Chapter 657: Box Office Tragedy!

As the curtains rose on the premiere of "Pharaohs and Gods," anticipation crackled in the air, but with the film's unveiling, its reputation surged like wildfire. Media columns and critics' comments flooded the scene, igniting a cacophony of opinions.

"That was something else," exclaimed one critic, scribbling furiously. "A spectacular epic film! Bale humanizes Moses, and Ridley Scott? Well, he's just crafted another historical masterpiece."

Another chimed in, "The retelling of this well-known biblical tale is nothing short of stunning!"

Meanwhile, Warner Pictures, amid the buzz, basked in the praise. "We've done it," remarked a studio exec. "Critics are loving it. The team's bravery, led by Ridley Scott and Christian Bale, has paid off."

But as the first wave of reviews settled, the industry's benchmark, Rotten Tomatoes, displayed a respectable 77% freshness score. Yet, the overall MTC score lingered at 66 points. IMDB, however, remained undecided, lacking the necessary viewer ratings.

"With social media on the rise, controlling movie scores is no longer a straightforward game," mused a marketing strategist.

And indeed, as ordinary viewers flooded social platforms with their premiere reactions, a different narrative emerged. "It's clichéd and lengthy," tweeted one attendee, echoing the sentiments of many. "The best parts are in the trailer."

Despite the controlled premiere environment, Warner Bros. rejoiced as first weekend pre-sales in North America surpassed $10 million. But maintaining momentum proved challenging.

Come May, "Pharaohs and Gods" hit over 3,800 theaters, raking in $12.15 million on opening day. "Not bad," noted an analyst, "but not groundbreaking either."

As viewership soared, however, the tides turned. Word-of-mouth spiraled out of control, drowning out initial praise. "It's a disaster," lamented a studio insider, as IMDB ratings plummeted to a mere 6.2.

The once-hopeful whispers were replaced by a chorus of disappointment. "Long, ugly, and incoherent!" cried disgruntled viewers. "Do they seek to blaspheme?" questioned another.

Amidst the chaos, one sentiment prevailed: "Some of Ridley's films are heaven, and some are hell. Unfortunately, this one belongs to the latter."

As social media buzzed with the latest updates, the fate of "Pharaohs and Gods" hung in the balance. With each passing moment, its reputation plummeted, mirroring the decline in audience attendance.

As Saturday dawned, the box office figures told a grim tale—merely $7.55 million. "It's dropping," remarked Martin, rubbing his weary eyes after a long night of work.

Elizabeth, ever vigilant, fetched a bottle of champagne, knowing the moment of truth had arrived. "Martin, your phone's ringing," she nudged, shaking him gently from his slumber.

Grasping the phone, Martin's heart raced as he heard Thomas's voice on the other end, delivering the latest box office numbers. With bated breath, he shared the news with Elizabeth: "$23.11 million in the first weekend."

Relief washed over them both as they clinked glasses in celebration. "This is what we've been waiting for," Elizabeth beamed, her eyes shining with pride.

As they savored the victory, Martin pulled her close. "I can finally sleep peacefully tonight," he murmured, holding her tight.

"Those who plotted against us won't have the same luxury," Elizabeth whispered fiercely, her resolve unyielding.

Meanwhile, in the hushed confines of Warner Pictures' president's office, Jon Berg stared wearily at the latest statistics, his exhaustion evident in the shadows under his eyes.

With a heavy heart, he confronted the harsh reality—the North American box office had peaked at $23.11 million. The numbers, once promising, now spelled disaster.

As the phone rang, Jon braced himself for the inevitable inquiry. It was Kevin Tsujihara, the newly appointed CEO, demanding answers.

"What happened?" Kevin's voice cut through the silence, his tone brimming with urgency.

Jon hesitated, tempted to shift blame, but honesty prevailed. "Daniel intercepted the project, believing in its potential," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

Kevin's response was swift and decisive. "Failure is inevitable, but we must learn from it," he asserted, his words carrying the weight of authority.

Assured of a brighter future, Jon rallied, his confidence renewed. "Rest assured, 'Green Lantern' will be a triumph," he declared, determination etched in his features. "A masterpiece in the making."

Kevin Tsujihara's directive cut through the air, commanding Jon's immediate attention. "Submit a report this week regarding Pharaohs and Gods," he ordered, his tone firm.

Jon's fingers tightened around the phone as he acknowledged the instruction. With Kevin's backing, perhaps the weight of the situation would be alleviated, if only slightly.

Lost in contemplation, Jon's mind drifted to the project's inception, recalling the unwavering dedication of the production and cast. Yet, despite meticulous editing alongside the film's editor, the outcome was nothing short of disastrous. Why?

Seeking answers, Jon reached for the phone, dialing Daniel's number.

Not long after, Daniel strode into Jon's office, his presence commanding attention.

"Are you certain these projects came from Martin?" Jon inquired, his tone laced with suspicion.

Daniel's response was swift. "I merely facilitated the transition from Martin to Warner Pictures," he clarified, his voice tinged with annoyance at the insinuation.

Jon redirected, focusing on resolution rather than blame. "Are these truly Martin's favored projects?" he pressed.

"Absolutely," Daniel affirmed confidently. "Martin's faith in Ridley Scott's direction and the project's potential were unwavering."

As Jon pondered the situation, a realization dawned. "Could Martin have misled us intentionally?"

Daniel dismissed the notion outright. "Impossible. Martin's trust in Ridley Scott and the project's team was unwavering," he countered.

Sensing a shift towards accountability, Jon interjected firmly. "Let's focus on identifying our shortcomings rather than assigning blame."

Daniel concurred, his expression determined. "The issue lies in the disparity between Bale's commercial appeal and Martin's."

Jon nodded in agreement. "Bale's track record doesn't align with our expectations," he acknowledged.

A decision was made. "Warner Pictures will refrain from casting Bale in leading roles for future projects," Jon declared, his resolve unwavering.

Daniel echoed the sentiment. "Bale's missteps have left a mark. Hollywood will take note."

With a shared understanding, responsibility for the film's failure shifted towards its principal creators, Bale and Ridley. Plans were set in motion to mitigate the fallout, deflecting attention from Warner Pictures' misstep.

As they strategized their next move, Jon's thoughts turned towards the implications of the project's failure on future endeavors.