Chapter 666: Feigning Illness!

In the opulent halls of West Hollywood Medical Center's Nursing Ward Area, Hugh Jackman strode in, a bouquet of flowers in hand, exchanging pleasantries with passersby as he made his way to a hospital bed.

There, he found Bryan Singer, once robust but now worn, lying amidst sterile sheets. "What's happened to you?" Jackman inquired, concern etched on his face.

Singer, his voice heavy with exhaustion, replied, "I suffered a heart attack, courtesy of Warner Pictures' torment."

Their collaboration on the "X-Men" series hadn't prepared Jackman for this sight. "What went wrong?" he probed further.

"The latest project, 'Jack the Giant Catcher,' was overrun by six Warner producers," Singer lamented. "Do you know what that did to me? It nearly broke me."

Jackman, offering solace, reminded him, "But you made it through. The filming's done."

Singer hesitated, words catching in his throat. The looming post-production phase threatened more than his health—it jeopardized his very livelihood.

"This project isn't just about making a movie," Singer confessed. "It's a battle for a director's life."

Before long, Jackman bid farewell, leaving Singer alone. But his respite was brief; Jon Berg, Warner Pictures' president, arrived with his assistant, McDonald, in tow.

Seeing McDonald, Singer's tension flared, veins bulging as he braced himself for the inevitable conversation.

Berg, extending condolences, got straight to the point: "When can you leave? The crew awaits your guidance for post-production."

Singer, internally seething, maintained composure. "I'm unwell," he fibbed. "The doctor insists on rest. Can we postpone?"

Berg's frown deepened, pondering the financial ramifications of delay. Singer, feigning frailty, lay on the bed, looking every bit the victim he felt.

Sensing Singer's distress, Berg reassured, "Rest easy. Leave the project to us."

Relieved of his burden, Singer exhaled. He had no desire to confront those six producers or revisit "Jack the Giant Catcher."

"Apologies, Jon," Singer murmured. "I've delayed the project."

Berg waved off the concern. "Not to worry. Focus on your recovery. We'll handle the rest."

With Singer sidelined, Berg saw no obstacle to moving forward. In Hollywood, directors were dispensable; the show must go on.

As the heavy door of the ward clicked shut behind the departing Warner Pictures executives, Bryan Singer felt a weight lift from his weary shoulders, a rare sensation after months of torment.

"Finally free," he whispered to himself, relief flooding his tired frame. Free from the clutches of Warner's relentless pressure.

Meanwhile, Jon Berg sat in his car, mulling over the post-production challenges of "Jack the Giant Slayer."

Beside him, McDonald, his trusted aide, glanced at him, holding back any hasty words.

Berg reminisced about his recent flop, "Gods and Kings." Its lackluster box office performance had been a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, with Kevin Tsujihara's backing and some deft maneuvering, he'd managed to deflect blame onto Christian Bale.

Reflecting on the debacle, Berg resolved to approach "Jack the Giant Catcher" with caution. He understood the importance of collaborative effort in crafting a successful film.

"Notify the crew," Berg instructed McDonald. "Have them create multiple edits, incorporating scenes shot by Singer, Dawkin, and yourself."

Eager to participate in the post-production process, McDonald nodded enthusiastically. "Consider it done, sir."

Berg stressed, "Maintain the core plot intact. We're not reinventing the wheel here."

Though puzzled by his boss's strategy, McDonald complied. "Understood. I'll relay the message."

Berg's plan was straightforward: let seasoned producers craft different versions, then test each for audience reception. The resulting amalgamation of the best elements would pave the way for a blockbuster.

In Berg's mind, this was a stroke of genius—a potential game-changer for Hollywood's production model. His confidence, shaken by past failures, surged anew.

Meanwhile, across town, Louise, privy to Warner's internal affairs through her Pacific Pictures connections, received word of Berg's innovative approach.

Martin, stationed at Disney Studio, was equally impressed. "Jon Berg is a visionary," he marveled. "His methods could revolutionize our industry."

As whispers of Berg's strategy spread, anticipation brewed in Hollywood wanting Warner to fail once again. With Berg at the helm, the future of filmmaking seemed to be bleak.

As Louise adjusted her black-rimmed glasses, a spark of intrigue lit up her eyes. "What a stroke of genius. Why on earth did Warner Bros. appoint him as president of Warner Pictures? Is it just because he's Kevin Tsujihara's brother-in-law?"

Martin pondered, "You might be onto something there."

Shrugging, Louise remarked, "Who knows? After more than a decade with Warner Bros., I'm finding them harder to understand by the day."

"Change is constant in this industry," Martin noted. "Did Warner invite you to the 'Green Lantern' premiere?"

Louise shook her head. "Not a peep. Did you receive an invitation?"

"No invite for me either," Martin replied. "Seems like Warner Bros. has tightened by the budget constraints."

Louise speculated, "Maybe they see you as a jinx after 'Gods and Kings' flopped."

Martin chuckled, "Guess I'm their lucky charm."

Louise grinned, "Indeed, you're also my lucky star."

As filming resumed, Martin donned his helmet and disappeared into a makeshift cabin.

Amidst the quiet set, Ridley directed with precision, ensuring smooth progress.

In mid-June, Warner Bros. hosted a grand world premiere for "Green Lantern," the cornerstone of the DC movie universe. Executives, led by Kevin Tsujihara, attended in force, brimming with confidence.

With a staggering $200 million production budget, anticipation ran high despite lukewarm test screenings. Warner Bros. and theater chains rallied, planning a wide release across North America.

The buzz intensified when TMZ revealed actor Ryan Reynolds' romance with co-star Abbie Cornish, boosting publicity.

At the premiere, DC Films director Hamada oozed confidence. "Green Lantern's universe is unparalleled. With groundbreaking special effects, we're bringing it to life like never before."

Tsujihara echoed the sentiment, unveiling DC's ambitious plans for a Justice League universe. "This is just the beginning. Fans can expect an epic lineup of superhero films, uniting iconic characters onscreen."

Their bold declarations resonated with fans, drawing crowds to theaters. Yet, despite high expectations, the film's lackluster $42.75 million opening weekend spelled disappointment.