Chapter 292

Or perhaps the grand historical sagas spanning five thousand years of magnificent China,

crafting an Eastern *Lord of the Rings* trilogy, an enhanced supreme edition of *Investiture of the Gods*,

filming *Huo Qubing*, *The Return-to-Allegiance Army: A Lone Loyal Heart in the Northwest*, a live-action *Chang'an: Thirty Thousand Li*…

There is simply too much material, leaving Xu Can an infinitely vast creative space!

Just as Xu Can sat in his office deep in thought, calculating his production plans for the next ten years,

Vanessa knocked on the door.

"Boss, there's a screenwriter who wants to talk to you. He says only you can bring this story to life."

"Is this script really that brilliant?" Xu Can asked in return.

Because for years on end, the other traditional Hollywood giants had all put on airs, scrutinizing scripts with a lofty, condescending attitude,

many talented but unknown screenwriters had perhaps been crushed and buried just like that.

Xu Can's Starlight Entertainment was different—they treated every creator as an equal,

and over the past two years the company had almost continuously received submissions from Hollywood screenwriters.

The inbox was stuffed full of emails every day; some even mailed in paper scripts, and people showed up in person to request a meeting with Xu Can.

Therefore, Xu Can had specially established a "Creative Committee."

The committee was staffed by rotating members from the company's production and content departments, regularly screening scripts, carefully offering suggestions on each one, and holding votes.

If a script passed the vote, it would be sent up to the executives for a second review,

and the content heads—Joy White, Happy, Vanessa, Kevin Feige—would all carefully evaluate the script, never missing a single good story.

Emma Stone's currently-filming drama *The Blind Side* was exactly such a project, screened and greenlit through this process.

The company also invested in many excellent films, not necessarily personally produced by Xu Can,

but at the very least ensuring that outstanding projects were continuously poached by Starlight Entertainment.

For example, the *Hangover* series, set to begin filming in the summer of 2009.

After this low-budget comedy was rejected by 20th Century Fox, it angrily switched to Starlight Entertainment and was selected for production.

Xu Can unexpectedly gained a box-office champion.

Therefore, since Vanessa regarded this script so highly, it must have its merits.

Xu Can would never put on airs just because he was now famous,

no matter how high his status, he would treat every person fighting for their dream seriously.

"Bring him in. We'll talk in the reception room. And have Jessica pour him a coffee while you're at it."

Poor Jessica R., the lead actress of *Happy Death Day*, was still running errands and doing odd jobs for Xu Can.

Soon, in the company's reception room, Xu Can met this screenwriter.

The man looked like a typical "Nerd"—a chubby bookworm with a thick stubble beard and an honest, simple-looking face.

"Mr. Xu, I've finally met you! My name is Travis, I'm a die-hard fan of yours, I'm just so excited today!"

He looked to be only in his early twenties, but dressed like he was forty,

these broke Hollywood screenwriters were all pretty down on their luck, and when they finally got a good opportunity, they got so excited they couldn't sleep.

"Relax. Since your script passed the initial screening, it must have its strong points. Let me take a look?"

"Of course, of course!" Travis handed the script to Xu Can with trembling hands.

Right on the cover of the script, Xu Can saw a name that surprised him.

*Pacific Rim*

Pacific Rim!

"Wait, what did you say your name was again?"

"Travis, Travis Beacham." The little chubby guy was nervous, afraid Xu Can would throw the script in his face.

"Oh, it's nothing, don't be nervous. Let me read it again."

Xu Can's face was calm, but inside he felt a slight ripple.

Looking at the contents of the script, he seemed to see before his eyes the towering Gipsy Danger Jaeger, Striker Eureka, Crimson Typhoon,

and the bizarre, strange Kaiju!

Oh right, and that stirring orchestral melody was already echoing endlessly in Xu Can's mind.

"When I feel lonely or small, I look up at the stars and wonder if there might be aliens out there. Turns out I was looking the wrong way—the aliens came from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, into this world…"

"When the end of the world comes, where do you choose to die? Here, or inside a Jaeger?"

"The plasma cannon is out of power, we've got nothing left!"

"No, we've got something! Chain sword, deploy! For my family…"

……

Travis Beacham was extremely nervous, constantly rubbing his hands together.

He picked up the coffee in front of him, only to find not a single drop left—he'd been so excited earlier that he'd accidentally finished it, and was too embarrassed to ask for a refill.

Not far away, his idol—the youngest Best Director, youngest Best Actor, handsomest Spider-Man, handsomest assassin, Xu Can—

was currently holding the script, reading quietly, without a sound.

What if the script got rejected?

What if Xu Can was laughing at how garbage his story was?

He hadn't gone to Paramount or Warner—Paramount had *Transformers* and would definitely look down on his creation,

Warner was busy filming *Batman v Superman* and *Justice League*, and certainly had no energy left to shoot this work,

only Xu Can could film that grand world!

"Very well, let's talk about the contract."

Xu Can smiled.

"I understand too, the script has its flaws, sorry to bother you this time… wait, a contract?"

"Yes, your script is quite good, I'm happy to invest in the production. Congratulations, Travis."

Travis Beecham was already dumbfounded.

Xu Can had actually approved his script!

In fact, the moment he saw the name, Xu Can already couldn't help wanting to invest in the production.

He had even considered, before this, bringing Pacific Rim to the silver screen.

Only at that time Starlight Entertainment didn't have enough money, and all its energy was on the Marvel Cinematic Universe,

Xu Can temporarily shelved the Pacific Rim plan.

He never expected this script to land right back in his hands!

It's like a top student, planning to start the next phase of self-improvement, when suddenly a fun toy is placed right in front of them…

Hey, let's have some fun first!

The Three-Body Problem can wait, I'll treat you properly after I've had my fun with Pacific Rim.

After all, what man can refuse mechs?

Xu Can also wants to try it out — what's it like to pilot a mech!

The funny thing is, Warner got poached again!

The film originally invested in by Warner and Legendary Pictures has now become my Starlight Entertainment.

Xu Can's mind moved fast, he had already begun planning the film's greenlight and the formation of the production crew.

He would once again direct and star in it, serving as both main director and male lead.

The other supporting roles were easy to arrange, the only problem was the female lead.

A few days ago he had just read the news — the original female lead Rinko Kikuchi had pulled a thigh muscle because of Kamui Gaiden, and would have a hard time finishing filming until autumn.

Then who to swap in?

Emma Stone is filming The Blind Side, and Taylor Swift's global concert tour has already worn her out, she'd have a hard time sticking with a film shoot…

Anne Hathaway, Kristen — Xu Can rejected name after name in quick succession.

For some reason, the image of Black Widow in a skin-tight suit suddenly flashed through Xu Can's mind.

Sister Widow?

It's not like it wouldn't work….