Chapter 1567: A Flurry of Discussion

News spreads fast in Hollywood, without a doubt.

The news of Marvel signing Robert Downey Jr. quickly spread, causing quite a stir in the American entertainment industry.

"Another Fatal Mistake by Marvel!"

"Is Kevin Fehey Trying to Bury Marvel Completely?"

Headlines like these quickly dominated the front pages of major American media outlets, especially entertainment news, which ran lengthy reports on Robert Downey Jr.'s negative press. His past misdeeds were all dug up, even the incident where the guy, after getting high, stripped naked and went to sleep at a neighbor's house made the news.

As for talk shows on major American TV networks, they began frantically mocking Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. Even Zhao Fusheng was referred to in their mouths as a rich fool from the East.

Zhao Fusheng learned of this news while having lunch with Kevin Fehey and Sean Favreau.

"Don't these foolish people fear that God will punish their shameless behavior?"

Watching the host on TV frantically mocking whether Marvel had lost its mind, entrusting a film with a budget of one hundred and forty million dollars to him, a flop director, Sean Favreau said angrily.

Clearly, the guy was very unhappy with how people were evaluating him.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Mr. Favreau, I think this host would very much like to meet you."

"Why?"

Sean Favreau was puzzled: "If I saw him, I'd definitely beat him up."

"That would be for the best."

Zhao Fusheng put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and then smiled: "Then I think he would desperately sue you and then go around publicizing that you beat him up, because after doing that, he would become even more famous."

Sean Favreau fell silent. Upon careful thought, what Zhao Fusheng said was indeed true.

These media outlets and hosts, the reason they were frantically dissing Marvel's move was clearly just to seize the opportunity for hype.

When it came to movies, most of them were laymen, but they knew very well that this was the hottest topic right now. Marvel had a high profile across the United States; even though they had been struggling and on the verge of bankruptcy, many people still held great enthusiasm for the name Marvel.

Under such circumstances, the CEO of Marvel making a wrong decision was undoubtedly highly newsworthy.

"Zhao, I think this is a good thing."

Kevin Fehey waited until Sean Favreau stopped talking, then looked at Zhao Fusheng and said with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yes, that's what I think too. To be honest, I even want to treat those talk show hosts and reporters to a meal to thank them for everything they've done for us."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing their words, the only one who didn't understand what was going on, Sean Favreau, looked completely bewildered.

Clearly, in his logic, he couldn't comprehend why, when the mockery and abuse of Marvel had spread across the entire United States, the two people in front of him were each calmer than the other, even in good spirits, completely unaffected by the gossip outside.

Didn't they care at all?

"The media are all whores!"

Seeing Sean Favreau's confused expression, Kevin Fehey smiled and spoke slowly.

"I know that." Hearing his friend's words, Sean Favreau nodded: "Those media outlets are indeed filthy, disgusting, shameless scoundrels!"

Clearly, after experiencing his movie's box office flop and being maliciously attacked by the media, Sean Favreau had gained a deep understanding of the media's nature.

After all, his movie really did flop badly, so naturally he was also heavily criticized.

"But we have to admit that the media is undoubtedly an important channel for people to get information." Zhao Fusheng smiled and continued from where Kevin Fehey left off.

"Mr. Sean Favreau, tell me, now that all of America is discussing how Marvel foolishly signed a contract with Robert Downey Jr., a has-been actor, to invest one hundred and forty million dollars in a superhero movie, doesn't that mean that 'Iron Man' is constantly on the minds of the American people?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Sean Favreau with a half-smile: "Do you think that, when the time comes, these people will develop a strong interest in this movie?"

Sean Favreau was taken aback. He opened his mouth to say something, but he had to admit that Zhao Fusheng's words were absolutely correct.

Although he was a director, he wasn't stupid. He knew all the ins and outs of the film industry, especially the tricks in Hollywood, better than anyone; he just hadn't thought of it before.

Now, reminded by Zhao Fusheng, he quickly realized that things were exactly as Zhao Fusheng had said.

Promotion and distribution are undoubtedly crucial components of a movie. Good promotion and distribution can certainly lead to better box office results.

