That afternoon, George Paxton returned with a troubled expression to report on his progress. Seeing his serious demeanor, Dunn sighed inwardly. Could it be that the book hasn't been released yet?
He didn't dare to be sure. "Couldn't find it?"
George shook his head. "I visited the three largest bookstores in London. The most popular fantasy works are still those by Tolkien, followed by C.S. Lewis's *The Chronicles of Narnia*."
Dunn frowned and shook his head, "I'm looking for a young adult book!"
George sighed, "There's really nothing in the young adult fantasy category. Most of them are fable stories, which can't be adapted into movies."
"Not a single one?"
"No... um, there really isn't anything suitable." George hesitated for a moment.
"Hmm?" Dunn 's eyes widened.
George scratched his head. "Well, I did come across a young adult fantasy book, but it was just released a week ago. It has no sales, no reputation, and the language is lacking, with a simple structure. It's really not much."
Dunn felt his breath quicken and asked with wide eyes, "What's the title?"
"It seems to be called..." George thought for a moment, "Something like *Harakat and the Philosopher's Stone*?"
Dunn couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. *Harakat*? It's called *Harry Potter*!
But he was genuinely thrilled. He had finally discovered this masterpiece ahead of time!
With Dunn 's current strength, if he acted too late, he wouldn't stand a chance against Warner. Now that *Harry Potter* had just been released, with no fame, no sales, and no influence, it was the perfect time to scoop it up.
"Alright, it's this one!" Dunn suppressed his excitement. "George, contact the bookseller and the author immediately. Over the next few days, make sure to establish a good relationship with the author!"
George looked a bit surprised. "Dunn , you... you really want to buy the rights to this book?"
"Of course!"
Dunn patted his chest, his eyes distant. "George, trust in my ability and vision!"
...
Over the course of two weeks, the *Titanic* crew conducted promotional tours across various European countries. This was an additional request by Dunn , primarily to help ease Kate Winslet's mind and, incidentally, to enjoy some travel.
When they returned to London two weeks later, George Paxton had already arranged a meeting with the author of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Joanne Rowling, who used the pen name J.K. Rowling.
Knowing that his influence was still insufficient, Dunn specifically asked the hottest British actress, Kate Winslet, to assist.
His goal was to secure the film rights to this work in one go.
Given Dunn 's current capabilities, he certainly wasn't in a position to produce the *Harry Potter* series. However, he knew that acting early was crucial; he couldn't let Warner Brothers take it.
Even if the rights sat unused and went to waste in Dunn 's hands, he absolutely couldn't let Time Warner make a fortune from it.
Dunn had a grand vision: in the near future, all six major film studios would become his enemies!
Even if he couldn't get it, he had to destroy it; he would never let a potential enemy profit from it.
"Hey, Dunn , you're here. Let me introduce you. This is Joanne Rowling, the author of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*. And this is her agent, Ridley."
Joanne Rowling stood up nervously and shook hands with Dunn . When she saw Kate Winslet's beautiful smile, she was so happy she nearly fainted.
She now fully realized that the negotiations over the past few days were real. Her book was actually going to be sold to Hollywood!
Kate Winslet, the lead actress of the current global blockbuster *Titanic* and the pride of the British people—who wouldn't recognize her?
"Nice to meet you, Joanne." Kate knew her task and tried to show her most friendly, genuine, and sincere side to Rowling.
"Hello, Miss Winslet. I'm sorry, I'm just... I'm so happy!" Joanne Rowling was almost incoherent, with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Is my dream coming true?"
Joanne Rowling could hardly believe what was happening before her eyes.
The manuscript for *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* had been completed as early as 1995, but it had taken years to find a publisher. She struggled to make ends meet while raising her child, relying on odd jobs and even applying for an £8,000 grant from the Scottish Arts Council just to get by.
And now, the young and promising director Dunn Walker and the popular British actress Kate Winslet had personally approached her—everything seemed too good to be true!
"Joanne, there's no need to be nervous. I'm sure you understand my intentions. Yes, I want to buy the movie rights for the *Harry Potter* series."
Dunn 's words reassured Joanne Rowling even more.
However, her agent wasn't as easy to deal with. "Mr. Walker, to protect Ms. Rowling's interests, I've already discussed the basic terms with George. There's no way you're getting the rights to the entire series."
Dunn smiled. "Of course, since this is a partnership, I wouldn't dream of infringing on Joanne's interests. I understand you've already discussed the draft contract?"
Joanne Rowling nervously replied, "Yes, but... Mr. Walker, can *Harry Potter* really be made into a movie?"
"Of course! Otherwise, why would I buy the rights?"
