Chapter 47

"John Wick" Global Success and Xu Can's Rise in Hollywood

After "John Wick" surpassed $100 million at the North American box office in its opening weekend, the film has been released in various countries and regions worldwide.

The film's success in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Amsterdam, is partly attributed to the popularity of Xu Can, known as "The Most Handsome Spider-Man." According to BBC reports, on the day tickets went on sale in London, the entire city was gridlocked with traffic. Moviegoers lined up from the cinema out onto the streets, causing severe congestion in narrow London lanes. The Royal Police even dispatched mounted officers to maintain order.

The same phenomenon occurred in Paris, Berlin, and Milan, with some fans wearing Spider-Man masks while buying tickets for "John Wick," adding a unique twist to the frenzy.

In its report, the BBC didn't shy away from a somewhat bitter summary:

"The success of both 'Spider-Man' and 'John Wick' has cemented Chinese rising stars in Hollywood and dominated the British film market. We need to unite British filmmakers, delve into our local characteristics, and create high-quality films instead of resting on the laurels of 'Harry Potter.' Today, too many actors and directors are heading to Hollywood, contributing to a significant brain drain. Who wants to stay confined to a small island?"

British films, though known for their use of black humor to address societal issues, suffer from a small and insular industry, pushing emerging filmmakers to seek opportunities in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, the French market is also captivated by Xu Can's new film. "Spider-Man" dominated the box office until February, only to be overtaken by "John Wick." On the premiere day in Paris, the renowned French director Luc Besson attended and said in an interview:

"Xu Can is a very thoughtful young man. The global film industry needs such cutting-edge talent. To be honest, I'd like to collaborate with him."

Besson, known for classics like "The Professional," "The Fifth Element," and "Taxi," is famous for handling fast-paced action scenes. French film fans are eagerly anticipating a collaboration between Besson and Xu Can.

In China, however, it's unfortunate that R-rated movies like "John Wick" cannot be released due to censorship. Nonetheless, the film was released in Hong Kong and Macau, grossing HK$4 million on its opening day. It could potentially challenge the HK$37 million record set by "Night at the Museum."

Mainland tourists contributed significantly to this box office success. Around the Chinese New Year, "Spider-Man" sparked a superhero craze, overshadowing local films by directors like Feng Pengteng and Zhang Guoshi. Even after fifteen years, Spider-Man masks and figurines became ubiquitous at school canteens and small markets.

Despite the suppression of Xu Can's news by the media, the enthusiasm among Chinese moviegoers was reignited with the release of "John Wick" in neighboring regions. Many fans even traveled to Hong Kong just to watch the movie, while others waited eagerly for pirated copies to surface online.

Xu Can and Kevin Feige's Secret Conversations

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Xu Can was having a secret conversation with Kevin Feige:

"Are you really not going to act?"

"Kevin, be serious. Do I look like Tony Stark to you?"

"But… we really need your box office appeal. Aren't you an investor? Don't worry about the money."

Since their first meeting, Xu Can and Kevin Feige have often discussed the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Xu Can's casual suggestions have often left Feige exclaiming, "Genius!"

Under Xu Can's influence, he was appointed as Marvel's new Chief Consultant and COO, responsible for the overall direction of Marvel movies and their production. Kevin Feige volunteered to help Xu Can implement his plans, effectively handing over Marvel's steering wheel to him. This trust was understandable, given that Xu Can's "Spider-Man" ranked third at the box office in film history, earning $1.1 billion.

After several meetings, they finally decided that "Iron Man" would be the next Marvel movie. Xu Can proposed the idea, which was unanimously approved by the board.

What happened next surprised Kevin Feige. Xu Can planned to invest heavily in "Iron Man," committing up to $70 million of his own money—essentially betting most of his "John Wick" earnings on the project. Even more surprising, Xu Can refused to play Tony Stark, despite his box office appeal.

"Think long-term," Xu Can explained. "According to my plan, when the Avengers are formed, Spider-Man will still be me, but Iron Man needs to be someone else. Otherwise, would you want to change Spider-Man?"

As Spider-Man was deeply associated with Xu Can, fans wouldn't accept anyone else in the role. Xu Can emphasized the need for long-term planning, ensuring Marvel would remain interconnected but independent, avoiding the pitfalls he anticipated post-2018.

He didn't want Marvel to become what it might be after 2018, citing films like "The Eternals," "Secret Invasion," "Captain Marvel 2," and "Black Panther 2" as examples of declining quality. Instead, Xu Can envisioned adapting major comic book events like the integration of the X-Men and Avengers, introducing characters like Galactus, the Beyonders, and the Living Tribunal.

With careful planning, the MCU could continue to thrive for decades, reversing stereotypes about Chinese characters and rejecting problematic trends. Xu Can believed that by influencing Hollywood from within, he could reshape global perceptions.

His first step was to film "Iron Man" and gradually take over Marvel, with plans to potentially acquire the entire company.

"I know the perfect actor for Tony Stark," Xu Can said.

"Who is it?" Kevin Feige asked, his voice trembling.

"Robert Downey Jr."

"What?"

Kevin Feige was stunned. Robert Downey Jr. was notorious for his troubled past. Was Xu Can serious?

A Second Chance for Robert Downey Jr.

In Beverly Hills, 37-year-old Robert Downey Jr. was lounging by his backyard pool, his career in a downward spiral after multiple arrests for drug abuse. He hadn't received a call in a week, and his last role in "Zodiac" as the second lead felt like a distant memory. Hollywood had seemingly abandoned him, relegating him to supporting roles or films by lesser-known directors.

Downey's phone rang, breaking the silence. It was his agent:

"Robert, you've been offered a lead role."

"Pass. You should know by now to reject these bad offers yourself."

"But it's Marvel. They want you to play Tony Stark. Xu Can personally requested you."

"Wait, what?"

Downey sat up straight, disbelief washing over him.

A New Chapter for Marvel

Xu Can and Kevin Feige eventually met with Robert Downey Jr., offering him a modest $500,000 for the role. Despite the low salary, Downey was thrilled, seeing it as his last chance to prove himself in Hollywood. Though Kevin Feige initially had reservations, preferring actors like Nicolas Cage or Tom Cruise, Xu Can's decision ultimately prevailed.

On the way back from their meeting, Xu Can drove Downey in his new Ferrari F430 Spider. They stopped at a burger shop, where Downey, struggling with withdrawal symptoms, threw both his burger and a small bag of pills into the sea.

"I promise, I won't take drugs anymore. I'm grateful for this opportunity and will give it my all," Downey vowed, his eyes clear for the first time in years.

Building the Future

With "Iron Man" underway, Xu Can's influence in Hollywood continued to grow. As "John Wick" approached $200 million at the box office and the "Dark Knight" series progressed smoothly, Xu Can was well on his way to establishing himself as a Hollywood powerhouse.

He planned to direct "Iron Man" himself, drawing on his experience from "Spider-Man" and "John Wick." If successful, he had more ambitious projects in mind, including a promised musical, "La La Land," with Emma Stone.

As Xu Can drove back to Galaxy Entertainment, he nearly hit Taylor Swift, who was walking in the park. Swift, excited about finishing her album, accepted Xu Can's dinner invitation, which she jokingly called a date.

However, as Swift headed to her apartment to prepare, she found herself hesitating in the elevator, her heart pounding. Meanwhile, Xu Can's phone rang—it was Emma Stone, inviting him to a pre-premiere party for "Twilight."

Xu Can realized he was at a crucial juncture, where every decision could shape his future in Hollywood and beyond.

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