Chapter 544: The Incredible Hulk

Since this version of The Incredible Hulk had never been released before, Charles Capet was very attentive and made sure to watch it at the premiere!

"Boss, have you noticed that both our main actors in The Incredible Hulk worked with Leonardo DiCaprio on a new film this year?" Phyllis Jones, sitting next to Charles Capet in the theater, remarked.

"Oh, really? I know Marion Cotillard participated in Christopher Nolan's Inception, where Leonardo DiCaprio is the leading actor," Charles mused. "Did Mark Ruffalo also work with Leonardo DiCaprio?"

"Yeah, in Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, released by Paramount. Leonardo DiCaprio is the lead, and Mark Ruffalo is one of the supporting actors!" Phyllis Jones quietly explained to Charles, who was focused on the screen.

"And our script for The Wolf of Wall Street was given to Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions for development, and he indeed brought Martin Scorsese on board, but they still need a few million dollars in funding. So, Martin Scorsese teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio for Shutter Island first!"

Martin Scorsese had not directed The Departed, and he didn't win the Oscar for Best Director. Although Gangs of New York and The Aviator, which he also worked on with Leonardo DiCaprio, were big projects, they weren't commercially successful.

Hence, movie companies were cautious about choosing Martin Scorsese for big-budget films over a hundred million dollars.

"I recall the production department wanted Ridley Scott to direct, right?" Charles asked again.

Phyllis Jones nodded, "Yes, but Ridley Scott was busy with Body of Lies and Robin Hood. But we've already talked with Leonardo DiCaprio, and he is very receptive to Ridley Scott directing since they worked together on Body of Lies!"

Charles smiled. If Ridley Scott were to direct, financing The Wolf of Wall Street would be simpler. Both international pre-sales and television rights would fetch higher prices compared to a Martin Scorsese film.

Besides, the previous Capet and Ridley Scott collaboration, The Departed, was quite successful. Ridley Scott is also prepping the Game of Thrones series for Capet TV!

"Originally, Paramount planned to release Shutter Island this autumn, but Viacom had a tough year. Their film fund partners backed out," Phyllis Jones chuckled. "So, Paramount had to delay several movies. Shutter Island is pushed to February next year."

Indeed, Viacom had a rough year, plagued by financial woes from the financial crisis. They were also losing their battle with Capet!

"Paramount's threat nowadays comes only from DreamWorks Animation," Charles no longer saw Viacom as a major competitor. Sumner Redstone was nearly having a stroke; what more could he do?

Inception, Christopher Nolan's project, is one to be cautious about. Charles didn't underestimate Christopher Nolan.

"Boss, rumors have it that Inception was inspired by Japanese animator Satoshi Kon's work Paprika," Phyllis Jones added.

"Copying is still copying, no matter what you call it," Charles was indifferent, "Does Hollywood not copy from Japan and Europe often?"

Even Capet's Black Swan was said to be inspired by Requiem for a Dream, but it mostly borrowed ideas from Satoshi Kon's anime Perfect Blue.

Christopher Nolan had talent, but Charles disliked how he wouldn't admit to his inspirations. Inception and Paprika had many similarities, not just in the dream themes, but several scenes were directly replicated.

Paprika, a Japanese animated film from 2006, won numerous international awards. Christopher Nolan started preparing Inception after filming The Dark Knight in 2007.

Even his future Interstellar borrowed scenes from Doraemon.

However, Charles didn't mind. Hollywood's commercial prowess was unparalleled, and their adherence to contractual spirit was selectively enforced.

Hollywood owned the most powerful propaganda media globally; they defined right and wrong.

"Japan has undeniably produced many talents in film creativity and ideas," Charles had to admit. Disney's hand-drawn 2D animation pinnacle The Lion King was a copy of Japan's Kimba the White Lion.

Furthermore, Japan produced top-tier filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa, whose influence on Hollywood filmmakers and creative works was significant.

As The Incredible Hulk concluded, applause erupted in the theater. Mark Ruffalo's portrayal of Hulk didn't delve into deep themes or human nature. It was a pure popcorn movie focusing on action and spectacle.

"Is today the board meeting?" Charles asked again.

Phyllis Jones nodded, "Yes, I spoke with Mrs. Capet's assistant today. It's the day to elect the chairman!"

Charles nodded, then got up and left the theater, calling his mother.

At that moment, Evelyn Capet, dressed in a white business suit, was smoking in the chairman's office.

"Charles, what's up? The Incredible Hulk premiere over?" Evelyn Capet answered her son's call.

"Not yet. I won't stay long, just checking things out. What about your end?" Charles responded on the phone.

"Ari Emanuel has stepped down, but he still holds some shares. I've already made an offer to purchase them as chairman. Nancy Josephson and Patrick Whitesell have become the company's co-presidents, and I'll merge with Texas Pacific Group (TPG) to acquire the shares. Ari Emanuel's shares will soon be diluted. I think he'll sell off his shares quickly to cash out, and I'll take over his shares!"

"Got it," Charles hung up. His mom was ruthless, aiming to drive Ari Emanuel out completely.

Ari Emanuel, one of the founders, but in business, it's never about right or wrong!

*****

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