Chapter 57

The company had already proposed a Avengers Alliance plan, but it was vetoed by Chairman Eck.

Kevin Feige was merely Avi Arad's junior assistant.

This year, Avi Arad founded a company as a producer, and Kevin Feige had just been promoted to president of Marvel Studios, responsible for advancing Marvel films.

Marvel was struggling to survive, and Kevin Feige's position as president was currently very awkward.

His goal on the Spider-Man set was to persuade the director and writers not to ruin Spider-Man's character.

In other matters, Kevin Feige had absolutely no say.

While filming Spider-Man, he had discussed some creative ideas with Xu Can, but the two weren't close, and Kevin Feige didn't even have Xu Can's contact information.

This time, Xu Can came to them on his own, stepping into Marvel Studios for the first time.

"Xu! You're here—I was just planning to visit you!"

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel, greeted him warmly, personally coming to the door.

"I just had dinner with Mr. Skinger; since we're nearby, I thought I'd drop by and chat with you."

Xu Can exchanged pleasantries while scanning Marvel Studios' office.

They were truly in bad shape—the office environment looked old, the desks, chairs, and supplies all worn-out relics used for years.

It exuded the air of a company on the brink of bankruptcy.

Xu Can's newly founded Star River Studios had an office far more respectable than Marvel Studios.

Seeing this, Kevin Feige's expression grew awkward.

"We can only operate here for now—rent elsewhere is too expensive… But if this Spider-Man and its sequel succeed, we'll be able to improve our environment a bit. Come with me, let's go to my office and talk."

In Kevin Feige's presidential office, Xu Can didn't hold back—he sat naturally on the sofa.

"About the Spider-Man sequel…" Kevin Feige began, but Xu Can interrupted him.

"Wait, Kevin. We can talk about Spider-Man later—I came here to discuss something else."

"Huh? Xu, what's on your mind?"

Kevin Feige looked utterly baffled.

"Aren't you planning to take out a loan and produce your own superhero movie?" Xu Can asked, smiling at him.

"Yes, Xu, you're incredibly well-informed. We've recently been considering this…"

Kevin Feige was deeply surprised.

Since the 2002 Spider-Man didn't exist, Spider-Man only exploded in popularity by the end of 2006.

Desperate, Marvel saw a glimmer of hope—Kevin Feige had spent the past few days preparing to secure a loan, riding Spider-Man's momentum to produce a superhero film.

Xu Can already knew about it this quickly! Even the media didn't know!

Next, Kevin Feige felt a chilling shock!

"Let me guess—you're planning to make… Iron Man? Iron Man?"

"Holy Shit! Xu, is this your Eastern witchcraft?"

Kevin Feige was stunned.

The worldline had shifted—the Iron Man movie, originally slated for 2008, hadn't even been greenlit yet!

Popular IPs were still in others' hands and hadn't been reclaimed.

Kevin Feige had only just figured this out this morning—he planned to fish out Iron Man from third-tier IPs and produce it himself.

How did Xu Can know this?

The Chinese youth before him suddenly seemed profoundly mysterious!

"As a Marvel fan, I love the characters, so I joined Spider-Man—and I'm interested in participating in developing other IPs…"

"I know—you don't just want standalone films. So many superheroes can form a vast network."

"For example, the Avengers Alliance—using many superhero films to build a Marvel Cinematic Universe!"

Xu Can's words struck deep into Kevin Feige's heart.

Finally, someone understood his vision!

…

After being respectfully escorted out of Marvel Studios by Kevin Feige, Xu Can secretly clenched his fist and left satisfied.

The two had talked at length about the MCU; by the end, Kevin Feige treated Xu Can like an honored guest, eager to start developing the MCU project with him immediately.

In the end, both sides agreed: Xu Can would join Marvel's film development as Chief Consultant of the MCU.

And Xu Can would invest the box office revenue from his next film into co-producing Iron Man!

Originally, Kevin Feige had planned to borrow 500 million with a "better to die than surrender" attitude, staking his entire fortune on Iron Man.

Now, with Xu Can's involvement, Kevin Feige finally felt at ease.

He knew this was a sure win!

With Xu Can's involvement, Iron Man would surely replicate the miracle of Spider-Man!

Look at global public opinion—open any film media outlet, and they're all raving about Spider-Man's success.

After Spider-Man's global simultaneous release, it rapidly topped the box office charts in every country within just a few days!

Global cumulative box office has already surpassed 800 million—breaking 1 billion is merely a matter of time.

…

Leaving Marvel Studios and arriving at his own Star River Studios, Xu Can was already seated in a silver Mercedes SLR-McLaren supercar.

The flashy scissor doors opened upward as the elegant Young Master Xu Can stepped out, long legs emerging, wearing sunglasses.

Star River Studios' staff inside stared in awe at their boss showing off.

The blonde white receptionist nearly drooled.

His agent Happy hurried out to greet him.

"Oh my god, you finally agreed to buy a car. How much was it?"

"Only 450,000. Help me park it in the garage; I have to go in for a project meeting."

Xu Can casually tossed the car keys to Happy Hogan and walked straight through the company entrance.

The production team from Columbia Pictures was already waiting inside.

"Hey! I'm not your valet!"

Happy Hogan complained, then his eyes lit up. He dragged his obese body into the driver's seat, intending to enjoy a spin before parking.

Inside the meeting room of Star River Pictures.

The creative team of John Wick was holding their final preparation meeting!

The film is about to start shooting! It is scheduled for release on Easter 2007!

On the other side, the Time Warner headquarters building.

CEO Dick Parsons slumped helplessly in his chair.

Previously, they had wanted to go head-to-head with Superman Returns and Spider-Man.

Now, Spider-Man's box office has been heading toward 1 billion, while Superman Returns has only less than 300 million in box office revenue; it can be called a crushing defeat.

"Superman won't work. Why don't we reboot Batman instead? The superhero train has already started moving; we must join in and get a piece of the pie! Such a precious resource as DC must not be wasted in vain!"

"I have an idea: invite a famous director to reboot Batman, making the theme as close to reality as possible and digging for depth. Then, cast a popular actor in the role; perhaps we can achieve a successful reboot."

Producer Charles Roven proposed.

"Then who should we invite as director? And who as the actor?"

"For the director, my idea is Christopher Nolan; the reception for The Prestige, which he released this year, is quite excellent. As for the actor..."

Charles Roven stated confidently:

"If you can't beat them, join them. Let Xu Can, who is currently the most in the spotlight, play Batman! If he can succeed as Spider-Man, he will definitely have no problem playing Batman!"