Zhang Xiao asked: "Does it have to be me?"

Kevin said: "You have to do it. Other directors really can't do it."

Zhang Xiao sighed and said, "Okay, I'll go to New York in a few days."

After hearing Zhang Xiao's promise, Kevin said happily: "Okay, okay, thank you so much, Mr. Zhang. I believe that the last two films of "Avengers", under your direction, will be able to break the Marvel Cinematic Universe

All box office records."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Mi looked at Zhang Xiao with a half-smile.

Zhang Xiao was startled and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Yang Mi said: "I think you are smart but confused for a moment. "Avengers" is one of the most awesome series of movies in Hollywood. How could those directors refuse to direct such a movie?"

Zhang Xiao was stunned and said: "What do you mean, Kevin lied to me?"

Yang Miduah: "I have always been paying close attention to the situation in Hollywood. Because of the financial crisis, major Hollywood companies have more or less experienced financial problems."

"The original index of Disney Studios was more than 200 billion U.S. dollars, and now it has directly become 120 billion U.S. dollars. Although it is slowly growing upward, the losses are also very serious."

"Especially the shareholders behind Disney are under huge pressure. The bank loans alone are too much for them. If they want to film the next two parts of "Avengers", I'm afraid they can't afford the actors' fees alone.

.”

Zhang Xiao suddenly understood and said: "You mean the reason why Kevin came to me is because he wants me to take advantage of him and quickly inject capital into the Avengers, right?"

Yang Mi nodded and said: "It's very possible, but as long as a movie like "Avengers" is filmed, it is basically guaranteed to make money without losing money, so from this aspect, you are not

He was taken advantage of, but got an opportunity to make a lot of money."

Zhang Xiao curled his lips and said: "I really don't care about such an opportunity to make money."

Yang Mi's guess was very accurate, and Kevin was very excited at the moment.

It can be said that Disney's profitability is indeed the strongest in the entire Hollywood, but it cannot withstand the strong storm of the financial crisis. The profits have long been divided up by those shareholders who are in trouble.

The production costs for the next two parts of "Avengers Rush" are at least US$1.5 billion, and Disney simply cannot afford that much money right now.

The bigger problem is that the film director Nicks is ill and hospitalized. He cannot bear the heavy shooting work in two years. The preparatory work for "Avengers" has been completed and all the actors' schedules have been arranged.

If we stop filming now, the liquidated damages alone will be as high as 100 million U.S. dollars. No one can afford such a large amount of money.

Kevin really had no choice, so he thought of the wealthy Zhang Xiao.

Zhang Xiao himself is a world-class director who has never made a loss in the movies he made. In addition, he made hundreds of billions of dollars during this financial crisis, making him richer than the banks.

Therefore, as long as Zhang Xiao agrees to direct these two films, the problems of funding and director will be easily solved.

Robert Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man, saw Kevin's expression and said with a smile: "Mr. Kevin, it seems that Mr. Zhang agreed, right?"

Kevin said: "Not yet, but it should be almost there. When he comes over, I will try my best to convince him."

Robert Downey Jr. said: "With Mr. Zhang's ability, if he directs the last two films of "Avengers", he will definitely create a miracle at the box office, and maybe even break the highest record."

Kevin nodded and said: "I think so. Unfortunately, Mr. Zhang's current net worth is too high and he doesn't care about these things at all."

Robert Downey Jr. curiously asked: "Mr. Kevin, how much assets does Mr. Zhang have? I saw some financial reports saying that his assets have exceeded one trillion US dollars. This can't be true!"

Kevin said: "Absolutely. Before the financial crisis, he had already exchanged most of his company stocks for cash or gold, and he lost nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars for this."

Robert Downey Jr. exclaimed: "My physical condition is so bad. Isn't he worried that his judgment will be wrong?"

Kevin sighed: "I'm afraid this is the gap between us and the big shots. Mr. Zhang is very confident in his judgment ability. He waited for three full months before the financial crisis broke out."

"During this period, many people were waiting to see Mr. Zhang's joke, and they themselves became the biggest joke."

"After having so much money, Mr. Zhang did not short any company, but bought shares of more than 100 companies at low prices. With this alone, he made hundreds of billions of dollars less, but he gained everyone's

All respected."

"The assets in his hands now may be less than one trillion U.S. dollars, but as long as the Western economy recovers, there will definitely be no problem if it exceeds one trillion U.S. dollars."

Robert Downey Jr. admired: "With so much money and such a low profile, Mr. Zhang is really amazing. If it were me, I would have gone everywhere to enjoy it."

Kevin rolled his eyes at him and said: "Some time ago, there was an earthquake in China. Mr. Zhang not only went there in person and directed tens of thousands of people to provide disaster relief, but he also donated 50 billion soft sister coins to help the disaster area rebuild. This is true.

Philanthropist, if you compare with Mr. Zhang first, you are far behind."

"Of course, I'm not far behind either."

