Chapter Summaries

In Macau, Aaron spent time with Kristy Yang and discussed plans to support her entertainment career while Netscape’s IPO fueled interest in internet companies. He arranged for Tianhai Fund to pursue an investment in Yahoo and planned to acquire a stake in Media Asia Films before returning to Hong Kong.

• Aaron called Joey Wong and urged her to establish an entertainment company in Hong Kong so she could invest in film productions.
• Netscape Communications went public, and its soaring share price drew attention to high-growth internet companies despite its lack of profits.
• Aaron told Jennifer Aniston to find Yahoo’s founders in Silicon Valley and have Tianhai Fund invest in the company.
• Kristy Yang told Aaron that Asia Television planned to train her and arrange television roles, and Aaron offered to acquire part of Media Asia Films to support her future career.
• Aaron and Kristy Yang planned to visit Casino Lisboa before returning to Hong Kong the next day.

Aaron expanded his entertainment and theme-park investments while visiting Hong Kong, Osaka, and Houston, and returned to the United States amid debate over Waterworld’s losses. He decided to use the film’s failure as grounds to remove Lew Wasserman from Dawn’s circle and push him into retirement.

• Aaron arranged for Joey Wong’s company to acquire a 45% stake in Media Asia Films and encouraged her before she left with the Rush Hour crew.
• Aaron checked on Kristy Yang in Hong Kong, then returned to Osaka and reviewed the 150-billion-yen preliminary budget for Universal Studios Japan.
• Aaron traveled to Europe with Norika Fujiwara, while Waterworld’s disappointing box office sparked criticism of Kevin Costner and the film.
• Tianhai Fund acquired a 15% stake in Yahoo for $6 million, and Aaron discussed the investment with Jennifer Connelly in Houston.
• Aaron attended the unveiling of Dawn Center after NBA labor negotiations concluded and discussed James Cameron’s Titanic plans with Jennifer Connelly.
• Aaron said Waterworld’s losses belonged to Universal’s former leadership and decided to use them to remove Lew Wasserman from Dawn and make him retire.

Aaron planned to strengthen the Rockets for a potential three-peat and met TPG founders Jim Coulter and David Bonderman at a Houston reception. He left for New York to prepare Dawn's public offering, promising to allocate shares to Jennifer Connelly and the employees.

• Aaron told Rockets general manager Ray Patterson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich to pursue a three-peat and proposed trading Chucky Brown for Dennis Rodman.
• Ray Patterson and Rudy Tomjanovich worried Rodman would disrupt the locker room, but Aaron argued his rebounding would help Hakeem Olajuwon and asked them to find bench players too.
• At a Houston reception, Robert Bass introduced Aaron to TPG founders Jim Coulter and David Bonderman, who expressed interest in working with Dawn.
• Aaron asked David Bonderman about TPG's losses during the Mexican financial crisis, then reflected on Mexico's agricultural policies and the Zapatista uprising.
• At Oak River Villa, Aaron told Jennifer Connelly he was going to New York to prepare Dawn's public offering and promised shares to her and the employees.

After Fox refused Dawn a meaningful role in FNC, Aaron confronted Rupert Murdoch about the decision and accepted that their political differences had made the partnership unlikely. The chapter ended with Murdoch suggesting Aaron connect with his son Lachlan, though Aaron remained displeased.

• Karen McKee told Aaron that Fox demanded half the Houston Post shares and $200 million for a stake of up to 30% in FNC, while barring Dawn from its operations.
• Karen McKee explained that Roger Ailes was helping establish FNC after leaving CNBC, and Aaron concluded that Rupert Murdoch did not want Dawn involved.
• At a reception, Aaron asked John Malone about Time Warner's approved acquisition of Turner Broadcasting, and Malone confirmed it would benefit Time Warner's cable and communications businesses.
• Rupert Murdoch told Aaron that FNC would begin broadcasting the following year with a conservative orientation, and Aaron said he understood why Fox wanted to keep Dawn out.
• Rupert Murdoch suggested that Aaron meet his son Lachlan, but Aaron remained displeased with Murdoch's decision.

Aaron discussed the Rockets’ roster and Fox News Channel’s rejection of Dawn with Jack Wells, then approved buying Rank Organisation’s stake in Orlando Universal Studios and discussed film projects with Christiana Yeri. The chapter ended with Aaron learning that Quentin Tarantino would take Pulp Fiction to China for screenings.

• Aaron told Jack Wells that the Rockets could not trade for Alonzo Mourning and said Fox News Channel had passed on Dawn.
• Jack Wells explained that his Africa trip involved clients with South African businesses and Angel Company’s arms deals.
• Michael Ovitz faced responsibilities at Disney, including retaining animators and handling the contract dispute with Jeffrey Katzenberg.
• Aaron approved paying Rank Organisation 450 million US dollars for its 50% stake in Orlando Universal Studios and ordered the hotel plan to proceed.
• Christiana Yeri told Aaron that Chinese Laborers had screened at the Toronto Film Festival and that she would return to Los Angeles to promote Scream.
• Christiana Yeri told Aaron that Quentin Tarantino would travel to Beijing with Pulp Fiction for screenings next month.

Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch discussed Dawn’s impending public listing, its growing entertainment business, and its ambitions for Universal theme parks. At a charity dinner, Aaron Anderson agreed to explore a hotel partnership with Prince Alwaleed and declined an invitation to a San Francisco symposium.

• Sumner Redstone told Rupert Murdoch that Dawn’s market value could exceed $15 billion after its public listing, and they discussed its competition with established media companies.
• Rupert Murdoch said Dawn had declined to cooperate with Fox News because its liberal stance conflicted with FNC’s conservatism.
• At a Museum of Modern Art charity dinner, Alwaleed told Aaron Anderson that Kingdom Holding had acquired the Plaza Hotel and proposed building two luxury hotels at Universal Parks & Resorts.
• Aaron agreed that Universal Studios could partner with Kingdom Holding and Four Seasons to develop and manage hotels in Hollywood and Orlando.
• David Rockefeller invited Aaron to a San Francisco symposium, but Aaron declined and dismissed the gathering’s views on population and resources.

Jack Welch offered to sell Dawn a 49% stake in NBC while General Electric retained control, but Aaron insisted Dawn wanted its own broadcast network. After Welch left, Aaron arranged for Crescent Moon Pictures to take over The English Patient, then watched Friends with Christiana Yeri.

• Jack Welch proposed that General Electric sell Dawn 49% of NBC while Dawn supplied content and Bob Wright continued running the network.
• Aaron rejected the arrangement because Dawn wanted control of its own broadcast network, and Jack Welch left without a deal.
• Aaron told Christiana Yeri to have Crescent Moon Pictures take over 20th Century Fox's abandoned adaptation of The English Patient.
• Christiana Yeri praised the proposed cast, including Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, and agreed to contact Crescent Moon Pictures.
• Aaron and Christiana Yeri watched Friends, and Aaron reflected on NBC's success with the show and Dawn TV's ratings for ER.

Aaron discussed the failure of Showgirls and the success of Scream with Kate Beckinsale, then planned new attractions and expansion for Universal Studios. He approved buying Rank Film Organization’s Orlando shares and expanding Universal’s hotels and land holdings.

• Scream earned $11 million after ten days and positive reviews, while Showgirls flopped and Carolco Pictures declared bankruptcy.
• Aaron reassured Kate Beckinsale about her performance and rising prospects as Scream’s female lead.
• Aaron and Tom Williams reviewed plans for Waterworld Park, and Aaron proposed adding a pirate ship attraction.
• Tom Williams reported that Universal Studios Japan preparations were progressing and that Rank Film Organization wanted $350 million for its Orlando shares.
• Aaron agreed to buy the shares and described plans with Prince Al-Waleed for new resort hotels and for acquiring more land near Orlando Universal Studios.

Michael Eisner worried about Dawn’s costly Universal Studios expansion while expressing growing regret over hiring Michael Ovitz. After discussing DreamWorks as a shared rival, Eisner considered meeting Aaron Anderson.

• Igor told Michael Eisner that Michael Ovitz wanted Hollywood Records to offer Janet Jackson a six- to seven-album deal worth 75 million dollars, and Eisner rejected the idea.
• Eisner criticized Ovitz’s conduct and told Igor to keep him focused on his assigned duties rather than involve him with ABC.
• Igor reported that Aaron Anderson was preparing expansions for Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando and had launched Universal Studios Japan with an investment of at least 15 billion Japanese Yen.
• Eisner doubted Universal Studios could match Disney’s character-based theme parks, but acknowledged the importance of Universal Studios Hollywood and cautioned against underestimating Aaron.
• Igor and Eisner discussed how Spielberg’s departure and DreamWorks’ recruitment of animators threatened both Dawn and Disney, prompting Eisner to consider meeting Aaron.

Aaron attended Edgar Bronfman Jr.’s reception and discussed California politics, news networks, and Universal Studios Hollywood with Governor Pete Wilson. Aaron refused to align Dawn exclusively with the Republicans, leaving their collaboration uncertain as Universal’s expansion faced environmental opposition.

• Aaron attended Edgar Bronfman Jr.’s reception with Catherine Zeta-Jones and discussed Dawn’s assets and plans in the United Kingdom.
• Pete Wilson told Aaron that California Proposition 187 had been ruled unconstitutional and asked about Dawn’s cooperation with News Corporation over FNC.
• Pete Wilson offered to lobby News Corporation for Aaron, but Aaron declined because Fox News was about to launch and he did not want to share control of a news network.
• Aaron explained that he needed to maintain ties with both parties, while Pete Wilson described California’s disputes with the federal government over budgets and environmental policies.
• Pete Wilson said environmentalists had obstructed Universal Studios Hollywood’s expansion and told Aaron they shared an interest in resolving the issue.

