Chapter Summaries

Irene declined Ira Walker’s request to become her co-agent after Robert explained that Ira wanted to balance Shelly Ovitz’s growing power within CAA. To repay Ira for his support, she proposed partnering on The Voice, a nationwide singing competition that would discover overlooked talent.

• Robert explained that Ira wanted access to Irene’s resources to counter Shelly’s influence and protect his position as CAA’s CEO.
• Irene met with Ira at Echo Pictures and firmly declined his request to become her co-agent, keeping Shelly as her sole representative.
• Irene offered Ira a different, lasting partnership to repay the help he had given her.
• Irene described Echo Pictures’ plan to build its own distribution channel and launch The Voice, a competition featuring blind auditions, team battles, and a nationwide vote.
• Ira recognized the show’s potential and became intensely interested in Irene’s proposal.

Irene secured CAA’s partnership on The Voice and proposed a new record label with Britney, while Echo Pictures acquired a local cable television station. With Britney’s tour finished, the four core decision-makers gathered to begin planning the label.

• Irene convinced Ira Walker that The Voice would give CAA priority access to promising contestants and proposed establishing a record label with Britney Spears.
• Ira Walker recommended potential coaches for The Voice and pledged CAA’s support with network connections and preparations.
• Robert Smith negotiated Echo Pictures’ acquisition of a local cable television station, which Irene added to her holdings.
• Britney completed her global concert tour and joined Irene, Robert Smith, and Jean Williams for a closed-door meeting about the new record label.

Irene proposed launching a record company with Britney as its majority owner, but Britney explained that putting the business under her name would invite her greedy relatives to interfere. Irene accepted that the original ownership plan carried too much risk, leaving the company’s structure unresolved.

• Edward was surprised that Irene planned to help Britney start a record company and doubted Britney and Irene could build a sustainable business.
• Robert presented the company’s preparations, and Jean Williams explained how a record company could work alongside a variety show to develop and monetize talent.
• Irene proposed that Britney own 60% of the company, she own 30%, and the remaining 10% be reserved for operators or investors.
• Britney rejected the plan, explaining that her relatives would demand shares, meddle in management, and claim profits if the company became a public asset under her name.
• Irene acknowledged Britney’s concerns and said that registering the company solely under Britney’s name carried too many risks.

Jean Williams proposed consolidating Irene’s businesses into a media group, but Irene decided to delay the move until her company could withstand the Big Six’s retaliation. She explained that its current growth depended on staying beneath the giants’ notice and lacking control of crucial film and overseas distribution channels.

• Irene revised Britney’s label plan so Echo Pictures would handle public corporate matters while ownership, decisions, and profits followed the partners’ shareholdings, and Britney felt reassured.
• Irene, Britney, Robert, and Jean finalized the label’s funding, staffing, copyright reserves, artist plans, and connection to The Voice before Robert and Britney left to handle preparations.
• Jean proposed integrating Irene’s film, distribution, television, and music businesses into a media group, arguing that their industrial chain was complete.
• Irene rejected the proposal for now, explaining that major studios had tolerated her company because it had not controlled blockbuster franchises, DreamWorks had drawn their fire, and she had kept her ambitions private.
• Irene warned that forming a group would expose her as a rival and invite attacks through Hollywood’s ratings system and the Big Six’s overseas distribution channels.

Irene’s birthday passed in peaceful leisure as she waited for the right opportunity to build Echo Pictures’ overseas distribution network. Chen Shiyu then revealed that Marvel CEO Isaac Perelman had secretly used Marvel’s core superhero rights as collateral for a large loan and invested the money in the stock market.

• Irene continued to wait for the right moment to expand Echo Pictures, believing an independent overseas distribution channel was essential to building her media empire.
• Irene celebrated a relaxed birthday after handing Transformers’ postproduction work to Paramount’s team.
• Chen Shiyu called Irene with a birthday gift: secret intelligence about Marvel CEO Isaac Perelman.
• Chen Shiyu told Irene that Isaac had pledged the rights to many of Marvel’s core heroes to secure a huge loan from an elite Wall Street asset management company.
• Chen Shiyu explained that Isaac had invested the borrowed money in the stock market, and that a client had accidentally discovered the secret.

