(I wish you all brothers and sisters a happy New Year!)

On a May afternoon in Los Angeles, the sun was already scorching, the sun had moved to the west, but it was still shining, and in front of the Emirates Rock Theater, the red carpet was rolled out far away to welcome the main creators and guests who participated in the premiere, not only Matthew, Kevin Feige, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson, but even Stan Lee, Avi Arad and other Marvel Comics executives in New York.

This is the opening chapter of the Marvel superhero movie series and the first of Project Avengers, which is extremely important for Marvel Comics in a difficult situation.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it can directly determine the fate of the entire Marvel Comics.

People like Matthew don't actually have many proposals, and only old people like Stan Lee and Avi Arad in Marvel Comics know that it is really not easy for Marvel to get to where it is today.

However, Matthew knows very well that if everything goes as smoothly as the pre-sales and test screenings, an era of Marvel superhero movies will begin.

Now, he is sure that the film will definitely not hit the streets, if not a super hit.

In the past two weeks, Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures have held several preview screenings for "Iron Man", and both media reporters and fan representatives have received almost unanimous praise for the film.

As for the film critics who are picky in the test screening, they can basically be ignored in the summer films.

Due to the publicity and promotion in place, coupled with the gratifying pre-release test screening, the pre-sale box office of "Iron Man" was quite good, with the first three-day North American pre-sale approaching $18 million, and most of the North American market research companies set the film's first-week box office expectations at around $80 million.

This has already surprised Marvel, from Kevin Feige to Stan Lee, and from Jon Favreau to Avi Arachchi, all of them have a heartfelt smile of joy on their faces.

Judging from the previous reactions, the bet of "Iron Man" is basically a success.

It was also by participating in the investment of this film that Matthew really understood how embarrassed the whole Marvel was, and the $120 million investment from Marvel in "Iron Man" did not belong to Marvel's own pocket.

Marvel simply simply can't afford to squeeze out some of the necessary liquidity, and the $120 million comes from the credit loan that Marvel obtained from Merrill Lynch as collateralized by copyright.

Once "Iron Man" fails, Marvel may really not be able to hold on.

I have to say that Marvel's management is indeed bold.

"When making a movie, sometimes it's fun to have a little bit of legend in it. ”

Walking through the red carpet and from the interview area, Matthew did not stop and walked directly towards the door of the theater, and the voice of Kevin Feige being interviewed by reporters came from behind, "It is no coincidence that we chose Howard Hughes's past two hangars as sound stages; ”

Matthew hadn't even entered the theater when he was stopped by the crew and reminded him to take a photo with the sponsors.

As one of the investors and producers of the film, Matthew was also very conscious, and came to the background board very cooperatively, and took a group photo with the other main creators and sponsors of the crew.

"Hi Matthew. ”

Scarlett Johansson, who was in a white ruffled tuxedo, stood right next to Matthew, "Long time no see." ”

Matthew moved closer to her, smiled at the camera first, and then whispered, "You're so beautiful today, you exude the temperament of a goddess all over your body." ”

Scarlett Johansson immediately smiled happily and whispered, "Goddess? ”

Matthew knew very well what he meant at the back of these words, and immediately said, "I am willing to be the one who relieves the loneliness of the goddess tonight." ”

"Okay. Scarlett Johansson whispered again, "You wait for me after the premiere." ”

Matthew's face was impassive, but he said, "Okay, my car will wait at the back door of the theater." ”

Hollywood premieres may vary in content, but are largely a pattern, with Matthew and Scarlett Johansson entering the theater together after the routine media group photoshoot.

"Hi Matthew. ”

Kevin Feige suddenly chased after him from behind, "Can you have a few words?"

Scarlett Johansson smiled at Matthew and Kevin Feige and said, "You talk, I'll go in first." ”

After speaking, she walked into the theater alone.

Standing in the lobby of the theater, Matthew said directly, "Is there something wrong, Kevin?"

Kevin Feige nodded lightly and said, "At present, "Iron Man" can basically be successful, at least it will not incur losses. He glanced at Matthew, "You know, Marvel Studios has a long-term series plan, and now that "The Incredible Hulk" has been filmed, I plan to promote several other superhero movie projects, we have a very happy cooperation this time, and I hope you can continue to support Marvel Studios." ”

Matthew has continued to invest in films, including mega-projects such as "Cloud Atlas", "Alien Battlefield" and "Fast and Furious 4", and even if he failed in the first two battles, he has shown strong financial strength.

