America 1919

Now those big studios in Hollywood must also be resorting to similar methods.

Donnie said, "Learn the names of these people as soon as possible, and pick out a few of the most influential ones. I have a way to deal with them!"

Charlie Chaplin said, "No problem, I'll bring the list to you tomorrow!"

Donnie and Charlie Chaplin both knew that at this moment, their war with the big Hollywood studios had officially begun!

In fact, there was no need for Charlie Chaplin to deliver the list to Donnie. By this afternoon, several pieces of news had spread throughout Hollywood.

Famous Hollywood A-list actor, Ron Boone, had officially reached a verbal contract with Universal, who would star him in a blockbuster movie they planned to invest in and produce next year.

Top director Bernard King also reached a verbal agreement with Paramount and would direct a movie for them.

There were seven or eight pieces of news like this.

When these pieces of news spread, people from the three major unions established by Chaplin and others began to worry.

Everyone started to worry about the possible retaliation from these big Hollywood studios.

"Don't end up without an improved deal and lose your status in Hollywood!"

This was a practical concern many were considering.

"It's understandable, after all, nothing like this has ever happened before, and everyone is feeling uncertain!"

After the news spread throughout Hollywood, Chaplin and the four, who originally planned to meet Donnie tomorrow, couldn't restrain themselves and arrived at Donnie's villa tonight.

"Donnie, we must come up with corresponding measures now, or the three newly established unions will certainly crumble!"

Griffith said with some concern.

Donnie did not answer Griffith's question, but instead asked the four of them, "Have any of those big Hollywood studios approached any of you individually?"

Upon hearing Donnie's words, the four fell silent.

Well, there was no need for them to answer. Donnie already knew the outcome!

"The most important thing now is that we need to be united internally. If you are blinded by the immediate benefits the big studios offer you, then in the future, those studios will be able to manipulate you easily!"

Douglas suddenly said, "Donnie, whether it was establishing United Artists or the three major unions, wasn't our fundamental goal to improve our conditions?

Now that the other side is willing to improve these conditions, why must we persist in a hard-line stance against them?

Hollywood has always been the domain of these giant studios, and I think there is truth in what they say: no matter how much we protest and march, in the end, won't we still have to follow the arrangements of these big studios?"

"Doug!"

Pickford looked at Douglas with dissatisfaction. This was not what they had agreed upon before they came!

"Mary!" Douglas looked at Pickford affectionately, saying, "My dear, I'm not thinking this way because I'm backing down, but because I'm genuinely considering our future pragmatically.

An egg won't crack a rock, and the rock won't get chipped!"

The war had just begun, and already someone was preparing to defect!

This was probably the last thing any revolutionary wanted to see.

"So, Mr. Van Pank, are you planning to back out?" Donnie asked calmly, quite plainly addressing Douglas's position.

"Doug!"

Mary took hold of Douglas's hand, looked at him with deep affection, and said, "If we succeed this time, not only will the treatment of actors, screenwriters, and directors throughout Hollywood improve, but the situation of our company will also get better. Isn't that what you want to see?"

Under Mary's passionate gaze, Douglas ultimately nodded somewhat reluctantly, "Alright, I will stand firmly on our side!"

After this little episode with Douglas, the mood of Chaplin and others noticeably soured.

Seeing this, Donnie smiled and said, "Now that Mr. Van Pank has just made his position clear, let's leave it at that. The most important thing now is still our plan. To prevent more actors, directors, and screenwriters from being poached by those big studios, I think we should schedule our march as soon as possible, the sooner the better!"

At this moment, what needed to be done was to cut the Gordian knot, although Donnie was very dissatisfied with Douglas's actions.

After all, this man was one of the initiators of this protest march, and if he backed out at this time, the impact on the whole affair would be too great.

This was why Donnie did not want to keep discussing the matter in front of the others!

Charlie Chaplin said, "I've already contacted all the people for the march, we can start the day after tomorrow!"

Donnie nodded and replied, "That's good, let's start the day after tomorrow. Just right, I have a gift for those traitors tomorrow."

Chaplin and others looked at Donnie, wanting to know what the gift Donnie mentioned was. Stay tuned for updates on empire

"You'll all know tomorrow!"

But amid the expectant looks, Donnie did not divulge his plan, leaving Douglas feeling awkward and also giving the other three food for thought.

The next day!

In a villa near the Chinese Grand Theatre... In a few years, this place will be demolished and converted into a commercial center.

For the time being, Ron Boone, the United States' famous satirical actor, as usual, went to the dining room after getting up.