Chapter 316

Last year, Jobs was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor. Fortunately, it was a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which could be cured with timely surgery. This was the standard treatment for the disease, and surgery could significantly extend the patient’s survival.

But no one expected that a man renowned for high technology, whose thinking towered above modern civilization, would believe surgery was not the best option—because Jobs was a devout Buddhist.

As early as the summer of 1974, Jobs had traveled barefoot and in tattered clothes to India for pilgrimage, and for years he had maintained a vegetarian diet. Precisely because of this, he refused the timely surgery, claiming, “I won’t allow any part of my body to be discarded, and I truly don’t want them cutting into me—it feels like a grave violation.” Instead, he tried treating himself with dietary therapy, strict vegetarianism, and various Eastern mystical methods, such as Indian cow dung capsules, mediums, and Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine.

After nine months of such turmoil, Jobs underwent another examination and discovered that the cancer had not been cured; on the contrary, the tumor had grown larger and had already begun to metastasize.

Now, Jobs finally accepted reality and planned to undergo surgery to remove the tumor, but unlike nine months earlier, when only the pancreas needed removal, he now had to also remove part of his gallbladder, stomach, and small intestine. Clearly, this surgery carried risk.

Jobs said to Wu Yuchen: “Wu, I’m about to have surgery, and this time the risk is high. I’ve been thinking—I should sell Pixar for a good price. If anything happens, I want my family to be secure.”

“Besides, for Pixar, Disney is the best choice. No company understands animation marketing and operations better than Disney.”

Hearing this, Wu Yuchen understood his feelings.

Although he knew that, according to the original timeline, Jobs should have smoothly overcome this crisis, he still wore a slightly sorrowful expression: “Steve, I didn’t expect your condition to deteriorate so quickly. I sincerely hope you recover your health!”

Then Wu Yuchen added: “Under these circumstances, I fully understand your desire to sell Pixar. But if I speak purely objectively and from a professional standpoint, I suggest you wait a little longer.”

“Hmm?” Jobs waited for Wu Yuchen’s explanation.

“Steve, you know the animated film market has always been sizable. In my view, Pixar is currently the best animation studio in Hollywood—and indeed the entire world. Even DreamWorks, which produced the blockbuster Shrek, still falls short of Pixar.”

“So from this perspective, you really don’t need to rush. Pixar can afford to wait for the right offer. The ones who should be rushing are Disney.”

Jobs listened thoughtfully.

Then Wu Yuchen asked: “Steve, I heard Pixar is working on a new animated film about Superman, right?”

Jobs nodded: “Yes, The Incredibles. It’s nearly finished and will release by year-end.”

“I think you should wait until The Incredibles is released before making your decision.”

Wu Yuchen then shifted topics: “May I ask when your surgery is scheduled?”

Jobs replied: “In two weeks.”

Wu Yuchen continued: “If you don’t want to wait until year-end, then wait one week after Shrek 2 releases. Just one week—that will give you a useful reference.”

Jobs smiled: “I think you’re right. One week is nothing—I’ll keep an eye on Shrek 2. Thanks for the advice, Wu!”

Wu Yuchen smiled: “It’s nothing, Steve. I’m confident your surgery will succeed.”

Jobs chuckled, then asked curiously: “Wu, are you considering selling Miracle Pictures?”

Wu Yuchen laughed and shook his head: “Steve, do you think Apple would have failed under your leadership?”

“Of course not!” Jobs answered firmly.

Wu Yuchen spread his hands and smiled: “See? Just as you’re confident in your field, I’m equally confident in mine. Miracle Pictures will only grow more valuable under my control!”

Jobs burst into laughter: “Wu, you’re absolutely right—we’re the same kind of guy!”

…

In early May, Spider-Man 2 arrived, earning $138 million in its opening weekend—surpassing the first film—and received widespread critical praise, especially for the design of the villain Doctor Octopus. Of course, the protagonist remained Peter Parker, as the little spider once again swept the world.

A few days later, Shrek 2, the film Jobs had been watching, premiered. Choosing a Wednesday release, it earned $20 million on Wednesday and Thursday; word-of-mouth spread, and its opening weekend gross exceeded $100 million. After five days, it had earned $130 million. Animated films have longer lifespans than live-action ones, and industry insiders predicted Shrek 2 would earn at least $700 million globally.

After seeing Shrek 2’s box office, Jobs decided to follow Wu Yuchen’s advice: he paused negotiations with Disney and would wait until The Incredibles succeeded at year-end, then restart talks with greater leverage.

As for whether his surgery would succeed, he believed the Buddha would protect the faithful.

Wu Yuchen was also closely following Jobs’s surgery, for this was the employee who would help him make a fortune. Whether Apple could smoothly become a $3 trillion behemoth depended entirely on Jobs’s next few years.

Fortunately, nothing went wrong. The day after the surgery, Wu Yuchen received a phone call confirming Jobs’s successful operation—and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Spielberg’s The Terminal premiered. Despite Spielberg’s reputation, Tom Hanks’s star power, Cate Blanchett’s presence, and favorable reviews from many critics, it still earned only $19.05 million in its opening weekend.

Spielberg sighed: “I think my era may truly be over.”

Wu Yuchen comforted him: “Steven, The Terminal is an art-house film. A long-term release strategy will yield solid results.”

