Inside the opulent banquet hall of the Burbank Hotel, Banquet Hall No. 1, Warner Bros.'s New Year's reception unfolded in grandeur. The focal point of the evening was the official introduction of the new CEO, Kevin Tsujihara.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, signaling a new chapter for Warner Bros.
Amidst the crowd, Martin gracefully navigated the banquet hall, extending greetings to familiar faces. He eventually found Louise amidst the lively chatter.
"Any fresh updates?" Martin inquired with curiosity.
Louise nodded knowingly, replying, "Barry Meyer's tenure as chairman is coming to a close. Following Warner's customary procedure, it won't be long before Kevin Tsujihara assumes the role of chairman."
Martin's interest piqued further, prompting him to inquire, "How does he view collaborative ventures like Pacific Pictures?"
Louise's voice carried an air of uncertainty as she responded, "That remains uncertain for now." Her tone shifted, becoming more assured, as she continued, "However, one thing seems likely. He intends to follow Marvel Studios' example and concentrate on developing a DC superhero franchise."
Martin, not taken aback, suggested, "A Justice League series, perhaps?"
Louise affirmed, "Yes. That's confirmed. The specific approach remains unknown, but DC is keen to catch up. Kevin Tsujihara is eager to make his mark, having just assumed office."
As Louise went to fetch a glass of wine, Martin gently held her hand and advised, "Take it easy."
She returned his grasp and remarked, "I heard Marvel Studios is considering casting you as Captain America."
Martin appeared mildly surprised, commenting, "News travels fast, it seems."
Louise explained, "Rumors began circulating in the industry after Christmas."
Martin contemplated the situation, saying, "It appears their intentions might not be genuine."
Intrigued, Louise questioned, "Why do you say that?"
"They haven't reached out to my agent or agency, nor have they contacted me directly. They may be trying to leverage my name," Martin conjectured. "We'll likely find out in the coming days."
Shortly after the New Year dawned, a piece of entertainment news electrified the industry.
During a promotional event jointly hosted by Walt Disney and Marvel Studios for "Iron Man 2," Kevin Feige publicly extended an invitation to Martin.
"Martin Davis is a real-life national hero, an actor and artist embodying the spirit of the American nation."
In front of a multitude of flashing cameras, Kevin Feige, who had studied Christopher Nolan's work extensively, vigorously promoted Marvel's forthcoming film "Captain America." He exclaimed, "Steve Rogers is a national hero in the comics, a figure who repeatedly inspires our fighting spirit throughout World War II, a symbol of the American ethos!"
He declared with fervor, "Scanning the globe, there is no actor better suited to portray Captain America than Martin! We wholeheartedly invite Martin Davis to embody Steve Rogers."
Reporters present at the event echoed these sentiments, sharing the conviction that no actor was better suited to the role than Martin.
The press conference concluded, setting off a flurry of reports spanning the internet and television networks.
Headlines proclaimed, "Martin Davis Set to Portray Captain America!"
Inside the buzzing halls of Marvel Studios in Los Angeles, the excitement over Martin Davis potentially portraying Captain America was palpable.
Amidst the fervor, Jon Favreau sought out Kevin Feige and expressed his concerns, saying, "We've only secured $100 million in funding so far. Even if we manage to persuade Disney to allocate more budget, it'll be a challenge to exceed $140 millions."
Kevin Feige understood the underlying worry and inquired, "Are you concerned about Martin's high salary?"
Jon Favreau, who had been involved in the project's early stages, nodded, saying, "From what I've heard, there's a salary compensation clause in his contract. Once 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' crosses $150 million at the North American box office, Martin Davis will receive a $20 million salary for this film."
He continued, "If we want A-list stars in our superhero movies, we'll need to increase the budget. I'm afraid $20 million won't suffice. Martin Davis will also demand a share of online and offline profits."
With a wry smile, Kevin Feige responded, "That's precisely why I extended the invitation. Martin Davis won't be the star, and we can't afford such a salary. However, Martin is a perfect fit for Captain America. He's immensely popular and carries substantial news value. I've found a way to make Captain America rub off on Martin."
Someone nearby interjected, "What if Martin accepts?"
Kevin Feige confidently stated, "What could be a better outcome? We invest a few million dollars, Martin Davis plays Captain America, and the buzz will be unprecedented."
Martin, not keen on being a tool for others, promptly contacted Thomas.
Thomas initially reached out to Kevin Feige for clarification, and the latter "generously" offered an $8 million fee with a host of vague promises, sidestepping discussions on actual box office shares.
