Chapter Summaries

Mel Gibson blamed Irene Coppola for exposing his smear campaign and ordered his producers to interfere with her next project. Meanwhile, Britney prepared to film an ALS charity challenge at Irene’s home.

• Mel Gibson berated two Fox producers after a report exposed their effort to spread rumors about Irene Coppola.
• Mel Gibson ordered the producers to reassure Fox and leave Irene alone for the moment, while privately vowing to retaliate after Pirates of the Caribbean failed.
• Mel Gibson told the producers to try buying off actors to disrupt Irene’s upcoming production.
• On July 31, Britney prepared to film an ALS charity video in Irene’s garden as cameraman Jack adjusted the camera and Bella waited with a towel.

Irene and Shelly organized Britney’s Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness and funds for ALS, coordinating a publicity campaign with Chen Shiyu’s team. Britney’s video went viral, driving a surge in Facebook registrations and drawing interest from celebrities, athletes, and business figures.

• Shelly explained the media plan for Britney’s challenge, including online promotion and a Good Morning America appearance the next morning.
• Britney chose Irene, Madonna Ciccone, and Paris Hilton as her nominees and poured a bucket of ice water over herself on camera.
• Shelly uploaded the video to Britney’s and the ALS Charity Foundation’s Facebook accounts, tagging the nominees as Chen Shiyu’s team and Irene’s public relations team spread it online.
• The video rapidly gained views, shares, and comments, while Facebook registrations surged past fifty thousand and strained the servers.
• Irene showed Britney a New York Knicks star’s comment accepting the challenge and tagging a teammate, and Britney celebrated the growing attention to ALS.

The Ice Bucket Challenge gained widespread attention, drove Facebook registrations sharply upward, and attracted Madonna’s participation. Britney discussed the challenge’s origins on Good Morning America, where Irene made a surprise entrance as Diane asked whether Britney’s friends would join.

• Chen Shiyu’s team promoted the challenge as media coverage and corporate partnership offers poured in.
• Shelly reported that Facebook registrations had passed one hundred thousand and Madonna had agreed to take the challenge with music-industry friends.
• Britney appeared on Good Morning America and explained how meeting fans with ALS inspired the challenge.
• Diane announced that Britney’s video had exceeded a million views and two hundred thousand shares, while Facebook gained another one hundred and fifty thousand registrations.
• As Diane asked whether Britney’s friends would participate, Irene entered the studio and drew loud applause.

Irene Coppola accepted Britney's Ice Bucket Challenge on a television show and urged viewers to support ALS patients, helping the campaign spread among celebrities and businesses. By the end of August, Facebook had grown into a nationwide and international platform, while Britney's ALS Charity Foundation raised $15 million for patient care and research.

• Irene Coppola joined Britney on Diane's show, accepted the challenge, and called on viewers to learn about ALS and show compassion.
• Irene announced that Madonna would take the challenge, then filmed her own challenge and invited Adelaide Griffin, Hilary Swank, and Johnny Depp to participate.
• Adelaide Griffin completed the challenge with Fox executives, drawing businesses and film companies into the campaign as Facebook gained hundreds of thousands of users.
• Hilary Swank and Johnny Depp joined the campaign, which grew into a nationwide craze and brought Facebook more than a million new registrations and the charity foundation over $10 million in donations within three days.
• Throughout August, Facebook expanded beyond the United States and gained over 20 million new users as the Ice Bucket Challenge spread across the country and abroad.
• Britney's ALS Charity Foundation received $15 million in August and used the donations for rehabilitation equipment, treatment subsidies, and research partnerships.

Irene Coppola, Britney Spears, and Facebook reaped major gains from the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised money and awareness for ALS and established Facebook as a global social media platform. By September, Irene was juggling film projects, Facebook’s IPO preparations, and charity work, with the challenge’s organizers planning to expand it to Europe and Asia.

