Chapter 37

Speaking of which, compared to Spielberg, Li Xu and Lucas have a closer relationship. After all, Spielberg became famous earlier, starting to accumulate experience by directing TV series in the early 1970s, and the 1975 release of "Jaws" grossed nearly $500 million worldwide with a budget of just $7 million, making him a household name overnight.

Lucas, on the other hand, despite his rebirth-like demeanor, impressed Francis Ford Coppola with a short film and, with his support, directed his debut film "American Graffiti," which received good reviews and box office success. He then began working on the Star Wars trilogy, creating a lasting pop culture icon.

The Industrial Light & Magic, established to shoot Star Wars, further advanced the development of Hollywood's film industry, laying a solid foundation for Hollywood's future global dominance.

However, although "American Graffiti" was excellent, it wasn't as groundbreaking as "Jaws." The script for the first Star Wars film was completed in 1973 but didn't secure funding from Fox until three years later.

Even so, Fox was still hesitant, which gave Li Xu an opportunity. At that time, he had some pocket money and was closely following Hollywood. After confirming that Lucas was seeking funding, he contacted him through his father, directly providing $5 million, almost half of the production budget, and even offered to provide more if needed.

The results speak for themselves: a nearly tenfold return and Lucas's friendship.

Spielberg couldn't do the same. "Jaws" was released in 1975, and production began in 1974, when Li Xu was just starting to develop Snake, so he couldn't preempt this highly profitable film, thus missing the chance to help in a critical moment.

However, this wasn't a big deal. As mentioned, Spielberg already had a solid reputation and was shrewder than Lucas, who, at this time, was still somewhat straightforward—though not entirely.

Later, when Spielberg directed "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "1941," Li Xu still invested in both. At that time, major studios weren't as wealthy as they would be 20 years later, so someone willing to share the risk was quite welcome.

Moreover, Li Xu told Spielberg, just as he did with Lucas, that he could come to him for funding.

After "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "1941" didn't meet expectations—though they still made money, with "Close Encounters" grossing about $300 million on a $20 million budget, and "1941" barely breaking even with a $30 million budget and $30 million in North American box office—Spielberg had to "carefully" consider his new film.

In this situation, Spielberg naturally approached Li Xu with "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and after Li Xu fulfilled his promise, he now hinted that he hoped Spielberg would invest in a script called "Night Sky."

On one hand, it could attract investment, and on the other, it could pressure the major studios, achieving multiple goals.

Although Li Xu understood this, he didn't mind, as he had his own agenda.

"By the way, Steven, I have a few questions about 'The Empire Strikes Back.' Can you answer them for me?" Li Xu asked.

"If it's about a surprising plot point, I'm sorry, but I don't know," Spielberg quickly responded, blocking the topic.

"Alright, alright," Li Xu raised his hands in a helpless gesture, "Then let me ask another question. I can't ask George, so I'm asking you."

Before Spielberg could speak, Li Xu continued, "I heard that 'The Empire Strikes Back' encountered a fire during filming in London?"

"Yes," Spielberg replied after a moment's thought.

"Is it possible that the fire was intentional?" Li Xu asked immediately.

"Intentional?" Spielberg looked surprised, "Why would you think that?"

"Oh, I heard that some people in Hollywood like to use such methods to eliminate competitors," Li Xu said casually.

Spielberg blinked, seemingly shocked, then laughed and patted Li Xu's arm, "Welcome to the 1980s, Eddie."

He immediately put on a serious face, "You must understand that society is always changing. In the chaotic 1930s, this was indeed a common method of competition, but it's the 1980s now."

"But..." Li Xu gestured with his hands, trying to say something.

"In the Wild West, the sheriff was the law, and they could hang anyone they wanted. But now, would any sheriff in the West dare to do that?" Spielberg spread his hands, "Or do it openly?"

Li Xu pinched his chin and said nothing. Spielberg pushed up his glasses and continued, "The fire that hit George's team in London came from the adjacent 'The Shining' set. The 'The Shining' set caught fire because they used flammable materials for props and the lights were set too bright, so—"

He spread his hands again, "Given this situation, if someone wanted to sabotage 'The Empire Strikes Back,' they would first have to bribe the prop and lighting technicians of 'The Shining' to use flammable materials and increase the light intensity, and ensure that the fire was close to 'The Empire Strikes Back's' set and large enough to spread."

"So, if someone offended both Fox and 'The Empire Strikes Back' team and Warner and 'The Shining' team, I think they must be out of their mind," Spielberg concluded.

Seeing his serious and somewhat helpless expression, if Li Xu weren't Little Edward Li, he probably wouldn't have said so much.

"But this could clear the suspect," Li Xu said with a smile, "If they were careful enough, no one would think someone would dare to offend two major studios at once."

Spielberg's mouth twitched, clearly thinking, "Are you kidding me?" Then he sighed, "Alright, Eddie, you must admit that if someone wanted to sabotage 'The Empire Strikes Back's' release, burning the film is the most direct and effective method."

He paused and then continued, "But, as one of the investors in this $20 million film, what would you do if someone burned it?"

"Hmm..." Li Xu rubbed his chin, "I would try to find out. If there's evidence, I'll handle it with evidence; if there isn't, I'll handle it without evidence."

"Mr. Alan Ladd Jr. would agree with you," Spielberg said.

Alan Ladd Jr. is the current CEO of 20th Century Fox.

"Alright..." Li Xu seemed to accept this, but quickly asked, "But what if the person didn't want to destroy 'The Empire Strikes Back,' but just wanted to increase the cost and delay the release?"

Spielberg immediately covered his forehead, rolled his eyes, and after a moment, glared at Li Xu, who was still smiling, "Alright, Eddie, why are you asking this?"

"Oh, of course, to find an enemy," Li Xu shrugged, "If it's really intentional, I can use my power to uphold justice."

Spielberg covered his face, "I don't want to say anything anymore."

"Alright, alright, let's talk about something else," Li Xu laughed.

He was, of course, joking. The fire incident of "The Empire Strikes Back" was already thoroughly investigated in his previous life. However, there were always some people who thought it was a conspiracy, a power struggle among the major studios.

What a mess. If they were just starting and needed to fight for territory, it might be true. But now, they are civilized and need to maintain a good image. Using old methods would lead to their quick demise.

If Hollywood were like that, it wouldn't have developed, let alone dominated the world.

So, Li Xu, being bored, decided to tease Spielberg, who hadn't yet reached his god-like status. Listening to him describe it was quite amusing, like hearing a grandpa say Kennedy was stupid.

After a few more words, he invited the lead actors Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher to keep Spielberg company, and they entered the hall under Lucas's urging.

As an investor and a close friend of Lucas, Li Xu naturally had the best seat, which was close to the front but didn't obstruct the view. Adam and Scott, as his invited friends, also enjoyed high-level treatment.

"Finally, it's about to start. I hope the introduction isn't too long. I'm so excited, I can't wait to see that surprising plot point," Adam started chattering again. Well, he was never calm.

Li Xu, rolling his eyes, could only tell himself to be patient, fearing he might accidentally spoil the plot.

But that guy still asked, "Hey, Eddie, you're an investor in this film. Did you find out what the surprising plot point is?"

Fortunately, Scott's brain wasn't broken, and he interjected, "I think it's better to keep it a mystery. Whether Eddie found out or not, he shouldn't tell us."

"Alright, alright," Adam finally reacted, and at that moment, the lights in the hall began to dim.

Although it was a premiere, this era wasn't as flashy as later times. The creators would only go on stage after the film ended. After a host-like person said a few words, the film finally began.