Chapter 180: Warner's Calculations and the Golden Horse Best Actress's Affection

Time Warner is an internet-era media and entertainment company. Since its founders, the Warner brothers, began film exhibition work in 1903, it has existed for over a century—a century-old brand that truly deserves the name.

In 1927, Warner Bros. released *The Jazz Singer*, considered the first official sound film in cinema history, ushering in the era of talkies.

In 1931, Warner Bros. developed electric film projection equipment, which held historical significance for the early North American film market and the motion picture industry.

Over the following half-century, Warner Bros. continuously integrated resources and expanded its business until 1990, when Warner Communications and Time Inc. merged to form Time Warner, becoming the world's largest media conglomerate. By 1997, the company's revenue had reached as high as 25 billion USD.

In 2001, the world's largest internet service provider, AOL, merged with Time Warner, becoming the world's first fully integrated media and communications company for the internet age, once again pushing Time Warner to its peak.

To this day, Time Warner's business map spans the publishing, film, and television industries, including globally influential media such as *Time Magazine*, *Sports Illustrated*, *Fortune*, *Life Magazine*, Turner Broadcasting System, CNN, HBO, DC Comics, and Warner Bros., all of which are its subsidiaries.

The party negotiating with Wei Jin this time is Warner Bros. Pictures, which is primarily responsible for film-related affairs.

Burbank, California, headquarters of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Nolan and the Warner representative Paul, whom Wei Jin had met, were in the midst of a pleasant conversation with Leon.

"Nolan, Paul, I really like this script. Thank you for thinking of me, but I hope to participate in the investment. I am very optimistic about this project."

"Of course, inviting you to join is precisely because we hope to gain greater leverage. This director from the East is a bit difficult to deal with. He doesn't know that while investment is easy to get, profit-sharing isn't calculated that way."

Warner also had its own calculations. The 60% share Wei Jin demanded was simply too much, but judging by his attitude, if they didn't agree, they might not get the project at all, so they decided to agree for now.

As for the subsequent operations, it was nothing more than dividing the profit-sharing regions; the investors could enjoy the share corresponding to the resources they provided. This was the correct way to do things in Hollywood.

Bringing Leon into the fold would not only dilute Wei Jin's investment share but also guarantee the project's profitability. One must know that Leon is currently the most bankable Hollywood superstar in the world; his participation would increase the project's profit expectations by at least 30%.

"Paul, forgive my bluntness, but I think it's better to be clear during formal negotiations. Wei is a miraculous person. His status as a Palme d'Or winner and an Oscar Director deserves our respect. Besides, as far as I know, the rise of Summit Entertainment owes much to his support."

Leon had high artistic aspirations. He was optimistic about Wei Jin and did not want to damage their relationship over a single collaboration; after all, there was no end to the money one could make.

"Hmm, Paul, perhaps we can consider maintaining a long-term partnership with Wei. In fact, Summit Entertainment cannot fully handle all the scripts he registers. This is an opportunity."

Nolan also spoke up to persuade him. He was a pure filmmaker who didn't want to get involved in so much, and besides, he really had his eye on Wei Jin's other scripts.

"Hmm, let me think about it some more, think about it some more."

The two men's persuasion did have some effect; Paul was already considering how to get along with this Eastern director. —— While waiting for Warner to produce the budget, Wei Jin was not idle and met with William.

"William, you really surprise me. You've actually lost weight so quickly."

After half a year of not seeing him, this guy had actually returned to his original elite appearance. He had great willpower.

"Boss, I must maintain a healthy body to serve you at any time."

Watching the wealth he managed grow geometrically, William had made up his mind to live well and follow his boss to enjoy the fruits of victory, but this did not affect him using this to express his loyalty in front of his boss.

"Alright, have you closed out all the positions on hand?"

As a financier in his past life, Wei Jin naturally would not miss this major market trend in North America. Since early last year, he had instructed William to sweep up a large number of A-rated or higher CDS on the market.

"According to your instructions, we began selling off gradually half a year ago. This time, the profit is roughly over tenfold."

When saying this, the expression on William's face became increasingly respectful. Wei Jin's decision-making was simply divine.

As a senior investor, William had actually realized the problems in the subprime mortgage market long ago, but he lacked the courage to gamble on it. Wei Jin, however, dared to, and was quite decisive.

"Hmm, that's good. By the way, how is the project development going over at Riot Games?"

This company was one of the few North American gaming companies Wei Jin knew well. By 2006, he had already achieved absolute control, and the founding team currently held less than 30% of the shares.

