Elizabeth and Julia walked out of the villa with breakfast together and came to the round table, just in time to see Eric frowning slightly.
Putting a breakfast by Eric's hand, Elizabeth asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Eric pressed the newspaper under the laptop to make room for it, took a sip of warm milk, and said, "In New York, there is something wrong with the acquisition negotiations."
Elizabeth let out a low voice. It was related to the acquisition negotiation of ab TV network. She knew that she should not continue to ask. Although Elizabeth didn't have any other thoughts in her heart, even if she learned something from Eric, she would definitely not mess around. She said, but she knew very well that her old man wanted Eric's plan to acquire the other three TV networks to be canceled, so that the Firefly TV department would likely continue to cooperate with the Fox TV network, so Elizabeth felt that it was necessary to avoid suspicion. of.
However, Julia didn't know Elizabeth's thoughts, and she didn't have such scruples. She sat down beside Eric and asked curiously, "What happened?"
"ab is worried that Firefly's high debt after the merger will increase the company's burden, and requires Firefly to reduce the proportion of bond issuance and raise acquisition funds through listing."
Elizabeth, who was listening quietly, raised her eyebrows slightly. Although she doesn't know the detailed acquisition plan of Firefly, she also knows that if Firefly successfully completes the acquisition of ab TV network, the market value will easily exceed 30 billion US dollars, but the long-term debt may only be about 10 billion . In conversion, the debt ratio is only 30%. Such a debt ratio is not high for any large company, and it can even have a very good tax avoidance effect. The ab side's request is definitely not out of concern about the debt burden of Firefly, but more likely to weaken Eric's control over Firefly as much as possible after the merger of the two parties.
Although Elizabeth immediately understood the intention of AB, Julia obviously didn't understand some of the financial terms in Eric's mouth, but. Julia also easily found what she was interested in, and asked, "Then how much debt will you owe after acquiring ab?"
"Combined with the previous accumulated debt, it is about 10 billion U.S. dollars."
Julia smacked her lips in surprise. Said: "There are so many, if this is the case, I also think... the listing is better."
Eric shook his head with a smile and said nothing.
Elizabeth said: "Julia, that's actually not the case. After the merger and acquisition, based on the market value of the new Firefly that may exceed 30 billion US dollars in the future, 10 billion US dollars is only equivalent to 30% of the debt, and the debt ratio of many large companies is very high." It is much higher than 30%, the ultimate goal of ab TV network is to let Firefly go public, not to reduce debt."
"Hehe, I don't really understand, but even if the 10 billion US dollars is repaid over ten years, it is estimated that there will be interest. According to Firefly's profit this year, even if ab is added, wouldn't it mean..." Julia said Then she couldn't help sticking out her tongue, and she also realized that this was obviously impossible, otherwise how would there be so many companies with a higher debt ratio than Firefly as Elizabeth said, making money
"Of course not." Elizabeth didn't mind Julia's ignorance, but she began to analyze with relish: "According to the debt of 10 billion U.S. dollars and an annual interest rate of 5%, the principal and The interest may be 1.5 billion US dollars. Of course, as the debt ratio decreases, this number will become less and less. Just calculate it as 1.5 billion US dollars in the first year. The money is not from the net profit, but from the enterprise The company's revenue is allocated as business operating costs, just like this year. Although the total net profit of Firefly and AB TV Network is only 1.5 billion US dollars, the total operating income of the two companies is close to 20 billion US dollars, and the 1.5 billion US dollars is still It can play a role in tax avoidance. According to the corporate income tax of about 35% in North America, 52.5 billion of the 1.5 billion US dollars originally belonged to the Internal Revenue Service. Firefly itself only paid less than 1 billion US dollars to repay the debt.” Said the end , Elizabeth looked at Eric with a smile, gloating: "Of course, with such a high debt, if Firefly's performance cannot continue to grow at a high speed in the future, even if it just stops, you will definitely be in trouble."
Julia didn't understand much about Elizabeth's fast speech mixed with a series of numerical analysis. Instead, she looked at Eric with some concern when she heard the last sentence.
"It's okay, if I go bankrupt in the future, I can still eat soft food." Eric said with a smile, and reached out to touch the worried face of Julia.
Elizabeth watched Julia subconsciously squint her eyes and put her face on Eric's palm, made a disgusted expression, waved her small hands like chasing flies, and said, "I can't stand you."
After breakfast, Elizabeth drove to work in Century City in a hurry. Julia followed Eric's instructions last night and took Emma to her accountant.
Eric had breakfast and called Katzenberg to chat about some things before opening his email. Since he had hotmail, Alan didn't have to send documents to Eric in many cases. It can be solved by e-mail, and people around Eric are gradually getting used to contacting Eric by e-mail.
After reading the emails accumulated yesterday, it was already past nine o'clock. Eric packed his laptop and put it back in Elizabeth's room. He was planning to find a car in the girl's garage to go to Playa Vista. His mobile The phone rang.
The call was from Amy Pascal. The two chatted on the phone for a few words before Eric hung up.
An hour later, Eric showed up at a seafood restaurant on Venice Beach in a clumsy white Chevrolet business car.
Amy Pascal and Drew are already waiting here.
"Eric," Drew rushed over to hug Eric, saw Eric's Chevrolet parked in the parking lot, and subconsciously complained, "When did you buy this car? Your vision is so bad." However, as soon as the words fell, Xiao Nizi realized that this might be a woman's car, pouted, and after Eric finished greeting Amy Pascal, she dragged him towards the restaurant.
