"CAA is my life's work, and it's my peak. I can see it built, and I can build AMG!" Ovitz declared firmly to Laila. However, he knew better than anyone that even his conviction was dubious, let alone convincing others.
Laila smiled lightly and replied, "I don't deny the possibility, but unfortunately, you don't have the time. How much time did you invest in CAA, and how many partners did you work with? Do you think you still have that much time to squander?"
From founding CAA in 1975 to taking on the role of Disney's president in 1995, he had spent 20 years building it. Back then, he was young, full of energy, and able to dedicate himself entirely to his work. But now? He was older, and even if he refused to acknowledge it, for health reasons, he couldn't be as reckless as he once was.
He couldn't possibly have enough energy to spend another 20 years creating a new miracle. Furthermore, the circumstances were different now. When CAA rose, what kind of competition did they face? Now, AMG faced off against the formidable CAA.
To put it simply, you just needed to provide the money, and they could do anything for you. From scripts to directors, from actors to the entire film crew, they could arrange everything for you.
In simpler terms, you just needed to express your ideas. For example, if you wanted to make a movie about aliens invading Earth, you'd have the script in your hands within a very short time, written by a notable author. Then they would help you hire a director, get you the cast you desired, and build the entire production team for you. If you wanted a low-budget film, they could provide it, all set up for you within your budget. And if you wanted a high-budget film, you would get it too, with access to the top directors and stars in the whole company. If they weren't available, they would network to get the people you wanted onto the set.
Despite not wanting to admit it, Ovitz also knew that Laila was right. He indeed felt powerless. Times were advancing too quickly, and he had lost just a little bit of time, but it had left him far behind the times.
"So, after Roy came to me, you decided to acquire AMG?" he asked, and this question left him quite disheartened.
Laila thought for a moment and eventually decided to tell him the truth, saying, "To be precise, it was much earlier."
"Earlier?"
"Yes, right when I found out you had established AMG."
Ovitz's anger was stoked by her response. No one would stay calm when they found out that someone had targeted them right after they had just started a business.
"Why? Were you so sure I would fail?"
Yes, his company was currently in the process of being acquired, but who could say he had failed? He had accomplished in a few years what others had taken decades to achieve! The top-tier actors and directors still at the company saw his potential. So, even if it wasn't the whole truth, Ovitz knew she wasn't entirely wrong.
Laila shook her head and then nodded. "Although it's not entirely true, you can put it that way. I believe you can't reach your previous level because you are a genius."
Ovitz didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment. Was it because he was a genius that he was experiencing a downturn in his career? What kind of mixed-up logic was this?
Seeing that Ovitz's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, Laila, driven by the noble quality of respecting her elders and the young, quickly gave him the answer, "You're a genius. That's why you created the best CAA. No matter what you create next, as long as you stay in the same field, you won't be able to surpass the genius you once were."
Ovitz didn't expect to hear such a peculiar affirmation from her. For someone about to acquire his company, receiving such recognition was quite an achievement.
But after understanding this point, he had a new question, "Just as you said, CAA has already reached the pinnacle and can't be surpassed. So, do you only hope to maintain the mid-tier at AMG?"
He didn't believe that would be the case. This young woman had ambitions that astounded anyone watching her. As an informed figure in Hollywood, he knew that she had acquired the copyrights for several excellent works behind the scenes. Yet, she had only released some non-significant works in the past few years, such as Japanese films like 'The Grudge' and 'The Ring.'
However, even these relatively unknown works, entrusted to the directors recruited by her so-called "New Talent Program" and produced by makeshift crews, with investments as low as a few million or tens of millions, had all returned multiple times the money.
He wanted to know what kind of change she could bring to Hollywood if she released the other works in her possession. Perhaps it could reshape the entire landscape of the Hollywood film industry!
To his question, Laila maintained her smile. "Because I'm a genius too."
"..." Ovitz fell silent for a moment and then burst into laughter.
She was a genius too, so she believed she could defeat his former self, who was also a genius.
Arrogant? No, she believed it. He finally understood why she was the celebrated director in Hollywood, her self-assurance based on her talent was sufficient to explain everything.
"Alright, I agree to your acquisition. I look forward to the day you defeat me." After he said these words, it seemed as if he had aged several years all at once, and even his once-upright posture seemed to sag slightly.
Laila looked at him and said seriously, "I will. But before that, I hope you know one thing. What you've done isn't without value. If AMG weren't worthwhile, I wouldn't have spent so much money to acquire it."
Ovitz chuckled lightly, "I don't need your consolation. Perhaps I am truly getting old. It's your era now."
After that, he left.
As he pushed the door open, he saw Roy standing outside, looking at him with a complex expression.
He instantly understood that perhaps even Roy believed the company was being acquired because of him.
Ovitz walked up and patted Roy on the shoulder. He didn't say anything, and then walked away. He didn't want to help that girl explain anything. If Roy felt guilty, then let him. He couldn't lose everything in his career and then watch them celebrate.
So, the people watching him leave saw a strange smile on his face for some inexplicable reason.