Chapter 279: Chose the Wrong Person

"Deadpool" aggressively claims the top spot on the North American weekend box office chart, breaking the April weekend opening record for North American film history!"

Sitting in the car and looking at this striking headline on the newspaper's entertainment page, Diego Harris, the CEO of DC Comics, immediately visualized a young face—the young director who once approached DC Comics and Warner Brothers, hoping to revive Batman, Bruce Wayne.

As the car left the international airport and neared Burbank, Diego Harris leaned back in his seat, lost in thought.

After a while, he sighed to himself, "Perhaps DC Comics and Warner Brothers really missed a good opportunity."

The success of "Deadpool" was completely unexpected. Murphy Stanton brought such a bold yet entertaining superhero movie, which was simply unbelievable.

What was incredible to him was not just the unexpected box office numbers but also the sky-high praise from audiences, media, and professional critics.

That young director seemed to wield Harry Potter's magic wand, turning decay into magic with a mere touch.

Then, he thought of DC Comics and Warner Brothers' collaboration on "Catwoman," immediately frowning, "Did I really push someone who could have saved DC's superhero movies into Marvel's arms?"

It was no wonder he felt this way, especially since "Catwoman's" test screenings had been disastrously received, now holding a pitiful 13% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes after several screenings.

And that was not all. The audience's interest, represented by the Popcorn Index on Rotten Tomatoes, was only a little over 50%!

The movie hadn't even been released yet...

His gaze returned to the newspaper in his hands.

"Deadpool's director, Murphy Stanton, is still a relatively unfamiliar name to North American cinema-goers. This 24-year-old director's unique dark style has been hailed as a successor to Quentin Tarantino. Twentieth Century Fox's choice of such a distinctively styled director for a mainstream commercial film was quite unexpected."

"Stanton perfectly blended his style with Deadpool's characteristics, incorporating dark, violent, and bloody scenes as well as Deadpool's playful and cheeky traits, bringing a uniquely styled superhero movie to the homogeneous Hollywood and North American film market."

"Let's talk about the box office. 'Deadpool' premiered in some North American theaters on Thursday night, earning $7.52 million, an excellent performance, second only to 'The Matrix Reloaded' among R-rated films. The movie opened widely in the U.S. on Friday, earning $20.08 million, easily winning the day and breaking the April opening day record for R-rated films as well as the Friday box office record for April."

"By Saturday, daily earnings rose by 16%, reaching $32 million, an excellent increase for an R-rated film; Sunday inevitably saw a decline, but still brought in $24.2 million, making its opening weekend total $83.8 million, dominating the weekend."

"'Deadpool's' opening far exceeded pre-release expectations, only $2 million behind last year's 'X-Men 2's' first weekend box office, but with even better reviews, it's expected to follow a stronger trend, possibly becoming the highest-grossing film in the X-Men series. Considering the film's excellent reviews, its North American box office could aim for $250 million."

"The film's CinemaScore audience rating is A+, with a Popcorn Index of 98%, indicating extremely high audience approval. The media reviews are mostly positive, with 86% of 98 media reviews on Rotten Tomatoes giving it a thumbs up, averaging 7.8. Authoritative media rating site MetaCritic, compiling scores from 47 media outlets, gave it an average score of 75, the highest of the existing three X-Men movies."

"Driven by 'Deadpool', this weekend's North American box office totaled $180 million, a 215% surge from last week when 'Hellboy' won the championship!"

"Due to 'Deadpool's' unexpectedly strong performance, 'Hellboy,' also based on a comic adaptation, suffered a significant impact, with a weekend box office drop of 68%..."

Upon reading this, the car stopped in front of the Warner Building. Diego Harris put down the newspaper, got out of the car, and headed straight to Bruce Berman's office.

Inside the office, Bruce Berman, who had spoken to him over the phone, was waiting.

"I suggest we contact Murphy Stanton immediately," Diego Harris said as soon as he sat down. "He is extremely capable!"

Bruce Berman looked at him but said nothing.

"A movie that cost only sixty million dollars," Diego Harris really wanted to revitalize DC Comics' films, "made back its production cost in just one weekend in North America, with exceptionally high critical acclaim, which is rare in commercial cinema."

"What suits Marvel," Bruce Berman said coldly, "may not suit DC."

