America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

West Hollywood Medical Center, convalescent ward area.

Hugh Jackman entered a luxurious hospital room with a bunch of fresh flowers, greeted the person who came out to meet him, and walked toward the bed.

He glanced at Bryan Singer, who was lying on the bed, and seeing his exceedingly haggard appearance and seriously receding hairline, asked, "How did you end up like this?"

Bryan Singer sighed, "Warner Bros. tortured me into getting a heart condition."

The two had worked together several times on the "X-Men" series, and in Hugh Jackman's memory, Bryan Singer was someone with strong resilience, surely not one to end up like this, right?

Curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "What happened?"

"For my latest project, 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' Warner Bros. sent six producers to supervise the filming," lamented Bryan Singer with a desire to cry, "Do you know what I've been through this past month?"

Hugh Jackman comforted him, "Didn't you finish filming? You've made it through."

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Bryan Singer had something to say but hesitated and, in the end, chose not to speak.

The six producers would also be participating in the post-production of the film, which would last several more months. If he, the director, continued his involvement, not only could his heart condition flare up, but he might very likely meet God.

This project wasn't about making a movie; it was after the director's life!

Hugh Jackman did not stay long and took his leave soon after.

Right after his departure, Jon Berg, the president of Warner Bros., came with his trusted assistant McDonald for a personal visit to Bryan Singer.

Seeing McDonald, Bryan Singer's forehead veins throbbed, and he didn't feel like speaking.

Jon Berg offered a few words of comfort, then asked the crucial question, "When can you be discharged? The whole crew is waiting for you to start post-production."

Bryan Singer thought to himself, I've been tormented to the point of hospitalization, and you still won't let me go?

But those were thoughts that were fine in his head, not to be voiced, as contracts were involved, and breaches could cause serious trouble. Bryan Singer said, "I'm sorry about the work. I've got a heart problem, and the doctor recommended some rest. Can post-production be postponed?"

Jon Berg frowned involuntarily; every day's delay meant significant losses.

Bryan Singer lay on the hospital bed, as haggard as one could be.

Although some of it was put on, after the final stretch of shooting 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' his heart indeed had issues.

Issues that the six producers had tortuously brought about.

Jon Berg could not afford to wait indefinitely and lightly patted Bryan Singer's shoulder, "Take care and rest easy. Don't worry about work, let Warner Bros. handle the post-production of the project."

Hearing these words, Bryan Singer felt an inexplicable weight lift off his chest, as if a massive stone that had been pressing on his heart had suddenly eased.

He no longer wanted to be part of 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' nor did he want to see those six producers ever again.

Bryan Singer said, "I'm sorry, Jon, that I've delayed the project's work."

Jon Berg graciously waved it off, "No worries, recover in peace. I'll visit you again some other day."

Without Bryan Singer, he still had six producers to rely on. Besides, many Hollywood movie projects did not grant the director authority in post-production—the director was merely the shooting supervisor.

In Jon Berg's opinion, Bryan Singer's absence in post-production was no big deal.

Watching the two from Warner Bros. leave and once the door of the hospital room closed, the haggardness on Bryan Singer's face diminished slightly, feeling an unusual sense of relaxation for the first time in two months.

Finally free! Finally liberated from Warner's torment!

Jon Berg got into his car, contemplating the post-production matters of 'Jack the Giant Slayer.'

McDonald instructed the driver to start the car, glancing at his superior, not daring to speak abruptly.

Jon Berg recalled the previous big production, 'Gods of Egypt,' which had been out for barely over a month worldwide and had nearly finished its screenings, with a pitiful North American box office of only 48.75 million US dollars and a global box office barely exceeding 100 million US dollars.

The DVD, which had been released ahead of schedule in North America, had disastrous sales, so low they could be ignored.

An immense loss was inevitable, but fortunately, he was lucky—his superior, Kevin Tsujihara, still supported him. They had cleverly managed, together with distributor Daniel, to shift the blame onto Christian Bale's shoulders.

Jon Berg, a president capable of learning from experience, remembered the poor market reaction to 'Gods of Egypt,' which he had personally edited, and felt the need to be cautious with this new project, as another flop would be difficult to justify.

If one person's effort is limited, could the combination of many people's wisdom be the solution?

Every big-hit Hollywood film was not due to a single individual's merit, but rather the result of a team effort.

Therefore, he never believed someone like Martin Davis was that important.

Jon Berg had a great idea and said to McDonald, "Notify everyone that we should make several copies of all the footage shot by Bryan Singer, including all the producers, like you and David Doak. Each person should edit a version of the film."

