Chapter 608 Grasp the Copyright and Don’t Let It Go

Marvel’s top executives didn’t hesitate too much. Citibank’s collection action was pressing every step of the way, and there was no time for them to hesitate. In just two days, Avi Arad called Ronan himself. Marvel Comics Willing to conduct formal negotiations on the investment and acquisition of Relativity Entertainment.

Robert Iger and Robert Lee led a team of more than 20 people to immediately start negotiations with Marvel. Marvel has been looking for investors, and its own value has reached the lowest point since 1989. The price offered by Relativity Entertainment is also very high. With sincerity, the negotiations between the two parties went very smoothly.

Since Relativity Entertainment has been paying attention to Marvel, all preparatory work has already been prepared. Before Ronan left New York, Relativity Entertainment and Marvel Comics reached a preliminary agreement.

Marvel Comics' public relations efforts against Citibank have not had any effect and cannot be dragged on.

Relativity Entertainment plans to acquire 90% of the shares of Marvel Comics at a premium of 5%, and the remaining 10% will be held by the Marvel management headed by Avi Arad.

Since the acquisition involves the issuance of shares, Relativity Entertainment also has to delist Marvel, and this acquisition will last for several months.

According to estimates relative to entertainment, the acquisition may involve around $380 million.

And after the acquisition is completed, it must also be delisted.

The relevant securities law stipulates that if the number of shareholders of a listed company is less than 600, and the number of shareholders holding more than 100 shares is less than 400, the listing must be terminated.

Delisting naturally requires the recovery of issued shares.

The two parties reached a preliminary agreement, Scott Swift rushed to New York, and the Pacific Investment Fund provided Marvel Comics with a loan of 40 million US dollars to repay the Citibank loan.

The remaining 4.8 million US dollars came from various loans. Since it has not yet expired, Relativity Entertainment will also bear it after the acquisition is completed.

After the acquisition is completed, Marvel Comics will be reformed into a brand-new pan-entertainment Marvel Entertainment Company, officially preparing to shoot Marvel's own superhero movie.

At the same time, the agreement also involves the integration of Relativity Entertainment with Marvel, the complementary use of Marvel Comics and Relativity Entertainment channels, and many other aspects.

Apart from the crucial aspect of funds, there were hundreds of various clauses in the preliminary agreement sent to Ronan.

With the preliminary agreement reached,

Robert Iger and Robert Lee also left New York one after another, and the remaining finishing work was handed over to a dedicated acquisition team.

Relativity Entertainment's acquisition of Marvel Comics has been decided!

This acquisition seems to be going well, but in fact all work is ahead. It has been four years since Ronan first set his sights on Marvel comics and now reached a preliminary agreement.

During this period, some people headed by Robert Lee have been paying attention to the dynamics of Marvel comics, looking for the most suitable time.

Even if the capital injection after the completion of the acquisition is included, the total cost of Relativity Entertainment is only more than 400 million US dollars, which is far lower than Ronan's psychological expectations.

Various comprehensive factors, coupled with the contradictions provoked by Relativity Entertainment, have effectively lowered the value of Marvel comics, and finally let Relativity Entertainment take Marvel into its arms at a low price.

After the completion of the acquisition, Ronan, Robert Iger, Robert Lee, George Clint, Mary, and the top management of Marvel with Avi Arad as the core formed the Marvel Entertainment Restructuring Committee to fully promote the development of Marvel comics. Pan-entertainment development.

When the restructuring is completed, the preparatory work for "Iron Man" will also be officially put on the daily routine.

Avi Arad and the management of Marvel Comics are not familiar with film production, and it is impossible for Ronan to stare at a certain superhero movie project alone, so it is necessary to find a real superhero movie manager for Marvel Entertainment .

Those who are capable and experienced, and have participated in the shooting and production of many successful comic films, naturally become the first choice.

Ronan has already thought of a person, and asked someone to do a side inspection and evaluation, and then actually contact him.

After all the calculations, we still have to continue to poach the corners of the six major companies.

Hope they don't have a problem with that.

In New York, in an office temporarily borrowed by 20th Century Fox, Sean Downey put down the phone in surprise.

He has just been notified that the shareholders of Marvel Comics are transferring their equity. There is a company from Hollywood that has intervened in the dispute between Twentieth Century Fox, Citibank and Marvel Comics regarding debts and proceeds.

That company is called Relativity Entertainment!

Ronan Anderson's Relativity Entertainment!

Sean Downey thought for a while, dialed Avi Allard, waited for the call to be answered, and said, "Mr. Allard, I am Sean Downey from Twentieth Century Fox. May I ask what you have considered?" how's it going?"

