Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

"Link, any good movie projects recently? I hope there's a chance we could collaborate."

At the party, Ryan Kavanaugh said with a champagne glass in hand.

Link thought for a moment, then brought up two projects, one was Lionsgate Films' upcoming "The Expendables 3," and the other was a best-selling book adaptation produced by Summit Entertainment, "Divergent."

Because he and Scarlett Johansson's paychecks were quite high, "The Expendables 3" had a whopping budget of 125 million US dollars. With higher budgets come greater risks, but equally, if the box office explodes, the profits could be astronomical, it's sort of like gambling.

For this, he would need to find several peers to collaborate. If they win, they earn money together; if they lose, they bear the consequences together.

There's also "Divergent," a new movie project in the works. It's a sci-fi action film with a production budget of seventy to eighty million. If Kavanaugh is interested, he could also invest.

But Kavanaugh was more interested in Lionsgate's low-budget film projects.

Although Lionsgate ranked third in total box office receipts this summer season, Disney, which ranked first, encountered a box office bomb, "The Lone Ranger," losing 200 million US dollars, and Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Hangover Part 3" also faced a loss, unlike Lionsgate films.

Thus, Lionsgate became the most profitable company among the 'new Big Six Studios' of the summer.

Among the several films distributed by Lionsgate, with the exception of "Now You See Me," which had a budget of 75 million, the others were all under 50 million, and "Rust and Bone," which had a global box office of 320 million, cost only 22 million dollars.

That was one reason why Lionsgate's performance was astonishing.

Relativity Media is in poor financial state right now and can't come up with more money. They would prefer to be involved in producing low-budget films from Lionsgate.

Hearing Kavanaugh's request, Link didn't give an immediate response, only saying that he would send an invitation if a suitable project arises.

In reality, not all of Lionsgate's low-budget film projects can guarantee profits. Examples include "Her," last year's "The Master," Joaquin's newly submitted "Wickedness by Nature," Megan Ellison's new script "The Fox Hunter," and Brad Pitt's "The Big Short," among others.

These movies were mainly made for Oscar contention.

The more Oscars - Lionsgate's films win, the better their reputation, which also attracts more filmmakers to collaborate, like Reese Witherspoon's "Wild" or black director Daniels Lee's "White House Butler."

He remembered that "White House Butler" was originally produced by Weinstein Company, but now director Daniels Lee actively came to cooperate with Lionsgate, which naturally had a lot to do with Lionsgate's recent achievements at the Oscars.

"Hey, Link!"

Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon walked over side by side. Both were partners of Lionsgate's new project and also heads of the film company, so they were invited by Link and Ivanka.

"Link, 'Wild' has started its project. Could I invite you for a cameo as a supporting male role?"

Ms. Witherspoon asked with a smile.

"If there's no conflict with my schedule, I think I could accept that."

Link politely responded.

"No problem, we can adjust the shooting schedule according to your availability."

Ms. Witherspoon said with a smile.

Link agreed to it.

"Link, 'Sleeping Spell' needs a three to four-year-old little girl. Why not let Cynthia try? She is extremely beautiful, like a little angel and fits the role perfectly," Mrs. Jolie said, holding her glass.

Link thought about it and felt it wasn't a bad idea. Letting the little one act in a movie, she didn't necessarily have to become an actress when she grew up, and it would provide her with a more interesting childhood experience.

However, he couldn't make the decision on his own. Such matters needed to be discussed with Taylor. If Taylor didn't agree and he made the decision by himself, Taylor would definitely blame him afterward.

"Alright, I'll wait for your answer."

Angelina Jolie smiled, then brought up a new script about an American soldier captured by Japan during World War II, enduring inhuman torture but still unbowed and unbroken, a story based on true events, with the movie titled 'Unbroken'.

Jolie asked Link if he had any interest in investing and playing the male lead while she planned to direct.

Link didn't refuse immediately; he wanted to see the script first.

After seeing off the two big stars, Link chatted with Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba, Jessica Chastain, and others about new movies and projects.

Now, Lionsgate Films produces more than twenty films a year, not much less than the production of the Big Six Studios, and Lionsgate's performance at the Oscars was even better than the Big Six's, which turned the previously underrated Lionsgate into a hot commodity.

However, due to the age difference, these older ladies didn't show any flirtatious intent during their conversations, only endlessly praising him, practically elevating him to the most perfect man in the world.

After chatting with a group of older ladies, Link talked to Reed Hastings, Chairman and CEO of Netflix, and Vice President Scott Stuber.

At the end of last year, Lionsgate and Netflix signed several cooperation plans, including TV series, movies, variety shows, etc., where Netflix was responsible for investment and distribution, and Lionsgate provided high-quality content.

In February, the first season of 'House of Cards', jointly produced by both parties, premiered globally on the Netflix website and achieved great success. The viewership steadily climbed, becoming a phenomenal hit series that attracted millions of members.

It also drove Netflix stock prices up, from $26 per share at the end of last year, surging to $197.5.

Netflix's total market value also recovered to over $10 billion from $5 billion at the end of last year, reaching a current market value of $17.93 billion US dollars, exceeding its 11-year record high.

Lionsgate's 11.37% stake in Netflix was worth over $2 billion, and Jin Beike Investment's 8.62% stake reached $1.54 billion.

Link's net worth saw a dramatic increase.