• Irene Coppola’s Facebook shares surged in value, and the Ice Bucket Challenge established her as a leading businesswoman.
• Britney Spears’s role as the challenge’s initiator boosted her public image, popularity, and record sales.
• Facebook’s team added charity and business features as the platform grew beyond 25 million users.
• On the last day of August, Irene, Britney, Shelly, and Chen Shiyu celebrated the challenge’s reach and discussed donations, ALS treatment, and expansion abroad.
• In September, Irene revised her packed schedule while overseeing Million Dollar Baby, Facebook’s IPO preparations, and the ALS charity foundation.

Irene agreed with Shelly that her expanding film, business, and charity responsibilities required a dedicated manager, then interviewed a candidate ten days later. She was stunned to recognize him as Robert Smith, the former MGM marketing head who had helped launch her career.

• Shelly told Irene that her overloaded team needed a professional manager to handle film investments and business partnerships, and Irene agreed to expand her staff.
• Irene listed her requirements for the candidate: shared artistic and business values, discretion, and the ability to get things done.
• Vera brought Irene Facebook's preliminary IPO evaluation report, and Shelly left to search his industry network for candidates.
• Ten days later, Irene met with Goldman Sachs about Facebook's IPO and prepared to interview a candidate at the relocated office.
• Robert Smith arrived for the interview, and Irene recognized him as the former MGM marketing head who had backed Legally Blonde and later lost his position after being framed.

Irene reunited with Robert and hired him to manage her film investments and Hollywood operations. Within a week, he reviewed her backlog and assembled much of the Million Dollar Baby production team.

• Irene and Robert unexpectedly reunited during his interview, and Robert explained why he wanted to join her company.
• Irene hired Robert to oversee film investments, studio partnerships, distribution, and publicity, with a trial period through the end of the year.
• On his second day, Robert asked Vera to send him Irene's pending scripts and production materials and began recruiting a three-person core team.
• Robert reviewed 36 film proposals and revised details in the Million Dollar Baby script after discussing its direction with Irene.
• On his seventh day, Robert reported that Mark Johnson had joined as executive producer, Roger Deakins was confirmed as director of photography, and casting had begun.

Robert proposed targeting teen audiences with young adult IPs, then presented Irene with two low-budget film projects she recognized as future hits. Irene ordered him to negotiate discreetly for Saw and Little Miss Sunshine and secure exclusive investment and IP rights, leaving the projects as her top priority.

• Robert suggested acquiring young adult novel IPs and using Facebook to engage fans and develop films, merchandise, and a lasting business model.
• Robert showed Irene proposals for Saw and Little Miss Sunshine, and Irene recognized both as films destined for major success.
• Irene told Robert to contact both creators quickly, offer their asking prices, keep negotiations secret, and secure exclusive investment and future IP rights.
• Robert hurried off to begin negotiations, and Irene told Chen Shiyu that the two films would soon stun Hollywood.

Irene met James Wan and Leigh Whannell to discuss their Saw proposal and agreed to fund the film while protecting their creative control. The contracts were signed, and James and Leigh left ready to make the movie with Irene and Robert’s support.

• Irene welcomed James Wan and Leigh Whannell and praised their Saw script and its focus on victims facing life-or-death tests.
• James explained that the story’s game structure came from wanting characters to value what they risked losing, while keeping production costs practical.
• Robert presented contracts offering $1.2 million in funding, a two-month shooting schedule, creative freedom, shared rights to develop the IP, and marketing support.
• Irene signed the contracts, and James and Leigh signed them in turn.
• James asked whether Irene would direct Saw, and Irene explained that she was too afraid of horror movies and wanted James to direct his own project.
• Irene promised distribution and marketing support, and James and Leigh thanked her and committed to making the film.

Irene and Robert discussed waiting for Focus Features to abandon Little Miss Sunshine and pursuing a small or midsize film distributor. Meanwhile, Michael Arndt rejected Focus's buyout terms and left with 24 hours to decide.

