American Entertainment: Starting with playing the role of Little Beaver

Chapter 142 Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible

The sudden acquisition offer made Carl Icahn sense something was amiss.

He felt that his covetousness for Time Warner had been discovered by the other party.
Uh……

He has no evidence.

It was purely a sixth sense.

It was a guess based on intuition.

Or, in other words, in his many years of robbery, whenever someone touched his trap before he attacked his prey, the trap-related hunt would most likely end in failure.

In the past, at his worst, he had even been ambushed by his prey.

Then, his sudden retaliation nearly bankrupted him.

Therefore, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer stated that the news that Isabella had her eye on the bait he had yet to lay was something he suspected was amiss.

But in the eyes of Ted Turner and Steve Case...

"Oh, isn't this a good thing, Carl?"

That night.

The two elders of Xuanming met with the Wall Street Wolf King at a private club in New Jersey.

After listening to Carl Icahn's account, Steve Keston immediately laughed. "We know about Kevin Feige's trip to England; he told us about it before he went. So, I personally think that Isabella's invitation to Lionsgate is a reflection of her strong liking for Marvel, or rather, her liking for Kevin Feige's plans."

"This is a good thing for us."

Steve Case's excitement made Carl Icahn narrow his eyes.

Although he wanted to retort that whether Isabella liked Marvel was completely irrelevant to him and was merely a good thing in Steve Case's eyes, Carl Icahn swallowed back his sarcasm, considering that the two were currently allies and that he would need their support to dismantle Warner Bros.

He swirled the wine glass in his hand.

The round ice ball made a crisp "clanging" sound as it entered the glass filled with whiskey.

"Are you sure Isabella's behavior was just a whim?" he asked. "Just because she likes Marvel?"

“Of course!” Steve Case nodded with a smile.

"Is there any evidence?" Carl Icahn wanted something to put his mind at ease.

"Does this require evidence?" Steve Case shrugged. "Isn't this something you can tell at a glance?"

"..." Carl Icahn pursed his lips, wanting to curse.

“Uh… Karl…we actually have evidence…”

It seems they sensed Carl Icahn's impatience.

But it also seems like they dislike Steve Case's country bumpkin behavior.

Ted Turner stepped in, saying, "Last year, uh... actually the year before, after 'The Lord of the Rings: The King of Kings' failed to become the box office champion of the year, Robert Shea, the CEO of New Line Cinema, which I control, resigned..."

Ted Turner revealed that Warner Bros. had previously inquired with Lionsgate about acquiring the rights to Isabella.

When he provided concrete evidence, and the information he gave was specific down to the month and time, proving the real details that Isabella liked Marvel, Carl Icahn breathed a sigh of relief. "If that's the case... okay, I'm fine with it."

However, Carl Icahn was also afraid that things might change if he waited too long and wanted to launch an attack immediately.

How much longer do you need to prepare?

“Ted, Steve, although this is our first time working together, you should know that I don’t procrastinate, so… Shall we get started? Right now? Send the message tonight?”

Most of the time, the moment a position is successfully established is the moment Carl Icahn unleashes his killing blow.

The reason he has been holding back all this time is simply because he is waiting for Ted Turner and Steve Case.

I'll say it again, he's not magical.

Without the cooperation of the target company's shareholders, he would not be able to successfully rob a company.

And his eagerness...

“Uh, Carl, we need a little more time.”

Ted Turner said, "Kevin Feige has only just made contact with Isabella and hasn't fully brought her to the Marvel camp yet. If we launch an attack now, there's still a chance that Barry Mayer can pull her back."

"Yes."

Steve Case chimed in, "Once Isabella invests money in Marvel, or rather, once Isabella's commitment to the Marvel project becomes irreplaceable, then we can make our move and dismantle Time Warner."

"So...we'll have to wait a little longer..."

What they said makes sense—once someone has invested a certain amount of time and energy in a project, it becomes very difficult to decisively cut ties; not everyone can practice the theory of sunk costs and not participating in major decisions. Therefore, winning this person over at this time can yield the added benefit of 'taking advantage of their vulnerability'.

Therefore, after listening to what the two had to say, Carl Icahn instinctively nodded in agreement.

At the same time, he took a sip of wine, trying to calm his impatience.

Not only that, he also said, "Then you should get Kevin Feige to hurry up and persuade Isabella to approve the Iron Man project..."

However, before he could finish speaking...

Carl Icahn froze on the spot.

"wrong--"

He frowned as he looked at the two of them.

"If we don't take action now, how will we resolve the problems at Lionsgate?"

Should we refuse outright?

"No!"

"Because if they refuse, Isabella, who is interested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, might not invest heavily in Iron Man."