Conversely, if promotion and distribution are insufficient, even the best movie will suffer.

Why were so many celebrities in later generations indifferent even when they knew reporters were smearing them, not caring what they photographed? The reason was that even negative news is still news.

In other words, as long as exposure and attention are obtained, whether the news is negative or positive, in the eyes of people in the entertainment industry, it doesn't really matter.

As long as it doesn't involve matters of principle, image rehabilitation can happen in an instant.

Don't you see how the once-notorious Da Mimi was almost universally criticized online, yet as the criticism continued, she transformed into a top-tier actress?

There's deep knowledge in this. Although Zhao Fusheng didn't fully understand it, he had at least seen a pig run even if he hadn't eaten pork. Now, with *Iron Man* in this posture, it was the talk of the town. For Zhao Fusheng, this was already the best way to generate buzz.

"Mr. Favreau, now that the male lead is confirmed, shouldn't we discuss the issue of the female lead?"

Seeing Sean Favreau still lost in thought, Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked.

Hearing his words, the two Fs exchanged glances and frowned in unison.

Clearly, they had overthought it, assuming Zhao Fusheng had some interest in a particular actress and thus brought up the matter.

This was common in Hollywood—some tycoon would deliberately promote an actress he liked.

Could it be that Zhao Fusheng had the same intention?

"What's wrong?"

Seeing both of them silent, Zhao Fusheng found it strange. What did this mean? Were they opposed to him getting involved?

Although Zhao Fusheng had only mentioned it casually, if they strongly objected, he wouldn't push the matter.

"Um, Zhao, do you have any actress to recommend?"

Kevin Feige remained silent, but Sean Favreau cautiously asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was puzzled: "I'm not from Hollywood, how would I know which actresses are suitable?"

He paused and said, "Can we even get someone like Angelina Jolie or Natalie Portman?"

Sean Favreau was taken aback, then looked at Kevin Feige, and the two suddenly laughed together.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't stupid. If he still couldn't sense something was off at this point, he'd be too dense.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng looked helplessly at the two Fs: "Mr. Feige, Mr. Favreau, you don't think I'm going to recommend an actress, do you?"

"No, no."

They both shook their heads like rattles, firmly denying what had just crossed their minds.

Since they said so, Zhao Fusheng didn't press further.

Some things were understood tacitly; saying them out loud would only make everyone awkward.

……

……

Since Zhao Fusheng had no intention of meddling in the actress issue, both Kevin Feige and Sean Favreau were naturally pleased.

It wasn't the matter itself they minded, but rather investors excessively interfering in the company's or the crew's affairs—neither a CEO nor a director seemed to like that.

"Zhao, when will the co-producer arrive?"

As they were leaving, Kevin Feige casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng had previously told him that a partner from China would come to the US to serve as co-producer for *Iron Man*. Kevin Feige had no objection to that; it was normal for investors to place trusted people in the crew.

After all, that was a full $140 million!

Not to mention Zhao Fusheng—if it were him, he would have made the same arrangement.

"Should be in the next couple of days."

In response to Kevin Feige's inquiry, Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "I'll be leaving the US in a few days. You know, the Spring Festival is coming. For us Chinese, it's a time for family reunions."

Kevin Feige was startled, then nodded.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant—he was planning to leave.

"In that case, I won't take up any more of your time."

Kevin Feige said to Zhao Fusheng, "If anything comes up, we'll talk by phone."

After all, this was Marvel's biggest investor at the moment, and even Kevin Feige couldn't bypass Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and personally saw Kevin Feige and Sean Favreau out of the room with a smile.

Turning around, Zhao Fusheng said to Wu Sijie, "Tell Ye Jing to keep a close eye on the crew."

Although he was indeed there to learn, Zhao Fusheng believed that with Ye Jing's ability, he would quickly integrate.

"Understood, Chairman." Wu Sijie bowed his head and went out to call Ye Jing.

Zhao Fusheng walked to the window, looked outside, and took a deep breath. The great ship of Marvel was finally about to set sail again. He hoped that this time, he could become the true master of this vessel.