Chapter 669: Lehman Brothers

Century City, Beverly Hills, not far from the Relativity Building, the Fox Building is located there as always.

Since being acquired by News Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox has been very stable. Even when filming "Titanic", some Twentieth Century Fox executives claimed that they were forced by James Cameron to almost sell their asses, that is just an exaggeration It's just a description.

Since entering the new world, although 20th Century Fox is not as good as Warner Bros., the industry leader, it has always been in the top three positions.

Twentieth Century Fox has encountered some moderate troubles recently.

With a huge budget and all filming completed, "Fantastic Four" is gradually being cast aside by comic fans.

Jim Prose read the latest issue of the "Fantastic Four" comics and threw it directly on the desk.

Producer Michael Barnathan, who was sitting opposite, said: "This is the tenth issue. It doesn't happen in the expanded universe, but in the main comic universe. Marvel is really going to give up the "Fantastic Four" comics."

Jim Prowse didn't answer, but instead asked, "How much influence have comics had on movies?"

"Comic fans are the most basic audience group for movies." Michael Barnathan made an assessment: "Marvel Entertainment is a planned and purposeful transformation of comics. The transformation of the Fantastic Four in comics, they designed a relatively Reasonable process, based on what I've been told, Marvel Entertainment's plans will continue until the eve of our movie's release."

He is very cautious: "Long-term accumulation will cause fans, at least some fans, to change their views on characters, and then affect the movie..."

Michael Barnathan didn't want to see the film he made be dragged down by this, or even lead to failure. He tentatively asked: "Should we consider talking to Marvel Entertainment? It's no good for anyone to lose."

Jim Prowse looked serious: "Marvel thinks that with relativity entertainment, we will give in?" He was tough: "Michael, take a long-term view and don't just focus on your project. "The above let go and agreed to some of the conditions of Marvel Entertainment, will they put forward new conditions for the "X-Men" series?"

Michael Barnathan kept his mouth shut because it was obvious enough.

Relativity Entertainment wants more than a share of the Fantastic Four revenue.

"Aren't we going to do something?" Michael Barnathan asked.

Jim Pross said slowly: "You pay attention to maintaining communication with News Corporation,

Our media will speak for the film. Although we are powerless in the direction of comic content, we can still influence the audience through the media. I have instructed the public relations department to disclose some of the conflicts between us and Marvel Entertainment at an appropriate time. "

"I get it," said Michael Barnathan.

Jim Pross knew that some methods were being carried out secretly, but he would not tell others, so he waved his hand: "You should think of ways to promote public relations."

"Okay." Michael Barnathan stood up and said goodbye.

After finishing the work at hand, the secretary knocked on the door and walked in.

"Mr. Pross." The female secretary said softly, "Mr. Richard Fuld from Lehman Brothers has arrived."

Jim Prows stood up: "Take me there."

Five minutes later, in the luxurious reception room atop 20th Century Fox, Jim Prowse met Richard Fuld, one of Lehman's top executives.

"Hi, Richard." Jim Prowse shook hands with Richard Fuld: "We meet again."

Richard Fuld said with a smile: "I come with the friendship and sincerity of cooperation from Lehman Brothers."

Lehman Brothers, one of the four major investment banks, a giant company on Wall Street.

There are countless investors all over the world who want to put their funds into the hands of Lehman Brothers, and countless companies want to obtain the valuable investment from Lehman Brothers.

The various investment products launched by Lehman Brothers have always had relatively reliable returns.

Jim Pross asked with great interest: "I heard that you have launched a new fundraising plan?"

Richard Fuld smiled even brighter: "Lehman Brothers has designed a new investment plan for real estate projects, intending to raise 6 billion US dollars. The investment risk of this plan is very small, and the annual rate of return will be around 7%. If Fox is interested, welcome to invest.”

"We don't have funds in our hands for the time being." Jim Pross first declined, and then asked: "Can you tell me in general?"

Richard Fuld said: "Of course." He organized his language a little bit: "In the past two years, the real estate market has picked up significantly, the market is active, the transaction volume in major large and medium-sized cities has skyrocketed, and the government is also supporting it."

Although Jim Pross is not engaged in the real estate industry, he has some understanding of the basic situation. The real estate industry has really flourished in recent years.

"Fox is an important client of Lehman Brothers." Richard Fuld continued: "I don't have to hide from you. Jim, Lehman Brothers plans to inject $6 billion in funds into the real estate loan market. The bank that Man Brothers cooperates with lends money to homebuyers.”