"Of course, the most likely thing she would do is to launch a violent takeover and announce the cooperation to the media. But if that happens... once the Lionsgate boss hears about it, our whereabouts will be exposed. At that time, Barry Mayer and his team will definitely know that we are going to dismantle Time Warner."

"But if you don't refuse..."

"Drag?"

"Neither!"

"so……"

"You two didn't actually want me to sell the Marvel rights to Isabella from the very beginning, did you??"

With a "whoosh," Carl Icahn's eyes lit up instantly!
At that moment, he sensed something amiss with his keen nose!

He felt like he'd been tricked by the two of them!

His analytical remarks made Ted Turner and Steve Case laugh.

“Yes, Carl, don’t you think that selling the copyright directly to Isabella is the best way to win her over?”

Ted Turner nodded and said, "Once Isabella has a large number of Marvel copyrights, she will not be able to embrace DC. At that time, our efforts to win her over will definitely be successful."

"As for how we can win her over without owning the Marvel rights?"

Ted Turner drew out his voice.

Steve Case promptly replied—

“Karl, you haven’t been involved with Marvel for many years, so can you sell us your Marvel shares?”

"Although Isabella could have made movies directly after acquiring a bunch of copyrights, but..."

"You've seen Isabella's personal report, haven't you?"

"She is a very smart girl."

"Perhaps she inherited her father's business genes. All the businesses she does now are Disney-like full copyright operations, instead of thinking that you can make money by perfecting a field like ordinary people do."

"The Voice is a game with an entire industry chain, and her cartoon beaver is also a game with an entire industry chain. Only when she embraces Marvel can she seize the greatest benefits in the cinematic universe envisioned by Kevin Feige."

"That's the surrounding area."

"That's paradise."

"That's a video game."

Steve Case stopped speaking at this point.

He picked up the wine bottle on the coffee table and poured himself a glass of wine into his empty glass.

The soft, pattering sound, like icy rain, made Carl Icahn's pupils shrink.

That's right! ! !

Although Carl Icahn's status is higher than that of Peter Turner and Steve Case in the circle of the wealthy, they are all wealthy. When there is no class divide between them, who will truly admire the other?

Right?

Ted Turner and Steve Case do indeed want to collaborate with Carl Icahn to dismantle Time Warner and completely kick the Ross family out of the group, but while collaboration is possible, their lifeline cannot be sacrificed.

In their eyes, Carl Icahn's Marvel shares were a weapon that could threaten them.

The logic is very simple.

Carl Icahn's stake in Marvel was key to their efforts to win over Isabella.

In that case, if they don't personally own Marvel shares, Carl Icahn can treat them like dogs.

For example, did Carl Icahn still hold Marvel shares after the food-sharing war ended?
In the future, whenever Carl Icahn needs public support, he might just come to them with Marvel.

To put it more simply, when Carl Icahn attacks any company, he needs media support. He needs to use various media outlets to tell the company's shareholders that his actions are righteous and that he is protecting their interests. Only in this way can he attract as many small shareholders as possible.

Therefore, as long as Isabella remains interested in Marvel, and as long as Ted Turner and Steve Case need Isabella's help to boost their performance, Carl Icahn, who holds Marvel shares, can turn around and threaten them to make Time Warner work for him.

Furthermore, Carl Icahn's threat to them can last for at least five years.

Because HP won't end for at least another five years.

Then, if Marvel succeeds at that time, they'll be even more explosive.

When Ted Turner and Steve Case's goal in eliminating the Ross family was to become kings of Time Warner, how could they possibly find a de facto ruler to elevate them while embracing success?
Isn't this just giving yourself a domineering father?

Isn't that idiotic?

So, in their minds, their perfect collaboration with Carl Icahn was for Carl Icahn to sell them Marvel shares. Because they couldn't say it directly, they've dragged it out until now.

Ah!
As I said before, very few people can avoid sunk costs and not participate in major decisions!
They didn't believe that Carl Icahn would simply give up after investing so much money in dismantling Time Warner!
As long as Carl Icahn doesn't give up, he'll definitely be threatened when he sits at the table!

So……

"Oh... Ted, Steve... are you robbing me?"

After capturing the two men's true thoughts, Carl Icahn immediately laughed.

But his heart was pounding wildly.

This is angry!

He admitted it!
Just as Ted Turner and Steve Case thought, he did want to retain control of Time Warner after the trade was completed!

but--

He never expected that their deal had only just begun!

These two guys have already revealed their true intentions and are now openly attacking him?

Want to turn the tables on him?
This is really...

'Those two guys deserve to die!'

Carl Icahn's eyes were blazing with fire!

"Karl, you're joking."

Ted Turner and Steve Case laughed.

"How could we dare to lay a hand on you?"

"We're just talking to you about a collaboration, a better collaboration."

"Ha—" Carl Icahn laughed in exasperation!

