Chapter Summaries

Aaron spent time in Europe with Monica Bellucci, Joey Wong, and Norika Fujiwara while considering investments and following the crisis surrounding Alstom. The chapter ended with Hollywood’s May releases posting strong box-office results, led by Spider-Man.

• Aaron and Monica Bellucci discussed her role in The Others, Cannes films, and Aaron’s plans to increase his investments in Europe.
• Aaron read reports that Siemens had offered nearly $15 billion to acquire financially troubled Alstom, surpassing General Electric’s bid.
• Aaron vacationed in Saint-Tropez with Joey Wong and Norika Fujiwara, and Joey said she needed to return to Asia for Media Asia Group’s business.
• Aaron told Joey Wong that Haihua Real Estate was building the Petronas Towers in Beijing and nearing completion of Shanghai’s Global Shopping Plaza.
• Erin Brockovich, Scary Movie, Dinosaur, and Mission: Impossible 2 recorded strong box-office results, while Spider-Man surpassed $330 million in North America and $250 million overseas.

While vacationing in Corsica with Norika Fujiwara, Aaron followed the reception of Disney’s Dinosaur and the upcoming Jurassic Park 3. Mission: Impossible 2 drew strong commercial attention but poor reviews, leaving John Woo’s career past its peak after the film’s formulaic story and repeated stylistic flourishes were criticized.

• Aaron woke beside Norika Fujiwara at a resort hotel in Ajaccio and told her they could enjoy their vacation without rushing home.
• Disney’s Dinosaur earned praise for its visual effects, technical achievements, and engaging story.
• The chapter noted that Jurassic Park 3 was anticipated for the following summer, with Aaron actively involved despite Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton’s absence.
• Mission: Impossible 2 attracted attention as a Tom Cruise and John Woo blockbuster, though critics judged it less favorably than its predecessor.
• Reviewers criticized Mission: Impossible 2 for its weak plot, thin characters, abrupt romance, and repeated white doves and slow-motion action.
• The chapter concluded that Mission: Impossible 2 marked a decline for John Woo after the peak of Face/Off.

Aaron discussed investing in European luxury brands with Christiana Yeri in Paris and approved plans to take the Victoria’s Secret Angels abroad for a charity fashion show at Cannes. Meanwhile, a major US securities fraud case and the blocked MCI WorldCom–Sprint merger shook Wall Street as The Mummy Returns opened strongly in theaters.

• Aaron told Christiana Yeri that his Tianhai Fund could invest in luxury brands such as Hermès, while she noted the Hermès family controlled most of its shares.
• Christiana Yeri said the Cannes AIDS charity fund planned to invite Victoria’s Secret Angels to a runway show, and Aaron approved the idea.
• Christiana Yeri explained that Eurotunnel Company struggled under heavy debt after the Channel Tunnel’s construction costs more than doubled.
• US federal authorities announced charges against 120 defendants in a major securities fraud case, and Congress began hearings into Wall Street analysts’ conduct.
• The United States and European Union blocked the proposed MCI WorldCom–Sprint merger on antitrust grounds.
• The Mummy Returns earned $70 million in its opening weekend despite weaker reviews than its predecessor.

Aaron visited Sophie Marceau on the set of The Phantom of the Louvre, where they spent time together inside the museum. As The Mummy Returns drew mixed reviews, Aaron told Universal to develop a Scorpion King spinoff, while DreamWorks released the well-received Chicken Run.

• Aaron visited Sophie Marceau while she filmed The Phantom of the Louvre inside the Louvre Museum, and they went to her private lounge together.
• Aaron told Sophie Marceau that his attempt to acquire Hermès had stalled after meeting with its shareholders.
• After The Mummy Returns earned $120 million in ten days and received criticism for its story, Aaron instructed Universal to develop a Scorpion King spinoff starring Dwayne Johnson.
• DreamWorks released Chicken Run, which opened to $17 million and received strong reviews for its humor, animation, and appeal to audiences of different ages.

Aaron attended a Vivendi reception in Paris, then watched Italy defeat the Netherlands in the Euro 2000 semifinals with Lin Zhiling in Amsterdam. He planned to travel with her to Rome before the final, while Lin described her career plans with Media Asia.

• Aaron discussed Vivendi's acquisition of Seagram with Christiana Yeri and said Dawn Universal did not prioritize theater chains.
• Aaron told Christiana Yeri he would stay in Europe to watch the European Championship final rather than return to the United States after the NBA Finals.
• At Amsterdam Arena, Aaron learned that Lin Zhiling had bet on Italy advancing and France winning the championship, and promised to take her to Rome.
• Italy defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in a penalty shootout and advanced to the final against France.
• Aaron and Lin Zhiling visited Amsterdam's red-light district, then discussed her modeling and hosting plans with Media Asia.