Chen Shiyu uncovered that Isaac Perelman was trapped in a severe debt crisis that could threaten Marvel. Irene recognized the crisis as her chance to gain a foothold in Marvel and decided to act before the opportunity disappeared.

• Chen Shiyu heard that a client planned to close his account because of the firm's exorbitant fees and leverage.
• Chen Shiyu investigated the firm's records and confirmed that Isaac Perelman faced a worsening financial crisis.
• Chen Shiyu told Irene that Isaac's debt troubles left him vulnerable and created an opening for her to influence Marvel's leadership.
• Irene considered her previous plan to slowly accumulate Marvel shares and realized Isaac's crisis offered a rare chance to move sooner.
• Irene thanked Chen Shiyu and resolved not to let the opportunity slip away.

With Brokeback Mountain a week from its nationwide release, Irene and Ang Lee finalized a restrained publicity and Oscar campaign focused on the film’s craft and sincere production story. The film then opened quietly in North American theaters as Echo Pictures began its awards submissions and critics’ screenings.

• Future World Pictures held a final launch meeting, where Irene reunited with Ang Lee and saw how exhausted he remained after making Brokeback Mountain.
• Irene outlined a post-release strategy built on word of mouth and candid interviews about the film’s demanding shoot and carefully restrained emotional storytelling.
• Ang Lee agreed to discuss the crew’s hardships and the effort behind the film in interviews, and Irene’s confidence eased his unease.
• Brokeback Mountain arrived in North American theaters without a major premiere or high-profile publicity campaign.
• Echo Pictures submitted the film to major U.S. awards organizations and arranged screenings for leading critics and journalists.

After Brokeback Mountain received rave reviews and became a leading Oscar contender, controversy over its subject matter spread. Irene ordered Robert’s publicity team to amplify discriminatory backlash rather than suppress it, and the resulting online abuse and protests set off a nationwide clash over the film.

• Major critics and newspapers praised Brokeback Mountain, while Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic gave it high scores and Oscar nominations seemed assured.
• Conservative viewers and religious groups condemned the film, prompting Robert’s team to plan to contain the controversy.
• Irene told the stunned team to pay commenters to intensify discriminatory attacks and boycotts while keeping criticism focused on gender discrimination rather than the film’s quality.
• Robert and the team objected, but they followed Irene’s order because she insisted she knew what she was doing.
• Paid commenters flooded social media and film forums with hateful remarks and boycott calls, while small groups organized street demonstrations against the film.

As controversy drives more viewers to see Brokeback Mountain, Jane and Susan watch the film and recognize their own secret relationship in Ennis and Jack’s tragic love. After leaving the cinema, they promise to stay together and post a review as audiences begin defending the film online.

• Jane and Susan go to a Christmas screening of Brokeback Mountain, which is more than half full despite the online boycott.
• They watch Ennis and Jack’s love end in separation and regret, and both are moved to tears.
• Jane and Susan embrace after the film and promise not to let society or fear keep them apart.
• The couple find that viewers’ opinions are shifting as people share ticket stubs and positive reviews on Facebook.
• Jane and Susan post their own heartfelt review, which gains more than ten thousand likes in ten minutes.

Irene watched the Marvel shareholders' meeting begin after secretly informing several powerful shareholders that Isaac Perelman had mortgaged superhero rights to fund stock speculation and had fallen into debt. The room's furious mood suggested a confrontation with Marvel's leadership was imminent, while Irene stayed hidden among uninformed shareholders and waited for the conflict to erupt.

• Irene stopped focusing on Brokeback Mountain's online controversy after the film secured strong acclaim and improved public acceptance of homosexuality.
• Irene attended Marvel's annual shareholders' meeting after secretly sending evidence of Isaac Perelman's financial misconduct to several influential shareholders.
• Irene spoke with newcomer Baker Charles, who praised her directing and asked about the meeting's tense atmosphere.
• Irene pretended the shareholders were upset about Marvel's poor earnings while the informed core shareholders exchanged guarded looks.
• Irene remained among the uninformed shareholders and waited for the Perelman Family and established shareholders to clash.

