Recaps

Aaron expanded Dawn’s film projects and industry alliances while positioning the company to acquire MCA Universal from Panasonic. The stretch ended with Dawn and Seagram still bidding, and Michael Ovitz seeking a meeting with Aaron.

• Jeffrey Katzenberg’s New Yorker account of his departure from Disney intensified pressure on Michael Eisner, while Aaron discussed the MCA acquisition and Dawn’s growth with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Dawn Steel.
• Aaron recruited financial backing for Dawn’s MCA bid, while Jack Wells offered Ronald Meyer a loan in exchange for information about Seagram’s plans.
• Aaron committed Dawn to major film projects including Independence Day and The Rock, and he backed John Woo to direct Broken Arrow.
• Aaron persuaded Panasonic president Yoichi Morishita to consider selling MCA, and Panasonic agreed to have Tsūzō Murase liaise with Dawn.
• Aaron discussed Dawn’s expansion in China with Joey Wong, completed The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers, and promised her a role in Rush Hour.
• Aaron secured political support for Dawn’s MCA acquisition from Leon Panetta, while Jack Wells obtained documents from Rudolph Harrison and paid him to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
• Aaron continued developing films including Twister and Men in Black, while Dawn prepared to compete against Seagram and other bidders for MCA.
• Dawn and Seagram continued bidding after Panasonic rejected their offers and other interested parties withdrew, and Aaron agreed to meet Michael Ovitz.

Aaron secured MCA for Dawn and began reshaping Universal while expanding into television, sports, and theme parks. The stretch ended with CAA fractured, Michael Ovitz isolated at Disney, and Aaron pursuing new projects and talent.

• Aaron Anderson and Edgar Bronfman Jr. failed to agree on MCA, and Seagram raised its bid as Dawn pressed Panasonic for a deal.
• Aaron and Panasonic agreed that Dawn would acquire MCA for $7.2 billion, with Panasonic receiving cash and New Dawn shares.
• Aaron reorganized MCA, merged Dawn Pictures into Universal Pictures, cut projects, and laid off more than 800 employees.
• Dawn’s Toy Story opened to acclaim and strong box office, while Aaron prioritized Universal’s restructuring and overseas expansion.
• Aaron pursued a stake in Fox News Channel and negotiated with Rupert Murdoch as the Houston Rockets advanced through the playoffs.
• Edgar Bronfman Jr. acquired MGM/United Artists, and Ronald Meyer’s move to MGM helped drive Michael Ovitz toward Disney.
• Aaron pressed ahead with Universal resort plans, rejected Japan’s licensing proposal, and discussed new film projects with Joey Wong and other industry figures.
• At Disney, Joe Roth and Peter Schneider refused to work under Ovitz, while Nancy Josephson reported that Richard Lovett had taken over CAA.

Aaron expanded Dawn’s film, theme-park, and media plans while navigating rival companies, a public offering, and Hollywood relationships. The stretch ended with Time Warner absorbing Turner Broadcasting as Aaron and Gerald Levin discussed Dawn’s listing and the future of media.

• Aaron brought Joey Wong to the Sun Valley Conference, backed Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, and watched Disney’s acquisition of ABC intensify competition among media companies.
• Aaron advanced plans for Universal Studios Japan, secured political support in Osaka, and discussed partnerships with Japanese businesses while traveling with Norika Fujiwara.
• Aaron expanded Dawn’s Hong Kong presence by arranging for Joey Wong’s company to take a 45% stake in Media Asia Films and inviting Kristy Yang into his entertainment plans.
• After directing bodyguards to attack Jimmy Lai, Aaron left the matter to Angel Security Company and continued building Dawn’s music and film businesses across Asia.
• Tianhai Fund invested $6 million for a 15% stake in Yahoo, while Aaron prepared Dawn’s public offering and decided to use Waterworld’s losses to push Lew Wasserman into retirement.
• Aaron pursued theme-park expansion in Orlando and Japan, partnered with Kingdom Holding and Four Seasons on hotels, and rejected Jack Welch’s proposal for Dawn to take a minority stake in NBC.
• Aaron urged Steven Spielberg to make Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World more commercially appealing and planned to turn the series into a trilogy, while Edgar Bronfman Jr. set MGM on a course to rebuild its own international distribution.
• Time Warner completed its acquisition of Turner Broadcasting, and Aaron discussed the merger, Dawn’s upcoming listing, and the DVD Consortium with Ted Turner and Gerald Levin.

Aaron took Dawn public, expanded its reach through acquisitions and international ventures, and strengthened his ties to Hollywood, business, and political figures. The stretch ended with Dawn’s films competing for Oscars as Aaron celebrated the Lantern Festival in Hong Kong.

• Nicole Kidman and Aaron became intimate as Dawn prepared for its IPO, and Aaron and Brad Grey agreed to promote Sense and Sensibility and Dead Man Walking for awards season.
• Aaron agreed to help Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr. pursue a new Los Angeles arena, then met President Clinton, who asked Universal to develop a positive film about an American President.
• Dawn raised $2.2 billion in its public offering, and Aaron went on vacation with Sophie Marceau before Dawn completed major Universal Studios deals.
• Aaron acquired Marvel Entertainment after negotiating with Ronald Perelman, and he directed Dawn to develop Marvel films while retaining control of adaptation and distribution plans.
• Aaron encouraged Cate Blanchett to build her career in Hollywood, while Dawn expanded its film slate and brought Ridley Scott and Brad Pitt together for The Chamber.
• Aaron agreed to renovate the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, planned ranch and winery purchases, and approved Universal’s $65 million investment in Titanic for North American distribution rights.
• Aaron helped establish Yahoo Japan with SoftBank and Yahoo Global, then visited Hong Kong, where he gave Kristy Yang an apartment and stayed for the Lantern Festival.