Aaron and Edgar Bronfman Jr. discussed Dawn’s release slate and Seagram’s plans to revive MGM after its acquisition. Edgar intended to make MGM one of Hollywood’s Big Seven by rebuilding its film operations and creating an independent international distribution network.

• Edgar Bronfman Jr. envied Dawn’s large slate of films, while Aaron explained that Dawn expected to release about fifteen self-produced films annually after the next year.
• Edgar noted rising film and marketing costs, and Aaron warned that Hollywood’s established rules were difficult to overturn without overwhelming strength.
• Edgar told Ronald Meyer that Seagram would invest $500 million in MGM, and Ronald said MGM would pursue writers, directors, actors, and CAA package projects.
• Edgar warned Ronald that MGM would no longer let CAA dominate it, and Ronald agreed that Michael Ovitz had lacked the experience to manage Disney.
• Edgar directed MGM to rebuild its international distribution system, rejecting the idea of rejoining UIP because he wanted MGM to control its own overseas network.

Aaron spent a romantic weekend with Catherine Zeta-Jones on Santa Catalina Island, where they encountered Julia Roberts and Liam Neeson filming Michael Collins. Back at Dawn Universal headquarters, Aaron faced uncertainty over Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World after Universal and Spielberg disagreed about replacing the first film’s leads.

• Aaron explained that Waterworld had hurt Kevin Costner’s career but had not ended it, while Catherine Zeta-Jones described her recent projects and plans to live mostly in Los Angeles.
• Aaron and Catherine Zeta-Jones traveled to Santa Catalina Island and spotted Julia Roberts and Liam Neeson filming Michael Collins.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones praised Dawn’s record of working with Hollywood actresses, and Aaron credited the company’s success in discovering new talent.
• Amblin Entertainment planned to center Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World on Jeff Goldblum instead of Sam Neill and Laura Dern, while Dawn Steel opposed dropping the original leads.
• Aaron returned to Dawn Universal Headquarters on Monday and faced a headache over the uncertain Jurassic Park sequel.

Aaron discussed changes to Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World with Dawn Steel and Steven Spielberg, pushing for the sequel to prioritize commercial appeal as part of a planned trilogy. Spielberg agreed to revise the script, and Aaron encountered Winona Ryder after their meeting.

• Dawn Steel told Aaron that Sam Neill and Laura Dern would not return for Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World and that Colin Wilson had replaced Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall as producer.
• Aaron told Dawn Steel to monitor the sequel closely and asked about preparations for Men in Black, including the studio's interest in pairing Will Smith with Tommy Lee Jones.
• Aaron warned Dawn Steel that the company needed to stay competitive as it prepared to go public and faced Disney's growing media power.
• Aaron told Steven Spielberg that Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World should emphasize commercial appeal and revealed that he planned to make the series a trilogy.
• Spielberg agreed to have David Koepp revise the script and reduce some of its overly deliberate plot ideas.
• Aaron encountered Winona Ryder at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel, where her film How to Make an American Quilt was holding its premiere after-party.

Time Warner acquired Turner Broadcasting System for $7.6 billion, restoring its place as the world’s largest media conglomerate. At the celebration, Aaron discussed Dawn’s distribution reach with Nicole Kidman, while Edgar Bronfman Jr. decided to pursue buying back MGM’s film library rights.

• Aaron and Winona Ryder discussed Universal’s upcoming releases and Dawn’s film How to Make an American Quilt.
• Time Warner completed its stock-swap acquisition of Turner Broadcasting System, giving Ted Turner a 10% stake and the role of vice chairman.
• Aaron met Nicole Kidman at Time Warner’s celebration ball, where they discussed Dawn’s upcoming public offering and its limited distribution channels.
• Frank Mancuso proposed that Seagram approach Time Warner to buy back MGM’s film rights, which Turner had retained.
• Edgar Bronfman Jr. told Frank Mancuso to contact Time Warner about purchasing MGM’s film library.

At a Hollywood ball, Aaron discussed Ted Turner’s decision to step down and CNN’s future, then spoke with Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin about Dawn’s upcoming listing and the DVD market. The conversations ended with Levin praising Pixar’s success and the promise of 3D animation.

