America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 105 Taking the "Back Door"

"Frank, 9.5 million subscribers are watching at the same time. Congratulations on successfully directing another excellent TV series.

Over the phone, Eric congratulated Frank Darabont.

The other party is currently busy with work and obviously doesn't know the data for the first episode of "The Walking Dead" yet. Hearing this, he growled excitedly.

"I knew that The Walking Dead would be great, but the 9.5 million was a bit unexpected. It seems that taking on this film is the best decision I have ever made."

"I've always thought so, Frank, keep your enthusiasm and work hard to complete the rest of the scenes. By the way, which episode are you filming now?"

"Episode 11, I have finished editing 8 episodes. Don't worry, it will definitely not affect the broadcast."

"Well, then get ready. We are going to have a good harvest at this year's Emmy Awards."

"Hmm, "Forgot Who I Am" made those guys laugh at me. The Emmy Awards are a great opportunity. I also want to see what they will say then!"

"Ha ha ha ha"

Encouraging Darabont, Eric thought for a moment and then called Ashley Olsen.

After a few beeps, the call was connected.

"Hi Ashley."

"Eric, I'm here, tell me what you need."

"Where's Mary? Isn't she here?"

"Mary has gone to class. I am the only one in the office. If you want to say anything, I can convey it to you."

"Hmm, have you watched The Walking Dead?"

"What?"

"MGM's new drama premiered on HBO yesterday."

"Sorry, I haven't paid much attention to Xiaoying screen recently. Do you want to recommend it to me? If it's what you said, I'd be quite interested, but what type of TV series is it?"

"Apocalypse and Zombies, if you haven't watched it, go watch it. I plan to license this drama to Double Star Entertainment to develop peripherals. Its commercial potential is definitely not inferior to "Pink Panther". After the follow-up series is aired, there will be more Better than that.”

A little confused by Eric's sudden decision, Ashley couldn't react.

"Wait, you're too fast. Eric, give me some time to think. You mean zombies? But do zombies have anything to do with us?"

After taking a sip of coffee, Eric continued: "If you want to ask about the relationship with the Olsen sisters' brand, it may be difficult to connect in this aspect, but what I mean is to produce independently and combine the peripherals of "The Walking Dead" Operate independently.”

"Use Double Star Entertainment's factory to produce zombie T-shirts, zombie hats, zombie dolls, zombie accessories, etc., as well as zombie ice cream and zombie chocolate. These things will be sold very quickly."

"We have to prepare in advance. I don't want this money to be made away by those damn pirates."

Now Ashley Olson understood. The model Eric talked about was, at best, licensing, but at worst, it treated Double Star Entertainment as a processing factory.

Then we have to use the sales channels of Double Star Entertainment. This approach can save a lot of costs than leaving it to other companies, and the savings will naturally be profits.

Ashley sighed in her heart. If someone else made such a request, the Olsen sisters would definitely have to charge a part of the fee, at least the processing fee.

But Eric is different. He is the majority shareholder of Double Star Entertainment. At the same time, MGM has also authorized Double Star Entertainment to use many classic film and television works at a low price. In this matter, the Olsen sisters took advantage. of.

You have to give up when you get something, so when producing "The Walking Dead" peripherals, Double Star Entertainment can naturally only charge cost price.

It is foreseeable that it will not only be a "The Walking Dead", but also other suitable popular IPs will be the same way.

Ashley Olsen coughed lightly and said, "Eric, of course there is no problem with what you said, but I understand the clothing and accessories, as long as they are watermarked and decaled, we do the same with our peripherals."

"But what are zombie ice cream and zombie chocolate? Forgive me for not being imaginative enough."

"Let me ask you, what do zombies like to eat?" Eric asked.

"Eating people?"

"Yes, they not only eat people, but they also like to eat brains. We made the ice cream into the shape of a brain. It's not difficult."

"The chocolate is also very simple. The shape is made into the internal organs of an adult. Forget about the children's version, I still use the traditional heart shape. I don't want to be complained by parents, but there should be no children buying this."

"In short, use your little brains and let designers work boldly with confidence."

"You have to understand that the key to whether products can sell well is not their color and shape, but the influence of the IP. As long as "The Walking Dead" is successful enough, even if you turn the ice cream into a piece of shit, it will still There will still be idiot fans who are willing to spend."

