January 24.

  Lux Animation won over Warner for reasons that seem unknown and somewhat redundant, but the loss they faced was a plete blow to the face. A fine of 675 million dolrs was imposed, payable immediately, which they were not in a position to accept.

  It was the entire budget they had allocated for animation, and if they doubled that budget as phe is of some parties could be promised. It rofit-sharing arrahat made payments cumbersome. However, these were the siderations of Gerald Levin, but for Bob Daly, the situation was different.

  They would pay, no matter what. The fact that they used this approach to steal their children's series meant something, especially with an animated movie featuring Michael Jordan about to be released. Losing the Loounes series was something they couldn't afford. For now, they would exteiations to see what the purchase price would be.

  Terry Semel was expeg to meet with Billy Carson but instead found Jim Gianopulos, along with Anna Washington. Both had mud little to discuss, but for Terry, the key point was extending the payment by thirty days. Losing the Yu Yu Hakusho tract, which would now be serialized by Lux Toons, and re-ercialized by them, had cost him 500,000 dolrs, appraised at 800,000 dolrs—another heavy blow to his animation el.

  --If I'm not mistaken, you're Mr. Terry Semel, - Jim Gianopulos remarked, seated at a nearby table. The matter didn’t require many words, just money, and they were clear about what to do with the uping franchises.

  -And you’re Jim Gianopulos, Director of Eai at Lux Animation, a franchise that only seems to grow day by day, - Semel muttered, somewhat unfocused. Much had been said about Jim, but now he was fag a different man. Running a pany as a direade one different, but Semel k was thanks to this man that Billy had reguted his distribution pany for many films due to his ability and work at Fox.

  -You’re right. There’s no time like the present. I have a few issues we o resolve before we get into the details of the versation. If you’d like, we grab something to eat and exge ideas, - Jim suggested diplomatically.

  -Sure, sure, we do that. Let me reend a restaurant, one of the best iy, - Terry Semel responded.

  -That being the case, we have two offers and proposals that I believe should be addressed and heard by your team, - Jim Gianopulos remarked. He had iigated the matter with Anna, and Billy’s perspective was less obvious than one might think. Of the 689 million, they only needed 400 million. 189 million for Tom and Jerry, and Scooby-Doo seemed a fair price.

  -We have an idea of what and how to duct a study on the value of your series. Of course, this could lead to ges or new developments, but I believe we use these figures as a reference point fotiations. -

  The folder taihe reference prices, though slightly lower. It was a well-sidered estimate, developed by Steve Parks. They presented a price that seemed fair at first ghough a deeper study could alter the purchase decision. The acquisitions of two series were presented, with adjustments made as prices rose for various reasons.

  The most expensive were The Flintstones, Ghostbusters, The Smurfs, Loounes, and Yogi Bear. Each of these series was valued at approximately 100 million dolrs, which raised Terry Semel’s eyebrows, as he hadn’t sidered the value of such properties. That was the first trap.

  Followiom and Jerry at 72 million, Scooby-Doo at 65 million, and Johnny Quest at 25 million—properties Lux Animation was ied in acquiring. Upon reviewing, Terry Semel determihat the price was within his expectatioher too high nor too low—with an iing He-Man Fotten, valued at 55 million.

  -Our proposal is brief: from these series, we want Yogi Bear and The Smurfs... we might also be ied in Scooby-Doo, - Jim Gianopulos cluded while Terry Semel scrutihe list.

  It wasn’t the most transparent way of doing business, but it was clear what they had in mind.

  The two engaged in a debate over prices. Once Semel made his move, he raised the prices of Yogi Bear to 200 million, along with The Smurfs, providing various expnations backed by a 'thick-skinned' attitude. Jim, however, expressed that if that were the case, they should duct a study and present the data before February 2, as that was the st day they were willing to iate. The two men discussed other matters, and Terry sent the dots by fax to his experts. They eheir meeting with a signal that they would move forward, as the two directors sat down to lunch.

  ***

  The filming didn’t take long, due to scheduling issues. However, it finished earlier than expected. They participated in an interview to promote Jerry Maguire, with his panion by his side. They both took the opportunity, followed by w on a ercial for BMW, in which Billy already estimated an iment.

  Alongside Renée Zellweger, they discussed what Jerry Maguire meant to them. Even Jamie Foxx had auditioned for the role of Rod Tidwell, but his approach hadn’t vihe director, although it brought many great stories.

  --When I found the script, I just thought it was brilliant. I approached Gracie Films and thought, -- I have to have this role. -- Director Cameron Crowe had inally offered the part to Tom Hanks, and Gracie Films was willing to i if the big star joined, but unfortunately, Hanks deed due to scheduling flicts. So, using my own money, I decided not to hesitate and i in the film. The rest is history, -- Billy ented.

  --You put 50 million into a promising script? That would bankrupt any studio, -- the journalist questioned.

  -Not just the script, but the team behind it. Cameron kly what o be done, and what shouldn’t be done. Producer James L. Brooks was excited, so Gracie Films hahe project. As an ior, I don’t like getting too involved in the director’s creative process, especially when the idea es from them, -- Billy replied.

  It was Reurn. She spoke about how this role boosted her career and how fantastic it was to be part of su ambitious project.

  -I have no idea why they e... Cameron may have mentiohat he needed someone pletely unknown, someohout much exposure to py the part—someone from a different world than Jerry, two trasting parts... I guess it was luck, - Renée ented.

  ...