• Aaron asked Ted Turner whether he was retiring, and Turner said he wanted to find out what it felt like to be number two after decades as a CEO.
• Turner said CNN faced growing competition and internal constraints, and Aaron offered help in Washington, which Turner rejected with an insult toward Clinton.
• Aaron asked about Turner Broadcasting System businesses remaining independent, and Turner said that had been the last thing he could secure for them.
• Aaron congratulated Gerald Levin and discussed Dawn’s upcoming listing, Time Warner’s media holdings, and the growing DVD Consortium.
• Levin praised Pixar’s Toy Story and said 3D computer animation was a revolution.

Aaron discussed Dawn’s planned IPO and media strategy with Charles Johnson, then reviewed its film slate and Oscar-season marketing plans with Brad Grey. Dawn’s public offering was set for the day before Thanksgiving as its executives prepared for upcoming releases.

• Nicole Kidman told Aaron that Naomi Watts had called to thank him after The Rock wrapped, and Nicole and Aaron became intimate.
• Charles Johnson told Aaron that Wall Street was enthusiastic about Dawn’s IPO, which priced shares at about $35 and valued the company at roughly $15 billion.
• Aaron told Charles that Dawn would focus on content and might challenge HBO in premium cable, while waiting for Disney and Time Warner to integrate their recent acquisitions.
• Twilight Pictures’ Scream passed $40 million at the North American box office, Universal took over The English Patient, and Warner Bros. moved ahead with Daylight starring Sylvester Stallone.
• Aaron and Brad Grey discussed rising star salaries and Casino’s marketing, then agreed to promote Sense and Sensibility and Dead Man Walking for awards season.

At a West Hollywood club, Aaron met Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr., who planned to build a new arena in Los Angeles for the Lakers and Kings. Aaron agreed to help them connect with Jerry Buss but declined Anschutz’s invitation to invest in the Colorado Rapids and MLS.

• Aaron asked Leon Cooperman about Omega Advisors’ investments in Russia and Southeast Asia.
• Leon introduced Aaron to Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr., who had acquired a fifty-percent stake in the Los Angeles Kings.
• Edward explained that he and Anschutz wanted to build a multipurpose arena for the Lakers and Kings and asked Aaron to help persuade Jerry Buss.
• Aaron said Jerry Buss would move the Lakers to a new arena and offered to help with the project, while warning that finding land in Los Angeles would be difficult.
• Anschutz invited Aaron to invest in the Colorado Rapids, but Aaron declined because he believed MLS had limited prospects in the United States.
• Anschutz asked Aaron to introduce him to Jerry Buss, and Aaron agreed.

Aaron discussed Hollywood and met with Gwyneth Paltrow before connecting Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr. with Jerry Buss about a new Los Angeles arena. Back in Burbank, Aaron learned that the White House wanted him in Washington, D.C., and told Christiana Yeri to arrange the trip.

• Aaron met Gwyneth Paltrow, who told him she had accepted a role in Miramax's Emma, then left the gathering.
• Aaron met Jerry Buss and discussed Anschutz and Roski's plans to build a new arena and seek Lakers ownership.
• Aaron and Jerry Buss discussed the Rockets' chances of winning a third straight championship and the Bulls' pursuit of Dennis Rodman.
• Christiana Yeri told Aaron that White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta had relayed a request for him to visit Washington, D.C., and Aaron asked her to arrange the trip.

Aaron met President Clinton at the White House, where Clinton asked Dawn to develop a positive film portraying an American President. Clinton also proposed that The Washington Post Group strengthen its cooperation with Dawn Pictures Group, leaving Aaron to consider the requests as Dawn prepared to go public.

• Aaron told Christiana Yeri he would meet Clinton at the White House, and she suggested the meeting might concern Dawn's impending public offering.
• Leon Panetta escorted Aaron to the White House and said Clinton's meeting with Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin was likely related to Dawn and its role in exporting American culture.
• Aaron encountered Monica Lewinsky in the corridor and joked with Leon Panetta about Clinton's private life before entering the Oval Office.
• Clinton praised Dawn's position in Hollywood, and Aaron noted that the company still lagged behind in television and broadcasting.
• Clinton asked Universal to develop a heroic, positive movie about an American President, and Aaron said it could likely be released the year after next.
• Clinton told Aaron that The Washington Post Group wanted to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Dawn Pictures Group.

At a Washington reception, Aaron rebuffed Donald Graham’s offer to help guide Dawn’s public relations and recognized the Graham family’s interest in influencing the company. He decided to recruit former Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen Jr. as a board member and planned further visits to Washington politicians before Dawn went public.

• Donald Graham offered to invest in Dawn and use The Washington Post Group’s political influence to support its public relations and possible interest in FNC.
• Aaron rejected Graham’s proposal, insisting that discussions wait until after Dawn went public.
• Back at the JW Marriott Hotel, Aaron called Jack Wells and asked him to visit Lloyd Bentsen Jr. in Houston about joining Dawn’s board.
• Aaron planned to visit Bentsen himself after Dawn went public and to meet politicians he had invested in around Washington.