America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 667 Master of Micro-Operations

West Hollywood Medical Center, convalescent ward area.

Hugh Jackman carried a bouquet of flowers into a luxurious hospital room, greeted the people who came out to greet him, and walked towards the bed.

He glanced at Bryan Singer lying on the hospital bed, noticing his unusually haggard appearance and receding hairline, and asked, "What happened to you?"

Bryan Singer sighed, "Warner Bros. has given me a heart attack."

The two have collaborated several times in the X-Men series. In Hugh Jackman's memory, Bryan Singer is a very resilient person. It shouldn't be like this, right?

He asked curiously, "What happened?"

"The latest project I got, 'Jack the Giant Slayer,' Warner Bros. sent six producers to oversee the filming." Bryan Singer was on the verge of tears: "Do you know how I've been doing for over a month?"

Hugh Jackman reassured him, "Isn't filming finished? You made it through."

Bryan Singer had something to say, but after hesitating for a moment, he ultimately didn't say it.

Those six producers still have to participate in the film's post-production, which will take several more months. If he, as the director, continues to participate, not only will he suffer a heart attack, but he will also very likely meet his maker.

This project isn't about making or filming a movie; it's about killing the director!

Hugh Jackman didn't stay long before taking his leave.

No sooner had he left than Warner Bros. president Jon Berger arrived with his trusted assistant McDonald to personally visit Bryan Singer.

Seeing the veins throbbing on McDonald Bryan Singer's forehead, he didn't want to say anything.

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

Brian Singer thought to himself, "I've been tortured to the point of being hospitalized, and you guys still won't let me off the hook?"

But these are things he can think about but can't say aloud, since it involves a contract, and breaching the contract would be very troublesome. Brian Singer said, "I'm sorry about the work, but I have a heart problem, and the doctor has advised me to rest for a while. Can the post-production be postponed?"

Jon Berg frowned; every extra day of delay would result in a significant loss.

Brian Singer lay in his hospital bed, looking extremely haggard.

Although part of it was faked, he did have heart problems after the final scene of "Jack the Giant Slayer".

It was created through sheer torture by those six producers.

Jon Berg couldn't wait any longer, so he gently patted Bryan Singer on the shoulder: "Just rest and recover. Don't think about work anymore. Leave the post-production of the project to Warner Bros.."

Upon hearing this, Bryan Singer felt inexplicably relieved, as if a huge weight had been pressing on his heart, and he suddenly felt much lighter.

He didn't want to participate in the "Jack the Giant Slayer" project, and he didn't want to see those six people again.

Brian Singer said, "Sorry, Jon, I've delayed the project."

Jon Berg waved his hand magnanimously: "It's okay, just focus on getting better, I'll come visit you another day."

Even without Bryan Singer, he still has six producers at his disposal. Besides, in many Hollywood film projects, the director is merely the overall director of filming and has no power to participate in post-production.

In Jon Berg's eyes, Bryan Singer's absence from post-production was not a big deal.

After watching the two Warner Bros. representatives leave, and as the hospital room door closed, Bryan Singer's haggard look faded somewhat, and he felt a rare sense of relief after two months.

Finally free! Finally free from Warner Bros.' torment!

Jon Bourne got into the car and started thinking about the post-production of "Jack the Giant Slayer".

McDonald had the driver drive over and glanced at his boss, but didn't speak rashly.

Jon Berg recalled his previous big-budget film, "Odyssey," which was released just over a month ago and had essentially ended its run worldwide. The film grossed a paltry $4875 million in North America and barely surpassed $1 million worldwide.

The DVD, which had already been released in North America, sold abysmal sales, so low as to be negligible.

Huge losses were inevitable, but fortunately, his boss Kevin Tsujihara still supported him and, through clever means, together with Daniel from the publishing company, shifted the blame onto Christian Bale.

Jon Berg is a president who can learn from experience. Considering the poor market response to "Ogres and Gods," which he personally edited, he felt that he had to be cautious with this film, otherwise it would be difficult to explain if he messed it up again.

One person's strength is limited, so can't we combine the wisdom of many people?

Every blockbuster Hollywood movie is not the result of one person's efforts alone, but rather the result of teamwork.

Therefore, he never thought Martin Davis was that important.

Jon Berger had a good idea and said to McDonald, "You tell the crew to make multiple copies of all the footage Bryan Singer shot, including a version edited by each of you and all the producers, including David Dodd-King."

Having tasted the power of the production crew in Atlanta, McDonald, who had already wanted to participate in post-production, quickly agreed: "Yes, President, I'll inform them right away."

