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Chapter 185: Marvel Changes Hands
🕑 Added 2025-01-07 18:55:59 +0000 UTCIn fact, relying on Amazon, mobile payments could be developed as well.
However, in North America, mobile payments would face many practical difficulties. It's a bit unrealistic to pursue this. The banking and financial sectors in North America are incredibly strong, and trying to disrupt them is like asking for trouble.
At most, they can manage online payments—users can use their Amazon wallet balance for online shopping. As for anything beyond that, it's best to leave it at that.
Currently, Gilbert has invested in Amazon through Angel Round and Series A and B funding, holding 18.3% of the company's shares, making him the second-largest shareholder after Jeff Bezos.
Now that Amazon is planning an expansion, Jeff Bezos learns that Gilbert is shooting a film in Philadelphia, so he visits the set to meet him.
After watching Bruce Willis and Haley perform on set, Jeff Bezos exclaims, "This is the first time I've seen actors perform live, and it's so different from watching in a theater—really impressive."
"Haley, she's eight years old this year," Gilbert answers.
"Eight?" Jeff Bezos is surprised. "Eight years old and already such an actor? My god, this is pure talent from God!"
This kind of acting genius can only be explained as a gift from the heavens.
After this scene, the crew moves to the next location, and Jeff Bezos and Gilbert share a trailer, having a conversation.
"Our online bookstore is doing really well," Jeff Bezos says. "You could say no bookstore or library has a wider variety than our website."
"The company's performance is improving, and after the Series C funding round, I plan to take Amazon public," Jeff Bezos continues.
Gilbert immediately responds, "Jeff, I support you, but…"
"But what?" Jeff asks.
Gilbert pauses for a moment and then says, "Have you thought about Amazon's future?"
Jeff Bezos is stunned but quickly replies, "Of course, I've thought about it. My goal is not just to create an online library but also an online shopping mall, a supermarket."
"Exactly," Gilbert snaps his fingers. "With the internet becoming more advanced, people's demand for convenience is growing.
Imagine being able to buy everything without leaving your house. Clothes, shoes, bags, food, electronics—all can be bought on Amazon."
Jeff Bezos is captivated by the future Gilbert describes, starting to daydream about it. However, due to his cautious personality, he says, "Although what you're describing is tempting, I think we need to take it slow, step by step."
"I don't understand the company's operations," Gilbert replies. "I'm just offering some suggestions and ideas. What you do with them is up to you. Jeff, I only care about my investment and the company's stock price."
"Don't worry, Gilbert," Jeff Bezos reassures him. "With Amazon, we'll all become billionaires."
Billionaires, huh? Gilbert looks toward Silicon Valley, where he will soon join their ranks.
After their discussion, Jeff Bezos returns to Amazon to prepare for the Series C funding and public listing.
Gilbert's other business venture is focused on Marvel.
Because of the toy company's involvement in the acquisition battle, Marvel's owner, Pereman, felt that his shares were valuable, so he was holding out for a better deal.
But neither the toy company nor Gilbert wanted to be the fool in this deal, so they were in a standoff, waiting for the other to make a concession.
Gilbert's investor, David, informs him that Pereman will soon cave because his Wall Street fund's cash flow is nearing collapse. If he doesn't receive a lifeline, Pereman will soon go bankrupt.
To avoid this embarrassment, he will definitely contact both the toy company and Gilbert again.
Sure enough, just days after Gilbert and David spoke on the phone, Pereman contacts David.
Gilbert quickly drops his work on set and flies to New York to meet Pereman.
"To be honest, Mr. Pereman, under your control, Marvel is just a tool for you to create wealth in the financial sector. But under my control, it's different. Marvel can have a significant impact in the film industry," Gilbert states frankly.
Pereman still isn't convinced. "I can do it myself—find another film company to cooperate with."
"Cooperate?" Gilbert laughs derisively. "Mr. Pereman, you may have some name on Wall Street, but in Hollywood, you're nobody. If you want to find a film company to partner with, you need connections."
"If I release a statement saying I'm not optimistic about Marvel's projects, do you think any companies would risk investing in your films?"
"W-what?" Pereman stumbles for words.
Before he can respond, Gilbert continues, "If you really want to go ahead with this, a superhero movie with current technology would need at least $100 million in investment. Can you come up with that amount? Or are you hoping someone else will give you $100 million?"
"…"
Pereman is at a loss. The toy company might have the funds, but they are a toy company, not a film company. They'd still need to rely on film companies for orders and manufacturing, extracting processing fees to make a profit.
Film production is a complex process that involves much more than just shooting the movie—there's promotion, film processing, distribution, storage, and communication with theaters.
