In the Marvel universe, the anticipation for Overwatch's crossover is running high. Chapter 17, titled The Mighty Bean Emperor, is especially buzzing with talk of a certain character: Winston. Despite having only seen a couple of half-minute trailers, one fan—referred to as the Bean Emperor—has shared a post that has caught everyone's attention. This Bean Emperor praises Winston's depth, even analyzing themes like interracial dynamics and the boundaries of current technology.
As a producer and screenwriter, Robert never imagined that Winston, a character so layered, would be discussed in such detail, especially by someone who hadn't even seen the full film yet. The Bean Emperor's perspective was certainly unique, but it was the traction his post gained that truly surprised Robert. Many people found the post thought-provoking, seeing reason in the Bean Emperor's words. Yet, there were those who felt the post was nothing more than an exaggerated reaction, even suspecting that the Bean Emperor had been "bought" by Overwatch Studios, given how he seemed to champion Winston with such fervor.
Naturally, some fans sided with the Bean Emperor, defending his right to an opinion. "You think you can question the Bean Emperor's insight?" they asked defiantly, "Go post some quality reviews first if you think you can compete." This back-and-forth ignited a frenzy on the forums, with some taking offense at the Bean Emperor's confidence, and others admiring his conviction.
As the debates raged on, Robert couldn't help but be amused. The trailer had sparked so much analysis, and yet, when Soldier 76 was released, it didn't initially perform well on Douban, a major Chinese review platform. Now, with just a glimpse of Winston, people were analyzing and debating with wild enthusiasm. He recalled the silence when the Soldier 76 trailer first dropped; hardly anyone seemed interested. But the film's eventual success changed everything, setting a high bar for future Overwatch films. Seeing the current excitement for Winston was a satisfying reminder of how far they had come.
On Douban and novel forums alike, fans had already started sharing fan art, interpretations, and predictions based solely on the trailer. The creativity was impressive; Robert couldn't help but marvel at the fans' dedication, feeling optimistic that this wave of fan engagement would boost the film's box office performance even further. With this much momentum, he thought, Overwatch Films might very well break its own record of $3 billion in box office revenue.
For Robert, achieving word-of-mouth success was essential. He wanted Winston to reach the same level as Soldier 76, if not surpass it. Failing to do so might risk dampening the fans' enthusiasm. The future promised more superheroes, and with each new arrival, maintaining the audience's interest would become harder. To stay relevant, Robert knew they had to keep telling heartfelt, engaging stories.
When Iron Man first emerged, the popularity of Soldier 76 had waned briefly. Recently, however, Soldier 76 was experiencing a resurgence, due in large part to Thomas's brilliant portrayal of the character. Now, only two superheroes were household names worldwide: Iron Man and Soldier 76. With the Hulk expected to make his debut soon, Robert wondered how Soldier 76 would fare. He imagined that once heavyweights like the Hulk and the God of Thunder entered the scene, Soldier 76's strength might pale in comparison. Yet, he still believed in the character's ability to connect with fans.
At that moment, Robert thought about Winston's transformation ability, a feature designed less for heroism and more for survival. Though not as physically powerful as some of the upcoming superheroes, Winston's resilience was intended to make him relatable. Still, Robert knew it would be a challenge for fans to form the same kind of deep-rooted faith in a gorilla character as they had with Soldier 76, who had long been portrayed as a savior figure. Would people believe in Winston? he wondered, amused at the oddity of the situation.
Robert attempted to communicate with a voice that occasionally "spoke" in his mind—a presence he had come to associate with his creative intuition. But, like an elusive game achievement, it offered no hints, only revealing itself in random moments of insight. Without any clear answers on Winston's transformation ability, he realized he'd have to take things one step at a time.
Just as he resolved to take a walk to clear his mind, Robert called Thomas, but the call went unanswered. He waited a couple of minutes and tried again, but still no answer. Unusual, he thought. Thomas was typically easy to reach, and it was unlikely he'd simply lose his phone. If he had, he would have called from a backup.
Feeling a little uneasy, Robert dialed Tony instead.
"Hey, Tony, there's a tracking device in the Soldier 76 suit, right?"
After a pause, Tony replied, "Well, yeah… The suit is mine, after all. Just in case someone decides to toss it in the trash, I need to be able to track it! Imagine the headlines: 'Tony Stark's Suit Found in Junkyard.' How humiliating would that be?"
Robert rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm not here to argue. I just need to know where the suit is. I can't reach Thomas, and I'm getting concerned."
"Isn't it at his place?" Tony asked, puzzled.
"That's the problem. He's not answering."
Tony hurried to check the suit's location. After a few moments, he said, "Well, this is odd. The suit's in Brooklyn. Did Thomas just…take it and leave?"
Robert's stomach dropped. Thomas wouldn't simply vanish. The only logical explanation was that he had been taken—and the Soldier 76 suit along with him. It all pointed to a likely culprit: the Bright Star organization. They had every reason to eliminate Soldier 76, one of the biggest threats to their agenda.
"Send me the coordinates, Tony. I'm going after it," Robert said with resolve.
"Need my help?" Tony offered.
"Just keep me updated if the suit's location changes," Robert replied, already preparing for his departure.
As Tony sent the details, he added, "Take care out there! Though, between you and me, I'm not worried. Soldier 76 is practically unstoppable. As long as the situation isn't too chaotic, he can handle it."
Robert felt a mix of pride and dread. He had personally chosen Thomas for the role of Soldier 76, knowing the risks. Yet, he couldn't let an innocent person suffer because of a part they played, even if it meant putting himself in danger.
Steeling himself, he retrieved a red supercar that had been collecting dust in his garage and sped off toward Brooklyn. For Thomas's sake—and for Soldier 76's integrity—Robert would confront whatever awaited him, even if it meant venturing into the unknown.