March 4th, 2005. Resident Evil: Apocalypse officially hit theaters in North America.
It made 8.23 million dollars on its first day, placing second on the daily box office chart.
Number one was The Pacifier, which grabbed 8.59 million.
That's a Vin Diesel movie. Vin, in his family–friendly comedy era.
Just like The Game Plan, this was another family comedy produced by Disney.
And The Pacifier also premiered on March 4th.
On the surface, Apocalypse and The Pacifier weren't too far apart. If Apocalypse picked up the pace in the following days, it still had a chance to turn the tables.
But the next day… North America had other plans.
March 5th, 2005 — Saturday.
Second day in theaters, Apocalypse already saw a drop in box office.
Compared to opening day, its second–day earnings fell 8.1%, down to 7.56 million, ranking third that day.
Number one was still The Pacifier, with 13.58 million in a single day.
Second place went to Be Cool, also released that same day, with 9.62 million.
Be Cool starred John Travolta and Uma Thurman. It was the sequel to Get Shorty.
Its first day wasn't as strong as Apocalypse, but at least it grew on day two!
When Apocalypse was already declining on Saturday of all days — usually the easiest day to increase revenue — then Sunday…
March 6th, 2005 — third day in theaters.
Apocalypse suffered a major drop in box office.
Compared to day two, its earnings fell another 37.3%, finishing with only 4.74 million.
Even though it still held third place on the daily chart, its first three days totaled only 20.53 million. That result was… extremely weak.
Because of this, Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus' go–to producer (currently stationed with the Goblet of Fire crew), had to helplessly approach Isabella. And when Isabella heard Apocalypse tanked…
Even the corner of her eye twitched.
She knew the Resident Evil IP wasn't amazing, but she never imagined the box office could keep falling every day. Peak on debut, then nose–dive? What kind of cursed situation was this?
"So what box office projections did you make for Apocalypse?"
"Warner's data estimates a max of 50 million in North America… and globally, maybe 110 to 120 million."
Since Warner knew it was Isabella's project, they didn't dare slack off on distribution. So when Barnathan reported Warner's forecast — with 130 million being completely out of reach — and reminded her the film cost 48 million to make…
…well, the math was brutal.
From a box office perspective, Apocalypse was 100% guaranteed to lose money.
"Then we go for long-term operation."
"Sell DVDs."
"That's what Warner does best anyway."
Isabella sighed.
Once she said Warner was best at selling discs, Barnathan couldn't help laughing.
Because she was absolutely right. No argument possible.
But Barnathan hadn't come to talk about operations after release. Profit is always the ultimate goal, sure… but he had something else to bring up.
"Uh, Isa… actually, during production on Apocalypse, series producer Paul Anderson already handed me the proposal for part three. About that… any interest from you?"
In Isabella's previous life, Resident Evil had six movies total, and the series overall was profitable. So even if Apocalypse performed badly, she still planned to continue it. But now…
"Oh, Michael, why do I feel like… there's something hidden in what you're saying?"
She swirled the cup in her hand.
The golden-orange juice bubbled gently with her motion.
"Well, Warner suggests you don't make Resident Evil anymore. They say the North American market's response proves this IP simply doesn't have many fans there."
"Or to put it another way, gamers are extremely rational. If they like something, they ONLY like that one thing. They don't fall in love with everything related to it."
"And my opinion is the same as Warner's. Also…"
Here Barnathan hesitated.
Isabella grew curious. "Also what?"
"Michael, did you hear something? If you did, just say it. I believe none of this concerns you personally. You've been with the Goblet of Fire crew all this time. We see each other every day."
"Okay. I found out that Paul Anderson and Milla Jovovich are… trying to set you up."
Since she'd given him permission, Barnathan dropped the hesitation:
"The two of them are dating. And it looks like they want to use Resident Evil as a platform to promote their own fashion brand…"
"What?"
Isabella frowned, not understanding yet.
But as Barnathan explained, a story of ambition unfolded in front of her.
Milla Jovovich started out as a model, very famous in fashion circles.
Last year, Fox announced she was the highest-earning model in the world.