After the Timberwolves’ secret agreement with Joe Smith was exposed, Aaron discussed the NBA’s punishment with Jack Wells and rejected signing Smith for the Rockets. In Rome, Aaron encouraged Lin Zhiling to pursue modeling opportunities through Victoria’s Secret Angels Company, then the two became intimate.

• Aaron spoke with Jack Wells, who explained that the NBA had fined the Timberwolves, voided Joe Smith’s contract, suspended Glen Taylor, forced Kevin McHale to resign, and stripped the team of five first-round picks.
• Jack Wells asked whether the Rockets should sign Joe Smith, but Aaron opposed the idea because of the cost and the scandal’s fallout.
• Aaron and Lin Zhiling discussed Rome’s sights and the possibility of her working with Victoria’s Secret Angels Company.
• Aaron praised Lin Zhiling as Asia’s top beauty, and they became intimate in the bedroom.

After France defeated Italy in the 2000 European Championship final, Aaron returned to the United States and met George W. Bush during the Houston Rockets’ championship celebration. They discussed Bush’s campaign, his running mate, and the danger of the bursting tech-stock bubble.

• France came from behind to beat Italy 2-1, and Lin Zhiling told Aaron their bet had earned more than $630,000.
• The Houston Rockets held their championship parade and celebration, which Aaron attended after returning from Europe.
• George W. Bush told Aaron that reports about his youth had hurt his image and that Roger Ailes wanted FOX News to ally with CBS.
• Aaron dismissed the proposed network alliance and said Republican fundraising and Bush’s publicity advantage could offset Al Gore’s support from Clinton.
• George W. Bush named Richard Cheney as his planned running mate, and Aaron warned that the tech-stock crash could be worse than the Asian Financial Crisis.
• Aaron said he would give interviews supporting Warren Buffett’s concerns about the tech bubble.

Aaron Anderson discussed the tech-stock downturn and ordered Brad Grey to suppress Russell Crowe’s affair scandal so it would not hurt Gladiator or Crowe’s upcoming role in A Beautiful Mind. He and Brad Grey also discussed Sony’s Final Fantasy film and Fox Animation’s prospects, including its partnership with Blue Sky Studios.

• Aaron Anderson welcomed the falling tech market after publicly criticizing the tech-stock bubble and selling his holdings.
• Gladiator opened to $35 million over its first three-day weekend and received reviews praising its spectacle while criticizing its lack of depth or originality.
• Aaron Anderson told Brad Grey to suppress coverage of Russell Crowe’s affair with Meg Ryan and to warn Crowe to control his temper with reporters.
• Brad Grey told Aaron Anderson that Sony and Square Japan were making the fully CG Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, while Sony was also pursuing the family market with Stuart Little.
• Aaron Anderson noted that Fox Animation’s Titan A.E. had opened poorly, and Brad Grey explained that 20th Century Fox Animation had partnered with Blue Sky Studios.

Aaron discussed summer box-office results and sequel plans with Kate Beckinsale, who wanted to try roles beyond The Mummy and Scream franchises. He planned to focus on The Scorpion King and Scary Movie while postponing further sequels, and Kate agreed to keep helping Universal when needed.

• Aaron compared Shanghai Noon’s box office with the success of Spider-Man, The Mummy Returns, Scary Movie, and Erin Brockovich.
• Aaron told Kate Beckinsale that Dwayne Johnson would lead The Mummy Returns: The Scorpion King, which Stephen Sommers was producing and writing.
• Kate asked Aaron about The Mummy 3 and said she wanted to explore other kinds of films after making several franchise sequels.
• Aaron said Scary Movie would be the next focus, while Scream 4 and The Mummy 3 would wait.
• Kate said she would still consider future sequel roles to help Universal, and Aaron kissed her.

Aaron discussed Sheldon Adelson’s plans to compete for one of Macau’s new gambling licenses and agreed to support the effort. In Las Vegas, Aaron spent the night with Jessica Alba and promised her upcoming youth romance comedy roles.

• Sheldon Adelson told Aaron that Macau planned to end Ao Bo Group’s gambling monopoly and issue three gambling licenses.
• Aaron agreed to provide financial support for Las Vegas Sands’s bid and said he would visit Macau with Sheldon next month.
• Aaron spent the night with Jessica Alba in the Venetian Hotel suite.
• Aaron told Jessica that Dawn would have youth romance comedy projects for her and urged her to seize the opportunity.

