Chapter Summaries

Irene attended a screening of Anne Hathaway’s film and praised her performance before traveling to Wallilabou Bay to begin filming Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The first take of the Port Royal raid revealed adjustments the cast and crew needed to make.

• Irene watched the audience applaud Anne Hathaway’s performance and told Anne she had made Mia’s growth feel real.
• Irene and her team arrived at Wallilabou Bay to film the Black Pearl’s raid on Port Royal.
• Johnny Depp, Henry Cavill, and Kate performed the scene in which pirates attacked the harbor, Elizabeth’s Aztec Gold Coin was discovered, and she was taken aboard the Black Pearl.
• Irene called for another take and asked Kate to resist more clearly and Henry to charge the pirates with greater desperation.
• Johnny Depp suggested that Jack kick a crate aside as he came ashore, and Irene agreed to try it.

Irene directed the Pirates of the Caribbean shoot at Wallilabou Bay, where the opening scenes went smoothly before bad weather and production mishaps disrupted filming. The chapter ended with the Black Pearl veering off course after its towing speedboat broke down.

• Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Henry Cavill completed their scenes as Irene praised their performances and prepared the next shot aboard the Black Pearl.
• Irene halted filming when strong winds and rain made the ship and dock unsafe, and Henry Cavill slipped into a crate but escaped injury.
• Irene and assistant director Jack repeatedly reorganized the extras after their crowded raid scene fell into chaos, while Vivian handed out ginger soup.
• Irene asked Vera to have Chen Shiyu find a way to get more ginger from China for the rainy shoot.
• Jack finally got the extras' blocking in order, and they completed the raid shot.
• The speedboat towing the Black Pearl broke down during a harbor wide shot, leaving the ship spinning off course.

Irene's crew struggled through delays while filming at Wallilabou Bay, then learned a typhoon was approaching. She canceled outdoor shoots and reorganized the next three days around indoor scenes and securing the equipment.

• A malfunction delayed filming, and Keira Knightley's costume tore, so the crew finished only three of their five planned scenes.
• Irene urged the departments to prepare for an efficient shoot the next day, and the crew arrived early under clear skies.
• Dark clouds gathered, and Irene moved the crew and equipment indoors as heavy rain began.
• Vera told Irene that a typhoon might hit that evening, so Irene called an emergency meeting to revise the schedule.
• Irene assigned the crew to secure the dock and boats, prepare indoor sets, and focus on the main cast's indoor scenes and close-ups for three days.
• The department heads and crew began securing the dock, testing indoor equipment, and studying the upcoming scenes.

Irene worried that her actions might put her loved ones in danger as September 11 approached, so she invited her family and friends to stay near the film set in Wallilabou Bay. She felt relieved when they agreed to come and told her crew she would introduce them soon.

• Irene asked Vera to arrange trips to Wallilabou Bay for her parents, Nicholas, and Britney, giving each a reason to accept.
• Irene called Sophia, learned she would remain in Japan until the end of the year, and felt reassured that she was far from danger.
• Irene's parents, Nicholas, and Britney agreed to visit Wallilabou Bay, with Britney arriving two days later than the others.
• Irene took Johnny Depp, Henry Cavill, Keira Knightley, and several crew members to dinner and told them her family and friends would soon visit.

Irene’s cast welcomed news that her family and friends were coming to visit, and Henry Cavill, Keira Knightley, and Johnny Depp looked forward to meeting them. Two days later, Irene’s parents, Nicolas Cage, and Britney arrived at Wallilabou Bay, where Irene brought them to the set and resumed directing.

• Henry Cavill eagerly anticipated meeting Francis Coppola, while Keira Knightley was excited to meet Britney.
• Johnny Depp recalled his friendship with Nicolas Cage and looked forward to seeing him again; Irene offered to arrange a cameo for Nicolas.
• Irene and Edward welcomed Francis, Eleanor, Nicolas, and Britney when they arrived at the hotel near the set.
• Francis and Eleanor asked to watch Irene film before resting, while Britney explored the set and photographed the Black Pearl.
• Irene led her family to the set and directed the crew as they filmed Captain Jack and his crew conspiring on deck.

