Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 652 - 469: Setting up the Oscars

Hearing that Link had once again borrowed to invest in Netflix, both Harvey Weinstein and little Kunas expressed their delight.

Since the beginning of the year, when Link had taken out loans to acquire Lionsgate Films, his debt had been mounting, from an initial one or two hundred million US Dollars to now, where Link and Lionsgate held liabilities of six to seven hundred million.

With a net worth of over three billion, six to seven hundred million in liabilities might not seem significant, but his borrowing frequency was increasing, and the amounts were getting larger; this was a good sign.

According to The Wall Street Journal, after betting on Tesla, Link had become blindly confident, persistently going it alone in investments and ignoring professional advice, such that it wouldn't be impossible for investment failures or even bankruptcy to occur.

"Haha, dear Bob, take a look at this news, now even The Wall Street Journal thinks Link will fail in his investments, even face bankruptcy; trouble is brewing for Link soon."

In the president's office, Harvey laughed heartily, passing the newspaper to Bob across the desk, pointing at the article, urging Bob Weinstein to read and share in the joy.

Bob took one look and lost interest.

"Harvey, the current market value of Lionsgate Films is about seven to eight hundred million, with 330 million in foreign debt. This financial situation is healthy. On the contrary, Weinstein Company's market value is less than three hundred million yet holds 250 million in debt.

We think what we need to consider now is how to grow and strengthen our company, produce more box-office hits, and repay the loans earlier, rather than focusing on Link, which is useless."

Upon hearing his words, Harvey's heavy eye bags trembled, and his face fell.

Since August, the news was all good news about Link,such as his album and new film selling well, reconciling with Taylor, winning a boxing match and earning fifty million in two minutes, Ivanka being pregnant, and signing multi-hundred million dollar endorsement deals with Nike, among other things.

All damn good news.

It made him feel nauseous.

After waiting more than two months, they finally came across a negative report about Link; he hadn't even had time to rejoice when whoosh—Bob threw a bucket of cold water on him, drenching him completely.

Harvey glared at Bob, his expression turning very ugly.

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"Harvey, we talked about this last time. If Link had a backup after that incident, we agreed not to focus on him this year, and just concentrate on filmmaking. Turns out I guessed right, Link indeed had a backup, and that negative news didn't even affect him."

Seeing Harvey about to explode, Bob hurriedly reminded him.

"Damn! Of course, I remember that, I don't need your reminder."

Harvey said, annoyed.

Last time, due to a custody issue, Link was criticized by mainstream media, nearly bringing his reputation to the streets.

In that situation, he'd hoped Link's career would be hit, even a slight hit would've been good, but damn it, no one anticipated Link would turn the tides with just a few broken championship gold medals, and achieve even greater global influence.

Every time he thought of that incident, he couldn't help but let his blood pressure soar. Yet here was Bob, bringing up old wounds, rubbing salt in them.

"Harvey, as long as you remember, that's good. Let me get back to the previous topic, which is Palm Beach Films' proposal to release 'Silver Linings Playbook' at the end of November. What do you think?"

Bob asked.

"Why release it this year? I remember the company's distribution department already has a full schedule for this year."

Harvey said sternly.

"This is Link's request. Last time, when discussing investing in 'The Master', he brought this up, hoping to release 'Silver Linings Playbook' within the year, mentioning that if Jennifer Lawrence performs well, he wants us to help with the public relations for the Oscars Best Actress award?"

"What?! He wants Jennifer Lawrence to become an Academy Award-winning actress, a '90s actress? Has he lost his mind?"

Harvey asked, incredulously staring.

"Yes, I objected at that time too. Jennifer Lawrence is too young; the Oscars' judges wouldn't possibly cast their votes for an actress in her early twenties, but Link was adamant about it."

Bob said, shrugging.

Harvey squinted his eyes, then suddenly burst out laughing, sticking out his belly.

"I see his plan; he thinks because he has some smelly money and is a global superstar, he can do whatever he wants, making the Oscars' judges follow his arrangements?"

"Haha, it's truly ridiculous, he thinks the Oscars are too simple, this is Hollywood, winning an Oscar isn't just about having money. If money could buy the Oscars, the Big Six would have monopolized them long ago."

"Should we agree to his terms?"

Bob asked.

Harvey frowned and thought for a moment, "No, our Oscar push for Best Actress this year is for 'The Iron Lady,' not 'Silver Linings Playbook.' Campaigning for both would create a conflict."

"Then let's reject him, tell Link the chances for an Oscar would be greater next year, I believe Link will understand."

Bob said.

"Wait!"

Harvey frowned, thought for a moment, and told Bob to hold off on rejecting the proposal for now. At the moment, Link felt triumphant, believing he could succeed in anything, including Oscar PR.

Let him try.

The condition is that Weinstein Company would take an additional 10% of the North America box office revenue on top of the existing contract, if Link agrees then we'll agree to release 'Silver Linings Playbook' early and help him campaign for the Best Actress Oscar."

"Really help him? I've seen Jennifer Lawrence's performance in 'Silver Linings Playbook,' and she indeed deserves a nomination."

Bob asked.

"Of course not, our focus is on 'The Iron Lady,' to help Meryl win another Best Actress Oscar, not to boost Link's girlfriend. Damn it, only fools would promote other people's love interests.

The reason I said this, is to trick Link into confidently investing more money in the award campaign, then watch him crash and burn during the Oscars ceremony.

"Haha, won't his expression be priceless then? Haha, that's settled then, I can hardly wait now."

Harvey became more agitated as he spoke, unable to help patting the table.

Bob frowned, "Harvey, is this really appropriate? Don't forget, we're also producers of 'Silver Linings Playbook.' If the movie wins an Oscar, the box office will increase, and we'll profit. But failing to secure an award also means less revenue. I don't think this is a good idea."

"Idiot! Did you think I haven't considered that? I just mentioned that if Link yields an extra 10% of the North American box office, we'll agree to release the movie early and help with the campaign.

You just said that Jennifer Lawrence is worthy of an Oscar nomination. When the time comes, we'll just help her get nominated, the rest is up to Link.

With the nomination itself, even if she doesn't win Best Actress, the box office loss won't be significant.

And with that 10% revenue share, it'll more than offset our losses. Meanwhile, Link will have spent a substantial amount on PR for his girlfriend, who won't secured the award, and won't profit much from the movie either, tripling his losses.

"Haha, what a brilliant plan, Bob, go tell Link we agree."

Harvey pounded the desk, his face flushed with excitement.

Bob frowned, "Harvey, what if Link succeeds?"

Bang!

Upon hearing this, Harvey, like an enraged lion, stood up and glared at Bob furiously.

"Damn it, what are you talking about? Link and I are both campaigning for Best Actress at the Oscars. Do you think he can beat me in this field? Do you think Link can defeat me in my own domain? Are you insulting me?"

Bob thought for a moment and realized there was no need to worry too much.

Harvey was an Oscar-making machine, combined with veteran actor Meryl Streep and the movie's theme, no matter what, they were stronger than Link and Jennifer Lawrence, two youngsters just over twenty.

"Alright, I'll liaise with Link, hoping this time you get your vengeance."

Bob adjusted his waistband, his belly sticking out as he left the office.

Harvey stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking Hollywood Boulevard below the company's building, and sneered coldly, "Link, welcome to Hollywood. You're about to learn that not just anyone can mess with the Oscars."