Chapter Summaries

Irene discussed the differences between film and television with Eleanor and began considering television as a way to expand Future World Pictures. She stayed at her family home, eager to see her sister Sophia, but remained unsure how the company should enter television.

• Eleanor explained how film and television writers differed in income, storytelling, and audience impact.
• Irene said she might try a television project someday, and considered adapting classic shows to expand the company's business.
• Eleanor welcomed Irene home and told her that Sophia had returned and would be back later.
• Irene settled into her old room and thought about how television could provide steadier revenue and complement Future World's film franchises.
• Irene recognized that Future World lacked experienced television staff and worried that a rushed launch could harm its film projects.

Irene returned home and caught up with her family over breakfast, discussing her movie’s budget and its chances at the box office. Sophia described the successful previews and publicity campaign for Lost in Translation, leaving the sisters encouraged by Robert Smith’s work.

• Sophia welcomed Irene home and shared the pineapple pie Eleanor had made for her.
• Irene told Sophia that her movie had cost less than $280 million and explained that the five-star meals on set had been arranged for Depp.
• Francis joined the family and warned Irene not to let studio praise make her forget the gap between her and James Cameron.
• Sophia told Irene that Lost in Translation had held preview screenings and that Robert Smith had built a publicity campaign around its audience.
• Irene praised Robert’s marketing expertise and said Sophia’s film was strong in its own right.

Sophia discussed Lost in Translation’s promotion and Oscar campaign with Francis and Irene, who advised her to focus on Best Original Screenplay rather than Best Picture or Best Director. Sophia left disappointed by the odds against her, while Irene considered helping her find other projects.

• Sophia said Robert had secured wide art-house distribution and strong screening slots for Lost in Translation.
• Francis praised Robert and asked Sophia about her Oscar campaign, and Sophia admitted she lacked confidence.
• Irene described the publicity strategy that helped Million Dollar Baby earn seven Oscar nominations and advised Sophia to choose a focused campaign.
• Irene recommended that Sophia target Best Original Screenplay, warned that Best Picture was out of reach, and said Peter Jackson was favored for Best Director.
• Sophia nodded at Irene’s encouragement but remained disappointed, and Irene considered finding her sister other projects.

Sophia discussed the challenges of campaigning for an Oscar with Francis and Irene, then was asked to consider directing Irene’s Brokeback Mountain adaptation. She agreed to read the novel and screenplay before deciding, while Irene took a call from Lisa.

• Francis warned Sophia that Oscar campaigns involved Hollywood power plays, and Irene encouraged her to stay true to her principles.
• Francis asked Irene about her plans after Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and she said she was seeking a meaningful project after Transformers.
• Irene remembered that she had acquired the rights to Brokeback Mountain and had nearly finished the screenplay, but had not chosen a director.
• Francis suggested that Sophia direct the adaptation, and Irene enthusiastically offered her the project.
• Sophia said she would read the novel and screenplay before deciding whether she was suited to the sensitive story.
• Irene promised to send Sophia the materials, and then answered a call from Lisa.

Irene learned that HBO was competing with Future World Pictures for the rights to A Song of Ice and Fire, but she decided to pursue the project and then set work aside to celebrate her 22nd birthday with her family. After receiving birthday wishes and gifts, she shared photos of her family celebration on Facebook.

• Lisa told Irene that HBO had contacted George R.R. Martin's agent about A Song of Ice and Fire, and Irene instructed her to offer Martin better terms and creative freedom.
• Irene discussed HBO's advantages with Sophia and Francis, then decided to put the competition aside and celebrate her birthday.
• Jerry Bruckheimer sent Irene white roses, and industry colleagues including Keira Knightley and Hilary Swank wished her happy birthday online.
• Eleanor brought out a chocolate mousse cake, and Irene made a wish before blowing out her 22 candles with her family gathered around.
• Irene looked through photos her father had taken and posted pictures of the family celebration on Facebook, leaving out photos of her expensive gifts.

Irene enjoyed her birthday and laughed at fans who mistook her family’s understated but luxurious lifestyle for a simple one. That evening, Lisa Evelyn arrived with a serious work update, but Irene welcomed her to dinner before they discussed business.

