I am Hollywood

[Chapter 1086: Unexpected Memories]

"An interesting thing is happening. AT&T and ExxonMobil have market shares exceeding fifty percent in their respective industries, and they manage to remain unscathed. Yet now, some people want the Justice Department to come after us." In the banquet hall of the large ship, Eric spoke with a wry smile to Bill Michanick, who had raised concerns about the recent media discussions.

"AT&T and ExxonMobil are not the same as us," Bill replied, his tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Eric, I think you should start preparing for what might come."

Though Bill didn't spell everything out, Eric understood and nodded seriously. "I get it."

While AT&T and ExxonMobil have over half the market share in their industries, they are both publicly held companies. Coupled with their multi-billion dollar market valuations, the interests of these two companies almost equate to the interests of the entire United States. The elite federal players had control over both companies, and the common citizenry shared in the profits created by these conglomerates through insurance and retirement funds. As long as these companies didn't act excessively, no one would have any reason to stir up trouble.

In comparison, the Firefly Group's control was firmly held by Eric himself. While many companies within the group were also publicly traded, the power and profit within the Firefly structure were overly concentrated compared to federal giants. In this situation, it was impossible not to incite some envy.

Aside from Hollywood's media industry, most of the Firefly Group's assets were distributed in the new technology sector. Since tech companies typically belonged to emerging industries, they did not threaten the interests of the traditional social classes overly much. However, as the Firefly Group grew larger, some people naturally began to feel that these industries should share in their fortunes. As such thoughts became more prevalent, trouble for the Firefly Group would surely follow.

Eric had never ignored this issue; however, to be frank, he had no experience handling such matters. Perhaps no one in the world had real experience with them, making it necessary for him to tread cautiously and learn slowly.

Watching Bill walk away, Eric felt an increased appreciation for him. After all, to raise such a sensitive concern in front of him indicated that Bill had begun to immerse himself in the Firefly Group.

...

Lifting his champagne glass for a sip, Eric scanned the room. With the success of The Fast and the Furious, a celebration was certainly in order.

Since the New Year had just passed, several companies had collaborated to host this party, making it a grand gathering for the Hollywood Firefly Group. Executives from Firefly, MGM, Fox, and Columbia, along with friendly producers, directors, and stars, all gathered together.

As his eyes swept around, Eric spotted Caroline and Merissa Mayer chatting softly by the buffet. He waved them over.

It was already January 16th, and Caroline had returned to Los Angeles the previous week; her foot injury had completely healed.

Noticing Eric's gesture, Caroline and Merissa walked over, each carrying a small plate of food. "Eric, what's up?" Caroline asked as they approached.

With one hand holding his glass and the other in his trouser pocket, Eric hesitated before shaking his head with a smile. "Nothing much. Just a reminder for the two of you to watch out and not eat too much. You don't want to gain weight."

Gaining weight was practically every girl's nemesis, and Caroline instantly recoiled, embarrassed. "I haven't eaten that much!"

Eric lifted his glass. "Well, in that case, go have fun. And remember, no flirting with boys -- not even talking."

Caroline naturally took that as a 'warning' directed at her alone. With a shy glance at Merissa Mayer, she muttered, "Eric, you're so bossy."

After saying that, she dismissed Eric and pulled Merissa off to another part of the room.

Although Eric sensed Caroline's earlier hesitant demeanor, she didn't pursue the matter since he hadn't spoken further. Merissa turned back just as she was being tugged away, looking at Eric for one last glance.

...

Once he sent the two assistants on their way, Eric mingled with the guests who came to greet him, making his way to the main deck of the lower level of the ship, where he found Drew and others.

Drew, feeling a hand wrap around her waist, didn't seem to mind the other guests nearby. She turned and kissed Eric, asking, "Eric, did Bill need you for something?"

"Nothing important," Eric replied, shaking his head. He greeted Amy Pascal, Tina Fey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Hudson with a smile. "Hey, Amy, Gwen, Kate, oh, and Tina! Long time no see."