"It's still undergoing internal testing. It's estimated that it won't be able to go online until early next year."

William never discounted Wei Jin's requests; in his eyes, this man was like a deity. "Hmm, keep this matter in mind. Also, you can start on the list in the documents. Be careful not to expose it."

"Understood, Boss." —— Back home, in Beijing, inside the China Film Group office.

Secretary Xiao Yang looked at Han Sanping, who had just hung up the phone, feeling a bit strange. Had the leader found a new lease on life or become a father late in age? Why was he so happy?

"Xiao Yang, call Zhang Wei over, immediately."

Realizing he had been a bit uncomposed in front of his subordinate, Han Sanping regained his dignity and said: "Very well, Han Dong."

Xiao Yang said this while exiting the office to make the call.

After the secretary left, Han Sanping leaned back in his boss chair, recalling the phone call just now. The smile on his face could not be stopped at all; there was no trace of the ferocity of Zuoshandiao.

Han Sanping truly hadn't expected Wei Jin to bring such a big surprise. A project of over 100 million USD, collaborating with Warner, Director Nolan, and it was said that Leon was also interested in starring. It was truly a case of sitting at home and having joy fall from the sky.

However, what Han Sanping found a bit regrettable was that China Film Group's influence was limited to the Asian region. For this collaboration, they would likely only be able to get the profit-sharing and distribution rights for the Asian region; Wei Jin had already negotiated this in advance over the phone.

Of course, Han Sanping also understood Wei Jin's purpose in pulling in China Film Group. After all, the approval rights for imported films were in the hands of China Film Group. The domestic market, while not huge, wasn't small either, and ultimately had the box office potential of tens of millions of USD.

Moreover, Wei Jin's eye for quality had always been precise, and he had provided this script as well, so profitability was definitely not an issue. One must know that *Twilight* had earned China Film Group at least 200 million.

Seeing that several of China Film Group's projects this year had shown no signs of improvement, Han Sanping was also a bit anxious. Wei Jin's move could be called a timely rain.

"This kid is so sensible. Jiaren is also in her twenties; they are quite a match. Hmm... No, this kid is too much of a playboy."

"Han Dong, you were looking for me?"

A voice interrupted Han Sanping's wild thoughts.

The person who arrived was a somewhat lean-looking man; he was Zhang Wei, the person in charge of China Film Group's external investments.

"Zhang Wei, sit down first. It's like this..."

Han Sanping then explained the project situation and the bottom line for negotiations, telling Zhang Wei to head to North America immediately. —— Just as Han Sanping was overjoyed and plotting with Warner, Wei Jin was engaged in an artistic exchange with Theron.

Theron was worthy of being a Berlin Golden Horse Best Actress; she handled every state—playing hard to get, being coy, and being insatiable—with ease. However, for a director, having an actor in such an excellent state was the best thing possible. Wei Jin believed this was definitely an artistic exchange that could sublimate the soul.

Sure enough, after more than an hour, Theron was completely sublimated, exuding a charming aura from the inside out.

"Wei, you are truly amazing. I think I'm becoming a bit inseparable from you."

"Oh, Theron, thank you for your praise. You are also amazing, but a free soul should not be bound. Just like actors and directors, once a fixed partnership is formed, it is very difficult to produce wonderful sparks again."

Wei Jin had a headache, fearing Theron would say something outrageous. In his impression, this woman was very carefree; could it be that he had performed too strongly?

"Heh, Wei, you really are a scumbag, actually describing playing with feelings so elegantly."

Theron didn't know what was going on. Since that artistic exchange with Wei Jin, for these past six months, she would often think of the pleasure he brought her. Even her boyfriend, Stuart, could no longer make her excited, which made her feel a bit terrified.

"Theron, you're wrong about that. I never play with feelings; I always take responsibility to the end."

Wei Jin spoke righteously. He was indeed responsible, to the end, unless he was taking an unconventional path.

"Fine, I knew it, you're a wanderer. But are you sure you can be responsible to the end?"

Although Theron was somewhat disappointed, he still adjusted his mood; since he could not possess her for the long term, he would take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy himself thoroughly.

Hearing the woman's provocative words, anger rose from Wei Jin's heart and malice grew from his gall; he decided to teach this woman who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth a harsh lesson.

Soon the post-coital period passed, and the sound of applause rang out in the room again, accompanied by screams and shouts; those who did not know might have thought the two were watching some kind of sports match. Today's first update, I earnestly request all readers to reward me with subscriptions, follow-up reads, bookmarks, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes, thank you everyone! (End of chapter)