"And I have absolute confidence in this show, understand?"

Eric said so, and Ashley Olsen couldn't find a reason to refuse, so she could only agree.

At this moment, she suddenly felt a little uneasy. Although there were benefits to cooperating with a large company, this guy Eric Cooper had already shown a hint of strength.

It has only been a short time since he joined Double Star Entertainment, but his subtle aggression seems to be stronger than Robert Solny's. After all, Solny does not have a lion by his side.

Changing the subject, Ashley asked: "Eric, when will the filming of "Adele's Life" start?"

"We have been preparing for more than three months, and the production plan was announced a week ago, but until now Mary and I don't even know who the director or producer is. Hasn't MGM confirmed it yet?"

"Don't worry Ashley, it will be turned on soon, maybe in a few days." Realizing that the other party was a little anxious, Eric said comfortingly.

Unexpectedly, when he said that Ashley became a little anxious: "No, I don't want to rush you, I just hope that this movie can save our career. It is better to take it slow than to rush. Mary and I have let go If you fail again, you will quit the circle."

"Hahahaha, isn't this statement just a gimmick? Do you still take it seriously?"

It is not common for celebrities to come back after quitting the industry. For example, Big S made a comeback not long after he announced his retirement. He was ridiculed that his comeback would be faster than getting remarried.

There are also those who are stepping back from the industry to gain popularity, such as Kurosawa Chirei, who said she would quit the industry yesterday and then came back the next day.

But Ashley's tone was very solemn: "Eric, Mary and I are not joking, because the two of us are not only celebrities, we are also businessmen."

"Celebrities don't care about their reputation. Some people even like to use bad reputation to increase exposure, but businessmen can't. This will make the public doubt our integrity. You should understand how important integrity is to a brand. "

Hearing that the other party was not joking, Eric couldn't help but admire him secretly.

"Ashley, I guarantee that the quality of this movie will not be bad. If the final film is not up to standard, I will choose to remake it even if it is abandoned, because I don't like bad movies either."

"Today is April 16th. The camera will start in early May. Let Mary be ready."

"Really?" Ashley was a little surprised.

"Yes, I'll be the director!"

"What?"

She was just a little surprised, but when she heard that Eric was the director, she was really surprised.

Because Eric’s directorial level is still at the level of Schrödinger, in short, no one can tell clearly, and it’s unreliable if he can’t count.

But before she could react, Eric had already hung up: "There's a call coming in, we'll talk next time, sorry!"

"Hi, Nicole! Miss me?" Eric asked with a smile.

"Stop talking Eric, let me ask you a question." Nicole Kidman's anxious voice sounded from the other side.

"what is the problem?"

Eric was a little hesitant. This beautiful girl wouldn't want to cause trouble for him again. Her questions were not easy to answer.

"What's going on with that phone call?"

"Ah? What phone number?"

"Rick, did Rick escape?"

"Rick? Rick and Morty?" Eric didn't know why he blurted out this drama.

"Idiot, I'm talking about The Walking Dead. Is Rick out of trouble?"

"Original, you wanted to ask this." Only then did Eric react.

"Otherwise? Should I ask which girl you are staying with?"

"Nicole, although we are familiar with each other, if you say this, I can still sue you for defamation. Wait, have you watched "The Walking Dead"? Have you returned to the United States?"

At this point in time, HBO has not yet started its global strategy. Let alone now, even in more than ten years, even though it is a Five Eyes alliance, Australia will still not be able to subscribe.

"Nonsense, if I don't go back to the United States, why should I ask you this question? Is it because you don't call me that I will stay in Australia and never come back?"

Hearing the thorns in the other person's words, Eric hurriedly begged for mercy: "Don't be like this, Nicole, I've been very busy in the past half month. If you pay attention to the news, you will find that "Transformers" has been completed. Who do you think it is? Where’s the credit?”

"It's not you anyway."

"Hey, don't you just want to know the plot behind it? I'll go to your house tonight."

"No, if you are photographed by reporters, there will really be no excuse this time."

"Don't worry, you came back secretly, the paparazzi don't know yet, and I won't use the front door."

"Take the back door? No one passes by the back door, maybe. Forget it, I don't want it. It will be troublesome if it is photographed."

