Silicon Valley

Marvel has been through a lot since its inception in 1939.

During this period, I experienced wind and rain and encountered countless ups and downs.

However, a lot of interesting things happened.

For example, when Captain America ​​was created, it was in the 1940s, that is, during World War II, the United States and Japan were also at war. As a result, Captain America frantically tore up the devils, turned over the heads of state in the comics, and stomped Japan under his feet. For fear of Japan's retaliation, the mayor of New York even listed the two main creators, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, as key protection objects!

Another interesting thing is that a month before President Nixon was impeached because of the Watergate incident, Nixon in the comics actually apology with death in front of Captain America. Lose!

New York, Marvel Headquarters.

Everyone, I want to tell you something very important. Just at three o'clock this afternoon, Galaxy Films called our company and said they were going to buy Marvel! Stan Lee announced loudly.

When everyone heard the words, they looked at each other, but no one said a word.

At this moment, the door of the office was suddenly pushed open, but no one saw it, but the voice came over: Haha, I didn't expect Galaxy Films to want to acquire Marvel, hehe, what are you thinking about, definitely Sell ​​it, and you have to sell it for a good price!

Ron Perelman, you came quite fast! Stan Lee said slightly mockingly.

Ron Perelman didn't care, apparently getting used to it. He walked to the first place and sat down, glanced at everyone, and said loudly: Marvel is about to go bankrupt, what are you still thinking about. According to me, don't think about anything, just look at each other. How much can I pay! Oh, by the way, Stan Lee, I'm in a hurry, the specific things. I don't know very much. I think, you should be very clear. How much is Galaxy Films going to spend to buy Marvel company?

Although Stan Lee dislikes Ron Perelman, Ron Perelman is still a major shareholder. Stan Lee had to tell him: Buy Marvel for $30 million and take on all of Marvel's debt!

Only $30 million? Ron Perelman frowned, very dissatisfied.

Stan Lee said coldly: Thanks to you, Perelman. We have more than two hundred million dollars in debt!

Hearing this, Ron Perelman smiled awkwardly, I'm also doing it for the good of the company, who knows, how it will end up like this...

Stan Lee snorted coldly and turned his head away. I don't care about him.

Ron Perelman continued on the previous topic. Said: I think we should ask for a little more money. You all know that Galaxy Films has made a lot of money over the years. Let's just say that during this period of time, in just one month, the box office of Titanic exceeded $1 billion...

Perelman, I have to remind you. Have you ever thought about Galaxy Films refusing to acquire Marvel, and then waiting for it to file for bankruptcy protection, and then buy it from the court through auction? Hehe, when the time comes. You But I can't get a penny! said a man in his sixties who was sitting next to Stan Lee.

His name is Jack Kirby, and with Stan Lee, he supports the entire Marvel company. The cooperation between Jack Kirby and Stan Lee gave birth to the Marvel-style screenwriting method - Stan Lee proposed the general idea and character positioning, and then Jack Kirby drew a cartoon, Stan Lee was responsible for filling in the dialogue, and the two worked together Cooperate to create more than 80% of Marvel classic characters! ! !

Jack Kirby and Stan Lee are Marvel's Tarzan Big Dipper, and Ron Perelman is actually very upset with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby because they always block their actions. But because of their high status in Marvel, drive away anyone. Marvel's stock price is bound to plummet, so Ron Perelman can only endure it.

Anyway, you still want a little more! Ron Perelman still insisted, I'm also thinking of everyone's interests. Don't you want to make more money?

Stan Lee, Ron Perelman has a point!

Yes, I also think that Ron Perelman is right. The more expensive it is, the more we make!

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby looked at each other, and the two flashed a hint of helplessness. The combined shares of the two of them are less than 10%, and the right to speak is far from enough. Before the meeting, they had discussed it. Galaxy Films is very powerful. If they acquire Marvel, then Marvel will be able to come back to life and go to glory!

The two of them are most aware of the current situation of Marvel, which can be said to be riddled with holes and the building will collapse. Faced with a huge debt of $200 million, Marvel has only one way to go to file for bankruptcy protection. The fact that Galaxy Films was able to pay $30 million to buy Marvel is clearly a generous gesture. If you still want to raise the price, I don't know if Galaxy Films is willing to buy Marvel...

