"Miss Theron, I've always wanted to work with you."
On such an occasion, David Ellison still showed a certain level of manners. After briefly greeting Duke and a few others, he pulled out a chair and sat down, first turning his gaze to Charlize Theron opposite him.
If it were a small-time actor or a second- or third-tier star in Hollywood, hearing David Ellison's words might have made them rush over eagerly. But for an actress of Charlize's caliber, such words held little attraction. The South African diamond glanced sideways at Duke, and although her words were polite, they weren't particularly cordial.
"Sorry, Mr. Ellison, my work schedule is already fully booked for the next few years." She directly rejected him.
The corner of David Ellison's eye twitched, but just as Duke wouldn't rudely kick him out on such an occasion, he couldn't say much either. He could only withdraw his gaze from Charlize and turn toward Duke.
"Did you know?" He revealed a mysterious smile. "I've already signed transfer agreements with Relativity Media and Dune Capital!"
Duke raised an eyebrow.
Before he could respond, David Ellison said with a touch of arrogance, "I've already bought the investment shares from Relativity Media and Dune Capital for the four projects: Tron: Legacy, Robin Hood, John Carter, and Battleship…"
At this point, he turned to Tina Fey. "I suggest you fire this assistant—her moves are too slow."
"You…" Tina Fey showed some visible frustration. "If you hadn't outbid me by 30%, would you have been able to sign those deals?"
David Ellison laughed happily.
And indeed, he was quite pleased his opponents had been determined to get those four projects, but in the end, he snatched them away.
"Then congratulations, David," Duke said with his usual calm demeanor, as if none of it really mattered to him. "You've tied up all your liquidity in these projects seems a bit risky."
"I won't deny it. I'm not as rich as you."
Glancing at Duke, David Ellison ignored his indifferent expression. The more he learned, the more he realized how resolute the man opposite him was this was just normal behavior. "These four projects have indeed consumed a lot of my liquid funds. I might not have the ability to stop you from acquiring other film investments from Relativity and several other film funds, but I've gathered the remaining funds I have left to prepare a gift for you."
"For me?" Duke pointed to himself, asking with slight surprise. "A gift?"
David Ellison lightly patted the armrest of his chair and asked, "I've heard your new movie is about to begin pre-production?"
This wasn't a secret, so Duke nodded in acknowledgment and deliberately feigned realization. "Don't tell me you're also preparing a new project and plan to release it at the same time as mine?"
"Exactly!" David Ellison leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them. He said mysteriously, "I've also prepared an opponent of the same level for you!"
To have an opponent on the same level as Duke, you could count such directors in Hollywood on one hand.
"The opponent you're talking about…" Charlize Theron picked up the conversation, "could it be the host of today's event?"
David Ellison grinned and then said, "Steven Spielberg has already agreed to direct the new film I'm investing in."
"Then congratulations really are in order." Duke wasn't the least bit surprised.
Hollywood was going through a financial drought, and DreamWorks, founded by Spielberg, was no exception. To solve funding problems, he even turned to Indian investors. While still in London, Duke had heard that David Ellison's fund had stepped in to help DreamWorks solve its financial crisis.
Now it seemed clear that Spielberg directing the new film funded by David Ellison was part of that agreement.
The name Steven Spielberg represented not just a director, but an immense network of connections. When he gave up on competing with the major studios, this web of relationships could play a massive role.
Duke had to admit, David Ellison was indeed good at leveraging the situation.
"What's your new project about?" David Ellison suddenly asked.
After a moment's thought, Duke replied directly, "Science fiction."
"I'm investing in a comic book adaptation," David Ellison said with a hint of pride in his voice. "Spielberg's first comic book adaptation—just that alone is enough to draw massive attention."
Hearing "comic book adaptation," Duke couldn't help but probe, "It wouldn't happen to be The Adventures of Tintin, would it?"
Many in Hollywood knew that Steven Spielberg had secured the film rights to The Adventures of Tintin back in 1983. The film was even set to begin production in 1984, when Spielberg had hoped Jack Nicholson would play Captain Haddock.
Due to technical issues at the time, the movie project for The Adventures of Tintin had to be "put on ice."
