Hollywood Starts with Animation

"Hollywood starts with animation ()"

new Zealand.

White Avenue, where the banking industry gathers, a coffee shop.

People gathered in twos and threes.

"Hey, hey, did I say you heard it?" A young man with blond hair asked in a low voice to the people beside him.

"Tonan, what kind of gossip have you heard?" Joey from Cooperative Bank of New Zealand laughed.

Several people in the banking industry beside him couldn't help laughing.

A middle-aged fat man smiled and said, "Tonan, your last gossip was a lot of nuisance, so don't have any bad news this time."

Hearing this, Tonan, the blond-haired young man with flat hair, was not annoyed either.

He said with a smile: "The news this time is not the news of the financial industry and the banking industry, but the director Peter Jackson and his Weta Digital."

Before the release of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson's reputation, even in New Zealand, was in fact mediocre.

However, several people present are elites in the banking industry, and their news is widely known.

Joey from Cooperative Bank of New Zealand curled his lips: "Man, I thought it was some kind of news, didn't it come from Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox Pictures from the United States, who announced that they would acquire Weta Digital? Who doesn't know the news? ."

"That's right."

The middle-aged fat man said: "This matter is not uncommonly reported on TV recently. After all, the representative of 20th Century Fox is the eldest son of the Murdoch family, and all media and newspapers have gone crazy."

In recent days, Paramount and 20th Century Fox have made offers to Weta Digital.

Paramount side:

Its first offer was as high as US$40 million. To acquire 95% of the shares of Weta Digital, the Weta Digital management team can retain 5% of the shares;

The offer of 40 million US dollars is really not low.

Several local financial institutions in New Zealand have estimated the value of Weta Digital to be US$50 million, but Paramount certainly does not recognize this estimated value. To be precise, American companies have always distrusted the evaluation standards of financial institutions in other countries and regions overseas.

In fact, it's all means!

What is doubtful or not, it is simply wanting to start at a lower price.

Related companies in the United States, this set is simply not too slippery.

"reject!"

Bearded Peter Jackson said loudly: "The price of 40 million US dollars is a price without sincerity, and I will not agree to it. Moreover, Weta Digital is my hard work, my child, and I will not sell my own child. of."

Righteousness?

Hehe, shit!

Outsiders laughed when they heard Peter Jackson.

Anya, a financial expert, said with a public smile: "You can't sell children? Then why do you say that Paramount Pictures' price of $40 million is an insincere price? It's just one-handed God and one-handed Satan. !"

Shortly after.

Well, it was the third day after the first offer from Paramount was rejected, and the offer was made again.

$45 million!

This time Paramount raised the price by a full $5 million, but it was still rejected by Peter Jackson.

"It's better to be famous than to meet!"

Richard Taylor, founder of Weta Digital, jokingly said: "Paramount, as one of the six Hollywood giants, has a giant like Viacom behind it, but I never imagined that they would be so stingy. ?"

Peter Jackson suddenly laughed: "Summer Redstone, the old guy, but the famous Grandet is very stingy. Think about it, since 1992, the old guy has been with his children and his original wife. The number of court cases is no less than 20 times."

"why?"

"It's not about the dollar!"

"Lei Shidong, the old guy Ang Lee's wife and children, are unwilling to give an extra penny. Do you think he will spend a lot of money on the acquisition of our Weta Digital project?"

In a word,

Summer Redstone's stingy, that is a well-known existence in the United States.

Jordan, the leader of the Paramount delegation, was very sad at the moment.

He knew that his boss was a budget-conscious person, but he didn't expect to be so procrastinated. The professional acquisition team who just came to New Zealand was not happy.

"The action must be faster, otherwise, it may be cut off by 20th Century Fox!"

Don't blame Jordan for being anxious, because 20th Century Fox made a move.

The eldest son of the Murdoch family, Lachlan Murdoch, on behalf of 20th Century Fox, made the first acquisition offer for Weta Digital for $58 million.

58 million US dollars, a price beyond the valuation of Weta Digital at this time!

Undoubtedly, this is a very sincere offer!

"Tsk tsk tsk~"

Peter Jackson shook the report in his hand and laughed loudly: "The Murdoch family is still strong enough to make an unequivocal offer."

Richard Taylor nodded.

It is definitely a huge benefit for a special effects company like Weta Digital to be close to one of the six major Hollywood film companies.

With the Hollywood Six as the foundation, will Weta Digital still lack orders in the future?

However... Peter Jackson still turned down the offer from 20th Century Fox.

"$58 million? A very sincere price, but I think since they've offered $58 million, they will definitely raise the price again."

Peter Jackson, who has a naive appearance, is also really greedy.

as predicted......

$65 million!

That's right, the second offer from 20th Century Fox is a full $65 million, which is $7 million higher than the first offer and $15 million higher than Weta Digital's estimate.

"Huh~ This is a price that is hard to refuse!"

Peter Jackson's eyes were red.

Richard Taylor, one of the founders and a special effects master, couldn't keep his calm at the moment. He hurriedly said, "Peter, don't hesitate, just agree!"

But!

Richard Taylor underestimated Peter Jackson's greed.

"Where did this go?"

Peter Jackson said with bloodshot eyes: "If they can ask for $58 million, if they can ask for $65 million, they will be able to raise the price again!"

After a pause, he added: "Besides, don't forget, the people who are interested in us now are not only Paramount and 20th Century Fox, but also John Doerr, one of the four kings of venture capital, And a large group of strong investors.”

Richard Taylor: "..."

......

The acquisition tug of war has begun!

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

In the past two weeks, investors such as Paramount, 20th Century Fox, and John Doerr have successively launched quotations for Weta Digital.

News, television, radio and other media media have been very lively these days!

Paramount made a final offer of up to $52 million;

20th Century Fox's final offer was as high as $67 million;

It's very high~

However, investors headed by John Doerr are even more generous.

John Doerr made three consecutive offers, which were $56 million, $64 million, and $72 million;

However, this is not the highest!

American Oil has a minority shareholder in Mobil Group, and the direct offer is $80 million!

This acquisition case can be described as turbulent, making many people who eat melons watch the excitement.

However, at this time, someone suddenly raised a question.

"As the first contact with Weta Digital, Zucker Wald, why is there no movement now?"

" "The first more is sent.