The Gap Between the Big Seven

The seven major Hollywood film groups were now divided into one camp led by Time Warner, Dawn Universal, Disney, and News Corporation Fox, all of which owned their own television broadcast networks.

Viacom Paramount, meanwhile, owned several cable television networks, but it was certainly lacking when it came to content distribution.

Sony Columbia and Seagram MGM, at the bottom of the pack, had an even harder time. At least Sony's consumer electronics products could provide a steady stream of cash flow.

The worst off in Hollywood was undoubtedly the Seagram Company, which had just acquired PolyGram. With MP3s impacting the record industry, PolyGram's record sales were steadily declining.

MGM had just spent heavily restructuring its international distribution channels, only for its Box Office market share to remain at the bottom. Seagram was deeply in debt, leaving Edgar Bronfman Jr. overwhelmed with worry!

Santa Monica, MGM headquarters.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. sat in his office. Across from him sat MGM CEO Frank Mancuso and MGM president Ronald Meyer.

"Gentlemen, does MGM have nothing else besides the James Bond series that can truly impress people?"

So far this year, MGM had not produced a single standout work, apart from the newly released The World Is Not Enough.

Frank Mancuso reassured him, "Next month, we have the horror-action blockbuster End of Days, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's worth looking forward to!"

End of Days had a budget of 100 million US dollars, and Arnold Schwarzenegger alone had been paid 22 million US dollars;

after all, he had earned 25 million US dollars for Batman & Robin.

Aspen, Colorado.

Aaron had brought Sophie Marceau to this famous American ski resort for a holiday, and to celebrate her birthday as well!

"Aaron, what are you looking at?"

At the hot spring resort hotel, Sophie Marceau emerged