Now it seemed that David Ellison might be investing in this project.
David Ellison hesitated for a moment due to his personality, and also because the film would soon be officially greenlit—there was no need to hide it. He said, "It is The Adventures of Tintin, set for release next summer."
Duke nodded. "My film is also scheduled for next summer."
If the other party really wanted to compete, Duke wouldn't back down. Over the years, he had always chosen to release his films during peak seasons any film wanting to stand out had to face fierce competition.
Although Spielberg was indeed a formidable opponent, he wasn't without failures.
Besides, for a film to ignite the market, it takes more than just quality it involves everything from production to promotion.
As long as a film is shot well enough or at least good enough it should achieve commercial success. Not only would Duke never believe otherwise, but even David Ellison would scoff at the idea.
David Ellison stood up. "I'm looking forward to next summer."
Duke shook his head with a smile but didn't say anything. There was no need to continue. In his belief system, actions always speak louder than face-to-face ridicule.
Tidying his white shirt, David Ellison turned around with satisfaction and walked away, leaving only an arrogant figure behind for the three of them.
"He's teaming up with Spielberg..."
Watching David Ellison walk off, Charlize Theron couldn't help but show a trace of concern. "They'll likely be a strong competitor."
That was inevitable. Duke and Tina Fey both nodded cautiously.
Although Duke hadn't revealed the release date of his new film, he was sure David Ellison would wait until Warner Bros. announced their final schedule before setting the release date for The Adventures of Tintin.
Unlike Duke and Charlize Theron, the caution on Tina Fey's face suddenly turned into curiosity. "Is The Adventures of Tintin a well-known comic?"
Duke looked at her in surprise, then quickly understood. His own experiences were exceptional, Charlize Theron was from South Africa and had lived in Europe for a long time, but Tina Fey was a born-and-bred American through and through!
Given Americans' usual perspective, it was totally normal not to be familiar with foreign comics.
Of course, Duke himself wouldn't claim to know much about The Adventures of Tintin, so he just explained, "It's a comic from France and Belgium, I think, and has had some influence across the Western world."
Seemingly thinking the same thing, Charlize Theron silently mocked Americans' lack of world awareness in her heart, rolled her eyes ever so subtly, and elaborated, "The Adventures of Tintin is the work of Belgian artist Hergé. The comic mainly revolves around exploration and discovery, supplemented by elements of science fiction. It advocates anti-war, peace, and humanitarian ideals. It's extremely well-known around the world. Although the series is nearly a century old, it still has a strong base of fans and commemorators. As far as I know, in Europe, its series is still being reprinted regularly."
"So that means..." Tina Fey immediately connected it to the movie. "Once the film is done, it won't lack a basic audience."
This could be considered an inherent advantage for works adapted from comics or novels. It's also one of the main reasons why Hollywood is reluctant to invest much in original works but favors adaptations.
"Your new project is an original, though," Charlize Theron shifted toward Duke. "The Adventures of Tintin is one of Spielberg's specialties family-friendly adventure. At most, it'll be rated PG-13. But your new film?"
Charlize Theron had already read the script. The script leaned towards cult content and included many large-scale scenes. No matter how you looked at it, the MPAA would certainly rate it as an R-rated film.
An R-rated film going up against a PG-13 family adventure was naturally at a disadvantage.
Duke was, of course, well aware of this. In today's world, the films that become huge box office hits are almost all rated PG or PG-13.
"According to your logic..."
Though he couldn't quite remember the box office numbers of that Adventures of Tintin movie he hadn't seen, Duke was still fairly optimistic. "Am I going to be utterly defeated by David Ellison next year?"
"If you fail," Charlize Theron said with deliberate seriousness, "I definitely won't forgive you. I've staked my image and future on you!"
Tina Fey just gave a faint smile. She had always had full confidence in Duke.
Duke didn't say much more. He raised his wrist to check the time, then stood up first. "It's getting late. I'm heading out. What about you two?"
Charlize Theron and Tina Fey also stood up one after the other and followed Duke toward the banquet hall.
"When do we start?"
Hearing Charlize's question, Duke casually replied, "After I finish my vacation."