To be honest, at that moment he wished he could smash the wine glass in his hand into their faces!
But, he can't.

Because he spent too much money on dismantling Time Warner.

Furthermore, much of the money was raised through financing.

When this war had to be fought, he was the one with no way out!
and so……

“Very good…very good…I’ve made the deal…” Carl Icahn nodded slightly, a bloodthirsty smile on his face.

“I can sell my Marvel shares to you at today’s market price, but this deal will take time because I am now acting in concert with many shareholders, and I need to terminate the contracts with them first.”

"Oh, sure, but we'd also like to get to know those shareholders."

Steve Case raised his glass and raised an eyebrow. "Carl, could you introduce us?"

"With great pleasure."

Carl Icahn raised his glass and lightly clinked it against the glass.

The "ding" sound signaled the continuation of the collaboration;

It was Carl Icahn's period of dormancy;

It was Ted Turner and Steve Case who were declaring victory...

After downing his spicy drink in one gulp, Carl Icahn added, "Now that we've covered everything, I hope we can move forward with the Warner breakup quickly. I don't want to waste time on this, okay?"

“Okay,” Ted Turner said with a smile. “We can get started on the day the deal is finalized.”

Now that the old foxes have finally reached an agreement... well... nobody knows if the old foxes have any other plans, but that doesn't matter. With the three of them separated, Lionsgate also received the highest instructions from the Wolf King.

When Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer learned that Carl Icahn wanted him to sell the Marvel rights that Lionsgate was holding on behalf of Isabella, he was completely dumbfounded.

At that moment, he truly didn't understand what the Wolf King was up to!

"Is this person sick?"

Jon Feltheimer vehemently criticized the situation.

Even with his doubts, he still followed Carl Icahn's instructions and contacted Beaver Entertainment.

When Isabella learned that Lionsgate had decided to sell her more than 20 Marvel copyrights for $20 million in a package deal, the sudden appearance of the contract left Ms. Beaver completely dumbfounded.

"No—so Kevin Feige is lying?"

Miss Beaver looked at her mother with a furrowed brow.

Although Vivian also felt something was amiss, because when she spoke with Kevin Feige that day, she paid special attention to Kevin Feige's demeanor and felt that Kevin Feige did not seem to be lying.

but……

"Uh—it seems that's the case based on the current situation—"

Vivian nodded in agreement with her daughter's words.

However, the next second she added, "But I think there's something wrong with this, because Lionsgate sold too quickly."

"Last year, when Warner asked about the price, they were unwilling to sell, and then this year they sold it directly? It's hard not to feel that someone set a trap for us and was afraid that we would find out something was wrong, so they were forced to give up the copyright."

'hiss--'

Isabella thought her mother was right.

"Wow—Mom—the business world seems to be a bit troublesome—"

The little girl felt like her head was getting bigger.

Vivian also wanted to help her daughter, but her abilities were limited, therefore...

“Give Barry Mayer a call; many things can only be handled by professionals.”

The young girl accepted her mother's suggestion, and after she called Barry Mayer, this guy who had been playing the game of power struggles for decades had the same first reaction as Vivian: he also felt that Lionsgate had a problem.

"Lionsgate sold the rights too quickly, they practically wanted to shove them into your hands, this is not normal behavior."

"Moreover, from Lionsgate's perspective, they could have proposed a co-development deal, but they didn't. So, currently, the ownership of Marvel's copyrights may not even be in their hands anymore; they're just acting as agents for others to sell them."

"Therefore, my suggestion is to continue testing the waters and release the news that you are not making Resident Evil."

"Furthermore, you can do this very naturally now, because you've gained a bunch of Marvel copyrights again."

Barry Mayer's advice resonated deeply with Isabella.

But at the same time, Vivian had another question, "Barry, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, Mrs. Haywood, what would you like to ask?"

"I'd like to know your thoughts on Carl Icahn's interest in Time Warner."

Vivian said, “If I remember correctly, since we started talking about this, you haven’t analyzed Carl Icahn’s goals with us? Although we all know that Carl Icahn targets a company because he wants to break it up, there are many kinds of break-ups, such as splitting it up for listing, splitting it up for sale, and even selling it entirely.”

"therefore……"

"Do you think these things are unimportant? That's why you haven't talked to us about them?"

Isabella was somewhat surprised by her mother's words.

She had never really thought about what her mother was talking about.

Uh……

Ok.

She actually made an error based on empiricism.

There was nothing she could do; her past life memories told her that the breakup of Time Warner all happened after the Avengers appeared.
Furthermore, that split had nothing to do with Carl Icahn.

That's why she instinctively felt that Barry Mayer didn't want Time Warner to be broken up.

But, seeing the world from Mom's perspective—

“Oh, Mrs. Heywood, since you’ve brought this up, well… how should I put it? From my perspective, AOL is actually a burden for Warner. So, it might be better to break it up.”

