Hollywood New Century

Chapter 291: start digging

San Diego, a coastal city in the southwest corner of Southern California, is the second largest city in California after Los Angeles.

A huge luxury Mediterranean-style new villa in Rancho Santa Fe, a seaside town north of San Diego.

The huge villa is close to 15,000 feet in size, surrounded by 8 acres of land plus a private beach.

This is a luxury villa that was just renovated last year in 2008. It was found by Simon and bought for $25 million. About 100 miles from Los Angeles, and even closer to Mexico, less than 30 miles from the border.

San Diego's climate is typically Mediterranean, more pleasant than Los Angeles, and the scenery is unparalleled. Quiet, private, and less crowded, much better than the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

Simone was here to host Dick Cook, the now-departing film and television giant, the current chairman of Disney's film division.

"I've been working at Disney since I was 20 years old, as a train driver at Disneyland, and then Disney established Touchstone Pictures to develop adult films, and I was slowly transferred to the film and television distribution department," Dick Cook is sitting at the moment. The opposite of Simon seems to be reminiscing.

"Until 2000, I became the chairman of the film and television department of the group, and it has been 37 years now."

Dick Cook is 57 years old and has worked for Disney for 37 years.

"Xinghai Entertainment is currently expanding its international distribution business, and at the same time we need someone with experience like you in both the home entertainment market and the children's market," Simon, of course, is trying to bring Dick Cooka over, after all, he has a wealth of family entertainment. As well as experience and resources for children's market development.

At the same time, Dick Cook left Disney because Disney is now shrinking in the family market.

After acquiring Pixar, Pixar's animated feature films became a big box-office guarantee for Disney. The group's CEO, Robert Iger, previously hoped to acquire Marvel Entertainment because he hoped to make more achievements in live-action movies, but it was a pity that it was too late.

"My contract is due to expire in September, I want to think about it first," Dick Cook certainly understands the characteristics of Xinghai Entertainment. He is almost unmatched in the development of live-action movies. Now he is entering animated feature films and fully expanding the international market. distribution business.

"Of course, but I hope you can join us. Animated feature films. Lighting Entertainment under our animation department will release the first animated feature film next year," Simon seemed confident.

"We are also loved by a lot of teenage audiences at the moment, but we still lack experience in the family entertainment kids market."

With Dick Cook's advantages in Disney's many years of family entertainment, it can still make up for the lack of Xinghai.

Moreover, Dick Cook can also serve as the chief operating officer (COO) of Xinghai Entertainment, so that Nina Jacobson can spend more time on the film production she is familiar with and various film investment funds.

Most importantly, Simon has more time on his own. From the chairman of Disney's film department to the operating officer of Xinghai Entertainment, it is not a disgrace to Dick Cook.

After all, there are four major divisions in the Disney Group, and the most important is the television division, which includes the ABC television network, Disney Channel, and sports channel ESPN, followed by the Disney Resorts and consumer goods division, which includes Disneyland and thousands of Disney Stores. Then there's Disney Pictures and Disney Interactive Entertainment.

The most important part of Disney Pictures is Pixar Studio. In terms of live-action movies, Disney is definitely not as good as Xinghai Pictures, which is owned by Xinghai Entertainment.

Dick Cook smiled, then nodded again, and said, "I will officially leave Disney in September. Recently, I just handed over my work, and then spent more time with my family. Then we will officially go back to work. Talk about that."

Simon nodded, no way, this guy has worked at Disney for 37 years, he must have feelings for Disney.

"Disney Pictures should find someone to replace you. Now, the major and medium-sized film companies have not heard of important people being transferred. Which independent production company should be the person in charge or an independent producer with a Wall Street background. The movies developed by the studios are all good, and after you left, the pressure on Disney is even greater,” Simon said and smiled, Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax used to support the scene, and now , it's also Robert Iger's headache.

The success rate of animation adaptations of live-action movies is not so high.

That evening, Simon and Dick Cook separated after a dinner in San Diego.

"Boss, are you going back to Los Angeles now or where?" the bodyguard asked, seeing Simon standing outside the store in a daze.

Simon shook his head and said, "Stay here for the past few days. Compared with Los Angeles, there are far fewer reporters here."

In the evening, Simon called Nina Jacobson again, talking about Dick Cook and asking about the Cannes International Film Festival, which is now taking place.

The next day, Simon drove alone through the Coronado Bridge on the San Diego Bay to this Coronado Island, and deliberately stayed at the Coronado Hotel, one of the historic landmarks in the United States.

It is said that King Edward VIII of England met Mrs Simpson at the Coronado Hotel, and the two fell in love. Edward VIII abdicated to Henry VI in order to marry Mrs Simpson. Edward VIII became the famous Duke of Windsor, a typical example of loving beauty but not loving the country.

In the open-air cafe below the hotel, Simon sips coffee while admiring the beauty of the beach. After all, San Diego Bay is the second largest naval base in the United States, and there are also a lot of warships. The USS Midway Museum is parked in San Diego Bay for tours.

"Well, isn't it Kristen Stewart?" Simon suddenly found a young girl wearing big sunglasses, walking to the table next to Simon while smoking a cigarette.

"Ah, it's Mr. Simon Parker, good afternoon!" Kristen Stewart seemed to recognize Simon Parker, dropped the cigarette from his mouth and came over to greet Simon.

Kristen Stewart has her own personality, but Simon Pike is a Hollywood mogul and the one who cast her for the lead role in Twilight.

"The movie will be released next month, and publicity activities will be indispensable at that time, you," Simon was about to talk about her image, but she held back. The softness in the movie is only from the show, this guy is a crazy pursuit Exciting beauty.

"Sit down, smoke, just smoke!" Simon doesn't recommend others to smoke, anyway, he sometimes smokes.

Kristen Stewart sat down immediately.