Just when he was on the verge of giving up on the Big Six and planning to go the independent route, an unexpected call came through to his personal phone.
The caller ID showed Burbank.
"Mr. Leon Donaldson? This is Michael Eisner."
The voice on the other end was calm, raspy, and carried an undeniable air of authority.
"I've reviewed your Princess Diaries project proposal. Tomorrow, 10 a.m., my office. Let's talk."
Direct, no small talk, and before Leon could even respond, Eisner rattled off an address and hung up.
Leon stood there, phone in hand, stunned for a moment.
Eisner personally reaching out? This was completely out of left field.
The next day, Leon arrived right on time at Disney's headquarters.
Eisner's office was spacious and bright, but there was a subtle tension in the air, like the faint smell of a power struggle.
Eisner himself sat behind his desk, impeccably dressed in a suit, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, radiating authority.
"Sit," Eisner said, his eyes locking onto the Princess Diaries proposal on his desk.
"I've seen Final Destination. You know how to hook an audience. But Disney doesn't do that kind of thing."
He pivoted, tapping the proposal with his finger.
"This, though? It's different. 'Ugly duckling turns into a swan'—family, growth, romantic comedy. It's got that Disney vibe."
"Clean, bright, marketable for merchandise, perfect for pushing a princess IP."
Leon listened quietly, not interrupting.
"Fox and the others turned you down because they only saw the 'horror' label on you and your demand for control," Eisner said, cutting straight to the point. "I'm different. I see the potential in this project. It's exactly the kind of family-friendly content Disney needs. And…"
His piercing gaze fixed on Leon.
"I'm betting on you, Leon Donaldson. I've gone through your entire file. You're not just some writer splashing around in fake blood."
"You've got creativity, you understand the market, and you have a level of calm and project control that's beyond your years."
"That's a rare quality for a producer."
"You want writing credit, producer rights, final cut? Fine."
"Profit participation? Fine."
"You're putting in some of your own money? Even better."
Eisner's tone was decisive, almost commanding.
"Disney can give you the control you want, but you've got to deliver two things."
"First, the film's tone has to align with the Disney brand. Second, you keep the budget tight."
He leaned forward, his presence intense.
"I believe this project will make money, and I believe you've got what it takes to pull it off."
"So, I'm greenlighting it. Disney's backing The Princess Diaries, on your terms."
A twist of fate, a light at the end of the tunnel!
Leon was floored.
He hadn't expected Eisner to make such a bold, decisive move in the middle of what he knew was a fierce internal power struggle. Nor had he anticipated Eisner's sharp eye—not just for the project, but for him as a person.
That kind of vision and decisiveness left Leon genuinely impressed.
In the game of business, respect begets respect.
Eisner had shown immense trust and sincerity, and Leon decided to return the favor.
"Mr. Eisner," Leon said, taking a deep breath and meeting his gaze with a confident, genuine smile, "thank you for your trust and support. You won't regret this decision."
He paused for a moment.
"To show my sincerity and my hope for a long-term partnership with Disney…"
He opened his briefcase and pulled out two thick documents, placing them carefully on Eisner's desk.
"These are two other project drafts I've been working on, with core registrations already completed."
"This one, Snow Dogs, is a family-friendly adventure comedy about a dentist who inherits a team of sled dogs. It's full of Alaskan wilderness charm and humor."
"If Disney's interested, this project can be fully developed by your team. I'd only ask for writing credit and a baseline share of the profits."
Eisner picked up the Snow Dogs draft, flipping through it quickly, a spark of interest in his eyes.
Leon gestured to the other document.
"And this one, Monsters, Inc., I believe could kick off a whole new era of animation."
"It's set in a monster world where their energy comes from the screams of human children…"
"But they later discover that laughter is ten times more powerful than screams."
"It's a story about fear and joy, prejudice and understanding."
"For this one, I'd love the chance to be more deeply involved in the development process because it means a lot to me."
Eisner's eyes lit up.
He grabbed the Monsters, Inc. draft and skimmed the story outline and world-building. The sheer creativity and groundbreaking concept sent a thrill through the seasoned entertainment mogul.
Snow Dogs was a safe bet for family fun.
But Monsters, Inc.? It was a game-changer, a potential miracle that could redefine animation and create a massive IP.
He looked up, reassessing the young man in front of him.
Eisner had thought he was just investing in a talented horror filmmaker with a solid project. But Leon had casually pulled out two more ideas that would make any studio salivate, presenting them with a savvy and generous gesture as both a gift and an invitation for long-term collaboration.
"Hahaha!" Eisner burst out laughing, the room's earlier tension vanishing. "Mr. Donaldson, you never fail to surprise!"
"This investment is looking even better than I thought. I bet Fox is going to kick themselves!"
He stood and extended his hand.
"The Princess Diaries starts immediately, per your plan."
"For Snow Dogs, I'll have the live-action team evaluate it, and their head will follow up with you."
"As for *Monsters, Inc.*… we need to have a serious conversation about how to develop this together."
"Welcome to the Disney family, Leon. Looks like our partnership is going to be about a lot more than just one princess."
Their hands clasped tightly.
...
Walking down the bright, wide corridors of Disney's headquarters after leaving Eisner's office, Leon's emotions were hard to describe.
After all the twists and turns, he'd landed the ideal outcome in the most unexpected way, from the most unexpected place.
Sometimes, the greatest opportunities hide in the unlikeliest corners.
He pulled out his phone, his first instinct to call Anne and share the good news. But his finger hovered over the dial button, and he changed his mind.
No rush. He wanted to tell her in person, to see her eyes light up with surprise.
For now, he needed a coffee. Then, it was time to dive into producing for real.
And to find the perfect Genovia for his Mia.
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