Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

Compared to the competitive Taylor, Ivanka is undoubtedly a gentle woman, her personality like the ocean that embraces all, her gaze like the tender waters of spring, her red lips like sweet springs, her body and skin soft and warm like a hot spring.

Every time they made love, Link would almost be lost in her, sometimes even feeling as though he were suffocating, a sensation that made his scalp tingle and his body shiver.

Ivanka had once said that if he dared to marry her, she would give him the most wonderful things in the world.

And she indeed did.

With her, Link found immense satisfaction both mentally and physically, and his interest in other women significantly waned. Usually, aside from the top beauties who threw themselves at him—like Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and a few others—he wouldn't spare another woman a second glance.

By September, the North American summer movie season had ended and the fall season was underway. For the fall, Lionsgate Films had four movies lined up for release: the romance film "The Vow", the romantic comedy "Good Deeds", the first "The Conjuring" directed by James Wan, and the thriller "Sinister" starring Ethan Hawke.

The first two films were scheduled for September and October, while the two thrillers were set to be released around Halloween at the end of October, in line with the market.

During the promotion of "The Vow", Link also timely released the second promotional single from his fifth album, "What Are Words".

When he first transcribed the song, he had scouts check on the song's creator, Chris Medina, and found out that his girlfriend had not been in a car accident, was in good health, still a fan of his music, and the two had officially married and had a child last year.

Perhaps because his girlfriend hadn't had a car accident, the song wasn't created by Chris, who was just a music enthusiast with no plans to become a professional singer.

Link's rendition of "What Are Words" received a very positive response upon its release, better received than his previous "Enduring Love", quickly spreading across the internet upon release, with Link's magnetic and emotionally charged voice heard in streets and alleys everywhere.

Also, both of his songs were very healing love songs, echoing his fourth album about heartbreak.

In promotional hype, the media suggested that after breaking up with Taylor and feeling downcast, he created heartbreaking songs like "Love is Gone" and "Let Her Go". But now, healed by Ivanka, he has produced love-celebrating songs like "Enduring Love" and "The Vow".

Some fans online playfully encouraged Ivanka to break up with him to inspire another high-caliber album like "Love is Gone".

On Friday, September 28th, "The Vow" premiered in 3,558 theaters across North America.

Thanks to the hype of "What Are Words", the movie received tremendous attention before its release. Also, with Channing Tatum's increasing box office draw from the earlier success of "Tiger & Dragon Rangers" and "Magic Mike" earlier in the year, the film's advance ticket sales soared to $18.44 million US dollars, setting a new record for September movie pre-sales.

The film's opening weekend box office exceeded expectations, reaching $50.5 million US dollars, breaking the September opening record. After 12 days, it broke $100 million in North America, with a total of $104 million US dollars, and $42.25 million US dollars internationally across 15 countries and regions to date.

Variety predicts that the film will surpass $180 million in North America and $100 million in international box offices.

With a budget of $30 million US dollars, there's no question that "The Vow" was a major hit, becoming Lionsgate's second film after "The Hunger Games" this year to break $100 million in the North American box office.

It was also the seventh film after "Buried", "The Hunger Games", "The Evil Invasion", "Crazy Black Lady's Witness Protection Program", "The Cabin in the Woods", and "Complete Pregnancy Guide" to surpass $50 million US dollars in North America.

In the year 2011, 30 films surpassed $100 million at the North American box office, and 72 films went over $50 million.

Considering the current box office performance, Lionsgate stands a good chance to surpass 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures and break into the top five in the industry.

Following back-to-back years of blockbuster successes, Lionsgate's growth momentum is rising, attracting the stock market's attention. Multiple companies on Wall Street have already proposed financing deals, ready to invest based on a valuation of $1.6 billion. However, both Link and Lionsgate are not in need of capital at this stage and have no immediate plans for financing.

In the third week of "The Vow"'s release, the black comedy "Good Deeds" also premiered in North America. The film is about a wealthy, successful black businessman who excels in everything he does, only to have his life rhythm disrupted when he encounters true love.

It premiered in 2,135 theaters, earning a box office of $16.53 million, ranking third in the weekly box office.

Compared to the budget of $18 million US dollars, the film made a modest profit.

