Chapter 155: Jessica Alba

"Let's go over there and grab a drink," Jessica Alba suggested.

"Sure," Charles nodded.

The two went to the lounge area of the banquet hall, ordered two drinks, and chatted.

Sin City, a high-budget movie released by Dimension Films, owed much of its success to directors like Quentin Tarantino. With a budget of $40 million, this black-and-white comic book adaptation grossed $74 million in North America and reached a worldwide total of $150 million.

Jessica Alba only played a small dancing girl in the film, but her sexy figure earned her a lot of additional fans.

With a $100 million budget, Fantastic Four was released last month and is now nearing a $100 million gross in North America. It's the most successful superhero movie by 20th Century Fox since they adapted X-Men.

Jessica Alba's role as the Invisible Woman was her most successful role in many years of acting.

"Fantastic Four was well-made, from the casting to the plot, much better than the previous film, Daredevil," Charles said.

He harbored a grudge against 20th Century Fox for owning the X-Men and Fantastic Four series, but he was relieved knowing Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer would close the door on this series.

Jessica Alba laughed: "Marvel Comics is now a subsidiary of Capet Entertainment. The higher the box office for Fantastic Four, the more credit Marvel Comics gets!"

Credit to Marvel Studios? Charles was dismissive. Sony, 20th Century Fox, and even Lionsgate didn't care much about Marvel Studios' consulting producers.

"Fantastic Four is a popular series in Marvel Comics, with a broad audience. The movie's success is no surprise," Charles said, sipping his wine. It seemed that Chris Evans played the role of the Human Torch in the current Fantastic Four.

This guy was going to be Captain America in Charles' future Marvel Universe. Interesting!

"I heard your process of acquiring Marvel was quite troublesome, right?" Jessica Alba, though just an actress, had a heart for business.

Charles looked at Jessica Alba and suggested: "Why don't we find a quiet place where I can slowly tell you how troublesome it was?"

Jessica Alba nodded, and soon they were in a high-floor suite at the Peninsula Hotel.

A man and a woman, alone in a room, meant it wouldn't be a peaceful night.

...

The next morning, in bed, Charles woke up next to Jessica Alba. Her sexy, charming face and luscious body stirred feelings in him.

"You're awake?" Jessica Alba, opening her eyes, found that Charles had woken up earlier.

Charles smiled and kissed her on the lips, then moved on top of her.

After about an hour, both of them, now exhausted, sat and chatted while holding each other.

"You've always stuck to your principle of refusing to appear nude in films, and that's admirable," Charles said.

In Sin City, almost every female role had nude scenes, but Jessica Alba's dancer refused to expose herself.

"I'm somewhat conservative and resist exposing myself. In movies, I can be sexy, but I won't go nude, even if I don't take part in the project," Jessica Alba, though playing sexy and eye-candy roles in films, always stood by her principles.

"Maybe I'm worried my future kids will see these," Jessica Alba said, resting her head on Charles' chest.

"I really do want to learn how to do business and have a significant interest in running a company," she continued.

Charles remembered that Jessica Alba would participate in founding a company in the future that would grow big enough to go public!

Turning to look at Jessica Alba, he mused, could she actually be someone with a clear mind and good judgment?

"Business, huh? Which field are you planning to enter? Still entertainment?" Charles was interested in doing business with a beautiful woman, whether or not she had a clear mind.

Jessica Alba shook her head: "Definitely not entertainment. I'm like this on my own. I'm interested in trade. But I haven't decided exactly which industry," she said.

"Take your time to figure it out," Charles said, getting up from bed to go to the bathroom, "You're still young, and if you need investment in the future, you can come to me."

Jessica Alba laughed: "Alright. You're a wealthy man in America now. I'll come to you to invest in my company then."

"No problem," Charles said, picking Jessica Alba up in his arms, "but let's take a bath together first!"

"Charles, I'll be going to Europe with the crew tomorrow to promote Fantastic Four," Jessica Alba seemed a bit reluctant to part from Charles.

Lying in the bathtub, Charles was somewhat tempted by the woman's body again, but feeling tired, he didn't make a move.

He replied: "Don't worry, I'll find you when you get back from Europe!"

Thus, Charles spent a pleasant weekend with Jessica Alba.

Capet Pictures' Little Miss Sunshine relied on its strong word-of-mouth, and after half a month, the number of theaters increased to 700, bringing the North American box office to $12 million.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith, after over two months of release, reached a North American box office of $180 million, with the overseas market nearing $300 million.

"What's the situation? We only got $7.5 million from a $180 million North American box office!" Initially startled, Charles then examined the situation closely.

After deducting the theater's share, which was 53%, Universal took a 10% commission. The North American box office revenue was $80 million.

Universal spent $65 million on advertising, which needed to be deducted first, leaving only $15 million in profit.

Rights and profits were split 50/50, giving Capet Pictures $7.5 million, which wasn't too bad!

"Boss, there's also the overseas market, and the DVD release in two months. That's when we'll really make money," Phyllis Jones reassured.

"I know, I'm just lamenting," Charles predicted. Even if the overseas box office reached $300 million, the $110 million production cost of Mr. & Mrs. Smith meant the box office revenue would just cover the cost.

Making money depended on the DVD market and TV broadcast rights. Movies that could recoup their production costs through box office alone were definitely big earners.

No wonder the shrinking DVD market was causing Hollywood to slump; it really was a major revenue stream!

*****

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