The Big Shots of Hollywood

"Lasseter, you're a busy man these days. Aside from the victory banquet last time, I've asked you out for golf several times, and you've never had the time."

Zucker looked at Lasseter with a resentful expression.

"Haha, sorry, I've just been busy lately." Lasseter waved his hand apologetically.

The two had known each other for over a year, and thanks to Zucker's deliberate efforts to build a rapport, they had become quite close. He truly knew that the man had been occupied recently.

Well, busy planning and producing Pixar's second feature-length computer-animated film—A Bug's Life.

Additionally, thanks to the rise in its stock price, Pixar had recently expanded its workforce, growing from a few dozen people to nearly 400.

"Heh~, it seems you guys are really well-staffed and strong now. And with you bunch of cheaters at Pixar, you're going to be even more formidable in the future!" Zucker exclaimed in admiration.

Hearing this, Lasseter waved his hand and laughed, "It's alright, just alright."

Lasseter was humble, but the person next to him didn't know much about humility.

"Hmph~!"

Jobs gave Zucker a heavy look and said, "Mr. Wald, Pixar was great in the past, is great now, and will be even greater in the future. That goes without saying. We don't need your flattery."

What the hell~!

Damn it!

I'm trying to compliment you, why are you criticizing me?!

Zucker felt a flash of irritation.

The whole of America was saying that Jobs was arrogant and conceited. Zucker hadn't thought it was that serious before, but now it seemed it really was.

After a moment's thought, Zucker understood.

When he first met Jobs in '95, it was during his lowest point, when he was at his most destitute. Back then, even if he wanted to be arrogant, he couldn't; he had to play the humble servant.

But now, with the explosive success of Toy Story, Pixar's market value had reached over a billion dollars. He wasn't playing the servant anymore and had returned to his arrogant and conceited self.

Moreover, it was rumored that he might return to Apple soon.

And in fact, that was the case. According to the original timeline, Jobs would return to Apple in January 1997 to take over the reins of the company.

"Jobs, our two companies have worked together, after all. There's no need to talk like that."

Zucker said, suppressing his anger.

Jobs shook his head and said, "There's no need to say it, but every time I think about how I sold you the merchandise rights for Toy Story so cheaply back then, I get furious. I'm the one who always takes advantage of others; no one takes advantage of me, Jobs."

Fine~!

Just for that remark, Zucker stopped being angry.

"Heh, when it comes to taking advantage of people, I'm really not afraid of anyone."

"Seeing you frustrated makes me happy."

Zucker wasn't exactly a saint, and when it came to saying things that pissed people off, he didn't hold back at all.

"You...!"

Jobs looked at the grinning Zucker in annoyance, realized there was nothing he could do, and could only walk away on his own.

Lasseter curled his lips to the side and said helplessly, "Zucker, can't you just let him have it? After all, you know he's just an old child, just venting his mouth."

Zucker replied, "Hey, I was just saying that. Who knew his temper was still so foul? He's not magnanimous at all, always dwelling on those trivial matters."

Victor, standing to the side, shook his head and said nothing.

Jobs didn't have a good temper;

In fact, Zucker wasn't much better. Whenever he encountered something unpleasant, words like "fuck," "damn it," and "bastard" would constantly spill from his mouth.

"I say, Lasseter, you just talked about your boss like that, aren't you afraid he'll flip the table?" Zucker asked curiously.

Lasseter laughed, "He won't. Like I said, he just has a sharp tongue. Actually, he's quite good to us people inside Pixar."

Zucker nodded.

Based on what he knew, that was indeed the case.

One had to know that in the future, Pixar's work environment and atmosphere were truly the best in the United States!

Detached villa-style office buildings, abundant food available at any time, large areas of greenery, personal art studios, various indoor activities, a soccer field right in front of the building, a swimming pool... and so on. Which one wasn't something to yearn for?

Extremely superior benefits and a work environment were important conditions for forming this group of "cheaters" at Pixar!

From this, it could be seen that Jobs was truly sincere toward the people at Pixar.

Soon.

As the official start time of the cocktail party approached, the big shots of Hollywood began to appear one after another!

The three giants of DreamWorks: Spielberg, Katzenberg, and David Geffen;

The great director Cameron James;

The future CEO of Warner Bros., Barry Meyer;

Murdoch, the boss of 20th Century Fox;

Redstone, the boss of Paramount;

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks;

Renowned Hollywood producer Bruckheimer;

And so on—every one of these big shots is a titan who resonates throughout North America.

Looking at them in all their glory, Zucker couldn't help but curl his lip at Victor and say, "Victor, don't envy them. In a few years, we'll be guests of honor at these galas just like them."

After saying that, he added, "Actually, even more popular than them."

Hearing this, Victor laughed, "Boss, as long as you're happy."

Clearly, Victor didn't quite believe Zucker's words.

Or rather, any normal person would feel the same. After all, those are the Big Six of Hollywood! Are they really that easy to surpass?

In truth, Zucker had some confidence to back it up!

I am a transmigrator, and I have a system that's always playing dead. Even if I do poorly, as long as I seize the opportunities of the internet bubble in the early 2000s and the global financial crisis in 2008, I'm bound to make a fortune.

For the time that followed, Zucker and Victor switched into shameless mode.

They expanded their network frantically and brazenly.

"Hello~"

"Hello, Will Smith. I'm Zucker Wald, a director and the owner of a film company."

The first target Zucker approached was none other than Will Smith.

Following the recent release of Independence Day, Will Smith had exploded into global stardom. Of course, as far as Zucker knew, he would become even more famous over the next decade.

Men in Black, Ali, I, Robot, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, and so on—which of the films he starred in didn't achieve massive box office success worldwide?

Getting to know him now was definitely a win for Zucker!

The second target was Leonardo DiCaprio.

"Mr. DiCaprio, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"I am indeed a film company owner, but I also have a chain of peripheral stores. Yes, SpongeBob House."

"Oh? You've heard of it? That's even better."

"That's right, although we only have seven locations in Los Angeles, our reputation and revenue are definitely among the best in all of Los Angeles, and even the entire state of California."

"Oh~, there will definitely be opportunities for film collaboration in the future."

"I actually wanted to ask you today, are you interested in becoming the brand ambassador for our SpongeBob House?"

"Don't worry, given your fame, I'll definitely offer a high price!"

Zucker held his glass and chatted incessantly with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leonardo DiCaprio had become famous early on; starting with Growing Pains, he was already a well-known child star across America. In 1993, he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and in 1995, he became the Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival.

It is no exaggeration to say that even without the global fame he would later achieve from Titanic, he was no ordinary film actor.

Of course, right now, he was more of an artsy heartthrob.

His commercial value wasn't very high yet.

Especially since losing his child-star luster, he didn't have many endorsements to his name.

Yes, the endorsement fee wouldn't be too high!

Otherwise, if it were after 1997, Zucker would never have considered making a move.

I'm so smart. As long as I sign him now, once Titanic is released, my SpongeBob House will benefit from it too.

I really am a clever little guy!

Zucker began to let his imagination run wild.

The two-hour gala ended quickly.

Zucker and Victor felt the trip was well worth it; they had met many big shots, and even if they didn't have much of a relationship now, they could build one later.

After returning home, an excited Zucker received a phone call and heard more good news.

"Mr. Wald, our ICQ development is complete. Would you like to come over tomorrow to take a look?"

Upon hearing this news, even though it was nearly 11:00 PM, Zucker was quite thrilled and felt no sleepiness at all.