Chapter 706: Single-handedly Carrying the Box Office

As the premiere concluded, and the audience lingered, investigators from the Disney Pictures Outsourcing Company swiftly relayed the gathered data to the statisticians.

Immediately, a diligent data entry specialist keyed in the relevant figures, swiftly generating accurate statistics before dispatching them to Disney Pictures' liaison team.

Meanwhile, Alan Horn emerged from the VIP room alongside Martin, their faces a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

Hastening over, his assistant leaned in discreetly, whispering to Alan, "Sir, the audience count is in."

Martin caught wind of the update, his expression shifting to one of cautious optimism.

Alan nodded subtly, prompting his assistant to continue, "The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and we're looking at an A+ average audience score!"

Grinning at the news, Alan couldn't resist a playful jab at Martin, remarking, "I always said, our North American audience sticks by their favorites."

Martin chuckled in agreement, replying, "Indeed, it seems the film has struck a chord with them."

Throughout filming, Martin had a choice between adhering strictly to the original work's hard science fiction style or opting for the prevalent blend of compelling narrative and humor. Naturally, he gravitated towards the latter, a decision mirrored by Ridley Scott, whose affinity for such themes often led to resounding success.

Exiting through a side entrance, Alan extended a hand to Martin, declaring, "Here's to a blockbuster success!"

Returning the gesture, Martin echoed, "To our success!"

As Martin's Escalade, chauffeured by Bruce, pulled away from the theater, a passing Cadillac revealed Jessica Chastain and Alexandra Daddario within.

Jessica waved to Martin as their vehicles crossed paths, acknowledging their shared stay at the same hotel.

Martin nodded in acknowledgment, the moment passing swiftly as their cars diverged.

Inside the Cadillac, Jessica instructed the driver, "Ritz-Carlton Hotel, please."

Meanwhile, Alexandra was engrossed in the online buzz surrounding their film.

"No message from Martin?" Jessica inquired.

Shaking her head, Alexandra replied, "Just catching up on the online feedback."

As they scrolled through their smartphones, the influx of reactions highlighted the power of instant communication in the digital age.

"Martin's film taught me to face life with optimism," read one tweet. Another praised, "A visually stunning space survival adventure, anchored by Martin's performance."

Yet another tweet praised Martin's ability to carry the film single-handedly and complimented Jessica and Alexandra's on-screen presence.

Arriving at their destination, the Cadillac descended into the underground parking lot, marking the end of an eventful evening.

Jessica Chastain and Alexandra Daddario stepped out of the car, their heels clicking against the marble floor of the hotel lobby as they made their way to the elevator. Alexandra retrieved the key card Martin had handed her at the premiere, deftly sliding it into the slot and ushering them into the suite.

Inside, Alexandra, familiar with the layout, headed straight to the well-stocked bar. With practiced ease, she selected a bottle of wine and three glasses, arranging them neatly on the polished surface.

Glancing at her watch, Jessica remarked, "Martin's running late."

"Give him a moment," Alexandra reassured, her tone betraying a hint of understanding for Martin's hectic schedule.

After a brief wait, the door creaked open, and Martin strode into the room, his presence commanding attention.

Jessica, leaning casually against the bar, savored the wine in her goblet, her gaze lingering on Martin's form as he entered.

Alexandra, clad in a stunning red dress, perched gracefully behind the bar, strategically arranging a few items to accentuate her figure.

Martin, having recently recuperated from his London trip, shed his suit jacket and approached with purpose, ready to unwind after a long day.

---

As "The Martian" premiered to critical acclaim, Disney Pictures and the crew lifted the embargo on reviews, heralding the film's triumphant reception.

Praise flooded in from the media, lauding the film's significance beyond mere entertainment. Critics hailed Ridley Scott's narrative as a testament to human resilience, while Martin's portrayal of the indomitable hero garnered universal acclaim.

With a Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating of 97% and an MTC comprehensive score of 82, "The Martian" garnered accolades from critics and audiences alike.

Capitalizing on the film's success, fan organizations and corporate sponsors launched promotional campaigns, enticing moviegoers with the promise of exclusive merchandise.

The momentum continued to build as "The Martian" dominated the box office, raking in an impressive $27.12 million on its opening weekend in North America alone.

Buoyed by stellar word-of-mouth, the film's revenue surged past $30 million on Saturday, solidifying its status as the holiday season's must-see movie.

Overseas, Disney Pictures adopted a strategic release plan, capitalizing on the film's North American success before expanding its reach internationally.

As the weekend drew to a close, "The Martian" emerged as the undisputed champion of the box office, with a staggering $86.65 million in revenue, cementing its place in cinematic history.

Disney Studios, Office of the President:

As Allen Horn sipped his morning coffee, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Robert Iger. With a smile, he answered, "Good morning, Chairman."

Robert's jovial laughter resonated through the receiver, signaling his contentment. "I've just reviewed the data for 'The Martian,' and the market response is outstanding. Allen, you've done a commendable job in securing this deal from Warner Brothers."

Chuckling in agreement, Alan replied, "Martin always delivers."

Robert nodded in acknowledgment. "I've heard the peripheral sales are soaring as well?"

Alan confirmed, "Indeed, Martin's character models and dolls have surpassed 2 million units in sales."

However, Robert's tone turned serious as he cautioned, "It's imperative to nurture a strong relationship with Martin. His films warrant top-tier distribution."

He emphasized, "In today's industry, stars capable of single-handedly driving box office success are rare."

Alan concurred, "You could count them on one hand."

Robert added a final piece of advice, "Individuals like Martin won't lack collaborators. Alan, having come from Warner, avoid their missteps."

Alan responded with a confident grin, "Absolutely."

With that, Robert ended the call, leaving Alan to ponder the significance of Disney's partnership with Martin and the potential dividends it could yield.

---

Meanwhile, at Annapurna Pictures:

Megan Ellison, nursing the remnants of a late-night party, arrived at the office to find Wilson on the verge of departure. Inquiring about the box office performance of Martin Davis' latest film, she received the news that it had soared to $86.65 million, securing the top spot.

Amused by the impressive figure, Megan couldn't help but express her satisfaction. However, Wilson's puzzled expression betrayed his confusion regarding the company's stance on Martin Davis' projects.

Undeterred, Megan instructed him to get back to work before heading upstairs. Tasking her assistant with fetching a copy of the day's Los Angeles Times, she perused the entertainment section, finding confirmation of "The Martian's" dominance at the box office.

Assured of Martin's success, Megan couldn't help but reflect on the projects she had secured from him, confident in her team's ability to deliver exceptional results. Unlike Warner's erratic decisions, Annapurna Pictures boasted a well-funded operation and a team of industry professionals dedicated to achieving success.

With her sights set on reclaiming the top spot on the box office charts, Megan was determined to propel her upcoming projects to new heights of acclaim and profitability.