"I'm bringing the later episodes of The Walking Dead with me. Don't you want to know the plot? We can watch the movie in advance."

"Okay, then you must be careful."

Nicole finally agreed. As to whether it was to watch TV series or for other reasons, this was a tacit secret.

Ding dong

When she heard the doorbell ringing, Nicole Kidman looked at the time. The clock read 8:54.

She would naturally know who the person was who could knock on the door so late without making an appointment.

You say he's a bad person?

Come on, this is Beverly Hills. There are at least 20 police officers patrolling here every day. Who would be so full that they would commit crimes here?

Click!

Opening the door, Nicole Kidman couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise: "Eric, what's wrong with you?"

"Pooh!"

After spitting out the leaves in his mouth, Eric made a grimace: "Don't mention it, you should have told me that there were dense shrubs under the wall and I fell in it."

"So you came in over the wall, hahahaha"

Looking at the little man whose clothes and pants were scratched and torn, Nicole Kidman couldn't help laughing, and all the discomfort she felt during this time disappeared.

"You're still laughing!" Eric was a little angry.

"Sir, what do you think I should do?"

"Of course it is!"

Eric said viciously, grabbed Nicole and held her in his arms, forcing her struggling hands behind her back, and began to swish her lips wildly.

After a while, the struggling hand gradually gave up, its strength disappeared, but the response became more enthusiastic.

"hiss"

Suddenly, Eric pushed the other person away, opened his mouth and inhaled hard to relieve the pain on his tongue: "Why are you biting me again!"

Nicole Kidman looked at Eric with a half-smile: "This is revenge on you for not contacting me. Eric Cooper, you are a little bastard! I must let you remember!"

Eric laughed dryly.

But then Nicole suddenly pulled him into her arms, and she didn't know how this thin body could burst out with so much power.

An even more passionate kiss than before instantly occupied Eric's mind, and their clothes were unknowingly taken off.

"Little bastard, I punished you just now, now I want to reward you."

"Why?"

"Because you're here. Do you know what a woman is thinking? Even if she says she doesn't want to, she hopes in her heart that you must show up."

"It's such a complicated creature, so how are you going to reward me?"

Eric asked, slowly swimming away.

"What do you think?"

"I want to go through the back door." Eric's big hand pressed hard.

"ah!"

Nicole was frightened and hurriedly wanted to get up from him: "No, I heard it will be very painful. I have never used it there."

"But you promised me, Nicole."

"When did I promise you?"

"On the phone, did you forget it so quickly?"

Nicole Kidman, who had no hope of escaping, punched Eric in the chest: "I'm talking about the back door of the house, you guy!"

"But I didn't go through the back door of the house, so I can only use this place to compensate me."

"No, let's watch TV first, huh"

more than an hour later

After spending so much time and effort, Eric finally got what he wanted.

At this moment, he was sitting on the sofa and grinning, while Nicole lay on his lap and kept pinching him.

"Don't pinch me, honey, or I really won't be able to walk tomorrow."

"Can you be more serious than me? I really can't walk!"

Wow

On the TV, zombies were making low howls. Eric pointed and said, "Let's just focus on the plot."

"Don't change the subject, you can keep the tape and watch it later, you bastard who only cares about yourself!"

"You only care about yourself? Then you blame me wrongly. Of course I have you in my heart."

"Really? How to prove it?"

Eric gently put her head on the sofa, found his pants, and took out a beautiful gift box from his pocket.

"The gift I brought from China is a gift that only belongs to you. Take it with you as if I have always been by your side."

The corners of Nicole Kidman's mouth raised slightly. She certainly didn't expect this surprise.

At the moment, I am happy in my heart, but I must continue to pretend to be serious on the outside.

Pretending to open the box nonchalantly, a unique Chinese-style concentric knot diamond necklace lay there.

From her perspective, she can naturally see that this necklace is definitely worth a lot of money.

Eric picked up the necklace and put it on her: "Nicole, have you seen it? This is called the Tongxin Knot, which symbolizes love in Chinese meaning, meaning that the hearts of two people are tied together."

"Whose heart?"

"Me and you!"

All pretense suddenly disappeared, and Nicole looked at Eric with confused eyes.

"Asshole, kiss me!"

There will be an important person on stage tomorrow. Hint: The singer was in a difficult situation in 2003.