But working for others doesn't make you a boss. Like many people hungry to climb higher, once she realized she'd hit her ceiling in modeling, she wanted to turn her fame into actual capital.
So in 2003, she and fashion friend Carmen Hawk founded a fashion brand, a light luxury label aiming for runway attention, called Jovovich–Hawk.
Fashion, "light luxury," luxury…
Anyone who knows that world understands.
They don't sell clothes or jewelry. They sell people's dream of being above others.
Most people, once they make money, want to show it off. They want others to recognize their success. But you can't stick your bank statements, house deeds, and stock certificates to your forehead.
So people embrace brands that look like status symbols.
And that's why brand image determines revenue. It's also why brands go crazy hiring celebrity endorsers. They want to attach themselves to famous people to prove their own worth. And it's also why real big shots don't use such brands.
When everyone already knows I'm successful, why would I need your brand riding my fame?
You want me to promote you for free?
Impossible.
For fashion and luxury companies, their biggest yearly expense is hiring celebrities. If someone wants to create a brand, they only have two options:
throw in a ton of money to hire big names… OR have such valuable connections that celebrities willingly work with them to gain favor.
Milla Jovovich had neither.
Before she started a brand, she thought: "As long as I'm stylish, people will buy from me." But after launching it, she realized that the rich folks who used to smile at her… didn't see any real value in her at all.
She, Milla Jovovich, meant nothing in the fashion world.
That made her furious.
And desperate to break the mold.
After thinking it over, she realized her movie star identity might be something she could leverage.
She could bring her brand into the films she acted in.
That way, the brand would gain exposure.
Normally this would be product placement.
Which means the brand pays the production company.
But she didn't want to pay.
Actually, she not only didn't want to pay… she wanted the film crew to pay her brand's design team salaries under the guise of needing costume work. And the easiest film set for her to do that on… was Resident Evil.
"Are you sure this is true?"
Isabella was stunned.
Were Paul Anderson and Milla Jovovich really trying to treat her like a cash cow?
"As you said earlier, Isa, I have no reason to lie."
Barnathan shrugged. "The reason they're desperate to push for Resident Evil 3 right now is that their brand's revenue is terrible. They put in a lot of money."
"Okay, then what's your suggestion?"
"My suggestion is: if they're willing to pay for product placement, we can start part three if you truly love the series. Otherwise, my opinion matches Warner's… the series is optional. And another thing…"
"We didn't even spend much to acquire the rights, did we?"
From a business standpoint, a movie is just a product. If it doesn't make money, it's garbage. If Resident Evil has fuzzy profit prospects, throwing money in is worse than putting it in a bank deposit. Especially when someone else is eyeing your cash.
As for that…
"Discuss it with Susie."
Isabella waved her hand and downed her juice. "My attitude is simple. I don't care much about Resident Evil as a project. But being scammed? That makes me furious."
"Understood," Barnathan nodded.
Isabella had no emotional attachment to the IP.
So whether it stayed or vanished, she didn't care.
But being treated like a fool? Not acceptable.
So when she heard that Susie, after talking with Barnathan, just tossed Resident Evil into the archives and didn't even bother negotiating with Paul Anderson… her mood instantly brightened.
Yes.
Barnathan got the hint.
Someone who works hard upward clearly wants to gain something. If life before effort and life after effort are the same…
Then what's the point of trying?
Once Paul Anderson and Milla Jovovich found out that Beaver Productions shelved the series due to profitability concerns, they panicked.
Anderson even called Michael Barnathan directly—
"Michael, Apocalypse failing was just an accident! The reason it wasn't profitable is heavily tied to Constantin. If they hadn't constantly stopped and started production, the budget wouldn't have shot up to 48 million!"
"So if you're canceling the sequel just because of profit, then… then… how about 35 million? We can cut the third film's budget to 35 million, same as the first!"
"That way, based on the traditional Resident Evil trajectory, part three will definitely make money!"
"We just need another chance! Please give us one more chance!"
The desperation on the phone made Barnathan glance forward.
He was still on set for Goblet of Fire. Well, obviously. His main job was being Columbus' right hand. Where else would he be?
And right then, they were filming the ending of Part (I):
The scene where the Dark Mark appears.
