socalfunplaces Chapter 232 The End of an Era for Giants
Chapter 232 The End of an Era for Giants
The turmoil in Hollywood lasted less than a year.
But in just one short year, it was enough to send the once invincible eight major film studios plummeting from their zenith into the mire.
In the top-floor office of Zhonghua Group's headquarters, the person in charge of overseas intelligence pushed open the door early in the morning, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement.
"Mr. Lin, the latest news from Hollywood, the Ugly Country."
Lin Zhou looked up and glanced at him indifferently: "Speak."
"MGM... has just officially announced bankruptcy liquidation!" The person in charge's voice was trembling.
"And Paramount, heavily in debt, has halted all new film production and is selling off its headquarters building!"
Lin Zhou's expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded slightly: "Continue."
"The remaining six companies also couldn't hold on any longer!" the person in charge said quickly.
"Warner Bros. has laid off more than half of its staff, Universal has closed three European offices, and 20th Century Fox's stock price has plummeted by 90%, with several smaller companies joining forces to demand the management's resignation!"
"The situation isn't much better for Disney, Columbia, and United Artists either."
"Their cash flow is in dire straits; theaters are pulling their films one after another, and all their partners are terminating their contracts overnight!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke:
"The once-mighty Hollywood Big Eight are now either dead or crippled; they've completely collapsed!"
Lin Zhou tapped his fingers lightly on the table and calmly said, "As expected."
The person in charge paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.
Right.
From the moment Lin Zhou decided to ignite a fire in Hollywood's backyard and support those small companies, the outcome was already predetermined.
Those five small film companies that were supported have money, special effects, and scripts—they're practically untouchable.
Movies were released one after another, each with explosive special effects, soaring box office numbers, and overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Compared to other films from the eight major film studios, these films appear crude and outdated, failing to resonate with audiences, alienating cinemas, and resulting in a significant squeeze on market share.
Box office crash, plummeting stock price, funding crisis, creditors knocking on the door—even though the American dream was promoted here…
However, the new film company is more in line with the current interests of the United States, and those new special effects movies are more in line with the United States' status as a world hegemon.
This series of blows left them no chance to catch their breath.
The person in charge looked at Lin Zhou with genuine admiration:
"Mr. Lin, that was absolutely brilliant of you."
"Without making a sound, they turned the entire Hollywood upside down."
"It's not my primary responsibility," Lin Zhou said calmly.
"They've driven themselves to their own demise. They've used every means imaginable—censorship, sanctions, assassinations. Since they're determined to wipe them out, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Just then, the internal phone rang.
Lin Zhou answered the call; it was from an agent supported by Hollywood.
"Mr. Lin, it's a big deal! As you instructed, we've secured MGM's core film library and European distribution channels during their bankruptcy asset auction!"
The other party sounded excited, "We've also made offers for Paramount's headquarters building and film sets; it's basically secured!"
Lin Zhou gave a light "hmm": "Proceed with the original plan, take it slow, don't rush, and avoid attracting unnecessary attention."
"Understood! We will acquire it under the name of a local company, and it will absolutely not be exposed under your name!"
"In addition," Lin Zhou said in a slightly cold tone.
"Keep a close eye on those companies that were most active in the assassination plot. Seize all their remaining assets; don't leave them anything behind."
"Yes! I'll arrange it right away!"
After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhou remained calm.
Acquiring assets is not the goal.
The goal was to completely deprive those who had once wanted to kill him of the ability to retaliate.
Not long after, Chen Tao, the general manager of Zhonghua Electronics, rushed up from the electronics company. His voice arrived before he even entered the door.
"President Lin! It's a success! It's a complete success!"
Chen Tao pushed open the door and came in, clutching several newspapers in his hand. The front pages were all filled with news of Hollywood giants going bankrupt.
"Look! MGM has collapsed! Paramount has sold its buildings! Of the eight major film studios, half are finished, and the other half are barely surviving! The entire Hollywood has been completely reshuffled!"
Lin Zhou looked up: "Why are you so excited?"
"How can I not be excited?" Chen Tao slapped his thigh.
"This is Hollywood! A place we used to look up to, those foreign giants, they brought it down just like that! Who would believe it if word got out?"
