Chapter 224: New Year's Eve Party

It's December 31st, 1988, the last day of the year, at Daenerys Entertainment headquarters.

In the afternoon, Simon Westeros welcomed a special guest: Stan Lee, the current chairman and publisher of Marvel Comics, and the creator of iconic superheroes like Captain America, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four. Stan, still residing in New York due to work, visited Los Angeles for a vacation.

Since the merger with New World Entertainment, Simon and Stan had met several times, but they hadn't had the opportunity to discuss Marvel's future development plans. With "Batman" about to start filming and Stan being very interested in the film adaptation of Marvel superheroes, he visited Simon to discuss this topic during his year-end vacation.

"Stan, Daenerys Entertainment will definitely develop Marvel superhero movies, but now is not the right time. We all know that compared to 'Superman' and 'Batman', Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four are much more difficult to film," Simon explained.

"But we can start with some easier projects, right?" Stan, usually humorous, was serious now. "Simon, 'The Punisher' would be a good choice. He doesn't have superpowers and doesn't require special effects. Why cancel it?"

While Jennifer brought in a pot of coffee, Simon didn't stop the conversation. "Stan, you must have seen the script. It's just a gunfight movie in the style of Stallone's 'First Blood', completely losing the essence of 'The Punisher'."

Stan took the coffee from Jennifer, thanked her, and then said, "Simon, scripts can be modified."

Simon sipped his coffee and replied, "Then we'd have to start the project from scratch. Frankly, Stan, I don't see a good box office future for 'The Punisher'."

Stan shook his head, "I really don't understand what you're thinking, Simon. You have the rights to all Marvel superheroes, yet you're filming DC's 'Batman'."

"I started preparing 'Batman' before acquiring Marvel."

"And what about 'Superman' and 'Wonder Woman'?"

Simon looked at Stan, who was getting emotional, and said with a smile, "Stan, don't you think it's an achievement to have the rights to major DC superheroes on top of Marvel?"

Stan thought for a moment, then laughed, but asked, "Okay, Simon. But how long do we have to wait?"

"Five years," Simon said. "In five years, Daenerys Entertainment will start planning Marvel superhero film projects. Before that, I hope to gain some technical and experience by producing DC superhero movies."

As Simon was now the boss of Marvel, Stan didn't persist. They shifted the conversation to other business aspects of Marvel Entertainment, and an hour flew by unnoticed.

Near the end of the workday, Simon escorted Stan out of the office. Jennifer, sitting outside, handed Simon an invitation, which he then passed to Stan. "Stan, this is an invitation to Daenerys Entertainment's New Year's Eve party tonight at seven in Palisades. If you're interested, feel free to come."

Stan accepted the invitation, "I'll definitely be there on time."

After seeing Stan off, Simon glanced around the office currently occupied by Jennifer.

Susan Landis had been fired last Friday, and the scripts for "The Rocketeer" and "Firebirds" that Simon had prepared earlier were now in Paramount Pictures' hands.

There was no misunderstanding possible in this situation. After selecting the scripts, Simon had left them in his office without contacting the copyright owners or telling anyone else. Until last Friday, when Simon had Jennifer make a few exploratory calls, those two projects were suddenly taken by Paramount. This was clearly not a coincidence.

Susan had been Simon's secretary since the establishment of Daenerys Entertainment, and they had built up a rapport. Since she hadn't caused any loss to Daenerys Entertainment, Simon didn't have any interest in making a big deal out of it, simply firing her.

However, this incident reminded Simon to be more vigilant about confidentiality.

Tonight was New Year's Eve. After Stan left, Simon also left early for the party at the luxurious mansion halfway up the Palisades.

The party, starting at seven, was already bustling by six o'clock. Janet stood in front of the mansion welcoming guests from all over Los Angeles. At 6:30, when she saw Simon approaching, she continued to smile and greet Jessica Lange and her husband, stars of "Mulan", before they entered the mansion. Then she immediately grabbed Simon by the waist, "You really spent an hour with her?"

