The FedEx cargo truck drove out of New York, entered New Jersey, and gradually arrived at Chatham, a town only twenty-odd miles from New York. This small town is one of the famous livable towns near New York, and many successful people choose to buy homes and reside here.
When the cargo truck turned into the main street of Chatham, it immediately attracted the attention of many people on the roadside.
Although FedEx trucks are common, it's rare to see one followed by over a dozen media interview vehicles, and even a live television broadcast truck.
A live broadcast truck from NBC's entertainment channel followed directly from New York.
Universal Pictures had prepared very thoroughly. When Matthew and the crew sent out such a special delivery, they immediately contacted NBC, which belongs to the same group platform.
This is also why the Hollywood Big Six can become the Big Six. They not only have extensive distribution channels, but are also part of large media groups, possessing a complete industrial chain system from production to promotion to merchandise and so on.
The long convoy, under the gaze of countless people, passed through the main street of Chatham and reached the western edge of the town, then stopped in front of a small villa. The driver first got out to the back of the truck, and the staff member in the passenger seat also exited, walked to the villa's front door, and rang the doorbell.
The media interview vehicles following the truck also parked around, and reporters with cameras or video cameras quickly found suitable spots, aiming their lenses at the gate.
Other reporters holding microphones were also poised, seemingly ready to rush forward at any moment.
However, these individuals chose their positions very well, all near the brick walls on either side of the wrought iron gate, making them mostly invisible from inside.
Even if it's an act, it has to be a complete one.
The live broadcast truck also began its work, transmitting the live signal to the television station.
Everything was ready, just waiting for the protagonist to appear.
For such a carefully prepared grand show, the protagonist certainly couldn't be absent from home.
After the doorbell rang, a middle-aged white man emerged from behind the wrought iron gate. He walked over and asked loudly, "Can I help you?"
The delivery person immediately said politely, "I'm a FedEx employee..." FedEx took on this peculiar business with the idea of using the event for free advertising. The delivery person then asked, "Are you Mr. Rex Reed?"
"That's me." Rex Reed came to the wrought iron gate. "My delivery?"
The delivery person handed a delivery slip through the gap in the wrought iron gate. "A package from Los Angeles."
Rex Reed glanced at it, pulled open the wrought iron gate, and stepped out. He then saw the media reporters on both sides, and flashlights immediately lit up. He paused slightly, then returned to normal—wasn't this the effect he wanted?
With three hundred thousand dollars to gain and appearing in numerous media outlets, his fame was bound to grow!
For a critic known for his sharp and harsh words, those comments and the aftermath were irrelevant. A critic's most important asset is fame!
Take Roger Ebert, for example, considered the best film critic in North America. Was it because of his unique reviews and insights? It was simply because he made a name for himself back then! As long as his own fame was sufficient, not to mention surpassing Roger Ebert, becoming one of the top film critics in North America would certainly be no problem.
Even if he really had to kiss a donkey's ass later, for a renowned critic, it would still be a good story.
He knew what cargo FedEx was delivering, and he knew a large number of reporters were following, yet he still walked out without a care.
The back door of the FedEx cargo truck was pulled open by the driver, and a loud braying sound instantly came from inside... The reporters' lenses immediately focused on that area. A gray donkey was pulled out of the truck by the driver and led to Rex Reed's side.
Under the witness of over a dozen reporters and a considerable number of cameras, Rex Reed signed for this special gift,
and took the donkey's reins from the driver. The donkey was probably carefully chosen, as it didn't throw a stubborn tantrum and appeared quite docile.
"Look this way!" a reporter called out.
Rex Reed was very cooperative, standing on the roadside with the donkey, using the FedEx cargo truck as a backdrop, allowing reporters to take photos. He even readily agreed when a reporter wanted to photograph the delivery receipt in his hand.
He knew very well that with NBCUniversal as a promotional platform, these images would soon fly to every corner of North America.
"Hey, Rex!" A reporter with an NBC badge, accompanied by a camera, walked over. "Can I ask a few questions?"
"Of course!" Rex Reed considered himself to be very professional. Since he had taken the money, he certainly had to deliver. "Ask away."
"Who mailed this donkey?" the reporter asked.
Rex Reed picked up the FedEx delivery slip, displayed it to the camera, and said, "The sender's name written on it is Matthew Horner."
