America’s Road To Wealth

  Chapter 339 Daily life in Los Angeles

  “. The main task of next year’s Marvel movie is the promotion of “Spider-Man” and the shooting of new superhero movies.”

  In the headquarters building of MGM Film Group.

  After the heads of other film companies in the group reported to their bosses about their work for the next year.

   Finally it was the turn of the head of Marvel, who is currently under the direct jurisdiction of Robert Iger for the time being.

  Reporting the work planned for the next year of Marvel Movies, he is naturally also the CEO of Smith Media Group.

  Smith Media was just established this year.

   All of its subsidiaries were basically acquired in a very short period of time.

  It took almost half a year to integrate the internal resources of these companies, do internal business actuarial calculations, and authorize resources to each other.

  In such a short period of time, in addition to completing the originally planned plans, these subsidiaries.

   Most of this year did not launch any big moves.

   are the same as DreamWorks movies, this year's output is relatively small, and it will not be on the right track until next year.

  The same is true for Marvel movies. This year, after Abel snatched back the copyright of Spider-Man from Sony for Marvel.

  Marvel itself also took action one after another, and got back most of the copyrights except for the Fantastic Four and the X-Men.

  Marvel has only made one movie this year, and that is Maguire as Parker and Annie as MJ's Spider-Man.

  Spider-Man started shooting in April, and it is expected to shoot for four months, and it has been completely completed by the end of August.

  Not long after the film was finished, the 9/11 incident occurred.

   During that time, most jobs across the United States came to a standstill.

  The same is true for the American literary and art circles. The post-production work of the "Spider-Man" movie had to be stalled for more than a week.

   In mid-September, its post-work started.

   Before the arrival of Abel's order, Robert was keenly aware of the changes in the general mood of American audiences after 9/11.

  The CEO, who is mainly in charge of the group's internal film business, immediately ordered the post-production department to get "Spider-Man" out as soon as possible.

  Robert believes that while the haze of 9/11 has not dissipated.

  The presence of one of America's favorite superheroes, Spider-Man Parker, could certainly lure everyone into movie theaters.

  Parker may allow everyone to feel the thrill of a superhero standing up to save the people from fire and danger when the crisis comes in the imaginary world!

   I have to say that Robert's judgment is correct.

  In the parallel time and space, Spider-Man's box office hit is definitely related to the 9/11 incident.

   It was 9/11 that crushed the self-confidence of Americans and let them know that being at home is actually very dangerous.

  Even in a super urban center like Manhattan, disasters may fall from the sky.

  The emergence of the "Spider-Man" movie just fits the personal heroism of American fantasy superheroes to save themselves.

  This made "Spider-Man", which is essentially similar to the previous X-Men, a complete box office hit, creating the first box office of 825 million US dollars.

   Followed by many other superhero movies, in addition to the improvement of movie CG production technology.

  The most important reason is actually 9/11.

  It made Americans desire superheroes like never before, which is why superhero movies have been popular with American audiences since then.

   “How long is post-work on Spider-Man?”

  Abel asks Robert, "I mean, how long until it's released?"

  Abel would have snatched Parker from Sony.

   It is because knowing that after 9/11, it will become extremely valuable.

   Now, of course, is taking advantage of September 11, when the limelight is strong, let Parker come out as soon as possible to comfort the wounded hearts of Americans.

   This will make it easier for Abel to take out dollar bills from their pockets.

  Robert knew what the boss meant, and he was glad that his judgment was right this time.

   "All relevant personnel in the group are helping to catch up with work."

  Robert said confidently: "It will be on the market as early as January next year."

  Abel made the decision directly: "Then make sure it will be released in January next year! Let Parker dispel the haze in the hearts of Americans!"

  He said it with a high-sounding sound, as if he was thinking about the Americans.

  Robert nodded yes, and began to talk about Marvel's plans for next year.

  Because of the special confidence in "Spider-Man", the first part has not yet been released.

  The filming of "Spider-Man II" has already been put on the agenda.