"Bruce!" Diego Harris didn't expect him to say that, widening his eyes, "A film about a second-tier, non-mainstream hero directed by Murphy Stanton to its current state, doesn't that prove anything? I think his initial plan had feasibility."

"Batman dethroned? Maybe Superman will be next..." Bruce Berman's expression darkened, "Stop joking, this is not the superhero movie DC and Warner Brothers want."

He had rejected Murphy Stanton before, and inviting him back now would be a slap to his own face. How could he, the CEO, maintain his dignity?

"'Catwoman' is already in this state..." Diego Harris was deeply frustrated, "Thinking about what Stanton said, I feel 'Superman Returns' might also have problems. Bruce, we need to face the issues, not avoid potential problems."

"Potential problems?" Bruce Berman stood up abruptly, "How many years was 'Superman Returns' shelved? It was me!"

He pointed to his own chest, "It was me who put 'Superman Returns' on the right track! And found the best superhero movie director for it, these are unchangeable facts!"

Bruce Berman's words were final, leaving no room for discussion, "You don't need to worry about 'Superman Returns,' I'll take full responsibility. As for 'Catwoman,' I'll find a way in terms of promotion and marketing."

"But..." Diego Harris still wanted to argue for Stanton,

Hearing that name, which could affect his reputation, Bruce Berman's temper flared, raising his voice to cut off Diego Harris, "Enough! I am the CEO of this company!"

Seeing Bruce Berman's almost bursting veins, Diego Harris closed his mouth, nodded, and left the office.

Autocratic, unwilling to listen to any opinions, failing to correct mistakes, overly focused on personal grievances...

A series of negative thoughts flashed through Diego Harris's mind, giving him a subconscious feeling that DC's superhero movies might truly be beyond saving.

Rushing over from New York for such an outcome left Diego Harris somewhat resentful, especially since Bruce Berman insisted on using Halle Berry for "Catwoman," offering a $20 million salary and adjusting the character to be African American, which infuriated him.

This was not the original vision for "Catwoman."

Initially, Diego Harris strongly supported Warner Brothers' reboot of DC superhero movies, thinking DC's moment to rise in Hollywood had arrived, and often stood by Bruce Berman, considering him the best ally.

Now, it seemed he had made a complete mistake in his decision and chosen the wrong person.

Thinking this, Diego Harris headed to the lobby, planning to leave and rest at his hotel.

"Hey, Diego," someone called out to him, "wait up."

Diego Harris turned to see Bruce Rosenbloom, who had recently been promoted from Deputy Director to Director of the Television Department, approaching from the elevator.

"Hi, Bruce," he greeted with a smile.

Though not friends, they were well acquainted.

"Do you have a moment?" Bruce Rosenbloom gestured towards the café in the lobby, "I have something I want to discuss with you."

After a moment's thought, Diego Harris nodded and followed Bruce Rosenbloom into the café.

"Diego, you're the most senior member of the DC Comics management team and universally recognized as the most passionate about DC Comics." After some small talk, Bruce Rosenbloom got to the point, "With 'Catwoman's' poor test screening feedback and 'Superman Returns' production costs exceeding $250 million, if it fails..."

He glanced at Diego Harris, who appeared contemplative.

Bruce Rosenbloom, having specifically sought him out, had obviously done his homework, "Has DC considered the severe consequences?"

Diego Harris gave a bitter smile, "DC Comics movies won't be able to recover for many years."

"The risk for these two projects is already very high." Bruce Rosenbloom continued, "Have you devised a contingency plan for failure?"

Previously, Diego Harris would have dismissed such a suggestion as absurd, but now? Some issues were becoming urgent.

The two engaged in a lengthy conversation in the café. Upstairs in that office, Bruce Berman first called the company's marketing department, urging them to step up promotion for "Catwoman," then decided he couldn't just leave it at that.

Some things, he preferred to do himself, relishing the feeling of power in his hands.

He also called Halle Berry and her agent, finalizing a very targeted promotional strategy.

Their plan in motion, Bruce Berman felt a momentary satisfaction, a fleeting assurance amidst the swirling doubts about DC's cinematic future. Meanwhile, Diego Harris, leaving the building with a heavy heart, couldn't shake the feeling that DC Comics might truly be on a path to ruin, a path inadvertently paved by misplaced trust and mistaken choices.

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