Actually, movies like The Avengers have one advantage, and that is the audience is already very familiar with the characters. Since they've watched the previous films, Duke doesn't need to explain or interpret these characters in this movie. The film can dive straight into the plot and tell the story.
Whether it's the characters' personalities or the stances of the superheroes, they're already well-known facts. In this case, Duke doesn't have anything to avoid, nor does he have much unnecessary dialogue to say. He can just tell the story directly without any groundwork, letting the audience see the climax from the very beginning and maintaining that high emotion throughout—that's enough.
The meeting didn't last long. Apart from Scarlett Johansson staying behind to wait for Duke, the others left quickly.
Duke was still discussing promotional matters with Kevin Feige.
"Kevin, we need to think of more ways for promotion."
After thinking for a moment, Duke said to Kevin Feige, "I have a suggestion. Nowadays, social networking platforms have shortened the distance between people and further sped up information circulation. I think Marvel can create official accounts for its superheroes on Instant Share and Twitter and form a unique circle of friends."
Kevin Feige's eyes lit up at Duke's words. "That's a great idea. I'll have the publicity department come up with a practical plan as soon as possible."
After leaving Marvel Studios, Duke first dropped Scarlett off at a gym. Just like how Jeremy Renner specifically found an Olympic archery champion to train his archery skills, to play Black Widow well, Scarlett had to undergo some training again.
While Duke was preparing the film on his end, the promotional suggestion he made was quickly put into actual operation by Marvel Studios on the other.
Ruen Webber was a very ordinary Instant Share user. He logged into his account almost every day either posting some of his own comments or checking others' opinions.
Today, he opened the Instant Share app on his phone and suddenly saw an account with a very interesting name featured in a prominent spot. That name was known throughout America Tony Stark.
Tony Stark? Iron Man? Since when did Iron Man join Instant Share?
That was Ruen Webber's first reaction. Then he clicked on the account without hesitation.
Every Instant Share user could upload a photo as their profile picture, and the account named Tony Stark used a movie still as its image.
What is this? Ruen Webber was a bit confused and continued reading. The account also had a status update from Tony Stark.
"Drove Pepper's car today and accidentally wrecked it. Tomorrow I'll have Happy order her a Lincoln Navigator. Or maybe a yacht? Guys, give me some suggestions."
Ruen Webber scratched his head. He saw that several people had already liked the post. The names were Bruce Banner, Happy, Natasha Romanoff, and Pepper Potts.
They had also left comments.
Bruce Banner: "My motorcycle's wrecked too."
Natasha Romanoff: "Tony, you really understand women."
Happy: "Got it! Boss!"
Pepper Potts: "Tony, just having you is enough for me."
Meanwhile, Christopher Turner was reading Bruce Banner's Instant Share post.
"I've been feeling unsettled lately. I know I can't be irritable, so I bought a lot of books online to heal the soul. Hopefully, they'll help. Also, every time I talk to Natasha, I feel especially at ease."
Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers liked this post.
Steve Rogers: "Professor, you can control yourself. You have to believe in yourself."
Natasha Romanoff: "You're too kind, Bruce. I'm glad I could help."
Clint Barton: "Is there something going on between you two?"
Natasha Romanoff: "Not what you're thinking!"
On the other side, after following Tony Stark, Ruen Webber opened Loki's Instant Share.
"A new plan is brewing… hehehe…"
No one liked it, but many left comments.
Tony Stark: "When we catch you, let's see if you can still hehehe."
Thor: "Brother, wake up. Come back to Asgard with me!"
Natasha Romanoff: "Thor, you're the one who needs to wake up!"
Steve Rogers: "I understand Thor. It's like me and Bucky."
Bucky Barnes: "Cap, this isn't the place for that…"
These really piqued Ruen Webber's interest. He then opened the Instant Share of his longtime favorite, Hawkeye Clint Barton.
"Lately, the pressure's been huge. I know I'm the most ordinary one among the Avengers, but as a well-trained agent, I absolutely don't want to bow my head, especially in front of Nat… though Natasha's been acting a bit strange lately. Maybe I'm overthinking."
Likewise, a string of replies followed.
Natasha Romanoff: "Clint, you're overthinking it!"
Tony Stark: "He's not. Knowing your limits is a good thing."