Tina, a bit shy, raised her glass and said, "Good to see you, Eric."

After being Drew's personal assistant for a while, Tina had moved to a supervisory role in MGM's script editing department following the company's reorganization.

Thinking back, MGM now resembled something of a Hollywood women's collective.

As he greeted everyone, Eric noticed a familiar face among the women. A tall woman in a black spaghetti strap dress caught his attention; he felt he recognized her but couldn't recall her name immediately.

She noticed Eric looking her way and introduced herself, "Mr. Williams, hello. I'm Mira Sorvino."

"Hello," Eric finally remembered and smiled. "You starred in Woody's film, Mighty Aphrodite, right?"

Mira nodded with a smile.

"So, what were you all discussing earlier?"

Amy Pascal spoke up, "Oh, nothing much. We're just talking about whether we should go to New York for Fashion Week next month."

Eric feigned complete disinterest and replied, "Oh, in that case, let's change the topic."

Everyone laughed lightly.

Gwyneth chimed in, "Eric, I heard the Iron Man Super Bowl trailer is dropping soon?"

Eric looked at Gwyneth, smiling at the former 'Pepper Potts.' "Yes, be sure to tune in; you might find it quite good."

...

After everyone chatted for a while, New Line's CEO, Kenneth Horne, and the recently departed Bill Michanick, walked over together.

Recognizing they might have something important to discuss, Eric nodded to the women and left with them, asking, "What's up?"

Kenneth didn't immediately speak. The three made their way to the ship's internal dining room where Eric had Amy Adams on duty prepare a fresh pot of coffee. Once seated in the quiet room, Kenneth handed Eric a folder he had brought along. "Eric, this is Adam Sandler's new project script."

Taking the folder, Eric flipped through the screenplay quickly.

The script was titled Big Daddy, retaining Adam Sandler's signature comedic style while incorporating more father-son themes.

Currently, Adam Sandler's end-of-year release The Water Boy had also crossed the hundred million mark at the box office. Together with last year's holiday hit, The Wedding Singer, he had now garnered two films with over a hundred million in North America.

While both films had floundered overseas due to his comedic persona and roots in television limiting their appeal, that did not prevent Adam from establishing himself among Hollywood's A-list. After all, his investment return rates were significantly higher than most blockbuster films, considering the average costs hovered around twenty million dollars.

After skimming through, Eric set the script down and inquired, "So, what's the current situation?"

Kenneth replied, "Adam presented this script to me the week after The Water Boy was released. But you know, New Line had originally signed him for only two films -- The Water Boy and The Wedding Singer; he has fulfilled his contract."

Although a newcomer back then, Adam Sandler was already a popular television star, hence only willing to agree to a two-film option.

Eric nodded. "And then what?"

Kenneth continued, "I offered him fifteen million for this movie, but Adam declined. In the following weeks, he hasn't reached out to me."

Eric thought for a moment, smiling at Bill Michanick beside him. "So he turned to Columbia?"

Bill shook his head, then nodded. "Yes and no. Adam didn't contact us directly; instead, a production company called 'Out of the Blue... Entertainment' reached out, claiming they wanted Columbia to help distribute Adam's new film."

At hearing Bill's words, Eric suddenly recalled many years past -- it felt like a cycle.

After completing Home Alone, Eric's distributor had also been Columbia, with Amy Pascal once more playing the connecting role.

Who would have thought that many years later, after making a name for himself, Adam Sandler was seeking out Columbia once again?

However, this time, the situation was utterly different; the current owner of Columbia was the very young man who had once daringly negotiated terms with them.

Still, it came as no surprise that Adam went to Columbia. Among Hollywood's big seven studios, Columbia was currently the weakest, having the strongest demand for quality projects and filmmakers. Compared to others, Columbia was indeed the most likely to accept any proposed conditions.

With these thoughts in mind, Eric wore a smile that carried an ambiguous quality. "So, what are their terms for collaboration?"

*****

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