  In addition to "Spider-Man II", Marvel Movies also plans to shoot two more superhero films next year.

  One was previously planned for "Thor", and the other was originally intended to shoot "Captain America".

  Because in addition to Parker, there are X-Men and Fantastic Four whose copyrights have not been recovered.

   As far as the popularity of these two superheroes is concerned, they are more popular in the United States.

  But last year, Abel suggested that maybe he could shoot Iron Man first.

  Marvel is a good company and dare not disobey the boss's opinion.

  The filming of "Captain America" ​​has been postponed. This year, "Thor" and "Iron Man" are planned to be filmed first.

   "Currently looking for actors for these two films."

  Robert said.

   "The actor of Thor in "Thor", we have tentatively confirmed that it is Alexander Skarsgard."

  Hearing the actor's name, Abel felt a little strange, but it was not surprising.

  Because Abel remembered that the actor who played Thor in his memory seemed to be an Australian actor, and he was still very young. He didn’t know if he had debuted at this time.

   would choose someone else to play the role, he is not surprised.

  Most of the audience thinks that the actor makes the role.

  Most of the actors and executives of the film company believe that actors have always been role-playing actors.

  Those who believe that an actor has achieved a role are just because the actor who played the role performed better and was accepted by the audience.

  After having a certain mental impression, they will feel that a certain role must be a certain actor.

  But if the actor hadn't gotten the role from the beginning, then the audience would never have formed such an established impression.

  Abel waved his hand, "I don't need to talk about these things. I just know it."

   Stopping Robert who wanted to explain in detail, Abel ended today's work conversation.

   "Your work plans are well done. I am very satisfied."

  Abel looked at everyone with a smile, "This year MGM movies are relatively quiet. Everyone knows the reason, but starting next year, I hope you can resound in Hollywood."

   "I hope that everyone can let Hollywood and Americans know. Knowing my investment in you and my investment in movies is not because people are stupid and rich."

   "I hope you can let everyone know that no matter what field I invest in, it is worthwhile and profitable."

   "If you can do it. Believe me, you will get a lot of money! I am a person who has always been very generous to my own people."

   "I think you all believe this."

  In the afternoon, Abel was at the MGM Film Group and stayed until after three o'clock before leaving.

  Because after three o'clock here, there will be no traffic jam at the intersection.

   Sitting in the rear compartment, Abel suddenly asked nonchalantly—"What's the current situation?"

  David on the co-pilot has worked for him for a full year.

  David's understanding of his boss is familiar to all of Biaber's subordinates.

  The general manager of the Smith family office replied almost without thinking:

   "The share price of American Express has regained its position at $40. The opponent made a decisive move and supported the downward momentum at the most critical moment. The upward trend is very obvious, and it has also created a lot of major good news."

  Among the various talents under Abel, David was not the most proficient in each.

   But he basically knows a little bit about everything, which is more comprehensive than Allen of the Smith Intelligence Group.

   With such a jack-of-all-trades talent, it might not be a good idea for him to be alone.

   But as the big housekeeper next to the big boss, it is very suitable.

   "Hehe, it seems that they are trying to make me look good!"

   Abel laughed at himself and said, "Just Soros? I believe that Old George is definitely not the only one who wants to trouble me. Are there any other abnormal financial forces entering the market?"

  Abel also knew his own family affairs.

   It's been more than a year since he showed his cards to Wall Street and started to stand on his own.

   There are too many financial institutions, banks, private equity and enterprises that have been tricked by him.

  Smith Capital's reputation as the sixth largest investment bank on Wall Street is not a speculation.

   It is because other Wall Street institutions have suffered a lot, and they have added the title to Smith Capital internally.

  Everyone has a temper, not to mention that the elites on Wall Street are basically the favored ones.

   Those who can reach the top level, one or two are all geniuses. These guys didn't study finance when they were young. If they had studied science, it is estimated that many of them would become scientists.

  Abel felt that at least in terms of IQ, he was probably inferior to most of them.

   He relied on his talent to overwhelm these people.

