"What happened?"
Because he was woken up, Stan Lee's mind was still not very clear. But the constant clamor of various chaotic noises outside still made him pull open the door and walk out, following the direction of the sounds to the lobby where the company's front desk was located.
As soon as he stepped into the lobby, Stan Lee saw all of Marvel's staff, including Kevin Feige and Avi Arad, looking as if they were about to go crazy. He hadn't figured out what was going on when he heard a can of party string being popped nearby, and countless streamers fell onto his head.
Could it be...
Stan Lee's head was now clear. He immediately shouted toward the front, "Kevin, did you get the midnight box office data from yesterday?"
"We got it! We got it!"
Before Kevin Feige could answer, a nearby young man shouted excitedly, "10.26 million dollars! Iron Man is performing steadily! Stan, we really made it!"
"Yes, we made it!"
Countless chaotic voices echoed in agreement. These people, who had spent years working on Iron Man and Marvel Studios, were excited, crazy, and celebrating all of it well deserved.
Stan Lee wasn't overly excited. He just let out a long breath. Everything Marvel had poured into this finally paid off.
What outsiders saw was only Iron Man's good market response and box office numbers. How many people actually knew the amount of effort Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios put in after that genius director suggested launching a grand cinematic universe plan, and how much pressure they'd borne in recent years?
Now, the season for reaping rewards had finally arrived!
Although the crucial opening weekend had only just begun, compared to early previews, the midnight screening showed no signs of drop-off. That alone was enough to prove Iron Man would chart a steady upward trend something all of director Duke Rosenberg's previous films had also validated.
After all, from last night to now, positive reviews had been overwhelmingly dominant. The CinemaScore audience approval rating was as high as 94%, with an average rating of A+...
These weren't ratings from those professional film critics detached from the market. They were direct responses from real moviegoers a true guarantee of Iron Man's strong box office performance.
After years of preparation, Marvel Studios clearly saw that success had arrived. The entire company was immersed in excitement.
Compared to Marvel Studios, Scarlett was also happy when she saw the midnight box office data, but she wasn't as excited or emotional. In her eyes, this kind of success was simply a matter of course. If Duke's films didn't succeed? Then it was likely that most of the films hitting Hollywood's summer slot would meet with audience apathy.
She had seen this kind of success countless times over the past ten-plus years. It no longer stirred excitement or passion in her, even if it was closely tied to her personally.
After breakfast, she drove her sports car to drop Duke off at the Warner Bros. studio, then headed to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to meet up with Rachel McAdams, whom she had arranged to see the day before. The two of them began browsing the most famous fashion boutiques in the area.
Black Widow and Pepper Potts appearing together quickly drew the attention of reporters and paparazzi. Scarlett and Rachel McAdams were no newcomers to Hollywood. As long as those annoying people didn't directly interfere with them, they basically ignored their presence.
These two were both good actresses. From the paparazzi's point of view, they looked just like a pair of close sisters.
Especially Rachel McAdams. The smile on her face was exceptionally bright. It seemed like her friendship with Scarlett Johansson couldn't be better.
She, too, had received the relevant box office numbers and clearly knew that Iron Man was sure to be a box office bombshell. Barring any surprises, all the major actors herself included were about to take a big step forward in their careers.
However, even when careers progressed, there were still differences.
From last night to this morning, Rachel McAdams had been keeping an eye on media commentary. Just as she expected, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson were receiving the most praise, while she — the female lead was being lumped in with Don Cheadle, that Black actor.
No one was content to play second fiddle to someone else, especially when she was the film's female lead.
"Shall we sit at that café for a bit, Scar?"
Passing by a café, Rachel McAdams suggested, "Take a break before we shop some more."
"Sure." Scarlett had no reason to refuse.
After all, being followed by so many paparazzi wasn't exactly comfortable.
Before entering the café, Rachel McAdams deliberately bought a copy of the Los Angeles Times. She pushed open the glass door and found a relatively hidden seat. The two of them sat on opposite sides.
"They're still not giving up."
After ordering coffee, Rachel McAdams pointed through the glass window at the paparazzi still lingering outside and said, "Do they plan to follow us all day?"
Scarlett replied indifferently, "Just ignore them."
