Chapter 698: Joining Forces

"Beautiful Miss Theron, I've actually always wanted to work with you."

In a setting like this, David Ellison still displayed a certain level of refinement. After briefly greeting Duke and the others, he pulled out a chair, sat down, and immediately looked across the table at Charlize Theron.

If it had been some minor Hollywood actor or a B-list star, they might have thrown themselves at him upon hearing that. But for an actress of Charlize's caliber, such words held almost no appeal. The South African diamond cast a sidelong glance at Duke, and while her response was polite, it wasn't particularly warm.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ellison, but my schedule is completely full for the next few years," she said, rejecting him outright.

The corner of David Ellison's eye twitched. However, just as Duke wouldn't commit the faux pas of chasing him away in such a setting, Ellison couldn't push the issue. He had no choice but to withdraw his gaze from Charlize and turn to Duke.

"Did you know?" he asked, a cryptic smile appearing on his face. "I've already signed transfer agreements with Relativity and Dune Capital!"

Duke raised an eyebrow.

Before Duke could respond, David Ellison said with a touch of arrogance, "I've purchased the investment shares held by Relativity and Dune Capital in four projects: TRON: Legacy, Robin Hood, Alien Battlefield, and Battleship..."

He paused and turned to Tina Fey. "I suggest you fire this assistant. She's far too slow."

"You..." Tina Fey put on a rather indignant expression. "If you hadn't outbid me by thirty percent, would you really have been able to sign with them?"

David Ellison just laughed, looking incredibly pleased with himself.

And he truly was pleased. Duke's camp had been determined to win those four projects, yet he had snatched them away in the end.

"Then congratulations are in order, David." Duke maintained his calm demeanor, seemingly unbothered by the news. "But tying up all your liquid capital in these projects is a bit risky."

"I won't deny it. I'm not as rich as you."

Looking at Duke, David Ellison ignored his indifferent expression. As he had gotten to know him better, he realized just how resolute the man sitting across from him was; this reaction was par for the course. "These four projects did drain a massive amount of liquid capital. I might not have the power to stop you from acquiring investment shares in other films from Relativity and several other movie funds, but I've pooled my remaining funds to prepare a wonderful gift for you."

"For me?" Duke pointed at himself, asking with mild surprise. "A gift, you say?"

David Ellison lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. "I heard your new film is about to begin pre-production."

This was no secret, so Duke nodded in acknowledgment. Feigning sudden realization, he said, "Are you prepping a new project too? Don't tell me you want to release it at the same time as my new movie again?"

"Exactly!" David Ellison leaned forward, closing the distance between them as he spoke with an air of mystery. "And I've prepared an opponent of the exact same weight class for you!"

The number of directors on the same level as Duke in all of Hollywood could be counted on one hand.

"This opponent of the same weight class you mentioned..." Charlize Theron picked up where Ellison left off. "It couldn't happen to be our host for today, could it?"

David Ellison grinned broadly. "Steven Spielberg has agreed to direct the new film I'm financing."

"It seems congratulations really are in order this time." Duke wasn't surprised in the least.

Hollywood was facing a capital shortage, and Spielberg's DreamWorks was no exception. To resolve their funding issues, he had even sought help from the Indians. Back when he was still in London, Duke had received news that David Ellison's foundation had stepped in to help Spielberg solve DreamWorks' financial crisis.

Looking at it now, Spielberg directing David Ellison's new project was inevitably part of that agreement.

The name Spielberg represented far more than just a director; it brought an enormous network of connections. Once he gave up the idea of competing with the Big Six Companies, that network could unleash a massive effect.

Even Duke had to admit that David Ellison was excellent at leveraging a situation.

"What genre is your new project?" David Ellison suddenly asked.

After a brief moment of thought, Duke answered directly, "Sci-fi."

"I'm investing in a comic book adaptation." David Ellison's tone carried a hint of pride. "Spielberg's very first comic adaptation—just that alone will draw so much attention, don't you think?"

Hearing that it was a comic adaptation, Duke probed, "It wouldn't happen to be The Adventures of Tintin, would it?"

Many in Hollywood knew that Steven Spielberg had acquired the film rights to The Adventures of Tintin back in 1983. The movie had even entered pre-production in 1984, at which time Spielberg wanted Jack Nicholson to play Captain Haddock.

Ultimately, due to technological limitations, the film adaptation of The Adventures of Tintin had to be temporarily shelved.

