For now, it was still a bit early to push the matter further. Gilbert only worked with the writers at Melon Studio to finish the script of Project Gutenberg, which was then submitted to Disney and Warner.
Nowadays, any project of his naturally became the most important one for both studios.
For an original film, other directors would have to go around humbly begging for investments—but not Gilbert. Still, the formal process had to be followed, meaning the script needed to pass the review committee's approval.
Generally speaking, as long as the script wasn't outrageous, the committee would give the green light. Soon the script was passed up for higher-level discussions.
Disney and Warner reacted differently. Disney, of course, expressed support. They had already heard that Warner Bros. intended to reboot the Batman series, and Gilbert had already agreed to direct it.
If the Batman movie really went into production this year, Disney wouldn't be involved—after all, DC belonged to Warner Bros.
Now, superhero films were clearly becoming a vast blue ocean market, yet Disney had no famous superhero rights in hand, and could only watch.
However, Vice President Solomon reminded the executives: "Gentlemen, we are not without options—we just haven't secured them yet."
Robert Iger was curious: "Oh? What makes you say that? Are there other famous superhero rights we could acquire?"
Under the expectant gazes of the executives, Solomon said: "Marvel…"
At once the room understood. Indeed, Marvel Studios was right there in Burbank, and word was they were preparing to produce their very first superhero movie.
Solomon continued: "Gentlemen, let's not forget—Hollywood is unfamiliar ground for Marvel. Even if they do produce a film, they will still need a major distributor to handle it.
That is our chance. We seize the distribution rights, and then, when the timing is right, we swallow Marvel whole."
"But," one executive raised a doubt, "Marvel may lack experience, but Gilbert does not. After all, he's Marvel's owner!"
"Precisely because of that," Solomon replied, "Gilbert knows clearly what Marvel must do to survive in Hollywood.
If Marvel doesn't want to end up as another DreamWorks, they will have no choice but to accept a distributor's terms."
In recent years, DreamWorks had been struggling. Each time it hit hard times, Spielberg would step in to save it.
But not even the greatest of directors could single-handedly support a massive film studio. Spielberg couldn't do it. James Cameron couldn't do it.
Even Gilbert, reborn with foresight, might not be able to pull it off.
What Solomon said indeed made sense, and the executives agreed.
However, if Disney were to acquire Marvel, it would inevitably require Gilbert's consent, likely through a stock exchange deal.
And Gilbert would surely wait—wait until Marvel films succeeded, until the company's value rose—before even considering an acquisition proposal.
In the future, Gilbert might even surpass the Disney family and become Marvel's largest shareholder. That was something many board members—especially the Disney family—absolutely did not want to see.
But if things played out as Solomon suggested, Disney would never simply let Marvel slip away into someone else's hands, would they?
Both sides had different worries. On Warner's side, their main concern was: when would Gilbert finally reboot the Batman series?
Although Gilbert had long said that the new Batman movie would be more of a side story, unrelated to the main continuity, DC films had been floundering for years, and only Gilbert could save them.
As long as the Batman film succeeded, DC's long-term plans could move forward.
Because of this, Warner Bros. had already axed both the Superman and Catwoman projects, waiting only for Gilbert to make his move.
Yet Gilbert instead turned to a crime film, leaving Warner executives at a loss.
So Warner Bros. CEO Doug Walter personally visited Gilbert to ask about his intentions.
"Gilbert, what exactly are you thinking? Warner and DC have been waiting for this film too long. Everyone is hoping Batman can once again appear on the big screen, to save Gotham City."
"Doug, don't be anxious!" Gilbert poured him tea, showing not the slightest sign of stress.
"How can I not be anxious? Spider-Man and X-Men 2 both made huge profits. The era of superhero films has truly arrived—just like you said.
Now, watching other companies' movies rake in money, of course DC and Warner's leadership are restless."
Doug Walter even felt like dragging Gilbert straight into a Batman shoot by force.
Gilbert laughed heartily, advising him to calm down: "Doug, you must calm yourself. Do you know what matters most in hunting or fishing?"
"What?"
"Patience…" Gilbert continued, "Making movies is the same. Any greedy, rushed approach will only fail. You must have patience.
On this point, you should learn from Bob. He has far more patience than you.
At least you have DC in your hands—he has nothing at all."
"He's not anxious precisely because he has nothing! If he had superhero rights, he'd have already rushed to assemble a production team." Doug Walter argued.
Both studios had more directors than just Gilbert—each had their own regular collaborators. Even without him, they could find others.
But DC's past failures were still vivid in memory, so Warner preferred to wait until Gilbert was available, rather than risk another disaster with a different director.
"What you're saying is true," Gilbert acknowledged, but then added: "Right now, he's busy trying to secure superhero film rights."
