Chapter Summaries

Irene's premiere of the low-budget family comedy won over critics and audiences with Toula's heartfelt story. After the screening, Irene, Nia Vardalos, and Henry Cavill discussed the film's warmth, acceptance, and creative approach, leaving reporters hopeful it could succeed.

• The audience and initially skeptical critics applauded Toula's story, while Bobby and Tommy cried and praised the film.
• Irene brought Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and the other cast members onto the stage and thanked Nia for trusting her with the story.
• Irene thanked Britney, Edward, Henry, and Keira for attending, and Britney made a heart shape toward the stage.
• Irene told reporters she chose the five-million-dollar family comedy because she wanted its warmth to comfort audiences.
• Nia said she hoped Toula's story would encourage people to accept their families and ordinary lives.
• Henry praised Irene's respect for stories and actors, and the interview ended with reporters approving of the film's prospects.

Irene read measured praise for My Big Fat Greek Wedding despite its weak midnight box office, then turned her attention to developing Million Dollar Baby. She and Shelly identified the film’s emotional core and agreed that finding a convincing lead actress would be their first major challenge.

• Newspapers reported a $780,000 midnight gross for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, while analysts and major publications praised Irene’s growing range and the film’s warmth.
• Irene read the reviews at Echo Pictures and remained focused on her new project rather than the box-office result.
• Irene and Shelly reviewed the Million Dollar Baby script, which followed boxer Maggie and her trainer Frankie through her rise, paralysis, and final plea for help ending her life.
• Irene stressed that the film had to preserve Maggie and Frankie’s struggles and their close bond.
• Shelly said the lead actress would need real boxing skills, and Irene added that she would have to portray Maggie’s emotional journey; they agreed casting was the first major challenge.

Irene asked Shelly and CAA to package her self-financed film Million Dollar Baby and build an Oscar campaign so she could complete it during her only available window. At CAA, Ira recognized the project’s awards potential and asked which actress Irene wanted for the lead.

• Irene told Shelly she would finance Million Dollar Baby herself and wanted CAA to handle the project from start to finish.
• Irene asked Shelly to assemble a professional Oscar campaign team, explaining that she needed to make the film this year before possible Pirates of the Caribbean sequels occupied her schedule.
• Shelly took the script and proposal to CAA headquarters and found Ira Walker reflecting on Nicole Kidman’s recent visit and Oscar disappointment.
• Shelly told Ira that Irene wanted CAA to package Million Dollar Baby, and Ira judged the lead role of Maggie to be a strong awards contender.
• Ira committed CAA’s support to the film and asked Shelly whether Irene had an actress in mind for the lead.

Shelly refused Ira Walker’s attempt to become Irene Coppola’s co-manager, though he sent her the Million Dollar Baby script. Ira passed it to actresses on her roster, and Nicole Kidman weighed the lead role against another awards-friendly project, The Hours.

• Ira Walker offered Shelly help with Irene’s workload, but Shelly recognized that she wanted to join Irene’s management team.
• Shelly explained that Irene preferred to keep control of her career and refused Ira’s offer to assign a co-manager.
• Shelly emailed Ira the Million Dollar Baby script, and Ira forwarded it to suitable actresses seeking awards recognition.
• Nicole Kidman read the script and called Cran Gerrard, excited about playing Maggie.
• Cran Gerrard praised Million Dollar Baby but presented Nicole with The Hours as another potential awards contender.
• Nicole considered the two roles as different paths toward an Oscar.

Nicole Kidman weighed roles in Million Dollar Baby and The Hours, examining The Hours script before discussing the choice with her agent Cran Gerrard. Tom Cruise joined them and urged her to choose The Hours, revealing that he objected to the physical transformation required for the boxer role.

• Nicole asked Cran Gerrard to bring her The Hours script so she could compare it with Million Dollar Baby.
• Nicole read the script and worried that Virginia Woolf had less screen time and a less prominent role than Maggie.
• Cran recommended The Hours, arguing that Maggie was a poor fit for Nicole’s image and that boxing training and weight gain could threaten her health and commercial value.
• Tom Cruise entered, heard Cran’s account of both projects, and immediately recommended The Hours.
• Tom cited Nicole’s recent weight loss and appearance as reasons to avoid Million Dollar Baby, while Nicole and Cran recognized his concern about her glamorous image.

