Global Film Emperor

Chapter 522 Mickey's Troubles
"Disney, huh..."

The fact that this prestigious name came from Fatini's mouth did not surprise Lu Ze, after all, he had already had certain expectations. In Lu Ze's mind, Disney was among the names he had anticipated. However, when it was confirmed, he still felt a chill in his heart.

Disney's interest in Universal Pictures may not be a good thing. Outsiders may have a positive impression of Disney, given its numerous excellent works that have sweetened the childhood dreams of several generations. Even today, countless girls consider visiting Disneyland a must-do in their childhood plans. However, for owners of small film companies in the film industry, being targeted by a giant can create an unconscious sense of crisis, as if they are about to be devoured.

Only those who have a firsthand understanding of the industry can truly grasp the reality that behind those sweet and classic works are dirty hands that, while creating beautiful dreams, also stifle many people who hoped to add good works to the world.

Capital, as anyone who has read "Das Kapital" can understand, is a cowardly and conformist group, whose nature is to seek profit and avoid harm. What do they like to do most?
It's definitely a monopoly.

Looking at Disney alone, it becomes clear that Disney is no longer the animation film company that profits solely from classic comic book characters like Mickey Mouse and Snow White.

It has acquired numerous renowned film studios, including Marvel, 20th Century Fox, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, and Miramax Films. And these are just the most famous companies; what about a large number of smaller companies? And what about companies that are not under its control but only have a certain shareholding? There are more than a hundred companies, and its presence even extends to mainland China.

This doesn't even include companies in other industries. They love investing in popcorn movies because it allows them to quickly and massively generate revenue, which they then use to expand their business empire. But that doesn't mean they have no interest in arthouse film companies that are profitable and have excellent reputations.

Even mosquito meat is still meat, isn't it?

This is why they set their sights on "Universal Brothers." Even though "Universal Brothers" is very small and not particularly strong, it has Mickey Mouse, a screenwriter and director known as a European genius, Lu Ze, an actor who has swept the three major European film festivals, and Lucas, a super cinematographer who is considered one of the best in the world. Although this team is not large, its quality is not low.

After all, the core figures for the four steps of filmmaking—creation, acting, shooting, and editing—have been assembled, and the company has accumulated a considerable fan base in the European film market with several highly acclaimed works. It's not surprising that such a company has been targeted.

Lu Ze just didn't expect this day to come so soon. After all, Universal Brothers Studios was still just a small company that had only released a few films.

“I will talk to Mickey about this, but as you know, the choice is his.”

"I understand. At the same time, I apologize to you. I'm very sorry, Lu Ze."

Without saying much, Lu Ze hung up the phone. He could understand Fatini's helplessness. After all, he was also Jewish and had intricate connections with the actual power holders in the North American landfill, and might even be related by blood. Under these circumstances, how could he choose between displeasing "Global Brothers" or making those vile capitalists unhappy? The choice was obvious.

But that doesn't mean Lu Ze can be indifferent. This isn't being pretentious or arrogant. You have to understand that Disney or other well-known capital firms aren't so easy to rely on.

A sapling, once cared for by a gardener, can never grow into the shape it desires.

Anticipating Mickey's volcanic eruption upon hearing the news, Lu Ze turned down the volume on his phone. He could hear the sound of flushing water from the next bathroom. Once the man next door left, Lu Ze dialed Mickey's number. "Hello? Lu Ze, are you doing well in China?"

The call connected, and before Lu Ze could speak, Mickey spoke up on the other end. However, the call environment on his end was very quiet, quite different from the noisy environment that Lu Ze was used to.

"You're doing well. Is something wrong?"

"You know me best. Just an hour ago, Elizabeth picked up Fanny, and we had a huge fight. I lost my temper again and smashed the TV and all sorts of things. I didn't want to do this, and I didn't want Fanny to see it, but that bitch had that sarcastic face and said, 'You're still so pathetic. You just want to smash things when you're angry.' I'm so glad I left you. I couldn't control myself and wanted to beat her up. You know what? She's taking Fanny to the Netherlands! To settle down! It's fucking outrageous. She said her ex-husband's infidelity was disgusting, but less than three months later, she found a Dutch man and wants to leave England with him. She can find whoever she wants, but Fanny is doing just fine in Liverpool. Why is she dragging her to the Netherlands?"

"So fast?"

"Right, who knows if that man smokes marijuana? If she likes to live with addicts, so be it, but don't drag my daughter into it! I don't want my daughter to end up smoking marijuana with a bunch of high-drinkers. There are too many scumbags like that in the Netherlands!"

This whole mess... Lu Ze was also having a headache. The financing issue was already troublesome enough, and now there was a conflict at home. He thought that with Elizabeth's divorce from her ex-husband, it would be easier for Mickey to see the children. He didn't expect that she would want to have a transnational marriage in such a short time. No wonder Mickey was furious. One thing was that he would have to go abroad to see the children in the future. In the Netherlands, where gambling and drugs are legal, how could the children be well?

"So what are you going to do?"

“I just finished talking to my dad. I’m going to get custody back. He’ll raise the kids while I’m working. He really likes Fanny too. I’ve already told that jerk I’ll see her in court. Besides, Fanny doesn’t want to leave Liverpool. I think I have a good chance. Let’s not talk about this anymore. Why did you call?”

"Disney wants to invest."

Lu Ze simply and clearly informed Mickey, and to his surprise, there was no furious cursing on the other end of the phone, only silence, accompanied by the sound of shoes scraping against the floor, presumably Mickey kicking the broken pieces on the floor. After a while, Mickey finally spoke.

"Fatini told you, right? I know. I'll contact Disney later."

"I thought you were going to lose your temper."

"Why are you throwing a tantrum? Are you afraid you'll turn against me? If I were worried you wouldn't be on my side, I would have fired you after 'The Effect,' why would I give you shares? Or do you think... Disney is the only one that's come knocking? Heh, Sony and Warner have both contacted me, but I just didn't like their terms. I've said it before, you don't need to worry about business matters, I can handle them. It's just that I have big appetites. This time, what I want is not just money. Whether I can fulfill the vow I made when I created Universal Brothers depends on this."

"..."

(End of this chapter)