Simon held Janet's hand, lying easily, "No, just talking."

"Ugh," Janet rolled her eyes at Simon, then let him go as Robert Rem and his wife approached.

At seven, the party officially began.

This year's party was not as grand as previous ones at the mansion, but it certainly had the most high-profile guests. Due to Daenerys Entertainment's miraculous achievements in film and television over the year, many top Hollywood stars who had previously been reserved began actively seeking connections with Daenerys Entertainment.

Moreover, compared to before, most guests were less concerned about Simon's age and more about awe and respect. After all, producing seven movies with a box office of over a hundred million each in one year, all successful, was unprecedented in Hollywood.

"Ms. Pfeiffer, the lead role in 'Beyond Innocence' requires an American sweetheart style. You're too beautiful and your aura is more glamorous, not suitable for this role."

In the backyard, under the bright lights with shadows milling around, Simon was at the buffet table selecting some food when Michelle Pfeiffer, dressed in a blue low-cut evening gown, approached him.

Since entering Hollywood, Michelle Pfeiffer's name was often mentioned. Now thirty, Michelle was in her prime. Daenerys Entertainment had potential collaborations with Michelle before, like the role of Mia in "Pulp Fiction", but none materialized.

"So, Simon, do you think there are other suitable roles for me in Daenerys Entertainment's projects?"

Michelle looked at Simon, hinting at something as she sipped her wine.

Simon, having just 'eaten', was resistant to such advances and simply said, "If there are, I'll definitely contact you."

Michelle, not seeing the eagerness she expected in Simon's eyes, asked, "Then, Simon, how about a dance? Are you really that hungry?"

Simon honestly replied, "Yes, but Michelle, don't you have a partner tonight?"

He vaguely remembered she was married.

Michelle shook her head, "I just got divorced."

"Oh, that's unfortunate."

"It's okay," Michelle said. "It's better to part ways if two people can't continue together."

After chatting a bit more and seeing Simon's lack of interest, Michelle left.

As Michelle walked away, Sandra Bullock and Courteney Cox approached arm in arm.

Simon, having just finished choosing his food and about to leave, saw the two women's intimate manner and suddenly remembered the joke he made with Sandra some days ago. Could she actually be making a move?

However, after observing Courteney's expression, Simon realized they weren't as close as he had imagined.

"What were you and that woman talking about just now?"

Simon joked, "What else can a man and a woman talk about?"

Sandra rolled her eyes and snatched a shrimp ball from his plate, saying, "I heard you just lost two scripts recently?"

Simon had not concealed this fact but had instead spread the news privately. He wanted Hollywood to understand that projects coveted by Daenerys Entertainment wouldn't necessarily be successful even if taken away.

In Hollywood, success often depended on the people involved. Like superhero movies with widespread popularity, some were wildly successful, while others were dismal failures.

Of course, he couldn't tell this to Sandra and Courteney.

Simon sat down with them and said lightly, "They were just two scripts. It's fine if they were taken."

Sandra saw Simon's relaxed tone but sensed something more. She didn't believe he was really so indifferent. From her understanding of Simon, there must be something she didn't know.

After Simon changed the topic, he started chatting with Courteney.

Compared to Sandra's casual demeanor around Simon, Courteney was much more restrained.

Everything that had happened over the year made her grateful to maintain some relationship with Simon, losing even emotions like regret.

Seeing Simon chat with Michelle Pfeiffer, Courteney remembered their conversation about the actress when they were both nobodies. Back then, Simon was somewhat down-and-out. While she dreamed of becoming a big star like Michelle Pfeiffer, Simon was indifferent, even suggesting he could try dating her someday, which she scoffed at.

But just now, she saw Michelle Pfeiffer, whom she used to look up to, without any airs of a top actress and instead trying to please Simon.

Now, he had indeed reached a level where most of Hollywood could only try to please and look up to him.

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