  Since these people are all elites, they are all favored by heaven, and they have always been successful.

  Then they naturally have greater self-confidence and temper than ordinary people.

  And they all suffered from Abel before, more or less suffered.

   Finally got a chance to snipe him, a chance to take revenge.

  Even if the sniping fails, you can still make a fortune.

  Abel believes that he has long wanted revenge, and the forces that take revenge on him will not miss it.

   "At present, only Soros Fund Management Company has been tracked down, and George Soros didn't even try to cover it up."

  David said directly:

   "There may be others, but we can't track them down. However, our fund-raising has become more and more difficult, and Amex's stock price has been pushed up by many parties. Breaking through $40 will become a piece of cake."

  David's face was solemn, and he reported with concern.

  If once it breaks through 40 US dollars, if the boss still wants to acquire American Express, he must continue to increase the purchase price in order to stabilize the shareholders of all parties.

   "Hehe, let it rise!"

  Abel had a relaxed smile on his face.

   He looked out the window, "Fire up! Let it keep going up!"

   Just finished speaking, Abel's voice suddenly paused, and he pointed out the window—"Look over there, Falk, it seems to be really on fire?!"

   It turned out that it was on the left side of the convoy's advance, due north, and a fire ignited on a distant hill.

  David looked in the direction, shrugged and said, "You know, this is a feature of California every year, the famous California wildfires."

   "Ah" Abel was speechless for a while.

   Well, wildfires are indeed one of the characteristics of California.

  California is a place with open plains, rich products, fertile land, suitable precipitation, and even rich oil and gas resources. The sunshine and climate are just right, especially suitable for human beings.

  It can be said that no matter which direction it is, it is a place especially suitable for human habitation.

  The only problem is that the special climate and geographical conditions of this place make it too easy to form large-scale wildfires.

  Since the founding of the United States, more than 10 wildfires have occurred in this ghost place almost every year, burning an area of ​​more than ten square kilometers.

   "Won't it burn to Beverly Hills?" Abel couldn't help asking.

  David smiled: "That's not true. First of all, the wind is not blowing this way this time. In addition, the California authorities can't let Beverly be burned."

  That's true.

  Beverly Hills, like Silicon Valley, is one of the symbols of California.

  There are so many rich people living in Beverly Hills. For the sake of these people, it is impossible for the California authorities to let the fire burn to Beverly Hills.

   "Then leave it alone."

  Ordinary Californians worry about wildfires.

  The rich in California don’t have to worry about wildfires.

  Even if there is a wildfire burning towards their home, rich people can hire fire brigades to stop it.

  The fire is too big to stop, and the villas of rich people also have corresponding insurance.

  Even if the villa is burned, you can get the compensation and build a new one, or just buy a new villa.

  David sees that the boss no longer cares about the "irrelevant" wildfires.

  He couldn't help asking in a low voice—"Boss, the skyrocketing share price of American Express will add some variables to your plan?"

   "There will definitely be variables, but we don't need to worry. Amex's stock price soaring is not all a bad thing."

  Abel said with a smile: "Don't forget that our average cost of opening a position is only about 20 US dollars. The current stock price has already made me almost 9 billion US dollars."

  Abel now holds more than 32% of the shares of American Express.

   But this part of the shares is only a small part, which was acquired at a price of 25 and 35 US dollars during this stock price turmoil.

  His more stocks were acquired from Buffett at that time, and he bought them slowly in the stock market.

  If it weren't for the time for the general offer, he could even start selling Amex shares now, causing a wave of plummeting.

  "The initiative has always been in our hands. We have the final say whether to accept or let go, and we can play with them slowly."

   "Hehe, old George and other guys, now they have spotted me because of the general takeover offer, and they can't reduce their holdings during the offer period. Otherwise, see if they dare to end!"

   "But 32.69% of the shares have ensured my position as the largest shareholder. Part of these guys want to earn a vote from me, and the other part wants to use me as a raft to trick leeks into the market."

   Abel doesn’t really care, the big deal is just to maintain this part of the shares for now.