If you don't have a certain amount of money behind it, you won't be involved in the competition at all.

"Iron Man" looks like it will be successful, but it will take a long time to recoup the money invested, and Marvel now needs to push the plan further and show its value.

In addition, the funds withdrawn will also have to cope with the investment in "The Incredible Hulk", as well as the loan of Merrill Lynch......

Matthew thought for a moment and asked, "What superhero movies are you going to make next?"

Under his supplementary agreement with Marvel Comics, Studio 13 has the right to select investments in Marvel film projects, but only within eight years of the release of "Iron Man."

Kevin Feige looked around, saw that there was no one else, and said, "The tentative projects are "Iron Man 2", "Thor", "Ant-Man", "Captain America" and "Doctor Strange". Of course, we had to pick three projects from these, and we didn't have the funds and the energy to make too many films at the same time. ”

"I have had a great time working with Marvel. Matthew quickly decided, "Well, Kevin, can you give me a specific script or a proposal that I can read before I decide?"

"Yes. Kevin Firth advised, "Be sure to keep it a secret." ”

Matthew nodded, "I understand. ”

The two got together again to talk about specific matters, and then entered the theater screening room together, Matthew's seat was in the second row, and after finding a seat, he found that the person next to him was Charles Rowan.

Matthew looked at Charles Rowan, a little curious, "I didn't expect to see you here, Charles." ”

"Good evening, Matthew. Charles Rowan smiled at Matthew.

"I heard Christopher Nolan say you're not the producer of his new film anymore?" Matthew thought of the last time he met Christopher Nolan at Warner Building, "to work on something else?"

Charles Rowan nodded, "I'm sorry I can't work with you." He thought for a moment and then said, "Warner Bros. is going to put me in charge of the DC Comics superhero movie project. ”

Matthew wondered, "Wasn't you in charge of the Batman franchise before?"

"It's not the same. Charles Rowan pointed to the big screen and said deliberately, "You are a partner of Warner Bros., and I won't hide some things from you, and the new project I am responsible for is like "Iron Man" is to the whole of Marvel." ”

As soon as these words came out, Matthew immediately understood that "Iron Man" had held several test screenings, and Marvel Studios, in order to strengthen the publicity effect, also revealed the Avengers plan in the early promotion, and those in the industry with a keen sense of smell, especially DC Comics, which both competes and cooperates with Marvel, will definitely react.

Matthew leaned closer, lowered his voice and asked, "Warner Bros. and DC are interested in the Justice League?"

Charles Rowan smiled, "It depends on the reaction of "Iron Man". ”

It is not difficult for Matthew to understand this, if "Iron Man" responds well, Warner Bros. and DC will follow suit, and vice versa.

Anyway, Marvel imitates DC, and it is not uncommon for DC to borrow from Marvel.

Charles Rowingken said so much, the main reason is that Warner Bros. and DC Comics are interested in letting Matthew play an important role in the Justice League, and when Kevin Trasuha interviewed him before, he made it clear that if "Iron Man" is successful, Warner Bros. will not hesitate to hire Matthew as the leading actor in the opening chapter of the DC Universe to increase influence and success coefficient.

He also deeply believes that for this kind of serialized film, the importance of the first part is self-evident.

Because of his previous relationship, Matthew was very curious about Warner Bros.'s "Justice League" plan, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "I don't know which one I plan to shoot?

"Neither. Charles Rowan also pressed the right voice, "It's "Green Lantern Corps." ”

Matthew was stunned for a moment, and Charles Rowan said again, "Let's find a place to talk when we have time next week?"

"Hmm......" Matthew nodded subconsciously, "Okay." ”

The big screen lit up at this time, and neither of them spoke anymore, and their eyes were on this "Iron Man" movie.

"Tony Stark, dreamer, genius, patriot, from his teenage years, as the son of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark, quickly gained ......attention with his brilliant intellect"

At the beginning of the film, from Rod's point of view, what kind of person Tony Stark is from the side.

"As a military liaison for Stark Industries, I had the privilege of working with this true patriot. Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to announce that the Apex of the Year Award has been awarded to Tony Stark. ”

"Tony Stark, please!"