• Irene told Robert to stop contacting Michael Arndt while Focus Features negotiated for Little Miss Sunshine and to move quickly if Focus walked away.
• Irene asked Robert to seek a small or midsize distributor with theater-chain partnerships, a film library, and a reasonable price.
• Focus Features offered Michael Arndt $1.8 million for all Little Miss Sunshine rights, including sequels and merchandising, with no further payment.
• Michael Arndt rejected the buyout and demanded creative control, then left to consider the offer.
• A Focus Features executive gave Michael Arndt 24 hours to accept before the offer expired.

After Focus Features demanded all rights to Little Miss Sunshine, Arndt considered giving up until Mary told him Echo Pictures wanted to meet. Robert reassured Arndt that he could retain creative control, and Arndt agreed to travel to New York to discuss the deal.

• Arndt told Mary that he had rejected Focus Features' $1.8 million offer because they wanted all rights and control over revisions.
• Mary told Arndt that Echo Pictures had contacted her and promised to respect his creative autonomy.
• Arndt called Buck, who told him Echo Pictures belonged to Irene Coppola and praised her track record.
• Robert spoke with Arndt, confirmed that Echo Pictures would support the film without interfering with its creative core, and discussed the script with him.
• Arndt agreed to travel to New York the next day to negotiate and finalize a deal with Echo Pictures.

Irene prepared the cast and crew to begin filming Million Dollar Baby, insisting on realism and a tight schedule. Forty days later, filming neared its end as Hilary Swank appeared transformed into a frail hospital patient through special-effects makeup.

• Focus Features department heads dismissed Arndt's Little Miss Sunshine script and its $1.8 million offer while Arndt prepared to travel to New York.
• After signing the investment contract with Arndt, Irene returned to Los Angeles to prepare Million Dollar Baby for filming.
• Irene corrected Edward's makeup and the set's props and costumes, then rejected a Warner executive's visit so the crew could meet the fifty-day schedule.
• Irene encouraged Hilary Swank before filming began, and Hilary showed her determination to play the boxer.
• Forty days into filming, Hilary Swank portrayed a frail hospital patient using special-effects makeup.

Irene completed filming Million Dollar Baby and began planning its post-production with editor Hill Cook. With the footage secured and Warner Bros. promising a major publicity campaign, the story left the film in Hill’s hands for editing.

• Irene directed Hilary and Robert De Niro through Maggie’s final hospital scene, impressing visiting Warner Bros. executives.
• Hope Leslie promised Warner Bros. support for the film’s publicity, and Mark said Facebook would help promote it.
• Irene wrapped filming and supervised the labeling and secure storage of all the reels.
• Irene met Hill Cook at his editing studio and explained that the film centered on choice and redemption.
• Irene and Hill settled the editing approach, music, and visual style, and Irene left him to complete post-production.

Irene attended the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl premiere and reassured Fox executives that Captain Jack Sparrow would win over audiences. She also learned Britney Spears loved the two songs Irene had sent her and planned to record them, while Edward invited Irene to watch the first cut of Million Dollar Baby.

• Irene agreed to meet with a Disney producer to confirm the premiere arrangements for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
• At the Orlando premiere lounge, Irene reassured Adelaide Griffin that Captain Jack Sparrow's unusual character would appeal to audiences.
• Britney Spears arrived at the premiere with Edward Norton and embraced Irene amid cheers from fans.
• Britney told Irene that she loved "Buttons" and "SexyBack," and that her producer wanted her to record both songs.
• Edward told Irene that the first cut of Million Dollar Baby was finished and invited her to watch it after the Pirates of the Caribbean promotion.

At the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere, reporters questioned whether Irene Coppola’s expensive pirate film could overcome Hollywood’s doubts and succeed. Henry Cavill and Keira Knightley defended the movie while keeping their relationship ambiguous, and Irene remained confident that its legend had only begun.

• Marion, Gary, and Carmen discussed the film’s huge budget, the failure of Cutthroat Island, and their doubts about its box-office prospects.
• Henry Cavill and Keira Knightley arrived together and answered reporters’ questions about their relationship, describing themselves as close friends while leaving the possibility of romance open.
• Henry and Keira praised Pirates of the Caribbean and expressed confidence that its adventure, story, and performances would win over audiences.
• Gary reconsidered his doubts, Marion wondered if Irene could revive pirate movies, and Irene remained certain that the film’s success was yet to come.