Because many of the charred set pieces in the storyboard can only be used once.
If anyone disrupts the filming, then they'll basically have to commit ritual seppuku.
And he had no intention of being that sinner.
So...
Standing at the outermost edge of the crew, overseeing everything from an "off-camera" perspective, he said into the phone, "Paul, compared to the major studios, we're still weak. Investing tens of millions is actually very difficult for us."
"When Apocalypse flopped, even if we wanted to make a third one, we had to wait for the distributor to settle accounts with us. That process takes time—so please be patient."
"Don't worry. Once we get back the full 48 million we put into Apocalypse, we'll contact you. I hope by then you're still as passionate about Resident Evil as you are now."
Only an idiot would reveal the real reason when cutting a project.
So when saying "No" to Resident Evil 3, the only explanation Barnason gave was that the project didn't bring in the expected income.
As for that…
"Michael! I don't believe Beaver Productions can't produce 35 million!"
Paul Anderson exclaimed, "It's Isabella's company!"
"Everyone in the industry knows she's loaded!"
"The talent show The Voice made her hundreds of millions! Even one Resident Evil movie doesn't cost as much to produce as the copyright income of The Voice in a single year in one developed country!"
"So… please… can you talk to Isabella again?"
Being begged felt great, but Barnason's face grew cold.
Everyone in the circle knew he followed Columbus. So when his boss's ally was Isabella, and someone wanted to scam Isabella out of money? That was practically scamming his boss.
Staring ahead at the harmonious film set, he said sternly, "Paul, I only have two things to say to you."
"First. The rights to Resident Evil are in Beaver Productions hands now, not yours. So if you want to take the lead? Fine. Buy the rights. Then you can do whatever you want."
"Second. I'm just the producer of Resident Evil, not the general manager of Beaver Productions. I have no authority to interfere with or even ask about the company's development plans. So if you really want investment, go directly to Beaver Productions. Right now, in Beaver Productions, the person in charge of film is Susie Figgins."
"You should've heard her name."
With that, Barnason hung up.
He tossed the phone to an assistant and stopped caring about the storm outside.
The sudden "beep beep" on the other end left Paul Anderson in pain, going crazy with "Oh no!"
Hearing this, Milla Jovovich quickly asked, "What do we do now?"
"We have several film projects in hand, but only this one is perfect for product placement!"
"If they don't want to do it… there's nothing we can do." Paul Anderson shook his head.
But before he could finish, Milla screamed, "Then what about my company? It's been losing money for two years! Do you know how much it costs?! Design! Runway shows! Buying awards! All of it costs money!"
"Carmen wants to open a showroom in Manhattan this year! Right next to Broadway!"
"Oh! My! God!"
"That single showroom costs over a million!"
"I can't support those expenses!"
"Milla! There's nothing I can do! I can't make that decision!" Paul Anderson snapped back.
It wasn't even him who told her to start a fashion company, so… why was she yelling at him?
His yelling made Milla widen her eyes, "Oh—Paul—I didn't expect you to be this kind of person—"
"Do you remember what you said when you proposed?"
"You said you would love me forever, accept me, protect me!"
"But now?"
"I just asked you to help bump my brand's popularity, and you can't even do that small thing."
"You've really disappointed me!"
Before she even finished talking, Milla spun around and walked off decisively.
Paul Anderson was dumbfounded: "Milla—what do you mean—"
"This is a small matter?"
"Hey! Stop! Explain yourself!"
The argument between the two… outsiders would never know.
And even if someone heard…
People would just treat it like entertainment between a couple.
Because Resident Evil already disappearing from sight was something nobody would bring up.
Beaver Productions didn't mention it because it wasn't important.
Paul Anderson didn't mention it because anyone without self-awareness simply can't survive in this industry.
If they dared to play tricks, they were betting on not getting caught.
But openly confronting Isabella?
Even Bernd Eichinger, chairman of Constantin Film and producer of the first Resident Evil, had already stepped down due to illness.
The little scheming behind Resident Evil did affect Isabella emotionally.
But soon, her displeasure was washed away by a flood of good news.
The first? Preparations for season 3 of The Voice of America had begun.