Irene’s parents watched her direct Pirates of the Caribbean and praised her growing skill before meeting the cast and crew at a lively fan gathering. At a seaside bonfire, Chen Shiyu described China’s promising film market, and Irene decided to seriously consider releasing her films there and pursuing future shoots in China.

• Francis and Eleanor watched Irene direct and reassured her that she could handle the film.
• Irene introduced Francis, Eleanor, Nicholas, and Britney to the crew, where Henry Cavill praised Francis, Keira Knightley met Britney, and Depp reunited with Nicholas.
• Chen Shiyu and the crew organized a seaside bonfire, where Irene enjoyed Chinese snacks from her childhood.
• Vera and Chen Shiyu told Irene about China’s development and growing film industry, and Chen suggested releasing films there or filming there.
• Irene said she would consider releasing Pirates of the Caribbean in China and resolved not to overlook the Chinese market for her next film.

At the beach gathering, Britney confided to Irene that her company wanted her to repeat her sweet-girl image, while she wanted to explore funk and R&B. Irene encouraged her to take the risk and offered to help refine her demos, and Britney decided to pursue her new direction.

• Irene left the bonfire to walk along the beach and found Britney sitting alone by the rocks.
• Britney told Irene that she wanted to make a more mature funk and R&B album, despite her company’s concerns about changing her successful image.
• Irene encouraged Britney to grow beyond her established image and suggested blending familiar songs with new sounds during the transition.
• Irene offered to review Britney’s demos and advise her on combining the styles once work eased up the following week.
• Britney decided to make the album her way and agreed to work on the demos with Irene.

Irene’s crew enjoyed the unexpected friendship between Britney and Nicholas until news arrived of the September 11 attacks. After confirming the report, Irene stopped filming and gave the crew ten days off.

• Britney and Nicholas spent their breaks together, sharing ideas about music and movies, while Edward worried that Britney was neglecting him.
• Irene reassured Edward that Britney and Nicholas were only friends and that Britney was seeking inspiration for her album.
• On September 11, 2001, Jerry Bruckheimer rushed onto the set and told Irene that terrorists had attacked the World Trade Center in New York.
• Irene received confirmation from Adelaide Griffin, then informed the shocked crew that the attack was real.
• Irene suspended filming and gave the entire crew ten days off.

After terrorist attacks struck the United States, Irene arranged time off and travel home for crew members while reassuring those who could not reach their families. During the break, Nicholas praised her foresight in bringing everyone to the island, and Irene concealed her secret by claiming she had only wanted the crew to relax.

• Irene gave the crew ten days off, arranged satellite phone and internet access, and organized travel for those returning to the United States.
• Henry struggled to contact his relatives, while Depp and Irene tried to comfort him; Britney told Irene that her company was safe despite the chaos in New York.
• Eleanor, Nicholas, and Britney checked on Irene, and she said the crew would stay on the island or travel home as needed.
• Many crew members left for the United States, while Irene stayed on the island with her family and heard tourists discussing the attacks.
• Nicholas invited Irene to go deep-sea fishing and praised her for bringing everyone to the island before the attacks.
• Irene panicked at Nicholas's words and told him she had only wanted everyone to unwind, not foreseen the terrorist attack.

Irene joined Britney in her hotel suite to discuss songs that could guide Britney toward a more mature musical style. After Britney played her new ideas, Irene proposed starting with two transitional songs, though she still struggled to figure out how to shape the music without revealing her unusual knowledge.

• Irene and Nicholas fished peacefully at the pier while Irene worried that her secret might be exposed.
• Britney found them and asked Irene to come discuss her new musical ideas.
• Irene returned with Britney to her suite, where Britney showed her scattered sheet music and played a melody on the keyboard.
• Irene considered songs that could help Britney build a more mature image and connect with the American public after the September 11 Attacks.
• Irene suggested that Britney begin with two transitional songs, and Britney listened as the discussion began.

Irene helped Britney develop two songs for her rebranding, then proposed an uplifting anthem to encourage people after the September 11 Attacks. Britney embraced all three ideas and began shaping the songs, which still needed professional arrangement in Los Angeles.

