Disney's Success

As the fashion capital, Milan had produced many internationally renowned luxury brands. With the American economy in a slump, Japan had now become the main force behind luxury goods purchases!

Jennifer Connelly took Aaron sightseeing near Milan Cathedral and warned him, "There are a lot of thieves here. We need to be careful."

Aaron tightened his wool coat around himself and tugged at his scarf, smiling. "If they dare steal my wallet, I'll make them understand what God's wrath is."

"I used to live in Koreatown, Los Angeles. I've run into plenty of robbers!"

Jennifer Connelly linked arms with Aaron. "Let's go inside and take a look. Milan Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic churches in the world, second only to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican."

"It has a long history, superb architectural artistry, and an extremely important status in Catholicism!"

Aaron pursed his lips. He really had no interest in any of that.

Milan Cathedral was indeed magnificent, with many historical sights and designs by famous figures, but Aaron truly felt nothing about it. He was only accompanying Jennifer Connelly!

With the arrival of 1990, the international situation continued to undergo major changes, and Japanese Conglomerates accelerated their acquisition of overseas assets.

After Sony acquired Columbia TriStar Pictures in Hollywood, Panasonic, with CAA's assistance, also began acquiring Universal's parent company, MCA.

At the same time, a new breed of high-concept blockbuster began reaching audiences, with Hollywood's commercial globalization model selling large investments, major directors, big stars, gripping storylines, realistic visual effects, and top-tier audiovisual experiences.

Represented by the free-spending Carolco Pictures, Hollywood joined forces with James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger to invest over 100 million US Dollars in the sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day!

After staying in Milan, Italy, for half a month, Jennifer Connelly returned to America with Aaron and went back to school after finishing her scenes for Everybody's Fine.

Also traveling with them was director Giuseppe Tornatore, who was going to attend the Golden Globe Awards.

Burbank, Aurora Film Company. In a simple office, Aaron Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and David Fincher were discussing the film Phone Booth.

"David, the film was shot very well. I've had copies sent to several distributors. Hopefully, someone notices it."

Aaron really did not want to sell it cheaply to New Line or Miramax.

"I understand," David Fincher said. It was his first time directing a film, so naturally he hoped it could make it into theaters.

Phone Booth's total production cost was 1.75 million US Dollars. It was indeed not high, but he had confidence in the film.

"Still no news from Disney?"

Aaron asked. Their Dick Tracy, set for release that year, had been dragged down by Warren Beatty's scandal.

Quentin Tarantino shook his head. "No response."

Leaning back in his chair, Aaron said, "Disney did very well last year. The sci-fi comedy Honey, I Shrunk the Kids made 130 million US Dollars in North America and another 90 million overseas, for 220 million US Dollars worldwide."

"The critically acclaimed drama Dead Poets Society made 95 million in North America and 140 million overseas, totaling 235 million US Dollars worldwide."

"The classic animated feature The Little Mermaid made 110 million in North America and 100 million overseas, for a total global box office of 210 million US Dollars."

The Little Mermaid in particular, with both stellar reviews and box office, had brought Disney's hand-drawn 2D animation into a new stage. The era of animated features earning huge box office had arrived!

Under the leadership of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Disney had gone from a market value of 2 billion US Dollars a few years ago to more than 13 billion US Dollars now, in less than five years.

However, Pretty Woman, set for release that spring, would further elevate Jeffrey Katzenberg's status at Disney!

And Phone Booth, a project costing less than 2 million US Dollars, probably would not even appear in a report on Jeffrey Katzenberg's desk.

On the evening of January 20, the 47th Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles!

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held in the form of a dinner banquet, with guests seated around tables in the hall, drinking as they took part in the awards ceremony.

Aaron had an invitation from Miramax, so he went with the gorgeous Nicole Kidman. After all, it was both of their first time attending!

They were seated in the center of the hall with the cast and crew of the war film Glory, which told the story of a Black regiment led by white officers fighting bravely in the Battle of Charleston during the American Civil War...

The director was the thirty-six-year-old Edward Zwick, the male lead was Matthew Broderick, and the other cast members included Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and others.

"Hello, I'm Aaron Anderson. Director Zwick, Glory was very good!"

Aaron Anderson immediately struck up a conversation with Edward Zwick beside him.

After all, Glory had received nominations for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor!

"Thank you, Aaron. I didn't expect to meet you here. I met director Steven Soderbergh before, and he mentioned you. He said you always had a sharp eye for films."

Edward Zwick smiled.

Aaron clinked glasses with him. "If there's a chance in the future, we can work together. I'm developing films on my own now!"

Edward Zwick's previous television works had been romances, and he had won an Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.

His earlier works had also all been romantic stories.

"Oh, Aaron, you have a project in development?"

"Yes, a romantic screenplay. If you have time in your schedule, I can let you read the script first," Aaron said. His Ghost suited Edward Zwick's strengths perfectly.

Edward Zwick nodded. "There's only the promotional work for Glory. I haven't found a suitable new project yet."

Aaron smiled. "I'll send you the script when the time comes!"

"Mm, all right..."

As the awards dinner proceeded, Disney's animated feature The Little Mermaid won Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Born on the Fourth of July won the award for Best Screenplay.

"All right, the winner of Best Supporting Actress is Julia Roberts for Steel Magnolias!"

Aaron and Nicole Kidman beside him applauded as well. The next award to be presented was Best Supporting Actor.

Denzel Washington, the Black actor from the Glory cast at their table, had been nominated. At thirty-six, Denzel Washington was still virtually unknown.

Aaron's gaze shifted as he looked over at Morgan Freeman at the next table. Freeman had only played a supporting role in Glory.

But in Driving Miss Daisy, he had been nominated for Best Actor—Musical or Comedy.

Before long, Best Supporting Actor was announced. It was Denzel Washington from Glory, seated at their table!

Aaron and Nicole Kidman made room and congratulated him together. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, thank you!"

"Aaron, your guess was pretty accurate," Nicole Kidman said with a quiet laugh beside him.

Aaron curled his lip. "Uh, I say that to everyone I run into who's been nominated..."