Burbank Hotel, Banquet Hall One.
At Warner Bros.' New Year's party, the most eye-catching event was the official debut of the new CEO, Kevin Tsujihara.
All this was sending a signal to the outside world that Warner Bros. was about to embrace a new era.
After making the rounds in the banquet hall, greeting many people, Martin found Louise: "Any new news?"
Louise said, "Barry yer won't be sitting as chairman for much longer, according to Warner's usual practice, it won't take too long before Kevin Tsujihara also takes on the role of chairman."
Martin asked, "What's his attitude towards cooperating companies like Pacific Pictures?"
Louise replied, "It's unknown at this ti." Her tone shifted: "But one thing that can be almost confird is that he's planning to emulate Marvel Studios and focus on building a superhero series for DC."
Marvel's "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk", which had already been released, began to reveal the grandeur of their cinematic universe.
As superheroes on par with Marvel's, those from DC of course didn't want to fall behind.
Martin wasn't surprised and said, "The Justice League series?"
"Exactly," Louise whispered, "That much is certain, although how he plans to push it forward, I'm not sure. DC is already a big step behind, and it's said that Kevin Tsujihara is a bit anxious to catch up. He's just taken office, and certainly wants to make a na for himself."
Seeing Louise reach for a drink, Martin pressed her hand, "Drink less."
Louise withdrew her hand and said, "I heard Marvel Studios wants you to play Captain Arica."
Martin looked sowhat surprised: "The news has spread that fast?"
Louise said, "There's been industry rumors since after Christmas."
Pondering, Martin said, "It seems they're not sincere."
Louise was curious, "Why's that?"
"They haven't contacted my agent or agency, nor have they contacted . They might just want to use ," Martin guessed, "Maybe we'll know in the next few days."
After New Year's, a piece of entertainnt news garnered widespread attention.
At the press event for "Iron Man 2", hosted by Walt Disney and Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige publicly invited Martin.
"Martin Davis is a national hero in real life, an actor and artist who can represent the spirit of Arica."
In front of nurous dia caras, Kevin Feige, who had deeply researched Christopher Nolan's work, desperately campaigned for Marvel's next movie, "Captain Arica": "Steve Rogers is a national hero from the comics, who inspired our spirit ti and again during World War II, a symbol of the Arican spirit!"
He cried out, "Looking around the world, there is no actor more suitable to play Captain Arica than Martin! We will extend a strong invitation to Martin Davis to play Steve Rogers."
The reporters on-site were moved, equally believing no one was more suitable for the role than Martin.
When the press conference ended, entertainnt sections across internet to television were blanketed with the story.
Many dia outlets even concluded the matter definitively.
"Martin Davis to play Captain Arica!"
"The most suitable actor for Captain Arica, Martin Davis!"
As for the fact that Martin had played the Joker for DC, that detail was automatically ignored since it wasn't a big deal.
The modestly famous comic character Captain Arica suddenly beca a hot topic with the hero-to-hero conversation.
In the Marvel Studios office in Los Angeles, Jon Favreau found Kevin Feige and said, "We've only managed to raise 100 million US Dollars so far, even if we persuade Disney to provide more budget later, it's hard to exceed 140 million US Dollars."
Kevin Feige understood why he was approached: "Are you worried about Martin's high salary?"
Having worked on many aspects of the film's early stages, Jon Favreau was indeed concerned: "As far as I know, because there's a salary compensation clause, after 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' reached 150 million US Dollars at the North Arican box office, the producers compensated Martin Davis, and his actual salary for the film reached 20 million US Dollars."
He elaborated, "To invite a first-rate star to shoot a superhero movie, we'll inevitably have to pay more. Twenty million might not be enough, and Martin Davis will surely ask for a percentage of profits both dostic and foreign."
Kevin Feige smiled and said, "That's exactly why I made the invitation. Martin Davis won't accept the role, and we can't pay such a salary. But Martin fits Captain Arica so well, he's already popular with significant news value. I simply used the most appropriate way to let Captain Arica ride on Martin's popularity."
Nearby soone asked, "What if Martin agrees?"
"Could there be a better outco? Having Martin Davis play Captain Arica for just a few million in salary, not even God would dare to dream such a thing." Kevin Feige knew it was unrealistic: "If Marvel can ride on Martin's popularity, I'm already extrely content."
Martin, of course, saw the fervor stirred by the news, just as he had once ridden on the popularity of others. Now with his prominent fa and great influence, it was the turn of others to ride on his coattails.
But he had no interest in being soone else's tool and imdiately called Thomas.
