Hollywood Director 1992

"Link is such a wonderful man, young and handsome, humorous and witty, talented, and his smile is so gentle. It seems like he has no flaws," Diane Lane commented while watching TV in her Golden Oak apartment.

"Yes, Link is indeed perfect," Michelle Pfeiffer agreed, even thinking Link was more perfect than Diane Lane described.

"Hey, don't forget this guy is a playboy with many girlfriends," Judy Foster reminded them.

"The fact that many women like him shows that he is a very charming man. Would you prefer a man that no woman likes?" Michelle Pfeiffer laughed.

Diane Lane concurred, "Although Link has a lot of scandalous news, he also works very hard. He manages the company while constantly making movies. I heard that after finishing 'The Butterfly Effect' a while ago, he ran to other sets to work as a producer and editor. After finishing producing, he returned to Los Angeles to promote the movie. I heard he's now preparing for a new film project. He's too diligent. Who in Hollywood dares to say they are more diligent than him?"

Judy Foster pursed her lips, speechless. Even if Link had a thousand shortcomings, his diligence and hard work were undeniable. The guy had strong self-control, healthy habits, and after finishing work each day, he wouldn't go to parties or bars like others, but would continue working at home. Calling him a workaholic wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Michelle Pfeiffer nodded, looking at Diane Lane with surprise, "Diane, you seem to know a lot about Link. I heard Link has more girlfriends than just the ones publicly known, some that aren't public. Are you one of them?"

"No, Link is a big shot. I wouldn't have the chance to meet him. I heard it from Jennifer Connelly. Don't forget I'm also a WMA client," Diane Lane said.

"Jennifer Connelly is very lucky to have Link's support. She's becoming more and more popular now," Michelle Pfeiffer said.

"Yes, Jennifer looks so happy every time she talks about Link. I asked her if she minded Link being a bit of a playboy, and Jennifer said she minded a little, but she could tolerate it because Link is so wonderful, he makes her infatuated. Jennifer was so intoxicated when she spoke, it was really enviable," Diane Lane sighed.

Michelle Pfeiffer recalled the days and nights she spent with Link, and she could somewhat understand Jennifer's feelings. She squeezed her knees together, still feeling a sense of fullness that made her shiver.

"Michelle, what's wrong? You smell so good," Judy Foster suddenly reached out and hugged Michelle.

"Stop it!" Michelle Pfeiffer laughed, pushing her away.

On TV, Billy Crystal continued, "Link, you mentioned earlier that you chose to become a director who pursues fame and fortune, rather than pure film art. Now that you've become famous, do you regret your past choice?"

"No," Link said, "Everyone knows that I was a poor man when I debuted. For poor people, solving the problem of survival is the most important thing. The pursuit of art is built on the foundation of having food and clothing. If I hadn't made money on 'Buried,' I wouldn't have had the opportunity to direct movies later, let alone pursue art. So I don't regret it, because I had no choice at the time."

Clap clap clap!

Billy Crystal clapped his hands, "Link, let's go back to the movies again. This time I'm going to ask a very bold question. If you feel uncomfortable, you can choose not to answer."

"Hopefully it's not about personal privacy," Link said with a smile, taking a sip of water.

"Haha, no. Since the summer season, a rumor has been circulating in the entertainment industry that Guess What Pictures competed with the Big Seven studios during the summer season. You took on seven studios single-handedly, and ultimately, you defeated the Big Seven with 'Speed' and 'Seven,' becoming the biggest winner of the summer season. What do you think of this statement? Of course, if you feel uncomfortable, you can also not answer," Billy Crystal asked.

Link shook his head and smiled, "Can we talk about this kind of question publicly?"

"As long as you're willing, we can talk about anything."

"Okay, first of all, your statement is not accurate. It's not Guess What Pictures competing with the Big Seven studios, but competing with all Hollywood film companies. Guess What Pictures is not taking on seven studios single-handedly, but taking on a hundred studios."

"Oh, how do you explain that?" Billy asked, puzzled.

"In any industry, competitors are rivals. The same is true in the film industry. The summer season has limited release slots, and the total box office revenue is also very limited, around less than 2 billion US dollars. If the movies released by Guess What Pictures want to get a good box office result, they must compete with all their competitors, including the Big Seven studios.

