章節 307: Chapter 307: Dick Cook
The success of Iron Man not only made Marvel Studios famous but also solidified Kevin Feige's position as the president of Marvel Studios.
Simultaneously, the male actor playing Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr., experienced a career revival, while Kate Beckinsale, playing Pepper Potts, also saw a significant rise in her popularity.
"Congratulations, Charles, Marvel has really changed under your leadership," said Dick Cook, the chairman of Disney's movie group, as he entered the banquet hall.
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End earned $300 million in North America and over $600 million overseas!"
After clinking glasses with Dick Cook, Charles continued, "Even Pixar has changed since joining Disney."
Dick Cook smiled, "Disney's performance in live-action films has been lackluster, but Capet Pictures has really made people envious over the past few years!"
Saying that Dick Cook leaned closer to Charles, "Disney is interested in Marvel, you know that, but you previously turned us down.
Now, Disney is extremely sincere in wanting to acquire the entire Capet Group. With stocks and cash, you would directly become the president of the Disney Group, managing the entire film and entertainment division!"
Charles looked at Dick Cook, "How much do you think the Capet Group is worth? Is it $10 billion?"
"It shouldn't be that much," judging by Dick Cook's surprised expression, "One Pixar was worth $7.4 billion. Do you think Marvel is worth less than Pixar?"
"Sure, Pixar's animated rights filled Disneyland's coffers, but Marvel's rights are inexhaustible, and now, only one Iron Man has succeeded, and it still can't compare with Pixar.
But you know how much revenue my Capet Pictures' live-action films generated last year? More than Disney and 20th Century Fox combined!
Go back and tell Robert Iger that the Capet Group will never join Disney but may have a chance to acquire Disney in the future!"
Hearing Charles Capet's arrogant words, Dick Cook was speechless. The Capet Group aiming to acquire Disney in the future?
Disney had never been acquired in Hollywood history.
"Charles, with Disney's resources, your future development will be faster, and Disney's future will also be in your hands!" Dick Cook was a strong supporter of chairman Robert Iger's big IP strategy.
Pixar and Marvel were targets, but it seemed the Capet Group didn't have that kind of thinking.
Charles smiled, "Alright, let's just have a drink for now. This happy night isn't the time to talk about this."
Taking a sip of his drink, Charles patted Dick Cook on the shoulder and left.
It wasn't that Charles looked down on Disney; he just didn't see eye to eye with Disney's movie chairman Dick Cook.
At the end of 2005, Mel Gibson directed an adventure action movie about the end of the Maya Empire called Apocalypto. After Gibson's anti-Semitic incident in mid-2006, Disney didn't dare to aggressively promote Apocalypto, and it only grossed $50 million in North America.
Disney's live-action films were now just relying on their collaboration with star producer Jerry Bruckheimer's Pirates of the Caribbean series and the two National Treasure movies.
Losing the Weinstein brothers' Miramax was also in a precarious situation.
In live-action films, Charles didn't even think of comparing himself with Disney. If one were to exclude animated features, Disney is definitely the last among the top six studios every year!
"Downey, your performance was great," Charles said, coming up to the male lead Robert Downey Jr., complimenting him.
"Thanks, also big thanks to the company for giving me the chance to play this role," Robert Downey Jr. was definitely on cloud nine, having gone from being down and out to now being everyone's darling.
Charles smiled and raised his glass to clink with Robert Downey Jr. again, "It's your honor, Hollywood is just like that!"
Later, Kate Beckinsale also received Charles' blessings, "Iron Man was pretty successful. The role of Pepper Potts has brought me more and more scripts."
Kate Beckinsale was filled with emotion. Since the failure of Pearl Harbor, aside from Underworld being a success, Van Helsing had also flopped.
She had almost been relegated to starring in low-budget horror films like Vacancy. Joining The Departed and Iron Man turned things around for her.
"Don't worry, this is what you deserve. When Iron Man 2 is released the year after, I'm sure your popularity will spike again," Charles patted her shoulder.
"I saw Eva Green appear at the end of Iron Man, is that a tie-in with Thor?" Kate Beckinsale asked.
Charles nodded, "Yes, it will lead into it. Thor is still filming and will be released next year!"
"Oh, that's great. After playing in Iron Man, I've gotten into Marvel's comic stories and even bought some to read at home."
Kate Beckinsale then thought of something and asked, "Did Capet Pictures sell the rights to Angels & Demons to Universal to exchange for the rights to Hulk?"
"It was part of the reason. Marvel previously sold off too many hero rights, and it's been tough getting them back," every time Charles thought of Spider-Man, he felt anger building up.
"Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and so on, it seems Capet Pictures has quite a few Marvel movies to develop," Kate Beckinsale, as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, wasn't privy to Capet Pictures' plans for the Marvel series.
The new Hulk project is currently in the scripting stage, and Charles had set the tone for a family-friendly popcorn movie, avoiding political metaphors or deep human insights on screen.
What they wanted was a commercial popcorn movie, not an art-house drama.
"Come over tonight, last time we were in Shanghai it was too rushed," Kate Beckinsale reminded Charles as she moved closer.
"Of course, I miss you too!"
*****
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