"I believe that as film production costs continue to rise and box-office pressure increases, the industry will gradually shift away from original works and toward adaptations and remakes.
"For example, Tomb Raider was adapted from a famous video game and is highly anticipated. Players of the original game are already potential cinema audiences, which gives it a strong foundation."
Ethan's analysis immediately gained unanimous agreement from Clooney and the others.
"Besides games, famous television series from the past, well-known science-fiction animations, popular comic books, and excellent works from outside the United States all have the potential to be adapted or remade."
After hearing this, Tom Cruise smiled wryly.
"Honestly, I thought I had already put a great deal of thought into this area, but after listening to you, I realise I haven't gone deeply enough.
"You're right. Perhaps we should trust professional managers. But when the time comes, you'll have to serve as the company's consultant!"
Ethan shrugged, indicating that he would certainly help if he had the time.
Everyone could tell that he was trying to avoid responsibility, and they immediately burst into laughter, demanding that he fulfil his duties as an investor instead of acting so irresponsibly.
"Hey, you're not allowed to bully him!" Eva said as she approached with Victoria after hearing the laughter from a distance.
"Haha, don't worry, Eva. He isn't that easy to bully!" Clooney joked.
After the two women sat down, the subject changed for a while, but the conversation soon returned to Ethan.
Naturally, the most important topic was his recent work in Africa, which had led many people to believe that he intended to focus more heavily on charity.
"In truth, I don't personally manage any of my companies in the United States. I leave everything to professional managers.
"Software specialists handle software, hardware specialists handle hardware, and professional executives manage the companies.
"I don't see any reason for me to sit in an office. Instead of wasting my time on endless business meetings and social engagements, I'd rather do something I enjoy, such as football or charity.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
That was Ethan's explanation.
"It sounds as though you've already prepared exactly what you're going to say when TIME interviews you," Clooney said with obvious envy.
Being interviewed by TIME was a dream for countless people, especially if their photograph appeared on the cover.
News had already spread that Ethan would be the subject of one of TIME's upcoming major interviews. It was also rumoured that CNN was planning a special programme about him.
People outside the United States found it difficult to understand just how famous Ethan had become there.
However, Ethan was very different from the profit-driven financial figures normally associated with Wall Street.
He was a close friend of Steve Jobs, while Warren Buffett had recently praised him publicly, saying that his commitment to charity was highly admirable.
Bill Gates, the world's richest man, had also spoken positively about Ethan's charitable work and expressed a desire to meet him.
Both Buffett and Gates were world-famous philanthropists and strong supporters of charitable causes. Ethan's work in Africa over the previous year had quickly made him a prominent figure in philanthropic circles.
Naturally, the media had played a major role in creating that image.
Ethan smiled faintly after hearing this.
"You may not believe me, but every morning after I wake up, I stand in front of the mirror and practise what I just said over and over again.
"I'm worried that I'll become incoherent during the interview, so I plan to repeat those words until they become instinctive. That way, I won't say anything wrong."
He spoke so seriously that everyone burst into laughter.
"The next time you organise a charity event, remember to invite me," Clooney said with a smile. "I don't understand football, but I'm interested in charity."
"Of course," Ethan replied with a smile.
"By the way, Ethan, I heard your club is looking for an image consultant. Is that true?" Tom Cruise suddenly asked.
Ethan was surprised that he knew about it and glanced at Eva.
She smiled.
"I heard Tom mention it before. One of his friends is an image consultant who previously worked with several NBA and NFL teams in the United States.
"He's very good at what he does, but he lost money on an investment and is currently looking for work, so I asked about him for you."
Ethan smiled with relief.
"Yes. I'm not only looking for someone to manage the players' public image, but also someone to oversee the club's corporate image.
"You've seen my players. Most of them aren't exactly natural advertising models."
He pointed toward the players nearby and laughed self-deprecatingly.
In truth, it was difficult to describe many of New Manchester United's players as conventionally marketable.
Essien, Drogba, Evra, and Abidal were obvious examples.
However, that was before any professional branding.
With the right presentation, even an ordinary-looking player could become highly marketable.
If Ronaldinho could be presented as a joyful global superstar, then almost anything was possible.
Of course, Ethan's idea of image management was moderate.
A footballer's true value was still determined on the pitch. No matter how popular a player became away from football, it could not replace his sporting ability, and off-field popularity alone would never last.
"Then I think your club is missing a David Beckham," Tom Cruise joked.
It was only a casual remark, but Ethan's heart suddenly stirred.
New Manchester United truly did lack someone like Beckham.
He had enormous influence on the pitch, exceptional commercial value away from it, and outstanding professionalism. A player like that could bring tremendous attention to a club.
Looking at New Manchester United's current squad, players such as Drogba and Essien were unlikely to possess enormous commercial appeal.
Among the rest, Palacio was probably the most handsome, but the young Argentine was not even a regular starter.
John Terry and Curtis were not the kind of players likely to possess huge commercial value either, partly because they were centre-backs.
Perhaps when Messi grew up, New Manchester United would finally have a global superstar of their own.
But how long would that take?
Thinking about this, Ethan suddenly turned toward Beckham with a meaningful look in his eyes.
...
The banquet ended in a lively atmosphere.
Hollywood stars and footballers were two groups that rarely crossed paths, but Ethan and Eva had brought them together.
Stars such as Clooney and Cruise showed no arrogance. They willingly greeted the New Manchester United players and drank with them, leaving the youngsters extremely excited.
The bolder Curtis somehow found a pen and some paper, then immediately approached his idols for autographs.
The vice-captain's actions quickly encouraged the other players to do the same.
Most of them were only around twenty years old and were still at an age when they admired celebrities.
Being able to drink and speak with stars they normally saw only on cinema screens felt almost like a dream.
Although everyone drank together, their professions were completely different, so they had few common topics.
Before long, they separated into smaller groups and continued chatting in different parts of the courtyard.
To everyone's surprise, The Sun published photographs the next morning of New Manchester United players drinking with Hollywood stars such as Clooney and Cruise.
The report immediately caused a sensation.
No one had expected two such different groups to gather in the same place.
Some reports even exaggerated the situation by claiming that Ethan planned to take the New Manchester United squad to Hollywood to make a film.
When Ethan read those stories, he could only feel helpless.
He had also been caught off guard by the event and could do nothing except respond with a bitter smile.
He could not control what the media wrote, and he had no intention of trying.
According to Mark, the more exposure the club received, the greater its advertising value became.
He even intended to have the Commercial Department create a new publicity campaign around the banquet to stimulate New Manchester United's commercial growth.
However, Ethan specifically met with Mourinho and made it clear that the team could not be distracted by outside attention. Their priority had to remain their preparations for the new season.
He also instructed Mark that whatever the Commercial Department chose to do, it must not interfere with or disturb the players.
Under these circumstances, Ethan's control over the club became fully apparent.
Both the Commercial Department and the footballing side followed his instructions.
The Commercial Department turned down several tempting sponsorship opportunities. In return, the squad was able to continue preparing for the season without distraction.
Although it was somewhat regrettable, the department cleverly used the situation to elevate New Manchester United's position in the sponsorship market.
Through media coverage and carefully released statements, they created the impression that New Manchester United were not motivated purely by money and would choose their commercial partners selectively.
Although this approach cost the club some short-term sponsorship revenue, it raised New Manchester United's standing.
Mark and Gardner's ability to turn a potential problem into an opportunity was impressive.
Even under Ethan's strict limitations, they managed to find a new path for the club's commercial development.
The team also continued preparing diligently, exactly as Ethan had requested.
In the following three friendlies against lower-division opposition, New Manchester United gave their opponents no opportunity and won all three matches.
New signing Kolo Touré started at right-back ahead of Bosingwa in the friendlies and performed extremely well.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Mourinho intended to rely heavily on Kolo during the coming season, with Bosingwa serving as his main backup.
Ethan had also mentioned to Mourinho that Touré could perform equally well at centre-back.
Drogba also played well in the friendlies.
Although he did not score, his overall influence on the pitch was greater than Kitson's had been.
He possessed technical ability that Kitson lacked, which allowed him to combine more smoothly with his teammates. He was also quicker, significantly increasing New Manchester United's attacking speed in the final third.
For a team that constantly emphasised rapid progression, Drogba was undoubtedly a better tactical fit than Kitson.
The next task was obvious.
His finishing needed to improve.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)