Barry Mayer laughed on the other end of the phone.

He stopped pretending.

He stated bluntly, "Furthermore, I would like to add that back then, in the case of AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, I voted against it on behalf of the Ross family. We disagreed with the deal; it was Ted Turner and those people from Time who insisted on doing it."

"Because they believe that the internet is the future."

"Because they feel that Disney has already taken the lead."

“If we don’t take action now, we will fall behind.”

"Of course, in our eyes, their approach is actually to dilute our equity through a merger, thereby kicking us out of the group's board of directors and trying to control us from a higher level..."

As early as the end of the last century, Hollywood capital had its sights set on the Internet, believing that online communities were the future of media.

Then, back then, the first Hollywood company to embrace the internet was Disney.

They created a search website called Go.com.

Using this as a shell, they acquired Infoseek, which was then the world's largest search engine.

That's right, it's the company where Robin Li works. He wrote the hyperlink analysis algorithm at Infoseek.

It was precisely because Michael Eisner initiated the arms race in the internet sector that Warner rushed to embrace AOL. After all, both companies were vying for the title of the world's largest media group at the time.
Michael Eisner's dispute stems from a bet he has with the Disney board.

If he can bring the company to a market value of 1000 billion US dollars, he can take away a salary of 50 billion US dollars.

Old routine.

Ted Turner argued because...

As Barry Mayer said, when AOL acquires Time Warner, the Ross family's shares in the group will be diluted due to the emergence of AOL, at which point Ted Turner will become the largest shareholder.

It was also for profit, and it was privately owned.

Then, both of them fell into the pit.

The bursting of the dot-com bubble caused DisneyGo.com's value to shrink by 75% within three years.

Warner was completely devastated.

The needle that punctured the dot-com bubble wasn't the ugly financial reports of internet companies. It wasn't that they couldn't find a way to make money, but rather that the companies providing internet access to the public laid out a huge amount of infrastructure. Then, they discovered that the number of users accessing the internet each year wasn't as many as the internet companies had boasted. And then, the dot-com bubble burst.

AOL's core business is providing internet access to the public. So, when they invested heavily in laying fiber optic cables, they couldn't make money and were heavily in debt, which inevitably caused Warner to fail.

However, none of the above matters now.

Since the Warner Group originally opposed AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, Barry Mayer is actually the one who most wants to remove AOL from Time Warner.

The reason is simple.

First, we need to set things right and get Time Warner back on track.

Second, regaining power—

"America Online is currently worth $100 billion."

"But at the same time, it has burdened our entire group with more than 70 billion yuan in hidden debt."

"So, as long as we dismantle it, Time Warner can fly higher."

"And then, Isa, Mrs. Haywood, do you know why I've never been on the group's board of directors?"

"Because AOL Time Warner's group headquarters is in New York, while Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Music, Warner Television, all of Warner's bases, and even some of DC's divisions are in Los Angeles."

"If I join the board of directors, I will be frequently traveling between the two locations."

"This is not conducive to my control of Warner."

"Therefore, Time Warner and AOL had to separate, which gave me the opportunity to move the headquarters to Los Angeles."

"Yes! Although you haven't said anything, I think you're right!"

“If circumstances allow, I could even become an ally of Carl Icahn!”

“I can team up with Carl Icahn and kick Ted Turner and Steve Case out of the game!”

“But before we talk, I want to know what the price is for Carl Icahn and Ted Turner’s collaboration.”

“If it’s a spin-off listing, allowing him to cash out and leave, then I can do that with Carl Icahn. But if it’s a split sale… then I can use the money from the split sale to directly redeem the shares from Carl Icahn, which would allow him to make even more money…”

Is war a danger or an opportunity? It all depends on your perspective.

If you face war head-on, then this thing is dangerous.

But what if you look down upon living beings? Then you can see opportunities in them.

For the average person, looking down from above is difficult, but for chess players...

As I said before, a large corporation is a small society. Those at the top only see numbers. When life is reduced from three dimensions to two dimensions, what does the life and death of those below have to do with them?

"Barry Mayer is indeed ruthless."

As the phone call ended, Vivian, the mother, expressed her feelings.

In her view, Barry Mayena, who could see a crisis as a form of cooperation, was truly a man who would stop at nothing to gain power.

And this...

"Luckily, we weren't completely tied to Time Warner, were we?"

Isabella laughed and said, "Our variety shows and animations are all with Disney."

"Oh, honey, so you think Robert Iger is a good guy?"

Vivian rolled her eyes at her youngest daughter.

Isabella burst into laughter.

Yes!

How could Robert Iger, who wanted to be the king of Disney, possibly be a good person?

"This society is too complicated~ It's simply not for me~"