   It's just that he is very unhappy with Soros and others, using him as a raft.

   "Let the "New York Observer" publish a report in my name." Abel said to David:

   "The report directly told everyone that investing in American Express is risky, and you need to be cautious when investing in shares."

   "Understood. I'll inform Mr. Dylan right now."

  This is Abel's warning to the leeks, and it is also Abel's warning to George Soros and others.

   Back at 812 North Bedford Road, Annie is out of work again today.

   This chick is actually very lazy. In parallel time and space, she got married and semi-retired when she was relatively famous and still young.

  In comparison, Jessica is really much more diligent.

  After filming "007", she is now looking for two new films to shoot, one invested by MGM and the other by Disney.

  With the relationship between Smith Media and Abel, I am not afraid that she will fall into a trap outside.

   After all, caa is not a vegetarian, and Jessica has more than a dozen attendants, assistants, and bodyguards at any time.

  Annie and Lulana were putting on face masks when Abel arrived home.

  Annie seems to have a good impression of the Korshunova family.

  Kinna was her bodyguard, Lulana was her maid, and Lulana's mother was her personal cook.

  Seeing Abel appear, Lulana's face under the mask was a little red and hot, but she couldn't see it because of the mask.

  Looking at Anne who was lying on the sofa with a standard Ge You lying down and applying a facial mask, Abel said speechlessly:

   "After 'Spider-Man' was done, it seemed like you didn't have any work. You stopped making movies, honey."

   "Who said that?" Annie said softly, "I've made two movies since I came back from Europe!"

  She did make two movies, but they were only supporting roles, and one of them even showed her face for more than ten seconds.

   Fortunately, Abel didn't force her, so it doesn't matter if she likes it or not.

  Abel can afford it anyway, and even a few more.

   "Then you just stay in the villa all day in a daze?"

  Abel smiled and sat next to her, and Lulana quickly moved his position so that he could sit between them.

   Smelling his scent, Lulana felt her face getting hotter.

   "That's not true. I also have a social. I'm going to a salon tonight! Don't worry, it's all women, and Jinna will follow me."

   "Whose salon?"

   "Wendy Deng Murdoch! Murdoch's Chinese wife, she has invited me many times. It is always bad to keep refusing, so I promised her once."

  An invitation from Wendy Deng?

  Abel has long heard of this cunning and scheming woman.

  Of course, the main reason is that I listened more in my previous life.

  At this time in this life, Wendy Deng has not yet started to be active, and she is not yet well-known. The outside world only knows that she is Murdoch's wife.

  Abel thought about it for a while, and found that this Wendy Deng was more realistic and powerful, and there were no bad rumors.

  Even if it is to raise a baby face, it is after the divorce with Murdoch.

  In the parallel time and space, this woman became Ikana's "good girlfriend".

  He didn't stop Anne from interacting with the other party, anyway, if it was Wendy Deng, he could suppress it through Murdoch.

  Instead of making Annie's social interaction uncontrollable, it is better to control it in the field that you can control.

   After all, we can’t really lock her up as a canary, that would be too boring.

   Besides, even if Wendi Deng has bad intentions, so many people around Annie are not vegetarians.

   An ex-defector Swallow Jinna, is enough to counter any plot tricks from Wendy Deng.

   In this respect, Jin Na is the professional.

  He just warned Annie—"This woman is very scheming. When you interact with her, be careful not to fall into her trap."

   "I understand. If I hadn't known this, I wouldn't have kept rejecting her before."

  Annie said confidently: "I am a top student at New York University! Can you trust my IQ?"

  Abel shook his head amusedly, turned around and went to the outdoor swimming pool.

   Today's Los Angeles is as hot as ever, and it's already mid-November.

  Abel is going to play in the water.

   Watching him go out, he found that he went to the outdoor swimming pool.

  Anne stood up, and she said to Lulana Korshunova: "Lulana, let's go swimming!"

  Lulana, who didn't dare to speak the whole time, hesitated for a while, then nodded timidly.

  (end of this chapter)