At the Pirates of the Caribbean screening, Jerry Bruckheimer worried that skepticism and competition from 007: Die Another Day would doom the film, while Irene and the actors defended it. As the audience criticized the early scenes, Jack Sparrow finally appeared and left the theater stunned.

• Jerry Bruckheimer told Irene he feared the film would fail against 007: Die Another Day, and Irene reassured him that the movie and Jack Sparrow were strong.
• Henry Cavill and Keira Knightley joined Irene and argued that Captain Jack was more entertaining than Bond.
• The screening began, and Robert arrived after handling business related to Saw to watch the film with Irene.
• As Will and Elizabeth appeared, critics in the theater called the leads unimpressive and the plot ordinary, while Carmen openly condemned the movie.
• Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, rose from a sinking dinghy and stepped onto the dock, leaving the theater silent before someone asked what kind of pirate he was.

The audience and Mel Gibson watched Pirates of the Caribbean transform their doubts into admiration as Jack Sparrow captivated them. Mel recognized Irene Coppola’s creative control and filmmaking skill, leaving him to accept the film as a genuine creative triumph.

• Jack Sparrow’s unconventional entrance and witty escapes delighted the theater audience, including Carmen and Robert.
• Jack’s scenes energized the film, and the audience applauded his escape through the fog and fell silent when he protected Elizabeth.
• Mel Gibson watched incognito, expecting Irene Coppola’s pirate film to be shallow and formulaic.
• Jack Sparrow’s performance overturned Mel’s expectations, and he recognized the creative precision behind the character.
• As Pirates of the Caribbean unfolded, Mel admired Irene’s adventurous story, cinematography, editing, and firm control over the film.
• Mel watched the audience applaud and admitted that Irene understood both the market and what made a good movie.

The premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ended with a roaring audience reception that moved the cast and crew. Robert Smith left convinced the film could rival 007 and resolved to work harder to secure his place on Irene's team.

• Mel slipped out of the theater while the audience applauded and praised Jack Sparrow.
• Irene and Jerry led the cast and crew onto the stage to thank the audience for supporting the film.
• Henry Cavill and Keira Knightley greeted the crowd, while Johnny Depp tearfully thanked the audience, Irene, and the crew for bringing Jack Sparrow to life.
• The audience continued cheering for Captain Jack as Irene left the stage confident that the film's box-office success was just beginning.
• Robert Smith judged that Pirates of the Caribbean could compete with 007 and decided he needed to work harder to stay in Irene's favor.

After its premiere, Pirates of the Caribbean drew glowing reviews, celebrity endorsements, and intense public interest. The film’s popularity overwhelmed theaters and merchandise suppliers, leaving Fox and Disney scrambling to meet demand.

• Major outlets praised Pirates of the Caribbean, and its Rotten Tomatoes score settled at 90 percent.
• Tom Hanks and Matt Damon recommended the film, while Fox and Disney continued their promotional campaigns.
• Theater manager Tom ordered most available screens reassigned to Pirates of the Caribbean after attendance reached 92 percent and tickets sold out quickly.
• Theater chains across the United States requested more copies, prompting Fox’s marketing director to arrange additional production and distribution.
• Disney’s merchandise department found Captain Jack products selling out and ordered hats, clothing, and accessories produced and restocked in large quantities.

Irene learned that Pirates of the Caribbean had become a major box-office and merchandise success, while Robert Iger urged her to discuss its sequels. In the editing room, she offered Hill Cook the chance to become a producer, leaving him stunned.

• Robert Iger told Irene that Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise had sold out and the film had earned over $51 million in two days.
• Robert Iger proposed starting the sequels, but Irene said she would discuss them after finishing Million Dollar Baby.
• Hill Cook congratulated Irene on the film's success, and they toasted their work together.
• Irene reflected on her crowded workload and told Hill she trusted him as a creative partner.
• Irene asked Hill whether he had considered becoming a producer, and Hill froze in surprise.