With the serious discussions concluded, James Cameron jokingly asked, "Are you interested in playing the male lead in Avatar?"
"Me?" Gilbert was taken aback. "My acting fee is quite high."
"No problem, I can use the investment you provided to hire you."
"Forget it," Gilbert shook his head, "If anything, I'll cameo in a role, maybe play an alien."
"Alright, it's settled then," James Cameron agreed immediately.
After James Cameron left, Ivanka came over, a little worried: "You just gave a hundred million dollars to invest in Cameron's project. How much total investment does he need?"
"Probably around three hundred million," Gilbert said.
"That much?" Ivanka was concerned. "Is there any risk? Should we reconsider?"
"No need to worry," Gilbert said. "I know Cameron's work these past few years. I'm confident this will be a movie that completely changes Hollywood. We will achieve unprecedented success."
With Gilbert's support, James Cameron immediately took the script to Disney. After watching the sample footage, Robert Iger was thrilled and decided to invest on the spot.
Upon hearing this, 20th Century Fox panicked. The executives immediately evaluated the project. When they learned Gilbert was willing to invest a hundred million to back Cameron, they no longer hesitated.
Using their right of first refusal, 20th Century Fox signed the project, putting in two hundred million of their own. With Gilbert's additional hundred million, the film officially began preparations in July.
However, during discussions with the Fox executives, James Cameron mentioned additional follow-up investments, which scared them immensely.
But the project was already underway; everyone was on board. At this point, leaving was impossible—they could only trust James Cameron.
Fox vice president Walden even called Gilbert to discuss the project. Gilbert, full of confidence, told Walden, "This is a wise investment. We will change the entire film industry."
With Gilbert and James Cameron involved, this statement carried strong credibility.
Meanwhile, Robert Iger subtly expressed his dissatisfaction to Gilbert. He felt Gilbert should have persuaded James Cameron to side with Disney.
Gilbert explained that he had indeed tried to persuade Cameron; otherwise, Cameron wouldn't have approached Disney. In the end, it was Fox's right of first refusal that prevented Disney from securing the project.
However, Gilbert knew Disney's real discontent wasn't this—it was that he had used the Fruit Company's name to invest in Avatar.
When Disney expressed interest in investing, 20th Century Fox flatly rejected them.
Of course, these were minor issues. Once Iron Man achieved excellent box office results, Disney's dissatisfaction vanished.
Clearly, compared to Cameron's bottomless investment demands, Disney was more interested in the Marvel Universe Gilbert had mentioned.
Back at the premiere, after media interviews ended, Scarlett and Kate Beckinsale appeared together in front of Gilbert.
Scarlett, looking like a big-bosomed, sweet, naïve girl, said to Gilbert, "Honey, Kate and I are going shopping together. She's my good sister."
"Is that so?" Gilbert smiled. "Great. Be safe while shopping, and remember you still have promotional duties!"
"Got it!" Scarlett led Kate Beckinsale away.
Ivanka commented on the side, "Should we remind Scarlett that Kate isn't as simple as she seems?"
In theory, a character like Pepper Potts is a very popular supporting role, but what Kate Beckinsale never expected was that Scarlett's portrayal of Black Widow stole her spotlight.
With most actresses, a rivalry would have already started by now. But Black Widow is Scarlett, and Kate dared not confront her directly, so she had to take a more indirect approach.
Gilbert shook his head and said, "No need. Scarlett isn't that fragile. Anyone who underestimates her will really be at a loss."
If David Ellison had heard this, he would definitely have agreed that Gilbert had a point—he had more than once been outmaneuvered by Scarlett.
This little Hollywood princess may appear sweet and naïve on the surface, but in reality, she is a cunning little demoness.
In the following days during Iron Man's promotion, Scarlett and Kate Beckinsale maintained the appearance of being good friends, fully showcasing her Oscar-winning acting potential, much to the delight of the ladies at Melon Manor.
Meanwhile, Iron Man's box office surged, becoming a major summer blockbuster in June.
The real success of superhero films began with 20th Century Fox's X-Men 1 and peaked with Sony Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man.
With advancements in film industry technology, these superheroes from comics began coming to life on the big screen. Many superheroes have decades of history, amassing large fan bases.
So whenever a superhero film is released, it naturally draws countless comic book fans, and Iron Man was no exception.
"How's the midnight screening data?" Kevin Feige didn't rest but waited for the midnight numbers.
As soon as the data came in, his assistant reported, "Quite good, Kevin. The midnight screenings earned $13.35 million."
Hearing this, Kevin Feige breathed a sigh of relief—the midnight performance was excellent.
Avi Arad and Stan Lee also hadn't rested; both heard the midnight box office results.
Avi Arad clenched his fists and said, "Great! With Iron Man's success, our subsequent plans can move forward."
Stan Lee signaled Avi Arad to calm down. "It's just the midnight numbers; the first-weekend box office hasn't come in yet."
Kevin Feige wasn't worried at all: "I believe the first-weekend results will be very good. Previous test screenings and previews have already spread word of mouth widely.
Now the internet is buzzing with discussions. Gentlemen, I suggest we pop the champagne."
The champagne wasn't actually opened, but the continued success of the film boosted Marvel's executives.
Friday arrived, and Iron Man opened in 4,100 theaters across North America, while simultaneously releasing in over thirty countries and regions in Western Europe, Asia, and South America.
On its first day in North America, the film earned $38.54 million, proving Iron Man's box office potential.
By Saturday, the box office continued to rise, earning $40.84 million in a single day, astounding audiences across North America.
After receiving the two-day box office data, Marvel headquarters didn't just pop champagne—Stan Lee was so excited he even did a tap dance.
If not for fearing the old man might overexert himself, Stan Lee could have danced all day.
Hearing such box office numbers, Stan Lee claimed his back didn't ache, his legs weren't sore, and he could eat three large steaks plus two Big Macs, feeling in perfect health.
More importantly, Iron Man's earnings were closely tied to Stan Lee; the higher the box office, the higher his income.
The body may age, but Stan Lee's spirit remained youthful.
....
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