Thomas relayed this information to Martin, saying, "He simply wants to leverage your fame for self-promotion."
Martin responded, "You go and set the record straight."
Following this, Thomas approached the media, releasing a recording of his conversation with Kevin Feige.
The media and fans were incensed.
"Such an offer is an outright insult to Martin!"
"Marvel's sincerity is clearly lacking. This company's audacity is unbelievable."
"Marvel is clearly taking advantage of Martin."
Kevin Feige, not willing to back down, retorted, "We're simply trying to invite Martin. Collaboration is a two-way street."
He was unrelenting and stated publicly, "Both Martin and Captain America embody the spirit of America—freedom and perseverance. Their worth transcends mere commercial value."
Facing such audacity, Martin responded on his newly registered Twitter account: "'Captain America' is a $100 million+ investment movie!"
In a highly commercialized society, Martin and Captain America were a perfect match, but when the project lacked commercial sincerity, what more was there to say?
Kevin Feige attempted to continue his defense, but suddenly, members of the Coca-Cola Cult made their presence known.
A multitude of fans, clad in red Coke shirts, congregated in front of Marvel Studios' Burbank office building under the banner of the Los Angeles branch church.
They hoisted banners and brandished posters:
"Boycott 'Captain America'!"
"The Coca-Cola Cult Rejects Marvel Superhero Movies!"
Media reporters and paparazzi swiftly gathered, eager to capture this unexpected turn of events.
TMZ had even opened a live broadcast window on its website, capitalizing on the unfolding drama.
Online, followers of the Coca-Cola Cult sprung into action. It remained a mystery who had transformed the image of the cult's banner displayed outside the Marvel Studios building into an avatar-like picture, which soon found its way onto Twitter and Facebook.
Coca-Cola faithful using these social platforms rapidly shared the image, causing a ripple effect across the internet.
The incident quickly reached the ears of Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger, who held Kevin Feige, someone he greatly admired, in high regard.
"The Coca-Cola Cult boasts tens of millions of followers in North America and wields considerable influence in business and political circles," Iger, a shrewd corporate leader, stated bluntly. "You must issue a public apology promptly, resolve this matter swiftly, and refrain from engaging with Martin Davis any further."
Kevin Feige contemplated, "Is it just because of a minor dent in his popularity?"
Iger, well-acquainted with Martin's character, responded, "It doesn't align with Martin's usual approach. He wouldn't make such a fuss over this. It might be the spontaneous action of his fans. Faith-based matters can always be quite troublesome."
Kevin Feige couldn't help but think of the rising tide of Marvel rejection brewing online and said, "I will publicly apologize to Martin."
Iger concluded, "Do it without delay. You should return and liaise with the media now. Your superhero universe project has just taken off; there's no room for failure."
Kevin Feige promptly returned to Marvel Studios and recorded a video apology to Martin, sending it to major media outlets. He expressed regret for his earlier remarks, acknowledging that they had been inconsiderate, and he extended a solemn apology if he had offended Martin.
...
In Beverly Hills, at the Davis Manor, Elizabeth warmly greeted Thomas at the door. She exchanged pleasantries and informed him, "Martin is in the study."
Guided by her, Thomas made his way to the study. As they walked, he inquired, "Has Martin seen the news about Kevin Feige's apology?"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, confirming, "Bruce just reminded Martin to take a look."
Thomas entered the study and found Martin, who immediately asked, "Have you managed to find out who orchestrated the protest at Marvel?"
"It wasn't orchestrated by my people," Thomas replied with certainty, having looked into the matter closely. "Could it be the fan club?"
Martin shook his head, stating, "No, it has nothing to do with them."
Elizabeth chimed in with a question, "Was it a spontaneous gathering?"
Martin pondered the possibilities and responded, "No, several organizers received an email proposing the event. I had someone scrutinize it. The sender was technically proficient and untraceable online."
Martin, afflicted by deep-seated paranoia, suspected that someone was trying to manipulate him. He cautioned, "I've been staying vigilant. The branch churches and fan groups have all been notified to reach out to me through phone calls for organizing activities and to avoid online communication."
Turning to Elizabeth, he issued a firm warning, "You must always have a bodyguard with you when you go out."
Elizabeth, who had weathered the storm of the Burbank Middle School incident and possessed a strong psychological fortitude, assured him, "I will."
Thomas added, "I'll keep a closer eye on industry developments."
Martin's thoughts then drifted to Harvey Weinstein. He inquired, "Any updates on Weinstein?"
"None," Bruce reported, "He remains under travel restrictions, confined to his home. He vehemently denies all charges and hasn't disclosed information about others involved."