Chapter Summaries

Aaron reflected on California’s power crisis and the US election while discussing Cate Blanchett’s upcoming role in Hannibal and the screenwriters’ strike. In the United Kingdom, he visited the Harry Potter set and attended a party with Monica Bellucci before planning further visits to Universal productions.

• Aaron discussed Cate Blanchett’s preparations to play Clarice Starling in Hannibal and said filming would likely begin late in the year or early the next year.
• Aaron told Cate Blanchett he needed to return to the United States to attend a meeting about the ongoing Hollywood screenwriters’ strike.
• Aaron visited the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone set at Oxford, met Chris Columbus and J.K. Rowling, and accepted the chosen child actors while planning stricter contracts.
• Aaron attended a London cocktail party with Monica Bellucci, who said she had skipped the Venice Film Festival because her new film had begun shooting.
• Aaron asked Monica Bellucci about director Alejandro Amenábar’s English, and she explained that the crew used an interpreter though Amenábar knew some English.

Aaron discussed London investment and DirecTV with politicians and media executives, then returned to Los Angeles as a writers' strike ended and a Universal sequel underperformed. The chapter ended with Christiana Yeri telling Aaron she was three months pregnant with his first child.

• Aaron congratulated Ken Livingstone on becoming London's first mayor and said Dawn would film the remaining Harry Potter movies in Britain and build a theme park near London.
• Aaron told Rupert Murdoch that Dawn was withdrawing from the DirecTV acquisition because General Motors' asking price was too high.
• After returning to Los Angeles, Aaron attended industry meetings, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers settled its dispute with the Writers Guild.
• Universal's The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps opened to $42 million over its first weekend, but Aaron expected it to earn far less than the original.
• Christiana Yeri called Aaron and told him she was three months pregnant with his first child.

Aaron discussed Christiana Yeri’s pregnancy and planned to acquire Netflix, believing DVDs and online rentals would become central to home entertainment. He also followed the reception of Remember the Titans and Will Smith’s work on Men in Black 2.

• Aaron urged pregnant Christiana Yeri to be careful and suggested their child be born in Los Angeles, while she agreed to keep working until later in her pregnancy.
• As the presidential election tightened between George W. Bush and Al Gore, Aaron reviewed reports showing rapid growth in DVD rentals and Netflix’s subscriber service.
• Tom Rothman questioned whether Netflix was worth acquiring, and Aaron told him to pursue the deal, expand DVD promotion, and use Dawn’s film library to support the service.
• Aaron reviewed praise for Remember the Titans and contrasted its reception with the controversies surrounding Denzel Washington’s The Hurricane.
• Aaron noted that Will Smith was filming Men in Black 2 for Universal, with Michael Jackson and Britney Spears making appearances.

Aaron Anderson met actress Anne Hathaway after giving her a ride to Santa Monica and arranged to meet her that evening. He then went to meet MPAA chairman Jack Valenti to discuss the approaching US presidential election.

• Aaron and Ethelind Beckett had lunch near Dawn Studios and discussed Burbank's growing film industry.
• Aaron recognized Garry Marshall's nearby Disney production of The Princess Diaries and learned that newcomer Anne Hathaway had won its lead role.
• Aaron offered Anne a ride to Santa Monica, and she accepted his invitation to meet for a drink at seven that evening.
• Aaron drove to MPAA headquarters to meet Jack Valenti, who wanted to hear Aaron's views on the presidential election and Hollywood's interests.

Aaron spent the evening with Anne Hathaway, encouraged her to move to Los Angeles after The Princess Diaries finished filming, and then arranged for Richard Gere to be attacked. He later visited Jennifer Aniston, who told him that Friends Season 8 would begin filming soon.

• Aaron kissed Anne Hathaway at a Santa Monica bar and encouraged her to pursue opportunities in Los Angeles after The Princess Diaries wrapped.
• Aaron recognized Richard Gere in the restroom and called Jack Wells to arrange an attack that would leave Gere unable to stand.
• Aaron learned from Jack Wells that Al Gore had arrived in California to campaign and discussed the state’s political leanings.
• Aaron took Anne Hathaway back to her hotel, kissed her goodbye, and promised to visit after filming ended.
• Aaron visited Jennifer Aniston, who reassured him that Friends Season 7 would reach its planned length and that production on Season 8 would begin soon.

Aaron discussed Roger Ailes, George W. Bush, and DirecTV with Mel Kamins before Jack Wells described Richard Gere being struck by a car. Jack then discussed funding Sheldon Adelson’s bid for a Macau gambling license so he could invest in Las Vegas Sands.

