Chapter Summaries

Aaron discussed the technology-stock boom, sports and entertainment acquisitions, and recent film-industry news with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jennifer Connelly. Quantum Fund had returned to tech stocks, while Dawn’s film operations continued developing projects such as Resident Evil.

• Aaron read that Quantum Fund had resumed buying tech stocks and anticipated that George Soros would suffer major losses.
• Aaron explained that Mark Cuban had used his Yahoo stock proceeds to buy the Dallas Mavericks, and discussed Philip Anschutz’s expansion into theaters and Hollywood.
• Aaron described Dawn’s theater holdings and asked Jennifer Connelly about the Berlin Film Festival results.
• Jennifer Connelly told Aaron that Paul Thomas Anderson had won the Golden Bear for Magnolia and explained Tom Cruise’s role in the film.
• Jennifer Connelly reported that Constantine Pictures was developing Resident Evil with director Paul William Scott Anderson and had returned Fantastic Four’s filming rights to Marvel while retaining an investment stake.

Aaron met Jessica Alba at a West Hollywood nightclub and encouraged her to turn down an explicit independent film role, while also discussing a potential investment in PetroChina. The chapter ended with Aaron and Catherine Zeta-Jones discussing the Oscars as he reflected on Dawn Universal’s past Best Picture wins.

• Aaron reassured Jennifer Connelly by phone, then learned from Charles Johnson that PetroChina would soon list in Hong Kong and decided to have it monitored.
• Aaron ran into Jessica Alba at the nightclub, learned she was starring in Scary Movie, and invited her to dinner.
• Jessica Alba asked Aaron whether refusing an explicit role in The Lover would hurt her Hollywood career, and he told her to turn it down.
• Aaron kissed Jessica Alba and promised to contact her about future opportunities before returning to Catherine Zeta-Jones.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones asked about Shakespeare in Love’s Oscar chances, and Aaron said several films could win while noting Dawn’s history of Best Picture victories.

Aaron discussed entertainment projects and market risks as Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft amid its antitrust case and investors watched the surging NASDAQ. He said he remained optimistic about China and planned to visit Hong Kong next month to review PetroChina’s listing.

• Aaron and Catherine Zeta-Jones discussed her romantic comedy project with Julia Roberts and the success of Shakespeare in Love.
• Sumner Redstone suggested Shari Redstone might succeed him at Viacom while saying he preferred professional managers to run the company.
• Bill Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s president and CEO, naming Steve Ballmer as his successor as the US antitrust case intensified.
• Aaron told Charles Johnson that Microsoft’s legal troubles might not derail its soaring stock and learned that Franklin Templeton Investments remained inclined to buy internet stocks.
• Aaron said he would continue investing in China and planned to visit Hong Kong next month to check on PetroChina’s listing.

Aaron and Sophie Marceau discussed her decision to star in the French commercial mystery film The Phantom of the Louvre and debated whether French filmmakers could make a successful commercial movie. Sophie also said Vivendi was planning to enter Hollywood after taking control of Pathé Films.

• Sophie Marceau told Aaron that she had accepted an invitation to star in The Phantom of the Louvre, a French production with a budget of more than 100 million French Francs.
• Sophie explained that producer Alain Sarde and director Jean-Paul Salomé had invited her back to France and made her one of the film's producers.
• Aaron warned Sophie that French commercial films often mishandled plot and suspense, and suggested that Luc Besson help adapt the screenplay.
• Sophie said Luc Besson was too busy serving as president of the jury for the 53rd Cannes International Film Festival to have much time for the film.
• Sophie told Aaron that the European Union feared Hollywood's growing influence and that Vivendi appeared to be planning to enter Hollywood after taking control of Pathé Films.

Aaron watched the NASDAQ’s sharp decline while Twilight Pictures celebrated the success of Scary Movie, which had earned $85 million in ten days. At a nightclub, he discussed Jessica Alba’s newfound attention and the likely sequel, then asked about James Cameron’s work on Dark Angel.

• The NASDAQ fell sharply after billions of dollars in sell orders triggered a wave of liquidations, and Aaron read about the downturn in his Manhattan office.
• Scary Movie earned $85 million in its first ten days despite mixed reviews, exceeding Aaron and Dawn’s expectations.
• Aaron celebrated Scary Movie’s success with Jessica Alba and told her Twilight Pictures would make a sequel.
• Jessica Alba explained that she had won her role in Dark Angel after several auditions and had barely seen James Cameron on set.
• Aaron wondered why James Cameron was developing Dark Angel instead of directing Terminator 3 and thought about Cameron’s future film projects.

