Richmond, a city in the northeastern part of San Francisco Bay.
Pixar's current office was located in an unassuming office building in this city.
Simon arrived at Pixar headquarters at 2 PM, but Jobs was not present. He was greeted by Pixar President Ed Catmull, a middle-aged man with glasses and a beard, who was the main developer of Pixar's animation production software and rendering tools.
Before coming to San Francisco, Simon had actually heard that due to financial strain, Jobs had just laid off some Pixar employees after the New Year. At this time, there were fewer than 20 Pixar employees crammed into this office building.
Simon didn't mind that the main person wasn't there. He spent the entire afternoon carefully touring Pixar's technological achievements, including 'Tin Toy', which John Lasseter had just begun to conceive. This 3D animated short film not only won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film but also served as the inspiration for the later 'Toy Story'.
It wasn't until closing time, as he was about to leave, that Simon said to Ed Catmull, "Ed, I suggested buying this company from Jobs last year. That offer is still valid. You can tell him that if he is ever interested in selling Pixar, he can contact me".
Their afternoon together was pleasant, and Ed Catmull also felt that Simon was genuinely interested in Pixar's technology. He replied, "Simon, do you have to buy our company? If it's just an investment, Steve would probably be very happy, and we can help persuade him".
"This involves the issue of control", Simon shook his head and said, "I think Jobs certainly doesn't want to repeat his experience at Apple, and I personally feel the same way. Ed, you should have realized that I'm interested in using Pixar's technology to produce 3D animation and develop CG special effects technology related to film, while Jobs' goal is to produce professional computers for animation production. Our two operating philosophies are completely contradictory".
After a few more words, Simon shook hands with Ed Catmull and the others again, and left Pixar headquarters with Jennifer.
The main filming of 'Basic Instinct' will take place in San Francisco. Simon, along with several key crew members of 'Basic Instinct', arrived here on Tuesday and spent two days confirming the film's locations. Brian De Palma and others have already returned to Los Angeles.
Simon visited Silicon Graphics headquarters in Silicon Valley in the morning and Pixar in the afternoon. Tomorrow, he will fly to Park City, Utah, to attend the opening ceremony of this year's Sundance Film Festival.
'Run Lola Run' became a sensation at the Sundance Film Festival last year with the strong support of Robert Redford. Redford had specifically greeted him a few days ago. Whether it was due to his patronage or their personal friendship, Simon couldn't possibly not show up to support him.
Hilton Hotel in downtown San Francisco.
Jennifer returned to the living room with a pot of coffee. Neil Bennett had already swept the suite for listening devices.
Jennifer enthusiastically helped Neil Bennett pack his various instruments into a box. After he left, Jennifer poured Simon a cup of coffee, sat on the nearby sofa, and said, "This is very much like OCD".
"OCD is better than being bugged. The thought of those little things in the Plaza Hotel suite makes me feel uncomfortable all over", Simon said, putting down the documents in his hand and patting his assistant's hand, saying, "Come here".
Jennifer's face flushed slightly, and she refused, "No, I'm not a kitten. Besides, you should call my dad".
Simon didn't force it, smiled, picked up the phone, and dialled the Raybould family's number.
It was already past 8 PM in New York. The call connected quickly, and Simon and James began discussing New World Entertainment.
New World Entertainment's stock price today rose again relative to yesterday's high of $15, closing at $16.75 in the afternoon, with a total market value already exceeding $400 million. Simon couldn't afford to buy any more now. After discussing it again with James over the phone, Simon decisively decided to liquidate all of Westeros Company's New World Entertainment shares.
Simon's fundamental purpose in acquiring New World Entertainment was Marvel; the company's film and television entertainment assets were secondary.
Since a group of people were trying to fleece a fat sheep, Simon's wisest choice now was to withdraw immediately. If he continued to hold onto that 7% stake in New World Entertainment, the company's stock price would only remain strong, and it might even allow New World Entertainment to weather the most difficult period ahead.
Once that happened, it would be even more difficult for Simon to acquire Marvel.
All of the New World Entertainment shares held by Westeros Company were unrestricted tradable shares. Therefore, although the shareholding ratio exceeded 5%, it was not subject to the SEC's restrictions on reducing holdings.
Early the next morning.
After Westeros Company publicly announced its share reduction in accordance with SEC regulations, it immediately began selling its shares.
