Hilton Hotel was bustling with entertainment media from all over the United States.
A press conference was to be held there today, Eric's first since acquiring Warner Bros.
He had discussed this matter with Paris Hilton at a party last time.
But for some reason, the girl seemed full of resentment and made a strange request.
She could persuade her family not to charge any fees, whether for the venue or event planning—not a single cent.
The only condition was that Eric would accompany her once; not for a whole night, just once.
However, after some thought, Eric felt he would be at a disadvantage, so he righteously refused her.
Am I short on this money? Don't look down on me!
Moreover, how expensive is milk? Ever since he became the world's richest man, the price of his milk on the black market has soared, rumored to have increased to 100,000 US dollars.
And don't complain about the price; it's a seller's market, with countless people wanting to book even one milliliter but having no chance.
Even the rarest animals in the world are not as precious as him.
Click!
Click!
Camera shutters clicked rapidly, and flashlights flashed non-stop.
Amidst the media's anticipation, Eric emerged from backstage with a group of people.
Judy, Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Russo Brothers, Erwin Hume, James Wan, Zack Snyder, and others followed him onto the stage.
After everyone was seated, the host glanced at Eric, nodded after receiving permission, and began to speak.
"Friends from the media, welcome to this joint press conference."
"The theme of today's press conference is to explain Warner Bros.' future development strategy and the layout of Marvel and DC."
"First, please welcome Mr. Eric Cooper, Chairman of MGM Film Company, Warner Bros., and Marvel Studios, to speak."
All cameras instantly focused on Eric's face, photographers adjusting their focus to ensure clear close-ups.
Even though this had happened many times, everyone's feeling was still: Handsome, he is truly too handsome!
Eric opened the microphone: "Today is my 18th day as Chairman of the Warner Bros. Board of Directors, and this press conference seems a bit late."
"Because during this period, I have been making various adjustments to the company, and it requires a process."
Reporters nodded secretly, because during this time, many original Warner Bros. executives, such as Bob Meyer, had been dismissed.
Eric Cooper's ascent to power was followed by a major executive purge, which was very consistent with his personality.
At the same time, some movies were announced to be suspended or abandoned, and even projects that had already started were halted midway, such as a big production like Poseidon.
The estimated cost was 160 million US dollars, tens of millions had already been invested, and it was abandoned just like that.
Actors, directors, producers want an explanation?
My command is the explanation; if you dare to complain, I'll blacklist you. Even if the union comes now, it won't work, and besides, you've already been paid.
In any case, everything was just like when he took over MGM.
"Next, I would like to solemnly introduce Ms. Judy Newhouse, the new CEO of Warner Bros.!"
Clap, clap, clap.
Amidst the applause, Judy nodded towards the cameras.
"Erwin Hume, former head of DC Films, still responsible for the overall business of DC Films."
"James Wan, you are very familiar with him. He is skilled at strategic planning and guidance, an excellent talent, and will now serve as the specific head for the film and television adaptation of DC Comics."
"Zack Snyder, he is a very thoughtful and creative director, and will serve as the Creative Director for DC film and television adaptations, assisting James."
"The person on my right is known to everyone, Avi Arad will continue to be responsible for the overall business of Marvel Studios."
"Then there's Kevin Feige, he was the producer of Iron Man and captain america, and will be specifically responsible for Marvel's film and television landscape in the future."
"And the Russo Brothers, also young directors skilled in innovation, they will serve as Marvel's Creative Directors, assisting Kevin's work."
"Felicity Smoak."
"Quinn Lorin."
Each name Eric read prompted someone on the podium to stand up and acknowledge the cameras.
Insiders already knew this information, but reporters were very surprised.
Because Judy, James Wan, and the Russo Brothers—in short, half of the executives—looked very young, almost all around 30 years old.
Some even knew Judy Newhouse, Eric's college classmate, who was the same age as Eric.
At 25, for the CEO of a large conglomerate, it seemed too much like child's play.