Which meant she could count money "cool cool" again.
The second? The Voice was performing brilliantly outside North America too.
For example, in the UK, her real home turf? It shattered viewership records.
But that wasn't even the most important part. The important part was that the runner-up of The Voice UK season one was Ellie Goulding.
Yep. The one who sings "Love Me Like You Do."
The winner was Adele Adkins.
Yep. Adele.
When Isabella saw this news, she literally laughed like a pig.
Because when a talent show can choose gods… then that talent show must be divine.
In its current state, The Voice could mint money for her for twenty years.
That'll be an astronomical amount.
But after laughing twice, she went into old-man mode and sighed.
Because her energy was limited, and the partner companies outside North America weren't as easy to deal with as Disney, Isabella didn't have signing rights for the contestants in other markets.
So she couldn't sign Ellie or Adele.
A pity.
But they weren't signed by outsiders either.
Because the moment Vivian chose a local partner last year, Warner would pressure that partner to collaborate.
Yep. Ellie and Adele got signed by Warner. Which was…
"Barry, you owe me a billion."
Upon hearing the news, Isabella immediately called Barry Meyer.
He was totally confused but before he could ask why, she hung up.
"Go figure it out yourself!"
She slammed the phone with villainous satisfaction.
When April arrived, Susie came with two more pieces of good news.
The third: the drama Nashville had found its leads.
The washed-up diva would be played by Idina Menzel, and the rising rookie by Kat Dennings.
The former was a Broadway actor who'd even won a Tony. Since 2000, she'd been trying to break into film and TV… unsuccessfully.
Precisely because she was so "unsuccessful," Susie invited her for Nashville.
But that was Susie's info. In Isabella's memory…
She was Elsa. The voice actress for "Let It Go."
The latter? In Susie's info, she was just some newcomer who showed up in Sex and the City and some other shows.
But in Isabella's memory…
That was Max from 2 Broke Girls.
Since both were well-known, Isabella had no objections to the casting.
The production cost for a single episode was around 1 million USD.
Because the production team…
Was expensive.
Isabella had no objections.
As long as the show was good, she'd throw money. She wasn't worried about distribution.
The fourth good news? The Hannah Montana project could move forward too.
The double-life girl? Elizabeth Olsen.
Yeah. Scarlet Witch.
But when this news dropped…
Isabella froze.
"Isn't she the Olsen twins' little sister? Susie, didn't you say you wanted a rookie?"
"Yes, I did want a rookie. But, Isa, didn't you say if we can use 'our own people' then we should use them first? And Elizabeth Olsen was recommended by one of 'our own'…"
"Oh… who recommended her?"
"Our VP. Chris Sanders."
"Huh???" Isabella was stunned.
Olsen and the Lilo & Stitch director… had connections?
How did she not know this?!
Susie continued, "Elizabeth Olsen has an older sister, Mary Olsen. She had a boyfriend named David Katzenberg, who is Jeffrey Katzenberg's son."
"They met on an ABC set, when the Olsen twins were filming Disney's The Parent Trap."
"They dated for a long time, and only broke up officially last year."
"Since they dated at a Disney set, naturally Jeffrey Katzenberg's people at Disney looked after them. So when they heard we had a project and Chris Sanders was working here, Mary called Chris and pushed her 16-year-old sister over."
"I saw her audition. She's totally fine. Elizabeth studied music. She signed with Boardman back in 1994. She can handle all the singing parts of the role, and maybe even go full singer. As for acting…"
"She's been in acting classes these years."
"So… do you have someone else in mind? If you do, I can go apologize to her now."
"Oh, no. If you say she's fine, then cast her. Uh… can we get the agency contract?"
Isabella didn't object to Susie's casting.
She was just shocked she didn't know that Olsen's sister once dated Katzenberg's son.
When those tangled connections emerged, Isabella couldn't help but sigh.
Hollywood's inbreeding… no matter how you swing the stick, everyone's still one big family.
Well…
It's kinda normal.
Everyone has their own agenda.
With good news piling up, Isabella was in good spirits.
But according to the sacred law of conserved smiles, when someone's happy, someone else must suffer.
Currently, that sufferer was named Kevin Feige.