CAA on the Rise

After the summer season ended, September marked the beginning of the fall season. This year's standout summer release had been Warner Bros.' DC superhero adaptation, "Batman," which earned 250 million US Dollars in North America and another 150 million US Dollars overseas, for a worldwide box office total of 400 million US Dollars.

Then there was Paramount's sequel, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," which made 190 million US Dollars in North America but 270 million US Dollars overseas, bringing its global box office to 460 million US Dollars!

At the same time, Time Inc. announced that it had acquired Warner Communications in a deal valued at 14 billion US Dollars, forming Time Warner, with a market capitalization exceeding 18 billion US Dollars and making it the world's largest media conglomerate.

However, Gulf+Western, Paramount's parent company, which had previously attempted a hostile takeover of Time Inc., filed suit against it, and the two sides headed to court.

Meanwhile, both the United States and Japan announced that Sony had acquired Columbia TriStar Pictures, a major Hollywood studio, for 340 million US Dollars while assuming 160 million US Dollars in debt.

Last year, Sony had acquired CBS Records from CBS Radio Network and renamed it Sony Music. Now, it had acquired CBS Film Group as well, forming Sony Pictures Entertainment!

Hollywood's seven major film groups had always been one of America's cultural symbols, and Sony's successful acquisition of Columbia TriStar Pictures directly turned "Japan's invasion of Hollywood" into reality.

As a key driving force behind Sony's acquisition of Columbia TriStar Pictures, CAA chairman Michael Ovitz had also become enormously famous.

CAA had even earned a commission of 10 million US Dollars from the deal!

"This feeling is simply incredible," Michael Ovitz said in his office. As the greatest contributor to making the deal happen, his confidence was swelling by the day.

"Michael, Panasonic, Japan's other electronics giant, wants to follow in Sony's footsteps!"

CAA president Ronald Meyer sat on the office sofa and reminded him with a smile.

Michael Ovitz nodded. "I'll take a team to Hawaii to meet with a delegation led by Panasonic president Akio Tanii."

"Since we were able to help Sony acquire a major Hollywood studio, we can also help Panasonic acquire another one!"

At a restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Aaron sat in his chair, flipping through the newspaper in his hands.

It was news about Sony's acquisition of Columbia TriStar Pictures.

Akio Morita and Norio Ohga really are full of themselves. CAA seemed to provide only some advice and connections, without participating in the acquisition from start to finish, and they still made 10 million US Dollars?

Aaron muttered to himself. No wonder Michael Ovitz had seemed a little different lately. The newest issue of "Premiere" magazine had even named him one of the most powerful people in Hollywood.

Michael Ovitz must have played a major role in moving things along. Panasonic's coming acquisition of MCA Inc., Universal's parent company, would be CAA's true moment in the spotlight.

After that, Aaron turned his attention to information on the Venice Film Festival, which was currently underway.

At noon, he went to Los Angeles International Airport and picked up Nicole Kidman, who had returned from the "Wild at Heart" set in Wilmington, North Carolina.

CAA was holding a banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel that evening, so Aaron had specifically asked Nicole Kidman to accompany him.

"Mmm." After returning to the apartment in West Hollywood, the two immediately embraced and began kissing.

"While I was away, did you have trouble sleeping at night?"

On the sofa, Nicole Kidman sat in Aaron's lap with a mischievous smile on her face.

"I managed," Aaron said, enjoying the soft, fragrant woman in his arms. "You weren't abroad. I could fly over to see you anytime."

"How's the filming going?"

"Not bad. Director David Lynch doesn't shoot very quickly. 'Wild at Heart' probably won't wrap until late November."

"That's fine. It's an independent film, so the production schedule isn't that rigid," Aaron said, glancing at Nicole Kidman in his arms. "Want to rest for a while?"

"No need," Nicole Kidman said, shaking her head. "By the way, the Venice Film Festival is on right now, isn't it? You didn't go?"

"There weren't any good films worth seeing. Besides, I'm considering the script for 'Ghost' right now."

Castle Rock Entertainment's first film, "When Harry Met Sally...," had been a low-budget romantic comedy.

Since its July release, its box office had already surpassed 70 million US Dollars!

Surely his script for "Ghost" was much better than "When Harry Met Sally..."

"Have you found a director or any stars? Otherwise, it'll be hard to secure investment!"

Nicole Kidman understood these matters. Although Aaron Anderson had recently gained some recognition at CAA, it would still be difficult for him to lead a serious film project.

Aaron frowned. "'Ghost' needs quite a bit of funding. It's not something that can be done with just a few million US Dollars."

He could try Michael Kuhn at PolyGram or Robert Shaye at New Line. He could even get in touch with Golden Harvest.

The main issue was Japan. Aaron really did not know anyone there, and he did not want to hand this script over to CAA as a package deal!

"Don't keep frowning. How long have you even been in the entertainment industry? You're being too impatient!"

As she spoke, Nicole Kidman began kissing Aaron's face.

Aaron smiled, then kneaded Nicole's body a few times. "What, you don't even want to wait until tonight?"

"Mhm, it's still early." Her fiery red lips moved close to Aaron's ear, her breath warm and fragrant. "Darling, have you found other women lately?"

"Now that I have you, it's hard for any other woman to catch my eye."

As he spoke, Aaron thought of Jennifer Connelly, who was studying at Stanford University. She was a sexy little thing too!

"It's been so long, and you never came to the Wilmington set to see me. Can a hot-blooded man like you really hold back?"

"Back when I was here with you, hadn't you already worn me out?"

With her putting it that way, how could Aaron possibly hold back?

"Ah!" Amid her startled cry, he picked up Nicole Kidman in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.

On the broad, soft bed, amid their blazing kisses, Nicole Kidman swiftly stripped them both naked...

That evening, Aaron Anderson arrived at CAA's banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel with a glowing Nicole Kidman.

CAA had helped bring about Sony's acquisition of Columbia TriStar Pictures, so of course it was worth celebrating!

"There are so many people here," the stunning Nicole Kidman said as she looped her arm through Aaron's and spotted quite a few influential figures in the banquet hall.

"There are indeed. Come on, Ms. Paula Wagner is over there. Let's go say hello first!"

Aaron wrapped an arm around Nicole's waist, preparing to greet Paula Wagner first.