It seemed David Ellison had invested in this very project.

David Ellison hesitated for a second. Given his personality, and the fact that the film would soon be officially announced anyway, there was no need to hide it. "It is indeed The Adventures of Tintin, releasing next summer," he said.

Duke nodded. "My film is also scheduled for next year's summer season."

If the other party truly wanted to compete, Duke wasn't afraid. Over the years, his films had almost always targeted the hottest release windows. What movie didn't face fierce competition if it wanted to stand out?

While Spielberg was undoubtedly a formidable opponent, he wasn't immune to failure either.

Besides, for a film to ignite the box office, it wasn't just a simple contest of movie quality. It was a test of comprehensive strength across numerous stages, from production all the way to marketing and distribution.

The idea that simply shooting a good enough—or excellent—movie would guarantee commercial success was something not only Duke disbelieved, but even David Ellison would scoff at.

David Ellison stood up. "I look forward to next summer."

Duke smiled and shook his head without replying. There was no need to say anything else. In his view, real action was always far more powerful than mockery to someone's face.

Straightening his white shirt, David Ellison turned and walked away thoroughly satisfied, leaving Duke and the two women with only the sight of his arrogant back.

"Him teaming up with Spielberg..."

Watching David Ellison walk away, Charlize Theron showed a hint of worry. "I'm afraid they'll be very tough opponents."

That was a certainty. Both Duke and Tina Fey nodded gravely.

Although Duke hadn't stated the exact release date for his new film, he was confident that David Ellison would wait until Warner Brothers announced their schedule before setting the premiere date for The Adventures of Tintin.

While Duke and Charlize Theron remained solemn, the look on Tina Fey's face suddenly shifted to curiosity. "Is The Adventures of Tintin comic actually famous?"

Duke gave her a surprised look, but then he understood. Setting aside his own unique background, Charlize Theron was from South Africa and had lived in Europe for a long time. Tina Fey, however, was a thoroughly native-born American!

Given the typical American mindset, it was perfectly normal for her to be unfamiliar with foreign comics.

Of course, Duke couldn't claim to know much about The Adventures of Tintin himself. He merely offered a brief explanation. "I think it's a French and Belgian comic. It has a certain level of influence across the Western world."

Seemingly reaching the same conclusion as Duke, Charlize Theron inwardly criticized Americans for ignoring the rest of the world. She rolled her eyes imperceptibly before elaborating, "The Adventures of Tintin is the work of the Belgian creator Herge. The comic series focuses primarily on exploration and discovery, supplemented by science fiction elements. It also promotes anti-war, peace, and humanitarian ideals, making it world-famous. Even though the franchise has a history spanning nearly a century, it still boasts a considerable fanbase and following today. As far as I know, the comic series is constantly being reprinted in Europe."

"In that case..." Tina Fey immediately connected this back to the movie. "Once the film is finished, it won't lack a baseline audience."

This was the natural advantage of comic or novel adaptations. It was also the main reason why Hollywood was so reluctant to put effort into original works, favoring adaptations instead.

"Your new project falls into the original category, though," Charlize Theron said, turning toward Duke. "The Adventures of Tintin is the kind of family-friendly adventure Spielberg excels at. The rating will be PG-13 at most. But your new work?"

Charlize Theron had already read the script. Not only did the story lean toward a cult classic style, but it also contained numerous explicit scenes. No matter how you looked at it, the MPAA would inevitably classify it as an R-Rated Film.

Pitting an R-Rated Film against a PG-13 family adventure inherently came with a disadvantage.

Duke, of course, knew this perfectly well. In today's world, the movies that truly achieved massive blockbuster success at the box office were all PG or PG-13.

Although he couldn't quite remember the box office numbers for The Adventures of Tintin—a movie he hadn't seen—Duke remained relatively optimistic. "According to what you're saying, I'm going to be utterly defeated by David Ellison next year?"

"If you fail," Charlize Theron said, feigning total seriousness, "I definitely won't let you off the hook. I've staked my image and my future entirely on you!"

Tina Fey merely offered a faint smile. She had always had complete confidence in Duke.

Duke didn't elaborate. He checked his watch and stood up first. "It's getting late. I'm going to head out. What about you two?"

Charlize Theron and Tina Fey also stood up, following Duke as they headed toward the banquet hall.

"When do we start?"

Hearing Charlize's question, Duke casually replied, "After I get back from vacation."