Simon arrived in Park City, Utah, around 11 AM local time. Janette had also arrived and rented an apartment in the same resort as last time. The woman had been busy with the renovation of the Fifth Avenue apartment in New York for some time. Her return to the West Coast at this time was mainly to attend the 45th Golden Globe Awards ceremony with Simon next Saturday.
The opening ceremony of the Sundance Film Festival still began at 1 PM.
After arriving in Park City, Simon settled in briefly and then rushed to the Park City Egyptian Theatre, where the opening ceremony was held.
Because 'Run Lola Run' achieved great success starting from the Sundance Film Festival last year, Park City was noticeably much livelier this year. If Robert Redford hadn't arranged it in advance, Simon and his companions might not even have been able to squeeze into the packed Egyptian Theatre.
In some earlier conversations, Simon also learned from Redford that compared to last year, the number of submitted films for the Sundance Film Festival had doubled this year.
Thanks to the generous donations of sponsors, the number of screening rooms for the competing films over the next ten days was no longer the mere three of last year, but had increased to ten. Park City didn't have that many screening rooms, and many were temporarily converted. It was said that some films that didn't make the cut even built their own screening rooms, hoping to attract media and distributors' attention during the film festival.
After the opening ceremony, this year's opening film was also quite significant.
'The Unbearable Lightness of Being', adapted from Milan Kundera's novel, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche. Simon had noticed this film some time ago because its producer, Saul Zaentz, held the rights to 'The Lord of the Rings'.
'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' was scheduled to be released on February 5th, distributed by Orion Pictures.
For the film's promotion, Saul Zaentz and other key creators also came to Park City.
After the film festival's opening ceremony, everyone went to the Sundance Institute headquarters at the foot of the ski resort to attend the official opening party of the film festival. Simon met Saul Zaentz through Robert Redford's introduction.
Saul Zaentz was already over sixty years old this year, with a thick white beard and a habitually pursed mouth, appearing somewhat unsmiling.
This well-known Hollywood producer started out in the record company business in his early years. His first film, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', which he co-produced in 1975, won multiple major awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. In 1984, 'Amadeus' once again turned heads in Hollywood with its excellent achievement of 11 Oscar nominations and 8 wins.
For Hollywood filmmakers, producing two Oscar-winning Best Pictures in one's career is an honour worth boasting about for a lifetime.
At the party, after introductions, Saul Zaentz said, "Simon, I know you're interested in 'The Lord of the Rings', and I've also heard that you've already acquired the rights to 'The Hobbit'. However, unless you can provide a feasible production plan, I will not give you the rights to 'The Lord of the Rings'".
Simon and Saul Zaentz stood together in a corner of the hall. Upon hearing this, Simon shook his head and said, "Saul, if I don't get the rights, I certainly can't invest in developing this project beforehand".
Saul Zaentz shrewdly said, "You can make 'The Hobbit' first".
"But I'd rather make 'The Lord of the Rings' series first," Simon said, hesitating for a moment, then looked at Saul Zaentz earnestly and said, "Saul, I know you probably don't lack money, and I know this might sound a bit abrupt. However, to show my sincerity, how about $10 million?"
Although the party was a bit noisy, Saul Zaentz heard Simon's offer clearly.
10 million dollars?!
He subconsciously wanted to ask again, but Saul Zaentz knew he hadn't misheard.
But, how could this be possible?
The current top-tier novel or script rights in Hollywood were probably around $1 million. Simon Westeros had effectively increased the market price tenfold.
However, feeling that this young man was trying to buy him with money, although Saul Zaentz wanted to show an angry expression, his face was mostly filled with surprise and disbelief.
No one in Hollywood would pay $10 million for the rights to a novel. Few people in the world would do such a thing. After all, $10 million in this era was enough to make a very good movie.
Saul Zaentz had actually heard the news that Simon had previously bought the TV series rights to 'Charlie's Angels' for a huge sum. Although the specific transaction price was not disclosed, it certainly couldn't have been the rumoured $10 million. Moreover, that transaction also included over a hundred episodes of TV series rights, which was a tangible asset, while 'The Lord of the Rings' was just a film and television adaptation right with an uncertain future.
After hesitating for a while, Saul Zaentz still couldn't bring himself to flat-out refuse: "Simon, I need to think about it".
"Of course," Simon nodded and said, "However, Saul, I hope to get your reply before the end of this weekend".
Saul Zaentz shook his head and said, "That's too rushed".
Simon insisted, "I don't want to wait too long".
