[Chapter 281: The Italian Goddess?]
In Hollywood, data was the only universal language.
A weekend opening of over forty million meant this fifty-million-dollar investment could easily turn a profit from the North American box office alone. With the boost from the awards season and global distribution, this film was already destined to go down in history.
Marvel headquarters, Avi Arad and Isaac Perlmutter's office.
The desk was piled high with theater reports from across the country. Avi Arad rubbed his swollen eyes, his voice betraying an irrepressible excitement.
"Look at these numbers, old friend. We don't need to wait and see anymore. Daniel Cross's vision is simply inhumanly sharp. Since he's optimistic about Iron Man, then this movie will definitely be a hit."
Isaac Perlmutter, having lost his usual stingy demeanor, slammed his hand on the table. "Notify Jon Favreau to speed up the progress. We need to keep up with Daniel's pace."
...
Compared to the studio's celebration, Daniel's villa had become Hollywood's most secret center of power these past few days.
Anne Hathaway had just finished a small press event for The Devil Wears Prada. She had her driver take her straight to Beverly Hills. As soon as she entered the house, she kicked off her high heels and eagerly threw herself into Daniel's arms, looking at him with eyes full of longing.
"Daniel, do you have any idea how many people are asking about you right now?"
Anne grinned widely. "A few independent studios even asked me to pass a message, wondering if you'd consider bringing your own investment to a production."
Daniel held her close, his expression calm. "Let them wait in line."
At the same time, Amanda, as well as Jessica, who was rushing her schedule in Hawaii, sent private videos.
On the screen, Jessica was still wearing her Invisible Woman suit. She blew a kiss to the camera, her voice playful and fervent. "Honey, you're amazing. Everyone on set can't stop talking about your vision. The way the director looks at me has totally changed."
Megan was even more direct, her voice nearly tearful over the phone. "Daniel, I miss you. I'm heading back to Los Angeles. I don't care how much that old madman Michael yells -- I'm coming back to celebrate."
Rachel, on the other hand, declined all the celebratory dinners and was extremely tender in private.
In this vanity fair, success was the best aphrodisiac. When you were successful, the whole world seemed full of good people.
...
Malibu, Will Smith's mansion.
Outside the window, the Pacific waves constantly crashed against the rocks, mirroring his current mood. The study was a mess, with a precious antique porcelain cup shattered to powder.
Will Smith stared at the photo of Daniel's profile on the computer screen, his face so dark it looked like it might drip ink.
Every million added to the box office of The Pursuit of Happyness felt like another slap to his face.
"A fluke... it must be a fluke."
He suddenly turned his head and growled at his agent, James. "He chose Denzel because Denzel has a solid fan base! That's not his credit!"
...
Beverly Hills.
Chris projected a virtual screen in front of Daniel. It showed a cocktail party.
At the party, someone asked Will Smith for his opinion on Daniel.
Will dismissed it, saying, "A one-time success isn't rare in Hollywood; it's called 'beginner's luck.' A real producer needs sustained stability. According to my sources, Daniel Cross's next project is Hancock? An alcoholic, ragged-clothed, obnoxious superhero? A trashy script that completely deviates from the original intent of superheroes... Besides making that lunatic Tom Cruise even crazier, I don't see any possibility of success."
Chris smiled and said, "Master, this video is circulating online now. Looks like someone secretly filmed Will at the party and posted this segment."
Daniel smiled. "The internet must be pretty lively now, huh?"
Chris nodded. "Yes, people are divided into two camps now. One group thinks Will is right -- that you were just lucky. That you benefited from Gardner's original book and Denzel's star power. After all, the original story itself was already brilliant enough. Combined with Denzel's performance, that's how the story was told well. You were just lucky to be the one who brought it over."
Daniel's smile didn't fade. "That makes a lot of sense. What about the other group?"
Chris said, "The other group thinks that being able to see the potential of this story before everyone else -- and buying it in advance, as well as choosing the right screenwriter and director -- is a very powerful ability in itself. You have extraordinary talent and vision as a producer. But..."
Daniel asked, "But what?"
Chris answered, "But they also don't have high hopes for Hancock. They think Will has a point. A hobo superhero like Hancock really doesn't pique much interest."
"Ha..." Daniel laughed. "It seems the buzz for Hancock has already built up. Only then would they be talking about it."
Chris nodded. "Yes, the discussion about Hancock has soared. The film's exposure is already very high."
"Heating up before it's even released." Daniel was all smiles. "Looks like I really should thank Will."
...
Two days later.
Daniel leaned back in his leather swivel chair, holding a theater schedule for Hancock. The film had completed all production. Furthermore, the release date was set for July 14th. On June 28th, Superman Returns would be released.
Half a month was enough time for people to realize just how much of a flop that movie was. By then, the buzz for Hancock would surely be white-hot.
"Master, the view count for Will's video has already surpassed a million," Chris said, floating in mid-air, swirling a virtual wine glass in her hand with a playful look.
Daniel casually tossed the report on the desk. "Just a petty buffoon. Ignore him."
Just then, the phone on the desk vibrated violently, a call from an unknown number.
Daniel pressed to answer.
"Hello, is this Mr. Cross?"
On the other end of the line, a woman's voice came through, speaking very fast. It carried an unmistakable tremor and a heavy nasal tone, clearly having just cried.
Daniel's tone was flat. "It's me. Who is this?"
"My name is Monica. My daughter... my daughter is missing."
Daniel was no stranger to the job of finding people. After all, he had indeed found quite a few over the past two years.
"How long has she been missing? Where did she disappear?" Daniel asked.
"Five days ago. I took her on a trip to Maine, passing through a small town called Derry. It was raining hard then. I just went into a convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes. When I came out, the car parked by the roadside was empty. She's only three years old, Mr. Cross. Please, I beg you to save her!"
Daniel's eyes shifted slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
"Derry?"
The name felt very familiar to him.
"Where are you? Send me the address."
Daniel hung up the phone.
...
Half an hour later, Daniel arrived at a detached villa in an affluent area. At a glance, this family was not short on money.
Daniel entered the house and saw the woman who had called.
Upon seeing her, Daniel was momentarily stunned.
The Italian Goddess?
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.