While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

Anne Hathaway stayed with Cao Kun for a few days before leaving again.

Actors are not just busy acting.

To maintain one's status within the industry, expertise in fields such as business and fashion is also essential.

Moreover, that's where the real money is made.

Hollywood, the newly established "Marvel-Cao" joint studio.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat heavy.

Avi held a list in his hand and was enthusiastically recommending the lead actor for "Iron Man" to Cao Kun.

"Cao, although the script is still being improved, we must finalize the casting of the lead actor, Tony Stark, as soon as possible."

This is our current shortlist, with Tom Cruz at number one.

His box office appeal is undeniable.

"If he can act in it, even if the movie is a complete mess, I guarantee we'll break even."

Perlmutter, standing next to him, nodded in agreement: "That's right. Although his salary is very high, possibly $2000 million plus bonuses, he's worth it."

Besides him, Nicolas Cage is also a good choice. With his current popularity, he can definitely compete with Tom.

As an Oscar-winning actor, his acting skills are beyond question.

Cao Kun sat in the main seat, fiddling with a pen in his hand, without looking at the list.

After Avi finished speaking, Cao Kun said calmly, "Tom Crouss is not suitable."

Avi was taken aback: "Why? He's a superstar."

Cao Kun: "Precisely because he is a superstar. His personal style is so strong that when the audience sees him, they will only think that it is Tom Cruz wearing iron skin, not Tony Stark."

Moreover, what I want is a playboy with self-destructive tendencies, decadence, yet genius.

Tom... is so handsome.

Also, don't forget, he doesn't take on these comic book superhero roles.

Avi frowned: "What about Nicholas?"

Cao Kun shook his head: "That won't work either. Don't forget, the reason Disney didn't make 'National Treasure 2' was because they couldn't agree on his salary."

He wants too much.

I have a more suitable candidate.

"Who?" Avi and Permat looked up at the same time.

Cao Kun uttered a name: "Robert Downey Jr."

"What?!"

Permat jumped up from his chair, his stingy expression now filled with shock and anger.

"That drug addict? That guy who just got out of prison a few years ago? Are you kidding me?"

Avi shook his head repeatedly, his expression serious: "Cao, I know you may have your own ideas, but this is absolutely unacceptable."

Do you know his reputation in Hollywood?

He's box office poison, a ticking time bomb.

No insurance company is willing to cover him! If he relapses during filming or gets arrested, our movie will be ruined!

That's an investment of over 100 million US dollars!

Marvel may be down on its luck now, but it hasn't gone crazy yet.

Casting such a disgraced actor in the lead role of Marvel's first major revival film is practically suicide.

Cao Kun remained calm and waited for them to finish venting before slowly saying, "I know about his past."

But it is precisely because of his past that he is a perfect fit for the role of Tony Stark.

The same genius, the same early fame, the same fall into the abyss, the same search for redemption.

He doesn't need to act; he just stands there, and he is Tony Stark.

"But there are risks..." Permat wanted to say something more.

Cao Kun's eyes turned cold as he interrupted him: "I'll take the risk."

Don't forget, I am the largest investor and also the copyright holder.

In this movie, I have all the power to decide.

The conference room was deathly silent.

That's the power of money.

Avi and Permat exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

The agreement they signed did indeed stipulate that Cao Kun had veto power and the final decision-making power.

"Alright." Avi sighed, looking as if he had aged several years in an instant. "You're the boss, you call the shots."

But what about the insurance company...?

Cao Kun: "If the insurance company won't cover it, I will."

If he causes problems and the film is canceled, I will bear all the losses.

Having said all that, the two naturally had nothing more to say.

Perlmutter even secretly thought to himself: "If this movie really flops, it's this Asian guy's money he'll lose anyway, and Marvel can just get the rights back."

"Contact him." Cao Kun stood up. "No, since I chose him, I'll contact him myself."

……

A high-end oceanfront restaurant in Malibu.

Robert Downey Jr. was having lunch with his girlfriend Susan when he received the call from Zoe Cho.

Donnie was very excited when he heard that Cao Kun wanted to meet him.

Although he has slowly made a comeback in recent years, taking on roles in films like "The Thief, the Beauty and the Detective," he is in pretty good shape.

But he knew that in the eyes of the major tech companies, he was still a marginal figure.

Cao Kun holds special significance for him.

The magical Eastern Celestial Master not only helped him get rid of the bad luck, but also gave him two mysterious proverbs.

"Red" and "mecha".

In the past two years, he has been pondering these two words and even deliberately wears more red clothes in his life, but his career has not seen an explosive improvement.

Half an hour later.

As Cao Kun entered the restaurant, Donnie and Susan immediately stood up.

"Master Cao, it's been a long time."

Donnie extended his hand warmly, his face bearing his signature, slightly roguish smile, but his eyes revealed genuine reverence.

Susan also respectfully said, "Master Cao, it's been a long time."

Cao Kun smiled and shook hands with the two men: "Sit down, don't be so formal. Donnie, you've been doing well lately?"

Donnie shrugged and said self-deprecatingly, "It's alright, at least I didn't go back to jail or touch those damn pills again."

I'm a model husband now; I practice Wing Chun and drink Chinese medicine every day.

Cao Kun nodded: "It seems your luck-changing ritual is still working."

The reason I've called you here today is to fulfill what I promised you.

Donnie was taken aback, then his heart raced: "You mean...?"

Cao Kun looked into his eyes and slowly said, "Do you remember those two words I told you?"

"Of course!" Donnie blurted out. "Red, mecha! I've been dreaming about those two words for years."

Cao Kun leaned back slightly and smiled, "Now, the opportunity has arrived."

I have a project I'd like to invite you to play the male lead.

"What?" Donnie and Susan were both taken aback.

They thought Cao Kun had come to tell them about the specific projects.

But unexpectedly, it turned out to be Cao Kun's own project.

Donnie: "Master Cao, wait a minute, you said it's your own project?"

Cao Kun smiled and said, "That's right, it's my own project."

Donnie and Susan exchanged a glance, both somewhat bewildered.

After a while, Susan asked, "What movie is it?"

Cao Kun uttered two words: "Iron-Man".