George quickly added, "Joanne, you don't need to worry. The contract states that if the movie isn't made within ten years, you can reclaim the rights."
Rowling's agent, Ridley, pulled out a draft contract and frowned slightly. "Mr. Walker, my negotiations with George have been smooth and pleasant, but there are a few details I'd like to amend."
Dunn kept a gentle smile on his face and looked at Joanne Rowling. "Is this what you want?"
Joanne Rowling, both nervous and hopeful, nodded.
Dunn waved his hand, smiling. "Joanne, I know you've been facing some difficulties, so I'm willing to give up part of my share."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Ridley, the agent, was thrilled. "Mr. Walker, I'd like the annual licensing fee to be increased from $30,000 to £50,000!"
Dunn looked at Joanne Rowling with a pleasant smile and responded decisively, "That's fine."
"Mr. Walker, regarding the profit-sharing from future films, I'd like to see a reasonable improvement—from 1% to 2%!"
"That's impossible!" George immediately objected. He had researched the rights for *The Lord of the Rings*. "New Line Cinema only got 75% profit-sharing for *The Lord of the Rings*."
Dunn 's smile remained unchanged. "No problem. I agree to the 2% share. Are there any other conditions?"
Ridley beamed, and Joanne Rowling cautiously glanced at Dunn . "Mr. Walker, may I make a few requests?"
"Of course!" Dunn gestured for her to continue.
"When the movie is made, can I be the screenwriter?"
"Yes."
"And... can my screenwriting decisions be final? I don't want anyone changing my work."
"Yes."
"*Harry Potter* is set in the UK, so I think it would be better for a British director to handle the project. Mr. Walker, I'm not saying you aren't suitable..."
"That's fine, I agree."
"Mr. Walker, you're so kind. Then... could we have all the actors be British?"
This request was so excessive that even Kate Winslet's expression changed. But Dunn remained calm, his smile unwavering. "Of course!"
...
The contract was signed smoothly, with Dunn agreeing to almost all of their demands.
However, as soon as Dunn left the law office, the smile that had been on his face the whole time vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
"Hmph! Greedy!"
Dunn was deeply annoyed.
He had thought that helping Joanne Rowling in her time of need would earn him her gratitude and a good relationship, but instead, he found her to be this kind of person!
But on reflection, it made sense. Wasn't this how Rowling had behaved in her previous life?
Time Warner invested a fortune in promoting *Harry Potter*, turning it into a global phenomenon through its movies, helping *Harry Potter* reach every corner of the world.
Time Warner was practically Joanne Rowling's benefactor.
So how did she treat them?
She not only made all sorts of demanding requests, but after the first three movies were completed, she refused to sell the rights to the remaining four books because she felt the profit-sharing agreement for the first three films was unfair. She demanded additional compensation!
Time Warner had no choice but to meet her demands and signed the rights to the remaining four films, one at a time, even giving her a producer role.
It's almost laughable to think about it. Did Joanne Rowling know anything about filmmaking? Did she know how to produce movies?
Yet, with this simple and flawed story called *Harry Potter*, Joanne Rowling became one of the world's most famous and wealthy women, surpassing even the authors of classics like *The Lord of the Rings*, *The Chronicles of Narnia*, and *A Song of Ice and Fire*. What did she have that they didn't?
Wasn't it all thanks to Time Warner's help?
Yet, when facing Time Warner, Joanne Rowling was nothing but demanding, never satisfied!
Of course, this aligns with the Western capitalist mindset, where everything is based on profit.
But Dunn was different. He valued profit, but he also valued loyalty and relationships. He had no interest in nurturing an ungrateful person.
George noticed Dunn 's sour mood. "Dunn , do you really plan to produce this film?"
Dunn narrowed his eyes. "Of course. This project has a lot of potential."
"But Joanne..." George frowned, clearly unhappy as well.
Dunn 's lips curled into a slight smile. "Don't worry, we're in no rush. Without a significant promotional budget, *Harry Potter* won't become a bestseller in the U.S., even if it's released there."
"Oh? So you're thinking..." George began to catch on to Dunn 's plan.
Dunn 's smile widened. "Didn't she say there are seven or eight books in the series? We've only secured the rights to the first three."
George immediately understood what Dunn was getting at.
Dunn had no intention of heavily promoting or producing the movie until he had secured the film rights to the entire *Harry Potter* series.
If *Harry Potter* became a hit, Joanne Rowling would undoubtedly demand more.
But the chance to make exorbitant demands wouldn't come again for Rowling and her agent!
Dunn had no intention of repeating the mistakes Time Warner had made.
For the world's top media company to be played like a fiddle by one woman—it was almost laughable.
Sure, Warner made a lot of money.
But Dunn wanted to make even more!