Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 459 - 378 Hollywood Tycoon_4

"Link Baker?!"

The voice of Harvey Weinstein, filled with surprise and fury, roared over the phone.

"It's me, Mr. Weinstein. I don't know why you're so hostile towards me, but I don't care. I'm not too fond of you either."

"Link Baker!!"

Harvey Weinstein said through clenched teeth, "You dare to say I'm not a man? I swear, you will pay for what you just said."

"Really? Harvey Weinstein, not long ago a media friend of mine gave me some information. It documented dozens of women you assaulted or harassed under the guise of work since the eighties, including testimonies from over ten victims. What do you think will happen if I make this information public?"

"Nonsense! You think I'll believe that?!"

"Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan... Do I need to name more?"

Link sneered.

"...They all did it willingly. I don't believe you have their statements."

"Whether you believe it or not is none of my concern. I'm not Jesus."

Link decisively hung up the phone.

"Link, did Weinstein really assault dozens of women?"

Jennifer asked in shock.

"More than that."

"That's awful. How can there be such bad people in the world."

Jennifer frowned, her rosy cheeks showing a look of disgust.

Dinglingling!

The phone rang again. Jennifer glanced at him, ready to hang up, but Link waved his hand and answered it.

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"Good afternoon, Mr. Weinstein. What can I do for you?"

"Link, why are you investigating me? What do you want?"

"I stumbled upon it, just treated it as gossip. I don't want anything special."

"Give me the information, and I'll help you get the Oscar statuette. You should know that with your situation, the Academy voters will never cast their ballots for you. Only I can help you win an Oscar."

"Not interested. I'm an Olympic champion, world boxing champion, a world superstar, and a billionaire. What's an Oscar statuette to me? Do you think I care about the Oscars? I publicly declared that winning an Oscar is just giving the media something to joke about. Do you all take it seriously?"

Link said lightly, his arm around Jennifer.

"... So what do you want? Link, I know you, I've known you for a while. We are the same kind of people, both liking beautiful women. We can negotiate."

"Jennie mentioned 'Silver Linings Playbook' was a good movie. I'll take it, hand over the script and the entire project to Palm Beach Films for funding."

"What? You want that movie?"

"Correct! That's the price for harassing my girlfriend."

"I didn't harass her. Alright, Link, Weinstein Company invested over thirty million in this project. How much are you willing to pay to buy the entire project?"

"I only want the script adaptation rights, market price thirty thousand US dollars."

"Thirty thousand?! Damn, what kind of hellish joke is this? You're offering thirty thousand for a thirty million project? Do you think you can just blackmail me with that information? Link, you're too young. With my connections, I bet even if you release all the information, you can't do anything to me."

"Really? I just made over a hundred million US dollars this year in competitions and have nowhere to spend it. How about we bet a hundred million US dollars to see whether your connections are broader or my money is more abundant?"

Link said.

Harvey Weinstein is a Hollywood mogul and a golden film producer, but only a billionaire.

After falling out with Walt Disney Pictures in 2005, he and his brother Bob Weinstein left Miramax Films and established Weinstein Company.

Without the shelter of Disney Pictures, the Weinstein Company was stretched thin in terms of resources and funds, compounded by the lower-than-expected box office returns from several movies last year, leading to financial shortages at the Weinstein Company.

According to Hollywood Reporter, to fund new movie projects like 'The King's Speech,' 'Piranha 3D,' and 'Lighting Up America,' last year Weinstein Company had to mortgage the rights to 200 movies, borrowing two hundred million US dollars from asset management and insurance companies.

Knowing the other party was short of money, Link played the role of a brash, young, and wealthy individual, daring the other to take the challenge.

"Link, you are an impressive young man, I really appreciate you, and we both like beautiful women, that's something we have in common. I think we have a chance to be friends, not rivals. You just said you liked 'Silver Linings Playbook'?"

