"Page's New Film'Spider-Man' is Guaranteed to Exceed $500 Million at the Global Box Office!" — Hollywood Film Weekly.
Upon its release, this feature article was met with approval by most people in the market and the industry.
Hollywood Film Weekly stated: "Since its establishment several years ago, Page Pictures has produced a series of low-budget films such as 'Run Lola Run,' 'Wrong Turn,' 'The Purge,' and 'Hard Candy,' all of which have received excellent reviews and impressive box office performances."
"At the same time, it also boasts mythical high-grossing, low-budget films like 'Juno,' 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' and 'The Blair Witch Project,' breaking a series of box office records for small-budget films."
"'300' grossed over $600 million worldwide."
"Waterworld Animation, also under the Golden Dawn Entertainment Group, even has the animated film 'Finding Nemo,' which achieved a mythical box office haul of $930 million globally."
"With 'Blade' before it and 'X-Men' after, both achieved impressive box office performances."
"And'Spider-Man,' with a production budget as high as $150 million, is absolutely worth anticipating."
...Warner Bros. Pictures.
President Barry Meyer stared intently at the newspaper in his hand, his prolonged silence making his secretary, Ms. Lisa, hold her breath.
"Sir, will'Spider-Man' really be a hit?" the secretary frowned.
"I don't know~"
Barry Meyer shook his head and said, "Even our Warner DC's Batman and Superman have had their failures, so no one can guarantee that Spider-Man will definitely succeed. However... as it stands, it's highly likely to be a hit."
As he spoke, Barry Meyer was gritting his teeth.
Batman and Superman were undoubtedly thorns in his side!
Shortly after 'X-Men' and'Spider-Man' were greenlit, Barry Meyer had repeatedly advocated within the company for a reboot of DC Comics adapted films.
But what was the result?
He was harshly rejected!
"The internal struggle within the company is too severe.
If we drag this on for a few more years, will there still be a market for DC comic book adaptations?"
Barry Meyer was burning with anxiety... 20th Century Fox.
"Boss, that guy, Kyle Page, got a huge advantage over us!" an executive said, quite indignantly.
Indeed.
The release dates of 'X-Men' and'Spider-Man' were only two weeks apart. Due to the success of 'X-Men,' the market was highly anticipating'Spider-Man,' also a Marvel comic adaptation.
Not to mention anything else, Kyle saved a lot of money just on promotional costs!
"You can't say that," Rupert Murdoch chuckled, "Kyle is still very useful; at least he helped us deal with Marvel. Otherwise, during the film's release, those guys would definitely have caused trouble."
Although he said that, Murdoch was actually a little envious.
"Page's New Film'Spider-Man' is Guaranteed to Exceed $500 Million at the Global Box Office!"
This newspaper article from Hollywood Film Weekly was now on Murdoch's desk.
"My 'X-Men' movie, according to the current domestic and international box office trends, will definitely not exceed $400 million, but him? He's projected to have a $500 million box office?"
Murdoch couldn't help but feel a little sour.
Anyone seeing such data analysis would be unable to resist feeling a pang of jealousy, let alone a big shot like him!
Paramount, Disney, Universal, Columbia, and other Hollywood film companies were also feeling the sting.
Especially Columbia Pictures!
It's worth noting that in late 1995, Columbia was on the verge of acquiring'Spider-Man,' but Kyle intervened and snatched it away.
Now seeing the immense popularity of Spider-Man, how could Columbia remain calm?
"Damn it~"
"That crappy Spider-Man, go to hell!"
"I wish you a disastrous box office!"
The executives at Sony Columbia were well aware of one thing: if'Spider-Man' became a massive hit, then some of the executives who were responsible for vying for the'Spider-Man' rights would definitely face harsh criticism from the board of directors, and in severe cases, might even be dismissed.
However... as the saying goes, some people worry, while others rejoice.
For example: the investors of'Spider-Man' were extremely happy.
The Carlos Family Foundation of Mexico, the German Daimler AG, Cinemark (one of the three major cinema chains in the United States), and Indian Mountain Capital, these investors in'Spider-Man,' have been closely monitoring the North American film market recently.
Especially the German Daimler AG!
If the movie is a hit, then their cars will sell well!
To this end, Daimler AG specifically designed new Mercedes-Benz cars, and even a Spider-Man concept car, for the'Spider-Man' movie.
"Kyle, don't worry, as long as the opening box office of'Spider-Man' exceeds expectations, our Daimler AG will provide $10 million in promotional funds." The German Daimler AG was incredibly generous.
After all, although their Mercedes-Benz cars are famous, the competition in the North American market is also very fierce!
Little Carlos, the head of the Carlos Family Foundation, also called Kyle specifically.
"I can't speak for other places, but in Mexico and Central America, I guarantee that'Spider-Man' will become a household name!"
He was also full of sincerity...
Late July.
After 20th Century Fox's 'X-Men' achieved a North American box office of $108 million, on this day, Page Pictures, in conjunction with its parent company Golden Dawn Entertainment Group, held a grand premiere for'Spider-Man'.
On the day of the premiere, the invited guests and various big names were no less impressive than those at the 'X-Men' premiere, and perhaps even more so.
After all, Kyle also had a bunch of friends in the internet industry.
It's no exaggeration to say that Kyle's current social network is absolutely on par with those of top-tier super-rich individuals.
The'Spider-Man' movie finally unveiled its mysterious veil at the premiere.
Shae, the owner of New Line Cinema: "Finally, we get to see it. After all, that scoundrel Kyle didn't even hold a single preview screening."
Patrick, one of the three giants of Summit Entertainment: "A preview screening? The cunning Page Pictures only released a trailer for'Spider-Man' that was a mere dozen seconds long, really whetting our appetites."
Gustav, the owner of Lionsgate Films, said: "Who cares! Hollywood Film Weekly says its global box office can exceed $500 million, but I don't really believe it. I only believe what my eyes see."
Can'Spider-Man's box office exceed $500 million?
Some believed it, while others doubted it.
However, today there would be a rough estimate.