Chapter 24: Chapter 23 : Retired killer seeking revenge for a dog
"Boss, the weekend box office statistics are in!"
At Sony Entertainment Headquarters, key executives and film creators were gathered, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
A staff member rushed in, panting heavily.
"How much?" Sony Chairman Stringer asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.
The entire conference room fell silent, holding their breath.
"Huff, huff… $170 million!"
$170 million? It's $170 million!
A stunning result!
As the news sunk in, the Sony Entertainment conference room erupted in cheers and celebration!
The first weekend box office, spanning three days from Friday, saw Spider-Man earn an astounding $170 million in North America. This shattered the previous record for the highest first-weekend box office in film history.
Before this, the record was held by Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Shrek 2, each earning $108 million on their first weekends. Even the 2002 version of Spider-Man had only set a record of $114.8 million.
The new Spider-Man had not only broken the record but had set a new, unparalleled benchmark.
Spider-Man quickly became the movie of the year, overshadowing all competitors. Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was left in the dust on its opening day, and other films like Cars, Ice Age 2, and The Da Vinci Code couldn't even come close.
Warner Bros.'s Superman Returns, which was intended to be a contender in the superhero genre, paled in comparison. Despite a decent first weekend grossing over $30 million, it was no match for Spider-Man. Warner Bros. found themselves outmatched by Sony Entertainment.
Even if the revival of superhero movies becomes a topic of discussion in the future, Spider-Man will be the first film people think of.
The film's success was explosive, creating a nationwide sensation. On the third day of its release, Spider-Man maintained an extraordinary IMDb rating of 9.8.
The film received glowing reviews from both traditional media and online critics, with the number of viewers increasing exponentially. Theaters, which had initially shown Spider-Man in over 4,000 locations, quickly expanded to nearly 5,000. Even small theaters in remote towns were eager to screen the film. Tickets were so hard to come by that people were lining up for hours and still being turned away.
Veteran industry professionals marveled at the film's success, a phenomenon they had never seen before.
"I can't get a ticket! I waited in line for 5 hours, only to be told there are no tickets available for a week?"
"My girlfriend wanted me to buy tickets during pre-sale, and now I'm regretting it—what do I do?"
"I was planning to wait and see, but now I guess I'll have to wait until next week."
"Is it really that good? Not just hype?"
Responses to such queries were overwhelmingly positive, with many urging others to queue up and buy tickets.
Spider-Man's success even caught the attention of TV stations. CNN conducted random interviews on the streets, where people were still queuing up late into the night to buy tickets.
"Hello, I'm a CNN reporter. Why are you all lined up so late at night?"
"Spider-Man! I'm so excited to see it!"
Interviewees were enthusiastic, with many shouting "Spider-Man!" in unison. The excitement was palpable, and some even donned Spider-Man masks, showcasing the character's massive influence.
Film critics also praised Spider-Man. Roger Ebert, known for his sharp critiques, wrote in his column:
"Superhero movies have had their glory days, but poor scripts and performances led to a decline in the genre. This year, however, we've seen something different."
"This isn't just a blockbuster; it's a film with depth and discussion value."
"The film explores the growth of teenagers and the sociological impact of superheroes, using advanced techniques and bold storytelling."
"Xu Can's portrayal of Spider-Man is outstanding. Any doubts about an Asian actor playing this role are quickly dispelled. Xu Can's performance brings Peter Parker to life with remarkable skill."
"Stan Lee's endorsement of Xu Can's Spider-Man is well-deserved!"
"The female lead is more than just a pretty face; her role is pivotal, and her chemistry with Xu Can is natural and engaging."
"Marc Webb's background in romance films shines through, adding depth to the story."
"This is an exceptional film that balances depth with entertainment. My rating? Two thumbs up!"
Ebert's highest rating for a commercial film was unprecedented and highlighted Spider-Man's remarkable achievement.
"Ahhhhh! Xu, I have millions of fans on my Face account!"
Xu Can was still asleep when he received a call from Emma Stone, who was too excited to contain her enthusiasm.
"Isn't it just one million fans? You'll have more than ten million soon," Xu Can yawned, not taking it too seriously.
Spider-Man's explosive performance had elevated the entire cast's popularity. Veteran actor Willem Dafoe and rising star James Franco had also seen their profiles rise dramatically.
The biggest winners, however, were Xu Can and Emma Stone. Stone's social media following skyrocketed, and her agent was inundated with offers. The two films she had previously worked on, Too Bad and The King of Rock and Roll, were suddenly in the spotlight, with Stone's role being promoted heavily.
Emma Stone's newfound status as a top Hollywood actress was confirmed, and Xu Can was planning his next project.
"Is Spider-Man 2 the next project? Will we work together again?" Stone asked, looking forward to future collaborations.
"Spider-Man 2 won't be out until next year. The script I'm working on now is about a retired killer seeking revenge for a dog," Xu Can replied.
Indeed, Xu Can was already planning his next venture, determined to make his own film and not wait for opportunities to come knocking.
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