report for Franchise Films.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter."

Margaret pushed open the door and entered, holding a document in her hand.

"Mr. Fu, the preliminary list of the new team has been drafted. Would you like to take a look?"

"Just put it there."

Fu Yibai turned around, walked back to his desk, and sat down.

This veteran Hollywood producer in his early fifties was headhunted by Chen Zheng. He had worked in Hollywood for over twenty years, participated in the production of dozens of films, and was very familiar with how Hollywood operated.

"Mr. Fu, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"explain."

"I understand that you acquired Franchise Films because you valued its distribution network and cinema resources."

But if you want to establish yourself in Hollywood, distribution channels alone aren't enough; you need content.

Margaret paused, observing Fu Yibai's expression.

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair and looked at her.

"Margaret, do you have any suggestions?"

"My suggestion is to make a medium-budget film first, take it one step at a time, get the team working together, and build up credibility."

Hollywood doesn't lack good stories; it lacks teams that can tell good stories.

Fu Yibai didn't say anything, but simply opened the drawer, took out a brown paper bag, and pushed it in front of her.

Margaret paused for a moment, opened the paper bag, and pulled out the documents inside.

"Inception?"

This script was obtained by Fu Yibai from the system after he acquired Franchise Films.

The goal is to fire the first shot in the new franchise film industry.

Fu Yibai plans to turn this script into a co-production.

Not only because Franchise Entertainment didn't have enough funds to independently produce the film, but also to enhance its standing in the domestic industry.

(Actually, the main purpose is to help Chenxi earn some money.)

After all, Dawn is his core business; Hollywood will decline in a few years, and he'll still need to make money from the domestic market.

She flipped to the first page, quickly skimming the synopsis. After reading just a few lines, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Dream theft? Multi-layered dream structure?"

She continued flipping through the pages, becoming more and more engrossed, and her page-turning speed slowed down.

When she closed the script, there was something different in her eyes.

"Mr. Fu, who wrote this?"

"I."

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair, his tone indifferent.

Margaret stared at him for a few seconds, then looked down at the script in her hand and remained silent for a moment.

"If this script is filmed well, it will be a phenomenal work."

Her voice was much more serious than before.

"But this is not a mid-budget film."

This requires a large investment, a top-notch team…

"I know."

Fu Yibai interrupted her.

That's why we need you.

Margaret closed the script and took a deep breath.

Have you thought about the budget?

"Starting at 150 million US dollars."

Fu Yibai spoke casually, as if he were talking about a million.

Margaret fell silent.

"Do you plan to have Franchise Studios invest independently, or bring in a partner?"

Fu Yibai remained silent for two seconds.

"Introduction".

He said.

"Choose either Warner or Paramount, one with global distribution capabilities."

Franchise Pictures' distribution network is currently mainly in the United States, and it needs to rely on their channels for overseas markets.

I also plan to bring in China Film Group and Chenxi Film Group.

China's film market is booming, and its box office potential should not be underestimated.

Margaret nodded, without objecting.

"Understood.

What are your thoughts on the director and the cast?

"I'll direct it myself, and as for the lead actor, I'd like to invite Leonardo DiCaprio to play the male lead, Cobb."

You need to communicate about this.

I plan to use Chinese actors.

For other roles, public auditions are open.

"clear."