The fate of DreamWorks was truly lamentable. The once ambitious so-called "eighth major studio" had collapsed in a thunderous crash.
DreamWorks' downfall also gave Gilbert some enlightenment. More than ten years ago, Gilbert had once fantasized that, with his foresight and vision, he could become a Hollywood giant and crush the other studios.
But later, Gilbert realized that all of this was utterly unrealistic.
Why? Why, even with foresight and insight that allowed him to make one great film after another, could he still not build a giant company?
Because reality is not a game. You can't just join some "Spirit Wind Moonshadow Sect" and start cheating your way through.
Of course, that's not to say there were no opportunities. The rise of the Internet and streaming era was indeed a golden chance to overthrow the old giants. But Gilbert went back to 1991, not 2011.
It wasn't as if he could just wait twenty years and then march toward Hollywood to become a titan, could he?
Besides, the current Gilbert was already a shareholder of both Disney and Warner Bros., practically one of the giants himself.
In the end, the old saying still holds true: "The dragon-slayer eventually becomes the dragon." As a beneficiary of the giant system, Gilbert could no longer harbor any lofty ambition to fight against the giants.
After all, he was one of them now. How could one fight against oneself?
After DreamWorks' spectacular collapse, Spielberg called Gilbert on the phone.
Spielberg believed that Gilbert's path was a very good one—making himself one of the giants.
However, this path was far from easy, because no one else could do what Gilbert had done—maintaining success year after year.
This success wasn't just in terms of filmmaking, but in the massive IP value he created.
Hollywood had long recognized the value of intellectual property—from films to copyrights and merchandise, forming a complete industrial chain.
The Melon Studio's The Lord of the Rings series, Harry Potter series, Pirates of the Caribbean series, and many other films, all created immeasurable IP value.
Lucasfilm was frantically courted by numerous Hollywood companies solely because of the immense value of the Star Wars IP.
And globally, The Lord of the Rings series was by no means inferior to Star Wars.
In fact, the Harry Potter series was even more popular worldwide than Star Wars.
Because of the enormous IP value of The Lord of the Rings, Warner Bros. and Disney had been constantly urging Gilbert to launch The Hobbit series.
At the same time, Warner Bros. and Disney planned to produce related television series telling the stories that took place before The Lord of the Rings films.
Warner also had a game development division preparing to create The Lord of the Rings games, in which Disney would share revenue.
"Peter, how's your reading of the original novel going?"
Understanding Warner Bros. and Disney's eagerness, Gilbert reached out to Peter Jackson while also preparing The Last of Us.
Peter Jackson, likely under heavy pressure lately, had gained quite a bit of weight again.
He said, "I've read the original several times and also watched the films you directed. I now have a general idea for the shoot and hope to gain your support."
"What do you want?" Gilbert asked.
Peter Jackson rubbed his belly and said, "I want to set the filming location in New Zealand."
Before Gilbert could respond, Peter Jackson hurriedly added, "I know China still has many preserved natural landscapes, but I feel The Hobbit takes place in entirely new settings, different from The Lord of the Rings. As a New Zealand director, I also want to contribute something to my homeland."
Normally, Gilbert would have refused outright—after all, the filming location generally falls under the director's authority, but he still had final say.
However, these were not normal times. Many media outlets were constantly attacking him over his political stance, accusing him of being "too friendly" toward China.
Some even went as far as calling him a traitor—an advanced spy secretly collecting high-tech intelligence from America and funneling it overseas through his industry connections.
And honestly, while Gilbert had never done anything of the sort, he couldn't help but think—that idea's actually quite clever.
Since he had never done it, of course Gilbert denied it completely.
After so many years, Gilbert had long understood how public opinion worked. The worst thing to do in situations like this was to remain silent, because silence would be seen as tacit admission.
But if he rushed to defend himself against baseless accusations, it would look just as suspicious—like the old saying, "there are no three hundred taels of silver buried here."
Fortunately, Gilbert wasn't someone without the means to fight back. He was indeed a director, but he was also a super-rich entrepreneur and a media tycoon in the internet age.
Using online discourse and several media outlets and newspapers under his control, Gilbert quickly mounted a defense for himself.
He didn't speak directly, but others did it for him. Even if that couldn't silence every rumor, at least it would stop public opinion from turning completely against him.
In addition, over the past few years, Gilbert had sponsored quite a few politicians—on both sides of the aisle. Now was exactly the time for those politicians to repay the favor.
For example, one congressman who had received campaign contributions from Gilbert gave an interview to The Washington Herald.
He said, "Gilbert is without a doubt a patriot and a pacifist. He cares about the world, about the rights of women and children. He hopes there will never be war again and strives for peace…"
Gilbert didn't even know he was that good of a person at least not until he heard those words. In the mouth of that politician, he sounded like an angel.
And there was nothing wrong with being an angel. As long as his money kept finding its way to those politicians, he was one. It's just that, like any angel, sometimes he expected something in return.
Where there is giving, there is the expectation of return—that's human nature.
With the media muddying the narrative and politicians standing behind him, Gilbert's position in the arena of public opinion was actually quite favorable.
Still, to avoid unnecessary suspicion, Gilbert decided he wouldn't reject Peter Jackson's reasonable request.
"No problem, Peter. But you must understand," Gilbert said, making a gesture of counting money with his fingers, "cost—we have to control the cost. While doing so, we also have to ensure quality."
Peter Jackson nodded and said he understood. This was a rare opportunity, and as a Lord of the Rings fan, the last thing he wanted was to mess it up.
Peter Jackson planned to begin work on The Hobbit project right after King Kong.
Of course, there was no need to hide this news; early publicity could even start now. Soon, Melon Studio's official social media account posted a photo of Gilbert and Peter Jackson together.
On the wall behind them was a draft board with the title The Hobbit and a few sketches pinned up.
Sharp-eyed fans quickly noticed this detail and began speculating excitedly—was The Hobbit finally being launched?
After all, one was the director of The Lord of the Rings series, and the other was a die-hard LOTR fan. With a Lord of the Rings poster right behind them, the hint couldn't have been clearer.
Later, while Peter Jackson was busy promoting King Kong, he addressed the matter head-on.
"Yes," he said, "Director Gilbert talked to me about The Hobbit project. I'm very glad that Director Gilbert recommended me to direct this series."
So, as it turned out, Gilbert wasn't the one directing—Peter Jackson was.
...
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu