Recaps

Aaron expanded Dawn into television and sports while pursuing major film rights and acquisitions. The arc left Dawn in control of AMC, developing new television projects, and preparing for renewed competition as MGM/United Artists recovered.

• Aaron urged President Clinton to ease MPAA restrictions and told him he planned to enter television by acquiring AMC.
• Aaron brought Dawn’s films to Cannes, where The Mask of Zorro received favorable reviews and Farewell My Concubine shared the Palme d’Or with The Piano.
• Aaron bought the Houston Rockets from Charlie Thomas for $85 million and promised to fund a new arena.
• Aaron approved Dawn’s $16 million purchase of the adaptation rights to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from Saul Zaentz.
• Aaron rejected Charles Dolan’s proposal to share control of AMC and secured Dawn’s purchase of 80 percent of the network for $100 million.
• Aaron backed David Crane and Marta Kauffman’s Insomnia Cafe, renamed it Friends, and connected them with Jennifer Aniston.
• Aaron told Jonathan Demme to begin preparations for Red Dragon and promised Monica Bellucci a lead role in a horror film.
• Aaron discussed Dawn’s plans with David Geffen as Crédit Lyonnais injected fresh capital into MGM/United Artists.

Aaron expanded Dawn’s film library, production slate, and international reach while pursuing new projects and relationships across Hollywood and Asia. The arc ended with Dawn preparing to broaden its overseas distribution as Aaron backed a Chinese laborers drama and explored the emerging VCD market.

• Aaron pledged $100 million toward a new Houston Rockets arena, rejected American Airlines’ naming offer, and named it Dawn Center.
• Aaron cast Cameron Diaz in The Mask and found River Phoenix unconscious outside the Viper Room, where Phoenix later died.
• Aaron pursued Samuel Goldwyn Films’ library and acquired the Men in Black adaptation rights, while Dawn bought the Bad Boys script and Kevin Williamson’s Scream screenplay.
• Aaron approved the Red Dragon project with Jonathan Demme and secured a $140 million deal for Samuel Goldwyn Films’ library.
• Aaron backed George W. Bush’s campaign, approved the Dawn Center construction, and launched plans for an annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
• Aaron reunited with Norika Fujiwara in Japan and visited Joey Wong in Hong Kong, where he discussed the local film industry and Dawn’s release plans for Rumble in the Bronx.
• Aaron agreed to invest $3 million through Crescent Moon Pictures in King Hu’s The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers, with Joey Wong cast as the lead.
• Aaron told Joey Wong to track new VCD brands and arranged advertising funding, then told Tom Rothman to expand Dawn’s distribution across Asia and Europe.

Aaron expanded Dawn’s film and television slate while pursuing newspaper acquisitions, political connections, and a new New York headquarters. The arc ended with Dawn buying the Houston Post Group, Pulp Fiction winning acclaim, and the Rockets reaching the NBA Finals.

• Aaron began relationships with Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Sophie Marceau, Monica Bellucci, and other actresses while supporting Joey Wong’s Chinese laborers film and planning its production.
• Dawn advanced Con Air, Se7en, Scream, Good Will Hunting, and other films, while Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective became a major hit.
• Frank Wells’s death left Michael Eisner in control of Disney, and Jeffrey Katzenberg realized he had been excluded from the company’s leadership.
• Aaron backed Pete Wilson and George W. Bush, pursued reconstruction subsidies, and discussed New York development with Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
• Aaron arranged for Dawn to acquire the Houston Post Group and take a 45% stake in the Los Angeles Daily News, while also approving Twister for development.
• Pulp Fiction won the Palme d’Or at Cannes as My Best Friend’s Wedding performed strongly in theaters.
• Aaron watched the Rockets defeat the Jazz to win the Western Conference Finals, visited Joey Wong, and made plans to vacation with her at Lake Tahoe.

Aaron expanded Dawn’s film, television, and international plans while a succession of major industry changes reshaped Hollywood. As Dawn prepared to bid for MCA, Seagram emerged as its rival, and DreamWorks SKG launched amid the continuing success of Dawn’s films.

• The Rockets won the NBA championship, and Aaron later acquired Orion Pictures for Dawn, strengthening the company’s film library and international distribution plans.
• Forrest Gump and The Mask opened to major success as Aaron explored television partnerships and expanded Dawn’s work with the BBC.
• Michael Eisner’s conflict with Jeffrey Katzenberg deepened, and Katzenberg left Disney before founding DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.
• Aaron pursued global expansion through talks with Ted Turner, the BBC, and Asian partners, while Dawn planned new projects for Jackie Chan and invested in Joey Wong’s VCD business.
• After learning Panasonic planned to sell MCA, Aaron declared Dawn’s interest and organized financing and an acquisition team, while Seagram’s Edgar Bronfman Jr. prepared a competing bid.
• Aaron secured a financing commitment from Franklin Templeton and expected Dawn to make its MCA offer the following spring, while monitoring Seagram’s resources and the company’s valuation.
• Rumble in the Bronx earned $32 million in North America and led Dawn to develop Rush Hour and plan releases of Jackie Chan’s earlier films.
• Aaron continued celebrating the success of Dawn’s films, including The Mask, while Waterworld and Cutthroat Island faced production troubles and James Cameron appeared to be developing Titanic.