It's something non-professionals should stay away from, or they'll end up making a huge mistake.
Gilbert's words make sense. Marvel, in Pereman's hands, is a liability, likely to drag him down.
So Pereman finally says, "$12 million for my shares, you can have them all."
David steps in, negotiating, "Mr. Pereman, that's the old price. Marvel is worth much less now. We'll only offer $5 million."
"$5 million? Are you insulting me?" Pereman refuses immediately.
The two parties engage in a tug-of-war, going back and forth for hours, ultimately settling on an $8 million deal. Gilbert buys all of Pereman's Marvel shares, becoming the largest shareholder of Marvel.
After the contract is signed, Pereman shakes hands with Gilbert, saying, "I hope Marvel will shine under your leadership. It's my life's work—you can't let me down!"
Life's work? It's just a money-making tool, Gilbert thinks internally, but says outwardly, "Of course, I'll take good care of Marvel."
This deal is conducted internally at Marvel. A comic artist asks Stan Lee, "Do you think we'll survive this?"
"I hope so," Stan Lee sighs. "Gilbert, being a well-known Hollywood director, should recognize the value of the company, and he won't be like Pereman."
Stan Lee has long been dissatisfied with Pereman. Back in 1991, Marvel experienced a wave of resignations, with many creators and artists leaving. At the time, some encouraged Stan Lee to leave as well, but he couldn't bear to leave his "children," his creations, so he stayed at Marvel.
Finally, it seems that Marvel's future is brightening.
Pereman walks out of the meeting room, saying nothing to his trusted assistants, and heads straight for the exit.
The onlookers exchange confused glances. Has the deal gone through, or not?
Before they can guess, David soon emerges, surveying the room before saying, "All department heads, please come to the conference room. I have an announcement."
With that, David enters the meeting room.
The rest of the staff exchanges glances and returns to their workstations. Department heads prepare their materials, thinking they may be asked to give reports.
Stan Lee does the same, preparing his materials, wondering about the change in leadership.
Soon, the conference room is fully set up. Assistants and secretaries are preparing coffee, and because so many people will be attending, additional chairs are being arranged.
As employees trickle in, they find seats, exchanging rumors about what the meeting's purpose is. Is it to announce the new boss?
Once everything is ready, the conference room doors open, and Gilbert walks in with David and another person. The room falls silent, all eyes on Gilbert.
There's a mix of anticipation, skepticism, and indifference in their gazes.
But Gilbert doesn't care. He signals to David to begin.
David clears his throat and says, "This morning, we officially reached an agreement with Mr. Pereman and acquired Marvel.
This means that Mr. Gilbert Randolini is now the actual controlling shareholder of the company."
Everyone in the room understands now—Marvel is no longer owned by a few toy companies and small shareholders. Gilbert owns it all.
"We will soon be delisting Marvel from the stock market," David continues, "and we plan to buy out the remaining shares from the toy companies to fully control the company."
With that, the employees understand—Gilbert now holds all the power, with just a few shares left to buy.
"Next, let me introduce the new Chairman of Marvel, Mr. Gilbert Randolini." David announces, and applause erupts throughout the room.
Gilbert stands and gestures for everyone to stop clapping.
After the applause dies down, he says, "I won't introduce myself. If you've seen any movies, you should know who I am."
The crowd chuckles, some nodding.
Gilbert continues, "I bought Marvel because of a little friend of mine. She's very young, and maybe you all know her—her name is Scarlett Johansson.
She told me how much she loves comics, especially Marvel's, and after watching Superman and Batman, she wanted to see Marvel's superheroes on the big screen.
So, I bought Marvel."
Everyone is stunned. "Really? You bought Marvel just to make a little girl happy?"
Of course not. Gilbert continues, "I see great potential in superhero movies, and I'm thinking long-term. We won't rush things."
"Let me introduce you to my new manager, George Ron."
A middle-aged white man stands up and waves at everyone.
Gilbert adds, "George will be the new CEO of Marvel and will lead the company through a major reform. Things will change, so be prepared.
That's all for now. Please go and inform the staff."
As the meeting ends, people chat among themselves, leaving the room.
Gilbert, David, and George stay behind. Gilbert turns to George and says, "George, if there are any issues with Marvel's reforms, make sure to communicate with me."
George nods and assures him, "Don't worry, we've done thorough research, and the reforms will go smoothly."
"Good," Gilbert says, turning to David. "David, you did a great job with this."
"It's nothing. I just got a nice bonus," David replies casually. "After all, you pay me for my work."
When money's involved, people work. Simple as that.
With Marvel's business settled for now, Gilbert returns to Philadelphia to continue filming.