Thomas first contacted Kevin Feige to inquire about the matter, and the latter "generously" offered a salary of 8 million US Dollars plus a heap of empty promises.
But they didn't discuss actual box office and backend profits.
"He just wants to exploit your fa for publicity," Thomas quickly returned Martin's call.
Martin said, "Go ahead and clarify that."
Afterwards, Thomas contacted the dia and released his phone recording with Kevin Feige.
The dia and fans were in an uproar.
"Such a salary offer is simply an insult to Martin!"
"Is this Marvel's sincerity? The company is really eye-opening."
"Clearly, Marvel is riding on Martin's coattails."
Kevin Feige was adamant and soon publicly stated, "We were just trying to invite Martin; collaboration is always mutual."
Not wanting to give up on the opportunity to ride the montum, he insisted, "Martin and Captain Arica both represent the Arican spirit of strength, freedom, and struggle, and cannot be asured solely by comrcial value."
Faced with such audacity, Martin replied with a single tweet on his newly registered Twitter account, "Captain Arica' is a superhero movie with an investnt of over 100 million US dollars!"
In a highly developed comrcial society, Martin's fit with Captain Arica is high, but if such a comrcial movie project lacks even comrcial sincerity, what else is there to talk about?
Kevin Feige wanted to continue to ride the montum, but a section of the Cola Cult suddenly sprang into action.
Large numbers of fans wearing red Cola culture shirts, organized by the Los Angeles Branch Church, gathered in front of Marvel Studios' office in Burbank.
They carried banners and posters.
"Refuse to watch 'Captain Arica'!"
"Cola Cult rejects Marvel superhero movies!"
Journalists and paparazzi rushed over, and soon dozens assembled.
TMZ even opened a live broadcast window on their website.
Many followers of the Cola Cult responded online, and soone used the banners in front of the Marvel Studios building to create an image resembling a profile picture, which was posted on Twitter and Facebook.
Followers of the Cola Cult who used these two social dia platforms reshared it en masse, creating a small wave online.
The matter quickly alerted Robert Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney, who had a special eting with the much-admired Kevin Feige.
"The Cola Cult has tens of millions of worshipers in North Arica and has certain influence in business and politics," Iger, a wise corporate helmsman, said directly, "You make a public apology and settle this matter quickly. Don't get entangled with Martin Davis anymore."
Kevin Feige was puzzled, "I just rode his popularity a little; is it that serious?"
Iger, having researched Martin, said, "Indeed it doesn't seem like Martin's style. If he wanted to take you on, he wouldn't do so in such a conspicuous manner. It could be those fans acting on their own, matters involving belief are always troubleso."
Kevin Feige, thinking of the growing anti-Marvel wave online, said, "I'll make a public apology to Martin."
Iger replied, "Do it quickly, go back now and contact the dia. Your superhero universe project is just starting; you can't afford to lose."
Kevin Feige returned to Marvel Studios and recorded an apology video to Martin, which he sent to major dia outlets, stating that his previous comnts were inconsiderate, and if they offended Martin in any way, he sincerely apologized.
......
Beverly Hills, Davis Estate.
Elizabeth greeted Thomas at the door and after saying hello, she ntioned, "Martin is in the study."
Thomas, following her lead to the study, asked, "Has Martin seen the news about Kevin Feige's apology?"
Elizabeth nodded slightly, "Old Cloth just reminded Martin to watch it."
Thomas entered the study.
Martin asked, "Have you found out who mobilized those people to protest at Marvel?"
"It wasn't soone from our side," Thomas answered after inquiring thoroughly, confident of this point, "Was it the fan club?"
Bruce shook his head, "No, it has nothing to do with them."
Martin pondered, "Who wants to stir up conflict between and Disney? Disney just spent a lot of money acquiring Marvel and is ready to invest heavily in the Marvel series."
Elizabeth wondered, "Could it be a spontaneous act?"
Bruce explained, "It isn't, several organizers received an email saying there was a need to organize this event. I had soone check it out. The sender is a tech expert, untraceable online."
As soone deeply afflicted with persecution paranoia, Martin's first thought was that soone was scheming against him, "Be extra vigilant recently, notify the branch church and the fan club to arrange events through phone calls from now on, and avoid using online software."
He looked at Elizabeth, advising, "Make sure you have a bodyguard when you go out."
Having experienced the incident at Burbank Middle School, Elizabeth had a strong ntality and knew what to do, replying, "I will."
Thomas said, "I'll be doubly attentive to the industry's movents."
Martin then thought of Harvey, "Any trouble from Weinstein's end?"
"None," Bruce said, "He's still restricted from travel, staying at ho. He denies all charges and hasn't ntioned anyone else's situation."
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