Chapter 284: The Hulk Copyright

Beverly Hills, Capet Manor, Study Room.

Amelia Caldwell handed Charles an invitation. "This is an invitation from the Producers Guild of America!"

Charles glanced at it casually. "Capet Pictures will naturally send someone, no need to worry."

Capet Pictures had become known as the seventh biggest movie studio in Hollywood and held significant influence within the Producers Guild.

"How do you like living in the USA?" Charles asked Amelia Caldwell.

"Oh, it's great. I always wanted to work in America, but work visas are hard to get!"

As an Argentinian from South America, Charles felt Amelia differed from people from Mexico or Central American countries.

After all, Argentina was the third largest economy in Latin America, just behind Brazil and Mexico. Its per capita income was among the highest, making it a wealthy country in the region.

"Argentina and Chile are economically developed nations in Latin America. Their living conditions are much better than in Brazil or Colombia. At least folks don't have to sneak in illegally like in some other countries," Charles said as he pulled the tall Amelia Caldwell into his arms.

Unbothered by the wandering hands on her body, Amelia cuddled Charles' neck affectionately and laughed, "There're many opportunities in America. Lots of people dream of living here. Every year, many people from Latin America illegally cross the border for that reason."

Charles nodded. Those who sneaked in mostly couldn't secure work visas. "Your kind of job allows you to apply for a green card after five years, right?"

Amelia Caldwell nodded, although she wasn't an investor immigrant.

"Relax, just stay by my side. You have a formal work visa, and once you get the green card, you can do whatever job you want," Charles sighed. Beautiful women had more opportunities in America because of this.

Finding an American husband would be best, but otherwise, they'd find other ways to get work visas.

"Boss, I love this job!" Amelia Caldwell explained.

"Don't worry. As long as you listen, the company will help you out," Charles reassured. After all, Amelia Caldwell was his housekeeper now, and effort deserved reward.

Amelia Caldwell quickly nodded, "Boss, I will do my job well."

"I've noticed your good work," Charles encouraged her, "We will be hiring a few maids soon. You can oversee that, making it formal employment."

Amelia got the hint. Formal employment meant a visa.

"Boss, any requirements for the maids?"

"Requirements?" Charles lifted her chin and kissed her. "They should be similar to the flight attendants we have now."

"It shouldn't be hard to find willing foreigners wanting to come to America," Amelia laughed. "Us South American girls are fiery. Do you like that, boss?"

Charles nodded. "Just do your job well."

Young, pretty foreign girls coming to America without connections or money could only leverage their looks and charm.

...

The Oscars, as the annual grand event in the entertainment industry, never lacked attention.

The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, The Pursuit of Happiness, Volver, and The Lives of Others all received Oscar nominations.

Capet Pictures showed strength, not only in box office performance but also in competing for awards.

In the Best Picture category, The Departed was a strong contender. Despite Ridley Scott only winning Best Director at the Golden Globes, losing Best Drama to Babel.

But the humanistic themes of Babel weren't likely to resonate with Oscar judges.

At the Capet Entertainment headquarters, in Kevin Feige's office at Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige was on the phone with his boss, Donna Langley.

"Universal wants us to help develop a new version of The Incredible Hulk, keeping other terms the same, but they propose exchanging Hulk's rights for future distribution rights of the independent Hulk movies!"

"Retain the future distribution rights of independent Hulk movies?" Donna Langley frowned, sitting in her office chair.

"That's unreasonable. Marvel's previous contract with Universal only allowed us 5% of the revenue from Hulk projects. Although we own the merchandise rights, the big money from box office and DVD rights is significant.

Would Universal release another Hulk movie next year just to keep the character rights for five more years?" Donna Langley doubted it. The 2003 Hulk by Ang Lee was both a critical and box office flop.

"I don't know. Next year is when Hulk's character rights expire. If Universal doesn't release a Hulk movie, Marvel can reclaim the rights per the contract," Kevin Feige explained, sounding a bit helpless.

"But developing a new Hulk movie isn't hard. Universal could make a low-budget movie like Lionsgate did with Man-Thing..."

"Our previous contract includes clauses securing creative control. Marvel Studios now belongs to Capet Entertainment, not the struggling Marvel Enterprises of the past. If Universal really does this, we'll end up in a legal battle!"

Despite Donna Langley's tough words, low-budget movies to keep character rights were common.

In the late '80s, Marvel sold the Fantastic Four rights to a producer, leading to a low-budget Fantastic Four film before the rights expired due to lack of studio interest.

Later, 20th Century Fox acquired the rights and released Fantastic Four in 2005, which succeeded, with a sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer set to release this year.

If Universal pressed on, regardless of objections from Marvel Studios, little could be done.

"I'll talk to Barry Meyer," Donna Langley said, ending the call since Kevin Feige was still a minor figure, easily overlooked.

Charles aimed to create the Avengers universe and the Hulk was essential. Without Universal, Hulk couldn't appear in Marvel Studios' projects.

*****

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