Chapter 377: Thor Released

In an office at the Cannes Film Palais, Charles Capet and the 78-year-old Cannes Film Festival chairman, Gilles Jacob, were discussing something.

"Roman Polanski won't appear at the Cannes Film Festival anymore. Hollywood shouldn't have taken such an approach to talk with us," said Gilles Jacob. He was quite shocked when he first heard about the pressure from Hollywood's seven major film groups.

Even the documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, originally selected for the Cannes Film Festival, was urgently withdrawn and banned.

"Don't worry, it's over now. Hollywood suffered a lot this time too, and many people got affected. Allowing a vile sexual offender like Roman Polanski to be sheltered is largely your responsibility as well," said Charles. With his current status, he no longer needed to keep a low profile like before.

"Cannes International Film Festival is still one of the top three film festivals in Europe!"

Gilles Jacob looked at Charles. Hollywood, with its dominant power, aimed to divert attention to European entertainment scandals. Who couldn't see through it?

Harvey Weinstein's actions were more notorious, and European filmmakers were even more aware of it than Hollywood.

"It's over, right? The entertainment industry has always been this way, and such things are simply unavoidable," Gilles Jacob said again.

However, Gilles Jacob truly admired the young Charles Capet. Just look at the achievements of Capet Pictures.

Moreover, he had an eye for French films. La Vie En Rose made Marion Cotillard an Oscar-winning actress and established a working relationship with France's top director Luc Besson.

With capital and vision, and collaboration with many French actors, Gilles Jacob believed that Charles Capet's special affection for France was because he had half-French blood.

Charles nodded. "It's indeed over now. Currently, the economic situation is making people care more about their wallets and jobs. Besides, the film connections between Hollywood and France won't cease."

"Films should be pure, without too many other things mixed in," Gilles Jacob said helplessly.

Charles stood up, smiled at Gilles Jacob. "Alright, such words can be told to the public through the media. For people of our stature, saying such things will only sound like excuses for incompetence!"

...

With the summer release season kicking off, Capet Pictures' blockbuster Marvel film Thor premiered the previous Friday, achieving an impressive $68 million in its North American debut.

Currently, it had been showing for 10 days with $100 million in North American box office and $100 million in overseas markets.

Meanwhile, Warner Brothers released its $120 million blockbuster Speed Racer on the same day. Its debut performance was only $18 million, and its North American box office had just reached $30 million, with overseas markets also at $32 million - a total flop.

But Disney's fantasy children's movie sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian released last Friday, with a North American opening box office of $55 million, which seemed decent.

Disney planned to counter the Harry Potter series with the Narnia series. The production cost of Prince Caspian was a staggering $225 million.

However, the first weekend's reviews proved that this sequel didn't live up to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

...

At 10 PM in Cannes, Charles was attending the party for Vicky Cristina Barcelona!

Actually, Vicky Cristina Barcelona came to the Cannes Film Festival mainly for promotion, and like Paramount's Indiana Jones 4 and DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda, it was part of the non-competition lineup.

"People always say Woody Allen is good at filming sexy beauties. Indeed, it's not just talk," Charles said, looking at Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and Rebecca Hall beside him. "Not bad at all!"

However, he mentioned that Penelope Cruz was 34 years old that year and seemed to have a connection with the male lead Javier Bardem in the movie, as they were both from Spain.

Afterward, they all parted ways, and Charles went straight to his hotel room with Scarlett Johansson.

As soon as he entered the room, he hugged the sultry Scarlett and started kissing her, the alluring body beneath her sexy evening dress stirring his emotions.

"Charles, I have to go back home tomorrow to promote Mamma Mia!, and then I have to continue filming Iron Man 2," Scarlett Johansson leaned against the wall, letting Charles kiss her chest, while teasing him with a mischievous smile, "Maybe I'll bring Keira Knightley or Eva Green along for a three-person date next time!"

Charles could only nod his head in agreement since his mouth was otherwise occupied.

*****

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