Nicole Kidman reluctantly agreed to pursue The Hours instead of Maggie in Million Dollar Baby, while Irene prepared her own casting and production plans for the film. Irene also learned that My Big Fat Greek Wedding was gaining box-office momentum, strengthening her confidence in her next project.

• Tom and Crane urged Nicole to take the role of Virginia Woolf in The Hours, and Nicole agreed while asking Crane to track who was cast as Maggie in Million Dollar Baby.
• Irene planned an eighty-day shoot for Million Dollar Baby, choosing Edward Nelson for the young boxer and deciding to offer Maggie to Hilary Swank.
• Adelaide Griffin told Irene that My Big Fat Greek Wedding earned $10.71 million in its first week and that weekday ticket sales had risen by 12 percent.
• Nia Vardalos called Irene to celebrate the film’s box-office growth, and Irene credited their shared work and the audience’s response.

Nicole Kidman reluctantly agreed to take the role of Virginia Woolf in The Hours, though she still regretted passing on Maggie in Million Dollar Baby. Irene planned Million Dollar Baby’s production and celebrated My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s unexpectedly strong box-office performance, which strengthened her confidence in the next project.

• Tom and Crane urged Nicole to choose The Hours, and she agreed while asking Crane to watch who was cast as Maggie in Million Dollar Baby.
• Irene set an eighty-day shooting schedule for Million Dollar Baby, chose Edward Nelson for the young boxer, kept Eddie’s casting unchanged, and planned to offer Maggie to Hilary Swank.
• Adelaide Griffin told Irene that My Big Fat Greek Wedding earned $10.71 million in its opening weekend and that weekday box-office numbers rose by 12 percent.
• Nia Vardalos called Irene to celebrate the film’s growing success and thank her for making the movie and helping audiences see it.
• Irene credited the film’s success to their combined efforts and gained confidence to proceed with Million Dollar Baby.

Irene secretly sent Vera to investigate Hasbro’s Transformers film rights while planning to approach Hilary Swank about Million Dollar Baby at the Insomnia premiere. At the premiere, Irene greeted director Christopher Nolan in the backstage lounge before meeting Hilary.

• Irene instructed Vera to use an anonymous intermediary to learn Hasbro’s plans and priorities for adapting Transformers without revealing Irene’s identity or interest.
• Irene noticed Hilary Swank would attend the Insomnia premiere and decided to meet her there through her connection to Al Pacino.
• Irene asked Vera to secure a regular invitation to the premiere, and Vera arranged one for five days later at the Chinese Theatre.
• Irene arrived alone at the premiere, saw Al Pacino and Hilary Swank speaking with reporters, and went into the backstage lounge.
• Irene introduced herself to Christopher Nolan and praised Memento, and Nolan stood to greet her.

Irene met with Christopher Nolan before reconnecting with Al Pacino and pitching Hilary Swank a role in her new boxing film. Hilary was enthusiastic, and Al offered to recommend Robert De Niro for the coach role as they headed to the screening.

• Irene and Nolan praised each other’s films and discussed their filmmaking approaches.
• Irene greeted Al Pacino, who introduced her to Hilary Swank, and Irene offered Hilary the role of Maggie in her upcoming boxing film.
• Hilary responded enthusiastically to the role and said she was moved by Maggie’s determination and growth.
• Irene invited Al to play Maggie’s coach, but Al declined and recommended Robert De Niro instead.
• Al promised to contact De Niro after the screening, and Irene asked Vera to bring two copies of the script.

Irene watched Nolan’s psychologically intense film and encouraged him after its restrained reception, then gave Hilary Swank the Million Dollar Baby script and heard Al Pacino promise to contact Robert De Niro. The next morning, Irene joined Tom Hanks at Fox to learn about and negotiate overseas distribution for My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

• Irene watched Nolan’s film, judged it a niche work with limited commercial appeal, and comforted him after the subdued screening.
• Irene gave Hilary Swank the Million Dollar Baby script, and Al Pacino promised to call Robert De Niro about the project.
• Tom Hanks told Irene that Fox wanted to discuss worldwide overseas distribution for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Irene agreed to attend.
• Irene brought Vera and Shelly to Fox’s headquarters, where Tom’s larger team joined them for the distribution meeting.
• Gil Leonard welcomed Irene and Tom and said Fox wanted to finalize distribution schedules for key markets in Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Irene Coppola and Tom Hanks's team negotiated with Fox over the overseas distribution rights to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Fox raised its offer to $40 million with a $10 million promotional budget, but David Cohen held out for $48 million as the talks ended unresolved.