The reporter continued, "Matthew Horner mailing a donkey to you, do you think it's a response to your previous comments disparaging him and 'The Scorpion King'?"
"Probably." Rex Reed turned and patted the donkey's head. "You'll have to ask him for the specifics."
The reporter looked at the donkey and then asked, "If 'The Scorpion King's' North American box office exceeds ten million dollars, will you really kiss a donkey's butt?"
"I'll correct one thing: it's the North American opening weekend box office!" Rex Reed said very seriously and earnestly, "I'm a person who values my word. If 'The Scorpion King's' North American opening weekend box office exceeds ten million dollars, I will, in public..."
He gently stroked the donkey's head again, "...publicly kiss this donkey's butt! If 'The Scorpion King's' North American opening weekend box office does not exceed ten million dollars, I will return this donkey to Matthew Horner, and let him publicly kiss the donkey's butt!"
The surrounding reporters all surged forward, each recording Rex Reed's words in their own way.
The latter part of his statement was not pre-planned, but rather Rex Reed's improvisation. Facing so many cameras, he felt very good about himself and naturally wanted to create a bigger topic to remain the focus of media reports.
What critics need most is fame, and fame also means huge commercial value. Who can imagine a top critic being an obscure figure?
Rex Reed continued, "Help me send a message to Matthew Horner, tell him what I just said!" He led the donkey into the yard, saying at the same time, "Remember to tell me the outcome."
The reporters were all excited. This donkey incident had already been brewing for some time, and now Rex Reed had made such a statement. They wouldn't have to worry about a lack of attention-grabbing news to write about next.
Entering the yard, Rex Reed closed the iron gate. He believed Matthew Horner would definitely respond. Even if he wasn't smart enough to understand how to hype things up, "The Scorpion King" crew would make him respond to his words.
Perhaps after this, he could ask the newspaper for a brand new price for his film review column?
Rex Reed entered the backyard, and professional staff waiting there immediately took over the donkey. At least until this weekend, the donkey would receive very good care.
In Los Angeles, in the Universal Studios office area, Sean Daniel was busy dealing with various tasks related to "The Scorpion King." Now that the film's premiere was over, starting from the Thursday evening preview, "The Scorpion King" would be widely released in North America. Currently, various complex matters were concentrated on his desk.
He had just finished processing a document for additional copies when the office door was pushed open from outside, and his assistant strode in.
"Boss!" The assistant placed a document on his desk and said, "Universal Pictures' survey of premiere audiences from last night is out."
Sean Daniel was looking at another document, without lifting his head. "You can just tell me directly."
The assistant didn't waste words and said directly, "Universal Pictures' marketing research department distributed a hundred questionnaires to general audiences last night and collected eighty-five. The average score from these eighty-five audience members for the premiere was A-...".
"A-..." Sean Daniel frowned slightly. This was the third tier of audience ratings, with A+ and A above it. He waved his hand. "Continue."
"In the questionnaire, the audience's dissatisfaction with the film mainly focused on the plot, with the vast majority believing the plot was thin and not closely related to 'The Mummy' series." The assistant looked at Sean Daniel, and seeing no intention for him to speak, continued, "The most satisfying parts for the audience were the male and female leads and the action design, especially the male lead!"
Sean Daniel nodded slightly. He had presided over the post-production editing of "The Scorpion King" and naturally knew that the film had maximized Matthew Horner's strengths: his handsome face, tall stature, muscular physique, and cool action design... The assistant then added, "In the questionnaire's survey of the audience's favorite parts, fifty-two out of eighty-five audience members chose the male lead, Mathayus."
This meant that over sixty percent of the audience considered Matthew Horner to be the film's biggest highlight! Sean Daniel had no difficulty drawing this conclusion.
He put down his current work, picked up that document and flipped through it, then said to his assistant, "Forward this questionnaire to both Universal Pictures' production department and publicity department, and also convey my opinion that later promotional resources should appropriately lean towards Matthew Horner and the male lead Mathayus."
On Wednesday afternoon, Matthew also received Universal Pictures' premiere audience survey data through Helen Herman, and gradually felt more confident. Even if the film's box office didn't meet expectations, the blow to him wouldn't be fatal.
That evening, he appeared before reporters for an interview as notified by Universal Pictures.