Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 486 - 398: The Idea of Acquisition

As Link viewed the art exhibit, Miss Mandy was at the headquarters of Lionsgate Films on 12th Street in Santa Monica, having coffee with Lionsgate CEO Steven Bicks, discussing the casting of "The Hunger Games."

She had talked to the producer of "The Hunger Games," Nina Jackson, and director Gary Ross yesterday, and they both supported continuing with Jennifer Lawrence as the female lead.

But Lionsgate had other ideas and was pressuring the crew.

If Palm Beach Agency couldn't change the minds of the higher-ups at Lionsgate, the crew would ultimately have to replace the actor.

"Apologize?"

Miss Mandy looked at President Steve Bicks across from her, and sneered, "Mr. Bicks, did I hear you wrong? You said that Link has to apologize to Harvey Weinstein?"

"Miss Gomez, please don't misunderstand. This is what the board wants. Some shareholders have been persuaded and are opposed to our decision to employ an actor from Palm Beach Agency. I have to be accountable to the board,"

explained President Bicks.

"President Bicks, I've spoken with Ms. Nina Jackson and director Gary Ross, and they firmly believe Jennifer is the irreplaceable choice for Katniss. With her in the role, the movie is bound to succeed; with someone else as Katniss, the result would be far inferior to Jennifer's, that's what director Gary Ross said.

President Bicks, I've heard that Lionsgate's performance has been poor these last two years. 'The Hunger Games' is a major annual project for Lionsgate, with a production cost in the hundreds of millions; if it fails, Lionsgate's future will be severely affected, even to the point of bankruptcy.

It can be said that 'The Hunger Games' is extremely important to Lionsgate, so I hope you will consider carefully before making a final decision to recast."

Miss Mandy said with a serious expression.

President Bicks twitched the muscles around his eyes involuntarily when he heard her words.

Lionsgate's performance indeed wasn't as good as in the previous years, but it hadn't reached the brink of bankruptcy.

However, in the words of President Mandy Gomez, without Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games" would 100% make a loss, and if "The Hunger Games" failed, Lionsgate would 100% go bankrupt, as if Jennifer Lawrence was the great savior of Lionsgate.

He inwardly sighed, having heard that Link Baker's former agent was a tough character, and now it seemed to be true.

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"Does Mr. Bicks think I am being alarmist?"

Mrs. Gomez gauged him, a hint of disdainful smile on her round face, "I don't think my words are exaggerated. I am also a president of a company, and as the helmsman of the company, I believe it's most important to have independent management rights and not just allow anyone to poke their fingers into the company's decisions.

Even if it's a decision made by the board, we have the right to argue against it when there are mistakes, instead of accepting it without reason. Because we are CEOs, our duty is to find ways to make the company profitable and satisfy investors.

If the attitude of just any outsider can affect the company's decisions, I think such a company won't be far from bankruptcy, wouldn't you agree?

President Bicks, as a seasoned predecessor, has more experience in this area than I do. I believe President Bicks understands what I mean."

President Steven Bicks frowned. He obviously got the meaning of Madam Gomez, and he was also very displeased with the board's meddling in the company's specific projects.

But as a CEO, he was effectively a high-level employee who was accountable to the board and needed their support at work. Faced with proposals from board members, he couldn't just ignore them.

The reason he didn't argue with the board on this matter was also simple.

This is Hollywood, there are many actors, and no one is indispensable or irreplaceable, except for a few veteran actors and top stars. For ordinary actors before they make a name for themselves, they rely on movies to make their mark, not the other way around.

Because Jennifer Lawrence was a relatively insignificant character, compared to the attitudes of the board members, he thought the latter was more important, which is why he supported the board on this matter.

"Mrs. Gomez, I think the crux of this issue lies with Mr. Link Baker. There are already many producers and film companies announcing they won't work with him, and we are doing this to avoid risk,"

explained President Steven Bicks.

"Risk? Harvey Weinstein can be called a risk?"

Madam Gomez laughed in disdain, stood up, and said, "I'm very disappointed with Lionsgate's decision. As a publicly-traded company, in Hollywood, Lionsgate has more influence than Weinstein Company.

Mr. Bicks, as the person at the helm of Lionsgate, also has an influence in the entertainment circle not much less than Harvey Weinstein, but when facing Weinstein, you show fear and weakness, with no trace of independence, which is truly disappointing."