Aaron reassigned the Hannibal adaptation after Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster rejected the project, and arranged for Jessica Alba to star in The Fast and the Furious. Meanwhile, Romeo Must Die opened to strong box-office results but mixed reviews, and Aaron regretted that Jet Li had declined Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

• Ethelind Beckett told Aaron that Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster were dissatisfied with Hannibal and had not approved its script revisions.
• Aaron decided David Fincher should take over Hannibal and told Jessica Alba she would star opposite Paul Walker in Universal's The Fast and the Furious.
• Jessica Alba accepted the role and thanked Aaron for giving her more commercial film opportunities.
• Romeo Must Die opened in North America with $18.6 million over the weekend, earning mixed reviews for its action and plot.
• Aaron praised Jet Li's action work but said Jet Li should not have turned down Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Aaron discussed Vivendi’s ambitions to acquire Seagram and MGM with Sophie Marceau, then attended the Vanity Fair after-party after the Oscars. He congratulated director Edward Zwick and comforted Anthony Minghella and Winona Ryder after the awards.

• Aaron and Sophie Marceau discussed Vivendi’s expansion and its possible acquisition of debt-ridden Seagram and MGM.
• Aaron and Sophie Marceau skipped the Academy Awards ceremony and returned to their Beverly Hills villa.
• American Beauty won Best Picture, Hilary Swank won Best Actress, and several other awards went to the night’s nominees.
• Aaron attended the Vanity Fair after-party and congratulated Edward Zwick on his Best Director award.
• Aaron spoke with Anthony Minghella after The Talented Mr. Ripley won no awards.
• Aaron sat with Winona Ryder and comforted her after she lost Best Actress to Hilary Swank.

Aaron discussed recasting Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs 2: Hannibal with David Fincher, then returned to Beverly Hills with Sophie Marceau. The next day, Aaron and Jack Wells discussed John McCain’s weakening Republican primary campaign and the coming contest against the Democrats.

• Aaron spoke with Winona Ryder at the Sunset Tower Hotel, then prepared to leave with Sophie Marceau.
• David Fincher asked Aaron whether Jodie Foster would return for The Silence of the Lambs 2: Hannibal, and Aaron confirmed she had rejected the script.
• Aaron and David Fincher considered Cate Blanchett and Naomi Watts for Clarice Starling, though Naomi Watts was committed to other films.
• Aaron returned to Beverly Hills with Sophie Marceau and spent the night with her before she departed for France and preparations for The Phantom of the Louvre.
• The next day, Jack Wells told Aaron that John McCain had lost ground in the Republican primaries after opposing the Bush family and criticizing religious conservatives.
• Aaron and Jack Wells discussed the challenge of competing against the Democratic Party once George W. Bush secured the Republican nomination.

Aaron praised Nicole Kidman’s acclaimed performance in Erin Brockovich as she discussed preparing for Moulin Rouge and pursuing an Oscar. The chapter ended with Nicole seducing Aaron at their seaside villa.

• Aaron read praise for Nicole Kidman’s performance in Erin Brockovich and complimented her acting.
• Nicole told Aaron she had visited Paris to prepare for Moulin Rouge and had hired a dance instructor.
• Nicole said she wanted to win an Oscar, and Aaron encouraged her by promising she would find the right film.
• Nicole explained that being held by an Oscar-winning actress would make her achievement more fulfilling, while Aaron reflected on how differently celebrities viewed fame.
• Nicole undressed and kissed Aaron, inviting him to do something together before they went to eat.

Aaron discussed Steven Soderbergh’s planned Ocean's Eleven remake and its all-star cast with Ethelind Beckett, then learned Jennifer Aniston had been invited to join the film. Jennifer also considered auditioning for Tomb Raider, where several actresses were competing for the lead role.

• Ethelind Beckett told Aaron that Steven Soderbergh planned to make Ocean's Eleven as Section Eight Productions’ debut film, with Warner Bros. and Universal investing and distributing it.
• Aaron asked about Band of Brothers, and Ethelind Beckett confirmed filming had begun in the United Kingdom and that crews were building sets elsewhere in Europe.
• Jennifer Aniston told Aaron that Steven Soderbergh had invited her to join Ocean's Eleven after they worked together on Traffic.
• Jennifer Aniston said her agent wanted her to audition for Paramount’s Tomb Raider, and Aaron questioned whether she would want to handle its action scenes.
• Jennifer Aniston listed Liv Tyler, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, and Cameron Diaz among the actresses expected to audition.