• Jennifer Aniston joined Aaron in the shower after spending the night with him.
• Aaron and Mel Kamins discussed Roger Ailes’s conservative news strategy, George W. Bush’s visit to Reagan, and News Corporation’s chances of acquiring DirecTV.
• Jack Wells waited at the Culver Hotel for Richard Gere, who was struck and badly injured by a speeding car.
• Jack left the hotel and told Aaron about the crash, joking that Richard Gere might be better off taken to a funeral home.
• Aaron told Jack that Sheldon Adelson wanted funding for a Macau gambling license, which could let Jack buy into Las Vegas Sands.

Aaron rejected Hillary’s attempt to restore their political alliance, citing Clinton’s scandals and Dawn’s ties to the Bush family. After Hillary left, Aaron and Jack discussed the Clintons, CBS’s sports and entertainment prospects, and Dawn’s growing lead over Disney, leaving America Online-Time Warner as the company’s last major obstacle.

• Hillary asked Aaron to resume supporting the Clintons, but Aaron blamed Clinton’s affairs and the Lewinsky scandal for destroying their plans and refused.
• Aaron told Hillary that Dawn’s investments in Florida benefited from Bush family support, and Hillary left without changing his mind.
• Jack Wells joined Aaron and said Dawn could still contribute to The Clintons’ foundation as the Clintons cultivated investors through Jeffrey Epstein.
• Aaron and Jack discussed Richard Gere’s condition and the intensifying competition for sports broadcasts, while Aaron explained CBS’s new MLB deal and other sports contracts.
• Aaron described Survivor’s record ratings and CBS’s plans for American Idol, noting that Dawn’s market value had risen to 75 billion US dollars, above Disney’s.
• Aaron said America Online-Time Warner was Dawn’s remaining obstacle and expected its market value to shrink as the NASDAQ bubble worsened.

Aaron discussed Netflix’s acquisition and DreamWorks’ distribution challenges before celebrating Catherine Zeta-Jones’ birthday and attending Michael Eisner’s banquet. At the banquet, Aaron learned that Warner Bros. leadership was in flux after the AOL–Time Warner merger, with Barry Meyer seen as a likely successor to Terry Semel.

• Aaron and Tom Rothman discussed Dawn’s $50 million acquisition of Netflix and the challenges facing DreamWorks as rival studios competed for theatrical screens.
• Aaron predicted that Michael Eisner’s conflict with Jeffrey Katzenberg would keep DreamWorks from uniting smoothly.
• Aaron celebrated Catherine Zeta-Jones’ birthday and explained why he considered video games difficult to adapt into films.
• Aaron attended Michael Eisner’s private banquet with Catherine Zeta-Jones and spoke with New Line Cinema chairman Robert Shaye.
• Robert Shaye said Terry Semel might not renew his Warner Bros. contract and named Barry Meyer as the likeliest successor.

At a villa gathering, Aaron discussed a possible Bad Boys 2 with Jerry Bruckheimer and spoke with Ridley Scott about Black Hawk Down. He later questioned Michael Eisner about Hong Kong Disneyland and left confident that China's future market could favor Universal, while Disney struggled to match Dawn's growth.

• Jerry Bruckheimer asked Aaron whether Universal would develop Bad Boys 2, and Aaron said Michael Bay and Will Smith's fame would make it difficult.
• Aaron spoke with Ridley Scott, who confirmed that filming on Black Hawk Down had just begun.
• Aaron asked Michael Eisner about Hong Kong Disneyland, and Eisner said it would be modeled on Anaheim Disneyland and target visitors from nearby regions.
• Aaron predicted that China's development would eventually support large film-themed resorts and said Universal would benefit from Disney's Hong Kong presence.
• Michael Eisner recognized Dawn's expanding consumer-products business and media reach as Disney faced weak films and challenges to its animation business.

Aaron vacationed with Anne Hathaway in Palm Springs after she finished filming The Princess Diaries, and he urged her to move to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. Meanwhile, Meet the Parents opened strongly, while Final Destination faced competition from Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2.

• Aaron and Anne Hathaway relaxed together at a Palm Springs resort and discussed the canceled Coachella Festival.
• At the hotel’s outdoor party, Aaron urged Anne Hathaway to stay in Los Angeles, and she said she would discuss the move with her parents.
• Aaron promised to arrange a secluded Beverly Hills villa and help Anne Hathaway pursue her acting career.
• Meet the Parents earned $32 million over its opening weekend and Columbus Day, giving Universal a strong result.
• Artisan Entertainment prepared to release Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, setting up competition for Dawn Twilight Pictures’ upcoming Final Destination.