At Marvel’s annual shareholders’ meeting, Irene and the other shareholders confronted CEO Isaac Perelman with evidence that he had secretly mortgaged Marvel’s superhero licensing rights to fund personal stock speculation. The shareholders united to strip him of authority, investigate the Perelman Family, and protect Marvel’s core assets.

• Isaac Perelman arrived late and delivered routine reports and promises at Marvel’s annual meeting.
• A major shareholder introduced legal and financial auditors, who distributed detailed evidence of Isaac’s unauthorized mortgage, trading losses, and debts.
• Irene and the shareholders read the reports as Isaac’s composure gave way to panic.
• Shareholders condemned Isaac for risking Marvel’s licensing rights and concealing the danger of losing them to creditors.
• A major shareholder proposed removing Isaac as CEO, investigating the Perelman Family, seeking compensation, and freezing procedures involving the mortgaged rights.

Isaac Perelman was dismissed as Marvel’s CEO after the shareholders rejected his desperate pleas over his misuse of the company’s copyrights. Peter Cooper was appointed interim CEO for three months, while Irene Coppola considered whether he could serve as an ally in Marvel’s next power struggle.

• Isaac Perelman begged the shareholders to let him remain CEO and promised to personally cover the losses from his stock speculation.
• The major shareholder rejected Isaac’s pleas, and security guards escorted him from the conference room.
• The shareholders dismissed Isaac, revoked his authority, and appointed Peter Cooper interim CEO for three months.
• Irene Coppola recognized Peter as a steady, experienced choice but planned to assess his intentions before supporting him for the permanent position.

After Marvel appointed Peter Cooper as interim leader, Irene tested his ambition and his understanding of her Marvel Universe plan. Impressed by his vision, she offered to help him secure the CEO position if he pursued that direction.

• The shareholders left the conference room, leaving Irene and Peter Cooper alone.
• Irene asked Peter whether he wanted to remain CEO long-term, and Peter said he wanted to lead Marvel and turn the company around.
• Peter explained how Black Widow, Captain America, and Iron Man could anchor a shared universe, with Hydra connecting their stories.
• Irene decided Peter was a reliable choice to lead Marvel and told him she could help him secure the position if he followed the plan.

Irene investigated the factions still vying for control of Marvel while preparing to attend Oscar campaign events for Brokeback Mountain. At Warner Bros.' party, she reflected on her long separation from Loren and the feelings she had kept restrained.

• Irene ordered her intelligence team to investigate the Perelman Family's remaining forces and the original Marvel shareholders' candidates and demands.
• Irene decided to attend Oscar warm-up events after Shelly Ovitz urged her to maintain visibility and build goodwill with the Academy.
• Irene chose Warner Bros.' private party for The Aviator, where Leonardo and many Oscar contenders and industry figures were expected.
• Hope Leslie greeted Irene at the party and teased her about arriving alone and turning away potential suitors.
• Irene reflected on how long she had been separated from Loren and how she had repeatedly suppressed attraction to other people.

At an industry event, Irene reflected on her conflicting ideas about love before reconnecting with her godfather, George Lucas, who confided that he wanted to retire but feared leaving Lucasfilm without a successor. Irene pledged to acquire Lucasfilm, and their conversation was interrupted by Leonardo DiCaprio.

• Irene set aside her thoughts about love and spotted George Lucas at the banquet.
• Irene hugged George and caught up with him before briefly networking with industry figures.
• George told Irene he felt too old to keep pace with Hollywood and wanted to retire, but worried no one in his family could carry on Lucasfilm.
• Irene firmly offered to acquire Lucasfilm, and George showed relief at her sincere response.
• Leonardo DiCaprio approached Irene and George carrying champagne, frustrated by his Oscar prospects against Ray.