Aaron discussed Hollywood’s video game adaptations with Jennifer Aniston, reviewed PetroChina and Sina’s market debuts with Edgar Owen, and welcomed Britney Spears back to Los Angeles after her tour and album work. He encouraged Haihua Investment Company to buy PetroChina shares and prepared a gift for Britney as she looked ahead to her new album, world tour, and Spider-Man premiere.

• Jennifer Aniston told Aaron she would soon film Warner Bros.’ musical comedy Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg, and they kissed at Aaron’s Bel Air estate.
• Edgar Owen reported that PetroChina’s Hong Kong debut had closed below its offering price and that Sina had risen on NASDAQ; Aaron told Haihua Investment Company to start buying PetroChina shares.
• Aaron noted that Universal’s Spider-Man was due for release the following month after an extensive promotional campaign.
• Aaron picked up Britney Spears in Santa Monica after she completed her North American tour and finished her second album in Nashville.
• Britney told Aaron that her new album would come out the following month and that her third tour would take her around the world; Aaron said she would also attend Spider-Man’s New York premiere and gave her a gift.

Aaron pursued a bid for DirecTV to expand Dawn Pictures Group’s television distribution, while Mel Kamins warned that News Corporation and other competitors would seek control and regulators could scrutinize the deal. Aaron also discussed NBC’s relationship with Viacom and considered whether Viacom might sell Nickelodeon, which Mel said it would not.

• Aaron learned that Britney Spears planned to return to Louisiana before her new album promotions and world tour.
• After hearing that General Motors might sell DirecTV, Aaron told Mel Kamins that Dawn should pursue the satellite television operator to expand its distribution.
• Mel warned Aaron that News Corporation and other companies would compete for DirecTV, and Aaron ordered him to track the sale and contact General Motors.
• Aaron and Mel discussed why General Electric had cooled on Viacom’s interest in acquiring NBC, including NBC’s improved ratings and its deal with Dawn TV.
• Aaron suggested that Viacom might sell Nickelodeon International Group to Universal Studios, but Mel said Viacom would not part with one of its most profitable cable networks.

Aaron and Dawn Steel discussed the film industry, Disney’s struggles, and the performance of recent releases as Dawn’s spring films became hits. Dawn said filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone would begin the next month, and she planned to attend its London launch press conference.

• Aaron celebrated Mission to Mars’s poor box-office performance and criticized Disney’s film division and animation prospects.
• Dawn reminded Aaron that Disney’s Dinosaur was due out that summer, but Aaron focused on other studios’ upcoming films and predicted Dawn would set another box-office record.
• Dawn reported that DreamWorks’ The Road to El Dorado had earned only $40 million after four weeks and was likely to lose money.
• Dawn said Aardman Animations’ Chicken Run would be released that summer, and Aaron recalled the studio’s clay animation and Oscar-winning shorts.
• Dawn told Aaron that Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone would begin filming the following month and that sequels would be easier to produce once the first film established its cast and sets.

Aaron reviewed film releases and studio plans before approving a higher investment limit for Crescent Moon Pictures. He then backed the development of Alejandro Amenábar’s ghost mystery The Others with Monica Bellucci as its female lead.

• Aaron read reviews of American Psycho and discussed its cast and release with Ethelind Beckett.
• Ethelind Beckett told Aaron that Warner Bros. and Dawn Pictures had finalized a joint investment in Ocean's Eleven, with George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston starring.
• Ethelind Beckett said David Fincher and the producers favored Cate Blanchett for the female lead in Hannibal, while Naomi Watts was busy with Mulholland Drive and The Ring.
• Aaron raised Crescent Moon Pictures’ independent-film investment limit from 15 million to 20 million dollars.
• Ethelind Beckett described Alejandro Amenábar’s script for The Others and said Donna Langley wanted Nicole Kidman, but Aaron noted Kidman was unavailable and chose Monica Bellucci instead.

Aaron pitched CBS a singing competition modeled on American Idol and discussed media cooperation with Forum Company. He later spoke with Catherine Zeta-Jones about her expected lead role in Paramount’s Tomb Raider and Hollywood’s growing interest in female-led films.

• Aaron praised Survivor to CBS programming head Byron Gilbert and proposed a nationwide singing competition with Universal Music recording contracts and a $1 million prize for the champion.
• Aaron met with Forum Company’s representative to discuss joint coverage of the party conventions, Sydney Olympics, presidential debates, and election campaign.
• Aaron visited Catherine Zeta-Jones, who said she was preparing to star in Paramount’s Tomb Raider and would begin action training.
• Aaron and Catherine discussed how Universal’s female-centered blockbusters had encouraged Hollywood studios to pursue more women-led commercial films.

