"I heard the company is planning to remake the Superman movie?"
Although Duke rarely intervened in Warner Brothers' operations, he was well-informed. "They even want to bring Catwoman out and make a solo film?"
"Superman is still in the discussion phase." Doug Walter, who trusted Duke's insights in filmmaking, responded. "But the paper plans for Catwoman are already being drawn up. The production department plans to invite Halle Berry for the lead role."
"A Black Catwoman?" Duke shook his head slightly and said directly, "Catwoman has always been a second-tier character in DC. If they cast a Black actress, even the comic fans will be disappointed. Plus, Halle Berry isn't a suitable choice; she doesn't have the box office draw. She's never carried a film on her own, and as for winning an Oscar..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Doug Walter understood, and asked, "What if we change the actress?"
"No, no, no, Doug," Duke shook his finger at him. "You didn't understand my point."
Doug Walter looked at Duke. Since Duke said they should wait until he took over as CEO to discuss this, it must be a significant matter.
"My personal suggestion," Duke didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Not just Catwoman, but the new Superman movie too. These projects should be put on hold."
"Put on hold?" Doug Walter frowned. As soon as he became CEO, he was expected to deliver results, and his original plan was to revive the DC superhero films, aside from his collaboration with Duke. "Duke, you've said the era of superhero movies is about to begin. Why put a stop to it?"
He did rely heavily on Duke's partnership, but without a valid and persuasive reason, he wouldn't stop the plans already in the works.
"Looking at the current trends, the market share for superhero movies will keep growing in the next few years," Duke said seriously. "So, we shouldn't rush into production. We need to create an overall plan."
Duke didn't make Doug Walter wait long and continued, "Have you considered gathering the DC comic heroes in one universe space, like the comics, and forming teams to fight side by side?"
"You mean..." Doug Walter immediately understood Duke's point. "The Justice League?"
"Exactly." Duke nodded. "Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince. Their influence is much greater than most Marvel superheroes. I'm sure many fans would love to see the three big heroes of Justice League in one movie."
Doug Walter fell into deep thought.
Duke continued, "We shouldn't focus on sequels. Instead, we should scrap the whole big series and make a complete plan. Use Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and others, one movie at a time. Then, we bring the Justice League together, and finally, they team up."
"We definitely need a plan."
Doug Walter's abilities were unquestionable, which is why he had reached the position of CEO at Warner Brothers. While he wasn't sure if a team-up would succeed, it was certainly more reliable than rushing into the Catwoman and Superman projects.
"It's not just that." Duke looked Doug Walter in the eyes. "Since acquiring stock in Marvel, I've had an idea."
"Idea?" Doug Walter looked back at Duke.
"Doug, this is just between us."
When Duke said this, Doug Walter nodded solemnly.
Actually, whatever Duke said next didn't matter if it got out. Duke simply wanted Warner Brothers to pay extra attention. "I don't think we should treat Marvel as a competitor."
At this point, Duke raised his hand to stop Doug Walter from speaking. "This has nothing to do with me being a shareholder in Marvel. Doug, Marvel Studios was just established. Even four years later, when they made their first movie, they didn't have the ability to distribute..."
Could a film studio, established for only a few years, distribute films on a large scale in the US and worldwide?
Doug Walter understood Duke's point.
"I own 32% of Marvel's shares, and I'm still increasing my stake, and my shares come with voting rights," Duke's voice wasn't loud, and his pace wasn't fast, but his words were very powerful. "With my push, it wouldn't be hard for Warner Brothers to secure the distribution rights for Marvel Studios..."
Hearing this, Doug Walter couldn't help but smile. Marvel Studios had so much confidence because they had Duke behind them, but if Duke sided with Warner, Marvel would enter Warner's system...
"Doug, have you considered this?" Duke said bluntly. "If Marvel's superhero movies succeed and they form the Avengers, and our movies succeed, forming the Justice League. Then, the two leagues..."
Duke paused for a moment. "Why don't we, at the right time, swallow Marvel?"
What Duke was talking about was the ideal scenario, but Doug Walter subconsciously believed that both superhero series would succeed because the one pushing them was Duke Rosenberg!