• Irene hummed a breezy melody and suggested lyrics about a girl's many sides, and Britney developed the first song with her.
• Irene introduced a faster, empowering melody, and Britney built a second song around a girl's strength and radiance.
• Irene suggested that people needed an inspiring song after the September 11 Attacks and hummed a melody about rising above hardship.
• Britney agreed to write the anthem, and she and Irene drafted lyrics about courage, rebirth, and finding strength.
• Britney began arranging the three songs, while Irene anticipated their further development with professional producers in Los Angeles.

Eleanor and Britney completed demos of three songs before Britney left for Los Angeles, while Eleanor arranged donations for the September 11 victims and their families. After U.S. security measures halted filming, Eleanor and the crew returned to Los Angeles, where the airport reflected the country’s grief and heightened security.

• Eleanor and Britney finished rough drafts of three songs, including “Roar,” and Britney left Wallilabou Bay with the demos to record them in Los Angeles.
• After hearing the White House announce a war on terror, Eleanor told Shelly to coordinate transparent donations of money and survival supplies with Chen Shiyu and the Red Cross.
• Eleanor’s parents began missing home, and the U.S. government’s security restrictions extended the crew’s break and suspended location shoots.
• Jerry told Eleanor the crew had to return to Los Angeles until filming could resume, so she arranged their departure from Wallilabou Bay.
• Eleanor and the crew landed at Los Angeles International Airport and encountered armed guards, extensive inspections, memorial broadcasts, and few Asian faces.

Irene learned that Adelaide Griffin had become Fox’s new CEO after Beard resigned over his wife’s racist outburst following the September 11 attacks. She congratulated Adelaide by phone, and he promised to take her to dinner.

• Shelly told Irene that Britney’s company planned to release “Roar” as a single the following week, and Britney texted Irene to credit her for the opportunity.
• Shelly told Irene that Adelaide Griffin had taken over as Fox’s CEO after Beard resigned.
• Shelly explained that Beard’s wife had racially insulted a Black police officer after the September 11 attacks, provoking protests and threats to boycott Fox.
• Irene returned to her room and called Adelaide to congratulate him on his promotion.
• Adelaide thanked Irene for working with him and promised to take her to dinner.

Irene secured Fox's interest in distributing My Big Fat Greek Wedding while Adelaide confirmed that the Pirates of the Caribbean production break would not derail filming. At Fox, Adelaide investigated internal criticism and weighed whether the company should donate to September 11 victims, worried the gesture might be seen as publicity.

• Adelaide asked Irene whether the extended crew break would disrupt Pirates of the Caribbean, and she said the sets, equipment, and actors' schedules were under control.
• Irene pitched My Big Fat Greek Wedding to Adelaide, who agreed to have Fox evaluate the script and proposal for distribution.
• Adelaide sent Irene's materials to Fox's marketing head and requested a preliminary assessment by the end of the day.
• Fox employees criticized Beard's wife for her racist remarks after September 11 and praised Adelaide as his replacement.
• Adelaide's assistant reported that Irene's Echo Pictures had donated to September 11 victims, and Adelaide hesitated to recommend a Fox donation because it might appear exploitative.

Adelaide convened Fox’s department heads to manage the backlash over Mrs. Beard and protect the company’s projects. The team agreed on public-relations and charity measures and planned to shift its slate toward uplifting films.

• Adelaide told his assistant that Fox should stabilize its projects and considered My Big Fat Greek Wedding a way to spread positivity.
• At a meeting with department heads, Adelaide reviewed the planned restart of Pirates of the Caribbean and requested an evaluation of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
• Adelaide approved a brief statement distancing Fox from Mrs. Beard’s personal actions and assigned Mark to coordinate charity screenings with theater chains.
• Lena proposed partnering with the NAACP, involving Black performers in public-service talks and videos, and creating an online disaster-relief resource section.
• Tom proposed postponing a war film and developing more uplifting and diverse projects, and Adelaide asked him to present adjustments the next day.
• Adelaide assigned departments to carry out the company’s response, and the department heads agreed to work together.