Irene reassured Leonardo about his Oscar chances and promised to support his Best Actor campaign, then returned to George Lucas as Anne Hathaway approached to thank her for casting her in Brokeback Mountain. Anne explained that the film had helped her grow beyond her princess roles, leaving her heartfelt gratitude still unfolding.

• Leonardo told Irene how much he wanted the Oscar after years of losing, and admitted that Jamie Foxx’s performance in Ray had impressed him.
• Irene promised Leonardo her vote and said she would ask people in her network to support him.
• Irene explained why Jamie Foxx was favored and encouraged Leonardo not to treat another possible loss as proof that his acting had failed.
• Leonardo rejoined the crowd while Irene stayed with George Lucas to discuss Lucasfilm negotiations and an acquisition.
• Anne Hathaway approached Irene and thanked her for giving her the role of Lureen in Brokeback Mountain, saying the film had deepened her understanding of acting.

Irene recognized Anne's growth in Brokeback Mountain and praised her performance as Lureen. She then asked whether Anne's schedule for the second half of the year was open, leaving Anne tense with hope that Irene might offer her a career-changing opportunity.

• Irene reflected on how her standing in Hollywood had risen while Anne remained constrained by her princess image.
• Irene set aside her former fan's affection and judged Anne by her acting, attitude, and ability.
• Irene praised Anne for portraying Lureen with restraint and authenticity, easing Anne's anxiety.
• Irene asked whether Anne's schedule for the second half of the year was still open.
• Anne felt surprised and hopeful as she awaited the possibility of a new opportunity from Irene.

Annie received a possible audition opportunity from Irene for an upcoming role and was told to keep the second half of the year free while preparing for a more intelligent, resilient character. After Cole investigated Irene’s projects, he suspected the role was in The Devil and helped Annie plan how to pursue it.

• Annie told Irene she could reserve her schedule for the second half of the year, and Irene told her to await an audition notice and cultivate a smarter, steadier presence.
• Annie told Cole about Irene’s opportunity, and he recognized it as a chance for her to break away from her princess image and advance her career.
• Cole investigated Irene’s projects through his industry connections and found three scripts, including the confidential project Juno and the more promising The Devil.
• Cole guessed that The Devil might follow a clever ordinary girl who entered the fashion world, and he urged Annie to prepare for the role and stay in Irene’s awareness.
• Annie resolved to improve herself and seize the opportunity to change her career.

Brokeback Mountain earned seven major Oscar nominations, and Irene believed it had a strong chance of winning Best Picture after she carefully managed its awards campaign. She balanced Oscar campaigning with acquisition talks for Lucasfilm, whose franchises and production assets could transform her business strategy.

• Irene calmly read the Oscar nominations at breakfast and celebrated internally when Brokeback Mountain received seven major nominations.
• Irene and Shelly Ovitz assessed the Best Picture competition and judged The Aviator the leading rival, while Irene believed Brokeback Mountain had stronger chances than others expected.
• Irene kept her producer credit in the background and promoted Robert Smith as the principal producer to avoid alienating Academy voters.
• Irene attended Oscar events and cultivated voter support while advancing acquisition talks with Lucasfilm.
• Irene considered Lucasfilm’s Star Wars and Indiana Jones rights, Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound, and production infrastructure valuable assets for her business.

Irene and George Lucas tentatively agreed on a $3 billion price for Lucasfilm, but Irene lacked enough liquid cash to complete the acquisition. She tasked her CFO, Jean Williams, with valuing tradable shares and devising a balanced payment plan before further negotiations.

• Irene and George Lucas tentatively settled on a $3 billion purchase price for Lucasfilm after three rounds of negotiations and assessments.
• Irene found that her cash was tied up in other acquisitions and upcoming productions, while her earnings from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest would take at least a year to arrive and still would not cover the full price.
• Jean Williams warned Irene against selling real estate or stocks quickly and proposed combining partial cash payment, installments, and an equity swap.
• Jean identified Irene's publicly traded Facebook shares and other tradable media and technology holdings as suitable assets for an equity exchange.
• Irene ordered Jean to assemble an assessment team and independent valuation firm to value the shares and calculate a balanced proposal for Lucasfilm's shareholders and legal team.