If it really worked out, he would become Warner Brothers' most glorious CEO and could receive more stock options and bonuses, with the possibility of even becoming the CEO of the whole group.
However, Doug Walter immediately thought of the biggest issue.
"Duke, DC's superhero movies have been in decline for too long."
The topic took another turn, returning to the far-off problem.
After thinking for a moment, Duke said, "Doug, if my suggestion is accepted, I hope the company will make a complete plan. As for DC's superhero movies..."
Duke smiled. "Leave Batman for me, don't give it to anyone else."
"Don't worry!" Doug Walter heard the best news of the evening, "Duke, Bruce Wayne is yours!"
He then asked, "When do you plan to start the Batman project?"
"Soon," Duke thought about his schedule and said, "After the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I need a break. I plan to make a low-budget action film first, then focus on Batman. I plan to make a whole new trilogy. Once I'm done with The Return of the King's post-production, I will draft out the outlines for both the action film and the trilogy..."
Doug Walter's spirits lifted. "I'll take full responsibility for pushing it from Warner's side!"
These were major decisions related to Warner Brothers' future development, and even Duke and Doug Walter could only come to an understanding. In a company with such complex shares, involving huge projects and the future of the company, these decisions couldn't be made by just one or two people.
After discussing a few more details, Duke changed the subject. "How's the contact with Steve Jobs going?"
"He keeps asking Pixar to talk to us, but he's in no rush," Doug Walter replied helplessly, smiling. "Jobs is an old fox. His first choice is still Disney, but he's trying to use Warner as leverage against Disney. However, Michael Eisner has a sharp conflict with him and refuses to make any concessions. It's said that during a joint meeting between Disney and Pixar, the two directly argued."
Duke frowned. "How much of a chance do we have?"
"It's hard to say now." Doug Walter lightly tapped his fingers on the sofa. "Pixar still has two animation feature contracts to fulfill. With Pixar's production style, it'll probably be 2004 before they can complete the contract."
Everyone wanted to swallow such a delicious cake as Pixar Studios, and Doug Walter added, "The group's stance is very clear, do whatever it takes to acquire Pixar Studios. Even if we can't swallow them, we'd better establish a cooperative relationship."
In Hollywood, every movie company was starting animation projects, and Warner Brothers was weak in this area. As long as they acquired Pixar Studios, this weakness would turn into strength.
Of course, with Disney holding the advantage, how hard it would be to acquire Pixar from Steve Jobs was obvious.
Before leaving the meeting room, Doug Walter asked, "Are you directing Marvel's Iron Man?"
Duke shook his head. "Not in my plans for now. Marvel Studios lacks experience and needs long-term preparation."
Walking out of the meeting room and back to the banquet hall, Duke saw Ivanka hurriedly coming over. She asked with concern, "Where have you been? I went out to socialize for a bit, and I lost track of you."
"I was talking to Doug about some things." Duke took her hand and walked towards Tina Fey. "Work-related stuff for the future."
"Oh my god..." Ivanka frowned, slightly complaining. "The Lord of the Rings trilogy isn't even finished, and you're already planning your future work?"
"My dear," Duke linked his arm with hers, "This is my passion."
When they reached Tina Fey, Duke opened his arms to the other woman chatting with her. "Sophia, long time no see."
"Yes, long time no see, Duke."
Sofia Coppola walked over and hugged Duke lightly, then turned to Ivanka. "Hello, Miss Trump."
"Hello, Sofia," Ivanka greeted warmly, knowing she was one of Duke's few friends. "Just call me Ivanka."
The two women exchanged friendly greetings.
"How's your new movie coming along?" Duke asked.
"We're going to Tokyo next month with the crew," Sofia Coppola winked playfully. "Guess who the lead actress is?"
"Scarlett?"
Duke had heard from Scarlett Johansson before that she went with Sofia to scout locations in Tokyo.
"Her mouth certainly can't keep a secret," Sofia Coppola muttered, then said, "Scarlett's acting has improved a lot."
"Mm." Duke nodded. "You've trained her into an artsy girl."
Sofia stood up and lowered her voice. "My film is aiming for the Oscars. Maybe your Return of the King will compete with mine."