Saul Zaentz hesitated for a moment and said, "Simon, since you've already obtained 'The Hobbit', you must know that those rights actually include a fixed royalty clause, where the production company will need to pay 7.5% of the net profits from films, TV, and other aspects to the Tolkien Estate Foundation".
Simon nodded and said, "I know".
Saul Zaentz said, "Then, if you want to get the rights, I also need a royalty agreement, at least 5%".
Simon refused without hesitation, saying, "Saul, I've already paid $10 million, and I can't give you any more royalties. Perhaps you might think that since Simon Westeros is willing to offer the exorbitant price of $10 million, he certainly wouldn't mind paying a bit more. But I can clearly guarantee that it's only $10 million, and only until this weekend. After the weekend, I will calm down, and this matter will start from scratch. Additionally, if you agree to this deal, you must also sign a confidentiality agreement, never to disclose our transaction price".
Saul Zaentz listened as Simon spoke, he couldn't help but calculate in his mind.
If he cooperated with other film companies, Saul Zaentz understood that he would probably only get around a million dollars for the transfer of rights, and perhaps the royalty terms would be easy to negotiate. However, even at a 5% net profit share, the film company would have to earn over $200 million for him to receive a return comparable to Simon Westeros' current offer.
What's more, the Tolkien Estate Foundation only took 7.5% of the net profit share, and he was just turning it over, so it was simply impossible to negotiate 5%. Perhaps at most, it would only be one or two percentage points. Considering the 'Hollywood accounting' factor, the chances of future royalty earnings reaching Simon Westeros' current offer of $10 million became even more remote.
After a moment of silence, Saul Zaentz raised his wine glass to Simon and said, "Simon, I'll give you an answer before I leave Park City".
Simon took a business card from his suit pocket, then asked Janette for a pen from her handbag to write down the address of the resort he was staying at. He handed it to Saul Zaentz and said, "Saul, I'm looking forward to hearing good news".
Janette had been quietly listening to Simon and Saul Zaentz's conversation. After Saul Zaentz walked away, almost in a daze, the woman linked her arm through Simon's and said with a smile, "$10 million, that's the price of a top-tier mansion on Fifth Avenue".
In memory, due to the malicious defaults of New Line Cinema, a famous Hollywood 'deadbeat,' Peter Jackson, Saul Zaentz, and the Tolkien Estate Foundation, among others, had all gone to court over the earnings from 'The Lord of the Rings' series, with each lawsuit involving amounts exceeding tens of millions of dollars.
Although he didn't know the specific share Saul Zaentz received in the original timeline, being able to completely buy the adaptation rights to 'The Lord of the Rings' for $10 million would definitely be very cost-effective.
Simon thought about these things, reached out and gently put his arm around the woman, saying, "Many things don't seem to be going well lately. Everyone sees Simon Westeros as a fat sheep. I suddenly want to try, if I also treat myself as a fat sheep, will some things become a little simpler?"
Janet sensed the faint frustration in Simon's tone, leaned in and gently pressed her cheek against his, saying, "You're not a fat sheep, Simon. Those guys who treat you as a fat sheep will surely realize they're the fools in the future".
Simon smiled and said, "That's what I'm worried about too".
Janet was a little confused: "Why?"
Just as Simon was about to explain, Robert Redford walked over from the crowd, greeted them, and asked, "How did the discussion go?"
Hollywood gossip always spreads quickly, and Simon's interest in the 'Lord of the Rings' rights was no secret.
Hearing Redford's question, Simon shook his head and said, "Saul agreed to consider it".
"Many classic novels in Hollywood need to be worked on for their adaptation rights; there's no use rushing", Robert Redford consoled him, rubbing the wine glass in his hand, and said, "Simon, actually, there's something. We've received a lot of scripts during this time, and some of them are very good. I was thinking, could you invest in a few, even just one? They are all very talented directors or screenwriters, just like you, they just lack opportunities. Moreover, these projects won't be too expensive, probably two or three million will be enough".
Simon was actually very interested in producing some very interesting independent films. Daenerys Pictures could also foster some of its own filmmakers through such projects. Before Redford could continue, he readily nodded and said, "I'll be in Park City this weekend, Bob. Just have someone send the scripts to me, and I'll pick a few to invest in".
Although he was already quite confident, Robert Redford still didn't expect Simon to agree so readily. However, he didn't hesitate either, and said with a smile, "I'll have someone send you the scripts tomorrow. Also, regarding distribution, if you need it, I can help then".