Chapter 12

"I have confidence in our movie, and I have confidence in Emma. Just wait and see, Avi, be optimistic."

Avi Arad was nearly fifty, with graying temples.

But he found that Xu Can, a young man in his early 20s, had a calmness and wisdom that didn't match his age.

Thus, both the media and the onlookers witnessed this bet.

Time turned quietly, the original summer disappeared, and the temperature in Los Santos gradually decreased.

The day for the answer to be revealed was getting closer and closer.

The film side released multiple "Spider-Man" trailers in succession and played them in rotation on television stations such as NBC, FOX, and CW under the Columbia Broadcasting System.

And launched the final fierce attack before the release online and offline.

The view count of each trailer on YouTube exceeded 100 million, and besides North America, hundreds of countries and regions had paid attention to this movie.

Of course, except for China.

American comics had not gone out of the circle in the distant Eastern continent and had always been a niche hobby.

Except for a small amount of news reports on the topic of "Chinese Spider-Man," there was basically no news about this matter.

The negotiations between Sony Entertainment and China Film were still ongoing, and the film had been submitted for review.

The specific release date was to be determined, and it was highly likely that it would not catch up with the simultaneous premiere.

Xu Can felt a little regretful about this, but he was not too worried.

The main box office for this movie was still in North America, and only after it went out of the circle would there be hope for it to be promoted globally.

Seeing that there was still one week left before the premiere, the pre-sale box office of "Spider-Man" in North America was only 8 million US dollars.

Those who dared to buy pre-sales without thinking were basically die-hard Marvel fans.

The vast majority of the remaining ordinary people were still watching.

According to these data, the professional film magazine "BoxOfficePro" gave a first-weekend box office of 45-55 million US dollars.

This data was not bad for a low-budget comedy, but it was very dismal for a big-budget special effects production.

Even a comedy like "Daddy Day Camp" had an opening of 40 million, with a final box office of 150 million US dollars.

This was relatively close to the prediction of film critic Howard Newber; "Spider-Man" really seemed unable to exceed 200 million!

"If we can't break 500 million, the worst that happens is eating surströmming."

Emma Stone actually had no bottom in her heart; she believed in Xu Can, but was very worried about the market.

"Don't worry."

Xu Can hugged her waist.

"It will definitely work."

In 2002, "Spider-Man" could break 400 million US dollars, let alone the new version of "Spider-Man" with a brand new upgrade in story, filming techniques, and special effects!

Xu Can was still very confident.

"What if I eat surströmming and you dislike me?"

"Then before you eat it, I want to firmly remember the taste of your little mouth."

Xu Can lowered his head and kissed her.

"You! Hmm..."

Emma Stone was ambushed and intended to push him away, but then she sank into it.

A week passed quickly.

Xu Can wrote scripts in his spare time, went shopping and eating with Stone Sister, drank a little wine, and played around.

The day of the premiere had arrived!

To ensure excellent premiere results, Sony Entertainment spared no expense, updating a set of the most advanced IMAX screens and Dolby stereo for its "Galaxy Cinema" in advance.

After everything was ready, at 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 21, 2006, before Christmas Eve.

A grand premiere ceremony officially started!

Whether it was the media invited by Sony with money or the media that came to watch the fun, they gathered here one after another.

The main creative staff of "Spider-Man" arrived in luxury cars one after another, walking into the cinema through the red carpet to attend the premiere.

Producer Avi Arad and director Marc Webb were the first to walk down the red carpet.

He was not a star director like Spielberg, Tarantino, or Cameron, so the time he received media interviews was not long.

Soon it was the turn of the old Green Goblin Willem Dafoe to appear on the red carpet with his wife Giada Colagrande.

The old Green Goblin was the biggest star in the film and had been nominated for an Oscar many times.

He had just divorced two years ago, and his new wife was a well-known Italian director.

When they were illuminated by the flash, James Franco on the other side caused a commotion.

With works such as "Annapolis," "Freaks and Geeks," and "Tristan & Isolde," he had become one of the most outstanding male stars in Hollywood.

In theory, he was the one who auditioned for Spider-Man at first, but the role was given to Xu Can, so he could only go to play the little Green Goblin.

Reporters also asked this tricky question.

"Spider-Man should have been your role, but it was given to an unknown Asian actor. What is your opinion on this?"

The media reporters present were obviously here to make trouble, and Franco obviously wouldn't fall into the trap.

"You are all wrong, Xu Can is the most suitable actor for Spider-Man! I am honored to play Harry Osborn and honored to work with Xu Can."

"Why?" The reporter kept asking.

James Franco smiled.

"Later, when the film premieres, you will soon know the answer."

Just at this moment, a stretched white Hummer stopped in front of the red carpet.

The controversial male lead Xu Can, holding the beautiful and moving Emma Stone, made a shining appearance.

"Good guy, this lineup."

Xu Can was attacked by countless flashes, and his eyes were almost blinded.

"Who threw the flashbang at A1?"

"Emma! Emma! Can you tell me if you have confidence in winning the bet?"

"Emma, what is your relationship with Xu Can now?"

"Does Mr. Xu really think he is Spider-Man?"

"What is your opinion on the boycott by some Marvel fans?"

After Xu Can and Emma Stone walked onto the red carpet together, countless flashes almost blinded Xu Can's eyes.

Not only that, the microphones next to them were eager to be stuffed into Xu Can's mouth.

Emma Stone was just a small star before, and she had never seen such a lineup.

She was somewhat panicked, completely lacking the calmness of a future Oscar-winning actress.

Fortunately, she was holding the handsome man next to her, and the hand the handsome man put around her waist tightened very considerately.

"Relax, you are a future Oscar-winning actress; you have to get used to this kind of scene."

"Pfft, why do you always say I'm an Oscar-winning actress."

When the two chatted privately, Xu Can often said that she would win an Oscar in the future.

Emma Stone thought Xu Can was joking at first, but later found...

Good guy, he seemed to be serious?

Even I don't have confidence in myself, where do you get such blind confidence?

But with Xu Can's interruption, Stone Sister soon stopped being nervous and smiled naturally at the media.

"I can only say that playing Spider-Man is very happy, I have seriously interpreted this character, and I hope everyone will like it later."

Xu Can's speaking speed was neither fast nor slow; as a newcomer to the red carpet, he was even calmer than Hollywood big shots.

"As for the Marvel fan boycott, they just haven't seen the movie yet; I believe they will change their minds after watching it."

The two had a simple interview in front of the media, resolving the various tricky questions from reporters in their laughter.