"The film is getting such a good response," Rachel McAdams nodded. "They obviously won't let us off easily."
In her heart, she didn't think this was a bad thing at all. In the past, it took active efforts to contact the media and stage street shoots. Ever since starring in Duke Rosenberg's film, it was the reporters and paparazzi chasing her for photos.
Only with media attention can there be exposure Rachel McAdams understood this well. The treatment she was now enjoying clearly showed the benefits of working with a top-tier director.
Of course, Rachel McAdams wanted to keep collaborating. After all, the benefits she had gained from Iron Man so far hadn't met her expectations.
"I heard Duke has a series of production plans for the next few years?" she asked casually, as if chatting aimlessly.
Scarlett seemed to treat it like small talk as well. "Seems like it."
Her eyes flickered slightly, and Rachel McAdams said again, "Will you keep working with him?"
"I don't really know his specific plans," Scarlett replied honestly. "If he needs me, I don't mind."
Rachel McAdams knew how important connections were and decided to play the long game. She changed the subject, shifting the conversation to Iron Man. After a few sentences, she opened the Los Angeles Times she had already read that morning.
"There's a review of Iron Man here!" Her tone was full of surprise, as if she had just discovered it. "It's the front-page headline of the entertainment section."
"Really?" Scarlett looked very interested. "I left early today, haven't read the reviews yet."
Thinking for a moment, Rachel McAdams said, "I haven't read it either. Why don't I read it to you?"
The two of them were as close as best friends.
"Duke Rosenberg's Iron Man has burst onto the scene, completely upending our usual perceptions of comic book heroes. Before Tony Stark, no mainstream comic hero had such a flamboyant and ostentatious personality. Clark Kent as Superman, Bruce Wayne as Batman, and Peter Parker as Spider-Man all have dual identities—'hero' and 'ordinary person'—and go to great lengths to conceal them."
"But Tony Stark is the complete opposite. As an ordinary man, he is a genius, a billionaire, and a darling of the spotlight. And he makes no effort to hide his identity as 'Iron Man.' The final press conference line—'I. am.'—is a high-profile declaration of a superhero's public debut."
"Iron Man's characterization fits some of the traits and demands of our current era. Flashy, wealthy, unrestrained this type of figure undoubtedly appeals more to the younger generation than those secretive, overly cautious superheroes."
"At the same time, we can see another layer of effort in Iron Man's character. Compared to Superman's innate powers, Spider-Man's mutations, and Batman's tech team, Iron Man's rise is much more due to Tony Stark's own brilliance and diligence. The 'Iron Man suit,' from its creation to every improvement, is entirely a product of Tony's own hands."
"With the release of Iron Man, Duke Rosenberg has brought not only an unconventional superhero but also a new opportunity for Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Comics."
"In a sense, Tony Stark is also a reflection of Robert Downey Jr. He rose to fame early, but drug use, gun possession, and jail time cost him many good years. Fortunately, he met Duke Rosenberg and, through Iron Man, returned to the spotlight with a brand-new, positive image."
"Iron Man is both Downey's redemption and Marvel's milestone. Viewers of the film will easily notice that Marvel has a whole plan in the works. With the commercial success of Iron Man, Duke Rosenberg has opened a new chapter for Marvel. It's foreseeable that from now on and for a long time to come, the big screen will usher in a great era of Marvel superheroes."
By the time she finished reading, Rachel McAdams' brows furrowed slightly. She had just realized something she had previously overlooked.
In the entire series, Pepper Potts was just a vase character. Even if she kept appearing later on, her status wouldn't change. But Natasha Romanoff was no mere vase. If her guess was right, Natasha would not only be part of the Avengers but a rather key figure.
Rachel McAdams once again felt a sense of imbalance, but she could manage her emotions. After a brief mental adjustment, she stood up and suggested, "Shall we go to Chanel?"
Scarlett, acting like a sweet girl with little opinion, had no objections at all. She grabbed her purse and walked over to Rachel McAdams' side. "Then let's hurry, there are still so many stores we haven't visited yet!"
The two of them walked down Rodeo Drive. When they passed a movie theater, they deliberately glanced over. The giant poster of Iron Man outside the cinema was extremely eye-catching.
.....
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