Hollywood writers began striking after contract talks with the AMPTP deadlocked over new-media revenue and writers’ creative input. Aaron discussed the strike’s potential impact with Dawn Steel and instructed her to monitor it as preparations continued for Cast Away’s Christmas release.

• Jonathan Hals delivered the final draft of The Mummy Returns: The Scorpion King to Stephen Sommers, then joined the Los Angeles strike march.
• Writers on both coasts began striking after failing to reach an agreement with the AMPTP, targeting major studio and television offices.
• Mel Kamins watched New York writers demonstrate and considered how the strike could disrupt television production.
• Aaron asked Dawn Steel about the strike, and she estimated that at least 5,000 writers were participating and said the next negotiation would be in half a month.
• Dawn Steel told Aaron that Cast Away had completed post-production and was scheduled for Christmas, while Robert Zemeckis prepared to open a digital technology training center at USC.
• Aaron told Dawn Steel to keep an eye on the strike and believed Hollywood studios had ways to manage its effects.

Aaron returned Disney chairman Michael Eisner’s call and heard him propose that they discuss pushing DreamWorks out of Hollywood’s crowded media market. Aaron agreed to meet Eisner in Los Angeles but doubted Disney’s concern over DreamWorks and blamed its weak live-action films.

• Aaron and Jessica Alba returned to their Venetian Hotel suite, where Jessica went to bathe while Aaron returned Michael Eisner’s call.
• Eisner discussed DreamWorks’ successes in films and animation, then argued that Hollywood’s market could not accommodate another major media group.
• Aaron warned that DreamWorks founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, along with David Geffen, had too much influence and capital to dismiss.
• Aaron agreed to meet Eisner in Los Angeles and suggested sounding out other film companies about DreamWorks.
• After hanging up, Aaron reflected that Disney’s live-action films had declined while its animated features remained its strongest performers.

Michael Eisner discussed Disney’s declining film and animation output and his hostility toward DreamWorks, while Aaron Anderson prepared upcoming productions and followed George W. Bush’s choice of running mate. The chapter ended with Aaron reflecting on DreamWorks’ strained position and shrinking television prospects.

• Michael Eisner planned to suppress DreamWorks films with help from Dawn and Viacom, while Dick Cook and Peter Schneider warned that Disney’s own productions were struggling.
• Michael Eisner criticized Roy Disney Jr. and Fantasia 2000, while Peter Schneider cited the box-office failure of Titan A.E. and Fox’s reliance on Blue Sky Studios.
• Aaron learned that George W. Bush had selected Richard Cheney as his running mate ahead of the Republican National Convention.
• Christiana Yeri told Aaron that The Mummy Returns: The Scorpion King script was finished, Kelly Hu was its female lead, and The Others was expected to begin filming in September.
• Aaron described Michael Eisner’s long-running hostility toward Jeffrey Katzenberg and argued that DreamWorks had expanded too quickly as its interactive division closed and its television prospects weakened.

Aaron discussed California’s energy crisis and planned to buy 40,000 more Berkshire Hathaway shares. Dawn’s Scream 3 and What Lies Beneath opened successfully, while the story left Aaron’s proposed stock purchase pending.

• Aaron reacted with amusement to Enron’s alleged manipulation of California’s electricity market.
• Aaron told Charles Johnson he planned to buy 40,000 Berkshire Hathaway shares, which would bring his total holdings to 50,000.
• Dawn Twilight Pictures’ Scream 3 earned $34.7 million in its opening weekend and $56 million within ten days.
• Dawn Universal’s What Lies Beneath opened with $29 million and received mixed reviews.

Aaron and Charlize Theron discussed her busy acting schedule, The Matrix sequels, and the reception of Hollow Man. Aaron questioned whether Paul Verhoeven’s Hollywood career was ending and considered which monster properties could become major films.

• Charlize Theron told Aaron she had begun work on a Warner Bros. romance film with Keanu Reeves and was preparing for DreamWorks’ The Legend of Bagger Vance.
• Charlize Theron explained that the Wachowskis were writing The Matrix sequels, which were expected to be filmed back-to-back.
• Aaron and Charlize Theron saw a Hollow Man poster and discussed the film’s box-office opening and harsh reviews.
• Aaron told Charlize Theron that Universal’s monster properties could inspire films but that invisible-man stories were not suited to blockbusters.
• Aaron said Paul Verhoeven’s recent disappointments and Hollow Man’s poor reception might end his Hollywood career, and Charlize Theron replied that Hollywood had no shortage of directors.