The box office leader this week was last week's animated film "Hotel Transylvania", which earned $30.57 million this week.

Second place went to "The Vow" with $23.39 million US dollars.

Ranking fourth was the thriller "House at the End of the Street" produced by Relativity Media, which brought in 8.57 million US dollars in its opening weekend.

The film was produced on a modest budget of only 10 million and was essentially able to break even.

In ninth place was the new Weinstein Company release "Cogan's Trade" starring Brad Pitt, which earned 6.81 million US dollars at the box office during its three-day premiere across 2,424 theaters.

The production budget for the film was 15 million US dollars, and it was expected to lose several million.

Besides this movie, as well as "The Iron Lady" and "The Artist" released at the end of last year, the Weinstein Company had almost no notable films this year.

"Brian, last year Relativity Media proposed acquiring Summit Entertainment, why has there been no movement so far?"

Link, seeing the news about Relativity Media in the newspaper, asked Goldsmith, the COO and head of the publicity department of Lionsgate Films.

"It is said that President Kavanaugh had a few negotiations with the Summit Entertainment side, but they were rejected. One reason is that Relativity does not have sufficient funds, nor can it make a high enough offer. Secondly, Relativity Media's production and distribution capabilities are not as strong as Summit Entertainment's, so marrying into Relativity Media isn't a good option for them," Goldsmith explained.

Link nodded. Initially, Lionsgate Films had agreed to acquire Summit Entertainment using a combination of cash and stock. At that time, both companies were doing well; one ranked seventh in the industry, and the other eighth, one holding the "Twilight" franchise, and the other owning "The Hunger Games."

The cooperation between the two companies would have been a strong alliance, and the shareholders of Summit Entertainment were also happy to exchange their Summit shares for shares of Lionsgate Films.

Now faced with the prospect of merging with the trouble-laden Relativity Media, Summit Entertainment naturally was not interested.

"However, I heard that the Weinstein Company has recently been in contact with Summit Entertainment, preparing to merge into one company. The Weinstein Company has strong capabilities in art films, and Summit Entertainment has been doing well in commercial films over the past few years. If the two companies work together, their production capacity will be stronger, their competitiveness greater, and it might negatively impact our films," Goldsmith remarked.

Link's brow lifted. The Weinstein Company merging with Summit Entertainment?

This had not happened before; could it be influenced by his own involvement?

However, after the merger of the two companies, one eighth and the other ninth in rank, their market value might still be behind Lionsgate, but their production and distribution capabilities would significantly improve, undoubtedly squeezing out Lionsgate Films' own productions and affecting Lionsgate's position in the independent film sector.

"How are the talks between the two companies going? Is there any news on this matter?"

Link asked.

"The negotiations are said to be going smoothly. Additionally, Warner Bros. Pictures has also sent representatives to participate in the talks. It is predicted that after the two companies collaborate, they will enter into full cooperation with the new company. With Warner Bros. Pictures acting as a mediator, industry insiders believe that the chances of the talks being successful are quite high," Goldsmith analyzed.

Link stroked his chin. Lionsgate Films had a competitive relationship with Summit Entertainment, a hostile relationship with the Weinstein Company, and a middling relationship with Warner Bros. Pictures due to some box office revenue disputes.

Now, these three companies preparing to ally spelt nothing but trouble.

After a moment of contemplation, Link proposed a minor suggestion for Goldsmith to consider—restarting the acquisition plans for Summit Entertainment. While the Weinstein Company was preparing to partner with Summit, Lionsgate Films could also offer Summit a reasonable quote.

On one hand, this could affect the progress of the negotiations, ideally causing the Weinstein Company and Warner Bros. Pictures to pay more in the acquisition.

On the other hand, it would provide Summit Entertainment with an alternative. There was already a merger plan between Lionsgate Films and Summit Entertainment which had been disrupted by his own acquisition. If Summit were willing to continue the merger with Lionsgate, spending three to four hundred million to buy the latter could also be a good deal.

After all, Summit Entertainment had the rights to over 900 films—a very valuable asset.

Goldsmith nodded upon hearing the suggestion. It was worth a try, and regardless of the outcome, there was no harm to Lionsgate Films.