Chapter 25

"I have faith in our film, and I have faith in Emma too. Just wait and see, Avi, stay positive."

Avi Arad was nearly fifty, his temples streaked with gray.

Yet he found Xu Can, a young man in his early twenties, possessed a composure and wisdom far beyond his years.

Thus, both the media and the public witnessed this wager.

Time quietly turned; summer vanished, and the temperature in Los Angeles gradually dropped.

The day of revelation drew ever closer.

The studio released multiple additional Spider-Man trailers, airing them in rotation on NBC, FOX, CW, and other networks under CBS.

And launched a final, massive push both online and offline.

Each trailer surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, drawing attention from over a hundred countries and regions outside North America.

Of course, not in China.

American comics had never broken into the mainstream in the distant eastern continent; they remained a niche hobby.

Aside from minor news coverage of the "Chinese Spider-Man" topic, the matter received virtually no attention.

Negotiations between Sony Pictures and China Film Group were still ongoing; the film had already been submitted for review.

The exact release date remained undecided; it would most likely miss the synchronized premiere.

Xu Can felt a slight regret but was not overly concerned.

The film's primary box office market was still North America; only after breaking out there could it hope for global rollout.

With just one week left until premiere day, Spider-Man's North American advance ticket sales totaled only $8 million.

Those who bought advance tickets without hesitation were mostly diehard comic fans.

The vast majority of ordinary audiences were still watching and waiting.

Based on these figures, the professional film magazine BoxOfficePro predicted a first weekend gross of $45–55 million.

This was decent for a low-budget comedy, but dismal for a high-effects blockbuster.

Even a comedy like Dad Football opened with $40 million and ended with $1.5 billion in box office.

This closely matched film critic Howard Newber's prediction: Spider-Man truly seemed unlikely to surpass $200 million!

"If we can't break $500 million, I'll just eat herring cans."

Emma Stone herself had no real confidence; she trusted Xu Can, but worried about the market.

"Relax."

Xu Can wrapped his arms around her waist.

"It will definitely happen."

Spider-Man in 2002 broke $400 million—how much more so this new version, with its entirely upgraded story, filming technique, and special effects!

Xu Can still had great confidence.

"What if I have to eat herring cans—will you despise me?"

"Then before you eat, I'll memorize the taste of your lips."

Xu Can leaned down and kissed her.

"You! Mmm…"

Emma Stone tried to push him away, but immediately sank into the kiss.

…

A week passed quickly.

In his spare time, Xu Can wrote screenplays, went shopping and dining with Stone Sister, drank a little wine, and wandered around.

The premiere day had finally arrived!

To ensure an outstanding premiere, Sony Pictures spared no expense, upgrading its "Galaxy Theaters" with the latest IMAX screens and Dolby surround sound.

Fully prepared, on Thursday evening, December 21, 2006, just before Christmas Eve,

a grand premiere ceremony officially began!

Media outlets, whether paid by Sony or drawn by curiosity, gathered en masse.

The Spider-Man cast and crew arrived one by one in luxury cars, walking the red carpet into the theater for the premiere.

Producer Avi Arad and director Marc Webb were the first to step off the red carpet.

He was not a star director like Spielberg, Tarantino, or Cameron, and received only brief media interviews.

Soon, Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, accompanied by his wife Giada Colagrande, appeared on the red carpet.

The Green Goblin was the film's biggest star, having received multiple Oscar nominations.

He had divorced two years prior; his new wife was a renowned Italian director.

As they were bathed in flashbulbs, James Franco sparked a commotion on the other side.

With roles in Wild Youth, Freaks and Geeks, and The Heart of the King, he had become one of Hollywood's more prominent male stars.

Technically, he had originally auditioned for Spider-Man—but the role went to Xu Can, leaving him to play the Little Green Goblin.

Reporters sharply raised this issue.

"Spider-Man was meant to be your role, yet it went to an unknown Asian actor. What do you think?"

The reporters present clearly intended to provoke; Franco clearly wouldn't fall into the trap.

"You're all wrong—Xu Can is the perfect actor for Spider-Man! I'm honored to play Harry Osborn, and honored to work with Xu Can."

"Why?" the reporters pressed on.

James Franco smiled.

"You'll know the answer soon—after the film's premiere."

At that moment, a white extended Hummer pulled up before the red carpet.

The much-debated male lead Xu Can made his grand entrance arm-in-arm with the dazzlingly beautiful Emma Stone.

"Good lord, what a spectacle."

Xu Can was ambushed by countless camera flashes and nearly blinded.

"Who threw the flashbang at A1?"