• Irene read fans’ birthday comments and realized they praised her life as simple because her family kept its expensive possessions understated.
• Irene and Sophia toasted to family, love, and the peaceful life they shared.
• Irene spent the afternoon relaxing and checking Facebook before chatting with Sophia in the courtyard that evening.
• Lisa Evelyn arrived at the villa with a briefcase, wished Irene a happy birthday, and said she had come to give her a work update.
• Irene invited Lisa to join the family’s barbecue, and Francis welcomed her to dinner.
• Irene, Sophia, Lisa, and the others enjoyed Japanese Wagyu before Lisa’s work update.

Irene used Lisa’s inside information about HBO’s modest offer for A Song of Ice and Fire to prepare a more generous bid for George R.R. Martin. Lisa also reported that Future World had become Marvel’s largest individual shareholder, giving Irene the chance to attend its annual shareholders’ meeting and press for greater influence.

• Lisa told Irene that HBO had offered Martin $500,000 for the rights, a $5 million-per-episode first-season budget, and 5% of series profits, while the books had sold fewer than 300,000 copies.
• Irene instructed Lisa to offer Martin $1 million, an 8% profit share, executive-producer status, creative freedom, and extensive promotion for A Song of Ice and Fire.
• Lisa reported that Future World had quietly acquired 13.5% of Marvel’s shares and become its largest individual shareholder.
• Lisa told Irene that Marvel’s annual shareholders’ meeting was scheduled for the following Monday, and Irene decided the meeting could help her assess Marvel and approach its CEO about hero film rights.

Irene decided to attend Marvel’s shareholders’ meeting after acquiring a major stake, while Marvel CEO Isaac Perelman prepared for her arrival. The chapter left Isaac anxious about Irene’s influence and ordered his staff to investigate her before the meeting.

• Irene agreed to attend Marvel’s shareholders’ meeting, and Lisa prepared documents and lawyers to support her.
• Irene reviewed the meeting materials and resolved to build her film empire despite the obstacles ahead.
• Isaac Perelman learned that Irene held 13.5% of Marvel’s shares and had become its largest individual shareholder after the Perelman Family.
• Isaac recalled that he had rejected Irene’s requests for superhero adaptation rights and anticipated she might seek influence over Marvel.
• Isaac ordered Peter Cooper to investigate Irene and Future World Pictures and alerted Marvel’s legal and finance teams to prepare for the meeting.

Irene attended Marvel’s annual shareholders’ meeting as a major shareholder while the company reported falling revenue, profits, and stock value. Shareholders challenged CEO Isaac Perelman over Marvel’s lack of film development and declining licensing business, leaving him under pressure to present a workable plan.

• On the way to Marvel’s headquarters, Lisa briefed Irene on Isaac Perelman, the Perelman Family’s stake, and the company’s past sale of film rights.
• Irene arrived at the shareholders’ meeting and observed Isaac, the other shareholders, and the company’s struggling position.
• Marvel’s chief financial officer reported lower revenue and profits, a falling share price, and tight cash flow.
• Shareholders criticized Isaac for Marvel’s weak film business and outdated toy licensing, and urged him to develop the heroes whose rights Marvel still owned.
• Isaac said Marvel could not afford large film productions and that toy-manufacturer talks were ongoing, but shareholders demanded concrete action.

Irene approached Isaac after a contentious Marvel shareholders’ meeting and proposed uniting its heroes in a shared story universe to revive the company. Isaac rejected the idea and warned her not to interfere, leaving their disagreement unresolved.

• Marvel’s shareholders criticized Isaac’s management during a heated meeting, while Irene stayed silent.
• After the meeting, Irene asked Isaac to speak privately and praised his decision to preserve Marvel’s remaining hero IP.
• Isaac described plans to focus on comics, toy licensing, and low-budget animated series.
• Irene proposed a shared universe featuring heroes such as Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America.
• Isaac dismissed crossovers as gimmicky and said he would protect Marvel’s traditions from interference.
• Irene challenged Isaac’s refusal to adapt, and her patience ran out as he ended the discussion.