• Gil Leonard offered $20 million for exclusive overseas distribution rights, prompting David Cohen to demand at least $60 million.
• Irene rejected Fox's offer and cited the overseas success of Serendipity to support the film's earning potential.
• Gil raised Fox's offer to $32 million plus a share of overseas box-office revenue, while David and Tom Hanks pushed for an outright buyout.
• Gil offered $40 million and a guaranteed $10 million promotional budget with priority release dates.
• David demanded $48 million and threatened to negotiate with Warner Bros. and Universal, while Gil worried Fox would lose Irene Coppola to rival studios.

Irene secured a $50 million deal with Fox for exclusive worldwide overseas distribution of her film and arranged for Hilary Swank to discuss playing Maggie in Million Dollar Baby. She declined Fox's offer to fund the film, choosing to produce it independently while leaving the door open to future collaborations.

• Irene negotiated a $50 million overseas distribution deal with Fox in exchange for worldwide rights and her participation in publicity.
• Irene recognized that her 24 percent stake would bring her $12 million from the deal to support Million Dollar Baby and its awards campaign.
• Hilary Swank called Irene after reading the script, and they arranged to meet with Hilary's agent to discuss Maggie.
• Gil Leonard asked about Irene's next project, and she explained that Million Dollar Baby was a serious, low-budget independent film.
• Gil offered Fox's funding and resources for any project Irene wanted to make, but Irene chose to produce Million Dollar Baby independently and hinted that she was aiming for an Oscar nomination.

Gil told Adelaide Griffin that Irene Coppola’s next project was an independent Oscar contender, and Adelaide decided Fox should not interfere. On the drive to the Disney studio lot, Shelly asked Irene whether she would consider other actresses for the lead instead of Hilary Swank, and Irene asked whom CAA wanted to recommend.

• Gil reported that Fox had secured fifty million dollars for overseas distribution rights to My Big Fat Greek Wedding and that Irene’s next film was an Oscar contender.
• Adelaide decided Fox should focus its resources on Pirates of the Caribbean and avoid interfering with Irene’s independent film or its Oscar campaign.
• Gil suggested offering Irene promotional support, but Adelaide explained that commercial involvement could undermine the film’s independent image and Oscar prospects.
• Shelly drove Irene to the Disney studio lot and asked whether she was set on Hilary Swank for the lead role.
• Irene asked Shelly which actress CAA wanted to recommend.

Irene rejected other actresses for Hilary’s role in Million Dollar Baby and met with Hilary to discuss the film. After learning Hilary was working without an agency, Irene recommended Shelly Ovitz and CAA to help her pursue the film and its Oscar ambitions.

• Irene decided to wait on Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams and planned to offer Hilary the role in Million Dollar Baby.
• Shelly told Irene that Disney’s team had completed effects for several key scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Hilary arrived at Irene’s studio with her lawyer Leah, assistant Hope Leslie, and Warner Bros. distribution executive Hope Leslie, who offered to discuss distributing the film.
• Irene discussed Hilary’s fee, schedule, and training plan, then learned Hilary had left ICM and was negotiating without an agency.
• Irene explained that Million Dollar Baby would need professional awards-season support and recommended her agent Shelly Ovitz at CAA.

Irene considered Warner Bros.' offer to distribute Million Dollar Baby and help with its Oscar campaign while introducing Hilary Swank to agent Shelly Ovitz. The chapter ended with Hilary agreeing to sign with CAA, while Irene postponed her decision about Warner Bros.