Moreover, Avi Arad and Erwin Hume, although Eric said they were responsible for the overall business of Marvel and DC, felt more like two mascots.
Real power was controlled by Kevin Feige, the Russo Brothers, James Wan, and Zack Snyder.
It was a bit like the impression the Coopers, Xia Li and Eric, once gave.
Can putting such a group of young people in charge really work?
Eric had naturally considered the questions reporters were asking long ago.
Especially for the overall head of DC, he spent the longest time thinking about it.
More than half a month ago, at a party, he specifically invited Nolan, one of the purposes being to hope he would take on this position.
But Nolan refused without hesitation, stating that he only wished to focus on creating and making movies.
Once he got involved in management, there would be too many trivial matters, and he would no longer be able to find peace.
The biggest fear was failing at both movies and management, which would be far more serious than just getting a few scoldings.
However, although he declined the invitation to be in charge, he said he would seriously consider Heath Ledger, whom Eric recommended.
If the other party was truly amazing enough, he would be given priority.
After hitting a wall with Nolan, Eric turned his attention to his second target, James Wan.
James Wan's abilities are famously strong; not only strong, but also incredibly responsible, the type who, once they take on a job, will always do their best.
He is also particularly good at handling pressure, adept at fighting from a disadvantaged position, never getting complacent when things are going well, and has a certain level of skill in strategic planning.
It's clear if you look at the major things he accomplished in his original timeline.
The already established horror film universes of the conjuring, Annabelle, Insidious, and The Witch have proven his planning capabilities.
While filming the fast and the furious, faced with the sudden death of lead actor Paul Walker,
the crew urgently devised a plan, drastically revised the script, brought in Paul Walker's brother, and, with the addition of special effects, completed the film, with the final farewell scene becoming a classic.
It's important to know that Hollywood is not Hong Kong; a film takes a considerable amount of time, and major script revisions are particularly grueling.
This situation would have ruined the film in the hands of an ordinary director, but James Wan stubbornly persevered, and the box office was a huge success.
If the fast and the furious 7 proved his ability to handle pressure, then Aquaman 2 fully demonstrated his style of excelling in difficult situations.
Originally, the first film was very successful, and the sequel's production was very smooth.
Even during the mask crisis, the film's progress was not slow, and the main body was largely completed in 2021.
But then an accident occurred, and the century-long battle between Depp and Amber Heard began.
Teacup dogs, defecating, severed fingers, hilarious court trials... Amber Heard's image completely collapsed, and she faced a joint boycott from millions of people, demanding her removal from the cast.
But Amber Heard was also the female lead. In the end, James Wan, through a series of post-production edits,
compressed Amber Heard's screen time, filled it with other discarded footage, and actually managed to round out the story.
But immediately, a greater difficulty than Amber Heard emerged: Warner Bros. executives had accumulated strength and were ready to abuse the director.
They were dissatisfied with the finished film and wanted to incorporate more connections to other films, such as The Flash, so the film underwent its first reshoots and additional filming.
But unexpectedly, after James Wan completed the reshoots, Warner Bros. merged with Discovery Channel, and there was a change in leadership.
The new executives watched the finished film and thought, 'What the hell is this?' and demanded another reshoot.
So James Wan could only revise the script according to their opinions and began the second round of reshoots and additional filming.
When James Wan finished filming again, Warner Bros. executives once again underwent changes, and James Gunn took over.
He was very dissatisfied with the layout of the DCEU and wanted to start his own universe, so he gave an opinion, demanding that Aquaman 2 undergo a third round of additional filming.
James Wan could only revise the script yet again and then reassemble the cast.
But actors aren't just available at your beck and call; they all have their own commitments, and the process was a complete mess.
James Wan was hospitalized at one point during this period, rumored to have been furious.
But how did James Wan respond when interviewed?
He smiled and said, "It's okay, I understand everything. My job is to serve the client."
He never spoke ill of Warner Bros. from beginning to end, never lost his temper, and had maximum patience and stress tolerance, truly a gentleman like jade.
