The revolving door of the Beverly Hilton Hotel was like a gilded kaleidoscope, but every time Ernst entered or exited, he had to face the ‘death glare’ of the lurking reporters.
The new owner of MGM, no less, didn’t even have a house in Los Angeles and was stuck in a hotel presidential suite.
This was reported by gossip newspapers as a Hollywood version of ‘punching above one’s weight,’ accompanied by a cartoon of him sleeping in a bathtub, hugging the MGM logo, with a very snarky title.
“The Acquisition Man Who Can’t Even Afford a Mattress.” Ernst didn’t care how the outside world reported it.
At this moment, the bathtub millionaire was curled up on the sofa, engrossed in J.K.
Rowling’s original manuscript of Harry Potter.
For eight million dollars, Dolly Copyright Company, registered by Craig for Ernst, acquired the film and television rights for four Harry Potter books.
Currently, only one Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, had been completed, but according to Rowling, the series could be written as a tetralogy at minimum.
Craig signed a film and television rights purchase contract based on the four books and stated that Dolly Copyright Company had the priority purchase right for the film and television rights of subsequent works.
“You’re good,” Ernst glanced at Craig, who was sprawled on the bed like the Michelin Man.
“How did you think of asking for the original manuscript?” On the large bed, Craig was spread out like a lump of fat, making one feel nauseated just by looking at him.
“You value it so much, and after I saw this book in England, I thought it was excellent and definitely had the potential to be a huge hit.
So, when I learned there was an original manuscript, I made asking for it a condition.
If Harry Potter becomes a huge hit, this original manuscript will be very valuable.” Ernst praised him, saying, “Not bad, you have a good business mind, but you’re a complete failure when it comes to naming things.” Dolly Copyright Company.
When Ernst first heard the name, he curiously asked about its meaning.
“What meaning?
Dolly called me at the time, so I just used that name.” Ernst had almost forgotten that Craig’s mother’s name was Dolly.
While they were chatting, Craig suddenly slapped his stomach.
“Speaking of which, it’s almost time, shouldn’t we be leaving?” “Leaving?” Ernst slapped his forehead.
“I almost forgot.” In Hollywood, parties are always the main theme, even more numerous than the films being shot.
As a current Hollywood tycoon, Ernst had received many invitations recently, but he rarely attended.
This led to a rumor circulating within Hollywood that Ernst was possessed by a demon.
Ernst, who used to spend every day either at a party or on his way to one, had surprisingly become a ‘good family man.’ And those agents who approached MGM, subtly hinting that their artists were ‘virginal artists’ and wanted his guidance, were all rejected.
Instead, Connelly and a few other actresses around twenty-five years old were frequently photographed dining with Ernst and appearing in public places.
He no longer liked young girls but mature women?
How could a person’s change be so drastic?
Some gossip tabloids used this as fodder: “MGM’s New King No Longer Likes Young Girls, Prefers Mature Women; Taste Shift Stuns Everyone.” “Then let’s go.” Without bothering to dress up, wearing casual clothes, Ernst locked the original manuscript in the suite’s safe while Craig grumbled beside him.
“At least change into a flashier shirt!” “Flashy?” Ernst raised an eyebrow.
“I’m afraid I’ll blind Universal Pictures’s CEO and mess up my deal.” This party was also in Beverly Hills and was hosted by Universal Pictures.
During the recently concluded summer box office, Universal Pictures was on a roll, absolutely dominating.
The Rock, directed by Michael Bay and starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris, had just finished its run in North America, raking in 134 million dollars at the North American box office, like a money-printing machine.
The overseas market wasn’t idle either; major box office regions where it had already opened showed strong performance, already reaching 140 million dollars, and institutions predicted that this blockbuster’s final box office could reach the 340 million dollar mark.
With such results, both critical acclaim and box office success, how could Universal Pictures not be proud?
The movie had just finished its run in North America, and a celebration party was quickly arranged, as if afraid others wouldn’t know about Universal Pictures’s outstanding achievements.
Normally, Ernst would be too lazy to join such a lively event, but this time was different.
A bombshell rumor had recently exploded in the industry: Universal Pictures actually wanted to package and sell off the Iron Man copyright.
20th Century Fox was already itching to make a move, and as soon as Ernst heard, his eyes lit up, feeling like he smelled money.
In 1990, Universal Pictures bought the rights to Iron Man, Hulk, and Namor from the struggling Marvel.
Hulk was the main character, while Iron Man and Namor were only considered supporting characters.
Speaking of which, the Iron Man comic had no market in North America and, in its previous life, also circulated among multiple film companies.
The copyright was tossed back and forth between Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and New Line, like a game of hot potato.
The script was revised again and again, producers changed more often than socks, and the lead actor went from the rumored Nicolas Cage to Tom Cruise, but nothing ever came of it.
Why?
The script lacked explosive points and novelty, the investment was like a bottomless pit, and crucially, the comic character had a pitifully small fanbase.
Which film company would dare to invest easily?
But Ernst knew clearly: if he wanted MGM to return to its peak in the 1950s and 60s, then Marvel had to be acquired, becoming his trump card.
However, at present, he had neither sufficient funds nor Marvel’s approval.
Marvel dreamed of bringing its superheroes to the big screen but completely looked down on the current MGM.
Ernst knew he had to first lead MGM out of its predicament, accumulate enough capital, before he could knock on Marvel’s door.
But before that, Ernst needed to protect these superheroes as much as possible.
Iron Man, Hulk, and Namor were acquired by Universal Pictures in 1990; X-Men and Fantastic Four were acquired by 20th Century Fox in 1993.
If the other party didn’t actively sell, Ernst truly didn’t have many options.
However, Blade, sold in 1998, and Spider-Man, sold in 1999, were events Ernst absolutely could not allow to happen.
By that time, Ernst believed he would have enough capital to completely acquire Marvel.
Arriving in Beverly Hills, Ernst felt the spotlight on him as soon as he got out of the car.
The entrance was filled with handsome men and beautiful women queuing to enter this Hollywood social circle, holding invitations and eagerly waiting for the doorman to check them one by one.
Ernst obviously didn’t have to do the same; as a big shot, he didn’t even bring an invitation.
He and Craig swaggered into the estate.
“Is that Ernst?
He’s so young and handsome!” The crowd instantly erupted in fangirl screams.
Hollywood is a very realistic place, but there’s no shortage of fangirls, especially those minor characters who constantly socialize with old men and look for opportunities.
Seeing Ernst’s young and strong body, their eyes went wide.
Since they were going to be ‘impacted,’ who wouldn’t want a young and strong one?
“Don’t even think about it, you’re not his type,” someone next to her poured cold water on her.
“How do you know if it’s his type until you’ve tasted it?” “Oh, please!
You’re too green!
It’s been all over the place lately that this new big shot has changed his taste and now prefers the mature charm of married women.
Your innocence isn’t enough to catch his eye.” “What’s wrong with being innocent?
Isn’t a blank slate good?” The other person rolled her eyes.
“But you’re just not ‘sassy’ enough, not that kind of inner-to-outer sassiness.”