Haha, coincidentally, I like that movie too. How about we collaborate once? The movie's production cost is forty million, we each invest twenty million, and share the profits equally. We're all friends here, let's get rich together?"

"And the lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence, is perfect for the role. Just say the word, and I'll arrange for her to join the cast immediately," Harvey Weinstein said laughingly.

Jennifer Lawrence looked at him in surprise.

Link raised the corner of his mouth and laughed, "Harvey, you're right, everyone is friends here. Cooperation benefits both, while conflict harms both. I understand that principle, I'm just young and don't know much about filmmaking or the movie promotion business."

He heard that many billionaires who didn't understand the rules of Hollywood came with their checks, only to be defrauded by film companies through fake accounting, inflated costs, and stolen box office revenues. "Harvey, you're a top producer, a Hollywood tycoon. If I partner with you, would you trick me?"

"... Uh, haha, Link, you really have a sense of humor. We're friends, how could I trick you? Absolutely not! How about we discuss this in person when you have time?"

Harvey laughed heartily.

Link thought for a moment and agreed.

He had also considered eliminating Harvey—the scoundrel right then and letting Palm Beach Films become the leader in Hollywood's independent production sector, but it was too difficult.

Firstly, the current government was Democratic, giving Harvey a political advantage. Even if he could gather evidence of Harvey's crimes, he wasn't entirely sure he could get him incarcerated.

This was not an opportune moment.

Secondly, Harvey had been deeply embedded in Hollywood for over thirty years, well-connected with the seven major film studios, the biggest talent agency CAA, and official authorities in California and New York.

As a newcomer from another sector, it was nearly impossible to bring him down quickly. That was not a strategic advantage.

Thirdly, the conditions were not favorable.

Many top and second-tier actors had worked with him. The film stars and directors he had promoted were still the backbone of the American film industry. That was Harvey's foundation in Hollywood.

If he openly confronted Harvey, he would face the risk of being isolated by the entire circle.

Moreover, Harvey's influence in Hollywood was overwhelming, and victims harbored concerns, afraid to publicly stand against him. Just a few victims' complaints wouldn't significantly impact Harvey.

Based on these points, Link thought that it wasn't yet a good time to break with him, and partnering with him wasn't a good option either.

Rumors had it that both Harvey and his brother Bob were not good sorts: one brutally depraved, the other sinister and greedy. Partnering with them was like seeking refuge with a tiger.

"Link, are you going to co-produce this movie with Harvey?"

Jennifer asked.

Link nodded. "Silver Linings Playbook" is of good quality and is Jennifer's crowning work. Its box office performance shouldn't be bad. It would be a pity to miss out, and as for being tricked by Harvey, that's a certainty.

But to deal with a strong character like Harvey, you must oppose him head-on, counter move by move, to successfully retrieve the chestnuts from the fire.

Ring ring ring!

Less than three minutes after he ended the call with Harvey, the director David O. Russell called to inform Jennifer that she had passed the audition.

"Link, should I take this role? Harvey seems very scary."

Jennifer hesitated as she held her phone.

"Don't worry, with me here, no one can do anything to you."

Link patted her back.

Jennifer looked up at him, smiled slightly, and with both arms hooked around his neck, she spontaneously offered her red lips.

What would I do without your smart mouth

Without your sweet nothings, what should I do

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

At times you're passionately hot, at times cold as frost

Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down

On stage, Dino, holding a microphone, was singing; Mario slapped him lightly, pointing at Link's spot, and even pouted his lips mimicking a kiss, Dino felt slightly disgusted seeing his thick lips.

"Link, that guy is way too trashy, all his girlfriends are superstars."

Mario looked at the kissing couple with envy on his face.

"It's skill, something you can't envy."

"If only I had known, I'd have gotten into the stock market too. If I had a hundred million dollars, I could also date female celebrities."

Mario grabbed the microphone, cleared his throat, and shouted loudly,

Legends never die

The legend never fades

When the world is calling you