Chapter 487: Iron Man 2 Premiere

Charles and Jessica Alba stayed from the 13th until the 18th, spending almost a week together.

On May 18, the global premiere of Iron Man 2 took place, and Charles had to attend the grand ceremony at the Chinese Theatre.

Outside the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, many fans gathered. The main creators of Iron Man 2, including Robert Downey Jr., Kate Beckinsale, Scarlett Johansson, and Mickey Rourke, all attended in formal attire.

Charles and Kevin Feige sat together in the theater's lounge. "Mickey Rourke got nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor this year too. His role as Whiplash in Iron Man 2 is pretty good!"

Kevin Feige smiled, "Good thing The Wrestler hadn't come out when he filmed Iron Man 2. Otherwise, the price wouldn't have been so low!"

Charles nodded in agreement. Indeed, all filming for Iron Man 2 wrapped up last October, and the special effects were completed in February this year.

The Wrestler was released last December and gained fame during the Golden Globe Awards in January, with the Oscar nominations causing quite a stir at the end of the month.

"Tomorrow, the crew heads to Europe. We have premieres to attend in London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome. This Friday, it will be released in over 60 countries and regions simultaneously!"

As Charles listened to Kevin Feige, he estimated Capet Pictures spent around $80 million on the promotion for Iron Man 2.

"Today is Tuesday, almost there!" Charles sighed, "Let's go, we still have to meet the media."

Charles and Kevin Feige let the reporters take some photos and casually answered a few questions before Charles left.

After all, the premiere wouldn't be short. Charles was just there to make an appearance, the stars were the main attraction.

"Mom, what's up? I just left the Chinese Theatre." Charles answered his mother's call in the car.

"It's Iron Man 2's premiere, huh? You're leaving so early?" Evelyn was momentarily surprised but quickly calmed down. "The Proposal has been out for ten days and made $75 million at the North American box office. Looks like another successful movie!"

"Haha, who do you think your son is?" Charles chuckled. "But Paramount's Star Trek, which released around the same time, made $100 million in ten days in North America. And 20th Century Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which released earlier this month, also surpassed $150 million in North American box office!"

Evelyn exclaimed, "Oh my God, Star Trek is America's second-biggest sci-fi IP after Star Wars, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a big-budget blockbuster with a $150 million investment! Your The Proposal is just a $40 million romantic comedy. Do you really need to compare it to their special effects extravaganzas? Wait until Iron Man 2 premieres, then make the comparisons!"

"Alright, I was just joking. Is there something important?" Charles inquired.

On the other end, Evelyn was lying in bed with Cate Blanchett, who was playfully teasing her. Not wasting time, Evelyn quickly got to the point, "NBA's New Jersey Nets owner Bruce Ratner is looking to sell the Nets and the new Brooklyn arena to raise funds for his Brooklyn Atlantic Yard project."

"Alright, you can have someone check the details. It's not a secret."

Evelyn hung up the call and responded to Cate Blanchett's advances.

Cate Blanchett, laying on Evelyn, laughed, "Seems like you really care about Charles. Receiving the news and notifying Charles immediately!"

Evelyn laughed, "Charles's Capet Sports Entertainment (CSE) company is getting bigger. They own the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the Premier League's Arsenal, and the UFC. He's always had an eye on NBA teams, and now Bruce Ratner's Forest City Ratner Companies are short on funds. It's a perfect time for Charles to make a move!"

Cate Blanchett, whose investments were mostly in real estate, asked, "But the real estate market is sluggish right now. You mentioned Bruce Ratner is raising funds for his Brooklyn 'Atlantic Yards' project. If construction stalls, the Nets would stay in New Jersey. Brooklyn Arena is the core project of Atlantic Yards, right?"

Evelyn nodded, "I've already informed Charles. I'm sure he'll consider it thoroughly."

When Bruce Ratner bought the Nets in 2004, he wanted to move them to New York. Manhattan's land is already scarce, and Madison Square Garden is there. The Dolan family wouldn't allow another major arena in Manhattan.

Bruce Ratner's Forest City Ratner Companies focused on Brooklyn, across the East River from Manhattan. The Atlantic Yards project is huge, and the core of the first phase is constructing the Brooklyn Arena, along with malls, residential apartments, and office buildings.

The New Jersey Nets might not be worth much now, but a Brooklyn Nets would be different. However, whether the Atlantic Yards project can be launched in Brooklyn is crucial.

*****

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