Aaron and Jack Wells discussed the close U.S. presidential race, the parties’ efforts in swing states, and Aaron’s political investments. Aaron also revealed plans to build a Mandarin Oriental hotel in Los Angeles, expanding his competition with the Peninsula Hotel Group.

• Aaron and Jack Wells reviewed how Al Gore and George W. Bush were battling for swing-state votes, with Florida becoming more favorable to Gore after he selected Joseph Lieberman.
• Aaron said Bush’s appearance on talk shows could help him win voters, while Jack criticized Bush for failing to turn his resources into a clear advantage.
• Aaron said California no longer needed much attention and directed Jack to increase investment in State Legislature candidates.
• Jack noted that campaign funding brought strong returns because Aaron’s support gave candidates a major advantage.
• Jack asked about Aaron’s Los Angeles hotel plans, and Aaron said he would build a Mandarin Oriental east of the Los Angeles Country Club on Wilshire Boulevard.

Aaron pursued changes at CBS and discussed the Houston Rockets’ interest in Chinese player Wang Zhizhi, while Britney Spears visited him during her tour. The chapter ended with Meet the Parents continuing its box-office success and Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 drawing poor reviews.

• Aaron planned to modernize CBS’s news and entertainment programming by replacing older producers and hosts with people suited to younger audiences.
• Congress approved the Permanent Normal Trade Relations Act with China, while a suicide boat attack on the USS Cole killed seventeen servicemen and wounded forty.
• Aaron and Houston Rockets general manager Ray Patterson discussed Wang Zhizhi’s inability to come to the United States to play.
• Britney Spears visited Aaron and told him about her tour, her appearance in Men in Black 2, and her planned guest role in Friends Season 8.
• Meet the Parents earned $16 million in its third week and passed $80 million, while Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 opened to $13 million and received sharply divided, mostly negative reviews.

Aaron visited Rudy Giuliani in Washington Heights, discussed the close presidential race and Michael Bloomberg’s mayoral campaign, and offered Giuliani a job as a legal adviser after he retired. Later, Aaron spoke with Jennifer Connelly about the election and the publicity surrounding A Beautiful Mind, then they returned to the bedroom.

• Aaron visited Rudy Giuliani, who said the presidential polls were close and George W. Bush had improved his standing.
• Rudy Giuliani said Michael Bloomberg had joined the Republican Party and planned to run for New York City mayor, and Aaron offered Giuliani a legal-adviser position at Dawn Pictures Group.
• Aaron returned to his Upper East Side villa and talked with Jennifer Connelly about the election and paparazzi interest in Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan.
• Jennifer Connelly helped Aaron dry off and crouched in front of him.

On the eve of the 2000 election, Aaron Anderson and Rupert Murdoch discussed George W. Bush’s drunk-driving revelation and the strength of Dawn’s entertainment businesses. Rupert learned that DirecTV might merge with EchoStar, threatening News Corporation and Dawn’s plans to compete in satellite television.

• Final Destination began its theatrical run as the election campaign entered its final days and reports emerged that George W. Bush had been arrested for drunk driving in 1976.
• Aaron Anderson and Rupert Murdoch met at a charity ball and discussed the impact of the revelation on Bush’s campaign.
• Aaron left the politically charged event, while Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch discussed Dawn’s success and FOX’s challenge to CBS.
• Rupert asked Roger about News Corporation’s negotiations to acquire DirecTV, and Roger said General Motors’ asking price was too high.
• Roger told Rupert that DirecTV seemed more willing to merge with EchoStar, prompting Rupert to consider joining Aaron to challenge the deal before regulators.

Aaron met Ivanka, Donald’s daughter, at a birthday party and spent the night with her after they went drinking and dancing. The next morning, Ivanka returned to Aaron’s apartment, and they discussed meeting again when he visited Washington, D.C.

• Ivanka asked Aaron for a light outside the banquet hall and invited him to continue celebrating her birthday with her.
• Aaron and Ivanka went to a Midtown Manhattan club, where they drank, danced, and became intimate.
• Aaron brought Ivanka to his apartment near the Hudson River, and they spent the night together.
• The next morning, Ivanka said she would return to Georgetown University and asked Aaron to contact her when he visited Washington, D.C.
• Aaron and Ivanka kissed and continued being intimate in bed.

As the 2000 presidential election unfolded, Aaron relaxed in Miami with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba while discussing recent film and television results. George W. Bush was reported to have won Florida and the presidency, leaving Aaron questioning whether the outcome was really settled so quickly.

