124. Discussing The Direction Of MCU

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"With all due respect," the man said, his voice measured but firm, "Marvel has thrived because of its creative freedom. Restricting that freedom could stifle innovation and limit our ability to adapt to changing times. If we can't operate independently, how do you expect us to compete in such a dynamic industry?"

Jack opened his mouth to intervene, but Sandro raised a hand, signaling his father to let him handle it. Sandro's gaze locked on the executive, his expression calm but resolute. "I understand your concerns, and I want to make one thing clear, creative freedom is not being taken away. The comic writers and screenwriters will have all the freedom they need to create and adapt stories."

"But that freedom comes with accountability. Nexum Core Enterprise is not here to micromanage, we're here to ensure that every project aligns with Marvel's legacy and the high standards its fans expect." The executive frowned but remained silent, seemingly weighing Sandro's response.

"As for administration," Sandro continued, "Marvel is now a part of Nexum Core Enterprise. That means certain operational decisions will go through us. This isn't about control for the sake of controlling everyone, it's about creating a cohesive strategy that benefits everyone involved. We're not here to hinder Marvel's growth, we're here to ensure it continues to thrive."

Stan Lee's warm smile grew as he watched Sandro handle the pushback with composure. The young man had an impressive ability to balance firmness with understanding, a skill that many seasoned professionals struggled to master.

Sandro shifted his focus to the creative team. "Now, let's talk about the future. Marvel's strength has always been its characters and their stories. I believe we have an opportunity to build something even bigger, a cinematic universe that feels interconnected, with each movie contributing to a larger narrative. This requires meticulous planning, but if done right, it could redefine the way people experience these stories."

Heads nodded around the table, the room beginning to warm to Sandro's vision. He spoke with passion and clarity, making it difficult to dismiss his ideas.

"One of the first steps," he said, "is identifying which stories and characters to prioritize. We don't need to rush, quality over quantity should always be our mantra. Iron Man was a fantastic start, but we need to think about what comes next. How do we introduce audiences to characters like Hulk, Captain America, Thor, or the X-Men? How do we weave these stories together in a way that feels organic?"

Sandro's excitement was contagious, and even the skeptical executives found themselves leaning in, intrigued by his ideas.

"And let's not forget about diversity," Sandro added. "Not as a forced agenda, but as a natural extension of Marvel's universe. Characters like Black Panther, Ms. Marvel, and Shang-Chi are perfect examples of how we can celebrate different cultures and perspectives while staying true to the source material."

As Sandro spoke, Jack watched his son with a mixture of pride and awe. He had always known Sandro was special, but seeing him command a room full of seasoned professionals with such ease was a reminder of just how remarkable he was.

By the time Sandro finished outlining his vision, the room was buzzing with energy. Even the previously resistant executives seemed more open to his ideas, realizing that his approach wasn't about stifling creativity but about channeling it in a way that honored Marvel's legacy while pushing it toward an even brighter future.

Stan Lee was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, young man," he said. "Marvel's lucky to have someone like you looking out for its future."

Sandro smiled, humbled by the praise. "Thank you, Mr. Lee. That means a lot coming from you."

Stan Lee smiled warmly at Sandro, gesturing for him to continue. Sandro nodded, collecting his thoughts as he turned his attention back to the room. "Thank you, Mr. Lee," he said sincerely thanking Stan Lee once again before addressing the group. "So, what's the next comic adaptation you're planning to turn into a movie?"

At Sandro's prompting, a senior executive motioned to an assistant, who quickly distributed several documents around the table. Each document contained summaries, preliminary scripts, and concept art for the next slate of movies Marvel was considering.

Sandro flipped through his copy, scanning the titles. He immediately noticed something troubling, the proposed lineup of movies was entirely inconsistent with the cohesive timeline he remembered from his past life. The only familiar project was Iron Man 2, the rest seemed like a random collection of stories with no clear connection.

Sandro's brow furrowed as he reviewed the list. A member of the creative team began presenting their ideas, outlining each proposed film in broad strokes. But the presentation lacked something critical: there was no mention of how these movies would tie together or establish a shared universe.

Each film seemed to exist in its own bubble, disconnected from the others. The shallow planning grated against Sandro's instincts, which had been honed by his unique knowledge from his past life of what a true cinematic universe could achieve.

When the presenter finished, Sandro raised his hand. "I appreciate the effort that's gone into these projects," he began diplomatically, "but I have to say, there's a fundamental flaw in this approach if the goal is to build a cinematic universe."

The room fell silent, tension thick in the air. Some of the creative team members exchanged uneasy glances, clearly not used to having their work criticized so directly. Sandro pressed on, undeterred. "To create a successful cinematic universe, you need a timeline, a roadmap that connects each story to the next. Right now, these movies feel like standalone projects with no overarching plan."

One of the creative team members, visibly offended, leaned forward. "And what would you suggest, Mr. Sandro? If you think our plan lacks cohesion, why don't you tell us what comics we should adapt and how to organize them into a timeline?"