After Isaac Perelman rejected Irene Coppola’s plans for Marvel, she asked Chen Shiyu to investigate him and build support for removing him as CEO. Irene returned to Malibu, where she found Sophia reading Brokeback Mountain.

• Irene left Marvel’s headquarters after Isaac refused to consider her proposals for reform.
• Irene asked Chen Shiyu to investigate Isaac and seek support from shareholders to replace him as CEO.
• Isaac dismissed Peter’s suggestion that Marvel’s heroes could benefit from crossovers, insisting that tradition mattered more than commercial tactics.
• Irene flew back to Malibu and reached home as dusk fell.
• Irene entered the living room and saw Sophia reading Brokeback Mountain.

Irene returned from New York and told Sophia about the difficult Marvel shareholders' meeting. Sophia declined to direct Brokeback Mountain, explaining that she could not fully connect with its characters, and suggested Ang Lee instead; Irene planned to approach him.

• Irene told Sophia that Marvel CEO Isaac Perelman had resisted innovation and that she planned to replace him after Chen Shiyu investigated him.
• Sophia told Irene she admired Brokeback Mountain but could not direct it because she could not fully identify with Ennis and Jack's experience.
• Irene accepted Sophia's decision and agreed that the film needed a director with a genuine emotional connection to its story.
• Sophia recommended Ang Lee, citing his sensitive work in The Wedding Banquet and his ability to portray restrained emotional conflict.
• Irene agreed Ang Lee was the right choice and said she knew how to persuade him.

Irene discussed adapting Brokeback Mountain with her family and decided to approach Ang Lee about directing it. She called him while he was vacationing in Northern Europe and learned that he felt Hollywood had stopped offering him worthwhile work after Hulk underperformed.

• Sophia suggested adding scenes to strengthen Ennis and Jack’s relationship and showing more of Alma’s inner turmoil, while Irene listened and kept her ideas in mind.
• At dinner, Francis praised Ang Lee’s talent but worried Brokeback Mountain would lose money, and Eleanor urged Irene to handle the sensitive subject carefully and make its love story universal.
• After a morning run with Lucky, Irene decided to give Ang Lee a week to consider directing the film and called him on his private number.
• Ang Lee told Irene he was enjoying a cruise in Northern Europe but felt lonely because his agent had found him no decent projects since Hulk underperformed.

Irene invited Ang Lee to direct Brokeback Mountain, promising him creative freedom and arranging for the novel to be sent to him in Norway. While waiting for him to read it, she began preparing detailed adaptation notes and researching the era's social climate.

• Irene called Ang Lee, reassured him about The Hulk, and invited him to direct Brokeback Mountain after reading Annie Proulx's novel.
• Ang Lee agreed to read the novel, and Irene arranged for Vera to send a copy by airfreight to his cruise ship's next port in Bergen, Norway.
• At breakfast, Irene told Eleanor, Francis, and Sophia about the invitation and promised to give Ang Lee full creative freedom and adequate funding.
• Irene began organizing screenplay reference material, expanding the young Ennis and Jack's scenes and Alma's introspection, and researching LGBT life in the United States from the 1960s to the 1980s.

After discussing Brokeback Mountain with her family, Irene decided to approach Ang Lee about directing it and called him while he vacationed in Northern Europe. Ang revealed that he felt sidelined in Hollywood after Hulk’s disappointing reception and still wanted to make films he cared about.

• Sophia suggested expanding the young Ennis and Jack scenes and showing more of Alma’s turmoil, while Eleanor urged Irene to adapt the sensitive story with care.
• Francis praised Ang Lee’s talent but warned that Brokeback Mountain might lose money, and Irene accepted his concerns.
• After a morning run with Lucky, Irene decided to contact Ang Lee about directing the film and give him time to consider it.
• Irene called Ang Lee, who said he was vacationing on a Northern European cruise and had struggled to find work since Hulk disappointed.
• Ang Lee told Irene he did not want to retire and still hoped to make more films that mattered to him.

