Chapter 306
"By the way, any news from Edgar Bronfman Jr.?"
"Or has he personally gone to Japan yet?"
Inside the dimly lit nightclub, Aaron lounged on the sofa, casually watching the performance onstage while speaking to Jack Wells beside him.
"Not really," Jack replied.
"Edgar Jr. has mostly been spending time with Michael Ovitz and Herbert Allen Jr.."
"Actually, based on what we've gathered, there are quite a few members of the Bronfman family inside Seagram who oppose the acquisition."
Aaron nodded slowly.
"Alright then."
"Looks like this is going to come down to raw strength."
This year alone, Dawn Pictures had scored hit after hit with films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, My Best Friend's Wedding, Interview with the Vampire, Forrest Gump, The Mask, and Pulp Fiction.
The company's momentum had become overwhelming.
Especially Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction—they were easily the two most talked-about films of the year.
And with the media constantly fueling the narrative that Dawn was trying to "take back" MCA from Japanese ownership, public opinion in America had overwhelmingly rallied behind Aaron.
At the very least, in terms of popular sentiment, Dawn had massive support.
---
At a lavish party hosted by Warner Bros. inside Manhattan's Pierre HotelWwqq Aaron arrived accompanied by Monica Bellucci.
There, he finally crossed paths with Seagram CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr.
"Aaron," Bronfman said with a courteous smile as he extended his hand, "I believe this is our first proper meeting."
Aaron shook his hand with a faint smile.
"It is."
"After all, I started out working in Hollywood."
"Seagram, on the other hand, is a liquor empire."
Bronfman spread his hands casually.
"I'd say I'm part of the entertainment world too."
"I've worked as a film producer before, written songs, even started a band."
"It's just that my past ventures were small-time projects."
"They're nothing compared to the Dawnlight empire you've built."
Aaron took a sip of his drink.
"Now that's not entirely fair."
"Seagram nearly acquired Warner Bros. before."
If former chairman Steve Ross hadn't passed away, Seagram might well have become one of Time Warner's largest shareholders.
Bronfman nodded.
"Hollywood is booming."
"The global market has limitless potential."
"I'm very optimistic about it."
Then he lightly patted Aaron on the shoulder.
"Seagram is determined to acquire MCA Universal."
"Your Dawnlight Group is already thriving."
"So why burden yourself further?"
"Is that so?" Aaron studied him for a moment, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
"Sounds like we're about to recreate last year's battle between Viacom and QVC over Paramount Pictures."
Bronfman shrugged.
"You know as well as I do—acquiring MCA isn't difficult for Seagram."
"We have enormous cash reserves."
"We don't need financing."
"We can buy MCA outright."
Aaron nodded thoughtfully before returning the gesture and patting Bronfman on the shoulder as well.
"Hollywood has its own rules."
"And honestly…"
"You're underestimating Dawnlight Group far too much."
With that, Aaron turned and walked away, wondering where exactly Edgar Bronfman Jr. had gotten such confidence from.
Was it from Michael Ovitz?
Or perhaps from Yoichi Morishita?
Not long after, Aaron ran into former co-CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peter Guber.
After chatting briefly, he returned to Monica Bellucci's side.
"Lately the papers have been saying Sony Pictures lost $2.7 billion," Monica said with a smile as she wrapped herself around his arm.
"That's supposedly the biggest loss any film company has ever suffered."
"Looks like Japanese corporations paid a very expensive tuition fee after buying American companies."
Her stunning figure pressed lightly against him, making it difficult for Aaron to stay focused.
Aaron simply shrugged.
"Well, Jon Peters and Peter Guber practically bled Sony dry."
Back when Sony poached the pair from Warner Bros., they had paid an enormous price—half ownership of the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank.
As he spoke, Aaron leaned in and kissed Monica deeply.
She had just finished filming the psychological horror movie In the Mouth of Madness in Toronto.
And later that month, her lead role in Twilight Pictures' horror thriller Garage Fright was set for release.
After Philadelphia, Monica Bellucci was finally beginning to land genuine leading roles in Hollywood productions.
When the kiss finally broke, Monica still looked reluctant to let him go.
"Aaron," she murmured softly, "the vacation villa at Lake Como has finally been renovated."
"Why don't we go there sometime? I can keep you company properly."
Earlier, when Monica had returned to Italy, Aaron had specifically asked her to find a luxury villa overlooking Lake Como.
"Don't worry," Aaron said with a smile, his arm tightening around her waist.
"We'll have the chance."
"Come on, let's head back."
"Mhm."
As the two exited the hotel, they happened to spot Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone being interviewed by reporters.
Aaron glanced at them casually.
"Warner Bros.' action film The Specialist premiered last week."
"Stallone and Sharon Stone are the leads."
However, despite opening in 2,522 theaters, the film had earned only $14 million during its opening weekend and received terrible reviews.
Without question, it was yet another disappointing entry in Stallone's recent filmography.
As for Sharon Stone, ever since Basic Instinct made her a sensation, last year's erotic thriller Sliver had still managed to surpass $100 million worldwide.
And now, The Specialist featured several highly provocative scenes between her and Stallone, which had generated plenty of publicity.
Unfortunately, the movie's reception was abysmal.
Their love scenes were even listed by Empire magazine as one of "Hollywood's Ten Worst Movie Sex Scenes."
The magazine also mockingly crowned Sharon Stone the "Queen of Erotic Movie Disasters."
Inside the backseat of the car, Monica leaned comfortably against Aaron's chest.
"Aaron," she asked softly, "you don't like Sharon Stone?"
She had clearly noticed the trace of disdain in his expression earlier.
"I don't."
"Hm? Why not?"
"No particular reason."
Aaron shook his head before casually slipping a hand along Monica's body.
"By the way, there's an Italian drama from this year's Venice International Film Festival called Il Postino. It's quite good—you know it, right?"
"Mhm, I know it," Monica replied before leaning in for another kiss.
"I heard Dawnlight Pictures already bought the North American distribution rights."
"Mmm…"
Aaron wrapped his arms around the sensual Italian beauty and kissed her back passionately.
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