Chapter 20: Chapter 20 The Premiere
Jim quickly connected with the film distributor.
With the background of the Jameson family, plus Jim's years of experience as a former top producer and his extensive network in the industry, arranging a theatrical release wasn't difficult. Even the question of screen allocation, or the share of screens for the premiere, was easily solved.
In Batman Begins, the biggest name wasn't the film's stars—it was the investor.
Tony Stark.
Playboy, genius inventor, billionaire—these were just a few of his many titles. To the public, he was a flashy figure who loved the limelight.
Whether people genuinely liked him didn't matter; the fact was that many were paying attention.
Just by opening his mouth, Tony Stark was a billion-dollar billboard.
In all of America, nobody was unfamiliar with Tony Stark.
The man was a recognized born winner.
Just his name alone guaranteed 20% of the screens for this film.
Additionally, Jim had full confidence in the film's quality.
Forty percent wouldn't be a challenge.
But Jim, riding high on his ambition, was aiming for 60%.
First, the sheer lineup alone would squeeze out any competition from other films released at the same time.
Second, Jim had been out of the spotlight for so long that, now, with a chance for a comeback, he was determined to go all out and wouldn't let this fleeting opportunity slip by.
He utilized every trick he knew.
Finally, they set the release date and organized a premiere.
Promotions began in sync.
Batman Begins, based on a popular novel, had recently gained considerable fame in New York.
Anton's prior efforts were paying off.
Upon hearing that a film adaptation was coming out, many book fans flocked to the forum set up by The Daily Bugle specifically for the novel, where they spent every day chatting and speculating.
At the same time, the news spread that Tony Stark had invested fifty million dollars into the film.
Some elite heirs remembered the bet Anton had made with Tony Stark.
Rumors abounded.
This film was allegedly born out of a bet between two wealthy heirs!
Some were intrigued.
Others outright declared it was bound to be trash, vowing never to watch it.
However, Anton then released another tidbit: the Batman concept was actually inspired by Tony Stark.
Losing his parents in an accident, inheriting a fortune, outwardly a playboy but secretly someone who took life seriously, always contemplating how to save the world.
People agreed with the first part but were split on the latter half.
A man running a weapons empire, thinking about saving the world? Surely, that had to be a dark joke.
More realistically, he'd be thinking about starting wars, aligning with the public's perception of an arms tycoon.
Regardless, with this avalanche of news, Batman Begins was generating considerable attention, rapidly increasing its exposure.
Anton checked his system interface: Batman's fan count had surged to 800,000.
The movie hadn't even released yet—these were all fans brought in by the book.
In a way, publishing ten more novels could almost give him enough fan value to buy the Bat-Suit.
But with the movie about to premiere, Anton didn't dwell on that.
As long as Batman became a household name, gaining the needed 9.98 million fans shouldn't be too difficult.
He pulled out his phone and called Tony Stark, receiving a few snarky remarks in response.
Eventually, Tony agreed to attend the premiere.
Tony loved a good spectacle, and curiosity was a common trait in such people.
In other words, he was very interested in this film.
Not interested in watching it, mind you—rather, interested in finding ways to mock Anton through it.
Tony considered he knew exactly what Anton was like.
He hadn't expected Anton to actually pull off making a movie after three months of effort.
And not just any movie—a superhero film!
A genre entirely new and created by Anton.
"Jarvis, call Pepper for me."
Thinking of the bet, Tony chuckled, "Hey, sweetheart, could you push back my trip to Afghanistan? You know, there's something amusing I don't want to miss… Oh, right, I might need a date for the premiere. Would you like to be my date?"
The day of the premiere arrived.
Jonah Jameson was in attendance.
"I look forward to it."
Jameson smiled. "I hope this movie doesn't put me to sleep."
"You won't be disappointed," Anton replied confidently, patting his chest.
Except for the habitually late Tony Stark, nearly everyone had arrived.
After the standard speeches and photos with the press, the movie was about to begin.
Just then…
Tony Stark finally arrived.
His date was Pepper Potts, known as "Pepper."
Anton was no stranger to her.
In many social settings, Pepper was the one handling Tony's affairs behind the scenes.
Over the years, she was perhaps the only person capable of keeping Tony in line.
"You do love being late, Tony," Anton greeted him.
"Anton, I'm looking forward to having you as my errand boy after the film's over," Tony laughed.
He had nearly forgotten about the bet over these three months.
Tony never bothered with personal matters. Even the fifty million dollars he put up didn't matter much to him.
But as the release date approached, the hype and talk of the bet rekindled his grudge with Anton.
"Hope you can still say that after the movie," Anton shrugged.
"You don't seriously think you've made anything special, do you?" Tony smirked, pulling Pepper along to take his seat. His plan was to walk out the moment he got bored and then come back just in time to confront Anton.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco…
At the headquarters of the Life Foundation.
Carlton Drake sat in his spacious office, looking out at the sunny view, his expression dark as though storm clouds loomed.
He threw the file in his hand at the head of security.
"How long has it been?"
Drake's face was twisted with rage. "You've been chasing Eddie for how many days? How many men have we lost? And you still haven't caught him? What am I paying you for?"
"Boss, others are after him too."
The head of security dared not argue, speaking softly. "They're well-equipped, using special gear. Looks like they're from Oscorp."
"Oscorp… Norman Osborn, that bastard…"
Drake clenched his fists.
Despite the Life Foundation's power, going head-to-head with Oscorp was no easy task.
But Oscorp was, after all, based in New York.
Norman Osborn might reach San Francisco, but even the mightiest dragon wouldn't easily topple the local snake—a truth proven time and again.
Otherwise, the Life Foundation would already be Oscorp's property.
However, under the current circumstances, the Life Foundation had to swallow its pride.
The only hope lay in capturing Eddie, turning research into data, and presenting it on the desk of the San Francisco city government. Then, those profit-driven politicians would surely embrace the Life Foundation once more.
Symbiotes were undoubtedly the future.
This was an instinct and destiny; Carlton Drake firmly believed it.
"What else?"
Drake glanced at the head of security. "Tell me about The Daily Bugle."
"The actual head of The Daily Bugle now is Anton Jameson, grandson of founder Jonah Jameson. Eddie was once close with him while serving as editor."
The head of security said, "The online slander campaign can't be separated from Anton."
"Teach him a lesson."
Drake's tone was icy.
The head of security hesitated, "Boss, Jonah Jameson is well-connected with the New York City government. If we move against them, it'll be hard to stay out of the crossfire… The San Francisco city government is already discontented with us, and offending them further might…"
Drake's face darkened, his teeth almost grinding to the point of bleeding.
He felt cornered.
Obstructed at every turn!
"Damn it!!"
Drake roared, "Anyway, I want you to teach him a lesson. Make sure he understands what it means to cross the Life Foundation."
"Yes!"
The head of security didn't dare argue further, nodding before leaving the office.
Drake calmed down after a long while.
He thought about Oscorp.
"Norman, you think you can buy my company? Never going to happen!"
A cold gleam flashed in Drake's eyes. "Anton Jameson, don't think you're safe just because you're in New York. One way or another, you'll pay."