Aaron backed Allie Phillips’s run for the US House, discussed a Macau casino bid with Sheldon Adelson, and reassured Yuki Law about her acting career and future opportunities in the mainland market. The chapter left Aaron and Yuki discussing Media Asia’s expansion and the prospect of looser restrictions after China joined the WTO.

• Aaron supported Allie Phillips’s campaign for the US House of Representatives, then spent the morning with Charlize Theron.
• In Macau, Aaron and Sheldon Adelson discussed partnering with Galaxy Group and competing for gambling licenses.
• Sheldon warned Aaron that Macau was different from the United States and urged him to act cautiously; Aaron insisted he was a legitimate businessman.
• Aaron met Yuki Law for dinner, where she described her plans to return to television and eventually enter the mainland market.
• Aaron told Yuki that Media Asia’s mainland investments and China’s future WTO membership could create more opportunities for her.

Aaron pursued acquisitions of Regal Hongkong Hotel and Mandarin Oriental while discussing plans to enter Macau’s casino industry. The chapter left him preparing to negotiate for the hotels and considering whether Henry Keswick would sell Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

• Aaron told Edgar Owen to contact the sellers of Regal Hongkong Hotel and Mandarin Oriental Hotel and said he planned to enter Macau’s gambling industry with Sheldon Adelson handling operations.
• Aaron spent two days in Macau with Yuki Law, who said Media Asia had arranged work for her and that she needed to return to Hong Kong for her film’s promotion.
• Edgar Owen told Aaron that AIG and Singapore’s Benton Group were also interested in Regal Hongkong Hotel.
• Aaron instructed Edgar Owen to negotiate a cash acquisition of all of Regal Hongkong Hotel, allowing Lai Sun Development to keep operating it until redevelopment began.
• Edgar Owen explained that Jardine Matheson planned to sell part of its Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental stake to raise capital, and Aaron asked whether Henry Keswick might sell the hotel group.

Aaron discussed plans to acquire Regal Hongkong Hotel and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group while reassuring Joey Wong about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s weak Hong Kong box office and its prospects in North America. Haihua Real Estate and AIG then agreed to buy Regal Hongkong Hotel from Lai Sun Development for HK$3 billion, with plans to demolish it and build an office tower.

• Aaron told Joey Wong that he planned to acquire Regal Hongkong Hotel and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and expected to stay longer in Hong Kong.
• Joey Wong worried about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s poor Hong Kong box office, and Aaron said its North American release and Oscar campaign could bring success.
• Haihua Real Estate partnered with AIG to offer Lai Sun Development HK$3 billion for Regal Hongkong Hotel’s property rights, leaving the hotel brand with Lai Sun.
• Aaron and Lam Pak-fun finalized the sale, and Aaron suggested Haihua Real Estate might work with Lai Sun Development in Mainland China.
• Haihua Real Estate announced that Regal Hongkong Hotel would close the following year and be demolished for a five-star Grade A office tower.

Aaron offered to buy Jardine Matheson's stake in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and planned a major expansion into China if the deal succeeded. At the Regal Hongkong Hotel, Norika Fujiwara told him about a Japanese idol and he agreed to visit Japan with her later.

• Aaron offered Henry Keswick a 20% premium for Jardine Matheson's 51% stake in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Henry said he needed to consult the board.
• Aaron told Henry he wanted complete control of the hotel group and planned to expand into North America and Mainland China.
• Aaron reflected on Jardine Matheson and Swire Group's holdings, including Swire's Coca-Cola bottling rights and its new competition from COFCO Coca-Cola.
• Norika Fujiwara told Aaron she had been lightly injured filming The Storm Warriors and planned to return to Japan, where Lin Zhiling was pursuing her career.
• Norika Fujiwara told Aaron about the young Japanese actress Kyoko Fukada, and Aaron said he would go to Japan with her later.

Aaron and Joey Wong discussed Hollywood box-office results, Hong Kong film companies, and the weak mainland Chinese film market. Aaron also confirmed that the Regal Hongkong Hotel would be demolished for a high-end office tower that would house AIG’s Asian headquarters and Haihua Headquarters.

• Aaron tracked Universal’s hit films and discussed the box-office performance of Shanghai Noon and Jackie Chan’s career with Joey Wong.
• Aaron and Joey Wong compared Jet Li’s Hollywood success and rising salary with the changes underway at Golden Harvest and Media Asia.
• Joey Wong described Media Asia’s expanding film, television, cinema, and talent-management businesses.
• Aaron and Joey Wong discussed mainland China’s low box office, the difficulty of distributing Hong Kong films there, and hopes that economic growth would help the industry.
• Aaron confirmed that the Regal Hongkong Hotel would be demolished to make way for a high-end office tower supported by AIG.