Chapter 111

Kevin Feige beside him fell silent as well; he was very clear on Marvel Entertainment's current situation.

Having abandoned the 500 million loan, Marvel has already tied its head to its belt, going all-in with all its assets to gamble on "Iron Man" alongside Xu Can.

The film hasn't even started shooting, yet the company's market value has evaporated by nearly one hundred million; any boss would feel heartache over this.

Only by switching to an actor with box-office draw can they give the shareholders confidence.

He was even considering persuading Xu Can to switch, replacing him with Tang Mu Cruise.

As for Luo Bote Downey Jr., just pay the breach-of-contract penalty and let it go.

What is a 500,000 salary compared to that? It's not even a fraction of Tang Mu Cruise's.

Seeing this, Xu Can understood clearly in his heart.

This matter can no longer be resolved amicably; Perlmutter and the Marvel Board of Directors' intention to replace the actor cannot be shaken.

In that case...

Xu Can could only reluctantly pull the firewood from under the pot.

Since you disagree with my casting, you are clearly trampling on my authority as the director.

Then I might as well replace the Board of Directors!

That's right,

Xu Can planned to launch early—the Marvel acquisition plan!

In 2009, Disney acquired Marvel.

At that time, "Iron Man" had already taken off, achieving the world's first billion-dollar box office, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe had fully expanded into production.

Marvel's stock price, from just over ten dollars, soared all the way to over thirty.

By the time of the settlement before the acquisition in '09, the closing price was already fifty dollars.

At this price, Disney spent four billion to complete the acquisition, calculating down to eighty million shares.

Now, Marvel's stock price has been falling all the way, having already broken the nine-dollar Daguan, coming down to around 8.8 dollars.

If one intends to complete the acquisition, settling all board stocks with cash...

The total funds would be roughly just over seven hundred million dollars.

Very good; compared to Disney's four billion, acquiring Hollywood's future giant for seven billion is already a bargain basement price.

Now the question is, where will Xu Can get these seven hundred million?

He originally planned to shoot several more films, earn several hundred million in box-office shares, and launch the acquisition before Disney made a move.

Now Star River Pictures has only completed one film, "John Wick"; the company is just getting started!

It's equivalent to a marksman crafting a single Lightning Blade and having to fight the enemy's full six-item build.

Even if one can later easily crush the enemy with a full six-item build, one still needs time to farm, doesn't one!

"Happy, how much can the company borrow?"

"Sure, our reputation has been good recently; I'm very familiar with that loan manager, so we should be able to borrow a huge sum."

Happy's tone was very relaxed.

Xu Can seemed to be planning a big move; he always plans before acting, appearing to gamble wildly but actually being as steady as an old dog.

He must have a new film project again.

"Seven hundred million."

"Great, seven hundred million I... wait, how much? Dollars? You haven't mixed up the currency, have you!"

"Yes, you heard right, seven hundred million, US dollars."

Xu Can repeated it clearly, word by word.

"Wait... Wait!"

Happy was stunned, stopping his work.

"Why do you need so much money? Could it be..."

"Yes, I plan to launch the plan early."

"But..." Happy's brain spun rapidly, formulating his words.

"Your previous wild gambles were all made with full confidence, but this time the cost is too great; you must consider it carefully. Moreover, I have no connections to get you seven hundred million."

Happy said with difficulty.

Even if seven hundred million could be borrowed, if the upcoming "Iron Man" fails, the entire Marvel and the entire Star River Entertainment will be completely dragged down, sinking to the bottom.

A film with no big-name actors, no top-tier IP, and an still-unstable market—is it worth such a wild gamble?

Perhaps the success of "Spider-Man" was just an accident?

Or just Xu Can's box-office draw?

It is simply a tightrope walk over a pregnant belly—taking a desperate risk!

And most importantly, for a production company of Star River Entertainment's scale, borrowing seven hundred million is truly difficult.

Marvel possesses numerous comic IPs and offline comic sales channels; as a decades-old established enterprise, borrowing five hundred million was already hard-won through connections.

Seven hundred million is indeed an unreasonable demand.

"I believe in you, Happy. You say your connections are extensive; you can definitely get it!"

Xu Can's tone was upright and righteous, expressing trust with complete seriousness.

"I... I was just bragging," Happy said with a bitter smile.

If I had known, I wouldn't have bragged so big; now I'm throwing a stone and hitting my own foot.

"If all else fails, we can try at the celebration banquet after the premiere of "Twilight"; the producer Marty Bowen has a connection with me, and he should know many investors."

"Also, Kristen's father, John Stewart, is also a producer with extensive connections. Director Catherine knows many people as well..."

To cover his embarrassment, Happy quickly suggested.

Things had come to this point; they could only take it one step at a time.

Go to the other side's celebration banquet and try their luck — with so many Hollywood celebrities, surely they could get to know one or two useful people.

……

One week after John Wick hit theaters, its global box office had already raked in 300 million dollars.

Another, even more explosive work, Twilight, officially premiered!

At the premiere, director Catherine, lead actor Luo Bote Pattinson, supporting actress Kristen Stewart, and other stars made their appearances one after another.

Flashbulbs popped nonstop on the red carpet!

But before they could enjoy the flashbulbs for long, a violent commotion broke out on the other side of the red carpet.

Reporters and fans were drawn over in droves, flashbulbs firing in an endless stream!

"Gwyneth and Spider-Man!"

"The best CP of the century!! Aaahhh, so sweet!"

"Xu Can, I love you!"

"Such a perfect match!!"

Dressed in a black suit, looking just like John Wick, Xu Can stepped out of the car hand-in-hand with Stone Sister.

The scene was instantly under their control.

Luo Bote Pattinson wasn't jealous of Xu Can — a single Spider-Man movie was enough to set the world on fire.

Aside from the upcoming Harry Potter 5, all the films he had made had been lukewarm at best; this was already a gap in ability.

Over there, Xu Can had completely stolen the spotlight, surrounded by reporters.

"May I ask, Xu, do you feel threatened by Twilight this time? Whose box office do you think will come out on top?"

"Xu 993, may I ask if you have the confidence to beat Emma?"

Reporters just loved asking these kinds of troublemaking questions.

Xu Can had long since been battle-hardened, fearless of anything.

"Twilight is going to be a phenomenal film. I predict its global box office will exceed 300 million at the very least, and it will gain a huge fanbase."

"As for who wins and who loses, Emma and I are the best of friends — we win together, there are no losers."

Xu Can took Emma Stone's hand right there in front of everyone, putting on a public display of affection before countless cameras.

Ever since that showdown that day, Stone Sister's attitude toward Xu Can had remained the same, with no change at all.

Yet at this moment she unexpectedly glanced at Xu Can, her gaze shifting.

Her arm wrapped around Xu Can's tightened a few more degrees.

……