Jon Berger also emphasized, "The main storyline and basic plot cannot be changed."

Although he couldn't understand what his boss was thinking, McDonald quickly replied, "Okay, I'll remind them."

Jon Berger's idea was actually quite simple: have experienced producers edit several different versions, hold several test screenings, select the well-received clips, remove the generally criticized parts, and while maintaining the main storyline, combine the positive aspects of the seven versions before personally directing the editors to complete the final cut!

(It is said that the Suicide Squad was created in this way.)

Films made this way, consisting entirely of the best parts, will inevitably have a higher chance of success and generate a box office hit.

Jon Berger thought it was a brilliant idea that might change the future of Hollywood film production!

The self-doubt he had felt due to the commercial failure of "Pharaohs and Gods" vanished instantly, and his confidence since taking office returned!

At this moment, Hollywood micro-management master Jon Berg truly came online!

…………

Pacific Pictures and Warner Bros. have been working together for many years and are still collaborating today. News from within Warner Bros. can't be kept from Louise. Martin had already told her to keep an eye out for information about "Jack the Giant Slayer".

Not long after Warner Bros. issued its official decision, Louise received the relevant news.

Martin, who was at Disney Studios, also received the news and was momentarily stunned: "Jon Berg is absolutely a genius in the film industry; he even came up with such a brilliant way to increase the success rate."

Louise pushed up her black-rimmed glasses: "Great idea? It really is a great idea. I don't understand why Warner Bros. would hire him as president of Warner Bros. Pictures? Is it because he's Kevin Tsujihara's brother-in-law?"

Martin hadn't considered this explanation either: "Perhaps you've hit the nail on the head?"

Louise shrugged. "Who knows? I've worked with Warner Bros. for over a decade, but now I understand them less and less."

"People and things in the industry are constantly changing." Martin asked, "Didn't Warner Bros. invite you to the premiere of 'Green Lantern'?"

Louise shook her head and asked, "You didn't receive an invitation either?"

Martin said, "I wanted to go to the premiere, but I didn't even get an invitation. Warner Bros. is stingier than before."

Louise, however, analyzed, "Last time you went to participate in 'Odyssey,' the film was a complete commercial failure. Maybe they thought you were a jinx."

Martin shrugged: "I'm a real lucky charm."

Louise smiled and said, "That's right, you're my lucky star."

The crew was about to start filming again. Martin picked up his astronaut helmet and went into a separate compartment.

The set quickly quieted down, with Louise merely observing the filming from the sidelines. Ridley directed and coordinated the production methodically, and the crew's work proceeded very smoothly.

In mid-June, Warner Bros. held a grand global premiere for "Green Lantern".

This is the opening blockbuster of the DC Extended Universe, and almost all of Warner Bros. executives, led by Kevin Tsujihara, were present to show their support.

The film's production cost alone was a whopping $2 million!

Even though the two test screenings received only lukewarm reviews, given the current market boom for superhero movies, not only Warner Bros. was full of confidence, but several theater chains also believed that the box office would not be a problem, and mobilized nearly 4000 theaters in North America to open the film.

The production team also tried every means to attract attention.

Just a week before the film's release, TMZ revealed that Ryan Reynolds, the male lead, was living with Abby Cornish, the female lead.

Subsequently, the two officially announced their relationship, attracting a lot of attention.

At the premiere, DC Films director Hamada faced a large number of media reporters with great confidence.

"Among the many superhero comics, Green Lantern's concept is more interesting than Spider-Man, Superman, and Batman. It envisions a vast Green Lantern Corps throughout the universe, with each member managing a sector!"

Hamada smiled broadly: "We used the best special effects technology Hollywood has ever produced. Even Green Lantern's suit was CG-generated, giving it a near-futuristic, dreamlike feel while also highlighting Green Lantern's uniqueness!"

On the other side, Kevin Tsujihara echoed this sentiment, telling the media about DC's ambitious plans: "We have a complete Justice League universe plan. After this 'Green Lantern,' films featuring The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter will be launched one after another. Fans will soon be able to see these familiar comic book heroes on the big screen. They will form the Justice League and vow to defend the entire universe!"

Undoubtedly, all of this demonstrates Warner Bros. and DC Comics' confidence in and importance of "Green Lantern," encouraging fans of the comics, along with casual viewers, to buy tickets and enter the theater.

However, the $4275 million box office gross in North America during the opening weekend foreshadowed a new box office disaster.

(End of this chapter)