With the strong support of the audience this year, the two films released by Guess What Pictures have achieved good box office results. It is also the only film company that has two films with a North American box office of over 100 million during the summer season. You say Guess What Pictures is the biggest winner of the summer season, and you are not wrong," Link said with a smile.

Billy Crystal looked at Link helplessly. This guy was too cunning. A controversial issue was turned into an ordinary commercial competition in his hands.

Seeing that Link was unwilling to talk more about this issue, Billy Crystal tactfully skipped it and began to ask other questions.

"Link is indeed a remarkable guy," Harvey Weinstein said, with a cigar in his mouth, squinting at Link on TV.

Before the summer season, Michael Ovitz, in conjunction with Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Fox Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Castle Rock Entertainment, Carolco Pictures and other companies, prepared to severely suppress Link and Guess What Pictures, seize Guess What Pictures' box office revenue, and return the Hollywood film market to the era before 1992, led by the Big Seven studios and numerous small independent production companies.

After hearing about this, Harvey Weinstein believed that Link and Guess What Pictures were doomed to lose, with no chance of winning.

When the summer season arrived, the films launched by the Big Seven studios successively failed at the box office, while 'Speed' launched by Guess What Pictures still grossed over 100 million under the pressure of many blockbusters, winning the first round.

In July, the Big Seven studios launched a blockbuster offensive, preparing to kill Link on the 'Seven' project. The seven major media groups also took sides, increasing the publicity costs for Guess What Pictures.

At this time, Harvey thought Link would soften, throwing out more shares to surrender to capital.

But Link didn't do that.

He withstood enormous pressure and risk, took out tens of millions of dollars to promote the film, and fought a public opinion war with the Big Seven studios, as if he didn't care if he would lose money.

With his strong support, 'Seven' was released with difficulty amidst the encirclement and suppression of many blockbusters.

The film was of high quality, but affected by public opinion, it initially performed lukewarmly, far worse than Link's previous films.

At that time, many people thought that 'Seven' would never have a chance to turn around, and Link would suffer the first defeat of his career.

But no one expected that Simpson, that black devil, would suddenly go crazy and kill his wife, and someone would write 'Greed' on the wall of the villa in advance, perfectly bringing the movie 'Seven' into this shocking case.

Link, this hype master, saw the opportunity and used the case to promote 'Seven'.

'Seven' exploded at the box office, successfully reversing the situation against many blockbusters such as 'Forrest Gump' and 'True Lies', and implementing a counter-encirclement against the films of the Big Seven studios.

The success of this film also meant that the first encirclement and suppression of Guess What Pictures by the Big Seven studios was declared a failure.

Link also successfully defeated the Michael Ovitz alliance with his own strength.

This shows that Link is not only a successful director, but also a very resourceful entrepreneur.

Harvey smoked his cigar, considering whether to contact Link more and further deepen cooperation between the two parties.

"Don't think of Link as too powerful. If it weren't for the sensational Simpson murder case, 'Seven' would likely have lost money. Link was just lucky," Bob Weinstein said, eating a hot dog.

Harvey shook his head, "It's not just luck. If Link had not resisted when faced with the suppression of the Big Seven studios, had given up early, or had been reluctant to invest a lot of money in publicity in the early stages, 'Seven' would not have sold well even if he had encountered the big news of the Simpson murder case. From this point of view, Link is calm and decisive in his actions, has brains and means, and is also very courageous. It's not just luck that such a person can succeed."

Bob chewed on the fragrant sausage, "Should we deepen our cooperation with Link?"

"I'm still considering it," Harvey stared at Link on TV, feeling hesitant.

Although the Big Seven studios' joint encirclement and suppression of Link failed this time, they still occupy an advantage in Hollywood.

As long as Guess What Pictures continues to make money and continues to divide the market share originally belonging to the Big Seven studios.

The Big Seven studios will inevitably suppress Link and Guess What Pictures again. The intensity of this encirclement and suppression may be even greater.

If we deepen our cooperation with Guess What Pictures and jointly make movies.

When the two sides go to war, Miramax Films will be regarded by the Big Seven studios as Link's ally and will be hit along with him.

If we don't cooperate, we will miss many opportunities to make money.

So Harvey is more hesitant about this matter.