• Aaron spent election day at his Miami villa with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba and said he had chosen not to vote.
• Aaron discussed Final Destination, Dark Angel, Meet the Parents, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and What Lies Beneath with the women.
• After voting ended, the electoral vote count seesawed between Al Gore and George W. Bush before news outlets reported Bush had surpassed 270 electoral votes.
• Al Gore called George W. Bush to congratulate him and concede defeat.
• A phone call woke Aaron, who learned Bush's Florida win had put him over 270 electoral votes and wondered whether the result had been decided too quickly.

Aaron watched the 2000 U.S. presidential election remain unsettled after Florida’s razor-thin vote margin triggered a recount. The chapter ended with Jessica Alba arriving at the Miami villa as Aaron anticipated a contentious election dispute.

• Aaron and Anne Hathaway kissed and went back to sleep while news outlets reported that George W. Bush had won the presidency.
• Aaron learned the next day that the early reports were wrong and that Florida’s close vote required a recount.
• Aaron told Karen McKee that Bush led Al Gore by 1,785 votes in Florida, whose electoral votes would decide the election.
• Foreign leaders withdrew their premature congratulations to Bush, while Republican and Democratic supporters reacted to the renewed uncertainty.
• Aaron remarked that there would be plenty to argue about, and Jessica Alba walked in and addressed him.

As Florida’s presidential recount triggered accusations of voting irregularities and lawsuits, Aaron discussed the dispute with Republican representative James Baker in Miami. After George W. Bush’s narrow statewide lead and the start of manual recounts, the first court ruling went against the Republicans, and Aaron returned to Los Angeles as media attention intensified.

• Aaron and Jessica Alba watched coverage of Florida’s recount while the parties appointed James Baker and Warren Christopher to oversee their interests.
• Democrats and the NAACP raised concerns about Florida’s ballot procedures, alleged voter exclusion, and invalid ballots, while Attorney General Janet Reno said the Justice Department would consider investigating.
• Aaron met James Baker at the Fontainebleau Hotel, where Baker said the recount was proceeding smoothly but Democrats were pushing for manual counts.
• Florida completed its county recounts with George W. Bush leading Al Gore by 327 votes, and Bush announced that he was preparing to enter the White House.
• Palm Beach County began manually recounting ballots in four precincts, and a court rejected the Republican campaign’s bid to stop manual recounts.
• Aaron returned to Los Angeles after a week in Miami as media outlets crowded Florida to follow the election dispute.

The Florida recount dispute escalated as Al Gore and George W. Bush’s camps rejected each other’s proposals and the matter reached the Florida Supreme Court. At Universal’s premiere of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Aaron discussed upcoming projects with Dawn Steel and reflected on the contracts for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

• Florida Secretary of State Harris announced that George W. Bush led Al Gore by 300 votes at the recount deadline, and Bush’s campaign accepted the results.
• Al Gore offered either a recount in three Democratic-majority counties or a manual recount of all Florida ballots, but George W. Bush’s camp rejected both proposals.
• Harris refused the requested county recounts, set the recount results’ release for November 18, and asked the Florida Supreme Court to halt the manual counts.
• Aaron attended the premiere of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which Universal had produced at a cost of $123 million and whose author’s widow had negotiated substantial revenue shares.
• Dawn Steel told Aaron that Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was nearing completion and its sequel’s screenplay was finished, while Peter Jackson had expanded Orlando Bloom’s scenes in The Lord of the Rings.
• Aaron recalled that Universal had clearly defined Peter Jackson’s contract terms to avoid compensation disputes if The Lord of the Rings trilogy became a hit.

The Florida recount dispute intensified as the Florida Supreme Court ruled that manual recount results could be included in the final tally, prompting George W. Bush's camp to reject the decision and prepare to appeal. Meanwhile, Aaron reunited with Nicole Kidman, and the unresolved election left the presidential transition stalled.

• Aaron asked Nicole Kidman about Moulin Rouge!, and she said filming was finished after a knee injury forced her to rest.
• Nicole Kidman told Aaron she wanted a child, while Aaron praised her performance in Erin Brockovich and noted her Oscar prospects.
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas opened to $55 million, receiving praise for Jim Carrey and Ron Howard as critics also faulted its story and tone.
• On November 18, Secretary of State Harris announced overseas ballot totals despite the Florida Supreme Court's ruling, giving George W. Bush 630 more votes than Al Gore.
• Al Gore's and George W. Bush's legal teams argued over manual recounts, and on November 21 the Florida Supreme Court ruled that recount results could be included if announced by November 26.
• George W. Bush's camp rejected the ruling as the election dispute threatened appeals and left the presidential transition and thousands of government appointments in limbo.