Sandro met the man's gaze steadily. "I'd be happy to," he said, his tone calm but confident. He took a deep breath, drawing on the wealth of knowledge from his past life. "The foundation of a cinematic universe lies in its origin stories. You need to start with characters that will form the backbone of this universe. Based on Marvel's comics, the first phase after Iron Man should include The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and finally, The Avengers."

He paused to let his words sink in. "Each of these movies serves a specific purpose. They introduce key characters, establish the world they inhabit, and plant the seeds for future stories. By the time you reach The Avengers, the audience will feel the payoff of these interconnected narratives that were put as easter eggs inside each movie to show that it was connected."

The room erupted into murmurs as the creative team and executives began flipping through their own notes, comparing Sandro's proposed timeline with their own plans.

One of the comic writers, clearly intrigued, spoke up. "That actually makes a lot of sense. If you look at the comic timeline, those stories naturally lead into each other. For example, Thor and Captain America both set the stage for The Avengers in terms of lore and character dynamics."

Stan Lee, who had been silently observing the discussion, nodded his head in agreement. "He's right," Stan said, his voice carrying weight. "Marvel's strength has always been its interconnected storytelling. If we're going to do this, we need to do it right. Sandro's timeline isn't just logical, it's authentic to the spirit of the comics."

Encouraged by Stan's support, Sandro continued. "Let's break it down further. The Incredible Hulk introduces Bruce Banner and sets the tone for a more grounded, scientific side of this universe. Iron Man 2 continues Tony Stark's journey while subtly hinting at a larger world. Thor brings in the cosmic element, introducing Asgard and the concept of gods. Captain America ties everything together by exploring the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. and setting up the conflict that will define The Avengers."

As he spoke, the creative team began to scribble notes, their initial defensiveness giving way to genuine curiosity. One of the executives leaned back in his chair, nodding slowly. "This... this could work. It's cohesive. It gives us a clear direction."

Another writer, flipping through the comics for verification, added, "And it respects the source material. This timeline follows the natural progression of the stories."

Stan Lee leaned forward, his enthusiasm evident. "And don't forget the characters. Each of these films gives us the opportunity to explore what makes these heroes tick. Their flaws and their triumphs, that's what connects with audiences on the big screen."

Sandro smiled, grateful for Stan Lee's insight. "Exactly. These aren't just superheroes, they're people with complex stories. If we can capture that on screen, we'll not only honor Marvel's legacy but also create something that resonates deeply with viewers."

One of the previously skeptical executives raised a hand. "Alright, let's say we go with this timeline. What about the tone? Each of these characters is so different. How do we make sure it all feels cohesive?"

"That's a great question," Sandro said. "The tone should vary depending on the character. Iron Man can be sleek and modern, reflecting Tony Stark's personality. Thor should feel epic and mythical, while Captain America has a grounded, historical feel. But the key is to maintain a consistent level of quality across all the films. No matter the tone, the storytelling needs to be top-notch."

The room was buzzing now, the initial tension replaced by a sense of excitement. Sandro could see the shift in their attitudes, his vision was starting to resonate with everyone in the room.

As the meeting continued, the team began brainstorming ways to implement Sandro's timeline. Discussions ranged from casting decisions to potential directors, with Sandro chiming in where he could.

He emphasized the importance of finding actors who could truly embody their characters, not just in appearance but in spirit. "These roles are going to define these actors' careers and the cinematic universe as we will continue to use them until the character's death," he said. "We need to get it right."

By the end of the meeting, even the most resistant voices in the room had come around. The creative team agreed to revise their plans based on Sandro's proposed timeline, and the executives began discussing how to market the cinematic universe as a groundbreaking new approach to filmmaking.

As the group began to disperse, Stan Lee approached Sandro, his smile as warm as ever. "You've got a real knack for this, kid," he said, clapping Sandro on the shoulder. "Marvel's in good hands with you and your father steering the ship."

Sandro felt a swell of pride but kept his humility. "Thank you, Mr. Lee. That means the world to me."

Jack, who had remained largely silent during the meeting, finally spoke as they left the building. "You were incredible in there, Sandro. I knew you'd impress them, but even I didn't expect you to turn the whole room around like that."

Sandro shrugged, a small smile on his lips. "It wasn't just me, Dad. Marvel's legacy speaks for itself, I just reminded them of what makes it special."

As Sandro and Jack stepped into the sleek black car waiting for them outside the Marvel headquarters, Jack leaned back into his seat and instructed the driver, "Take us to Joey's Pizza, downtown."

Sandro raised an eyebrow at his father. "Joey's Pizza? Feeling nostalgic in New York, Dad?"

Jack chuckled, loosening his tie. "It's been a long day, and honestly, I could use a slice of something simple. Besides, we haven't caught up properly in a while. How's everything going at FCW? You've been quiet about it lately."

Sandro smiled, looking out the window as the city lights zipped by. "It's been busy, but good. Dusty's got some big ideas, and the talent coming through right now, it's inspiring. We've been focusing on building the brand as something more than just a developmental territory."

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 19 (2009)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions