Chapter 43: Chapter 42
In California, May temperatures had already climbed above 30 degrees, allowing Xu Can to experience the scorching summer in advance. Sitting in the dressing room while the makeup artist styled his hair, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Is this really necessary? It's just a premiere, right?" Xu Can asked.
"Xu, this is our company's first movie, and you're the star of the premiere. Your image has to be perfect," Happy replied, his concern evident.
"But you're the president of the company. Why are you personally overseeing this?" Xu Can questioned.
"I'm also your agent," Happy reminded him, his nervousness apparent.
This was the first film produced and distributed by Galaxy Pictures, and its success would determine the future of the entire Galaxy Entertainment enterprise. Happy had never seen anyone invest all their newly earned salary and dividends into a new movie, especially an independent project with a crime-action theme, a genre Xu Can had never tackled before.
Happy couldn't understand why Xu Can hadn't involved Sony, which had a vested interest in his success. Everyone in the industry knew how much Sony Entertainment valued Xu Can. As long as he was involved, the project was considered a sure thing.
But Xu Can insisted on going solo, investing independently and risking everything.
"Relax, Happy. I can guarantee we won't lose money. You've seen the rough cut—doesn't it look good?"
"It does look good, but I'm worried it's too niche to be a hit," Happy said, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"The premiere is almost here. We'll know soon enough," Xu Can reassured him.
For the premiere, Xu Can had chosen Sony's Galaxy Cinema, utilizing the IMAX screen to fully convey the visual impact of "John Wick." The premiere was set for 8 p.m., with the North American release following at midnight. Due to the film's R rating, release times in other countries had to be coordinated, preventing a simultaneous global premiere.
"Xu, do you think I look good in this dress?" Emma Stone asked as she entered, wearing an elegant beige evening gown.
Happy, recognizing the couple's need for privacy, made a quick exit, leaving the lounge to the two of them.
"You look stunning. The dress suits you perfectly," Xu Can complimented.
"I had Karl Lagerfeld design it. I was saving it for a special occasion, so I decided to wear it for your premiere," Emma explained.
"Well, I'll make it up to you tonight," Xu Can teased.
"Who's making it up to whom?" Emma retorted playfully.
"John Wick" was scheduled to be released on May 4th, at the tail end of spring. A week later, on May 11th, "Twilight" was set to premiere, making the two films competitors for the early summer box office. Despite the competition, Emma had chosen to wear a custom gown to Xu Can's premiere, showing just how much he meant to her.
"Shall we go, my princess? It's almost time," Xu Can said, extending his hand.
"Lead the way, my prince," Emma replied with a smile.
Arm in arm, the couple left the lounge and headed toward the luxury car that would take them to the premiere. Happy, still at the door, continued to wipe away sweat, feeling like he was in the middle of a romance movie.
At Galaxy Theater, reporters from various media outlets were already in position, their cameras aimed and ready. Fans crowded around, kept at bay by barricades and a strong police presence.
"Why is there such a huge crowd? Xu Can has only been in one movie," an older police officer grumbled over his radio.
"Old Mike, you have no idea how big Spider-Man is, especially with young people. Xu Can is like a god to them," another officer replied.
"Yeah, I'm a Spider-Man fan. I've watched the live-action movie seven times!"
"Josh, that's because you took a different girl to each screening…"
"Focus, guys. The star convoy is arriving," their sergeant interrupted.
As the fans erupted into cheers, several luxury cars approached. The police had no time to chat, focusing on maintaining order. The first cars emptied their passengers—Willem Dafoe, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, and other actors who had spent their careers in supporting roles.
But it was the last car that everyone was waiting for.
When Xu Can, dressed in a sharp silver suit, stepped out with Emma Stone on his arm, the crowd went wild. The cheers and screams were deafening.
"Can we get a photo?"
"Xu Can! I love you!"
"Spider-Man! Gwen! Spider-Man!"
"Over here! Look this way!"
The scene grew chaotic as young fans surged forward. Fortunately, the barricades held, and the police managed to keep the situation under control. Xu Can stepped forward, briefly high-fiving the fans before joining Emma for a photo in front of the press wall.
"Xu, congratulations on your new film. What are your expectations for the box office?" a reporter asked.
"I'd say the baseline is $100 million. It's a niche film, so I don't expect it to be a massive hit," Xu Can replied modestly.
Based on industry predictions, "John Wick," which had a budget of just $16 million, was expected to gross around $80 million worldwide, with $60 million coming from North America. However, the general consensus was that a crime-action film in the vein of 1990s B-movies was unlikely to perform well at the box office.
"The New York Times" had even commented, "Ambition is commendable, but Xu Can's decision-making may be too radical. 'John Wick' is a bold gamble."
If Xu Can had stuck to making "Spider-Man 2," the media would have showered him with praise. But by taking on a new genre, he risked joining the ranks of countless Hollywood failures.
Emma Stone stepped up to the microphone. "Believe me, once you see the movie, you'll realize Xu Can's estimate is actually conservative."
Her confident statement caused a stir among the reporters.
"Emma, do you think your film, 'Twilight,' will outperform Xu Can's 'John Wick'?" another reporter asked, looking to stir up some drama.
"Yes, but no," Emma replied cryptically, leaving the press puzzled.
Before the media could ask any more questions, the couple made their way into the theater.
Thanks to Xu Can's popularity, all the premiere seats had sold out a week in advance. Fans had camped out overnight to secure their tickets.
Leonard and his friends, who had seen "Spider-Man" together, were also at the "John Wick" premiere. This time, they had come prepared, setting up a tent outside the ticket booth and taking turns standing in line to ensure they got their tickets.
After securing their seats, they had to fend off a local gang that tried to rob them of their premiere tickets. Howard, thinking ahead, had parked the car nearby, allowing the group to escape unharmed.
"Look, Xu Can just walked in! It's about to start! I'm so excited!" Leonard exclaimed.
"What's there to be excited about?" Sheldon scoffed. "It's not even a comic book movie. Action films have been on the decline since the late '90s. They're all formulaic and lacking in innovation…"
Howard stuffed a handful of popcorn into Sheldon's mouth. "Shut up, Sheldon! If you keep talking, I won't help you with your 'World of Warcraft' character."
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything," Sheldon grumbled, though he was secretly curious to see what Xu Can had done with this new genre.
After a brief introduction, the lights dimmed, and the audience fell silent in anticipation.
The screen lit up with a new logo animation. A spaceship, drawn in crayon and animated with stop-motion, took off with a burst of flames, tearing through the fabric of space. In the next moment, the animation style shifted to a sleek 3D rendering as the spaceship emerged into a vast, colorful galaxy.
On the IMAX screen, the visuals were stunning.
The logo for Galaxy Pictures appeared, and Leonard was blown away by the opening sequence. Little did he know that years later, when he revisited "John Wick," he would look back on this moment as the beginning of a new era in cinema.
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