Chapter 1562: Wait and See

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng really had no interest in acting.

Even having lived a second life, he knew he had no talent for acting, which meant that even if he wanted to make something of himself in this area, he could only abandon the idea.

Moreover, in his view, having one actor in the family was enough.

With that settled, Zhao Fusheng, accompanied by Kevin Feige, entered an office.

"This is our office. The call for actors has been sent out. I believe it won't be long before people come to audition," Kevin Feige said to Zhao Fusheng.

Glancing at the quite professional office, Zhao Fusheng nodded.

It had to be said, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Even though Marvel was so down on its luck, it still had such an office in Hollywood. Their biggest problem wasn't a lack of potential for development, but a lack of the cash flow needed for development.

And that was precisely the greatest asset he now possessed.

"Any candidates for the lead role?"

Zhao Fusheng sat down in a chair and asked casually.

"We've contacted two people. Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio are both very interested in the role. They're fans of Marvel and are willing to take a pay cut to play the part,"

Jon Favreau said to Zhao Fusheng.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng confirmed he hadn't misheard. Seeing Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau looking calm and matter-of-fact, he sighed helplessly and cursed under his breath, "Damn legacy!"

Yes, legacy!

Marvel had been famous in America for years, and many top actors were fans of their superheroes. Strong as Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio, upon hearing that Marvel was making the superhero movie *Iron Man*, had proactively offered to take a pay cut to star.

This was probably similar to how Chinese film actors reacted when they heard that the national treasure director or the sunglasses-wearing director was starting a new film.

Even Zhao Fusheng had to admit that he certainly didn't have this kind of legacy.

"What's wrong, Zhao? Do you have a suitable candidate to recommend?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's expression and reaction, Jon Favreau asked him with some confusion.

As he said this, he was actually a bit uneasy. As a director, he naturally worried about producers and investors meddling in actor selection.

Meddling and laymen directing experts—this kind of thing existed not only domestically but also abroad, and it was equally frustrating.

Even Kevin Feige frowned slightly, opening his mouth as if to say something to Zhao Fusheng.

He and Jon Favreau were good friends, and as Marvel's helmsman, he naturally knew the importance of a good lead actor to the entire film.

Conversely, if the candidate Zhao Fusheng proposed was a mediocre lead, it would be disastrous for the film.

With that in mind, Kevin Feige gritted his teeth and was about to speak to Zhao Fusheng. No matter what, he had to help Jon Favreau plead his case in front of Zhao Fusheng.

The next moment, Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "No need. I don't understand the script or character traits of *Iron Man*. If you ask me to recommend someone, I wouldn't know who to choose."

"Huh?"

Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau were taken aback, staring at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

"I was just asking,"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Jon Favreau: "What I meant was, since we're selecting a lead, let's do it openly. Let all suitable male actors compete. That way, we can choose the right person, right?"

"That makes some sense," Kevin Feige nodded, quite agreeing with Zhao Fusheng's words.

As the two people with the most say in the film, if they both said so, Jon Favreau naturally had no objections.

No one could understand that what Zhao Fusheng enjoyed was the joy of both making money and witnessing history.

Zhao Fusheng remembered reading a book that contained a quote from a director of the Republican era: "A screenwriter or director doesn't just casually put a story on film and call it done. At the very least, he should be a writer, a writer with a unique style, correct understanding, and known to the public."

Zhao Fusheng had always agreed with this, finding it very reasonable.

But now, he knew that this statement was too idealistic.

The reason was simple: in an era of commercial films, creators had long lost their original intentions. In their view, even popcorn movies were good as long as they could attract audiences to the cinema.

This kind of rhetoric had even influenced many people.

Even Zhao Fusheng himself, for a long time after his rebirth, believed that movies liked by audiences were good movies, because good box office proved the majority's judgment.

After all, the masses have sharp eyes.

But as time passed and he learned more about the industry, Zhao Fusheng realized he had been too one-sided in his thinking.

The development of the world has always been guided by a minority—the elites at the top of the world.

As for the majority, including himself, they are mostly ignorant most of the time.

This is not a joke; it is a fact.

The masses are highly conformist. They don't really care about the truth. In fact, for most people, they prefer to watch the spectacle rather than analyze things rationally.

In later generations, many news stories would spark huge controversies, with netizens often digging up each other's ancestors to curse them, yet few cared about the truth of the matter.

Why do public intellectuals always like to claim superiority? Because they know that no matter what they do, they will soon be forgotten, as humans are the most forgetful animals.

The entertainment industry, whether it's the celebrities or the industry itself, is nothing short of the most sordid place.

As for the future of China's entertainment industry—

Heh...

White lotuses and green tea bitches run rampant; scumbags and hypocrites are everywhere. To be honest, in Zhao Fusheng's view, China's entertainment industry is the real cesspool.

There's a line in *A Native of Beijing in New York* that many know: 'If you love him, send him to New York, for it is heaven. If you hate him, send him to New York, for it is hell.'

This line applies equally to the entertainment industry a decade later.

...

...

After chatting with Fei in the office for a while, Zhao Fusheng took his leave. Marvel had already arranged accommodation for him.

Returning to his hotel room, he rested briefly, then took a few reports from Wu Sijie and began reading documents.

"Boss, do we really not need to send someone to follow up?"

Wu Sijie hesitated, then whispered to Zhao Fusheng, "I heard that Marvel plans to invest over seventy million dollars in producing this *Iron Man*."

Clearly, he was worried about his boss's money—that was over seventy million dollars, not rubles.

Zhao Fusheng glanced at him and smiled. "What, a bit worried?"

"Not worried."

Wu Sijie shook his head. "I just think that Jon Favreau hasn't accomplished much before; his last film flopped, and he's not even a trained director. If something goes wrong..."

He didn't finish, but the implication was clear: Wu Sijie had little confidence in Jon Favreau.

Zhao Fusheng understood and appreciated Wu Sijie's concern for the company. In fact, if he hadn't known history, he might have shared the same view.

After all, Jon Favreau was a purely self-taught director.

In any field, the opposition between self-taught and academic is widespread. Self-taught types often look down on academics, while academics harbor resentment toward those without formal training.

But miracles are often the realities people overlook.

No one believed that Marvel, on the verge of bankruptcy, could turn around.

No one believed that Kevin Feige, a relatively unknown new CEO, along with Jon Favreau, an even more obscure director of a flop, could produce a blockbuster superhero movie.

Similarly, no one believed that a mysterious investor from China could have the insight to pick Marvel—a company on the brink of collapse—out of countless struggling companies in Hollywood and across America.

That is fate; that is life!

"Seventy million dollars."

Zhao Fusheng murmured to himself. Under Wu Sijie's gaze, he suddenly smiled and asked, "If this movie succeeds, what do you think Marvel's future will look like?"

"Huh?"

Wu Sijie was startled, surprised that Zhao Fusheng would ask him such a question. But upon reflection, he had to admit that if, as Zhao Fusheng said, Marvel's *Iron Man* achieved box office success, it would mean the company could very well revive.

This wasn't a joke; it was a fact that had almost been overlooked.

Even Wu Sijie himself, if not for having reviewed Marvel's various reports and data, wouldn't have believed that Marvel still had such potential.

But that is its foundation. Marvel, founded decades ago, has accumulated connections and even superhero copyrights—all hidden resources. When they are in trouble, these may not seem useful, but given the chance, Marvel will bring everyone a huge surprise.

"Let's wait and see!"

Zhao Fusheng murmured, looking out the window. Hollywood at dusk always gave a different feeling.