Irene secured Fox’s favorable distribution deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding and finalized a spring release plan with Tom Cruise and Nia Vardalos. At home, she realized 2001 lacked effective online promotion and remembered that Facebook had not yet launched.

• Adelaide told Irene that Fox’s preliminary assessment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding was highly positive.
• Irene told Tom Cruise and Nia Vardalos that Fox had offered a 12% distribution fee, and they planned a spring release and promotional campaign.
• Irene, Tom, and Nia signed Fox’s contract, which confirmed a spring release, at least 2,000 screens, and charity campaign tie-ins.
• Irene listened to Britney’s demo at home and thought about the limits of music and film promotion in 2001.
• Irene remembered Facebook and realized it would not launch until 2004, with an early version appearing in 2003.

Irene Coppola pitched Mark Zuckerberg on an interactive social platform that could grow from a campus network into a worldwide venue for sharing and communication. Mark eagerly took notes and planned to develop the idea, while Britney told Irene that “Roar” would be released in two days.

• Irene called Mark Zuckerberg and described an online platform where people could share their lives, communicate, and promote music and films.
• Mark recognized the platform’s potential and said he had already considered social networking, though he had not settled on a direction.
• Irene suggested Mark begin with classmates and expand to other colleges and eventually the world, and offered to become his first partner and invest.
• Mark thanked Irene, wrote down her ideas, and said he would organize his thoughts and contact her with an initial plan.
• Irene texted Britney, who replied that “Roar” was recorded and would be released in two days.

Britney’s new song “Roar” spread across Los Angeles and the country, giving people shaken by the 911 Attacks a sense of courage and unity. After the song topped radio request charts, Irene agreed to an interview with Rolling Stone and arranged free Echo Pictures movies for victims’ families and rescue workers for a year.

• Jon heard “Roar” in traffic and found that its energy eased his anxiety about the 911 Attacks.
• Lily, whose firefighter brother had died in the Twin Towers, was moved by the song, while customers and college students praised its message of strength.
• Listeners called the radio station to describe how “Roar” helped them feel less alone, and the song topped request charts nationwide.
• Irene received Shelly’s news that Rolling Stone wanted to interview her and Britney about “Roar.”
• Irene agreed to the interview on the condition that families of victims and rescue workers could watch Echo Pictures movies for free for a year.
• Britney supported Irene’s offer and said helping the families mattered more than publicity.

Irene and Britney discussed “Roar” and Irene’s free movie tickets for September 11 victims’ families in a Rolling Stone interview, which publicized Echo Pictures’ registration details. The offer drew grateful families and divided Hollywood studios over whether it was compassion or publicity, and whether larger companies could afford to follow suit.

• Britney credited Irene with encouraging her to reinvent herself, and she and Irene explained that “Roar” grew from their feelings about the September 11 Attacks.
• Irene defended the free-ticket offer, saying she trusted people not to abuse it, and asked Mark Cohen to print Echo Pictures’ address and registration phone number.
• A week later, Rolling Stone featured Irene and Britney on its cover and prominently printed the offer; the magazine sold out, and families began registering with Echo Pictures.
• Warner Bros. executives dismissed Irene’s offer as a publicity stunt and decided to focus on postproduction for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
• Michael Eisner praised Echo Pictures’ move at Disney, but the finance director argued that Disney’s larger slate and audience made a similar offer too costly and risky.

Irene returned to Wallilabou Bay to film a cameo scene for Nicolas Cage alongside Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. The scene played smoothly on set, while other studios discussed how to imitate Echo Pictures’ charitable promotion.

• Michael Eisner decided Disney would donate five million dollars to disaster recovery efforts and have the Monsters, Inc. team record a public service announcement.
• Sherry Lansing chose to wait and watch Echo Pictures before changing Paramount’s strategy, while Ron Meyer approved a Universal plan for lower-cost charity promotions.
• Irene brought Nicolas Cage to Wallilabou Bay to play a Royal Navy soldier guarding Captain Jack Sparrow.
• Nicolas initially wanted to play a pirate, but Irene convinced him to accept the soldier role because it would let him confront Jack.
• Nicolas and Johnny filmed their cage-side exchange, and the crew watched as their performances flowed naturally together.