He sat down and exclaimed repeatedly:
"I used to think that I would be content if I could run the electronics factory well, sell the products to Southeast Asia, and then sell them to Europe."
"Who would have thought that by following you, we could sell our products all over the world!"
"If it weren't for those film company giants causing trouble, Zhonghua Electronics wouldn't be facing such suppression and sanctions as we are now..."
"Now that's great, you've taken them all down, and it's given me a chance to vent my anger."
Lin Zhou smiled faintly: "This is just the beginning for them."
"Start?" Chen Tao was taken aback. "It's already like this, and it's not over yet?"
"They've just collapsed, they haven't completely disappeared." Lin Zhou's eyes turned slightly cold.
"As long as they have a breath left, some people will never give up."
Chen Tao's expression turned serious: "You mean, they still dare to retaliate?"
"A counterattack is useless." Lin Zhou said calmly, "The new forces in Hollywood today are all supported by us, and we call the rules. Even if they want to make a comeback, they can't."
Just then, Producer Zhang from the Film and Television Department rushed in, his face full of excitement and awe.
"Mr. Lin! It's in an uproar in Hong Kong! All the newspapers and TV stations are reporting on Hollywood!"
He placed a stack of newspapers on the table, the front-page headlines particularly eye-catching:
Lin Zhou single-handedly swept through eight of Hollywood's biggest stars!
"The Pride of Hong Kong! Reshaping the Global Cinema Landscape!"
A business legend, unmatched by anyone!
Producer Cheung's voice trembled: "Mr. Lam, now throughout Hong Kong, from the wealthy and powerful to ordinary citizens, the mere mention of your name evokes awe! Everyone says you are a once-in-a-century talent in Hong Kong!"
In the past, many local families and established conglomerates thought that Lin Zhou was an outsider, young and impetuous, and would inevitably suffer a setback sooner or later.
Now, they don't even have the courage to look up and look at each other.
To stand up to Western financial giants and overturn Hollywood is something that no one in Hong Kong's history has ever done, and it is unprecedented in any country in the world.
Lin Zhou glanced at the newspaper and said calmly, "Take a back seat on the external publicity."
Producer Zhang was taken aback: "Take it easy?"
"We do things not for empty fame," Lin Zhou said calmly.
"Stabilizing the existing market and making good films for the future is more important than any amount of publicity."
"Yes! I understand!" Producer Zhang nodded quickly, feeling even more impressed.
Anyone else would have used that reputation to boast and brag, but Lin Sheng remained frighteningly calm.
Chen Tao laughed from the side:
"Mr. Lin, you have no idea, but now all those wealthy tycoons who used to look down on you are asking around, wanting to pay you a visit and try to build a relationship with you."
"Even the big bosses of those foreign firms took the initiative to reach out to Zhonghua, wanting to cooperate with them."
Lin Zhou scoffed, "When you were kicking me when I was down, why didn't you think of today?"
"They were blind to their own worth!" Chen Tao laughed. "It's too late to regret it now!"
After laughing, Chen Tao's expression turned serious:
"Honestly, Mr. Lin, you fought a brilliant battle in Hollywood."
"From now on, in the global film industry, if you say one thing, no one will dare to disobey you."
Lin Zhou leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window.
He spoke softly, "I don't want to be the emperor of the film industry."
Chen Tao was taken aback: "Then what is it for?"
"I just want fairness." Lin Zhou's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force.
"We don't cause trouble, but we're absolutely not afraid of trouble either. Anyone who tries to bully us, anyone who tries to harm our families or our businesses, will pay the price."
The eight major Hollywood studios are the best example.
If you harbor murderous intent, you must be prepared for death and the destruction of your karma.
Chen Tao nodded emphatically:
"That's right! Fairness is earned through fighting! From now on, the whole world will know that Chinese people are not to be trifled with, Zhonghua Group is not to be trifled with, and the boss of Zhonghua Group is not to be trifled with!"
Lin Zhou smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Hollywood collapsed, and the market was completely reshuffled.
The former hegemon has fallen, and a new order has been established.
Fate is both absurd and reasonable.
When you're at your lowest point, everyone wants to kick you while you're down.
When you reach the top, the whole world will bow down to you.