Perelman, then it's up to you to negotiate with Galaxy Films, if you say... Stan Lee paused, If your negotiation fails, then Marvel can only file for bankruptcy protection, so , you must be careful!

Don't worry, there will be no problem with me! Ron Perelman said in a big way.

...

The next day, representatives of Galaxy Films came to Marvel.

meeting room.

Hello, Mr. Ron Perelman, I'm Locke Senior, Vice President of Galaxy Films!

Hello, Locke Senior, nice to meet you.

Ron Perelman said, You quoted us a purchase price of $30 million yesterday, but, Mr. Locke Senior, don't you think the price is too low? Marvel has a long history in the United States. The largest comic company ever!!!

Then may I ask, Mr. Ron Perelman, how much do you think our Galaxy Films should pay? asked Locke Senior.

Ron Perelman smiled, raised a finger, and said, One hundred million dollars!

Hearing this, Locke Senior frowned, Mr. Perelman, you are really a lion, our Galaxy Film Company has to bear the debt of 200 million US dollars, and another 100 million US dollars, do you think so Does it fit?

Of course it fits, Perelman laughed. If Galaxy Films buys Marvel, it will get thousands of Marvel heroes. You can make Marvel movies, and I believe you will soon be able to. Earned it. Oh, it's a mutual benefit! You say so, Mr. Locke Senior?

Mr. Perelman, you think it's easy to make money by making movies, don't you? Don't you know how many movies are lost every year? Let's talk about Marvel's hero movies, which movie have you seen so far successful? What's more, the comic book hero movies are not at all in recession now, and even Time Warner's Batman movies are losing money. Therefore, our Galaxy Films acquisition of Marvel is taking a big risk!

Mr. Senior, you are the Galaxy Film Company, which is very powerful. When have you ever made a loss-making film. Besides, what does one hundred million dollars mean to you? Just Titanic will let your company It has made hundreds of millions of dollars, and if it is a peripheral product, it is no problem to make a billion dollars!

When Locke Senior heard this, he couldn't help sneering in his heart, daring Ron Perelman to regard Galaxy Films as a fool and a rich man...

Mr. Perelman, it seems that we can't talk for the time being. So, let's talk next time! Locke Senior said, and stood up and walked outside.

Hey Senior, how about $80 million! Ron Perelman yelled.

Locke Senior didn't seem to hear it, he didn't stop in the slightest, and walked out of the conference room after a while.

Soon, word spread that the first round of negotiations had failed.

Originally, I heard that Galaxy Films was going to acquire Marvel, and the stock price soared, but as soon as the news of the failure of the negotiation came out, the stock price fell again.

Locke Senior stayed in a hotel in New York with his negotiating team, and traveled around every day. Anyway, he just didn't go to negotiate with Marvel. During this period, he contacted several small and medium-sized comic companies from time to time. captured by reporters.

At this time, some gossip came out of nowhere, Galaxy Films does not plan to buy Marvel now, but will buy it after it goes bankrupt!

The news then appeared in major media newspapers, and Marvel’s stock price fell again and again.

Ron Perelman contacted Locke Senior several times, but he refused for various reasons.

On September 20th, Ron Perelman was in a hurry, when a phone call came, Mr. Ron Perelman, we have already booked the plane to fly back to Hollywood at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. So, we There is only one negotiation this afternoon.

You are leaving tomorrow?!! Ron Perelman was stunned.

Yes, Mr. Perelman, said Locke Senior. Hopefully our negotiations will be fruitful!

After speaking, Locke Senior hung up the phone.

Ron Perelman irritably took out a cigar, lit it, and smoked it.

...

Ron Perelman, it's four o'clock in the afternoon, why haven't they come yet?

Yeah, if I don't come, I'm afraid I won't come!

Ron Perelman said unhappily: They said they would come in the afternoon, how do I know why it is not yet?

As soon as the voice fell, a female secretary walked in and said loudly: Mr. Ron Perelman, Mr. Locke Senior, they have come, and Page is leading them up the elevator!

Very well, we know!! Ron Perelman exclaimed.

It's 10 minutes past 4:00, Ron Perelman, please pay attention later, this negotiation must be concluded, otherwise, we will go bankrupt! Stan Lee solemnly reminded.

(It has been updated with more than 10,000 words today)

(To be continued ~^~)