Chapter 4849

After Peter arrived, another visitor came as a great surprise—film director Chris. Greedy had called him before, wanting to arrange a meeting, but he had been busy with film preparations and had no time. Recently he finally had a break, returned to New York, and came to Hampton to visit Greedy's new residence.

As soon as Chris entered, he exclaimed: "It's rare to see such a classical house. If you don't mind, I'd like to take some scenery from here for Safer's dwelling."

Speaking of this, Greedy looked at him and said: "Has the script been finalized? Is Safer's part settled like this?"

Chris let out a slight sigh, walked to the sofa and sat down, then gestured for Greedy to sit as well, acting as if he were at home. He said: "Indeed, a problem has arisen. You know there's a script read-through before filming begins, right?"

Greedy nodded. Last time he had also participated, though then it was mainly the director and screenwriter instructing the child actors, with little focus on adult performers, most of the time spent in idle chatter.

"Many actors and crew members have pointed out that the arrangement of Safer's past is not well done." Chris said, "The screenwriter's intention is to make it as simple and easy to understand as possible, but many feel this sacrifices too much of Safer's personal charm. What do you think?"

"To be honest, I never memorized those lines." Greedy said, "I'm sorry, but I really can't. I don't know why I have to chatter nonstop for ten minutes at a fish already lying on the cutting board, causing it to escape and slap me. This isn't simple and easy to understand either—it just looks a bit foolish."

After a pause, Greedy said: "I know it's because the protagonists' strength isn't enough. If Safer is too strong, the protagonists would struggle to escape his grasp. But, Director, the protagonists will grow up."

"They're currently just first-years, only knowing the simplest magic, not even able to use the Crimson Binding, so dealing with an ancient dark mage is indeed difficult. But if you've seen the graduation standards of Kamar-Taj, you'd know that by fourth or fifth year, ordinary students can press common demons to the ground and hammer them. Last year there was an outstanding graduate who, right after graduation, entered the Archmage realm—no need to knock to enter the Hell Dimension, and even Mephisto would have to offer fine tea and wine to receive him."

"If Safer is made too foolish and weak now, then in later installments he'll have no room to appear. The villain characters painstakingly crafted in the earlier parts would become utterly useless. And the departure of such a classic image might also lead to fan loss."

"Oh, this is the first time I've heard of it." Chris said, "The magic used by today's children doesn't look very powerful—just a few years and they can defeat dark mages? I mean in reality..."

Greedy pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond. After thinking, he said: "Strictly speaking, it's not about defeating dark mages, but becoming one. Now all mages on Earth can be called dark mages, because their power comes from the Lord of Hell, the King of Darkness, or entities like the Great Dark Shadow—hard to say they're righteous figures."

Chris scratched his head a little. Greedy noticed Chris knew almost nothing about real-world magic; their magic plot designs were based on beautiful fantasies of the magic world.

If not for this, they wouldn't have envisioned making the Great Villain so weak, since in their view magic isn't that strong either. The main reason is that this film casts real young mages as actors.

The power curve of Marvel mages rises sharply. Before contracting their own power source, young mages can only use the magic in their staffs and props—which is actually not much, and many spells look like mere decorations. Those meditation practices that solidify fundamentals show no trace of magic. Underage young mages look weak and cannot contend with adult mages.

But once they contract their own demon god, their power surges instantly, their use of magic becomes as natural as moving a limb, and they have an endless source of power—truly capable of being called invincible across the universe.

Now Chris and company have only seen young mages in action—figures like the Scarlet Witch and Strange—who wouldn't cause large-scale disturbances on Earth, so they naturally haven't witnessed it and don't know how strong mages are in their youth.

But if they follow the strength they've set, this film could at most be three parts. Because once young mages turn sixteen, they can contract their own demon gods, after which it would be impossible to keep them playing those minor mages who only know telekinesis, cast spells needing wands and incantations.

And if the villain also maintains this power and intelligence standard, then by the third part he might already have been slapped to death.

Young mages can use learning and growth as excuses for power inflation, but Safer, this ancient dark mage who has lived so long, truly cannot inflate his power further—so the final result can only be his elimination.

Although Mephisto stands behind, Chris never designed Mephisto as the main villain, because he dislikes Mephisto's classic sly devilish demeanor, preferring instead the somewhat neurotic, solitary dark mage vibe that Shiler portrays.