In the future, the two companies will collaborate to produce more film and television series, as well as the 'Hundred Web Series Project' and 'Ten Thousand Micro-Movie Project' proposed by Link. As long as the cooperation is smooth, Netflix's market value will climb even higher.

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After chatting with everyone and meeting all the guests, Link finally relaxed. At Lady Gaga's suggestion, he sat down at the piano and, accompanied by the band, played a new piece 'Victory', a majestic instrumental song.

"Link is just too perfect, handsome, a musician, boxing champion, billionaire, he's nearly flawless. It's a shame that there's only one perfect man like him in the whole world," Jessica Chastain exclaimed in the crowd.

"You should compliment him to his face; he really enjoys being praised by others," Emma Stone said with a curled lip.

"I couldn't say it to his face," Chastain laughed.

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Emma Stone glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, then took Jessica Chastain's arm and muttered softly, "Jessica, I want to ask you something private, and I hope you won't get angry."

"What?"

"It's about you and Link..."

"We've absolutely never slept together, nor had any other kind of relationship."

Before she could finish, Chastain preemptively explained, because since winning the Best Actress Oscar, she's been asked the question more than once by friends and family and has received other people's gazes filled with insinuation.

At first, she felt awkward, but eventually she got used to it. Actually, having a scandal with someone of Link's status in the entertainment industry isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's quite cool.

She didn't dislike it too much psychologically.

It's just that she and Link truly had nothing between them, and it felt wrong to lie about it when asked.

"Really? Don't get me wrong, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to understand the situation,"

Emma Stone said, blinking.

Chastain shook her head, looking at her curiously, "I've been hearing rumors about you and Link since 2010. You and Link were among the earliest artists under Palm Bay Brokerage. Logically, your relationship with Link should be closer. Why don't you ask him?"

"I did ask him, and he said there was nothing."

"That's because there isn't anything, it's all your wild thoughts."

Chastain said, helpless.

"Is that so?"

Emma Stone was somewhat baffled; she had known Link since 2010, and because he wasn't pretentious, they always maintained a good private relationship.

But one thing had always puzzled her: over the years, Link successively propelled Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain to the throne of Academy Award-winning Actress. In terms of age, she was older than Jennifer; in terms of acting, she believed she was no worse than Chastain.

Yet Link still had not made any moves to help her campaign for the Best Actress Oscar, always telling her there's no rush and that he would help her win three in the future.

She was uncertain if Link was serious or just placating her.

Therefore, she wanted to ask Chastain if there had been anything between her and Link.

If there had been, it indicated that she hadn't done her part well and could consider letting Link apply some "unspoken rules"; everyone was an acquaintance, and sleeping together wasn't a big deal.

If there hadn't been, then it meant Link did well in this regard, and as long as her performance was good, she also had a chance to win an Oscar someday.

She and Chastain had worked together a few times and understood that the latter wouldn't lie. Therefore, the reason why Link supported Chastain for Best Actress was entirely because of her good acting and films, not because of their closeness.

After understanding all this, she breathed a sigh of relief but also felt a bit disappointed. Link, that scumbag, could have used this to take advantage of countless actresses, yet he chose not to do so, truly not a professional scumbag.

"I think to win an Oscar, it still depends on the work and acting. It's impossible to rely solely on publicity. Otherwise, why wouldn't Link campaign an Oscar for Best Actor for himself?"

Chastain said.

Emma Stone nodded, feeling that made sense. In Hollywood, there were many women who were close to Link, such as Dadalio, Emma Watson; they didn't even get an Oscar nomination, which also indicated that Link paid more attention to the work when campaigning for the Oscars.

Clap, clap, clap!

After Link played a piece, the venue erupted into warm applause and cheers.

Emma Stone also clapped and shouted for an encore.

Naturally, Link had no intention of performing again. He played the piano at the party out of courtesy, not to give everyone a concert. He handed the stage over to the band and continued to chat with everyone, talking about work.

"Link, is this piece something you've newly written?"

lady Gaga asked.

"Yes, it's still a work in progress, not completely finished yet."

Link said.

"That's amazing. Now that you've stopped writing songs and started playing pure music, you really are an incredible guy."

lady Gaga exclaimed.

"This song has a humming part for a female voice, do you want to try it?"

"Yes! Of course, I would be delighted to."

lady Gaga said eagerly.

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After the party ended, Link and Ivanka took a small break and went back to their garden villa in Miami with the three little ones for a leisurely vacation—playing with the kids on the beach, going fishing in the sea on a yacht, visiting James's house, and calling on coach West at the boxing gym.

In the meantime, his father-in-law also came back to Miami for a vacation, continued to teach him golf, and introduced him to officials and legislators in Florida.

His father-in-law mentioned that he was preparing to run for election again. After failing last time, he hoped to succeed this time and move to Washington.

Link expressed his support for this and even came up with a very catchy slogan, making many reliable suggestions.

Because of these, his father-in-law became even more affectionate towards him, to the point where Ivanka would feel jealous.

"Honey, what did you do to my dad? Now all he says is dear Link, clever Link, and that I should learn from you. It feels like you two are the real father and son."

By the villa pool, Ivanka lay under a gazebo in a bikini, flipping through a magazine.

"Our goals align, we have a lot of common ground, and it's normal for my father-in-law to like me."

Link poured some sunscreen on her smooth back, gently spreading it evenly with his palms.

"That's good."

Ivanka smiled and turned to give him a kiss.

Link smiled gently, released her from her restraints, and gave her a full-body SPA.

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