President Bicks's face turned extremely ugly upon hearing her words. Mandy saying he was trembling in front of Harvey, retreating in cowardice, was tantamount to pointing at his nose and calling him a worthless CEO and a coward.

If it had been a man who insulted him, he could have hurled insults back, but now the one uttering these words was a lady with both good image and temperament, which made him all the more embarrassed.

"Moreover, President Bicks, I don't know who you are speaking for, asking Link to apologize to Harvey Weinstein. Now please take my words back as well.

An apology from Link? Impossible.

Who is Link? He's an Olympic champion, a world boxing champion, a top world music artist, an idol of the Time, the American Dream, a billionaire, and for two consecutive years, the number one philanthropist in the entertainment industry.

You want a hero like him to apologize to a scumbag implicated in a rape case?

Ha, that's ridiculous, Mr. Bicks, I bet if you have children, and you tell them about this, they'd be ashamed of your behavior right now.

Goodbye!"

Ms. Mandy nodded politely, picked up her handbag, and, with her secretary, took her leave.

"This woman..."

President Steven Bicks pointed at Ms. Mandy's retreating figure, his face turning pitch-black with anger. He had only come to pass on a message but ended up being berated without a chance to respond. This woman was too domineering.

"Mr. Bicks, are you okay?"

The assistant hurried over to support him and asked.

President Bicks took several deep breaths and leaned back in his chair to think for a moment.

He took out his phone and called Jon Femler, Chairman of the Board and the largest shareholder of Lionsgate Films.

He expressed his support for the decision of "The Hunger Games" production team, stating that Jennifer Lawrence was more suited for the female lead role, and changing the actress could likely cause a certain degree of loss to the project. He had nothing to say if the board was willing to bear the loss.

Chairman Femler pondered for a moment, said he would continue to discuss with a few shareholders, and asked him to keep an eye on "The Hunger Games" crew. The project was very important to the company, and they must try to avoid any mistakes.

After hanging up, the words of Ms. Mandy Gomez, still echoed in Steve Bicks' ears—how people walk on eggshells, show cowardice, and make concessions. He inwardly cursed the woman's poisonous tongue and hoped he would never have to see her again.

He instructed his assistant to say he was not in if anyone from Palm Beach Talent came by again.

—

"Hey, Link, are you busy?"

After leaving Lionsgate Films, Ms. Mandy made a phone call to Link, inquiring about his whereabouts. Link said he was looking at an exhibition at the Getty Art Center. Ms. Mandy couldn't help but roll her eyes, as her nephew was relaxed enough to enjoy an exhibition while she ran around tirelessly for the company's business.

Well, after all, he's the boss.

"Mandy, how did it go with Lionsgate?"

Link asked over the phone.

"Not well. I said many pleasant things to President Bicks, but they wouldn't budge. They even want you to apologize to Harvey Weinstein. I said that was impossible, and then negotiations broke down. Jennifer will need to look for another role," she explained, leaning back in her seat, watching the slowly receding building of Lionsgate Films from the car window.

"Is that so? Mandy, don't worry yet. I'm planning to acquire Lionsgate Films; this is far from over."

"What?"

Ms. Mandy, who had wanted to relax on the seat, sat upright upon hearing his words, "Link, are you kidding? You want to acquire a film company for a movie role? Even if you like Jennifer that much, isn't that a bit much? Acquiring Lionsgate will cost several hundred million. If you make a misstep, you could lose it all. Please reconsider, and don't act impulsively."

Link laughed over the phone, "I've thought about it; currently, Lionsgate Films' stock price is just $8.90, with a total market value of less than seven hundred million US dollars, including debt. Acquiring Lionsgate isn't much of a stressor for me.

Besides, the company specializes in thriller movies and has acquired a couple of distribution companies like TriStar Entertainment and Atison Entertainment in recent years, along with the Debmar-Mercury television production company. Acquiring this company would also boost Palm Beach Films' promotional and distribution capabilities."

"Is that so? Do you think you'll be successful?"

Ms. Mandy inquired.

"We're currently negotiating with the third-largest shareholder of Lionsgate Films; it's not a big problem."

Link assured confidently.

"Alright, I don't know if I should try to dissuade you, but be careful anyway."

Ms. Mandy offered a few words of caution and hung up the phone. She turned back to look at the Lionsgate Films logo, wondering if Link would succeed.