Hearing this, Jim Pross frowned slightly: "Mortgage loans take a long time to recoup the investment."

Richard Fuld couldn't help laughing: "The payback time is too long, we can't wait, and investors can't wait either. Therefore, after we call back the loan contract, we will increase the contract loan amount by 7% At an interest rate of 8%, resell it to the insurance company..."

Jim Pross nodded lightly: "Short and fast return on investment."

"That's right," said Richard Fuld. "It's much faster than investing in movies. Jim, does Fox want to get involved? I can set aside a $1 billion line."

Jim Prose is cautious: "Let's discuss this matter later."

Such a large sum of money is not something he can decide at all. Not only the board of directors must agree, but Rupert Murdoch must also nod.

Richard Fuld said: "Okay, let's talk about the immediate cooperation first." He finally got to the point: "Lehman Brothers has passed a resolution to provide Twentieth Century Fox with a five-year term of up to US$1 billion. Loans to help Fox acquire several internet companies including IGN Entertainment and photo-sharing site Photobucket."

"That's great news," Jim Prowse said.

The acquisition of these two websites involves the layout of Twentieth Century Fox on the Internet.

Ever since Relativity Entertainment's Netflix website took over the Internet, Hollywood has fully realized the role of the Internet in promoting the traditional film and television industry, and Twentieth Century Fox is also making efforts.

But starting from scratch is too slow, and acquisition is the best option.

"Lehman Brothers has been an investment partner of News Corp. and should have come to the rescue," said Richard Fuld with a laugh.

This is not a polite remark. Since News Corporation entered North America, although it has also cooperated with investment institutions such as Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers has always been the biggest contributor to helping News Corporation absorb startups.

With the loan from Lehman Brothers, 20th Century Fox has more leeway in terms of capital flow.

Jim Pross didn't talk about the loan anymore, but instead asked: "I heard that you want to invest in Relativity Entertainment Group?"

Richard Fuld admitted: "There are plans for that. There are a lot of companies on Wall Street that want to invest in Relativity Entertainment, but none of them are able to do so."

Jim Prows deliberately asked: "Why doesn't Wall Street band together to put pressure on Relativity Entertainment?"

"We also want to." Richard Fuld felt a little helpless: "Relativity Entertainment is not a listed company and has no business dealings with Wall Street. Most of their funds are raised through overseas investment institutions, and those people and companies are mostly related to There's a rivalry to invest on Wall Street."

He shrugged: "The most important thing is that Ronan Anderson's Pacific Investment Fund can bring stable income to those investment companies every year."

In the past, Wall Street has cooperated with some companies investing in the Pacific Foundation, but Wall Street has always been arrogant to overseas customers, and those people have suffered far more losses from them than they have earned.

The relationship between capital and capital ultimately depends on who can bring more benefits.

"It's a pity." Jim Pross said with a sigh: "Relativity entertainment is a delicious big cake, but we can't share the deliciousness."

Richard Fuld was not stupid, and asked directly: "Do you have a good idea?"

Jim Pross said: "Relativity Entertainment Group has abundant funds, rapid development, a complete industrial chain, relatively healthy internal management, and the most important thing is the concentration of equity. There is no good solution in a short time. But Relativity Entertainment does not have, it does not mean that Relativity Entertainment There are no partner companies."

Richard Fuld shook his head: "We are not interested in other companies, and the investment is not proportional to the return."

Wanting a share of the Relativity Entertainment cake doesn't mean Lehman Brothers is going to be a pawn for 20th Century Fox.

It's not that he hasn't heard of the dispute between Relativity Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox.

No one is stupid. Seeing that Richard Fuld did not answer his own topic, Jim Prowse stopped and said: "Lehman Brothers should keep an eye on The Theory of Relativity Entertainment. No one is sure when they will start funding." Shortages, which are common in Hollywood."

With a behemoth like Lehman Brothers watching over it, no matter what, it can add a lot of pressure to Relativity Entertainment.

Besides, James Murdoch's men are already moving around in Los Angeles, and they may soon be able to gain something.

Richard Fuld left the Fox Building after conferring with Jim Prowse for a while.

After getting in the car, he saw the Relativity Building that seemed to be in front of him through the car window. He told his assistant: "Contact Relativity Entertainment and make an appointment with Ronan Anderson. I want to talk to him in person."

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