Chapter 2121: The Reason for Cooperation

Disney, named after its founder Walt Disney, is a large multinational corporation headquartered in Burbank, USA, with main businesses including entertainment program production, theme parks, toys, books, electronic games, and media networks.

Disney is also the world's largest film company, owning subsidiaries such as Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Comics, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films, Buena Vista Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, ESPN Sports, ABC, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.

For Chinese people, the most famous things about Disney are probably Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Zhao Fusheng neither liked nor disliked the company; he wasn't the type to mix personal emotions into business.

Of course, unless the opposing company deliberately provoked him.

For the young hothead Zhao Fusheng, if someone truly challenged his bottom line, he wouldn't mind letting them know why flowers are so red and why the Eight-Year War of Resistance was victorious.

"Mr. Iger, I think if you want to cooperate, you'd better be more candid."

Zhao Fusheng said bluntly, looking at Bob Iger.

To be honest, he hated the way the guy sat there, putting on airs of superiority.

Frankly, Bob Iger was the purest kind of American at heart, seemingly polite, but in fact, he had always liked to solve problems in his own way.

Looking down on those weaker than himself, treating Easterners with disdain—that was the impression Bob Iger gave Zhao Fusheng.

Since that was the case, Zhao Fusheng had to cut him down to size.

Obviously, he succeeded.

Now Bob Iger was utterly shocked.

He never expected this Easterner to be so tough.

"Damn it!"

Bob Iger was completely thrown off, sitting there, unable to speak for a long time.

Taking a deep breath, recalling the materials he had read before coming, he looked at Zhao Fusheng: "Dear Mr. Zhao, I think you might have misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Bob Iger, "If I had misunderstood, I probably wouldn't be here, would I?"

"Huh?"

Bob Iger was somewhat surprised, looking at Zhao Fusheng in astonishment.

Then he realized that Zhao Fusheng was referring to the things Disney had secretly done before.

"Heh, well..." Bob Iger realized that Zhao Fusheng, unlike most cautious and modest Easterners, was a thorough businessman.

"Let's get down to business."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

"Heh, okay."

Bob Iger smiled and nodded.

Both were smart people, naturally knowing when to say what.

"Mr. Zhao, do you really intend to cooperate with us?"

Bob Iger asked, looking at Zhao Fusheng.

"Of course."

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "My sincerity for cooperation is quite strong, but there's one question: I want to know what Disney can offer."

Hearing this, Bob Iger was stunned; he hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be so straightforward.

He had thought today's meeting would be a mutual probing.

But unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng had brought it up directly.

A smile curling at the corner of his mouth, Zhao Fusheng looked at Bob Iger, knowing full well that Bob Iger wouldn't refuse his proposal.

...

...

The meeting between Zhao Fusheng and Bob Iger ended quickly.

Watching Bob Iger leave, a smile appeared on Zhao Fusheng's face.

"What's wrong, Chairman?"

Liu Yiming asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Nothing, have Miss Dong send someone to contact him."

"Ah?"

Liu Yiming was taken aback, then nodded: "So it's starting?"

"Yes, it's starting." Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

"By the way, why do you think Disney values Marvel so much?"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly asked Liu Yiming.

Liu Yiming frowned: "Um, the superhero copyrights?"

Then he dismissed the idea himself, because Marvel had already sold off most of its superhero copyrights. In fact, even last year's Iron Man wasn't a top-tier superhero.

"It's mutually beneficial."

Zhao Fusheng then laughed, waved his hand, and said nothing more.

In fact, before 2008, Marvel, as a company primarily focused on comics, had not yet officially entered the North American film and television circle. Moreover, after entering the new millennium, the ordinary comic book business entered a rather low period. It must be said that Stan Lee was indeed very far-sighted.

As early as the 1990s, Stan Lee represented Marvel at various society-wide events, aiming to open up new markets for Marvel. Stan Lee understood that if Marvel relied only on comics, its days might be numbered.

He actively developed Marvel's film and television industry, making many attempts. This innovation had long been pioneered by rival DC, whose comic book adaptations in movies, TV series, and animation had achieved some success.

But Marvel's start was not easy; there were no particularly outstanding works during that period, which also consumed considerable financial resources. Out of necessity, Marvel sold the film and television rights of Spider-Man and related characters to Sony, which led to Sony's well-known Spider-Man trilogy.

Of course, they also sold off the Fantastic Four and Wolverine, among others.

Different studios used Marvel elements to produce popular superhero movies, but the only drawback was that none of these films had Marvel's core concept: the Marvel Universe.

And the earlier Iron Man marked the beginning of a new journey for Marvel.

But Zhao Fusheng was well aware that Marvel had significant problems.

As an ordinary production company, although Marvel had gained considerable revenue from Iron Man, it lacked the financial resources to expand and strengthen the entire Marvel Universe film series. Marvel was not lacking in ambition, but there were few practical ways to achieve it.

If you can't beat them, join them.

That was Zhao Fusheng's idea.

Disney was powerful in the American film and television circle, and cooperating with them would undoubtedly be more in line with his interests.

And Disney, as an iconic American cultural brand integrating entertainment program production, theme parks, toys, books, e-books, and other industries,

currently owned subsidiaries like Pixar Animation Studios, which were also effective tools for generating revenue. However, Disney's films generally targeted children; frankly, almost all of Disney's industries were aimed at children and teenagers. Disney needed an industry with a broader audience to increase revenue.

As for Marvel's situation, especially the success of Iron Man, it made Disney realize that Marvel was a long-term sustainable line. Even though many character rights had been sold to third parties, Marvel still had great development potential.

"Cooperation benefits both."

That was Zhao Fusheng's thought.

Of course, Liu Yiming certainly didn't understand, because Zhao Fusheng was looking at the issue from a later perspective.

In the eyes of people today, Disney was interested in Marvel simply because Marvel's development was showing promise.

For Zhao Fusheng, this was a deal that would allow him to make more money.

"Are you really going to cooperate with Disney?"

Dong Chenxi called Zhao Fusheng directly; when she heard the news from Liu Yiming, she was completely stunned.

Previously, the two sides had been ready to treat each other as enemies, and now this was happening.

Had Zhao Fusheng gone mad?

Hearing the news, Dong Chenxi was startled and immediately called Zhao Fusheng's phone.

Regardless, she needed to get an answer from Zhao Fusheng before she could make the next move.