It was only when a reporter from Entertainment Weekly asked, "Do you still want to make Aquaman 3?"
that he finally expressed subtly, "I just want to take a long vacation and find a place without seawater."
Such a film, having gone through hardships, fraught with misfortune, and plagued by negative news.
Various agencies predicted it would definitely flop, but unexpectedly, the rating even exceeded 6 points, and it sold over 400 million US dollars globally.
Not only was the critical reception acceptable, but Warner Bros. actually didn't lose money, and even made a small profit.
And those who experienced the internal initial screening of the film said that James Wan's original version was much better than the one released.
After understanding all this, I ask you again, is James Wan a god?
As for Zack Snyder, his style is very good, and Eric appreciates it quite a bit.
However, his shortcomings are also very obvious: the integration of commercial elements is not good enough, often resulting in good reviews but poor box office.
So letting him control the overall situation alone is absolutely not an option; he's only suitable for support, not as a main player.
But letting James Wan and Zack Snyder collaborate, with Eric making the final decisions, I believe the results will be very good.
As for the presence of Avi Arad and Erwin Hume, it is indeed as the media speculated.
If the young people can't hold their own in the early stages, they will need to step in to coordinate.
After a year or so, once they have proven themselves, the two can step down.
"Next, please welcome Ms. Judy Newhouse to introduce Warner Bros.' future development model."
As the host spoke, Judy's eyes sharply scanned the audience. In the United States, it's not popular to hide one's talents; being more assertive is better.
"I know some friends don't know me, so I'll formally introduce myself now."
"I previously worked at MGM Film Company, primarily responsible for the market and production sectors."
"Films such as blue is the warmest color, Million Dollar Baby, mean girls, the passion of the christ, and rampage were all discovered and co-produced by me."
As soon as these words were uttered, a gasp of surprise immediately rose from the audience.
All were major hit films, not a single one lost money.
At this moment, some people realized that MGM was not just Eric Cooper; it was just that his personal aura was too dazzling, causing others to be overlooked.
"In addition, I was also responsible for leading the acquisition of Lucasfilm."
The gasps were louder than before; a big deal of 3 billion US dollars is not something an ordinary person can do, this young lady is not simple.
Having achieved the desired effect, Judy's voice also grew louder: "Regarding this new job, although the difficulty has increased, I believe I am fully capable of handling it."
"I will apply my experience to it, making the company operate more smoothly and powerfully, and produce more high-quality film and television dramas to give back to the fans."
"Among them, harry potter will still be a key project for the company, and The Matrix series will also be further developed."
"At the same time, we will further cooperate with New Line Cinema to jointly develop the lord of the rings film series."
"Collaborate with Lucasfilm to shoot sequels and spin-offs of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars."
"There are also classic IPs like tom and jerry, and we will also continue to explore original films."
"Then there's the DC Extended Universe, which will be a key area in the next decade. James can talk about it."
James Wan naturally took over: "I am deeply honored to receive this position."
"Regarding the layout of the DC Extended Universe, we have discussed it many times, even Kevin Feige, the Russo Brothers, and I have researched it."
"The model will be similar to Marvel, focusing on individual hero films first, and linking other heroes in the storyline."
"When the time is right, perhaps a major event will be introduced."
"But everyone doesn't need to worry about similarities, because DC and Marvel have different styles, and will definitely give audiences different viewing experiences."
"Currently confirmed individual films include Superman, batman, which Nolan is directing, as everyone knows."
"Then there's wonder woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash, and Constantine."
"This will be a great story, and Zack and I will do our best to make it happen. Within three years, everyone will be able to see many superheroes on the big screen."
After James Wan finished speaking, he looked at Zack Snyder, motioning for him to say a few words.
But before Zack Snyder could speak, many reporters in the audience had already raised their hands.
Someone simply asked directly: "James, why no Martian Manhunter or Cyborg?"
"Why is one member missing from the Justice League?"
"You've been researching for so long, have the actors been chosen?"
"Who is Superman? Who is wonder woman?"