Wu Yuchen remembered that this $60 million production ultimately earned $70 million in North America, but overseas markets were generous, lifting its global total to $200 million, thanks largely to Spielberg and Tom Hanks’s reputations.

Spielberg shook his head: “Wu, don’t comfort me. Tom and I together only earned this opening weekend. The numbers speak for themselves. From now on, I’ll shift more of my focus to producing.”

Spielberg felt deeply that he was indeed falling behind the times—he would turn sixty in two years. As one ages, sensitivity to new trends and markets inevitably declines, and creative passion no longer matches the vigor of youth.

Looking at Wu Yuchen, who was under thirty, Spielberg felt a renewed sense of awe: Youth is truly wonderful! He had a hunch that, given Wu Yuchen’s age, the next twenty years of world cinema would belong to him.

Wu Yuchen didn’t press Spielberg on his talk of retiring behind the scenes—he didn’t care much, and merely offered polite words.

Then Spielberg calmly said something startling: “Wu, maybe DreamWorks is falling apart.”

Wu Yuchen was stunned: “What? What do you mean DreamWorks is falling apart?”

Spielberg interlaced his fingers, looking weary: “David Geffen is out. He’s already reached an agreement with Universal to sell DreamWorks Records.”

“Wait—can David make that decision on his own?” Wu Yuchen asked.

“He can. Originally, the three of us came together: I handled films, Katzenberg handled animation, and David handled music and records—we were always independent, each with full authority in our own domain. But now the record industry is dying. The internet has devastated it. Katzenberg no longer wants to waste energy—he’s choosing to retire and enjoy life.”

Hearing this, Wu Yuchen felt a pang of nostalgia. When these three titans from their respective fields had founded DreamWorks, they had shocked all of Hollywood, even prompting major studios to unite in secret suppression.

Now, with David Geffen selling DreamWorks Records and stepping away, DreamWorks was beginning to dissolve. This was exactly what the big studios wanted. Geffen’s departure would inevitably dampen the spirits of the other two—would they still hold on?

If they couldn’t, they’d have no choice but to sell their assets—this was the perfect moment for the big studios to begin swallowing and harvesting.

Wu Yuchen immediately asked Spielberg: “Steve, what about you? What are your plans?”

After hearing Spielberg’s gloomy remarks, Wu Yuchen now had a bad feeling—he feared Spielberg might also sell DreamWorks Pictures.

Spielberg smiled and said: “Wu, to be honest, if it weren’t for you and the Pirates series, I might have considered stepping away too.”

Wu Yuchen exhaled in relief—Spielberg had no intention of selling the company.

In the original timeline, DreamWorks Pictures was sold to Paramount for $1.6 billion in 2005. But now, thanks to the Pirates series, Spielberg had no desire to let go—this single franchise alone could recoup all losses from other projects and still leave a surplus. It was a goddamn money tree!

Wu Yuchen then asked: “What about Katzenberg? What’s his reaction?”

Spielberg smiled: “With Shrek 2 performing so well, he’s fired up! DreamWorks Animation will go public this year, and Katzenberg wants to talk to you.”

Wu Yuchen looked puzzled: “Talk to me?”

“Yes—he wants to discuss a new DreamWorks Animation project with you.”

…

“Hey, Wu! What’ll you have? Coffee? Tea? Juice?” Katzenberg’s bald head gleamed, radiating his good mood.

“Tea, please. Jeff, I heard from Steven that you wanted to see me?” Wu Yuchen cut straight to the point.

Katzenberg served Wu Yuchen a cup of black tea, then smiled: “Yes, I want to talk to you about our new project—it’s packed with Chinese elements: Chinese landscapes, scenery, and most importantly, pandas!”

Wu Yuchen immediately knew what he meant: Kung Fu Panda!

The Kung Fu Panda trilogy earned nearly $2 billion worldwide, amassed a massive fanbase, and became a hugely successful animated franchise.

“Jeff, you’re planning to make an animated film with a panda as the protagonist?” Wu Yuchen asked immediately.

“Bingo! Wu, I knew you’d guess it. You’re China’s best director—I trust your eye. Could you give us some suggestions on the film’s locations?”

Over the past few years, Chinese elements had become popular, and the panda—China’s national treasure—was even more beloved abroad, utterly charming foreign audiences and becoming a must-see for children at zoos.

Thus, DreamWorks Animation’s decision to produce an animated film centered on a panda, rich in Chinese elements, was an excellent market choice.

But animation can’t rely purely on imagination—it must reference real-world details, especially scenery. That’s why Katzenberg had come to Wu Yuchen for advice.

Wu Yuchen immediately smiled: “Of course! China has countless beautiful landscapes—I can introduce you to many. Whatever style you want, you’ll find it in China!”

Kung Fu Panda would positively promote Chinese culture and elements—Wu Yuchen was happy to facilitate it.

“Jeff, I’d be delighted to invite you to China. I’ll arrange guides to take you on tours. And you must visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Base—it’s the pandas’ home! You’ll find the perfect protagonist there.”

Wu Yuchen added: “Jeff, would you like me to write the screenplay for you?”

Katzenberg’s eyes lit up: “Wow! I’d be thrilled! But Wu—you can write animation screenplays too?”

“Heh, don’t worry—I know exactly what kids like.”

At that moment, Wu Yuchen beamed. He decided to immediately assemble promising Chinese animators to join the Kung Fu Panda project as consultants—to learn by stealth.