"There aren't any left, are there? DC is in Warner's hands, and Marvel…" Doug Walter suddenly realized: "Disney will try to get Marvel from you?"
"Very likely," Gilbert stood and patted his shoulder. "Marvel Studios has already set its plan. Two years from now, they will launch their very first movie project."
"Do you know which superhero?"
"Iron Man. Tony Stark," Gilbert said without concealment—there was nothing to hide.
"Will you direct it yourself?" Doug Walter pressed on that question.
"No," Gilbert replied with disinterest. "I'll serve as producer and find a good director to helm the film."
Doug Walter understood. He did not bring up distribution.
After all, with DC already in Warner's grasp, grabbing Marvel distribution as well would spark opposition not only from other studios, but also from Gilbert himself.
Gilbert then added: "As for Bruce Wayne—once this project is finished, next year we'll begin preparations."
After all this talk, Doug Walter finally heard something that pleased him: "That's excellent. Gilbert, only in your hands can Bruce Wayne be truly safe!"
And indeed, it was reassuring. If even Gilbert could not save DC and Batman, Doug Walter had no idea who could.
After sending Doug Walter off, Gilbert made a special trip to San Francisco to meet Jobs, mainly to discuss matters concerning Apple and Pixar.
"Gilbert, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I will never accept quack Western doctors' treatments." Jobs, stubborn by nature, was unmoved by Gilbert's persuasion.
Jobs had been recuperating recently, but refused to undergo Western medical treatment.
Out of concern for both Apple's future and their personal relationship, Gilbert tried to convince him, but to little effect, and finally gave up.
Perhaps it was precisely Jobs's stubbornness that allowed him to achieve so much. Yet that same stubbornness was also costing him his life.
Their conversation shifted to Apple's newest product. Jobs said: "The research lab has already developed several concept phones based on the smartphone idea you proposed."
As he spoke, Jobs had his assistant bring in several devices that, for that era, looked extremely novel and futuristic.
Gilbert examined them carefully, powered them on and tested them, then said to Jobs: "At present, the touchscreen solution still isn't mature. Phones can't completely discard keyboards yet."
But Jobs was not concerned: "That's only for the first generation. By the second, third, or even fourth, we will eliminate the keyboard entirely."
"On matters of technology, you know far more than I do. I won't say much more." Gilbert expressed his confidence.
Jobs, however, disagreed: "If anyone in Hollywood understands technology best, it's you, Gilbert."
Jobs was an arrogant man, and very few people earned his true respect—Gilbert was one of them.
After finishing with Apple matters, the two turned to Pixar.
Gilbert asked: "Steve, who are you leaning toward for cooperation?"
"Who do you think would be best for me to partner with?" Jobs did not reveal his hand, instead countering with a question.
"I think, from a needs standpoint, Warner, Disney, and Sony Columbia all make sense." Gilbert replied.
Warner and Columbia both lacked animation studios, and as for mentioning Disney, that was entirely because Robert Iger had asked him to.
Besides, Pixar and Disney had worked well together before. Why not again?
Jobs immediately dismissed Sony Columbia: "Akio Morita truly was a management genius, but the Sony executives now are absolute fools. I have no interest in working with them."
Gilbert then laid out the broader picture: "Twentieth Century Fox already has Blue Sky Studios. That makes Pixar redundant for them.
Universal is happily partnered with Illumination Entertainment, a company with huge potential.
And since the big studios are considering splitting up DreamWorks, once that happens, Paramount will likely take over DreamWorks' animation division.
So in truth, Steve, your choices are very limited—only Warner and Disney."
Jobs nodded. Indeed, working with Disney had always been pleasant. The only reason he hadn't renewed with Disney this time was his frustration at their exploitative monopoly clauses.
According to Jobs's plan, Disney had been his preference all along. Negotiating with other companies was simply a way to pressure Disney into easing those clauses.
Gilbert understood perfectly what Jobs wanted, so he spoke plainly: "Don't be fooled by Bob's friendly manner. Disney's monopoly clauses are an old tradition, insisted upon by the entire board. Neither Bob nor I can change that.
If you want to cooperate with Disney—or even be acquired by them—you must accept those conditions.
Warner may offer better terms, but whether they truly have the capacity to absorb Pixar is questionable."
Jobs nodded: "I understand. Thank you, Gilbert. I will carefully consider your advice."
"I'm only giving you some directions to think about." Gilbert looked at the somewhat frail Jobs and urged: "Even if you won't accept treatment, at least make sure to rest properly!"
"No need." When it came to his health, Jobs remained stubborn: "I know my body. It's perfectly fine."
Gilbert was left speechless. There was nothing more he could do. After chatting about a few other matters, he took his leave.
...
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