"Now I understand." Chris said, "Then what kind of portrayal do you think would let Safer last until the final part? I designed a splendid climax, but if magic turns out far stronger than I imagined, it might not work."

"Let me think." Greedy said. He was also pondering how to make Safer look strong enough—not necessarily capable of facing a Supreme Mage in reality, but at least able to command the winds and clouds on Earth.

Thinking of this, Greedy thought: don't we have a ready-made example right here? Witch Haniix can truly be called the foremost under the Supreme Mage—long-lived, powerful enough; if she weren't not so evil, she'd be practically a living Safer.

"Wait a moment." Greedy said, "I'll go fetch a lady."

After saying that, he went to find Haniix. Haniix was currently helping Sarah with the children; though Sarah had already learned quite a few skills, one person still struggles to keep up, her regret visible, and coming again, she likely wouldn't make Blake this small.

Seeing Greedy arrive, Haniix handed the child to Sarah, then said: "You came just in time—I have some things I want to talk to you about."

"What is it? Lady?"

"Where did you put Robert?"

Greedy startled, not knowing which Robert. English names are truly full of duplicates—he at least knows three Roberts.

"Robert Reynolds, that is, the Sentinel. Where did he go?"

Greedy blinked and said: "How would you know the Sentinel? Lady?"

"He's my student. During the Old Skrull Empire era, I taught him how to control the stellar power within him. Earlier I followed his power to find him, and Professor X told me you sent him to another world."

"Oh, Anatoly is back." Greedy said. He focused on observing Haniix's expression, and sure enough, she felt no surprise.

"What does he want Robert to do now?" Haniix shook her head and said: "Forget it—the kids are grown now, I can't manage them anymore. I'm just a bit worried he still can't control his power well—if it erupts, it'll be troublesome."

"May I ask, what is your relationship with Doctor Shostakovich?"

"We are friends." Haniix said, "Also comrades-in-arms; the Old Skrull Empire can be said to have been built by the two of us together, of course also counting Reed Richards, who provided considerable technical support. Those technologies are still in use by the New Skrull Empire today."

Truly befitting a cosmic Soviet, Greedy thought, scientific research relies entirely on archaeology.

Greedy could roughly imagine what this group did during the Old Skrull Empire era. Anatoly was a staunch revolutionary, Haniix obviously left-wing, Reed Richards merely followed the trend—these three together could build a daring interstellar communist state, which is not surprising.

Indeed, in every historical period there is its most brilliant golden age, even stellar history is no exception. From this angle, one can understand why nearly all high civilizations of the three great empires are so interested in Earth. Because the most peaceful and prosperous era in stellar history was precisely created by humanity—though fleeting, it remains a lofty moon in many hearts.

That said, it's surprising the Sentinel is also Haniix's student—this lady seems to favor collecting time-bomb-type students. Whether it's the Sentinel with unstable stellar power or the Scarlet Witch with chaotic magic, she has taught both, and seemingly taught them well, even deserving the title of legendary teacher.

"Sorry, lady, I truly don't know where Robert is. I have other matters I'd like to discuss with you—do you have time?"

Haniix nodded. Greedy brought her to the living room; when Chris saw him, he stood up, his eyes again beginning to gleam with the light of artistic pursuit. Evidently, Haniix's mysterious and profound demeanor deeply moved this director.

"It's like this." Greedy had them both sit down, then briefly explained the film plan and Safer's character design to Haniix, then said: "We have few references we can draw from—if you're willing to give advice, that would be best."

After listening, Haniix fell silent. Chris and Greedy both felt a bit uneasy—this witch with extremely rich life experience might find the film script has some fatal flaw?

But the first part is already filmed—no time to change it now, the basic framework is long set; if there truly is an irreparable flaw, then only a soft reboot remains.

"I think your approach has a problem." Haniix sat on the sofa, sitting upright with hands folded on her legs, though properly seated she didn't appear stiff, radiating a serene quality from within and without.

"You want to film Safer's past to more fully show what kind of person he is, right?"

"Exactly." Chris nodded and said: "We hope to portray how he became an evil dark mage, and how he walked the path of opposing the Supreme Mage."

"And the controversial part lies in whether we should portray Safer's intelligence and strength—whether to match his power to young mages or to adult mages after youth." Greedy summarized their issue as concisely as possible.

Haniix lightly nodded and said: "I believe both can be achieved at once."