Avi Allard on the other side said directly: "Marvel Comics will not agree to such an unreasonable request, so be it, Sean, I have something to do here, goodbye."

Before Sean Downey could reply, he hung up the phone.

Sean Downey frowned, the signboard of 20th Century Fox is so bad?

The phone rang, and it was from Citibank. Sean Downey answered the phone and said a few words, his face finally changed.

Citibank notified him that Marvel Comics had repaid the loan!

Putting down the phone, Sean Downey sat on a chair and was silent for more than ten minutes. Then he started making calls. One by one, there was either no news or bad news.

But near the end of get off work in the afternoon, more news related to Marvel came together, and Sean Downey was completely sure that this trip to New York was a complete failure.

What was supposed to be a smooth plan, why did it fail?

Without the loan from Citibank, 20th Century Fox could not directly force Marvel Comics.

Relativity Entertainment, also from Hollywood, acquired Marvel Comics, and now Marvel is not what it used to be.

If you do anything to Marvel, you will be directly facing Relativity Entertainment.

Sean Downey has 20th Century Fox as his reliance, and he is not afraid of Relativity Entertainment, but this matter involves two big companies in the industry, and it is not up to him to decide.

After considering the wording, Sean Downey called the company.

Twentieth Century Fox quickly gave him the latest instructions, asking Sean Downey to withdraw to Los Angeles and not to intervene in the affairs between Relativity Entertainment and Marvel Comics for the time being.

On the second day, Sean Downey received more feedback, knowing that Relativity Entertainment's acquisition of Marvel Comics was a foregone conclusion, and it was meaningless to stay in New York. He immediately followed the company's arrangement and returned to Los Angeles.

The news quickly spread to London, and James Murdoch, who was always watching 20th Century Fox and was already preparing for his future entry into 20th Century Fox, was notified immediately.

James Murdoch made several phone calls one after another and communicated with the management of Twentieth Century Fox who favored him. Twentieth Century Fox did not stare at Marvel Comics any longer.

Twentieth Century Fox has its own measure of Marvel.

On the one hand, if it continues, what it gets from Marvel Comics is no longer comparable to what Twentieth Century Fox has paid.

On the other hand, it is too difficult to change this acquisition, and the effort is also not directly proportional to the gain.

But this incident has attracted enough attention from James Murdoch, who flew from London to Los Angeles.

"What was Ronan Anderson thinking?" James Murdoch asked. "Suddenly meddling with 20th Century Fox?"

Jim Prowse has already speculated: "Some of the things we did may have caused a backlash from Relativity Entertainment and Ronan Anderson."

James Murdoch thought of the time when he talked to Ronan Anderson, thinking that the terms he offered were very generous, and even planned to persuade his father for it, but it’s fine if Ronan Anderson doesn’t accept his kindness. Against Twentieth Century Fox?

"What good is this for Relativity Entertainment?" James Murdoch was puzzled: "Twentieth Century Fox is because of the revenue share of "X-Men". Could Relativity Entertainment directly buy Marvel in order to stop us? Ronan- Is there something wrong with Anderson's head, for such a small matter, to do such a thing that hurts others and does not benefit oneself?"

Jim Prose didn't answer the question, but was thinking carefully, and soon thought of some rumors in the circle that Relativity Entertainment held the copyrights of multiple Marvel superheroes.

James Murdoch shook his head straight: "Ronan Anderson is really incomprehensible. He refused the generous offer, but spent a huge sum of money to acquire a company that is on the verge of bankruptcy like Marvel. He thinks Relativity Entertainment is developing too fast. , Let Marvel Comics hold them back?"

Jim Prose said at this time: "A long time ago, there was news in the Hollywood circle that Relativity Entertainment bought the copyright of dozens of comic superhero characters and related stories from Marvel Comics."

James Murdoch just didn't understand the situation. When he heard this, he paused slightly: "Really?"

"There is nothing wrong." Jim Pross is very sure of this: "But there are no first-line characters in it, and the most well-known ones are just Captain America and Iron Man, which have been outdated for a long time."

James Murdoch dragged his chin in thought for a moment and asked, "What is Ronan Anderson best known in Hollywood circles?"

Without even thinking about it, Jim Prowse said: "The ability to choose a film project..." He suddenly realized: "James, you mean that these comic characters have strong film adaptation value?"

James Murdoch nodded slowly: "Other than that, I can't think of any other explanation. I even think that Marvel comics have greater movie value in places we can't see."

Jim Prowse still has doubts: "But compared to the role of entertainer, there is no first-line superhero."

James Murdoch was just guessing and couldn't give a more convincing reason. He just said: "From the performance of Ronan Anderson, the value of Marvel may be higher than we expected. Jim, hold on to the copyright."

Jim Prowse nodded: "That's not a problem."