Robert Downey Jr. laughed.

···

A week later, Zhang Xiao took a plane to New York.

Kevin went to the airport with Clark to greet him.

In the car, Zhang Xiao looked at Kevin and said, "Is the Disney Film Company's finances really so tight that they can't even afford the production expenses?"

Kevin said with some embarrassment: "Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry, I played tricks on you. There is really no other way. Disney's full-year profits have been taken away by shareholders, and now the company can only maintain

Several movies currently being shot.”

"Our "Avengers" series is a big money burner. The production cost of two consecutive movies was at least 1.5 billion US dollars, and the company could only spend a third of it at most."

Zhang Xiao asked: "You didn't find investors?"

Kevin said: "The "Avengers" series will definitely make money. For such a good project, there is no need for us to find others, like Robert Downey Jr., who wanted to invest, but I didn't agree."

"Why didn't you agree?" Zhang Xiao asked curiously.

Kevin smiled bitterly and said: "The actors in "Avengers" are all very rich. If I agree to Robert Downey Jr., and other people ask for capital injection, I will have no way to refuse."

"I see." Zhang Xiao nodded and said, "For such a profitable project, what's going on with Disney's shareholders that they can't allocate funds to it?"

Clark, who had been silent, suddenly said: "Boss, the shareholders behind Disney have been hit hard by the financial crisis, and even Stanford is on the verge of bankruptcy."

Zhan Mao said in surprise: "Did Stanford's investment company suffer a lot of losses?"

Clark said: "Mr. Stanford failed to predict the coming financial crisis. The more than 400 billion U.S. dollars invested have plummeted to 100 billion, and the loans he owed to banks amounted to more than 150 billion. If he had not

Many properties with mortgages have probably filed for bankruptcy now."

Zhang Xiao said: "Even the major shareholders are gone. No wonder Disney Studios is in this predicament. It seems that I underestimated the destructive power of the financial crisis."

Kevin said: "Mr. Zhang, are you willing to invest in the next two films of "Avengers"?"

"Of course." Zhang Xiao said: "I don't think there is much problem with the plot of the "Avengers" script, but the investment cost is a bit too low. Since I want to take over the filming of the next two books, I must

Make them into science fiction movies with the best visual effects."

"Kevin, your budget must be redone, and the fighting scenes must be big."

Kevin pursed his lips and said, "Mr. Zhang, what is your budget?"

Zhang Xiao said: "I only want the best results and launch without budget. Even if the production budget reaches 3 billion US dollars, I will accept it."

When Kevin heard this, he took a deep breath and said, "This is too scary."

Zhang Xiao waved his hand and said: "Just kidding, the movie budget is estimated to be two billion US dollars. Kevin, you have no sense of humor."

Kevin smiled bitterly and said, "I was mainly scared."

Arriving at their manor, Kevin and Clark had lunch with Zhang Xiao. During the meal, Zhang Xiao asked Kevin about the preparations for "Avengers".

After having a good meal and wine, Kevin left happily after receiving a clear reply from Zhang Xiao.

Zhang Xiao followed Clark to Bruce Investment Company to listen to the company's report.

Clark said: "Boss, from the onset of the financial crisis to now, we have invested in a total of 232 companies. What these companies have in common is that before the financial crisis, their returns were very good, either with high technological content and promising prospects.

It is vast and closely related to people's health and life."

"Now that the financial crisis has just passed, these companies are in the process of recovery and are far from reaching their peak. But even so, we still made $642.1 billion."

Zhang Xiao raised his eyebrows and said: "So, my assets have reached one trillion US dollars, right?"

Clark nodded and said: "It's 11,22 billion U.S. dollars, because you left a lot of company shares at the beginning. When the financial crisis is completely over, your assets are likely to exceed 15,000 U.S. dollars."

Billions of dollars, becoming truly the world’s richest man.”

Zhang Xiao exclaimed, took a sip of tea, and said, "I didn't expect that I would be as rich as anyone in the country. Clark, I owe a lot to you for being where I am today."

Clark said quickly: "I just completed the work mechanically according to your requirements. Your vision and courage are the keys to your success."

Zhang Xiao chuckled and said, "How much assets do you have now? You should be making a lot of money, right?"

Clark's face turned red and he said with some embarrassment: "With your help, I now own stocks worth 300 million."

Zhang Xiao said: "So, you are also a billionaire now."

"Yes!" Clark nodded.

Zhang Xiao asked: "Have you ever thought about leaving Bruce Investment Company?"

When Clark heard this, his expression changed and he said: "Mr. Zhang, do you want to fire me?"

"Of course not!" Zhang Xiao waved his hand and said: "Clark, you are the person I trust most in the Lighthouse Country. I hope you can always work for me, but you are a billionaire now, don't you want to go?

Live a completely different life than before?”

Clark said: "Mr. Zhang, I am only fifty years old this year, and it is still early to retire."
To be continued...