Already tasting the sweetness of power within the crew in Atlanta, and eager to be involved in post-production, McDonald quickly agreed, "Yes, President, I will notify them right away."

Jon Berg added, "The main storyline and basic plot cannot be changed."

Even though he didn't quite understand what his boss was thinking, McDonald continuously reassured him, "Alright, I will remind them."

The idea Jon Berg had was actually quite simple: let the experienced producers edit several different versions, then hold multiple test screenings to pick out the highly praised segments, eliminate the universally criticized portions, and on the basis of maintaining the main plotline, combine the best parts from the seven versions, and then he would personally direct the editors to complete the final cut!

(It was said that "Suicide Squad" was a product of such a process.)

A film created this way, composed entirely of the essence of each part, would surely increase the chances of success resulting in a massive box-office hit.

Jon Berg felt this was a stroke of genius, potentially changing future Hollywood production models!

The self-doubt caused by the commercial failure of "Pharaoh and the Gods" vanished without a trace, and his full confidence since taking the position was back!

At this moment, Jon Berg, the master of micro-management in Hollywood, was truly in action!

...

Pacific Pictures had collaborated with Warner Bros. for many years and still had ongoing projects. Inside information from Warner was impossible to hide from Louise; Martin had long ago told her to pay attention to any news regarding "Jack the Giant Slayer."

It wasn't long after Warner Bros. passed their formal resolution that Louise got wind of the news.

Martin, at Disney Studio, also received the news and was stunned for a moment, "Jon Berg is a god in the film industry, thinking of such a brilliant way to increase success rates."

Louise pushed up her black-framed glasses, "A good method? I can't understand why Warner Bros. would hire him as the president of Warner Bros. because he's Kevin Tsujihara's brother-in-law?"

Martin couldn't think of any other explanation and replied, "Perhaps you've hit the nail on the head?"

Louise shrugged, "Who knows? I've been working with Warner Bros. for over a decade, and now I find Warner more and more puzzling."

"The people and things in the circle are constantly changing," said Martin. "Didn't Warner invite you to the premiere of 'Green Lantern'?"

Louise shook her head and asked, "Didn't you receive an invitation?"

Martin responded, "I wanted to see the premiere, but not a single invitation was sent my way. Warner has become stingier than before."

Louise analyzed, "The last time you attended 'Pharaoh and the Gods', the film was a complete commercial flop. Maybe they consider you as bad luck."

Martin shrugged, "I'm a standard lucky charm."

Louise said with a smile, "Right, you're my lucky charm."

The crew was about to start filming again, and Martin picked up his astronaut helmet and walked into a separate cabin.

The set quickly quieted down, and Louise, too, just watched the shooting. Ridley directed with methodical precision, and the crew worked very smoothly.

As time entered mid-June, Warner Bros. held a globally grand premiere for "Green Lantern."

As the flagship of the DC Extended Universe, the Warner Bros. executives, headed by Kevin Tsujihara, were almost all present to lend support.

The film's production costs alone were as high as 200 million US dollars!

Even with the lukewarm response from two test screenings, in a market where the superhero genre was booming, not only Warner Bros. was confident, but even the theater companies were convinced there wouldn't be box office issues, with nearly 4,000 theaters in North America opening the film.

The production team used every means possible to attract attention.

Leading man Ryan Reynolds was exposed by TMZ as living with leading lady Abbie Cornish just a week before the film's release.

Later, the two officially announced they were dating, drawing a substantial amount of attention.

At the premiere, DC Films' head Hemada faced many reporters with full confidence.

"Among the many superhero comics, Green Lantern's setting is more intriguing than Spider-Man, Superman, and Batman. It imagines a vast Green Lantern Corps spanning the entire universe, with each member managing a sector!"

Hamada smiled brightly, "We've utilized the finest visual effects technologies Hollywood has seen so far. Even Green Lantern's suit is generated by CG, giving him a layer of futuristic fantasy, while also highlighting Green Lantern's uniqueness!"

On the other side, Kevin Tsujihara likewise spoke to the media about DC's ambitions, "We have a complete Justice League Universe plan. After this 'Green Lantern' movie, The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter and so on, will all be successively launched.

Fans will soon be able to enjoy the presence of these familiar comic heroes on the big screen as they form the Justice League and vow to defend the universe!"

Undoubtedly, all this conveyed Warner Bros. and DC Comics' confidence and the importance of "Green Lantern," encouraging the comic's longstanding fans and the general audience to buy tickets and go to the theaters.

However, a North American opening weekend box office of 42.75 million US dollars was a harbinger of a new box office disaster unfolding.