Aaron discussed Universal's upcoming Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings adaptations before talking NBA contracts with Jennifer Connelly and Jack Wells. The Rockets faced the Lakers in the playoffs, while the conversation turned to Joe Smith's suspiciously low Timberwolves contracts and the lack of proof of a secret deal.

• Catherine Zeta-Jones asked Aaron about Universal's Harry Potter film, and he defended the studio's ability to develop it alongside The Lord of the Rings.
• The Rockets lost Game 3 to the Lakers, and Aaron went to a West Hollywood nightclub with Jennifer Connelly and Jack Wells.
• Jack Wells said Tracy McGrady had agreed to a seven-year, $92.8 million max contract with the Rockets.
• Aaron and Jack discussed Michael Jordan's possible comeback and the frustration Kevin Garnett's contract had caused among other players.
• Jack Wells said Joe Smith's three consecutive low-paid Timberwolves contracts looked like evidence of an under-the-table arrangement, but Aaron noted there was no proof of double contracts.

Aaron and Jack Wells discussed how wealthy elites and media shaped public opinion, while Jennifer Connelly told Aaron that Ron Howard wanted her for A Beautiful Mind. The story left Aaron dismissing concerns about the film’s sanitized portrayal of John Nash as a way to create drama and appeal to awards voters.

• Jack Wells doubted George W. Bush could defeat Al Gore, and Aaron argued that the election mattered little to their businesses and political influence.
• Aaron told Jack that religion, feminism, racism, and the media were tools the upper class used to guide the public for profit.
• Jennifer Connelly told Aaron that Ron Howard wanted her to play John Nash’s wife in A Beautiful Mind.
• Aaron learned that Tom Cruise was being considered for the male lead but doubted he would have time because of his other projects.
• Jennifer Connelly criticized the script for removing John Nash’s unsavory past, and Aaron defended the changes as a way to create emotional drama and win awards.

Spider-Man opened Hollywood’s summer season with a record-breaking weekend, while Aaron discussed DirecTV’s uncertain sale and Kate Beckinsale’s career choices. The chapter ended with Aaron and Kate together at her Manhattan villa.

• Spider-Man premiered in Los Angeles and New York, then earned $110 million in its North American opening weekend as critics offered mostly positive reviews.
• Aaron told Charlize Theron that Spider-Man had surpassed Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’s opening-week gross, and Charlize praised the film’s influence despite some negative reviews.
• Aaron asked CBS president Mel Kamins about General Motors selling DirecTV, and Mel said the board had not made a decision.
• Kate Beckinsale told Aaron she had declined the ornamental nurse role in Pearl Harbor and had failed to win the role of Lara over Catherine Zeta-Jones.
• Aaron and Kate discussed the careers of British actresses before kissing on the sofa.

Aaron and Kate Beckinsale discussed John Travolta’s disastrous Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 before Kate introduced Aaron to the rising British director Christopher Nolan. Impressed by Nolan’s debut Following, Aaron asked Ethelind Beckett to share information about him with Dawn Steel and Tom Rothman at Universal Pictures Group.

• Aaron and Kate Beckinsale watched John Travolta perform and discussed the poor reviews and box office results for Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000.
• Kate Beckinsale told Aaron about Christopher Nolan and his films Following and Memento.
• Aaron reviewed praise and criticism of Following and compared Nolan’s debut with Quentin Tarantino’s early work.
• Aaron asked Ethelind Beckett to pass information about Christopher Nolan to Dawn Steel and Tom Rothman at Universal Pictures Group.

Aaron discussed Spider-Man’s box-office success and Britney Spears’s upcoming tour before traveling to Cannes, where he met Joey Wong and Norika Fujiwara. They discussed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hong Kong films’ prospects in Mainland China, and Dawn’s interest in Chinese-language films.

• Aaron congratulated Britney Spears on her album’s record-breaking sales and told her Spider-Man had earned $280 million in North America after three weeks.
• Britney Spears asked about promoting American Idol, and Aaron explained that CBS was still preparing the show for a launch next year.
• Aaron arrived in Cannes as Dawn New Moon promoted Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Joey Wong and Norika Fujiwara joined him.
• Joey Wong told Aaron that Hong Kong filmmakers had made no progress in seeking better access to Mainland China’s film market.
• Aaron said Chinese-language films needed commercial potential to interest Dawn, while award-winning films could use festival prizes for promotion.