• Irene recommended Shelly Ovitz to Hilary Swank to help manage her career and find roles.
• Hope Leslie proposed that Warner Bros. distribute Million Dollar Baby and support its Oscar campaign, revealing that he believed Irene was targeting the 75th Oscars.
• Irene weighed Warner Bros.' experience against the need to negotiate carefully and told Hope she would consider the offer for a few days.
• Shelly met Hilary and discussed representing her, while Hope left Irene his card and gave her time to decide.
• Hilary agreed to sign with CAA, and Shelly said he would handle her representation and her contract for Million Dollar Baby.

Irene met Robert De Niro at his private club to discuss his interest in playing Frankie in Million Dollar Baby, with Hilary Swank joining them to discuss Maggie. De Niro agreed to help Hilary with boxing and began developing the characters with Irene and Hilary.

• Irene promised Hilary fair pay and professional boxing training for her role as Maggie.
• Shelly told Irene that Robert De Niro had read the script and wanted to meet about playing the male lead.
• Irene, Shelly, and Hilary visited De Niro's private club and learned that Irene's father, Francis, was one of its founders.
• De Niro welcomed the group, praised Hilary's acting, and offered to help her improve her boxing moves.
• Irene, Hilary, and De Niro discussed their characters and shared ideas about the roles.

Irene rushed to New York after Mark Zuckerberg announced that he had built a social platform based on her ideas. She praised TheBook’s early success and suggested changes, leaving Mark with a plan for improving its features.

• Mark Zuckerberg called Irene and invited her to see the social platform he had developed.
• Irene arranged flights to New York for herself and Chen Shiyu, then brought her notes from her earlier discussion with Mark.
• Irene and Chen arrived at Mark’s Brooklyn studio, where he demonstrated TheBook and said it had more than ten thousand users at several schools.
• Irene praised the platform and suggested prioritizing popular posts, adding interest groups, expanding profile filters, and improving search.

Irene and Chen Shiyu proposed product and marketing improvements that convinced Mark to appoint Chen as a communications consultant. Irene offered to invest five million dollars in THEBOOK, but Mark insisted that she deserved the majority stake because the platform’s core ideas came from her.

• Irene outlined improvements to THEBOOK, and Mark asked his assistant to record her suggestions.
• Chen Shiyu praised THEBOOK’s communities and activity wall, then proposed entertainment tags, richer sharing tools, a celebrity section, and campus marketing challenges.
• Mark hired Chen Shiyu as a communications consultant after Irene approved.
• Irene told Mark he needed to establish a company and offered five million dollars for a 25 percent stake.
• Mark refused Irene’s proposed share, arguing that her ideas, funding, and connections entitled her to the majority while he would accept 25 percent.

Irene proposed a share distribution for TheBook, renamed it Facebook, and set out plans for its launch and promotion. Mark and Chen Shiyu agreed to their roles, while Irene hinted that her own involvement would be part of the platform’s first major promotion.

• Irene proposed investing five million dollars and taking 51 percent of the company, while allocating 6 percent to Chen Shiyu, 40 percent to Mark and his technical team, and 3 percent for future employee rewards.
• Mark accepted the proposed arrangement and promised to work to make TheBook a success.
• Irene proposed renaming TheBook Facebook and told Mark and Chen Shiyu they needed to settle two urgent matters before asking where they could get food.
• Chen Shiyu suggested using Facebook to promote Million Dollar Baby, and Irene agreed before assigning him company registration, team-building, and core feature development.
• Irene told Chen Shiyu that Facebook’s first major promotion would involve her, then Mark led Irene and Chen Shiyu to the Brooklyn Night Eatery for dinner.

After finalizing her investment partnership with Mark and Chen Shiyu, Irene returned to Los Angeles and began organizing an ALS charity event with Britney. The chapter left her team screening young patients and suitable hospitals so Irene could finalize the event.

• Irene, Mark, and Chen Shiyu signed the revised investment letter of intent in New York, and Irene flew back to Los Angeles while the others stayed to handle company arrangements.
• Irene asked Vera to research ALS hospitals and charitable organizations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including patient and contact information.
• Irene asked Shelly about Britney’s schedule and proposed a charity event where Britney would visit a fan with ALS and encourage donations.
• Irene explained that the event could support ALS patients, improve Britney’s public image, and promote the launch of Facebook and an upcoming movie.
• Vera sent Irene a report on five hospitals, and Irene forwarded it to Shelly with instructions to select three to five willing young patients for the event.