Steve Rogers: "You're not ordinary. Trust me."
Natasha Romanoff: "Tony… shut up!"
Clint Barton: "..."
Not only those famous figures Ruen Webber even easily found Iron Man's bodyguard Happy's Instant Share account.
"When I walked into the boss's lab, I heard the boss and JARVIS saying something I wasn't supposed to hear. The general idea was: 'I need you… JARVIS… you can't leave me' 'That's not me… Tony… I'm splitting apart' 'JARVIS… stop making excuses… I love you deeply' 'Then I'd better split quickly'...
This post seemed to make Iron Man furious, and he replied in the comments: 'Happy, do you think you're getting paid too much?'
Pepper Potts: "Tony, is what Happy said true?"
Tony Stark: "Pepper, don't get me wrong… you're the only one I love…"
Natasha Romanoff: "Tony, the whole world knows you're a playboy. I really didn't expect… you and JARVIS…"
Steve Rogers: "I'm just watching, no comment."
Not just on Instant Share even on Twitter, these people had their own official accounts. In just a few short weeks, the Marvel characters' social media accounts became the focus of online attention. Countless fans followed their accounts, liked their posts, and shared their comments. It was as if such a group of people really existed in the world.
This also drew the attention of traditional media, and CNN even did a special report.
"Recently, on many popular social networking sites and apps, something called 'Avengers Circle of Friends' has appeared—it imagines what the Avengers' social feeds would look like if they used social media. How hilarious? How much bickering? How much support? The feed posts revolve closely around The Avengers and Marvel Studios' Phase Two plans, becoming a focal point for fans and netizens alike…"
Taking advantage of the buzz from the publicity, Marvel Studios, after communicating with Duke, jointly announced with the distributor Warner Bros. the official North American release date of The Avengers the first weekend of the 2012 summer movie season: May 5.
As soon as this news broke, many films and movie studios that had intended to schedule their releases around that time quickly adjusted their dates.
Sony-Columbia Pictures didn't hesitate and moved the rebooted The Amazing Spider-Man to June.
20th Century Fox, which had been waiting for Warner Bros. to announce its release date, breathed a sigh of relief and scheduled its film Prometheus for a July release.
Originally set for early May, Universal Pictures' Ted was pushed to the second half of the year after hearing the news.
All the major studios and production companies were avoiding The Avengers, but in this world, not everyone was afraid to clash with Duke and his film. Every world has its brave dragon slayers.
"My stance is clear!"
Standing at the conference table of Sky Flim Productions, David Ellison forcefully declared to everyone, "Fast & Furious 5 will be scheduled for the start of next year's summer movie season! We'll choose the second weekend after The Avengers, using street racing and explosive action to cut off the second-weekend box office of Duke Rosenberg's film!"
"But…"
The representative from Universal Pictures, the film's rights holder, didn't agree with this approach. "What makes you think Fast & Furious 5 can go head-to-head with Duke Rosenberg and The Avengers?"
Almost all the investment in this film came from David Ellison. Otherwise, the Universal rep would've already stood up to veto his idea.
Bald-headed Vin Diesel stood up, swept his gaze across the cast present, and said, "You think all of us combined are no match for Duke Rosenberg?"
Since being publicly mocked by the media as a "sissy," Vin Diesel had been waiting for a chance a chance to go head-to-head and crush Duke Rosenberg. He chose to collaborate with David Ellison because, on one hand, the man had enough funding, and on the other, he had the courage to take Duke Rosenberg head-on.
After all, Universal only invested a small portion into the film. The rep didn't have much say, and after a few rounds of arguing, he simply shut his mouth. After all, if the film succeeded, Universal would reap enough profits through the IP rights. If it failed, Universal basically had nothing to lose.
The meeting quickly reached a consensus under the strong push of David Ellison and Vin Diesel: Fast & Furious 5 would be released the weekend after The Avengers.
Everyone else left the conference room one after another, and the Universal rep stayed behind.
"Right now The Avengers is generating massive buzz!" he said to David Ellison. "Fast & Furious 5 must also come up with something on the publicity front."
David Ellison naturally understood this. His eyes couldn't help but drift through the glass on the meeting room door, landing on the bald head of Vin Diesel.