Lunch was still early in the time, and it may have been ordered early. The three sat down at the dining table, and the waiter just brought Eric a cup of coffee and walked away quietly.
Eric didn't want to drink coffee, so he pushed the coffee cup aside. Asked: "How many have you brought back?"
Amy Pascal took out a folder from her bag and handed it over, saying: "Three, the copyright owners of "Spider-Man", "Fantastic Four" and "Hulk" have agreed to the transfer agreement, owning "Captain America" "The 21st Century Film Company insisted on 30% of the capital injection rights for "Night at the Museum" and the same investment ratio for subsequent sequels. They have always refused to back down. Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether to agree or not. However, Eric, I don’t recommend agreeing, otherwise, although the copyright has already been obtained, the other three companies will definitely be very dissatisfied. They only get 20% of the capital injection right, and the sequel only has 10%. .They all chose the special effects movie "Night at the Museum."
Eric listened to Amy's explanation, and looked down at the copyright transfer agreement in his hand. Except for "Spider-Man", although the other two are also Marvel's first-line superheroes, the adaptations in the original time and space were not very successful. . As long as you get your hands on Spider-Man, though. When I was watching the "Avengers" series in the original time and space, Captain America was the least popular thing for Eric. If you really can't get it back in the future, then let Captain America disappear in the Avengers, Eric Ke also does not believe that there is no cooperation from other superheroes. What kind of tricks can the so-called twenty-first century film company play. When Marvel gets its hands in the future, the copyright of "Captain America" will automatically return sooner or later.
Eric didn't know much about Surprise's superhero system. After reading the three transfer agreements in his hand, he asked, "Is there anything else?"
Amy Pascal glanced at Eric. He said with a smile: "There is a blade warrior, which was bought by New Line a few years ago, and it just arrived at the end of this year. If Firefly wants to continue to maintain the copyright, it must negotiate with Marvel to renew the contract, or the film must be filmed. Come out. Other than that, it’s almost gone. By the way, when I investigated, I found that Marvel Comics is negotiating with Universal to transfer the copyright of "Men and Cops". After the seven chief writers of Marvel Comics left together last year, I’m surprised at the situation this year. Worse, so they desperately want to sell some more rights to fund their operations."
The other companies are fine, but Universal.
Eric has a headache. With Michael Eisner's shrewdness, once they make a move, Universal will definitely increase their bargaining chips. If they want to snatch it again, it will definitely not be so easy unless they take advantage of it and quote a super high price. things.
Amy seemed to see Eric's concerns, and said with a smile: "Eric, it's actually not that difficult to get the copyright of "Men Cops", don't you know, Michael Eisner has recently suffered from physical problems. The situation may even be life-threatening. He has been in touch with heart surgery. Universal is now in charge of Michael Eisner's deputy. I heard that Michael Eisner also wants to let his friend Michael Ovitz as Global President. "
Eric just remembered that Michael Eisner did have a major physical condition in 1994 in the original time and space. Eric didn't know how, but Michael Eisner still seemed to have a possibility before the operation. The mentality of dying on the operating table designated Disney's successor.
"If you can grab it, then try to grab it. Of course, don't make too much noise."
"I understand," Amy nodded and said, "What Surprise needs most now is funds, so as long as our offer is high enough, Surprise will definitely choose us." Speaking of this, Amy suddenly remembered something, and said: "That's right , Eric, I think, if you like the superheroes of Marvel Comics, why not buy all of Marvel Comics now, to surprise the current situation, maybe you want to buy it, even 200 million US dollars. "
Eric shook his head lightly, and said with a smile, "It's not the time yet. In short, you just need to grab the copyright of "Men and Cops."
Amy Pascal didn't understand what Eric meant, but she didn't ask too much, nodded, and said: Well, since we already have "Spider-Man", "Fantastic Four" and "Hulk", When do you plan to launch these projects? "
"Let's save it first," Eric said: "Wait for the special effects technology to develop for a few more years. If I make it now, I will definitely not be able to achieve the effect I want. Even if it does, it will probably be expensive."
Amy nodded. She was already aware of this problem when she bought the copyrights of these superheroes. Compared with D's Superman and Batman, Marvel's superhero abilities are definitely on the hook. Therefore, if you want to be in the movie It is definitely much more difficult to show these superpower effects one by one than d's superheroes. Now is really not the time to develop superhero movies.
After talking about this matter, Amy discussed the official purpose of calling Eric: "Kevin Costner and his agent will come over at 12 o'clock sharp, Eric, you can read the script first Bar."
As Amy said, she took out another script from her bag and handed it to Eric.
Eric just glanced at the title of the script, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
The inertia of history is really super powerful.
A few words are prominently written on the first page of the script: "Future Water World".
The chief culprit of Kevin Costner's career decline, after the "Water World" disaster, Kevin Costner, who was originally on the same level as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and others, has never recovered from a slump. When Ruth was still famous in the "Mission: Impossible" series, Kevin Costner could only be reduced to playing the supporting role of Superman's father in "Superman Man of Steel".
"When we sent Kevin Costner the script for "Mission: Impossible", Kevin Costner was preparing for this movie. After I saw it, it was definitely very promising, and Kevin Costner has not yet rained. Other studios negotiated, so I was like, Eric, why don't you take this movie, I feel like there will be a "Mad Max" this time, and it's Max on the water, by the way, you Let's read the script first, let's talk about it later." Amy said, breathing out of the coffee cup in front of her. (To be continued.)