Irene invited Ang Lee to direct her adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, promising creative freedom and arranging for the novel to be delivered to him in Norway. After breakfast, she began developing screenplay notes to deepen the young Ennis and Jack’s scenes and Alma’s perspective.

• Irene reassured Ang Lee about The Hulk and offered him the chance to direct Brokeback Mountain, explaining why she believed he suited the story.
• Ang Lee agreed to read the novel, and Irene promised him full creative freedom and an ample budget if he chose to direct.
• Irene received Ang Lee’s cruise details and asked Vera to send the book by international air express to Bergen, where it was expected within three days.
• At breakfast, Irene told Eleanor, Sophia, and Francis about inviting Ang Lee; she affirmed that she would trust his direction and support his creative choices.
• Irene began organizing adaptation notes, planning to expand Ennis and Jack’s early scenes and Alma’s inner thoughts while researching the era’s conditions for LGBT people.

Irene invited Ang Lee to direct an adaptation of Brokeback Mountain and arranged for the novella to be delivered to him while he was on a cruise in Northern Europe. After breakfast, she began preparing screenplay notes and researching the era to support the film’s development.

• Irene reassured Ang Lee about The Hulk and invited him to direct Brokeback Mountain, offering him creative freedom and a sufficient budget.
• Ang Lee agreed to read the novella and sent Irene the details for delivery to his cruise ship’s next port, Bergen, Norway.
• Irene asked Vera to send Ang Lee a copy of Brokeback Mountain by international express, and Vera confirmed it should arrive within three days.
• Irene told Eleanor, Sophia, and Francis about inviting Ang Lee, and she assured Francis that she would not interfere with the director’s creative decisions.
• Irene began organizing adaptation notes, planning to expand Ennis and Jack’s youthful scenes and Alma’s inner thoughts, while researching LGBT life in the United States from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Irene presented Ang Lee and Kevin with a detailed release and marketing plan for Brokeback Mountain, easing their concerns about the film’s controversial subject. Ang Lee and Kevin became confident in the project’s commercial and Oscar prospects.

• Irene asked Ang Lee and Kevin what they thought of Brokeback Mountain, and Ang Lee praised its emotional depth while voicing concerns about its subject and market risks.
• Kevin agreed that the film could provoke backlash and worried that it was a risky choice for Ang Lee after Hulk.
• Irene gave them a proposal outlining a phased release, targeted marketing for mainstream and gay audiences, and promotion through international film festivals.
• Ang Lee and Kevin read the plan and were impressed by its detailed strategy and Oscar campaign.
• Ang Lee praised Irene’s grasp of the film market, and Kevin said the plan addressed their concerns and made the film’s chances of success look strong.

Irene secured Ang Lee as the director of Brokeback Mountain and sent the team to finalize the contract. She then agreed to visit Jerry Bruckheimer and review the editing of Dead Man's Chest.

• Irene promised Ang Lee creative freedom, a production budget of at least $20 million, and ample promotion, resolving his concerns about Brokeback Mountain.
• Ang Lee accepted Irene's offer to direct the film, and Kevin and Robert were left to discuss the contract and fees.
• Irene asked Robert to finalize the contract with Kevin and sent Sophia the news.
• Ang Lee and Kevin drove to the hotel discussing the film and Ang Lee's hopes for a career comeback.
• Jerry Bruckheimer invited Irene to the Disney Editing Studio to review Hill's work on Dead Man's Chest, and Irene agreed to come over.

Irene visited Jerry and Hill at Disney Editing Studio, discussed her upcoming producing project with Ang Lee, and praised Jerry’s work on Veronica Guerin. She left the project’s subject undisclosed while Jerry inferred it was an art film.

• Irene drove to Disney Editing Studio, where Jerry welcomed her and Hill showed her the editing room.
• Irene told Jerry she would produce a new project starting next year and credited him with teaching her about producing.
• Irene revealed that she had invited Ang Lee to direct, and Jerry questioned the choice because of Hulk’s failure.
• Irene defended Ang Lee’s talent and withheld details about the project, while Jerry guessed it was an art film.
• Irene praised Veronica Guerin’s storytelling and Cate Blanchett’s performance.